cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Partners and Competitors

The chapter examines challenges to the position of the British in Argentina soon after 1900 led by US and German firms. By 1913, the latter dominated several major new areas of trade, leaving the British increasingly confined to older sectors led by textiles and railways. The 1920s appeared another period of high prosperity although the British were again undermined by US competition. Discussion leads into “bilateralism” during the 1930s through the Roca-Runciman treaty granting the British preferential shares of the Argentine market. The chapter concludes with World War II, a period in which Britain imported massive quantities of Argentine meat on a basis of deferred payment.
Googly eyes and yard signs: Deconstructing one professor’s successful rebuffing of a right-wing attack on an academic institution:

Right-wing populism is on the rise worldwide, and political attacks against universities have increased in the United States since the election of Donald Trump. In 2017, an incident occurred at the...
Re-examination of dairy as a single commodity in US dietary guidance

Dairy products have been a key component of dietary guidance in the United States for more than 100 years. In light of major advances in the understanding of dietary intake and metabolism, the aim of this review was to examine whether dairy should remain a single commodity in federal guidance. Considerations include recognizing that a substantial proportion of the world's adult population (65%-70%) exhibits lactase nonpersistence, a reduced ability to metabolize lactose to glucose and galactose. Shifts in the US population, including a greater proportion of African Americans and Asians, are of key importance because several studies have shown a markedly higher prevalence of lactase nonpersistence and, consequently, a lower dairy intake among these groups. While cow's milk alternatives are available, families who use them will pay up to an additional $1400 per year compared with those who are able to consume dairy products. Dietary guidance also contains downstream effects for government assistance, such as the US Department of Agriculture's National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. For reasons like these, Canada has recently removed dairy as a separate food group in national dietary guidance. The results of the present review suggest that consideration of this modification when developing population-level guidelines in the United States is warranted.
Shear-driven flow of athermal, frictionless, spherocylinder suspensions in two dimensions: Particle rotations and orientational ordering.

We use numerical simulations to study the flow of a bidisperse mixture of athermal, frictionless, soft-core two-dimensional spherocylinders driven by a uniform steady-state simple shear applied at a fixed volume and a fixed finite strain rate γ[over ]. Energy dissipation is via a viscous drag with respect to a uniformly sheared host fluid, giving a simple model for flow in a non-Brownian suspension with Newtonian rheology. Considering a range of packing fractions ϕ and particle asphericities α at small γ[over ], we study the angular rotation θ[over ]_{i} and the nematic orientational ordering S_{2} of the particles induced by the shear flow, finding a nonmonotonic behavior as the packing ϕ is varied. We interpret this nonmonotonic behavior as a crossover from dilute systems at small ϕ, where single-particle-like behavior occurs, to dense systems at large ϕ, where the geometry of the dense packing dominates and a random Poisson-like process for particle rotations results. We also argue that the finite nematic ordering S_{2} is a consequence of the shearing serving as an ordering field, rather than a result of long-range cooperative behavior among the particles. We arrive at these conclusions by consideration of (i) the distribution of waiting times for a particle to rotate by π, (ii) the behavior of the system under pure, as compared to simple, shearing, (iii) the relaxation of the nematic order parameter S_{2} when perturbed away from the steady state, and (iv) by construction, a numerical mean-field model for the rotational motion of a particle. Our results also help to explain the singular behavior observed when taking the α→0 limit approaching circular disks.
The Factor Risk in Low-Risk Anomalies

The low variance (LV) strategy always bets against the volatile leg of common factor-portfolios. The risk of the strategy, measured by factor exposures, is thus perfectly predictable based on the status of factor portfolio variances during the formation period. I find that the strategy earns alpha only when traders have to bear major factor risk to arbitrage it away. These results are consistent with models that rationalize anomalies by arbitrageurs reluctance to eliminate mispricing due to factor risk aversion. I use the framework to analyze the sources of risk and return to popular volatility trading strategies and propose a new trading strategy that uses time-series factor data to manage the variance strategy in the cross-section.
Overview of the American Chemical Society Symposium on Metals and Trace Elements in Food Safety, Health, and Food Quality.

A symposium was held at the 2019 American Chemical Society (ACS) Fall National Meeting in San Diego, CA, USA, entitled “Metals & Trace Elements in Food Safety, Quality, and Nutrition.” The two-day ...
Characteristics of Advance Care Planning in Patients With Cancer Referred to Palliative Care

PURPOSE:Advance care planning (ACP) is a process in which patients share their values, goals, and preferences regarding future medical care. ACP can improve care quality, yet may be challenging to ...
Malaria and Early Life Immunity: Competence in Context

Childhood vaccines have been the cornerstone tool of public health over the past century. A major barrier to neonatal vaccination is the "immaturity" of the infant immune system and the inefficiency of conventional vaccine approaches at inducing immunity at birth. While much of the literature on fetal and neonatal immunity has focused on the early life propensity toward immune tolerance, recent studies indicate that the fetus is more immunologically capable than previously thought, and can, in some circumstances, mount adaptive B and T cell responses to perinatal pathogens in utero. Although significant hurdles remain before these findings can be translated into vaccines and other protective strategies, they should lend optimism to the prospect that neonatal and even fetal vaccination is achievable. Next steps toward this goal should include efforts to define the conditions for optimal stimulation of infant immune responses, including antigen timing, dose, and route of delivery, as well as antigen presentation pathways and co-stimulatory requirements. A better understanding of these factors will enable optimal deployment of vaccines against malaria and other pathogens to protect infants during their period of greatest vulnerability.
Inactivation and sensitization of middle ear infection related bacteria and biofilm by microplasma jet array

A middle ear infection is a prevalent inflammatory disease during childhood, often caused by bacterial pathogens. A portable and replaceable microplasma jet array was developed to investigate the feasibility of inactivating Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a common bacterial strain associated with middle ear infections. Reactive species generated by the non-thermal microplasma jet array inactivated planktonic bacteria and biofilm. A middle ear phantom was developed using the rat eardrum to study the antimicrobial effects on bacteria located behind the eardrum. Lastly, 3D volumetric OCT imaging and histology were performed on the rat eardrum to examine the potential structural changes due to the plasma.
Powerful or Powerless? Chief Online Education Officers’ Legitimate Power over Online Program Quality in U.S. Higher Education Institutions

As the online higher-education market continues along its trajectory of steady growth, it becomes increasingly competitive. Since quality sets online programs apart in the current competitive market, it is a priority for higher-education institutions. Consequently, presidents and provosts at many U.S. higher education institutions have been placing the quality of online program administration under the purview of a new role known under the umbrella term of chief online education officer (COEO). However, when looking for empirical research to help calibrate the COEO role in a way that maximizes its influence on quality, senior leaders find a gap in the literature. The purpose of this quantitative, correlative, non-experimental study was to ask COEOs from all over the nation to use the Online Learning Consortium Quality Scorecard (QSC) to share their perceptions of the quality of their institution’s online program. Additionally, COEOs were asked to self-assess their ability to influence quality based on their legitimate power and to describe environmental factors that could potentially impact their legitimate power. Key findings indicate a strong, positive correlation between overall legitimate power and overall quality, as well as between overall legitimate power and the hierarchy of COEO job titles (E1). Additional environmental factors significantly correlated with legitimate power categories included the number of units making a full report to the COEO (E3) and the breadth of COEO’s current portfolio of responsibilities (E12), among others. Finally, data indicate that the hardest quality category to influence is technical support.
Erosion of Advantage: Decomposing Differences in Infant Mortality Rates Among Older Non-Hispanic White and Mexican-Origin Mothers

We build on findings from recent research showing an erosion of infant survival advantage in the Mexican-origin population relative to non-Hispanic whites at older maternal ages, with patterns that differ by nativity. This runs counter to the well-documented Hispanic infant mortality paradox and suggests that weathering and/or other negative health selection mechanisms may contribute to increasing disadvantage at older maternal ages. Using the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) cohort-linked birth and infant death files, we decompose the difference in Mexican-origin non-Hispanic white infant mortality at older maternal ages to better understand the contribution of selected medical and social risk factors to components of the difference. We find differences in the distribution and effects of risk factors across the three populations of interest. The infant mortality rate (IMR) gap between Mexican-origin women and non-Hispanic whites can be attributed to numerous offsetting factors, with inadequate prenatal care standing out as a major contributor to the IMR difference. Equalizing access to and utilization of prenatal care may provide one possible route to closing the IMR gap at older maternal ages.
The failure of rock beams: Part I—Theoretical studies

Abstract A method for deriving the complete force-displacement curve associated with the failure process in any laboratory test is presented with special reference to the beam test. The curve is incrementally generated by correlating the reduction in specimen modulus with the energy absorption that occurs during crack propagation. The influence of the rock microstructure is discussed with emphasis on possible variations in the work of fracture, presence of preexisting cracks and permanent deformations. Diagrams are presented to illustrate the effect that these variables have on the complete force-displacement curve. It is concluded that the material property associated with failure is the unit work of fracture. The maximum tensile stress in the material at failure initiation (or tensile strength) is a function of the specimen geometry and is not a material property.
Noncoding RNAs in human saliva as potential disease biomarkers.

Human saliva emerged as a research material in as early as the 17th century when investigators sought to understand the basis for salivary secretion (Garrett, 1975). Over the centuries, the focus of salivary research has evolved greatly and a wide range of topics has been examined (Garrett, 1975; Schipper et al., 2007). It is now known that the functions of saliva include at least lubrication, digestion of food, remineralization, prevention of demineralization, protection against microbial and viral infection, speech facilitation, and maintenance of oral and general health (Schipper et al., 2007; Malathi et al., 2014).
The First Year of Mark J: Physics with High Energy Electron-Positron Colliding Beams

These lectures review the experimental program of the MARK J collaboration using PETRA at DESY in Hamburg, West Germany. PETRA is the world’s highest energy electron-positron colliding beam storage ring nov in operation. There have been four groups (JADE, MARK J, PLUTO and TASSO) using PETRA since 1979. Their results are supportive and complementary to each other.
The Perceptions to Climate Change among Rural Farming Households in the Niger Delta Area, Nigeria

The study focused on the perceptions to climate change among rural farming households in the Niger Delta Area, Nigeria. The basic objective was to determine the rural farming household’s perception to climate change in the Area and the specific objective was to determine the direction of change of the climate change indicators (whether increasing, decreasing or constant). Multistage sampling procedure was sampled 739 rural farming households (respondents) for the study. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistic. Socio – economic profile of the respondents indicated that 37.69% of rural farming households falls between the age bracket of 47 to 51 years and majority (60.0%) having educational qualification below secondary school level. The study also reveals 76% had no extension contact during the farming season and 78.6% of respondents are not aware of the phenomenon of climate change. The study noticed an increasing change in the climate change indicators except longer raining season that is decreasing in the Area. The perception to the cause of climate indicators was mostly attributed to natural occurrence by God/gods (67.7%). Awareness campaign on climate change is recommended in the rural areas for climate change information.
Containing plasticity: neurite inhibitory factors of myelin.

The neurite growth inhibitory proteins of central nervous system myelin are known primarily for limiting regeneration of transected nerve fibers, but a new study suggests they also mask a remarkable capacity for sprouting and plasticity of uninjured neural connections.
Predictors of newly diagnosed cancer patients' understanding of the goals of their care at initiation of chemotherapy

BACKGROUND: The American Society of Clinical Oncology Quality Oncology Practice Initiative endorses in their core measures that providers should discuss the goals of care (GOC) at the time of chemotherapy consent. GOC refers to chemotherapy treatment intent: cure versus noncure. In this study, the authors sought to determine whether attributes of patients and initial patient-physician encounters were associated with patients' understanding of their GOC. METHODS: In total, the authors surveyed 125 consecutive, newly diagnosed patients who were receiving chemotherapy for solid malignancies at a single academic cancer center and performed a medical record review for additional data. Patient understanding of their oncologist's GOC and oncologist's reported GOC were compared. The primary outcome was concordance of patient-physician dyads regarding the GOC (cure vs noncure). RESULTS: One hundred twenty-five of 137 of eligible patients (91%) completed the survey. Only 95 of 125 patient-physician pairs (75%) patient-physician pairs were concordant regarding the GOC. In a multivariable logistic regression, both older patients (odds ratio, 0.21; 95% confidence interval, 0.08-0.57) and non-native English speakers had an almost 80% lower odds (odds ratio, 0.23; 95% confidence interval, 0.05-0.93) of GOC concordance compared with younger patients and native English speakers. Patients who received printed chemotherapy information during the patient-physician consent process had almost 3 times greater odds (odds ratio, 2.88; 95% confidence interval, 1.24-6.68) of GOC concordance with their physician compared with those who did not receive materials. CONCLUSIONS: Patient misunderstanding of GOC was substantial, with 25% of cancer patients misunderstanding the goal of their chemotherapy treatment. Key predictors of GOC misunderstanding included factors that potentially were amenable to interventions at the time of chemotherapy consent. Cancer 2013. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Heterogeneous Accretion of the Sun and the Inner Planets

Some simple arguments are made to question the most popular model of our sun, which assumes that the sun consists mostly of hydrogen and that the fusion of hydrogen at ≅ 107 °K is primarily responsible for its release of energy. An alternative “Fe-Core sun” model is suggested. The correlated chemical and isotopic heterogeneities of elements in meteorites strongly suggest that our solar system was produced from the debris of a single supernova. Cores of the sun and the four inner planets formed in the central Fe-rich region of the supernova debris that made the solar system.
Agricultural Economics: A Profession in Transition

The premise of this paper is that agricultural economics, as a distinct subdiscipline of economics, faces perhaps the most serious challenges since struggling for a separate identity nearly a century ago. I fully appreciate the fact that nearly all professional presidential addresses key on the theme of change to one extent or another. However, the environment within which we practice our profession is undergoing such significant transition that I believe radical changes are needed in how we frame and implement our instructional, research, and outreach programs. In his 1986 American Agricultural Economics Association presidential address, Joe Havlicek identified five megatrends affecting agriculture that he believed would have profound implications for our profession: (1) food consumption changes, (2) internationalism and macroeconomic forces, (3) technological change, (4) structural change, and (5) environmentalism.
Machinery, Monstrosity, and Bestiality: An Analysis of Repulsion in Kierkegaard's Practice in Christianity

In reaction to a particularly scathing review of his Practice in Christianity, Kierkegaard postulated what he called a ‘preacher-machine.’ As we will see, the preacher-machine is only one type of character-machine, for, in Practice in Christianity, there are five other such machines. Starting up these character-machines will allow for an analysis of the repulsion of the God-man, Christ himself. This repulsion is important because Kierkegaard claims that it is the condition for the emergence of faith. After discussing repulsion, Kierkegaard will locate a singular mistake of Christendom, which will allow him to offer his remedy to this problem. In doing so, I will claim, Kierkegaard makes a particularly forceful claim about the true status of Christianity. We begin by attempting an articulation of a definition of monstrosity before setting the scene of these six machines.
Evaluation of imaging utilization prior to referral of musculoskeletal tumors: a prospective study.

Background: Imaging studies are essential when evaluating a patient with a musculoskeletal neoplasm, and they represent a potential waste of resources when used inappropriately. The objective of this study was to prospectively evaluate a consecutive series of patients for inappropriate utilization of imaging prior to referral to a tertiary care facility. Our hypothesis was that advanced imaging is overutilized prior to referral of musculoskeletal neoplasms to a tertiary care center. Methods: All new patients referred for evaluation of a musculoskeletal neoplasm were prospectively analyzed over a three-month time period. All pre-referral imaging studies were recorded, including radiographs, computed tomographic scans, magnetic resonance imaging scans, bone scans, and 18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography scans. Studies were reviewed by two musculoskeletal radiologists and two orthopaedic oncologists and were defined with use of specific preselected criteria as inappropriate if they were not indicated for diagnosis or treatment, if they required repeating because of excessive time since the study was obtained, or if they had poor image quality or technique. Results: We evaluated 298 consecutive patients (550 imaging studies). The inappropriate utilization rate was 1.5% (three of 204) for radiographs, 36.5% (twenty-three of sixty-three) for computed tomographic scans, 26.7% (fifty-six of 210) for magnetic resonance imaging scans, 45.1% (twenty-three of fifty-one) bone scans, and 45.5% (ten of twenty-two) for positron emission tomography scans. The overall inappropriate use of advanced imaging (magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, bone scan, positron emission tomography) was 32.4% (112 of 346 images). With regard to inappropriate use of magnetic resonance imaging, there was no difference between orthopaedic surgeons (28.2%) and primary care physicians (26.5%). Conclusions: Our data indicate a high prevalence (32.4%) of inappropriate advanced imaging of musculoskeletal tumors prior to referral. This represents a substantial cost to the patient and health-care system, a potential delay of referral, an increase in radiation exposure, and identification of other incidental findings.
The Pros and Cons of Gene Patents

The debate over human gene patents was recently reignited by Federal District Court Judge Robert Sweet when he found isolated human gene sequences unpatentable in Association for Molecular Pathology v. U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, 702 F.Supp.2d 181 (S.D.N.Y. March 29, 2010). An appeal of the decision is pending, and in October, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed an amicus brief in the case arguing that such gene sequences should not be patentable, contradicting long standing practices of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Given the potent impact of a possible gene patent ban on gene-based medical therapies and the biotechnology industry at large, we need to carefully consider the arguments for and against patenting human genes. Unfortunately, much of the current legal debate has centered on technical aspects of patent law doctrine and not the significant policy arguments that also need to be resolved. It is therefore important to evaluate the issue in a fuller context, taking into account healthcare access, scientific research, and ethical concerns.
Tin microparticles for a lithium ion battery anode with enhanced cycling stability and efficiency derived from Se-doping

In a 100 cycle test at 0.5 C-rate a negative electrode formed of micro-sized Sn0.9Se0.1 particles retains a specific capacity of 500 mA h g−1 with a coulombic efficiency of 99.6%. In contrast, a control electrode made with pure Sn retains only a 200 mA h g−1 capacity with a 98.7% efficiency. The improvement in electrochemical performance of the Sn/Se alloy is attributed to the reduced inactive Se-phase preventing agglomeration of Sn to a size susceptible to particle fracture. The Sn/Se alloy particles are manufacturable, being made by melting the 9 : 1 atomic ratio mixture of Sn and Se, quenching and jet-milling.
The Psychological Study of Crowding: Some Historical Roots and Conceptual Developments

For every phenomenon there exists origins and developments. In this paper the psychological study of crowding is discussed in terms of its origins and some of its conceptual developments.
Epidemiologic characteristics of congenital diaphragmatic hernia among 2.5 million California births, 1989-1997.

BACKGROUND: Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is a severe birth defect of unknown etiology. The aims of the current report were to extend the literature on the descriptive epidemiology of CDH and to determine whether its mortality rate decreased in California during the study period. METHODS: Using data from a large population-based registry, we ascertained 631 CDH cases from 1989 to 1997. We also classified cases as isolated or nonisolated based on the presence and type of major accompanying malformations. Approximately 2.5 million live and stillbirths occurred during the ascertainment period. Multivariate Poisson regression analysis was applied to examine the time trend and risk factors. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of CDH was 2.49 per 10,000 live and stillbirths and did not vary over the study period. Isolated cases, which accounted for 58% of cases, revealed a prevalence of 1.45 per 10,000. Heart malformations were the most frequent major anomalies accompanying CDH. We observed a lower risk of isolated CDH among blacks. Advanced maternal age groups had a higher risk for nonisolated CDH. Multiparous women tended to have a lower risk for nonisolated CDH. Male infants and multiple births had an increased risk for isolated and nonisolated CDH. Infant mortality was slightly decreased over the study period. CDH cases with additional anomalies had higher mortality rates than isolated cases. CONCLUSION: Our observations add to the relatively few population-based descriptive epidemiologic studies of the prevalence and mortality, and maternal and infant characteristics of CDH.
Effect of bearing preloads on the modal characteristics of a shaft-bearing assembly: Experiments on double row angular contact ball bearings

Abstract This article investigates the role of bearing preloads on the modal characteristics of a shaft-bearing assembly with a double row angular contact ball bearing. First, an analytical model is developed to comparatively evaluate the effects of axial bearing preloads on the vibratory responses of alternate double row configurations. The analytical model includes bearings via a five dimensional stiffness matrix. Changes in the resonant amplitudes with respect to the bearing preloads are examined for preload-independent and preload-dependent viscous damping models. The bearing preloads significantly affect the vibration characteristics of the shaft-bearing assembly due to major changes in both diagonal and off-diagonal elements of the stiffness matrix, and such effects depend on the bearing configuration. Second, a new experiment consisting of a vehicle wheel bearing assembly with a double row angular contact ball bearing in a back-to-back arrangement is designed. The bearing is subjected to axial or radial preloads in a controlled manner. Experiments with two preloading mechanisms show that the nature and extent of the bearing preloads considerably affect the natural frequencies and resonant amplitudes, thus influencing the vibration behavior of the bearing assembly. Finally, the new bearing stiffness model is validated using measurements from the modal experiment. Suggestions for further work are briefly discussed.
The regulation of hepatic gluconeogenesis using α-ketoisovalerate and propionate as precursors

The regulation of gluconeogenesis from alpha-ketoisovalerate and propionate was investigated in perfused livers from fasted rats. With alpha-ketoisovalerate as the gluconeogenic precursor, infusion of beta-hydroxybutyrate and acetate stimulated the rate of alpha-ketoisovalerate decarboxylation, but inhibited the rate of glucose production. Oleate, on the other hand, inhibited both alpha-ketoisovalerate decarboxylation and glucose production. When propionate was the primary gluconeogenic substrate, oleate, beta-hydroxybutyrate, and acetate infusion did not significantly alter hepatic glucose production. The present studies suggest that gluconeogenesis from alpha-ketoisovalerate is regulated at the level of various dehydrogenases prior to formation of propionyl-CoA, but subsequent to the branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase reaction.
Comparative genomic analysis of novel conserved peptide upstream open reading frames in Drosophila melanogaster and other dipteran species

Upstream open reading frames (uORFs) are elements found in the 5'-region of an mRNA transcript, capable of regulating protein production of the largest, or major ORF (mORF), and impacting organismal development and growth in fungi, plants, and animals. In Drosophila, approximately 40% of transcripts contain upstream start codons (uAUGs) but there is little evidence that these are translated and affect their associated mORF. Analyzing 19,389 Drosophila melanogaster transcript annotations and 666,153 dipteran EST sequences we have identified 44 putative conserved peptide uORFs (CPuORFs) in Drosophila melanogaster that show evidence of negative selection, and therefore are likely to be translated. Transcripts with CPuORFs constitute approximately 0.3% of the total number of transcripts, a similar frequency to the Arabidopsis genome, and have a mean length of 70 amino acids, much larger than the mean length of plant CPuORFs (40 amino acids). There is a statistically significant clustering of CPuORFs at cytological band 57 (p = 10-5), a phenomenon that has never been described for uORFs. Based on GO term and Interpro domain analyses, genes in the uORF dataset show a higher frequency of ORFs implicated in mitochondrial import than the genome-wide frequency (p < 0.01) as well as methyltransferases (p < 0.02). Based on these data, it is clear that Drosophila contain putative CPuORFs at frequencies similar to those found in plants. They are distinguished, however, by the type of mORF they tend to associate with, Drosophila CPuORFs preferentially occurring in transcripts encoding mitochondrial proteins and methyltransferases. This provides a basis for the study of CPuORFs and their putative regulatory role in mitochondrial function and disease.
Refrigeration of Trichogramma Minutum Riley and Other Notes

Bagworm eggs are fairly satisfactory for hibernating Trichogramma for 40 days to six months at temperatures approximating 40°F. The sex ratio is unchanged. The species with yellow females lives longer and is more prolific in bagworm eggs than is the species with dark colored females.
SUGV baseline autonomy using ROS

Currently, the 3000+ robotic systems fielded in theater are entirely teleoperated. This constant dependence on operator control introduces several problems, including a large cognitive load on the operator and a limited ability for the operator to maintain an appropriate level of situational awareness of his surroundings. One solution to reduce the dependence on teleoperation is to develop autonomous behaviors for the robot to reduce the strain on the operator. We consider mapping and navigation to be fundamental to the development of useful field autonomy for small unmanned ground vehicles (SUGVs). To this end, we have developed baseline autonomous capabilities for our SUGV platforms, making use of the open-source Robot Operating System (ROS) software from Willow Garage, Inc. Their implementations of mapping and navigation are drawn from the most successful published academic algorithms in robotics. In this paper, we describe how we bridged our previous work with the Packbot Explorer to incorporate a new processing payload, new sensors, and the ROS system configured to perform the high-level autonomy tasks of mapping and waypoint navigation. We document our most successful parameter selection for the ROS navigation software in an indoor environment and present results of a mapping experiment.
Occupancy schedules learning process through a data mining framework

Abstract Building occupancy is a paramount factor in building energy simulations. Specifically, lighting, plug loads, HVAC equipment utilization, fresh air requirements and internal heat gain or loss greatly depends on the level of occupancy within a building. Developing the appropriate methodologies to describe and reproduce the intricate network responsible for human-building interactions are needed. Extrapolation of patterns from big data streams is a powerful analysis technique which will allow for a better understanding of energy usage in buildings. A three-step data mining framework is applied to discover occupancy patterns in office spaces. First, a data set of 16 offices with 10 min interval occupancy data, over a two year period is mined through a decision tree model which predicts the occupancy presence. Then a rule induction algorithm is used to learn a pruned set of rules on the results from the decision tree model. Finally, a cluster analysis is employed in order to obtain consistent patterns of occupancy schedules. The identified occupancy rules and schedules are representative as four archetypal working profiles that can be used as input to current building energy modeling programs, such as EnergyPlus or IDA-ICE, to investigate impact of occupant presence on design, operation and energy use in office buildings.
Hirano bodies differentially modulate cell death induced by tau and the amyloid precursor protein intracellular domain

Hirano bodies are actin-rich paracrystalline inclusions found in brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and in normal aged individuals. Although studies of post-mortem brain tissue provide clues of etiology, the physiological function of Hirano bodies remains unknown. A cell culture model was utilized to study the interactions of mutant tau proteins, model Hirano bodies, and GSK3β in human astrocytoma cells. Most tau variants showed co-localization with model Hirano bodies. Cosedimentation assays revealed this interaction may be direct, as recombinant purified forms of tau are all capable of binding F-actin. Model Hirano bodies had no effect or enhanced cell death induced by tau in the absence of amyloid precursor protein intracellular domain (AICD). In the presence of AICD and tau, synergistic cell death was observed in most cases, and model Hirano bodies decreased this synergistic cell death, except for forms of tau that caused significant cell death in the presence of Hirano bodies only. A role for the kinase GSK3β is suggested by the finding that a dominant negative form of GSK3β reduces this synergistic cell death. A subset of Hirano bodies in brain tissue of both Alzheimer’s disease and normal aged individuals was found to contain tau, with some Hirano bodies in Alzheimer’s disease brains containing hyperphosphorylated tau. The results demonstrate a complex interaction between tau and AICD involving activation of GSK3β in promoting cell death, and the ability of Hirano bodies to modulate this process.
Mothers' perceptions of infant distress vocalizations.

In the present study the psychological and acoustic properties of the distress vocalizations of five 3–4-month-old infants were examined. Each vocalization was rated on a 5-point scale from "defini...
Social security, saving, and macroeconomics

Abstract Arguing within the framework of a life-cycle hypothesis of consumption of the individual household, Martin Feldstein has claimed that a pay-as-you-go, unfunded social-security system implies a private-sector perception of wealth which both depresses private saving and raises aggregate consumption. But the effects in a macro-economic context are not the same. With less than full employment, perceived increments to private wealth in social security or any other government obligations should increase current and planned future consumption and saving, raising employment and output. With full employment, as long as monetary policy is appropriately accommodating, such increments to wealth should raise prices but leave all real variables, including capital accumulation, unaffected. Increases in social-security wealth would merely substitute for real private wealth in the form of explicit government bonds. Econometric estimates from corrected U.S. data on social security, public debt, income, and employment are consistent with these hypotheses.
Kinetics of solid-gas reactions characterized by scanning AC nano-calorimetry with application to Zr oxidation

Scanning AC nano-calorimetry is a recently developed experimental technique capable of measuring the heat capacity of thin-film samples of a material over a wide range of temperatures and heating rates. Here, we describe how this technique can be used to study solid-gas phase reactions by measuring the change in heat capacity of a sample during reaction. We apply this approach to evaluate the oxidation kinetics of thin-film samples of zirconium in air. The results confirm parabolic oxidation kinetics with an activation energy of 0.59 ± 0.03 eV. The nano-calorimetry measurements were performed using a device that contains an array of micromachined nano-calorimeter sensors in an architecture designed for combinatorial studies. We demonstrate that the oxidation kinetics can be quantified using a single sample, thus enabling high-throughput mapping of the composition-dependence of the reaction rate.
Time-domain waveform processing by chromatic dispersion for temporal shaping of optical pulses

We describe a novel method for subpicosecond pulse shaping based on longitudinal spectral decomposition in dispersive media. The entire system is created with standard telecommunications equipment allowing for integration with optical communication networks. The technique has the potential for time–bandwidth products ⩾104 due to exclusive reliance on time-domain processing. We introduce the principle of operation and subsequently support it with results from our experimental system. Both theory and experiments suggest third-order dispersion as the principle limitation to realizing a large number of resolvable spots. Chirped fiber Bragg gratings offer a route to increase the time–bandwidth product for high-speed signal processing applications.
Improved technique for electron microscopy of cultured cells.

A number of techniques are presented which permit precise selection and efficient preparation of individual cultured cells for electron microscopy. Techniques described include marking of the living and embedded cells, drilling and mounting cores of embedded material, and improved technique for marking of the selected area on the block face before trimming.
Defending America against its devotees Presidential Address, First World Congress of the International American Studies Association, Leiden, The Netherlands, 22–4 May 2003

AbstractThis presidential address at the International American Studies Association's first world congress was composed while the invasion of Iraq was under way. Like the Vietnam War that was launched through an historic act of mendacity called the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, the current pre-emptive war may be based on claims and ideological agendas equally suspect in their veracity that may well prove a watershed for American culture and paradigm-altering for American Studies. This first IASA presidential address traces the historical precedents of the National Defense Strategy of the United States of America of September 2002, since called the Bush Doctrine, and reads it as a Monroe Doctrine writ globally and as a new US Martial Plan that displaces the Marshall Plan on which the current American Studies field was founded. The portentous changes implicit in this displacement bode a transformation in the foundation of American Studies similar to the changes precipitated by the Vietnam War, with the differe...
Bicarbonate stimulation of the Ca2+/Mg2+ ATPase of Torpedo electric organ synaptic vesicles

Summary The Ca 2+ /Mg 2+ ATPase of cholinergic synaptic vesicles from Torpedo californica electric organ is stimulated in a saturable manner by bicarbonate ion in the presence of either Mg 2+ or Ca 2+ . The basal activities and maximal stimulations are variable with different preparations and different assay methods, but the apparent dissociation constant for HCO 3 − stimulation was 5 mM for approximately two-fold maximal stimulation. Stimulation in the simultaneous presence of both Mg 2+ and Ca 2+ was intermediate between those of the separate stimulations, suggesting a single HCO 3 − stimulated activity. Bicarbonate stimulation did not depend on Na + , K + , or Cl − ions.
On “Problems on von Neumann Algebras by R. Kadison, 1967”

A brief summary of the development on Kadison's famous problems (1967) is given. A new set of problems in von Neumann algebras is listed.
Targeted disruptions of the murine Hoxa-4 and Hoxa-6 genes result in homeotic transformations of components of the vertebral column

Abstract It is becoming clear that Hox genes, which encode transcription factors of the Antennapedia homeodomain family, are key players in establishing the body plan of mammalian embryos. They have already been implicated in the formation of the central nervous system, tissues derived from neural crest, the vertebral column and the limbs. In order to examine the roles of hoxa-4 and hoxa-6 during development, mice with targeted disruptions in these genes were generated. Each shows homeotic transformation of cervical vertebrate, at positions that approximate the anterior borders of expression of these genes in the prevertebrae. Defects were not observed in other tissues that normally express these genes. Hoxa-4 − /hoxa-4 − mice show, with 100% penetrance, anterior transformations of the dorsal aspects of the third cervical vertebra by acquiring features normally associated with the second cervical vertebra. Mice homozygous for the hoxa-6 mutation show, with incomplete penetrance, even on opposite sides of the same animal, posterior transformations of the seventh cervical vertebra to the first thoracic vertebra. In addition, both hoxa-4 − /hoxa-4 − and hoxa-6 − /hoxa-6 − mice show variability in expressivity. These data indicate that alternative genetic pathways can partially, and at times completely, substitute for the function of these two genes. Other members of these two paralogous Hox families are good candidates for providing the substitutions. As paralogous genes lie on different chromosomes, it is possible to examine the degree of redundancy among these genes by intercrossing mice with the approriate individual disruptions. The analysis of double, triple and even quadruple mutants should determine the ways in which these Hox genes interact in order to specify the multitude of tissues in a restricted region of the developing mouse embryo.
The Bioethics of Digital Dystopias

This essay explores how two popular game franchises, BioShock and Portal, have addressed bioethical issues such as genetic modification, research ethics, and autonomy. BioShock and Portal are set in bioethical dystopias that simulate the absence of ethical restraint. The former is set in a city that that allows unregulated genetic modification, and the latter in a research facility controlled by overseers whose only concern is scientific progress. These simulations allow players to gain insight into bioethical issues and contribute to theoretical debates in bioethics by showing the possible consequences of violating bioethical values.
Value of a derived 12-lead ECG for detecting transient myocardial ischemia.

Detection of transient myocardial ischemia (TMI) is an important objective for the t reatment of ischemic heart disease in patients admitted to the cardiac care unit. The purpose of this study was to evaluate ST-segment monitoring of a derived 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) and compare it with routinely monitored V 1 and II leads for detecting TMI. Three hypotheses were tested, and it was found that the derived 12-lead ECG is superior to routine monitoring for (1) detecting TMI during coronary angioplasty balloon occlusion, (2) detecting abrupt coronary artery reocclusion following angioplasty, and (3) predicting inhospital complications. Patients were monitored simultaneously with both routine and experimental methods. The sample population consisted of I50 patients, of whom 77 underwent coronary angioplasty. Seventy-five of the 77 angioplasty
MASS SPECTRA OF HALOGEN FLUORIDES

Abstract Appearance potentials and positive-ion mass spectra were determined for IF 5 , BrF 5 , BrF 3 and ClF 3 . A negative-ion study was made on BrF 3 . The gas samples were subjected to rate of effusion studies in the mass spectrometer sample system and shown to contain diatomic halogen and halogen fluoride impurities. Halogen oxyfluorides were detected in BrF 5 , BrF 3 and ClF 3 samples and reaction between O 2 and BrF 5 was observed on mixing. Upper limits for ionization potentials were obtained for IF 5 , IF, ICl, IBr, BrF 3 , BrF, BrCL, ClF 3 and ClF directly from appearance potentials. Ionization potentials for the radicals BrF 2 and ClF 2 were deduced using supplementary thermochemical data. Ionization potentials of diatomic interhalogens with the exception of BrCl give bond dissociation energies for interhalogen molecule ions approximately equal to corresponding values for neutral molecules.
Serotonin does not mediate anxiolytic effects of buspirone in the fear-potentiated startle paradigm: comparison with 8-OH-DPAT and ipsapirone.

The present study evaluated the role of various neurotransmitter systems in mediating buspirone's blockade of the fear-potentiated startle effect, where acoustic startle amplitude is normally increased in the presence of a light previously paired with a shock. Large lesions of the dorsal and median raphe nuclei or IP injections of the serotonin antagonists cinanserin (10 mg/kg) or cyproheptadine (5 mg/kg) did not alter fear-potentiated startle, nor did these treatments prevent buspirone (5 or 10 mg/kg SC) from blocking fear-potentiated startle. The 5-HT1A agonist 8-OH-DPAT (2.5–10.0) did not block fear-potentiated startle even at doses that produced a marked “5-HT syndrome”. Another 5-HT1A agonist, ipsapirone (10–20 mg/kg), blocked potentiated startle only at a very high dose (40 mg/kg).p-Chlorophenylalanine andp-chloroamphetamine did not alter fear-potentiated startle. Finally, pretreatment with the benzodiazepine receptor antagonist RO-15-1788 (1 mg/kg); the opiate antagonist naloxone (2 mg/kg) or the α2-adrenergic antagonist yohimbine (5 mg/kg) did not reduce fear-potentiated startle, nor did they prevent buspirone from blocking fear-potentiated startle. Taken together, the data do not support the hypothesis that buspirone's anxiolytic effects are mediated by actions at 5-HT1A receptors and more generally indicate that serotonergic neurons do not play an important role in fear-potentiated startle.
Urban Schools and the Clinton/Gore Technology Literacy Challenge

The Clinton administration has been characterized by numerous efforts to encourage the use of technology in public education, rooted in the conviction that such activities are a prerequisite for improvements in the econonomy, the environment, and the overall quality of life. Urban public schools face particularly difficult challenges to such technology implementation. The challenges include aged physical plants, extreme funding difficulties, high levels of administrative turnover, and inadequate professional development programs. This article examines the implications of attempting to integrate extensive technology into such environments and considers the perspective that technology is best viewed as part of, rather than a competitor to, the implementation of a school reform model.