cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Generative models for name disambiguation

Name ambiguity is a special case of identity uncertainty where one person can be referenced by multiple name variations in different situations or evenshare the same name with other people. In this paper, we present an efficient framework by using two novel topic-based models, extended from Probabilistic Latent Semantic Analysis (PLSA) and Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA). Our models explicitly introduce a new variable for persons and learn the distribution of topics with regard to persons and words. Experiments indicate that our approach consistently outperforms other unsupervised methods including spectral and DBSCAN clustering. Scalability is addressed by disambiguating authors in over 750,000 papers from the entire CiteSeer dataset.
Characterization of immunoglobulin by mass spectrometry with applications for the clinical laboratory

Studies monitoring immunoglobulin (Ig) antigen specificity have brought to light key Ig biomarkers for immunity, autoimmunity, cancer detection, and immune system function evaluation. A fundamentally new approach to the detection of Igs based on the primary structure of the Ig is beginning to emerge in the literature. This approach has only become feasible in light of advances in proteomics and rapid improvements in mass spectrometry (MS). Driven primarily by the development of Ig pharmaceuticals, Ig MS-based proteomic methods are revealing structural features which were previously unavailable with other characterization techniques. The task of adapting these techniques to clinical chemistry is in its infancy, but these methods have the potential to dramatically alter testing for Ig biomarkers. The purpose of this article is to review the advances that have been made in proteomic characterization of Igs by MS and the early attempts to apply these methods to clinical samples.
Influence of Systematically Varied Nano-Scale Topography on Cell Morphology and Adhesion

The types of cell–matrix adhesions and the signals they transduce strongly affect the cell-phenotype. We hypothesized that cells sense and respond to the three-dimensionality of their environment, which could be modulated by nano-structures on silicon surfaces. Human foreskin fibroblasts were cultured on nano-structures with different patterns (nano-post and nano-grate) and heights for 3 days. The presence of integrin α5, β1, β3, paxillin and phosphorylated FAK (pFAK) were detected by western blot and immunofluorescence. Integrin β3 exhibited stronger signals on nano-grates. pFAK and paxillin were observed as small dot-like patterns on the cell-periphery on nano-posts and as elongated and aligned patterns on nano-grates. Collectively, our observations highlighted the presence of focal (integrin β1, β3, pFAK, paxillin), fibrillar (integrin α5, β1) and 3-D matrix (integrin α5, β1, paxillin) adhesions on nano-structures. The presented nano-structures offer interesting opportunities to study the interaction o...
Fuel Test System for Gallium-Zirconium Interaction at the Texas A&M University Nuclear Science Center

The objective of this project is to design an unirradiated system to simulate temperature gradients in prototypic MOX fuel. This would imply that we use vendor clad surrounding typical MOX fuel pellets or simulated pellets and that we try to model typical commercial reactor temperature gradients. The current design to do this uses simulated MOX rodlets of about 18 inches in length immersed in a melted Lead-Bismuth eutectic bath that is cooled via air flow over steel fins. This design is thus the subject of the following paragraphs.
Evidence for electron-based ion generation in radio-frequency ionization.

Radio-frequency ionization (RFI) is a novel ionization method coupled to mass spectrometry (MS) for analysis of semi-volatile and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Despite the demonstrated capabilities of RFI MS for VOC analysis in both positive- and negative-ion modes, mechanism of RFI is not completely understood. Improved understanding of the ion generation process in RFI should expand its utility in MS. Here, we studied the possibility of electron emission in RFI using both direct charged particle current measurements and indirect electron detection in a 9.4-T Fourier transform-ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometer. We show that RF-generated electrons can be trapped in the ICR cell and, subsequently, reacted with neutral hexafluorobenzene (C6F6) molecules to generate C6F6●−. Intensity of observed C6F6●− species correlated with the number of trapped electrons and decreased as a function of electron quenching period. We also measured the electron attachment rate constant of hexafluorobenzene using a post-RF electron trapping experiment. Measured electron attachment rate constant of hexafluorobenzene (1.19 (±0.53) × 10−9 cm3 molecule−1 s−1) for post-RF FT-ICR MS agreed with the previously reported value (1.60 (±0.30) × 10−9 cm3 molecule−1 s−1) from low-pressure ICR MS measurements. Experimental results from direct and indirect electron measurements suggest that RFI process involves RF-generated electrons under ultrahigh vacuum conditions. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Epicureanism and Death

L'A. tente d'expliquer que le Deprivation of Goods Principle de la philosophie contemporaine portant sur la mort est inconsistant dans ses propres termes. Dans son argumentation il s'inspire de l'Existence Principle de l'epicurisme sans pour autant accepter la these epicurienne de la mort dans son integrite
Why a steady state void size distribution in irradiated UO 2 ? A modeling approach

Abstract In UO 2 pellets irradiated in standard water reactor, Xe nano-bubbles nucleate, grow, coarsen and finally reach a quasi steady state size distribution: transmission electron microscope (TEM) observations typically report a concentration around 10 −4 nm −3 and a radius around 0.5 nm. This phenomenon is often considered as a consequence of radiation enhanced diffusion, precipitation of gas atoms and ballistic mixing. However, in UO 2 thin foils irradiated with energetic ions at room temperature, a nano-void population whose size distribution reaches a similar steady state can be observed, although quasi no foreign atoms are implanted nor significant cation vacancy diffusion expected in conditions. Atomistic simulations performed at low temperature only address the first stage of the process, supporting the assumption of void heterogeneous nucleation: 25 keV sub-cascades directly produce defect aggregates (loops and voids) even in the absence of gas atoms and thermal diffusion. In this work a semi-empirical stochastic model is proposed to enlarge the time scale covered by simulation up to damage levels where every point in the material undergoes the superposition of a large number of sub-cascade impacts. To account for the accumulation of these impacts, simple rules inferred from the atomistic simulation results are used. The model satisfactorily reproduces the TEM observations of nano-voids size and concentration, which paves the way for the introduction of a more realistic damage term in rate theory models.
Employment Creation in North Carolina, 1990-2006: An Exploration using North Carolina National Establishment Time Series (NETS)

North Carolina’s economy has been particularly dynamic over the last several decades. The state produces a growing proportion of the nation’s output in goods and services. Population and employment have been expanding at above average rates. At the same time, the state has been the site of substantial economic dislocation and a restructuring away from the manufacturing which had been a source of employment growth just a few years ago towards services, health care and business services, in particular. The sectoral shift has been paired with a geographic shift, further towards the already dominant Central Piedmont. This report is an initial attempt to examine that process of economic growth and restructuring using an “economic microscope” that can measure the components of employment change – openings, closures, expansions, contractions, and relocations – and link them to individual establishments so that the incidence of each can be linked to characteristics such as detailed sector, ownership characteristics, size, age, and location. Individual establishments can also be traced over time allowing differences in unobserved characteristics, such as growth propensity, to be measured. The data used are an extract of the National Establishment times Series (NETS) database. These have been compiled from Dun and Bradstreet records, linked longitudinally and to their headquarters (if any), and supplemented with geo-codes, imputations, and data quality indicators. This report is descriptive. Subsequent reports will focus on specific analytic issues.
Book Review: Captive Audience: The Telecom Industry and Monopoly Power in the New Gilded Age by Susan Crawford

Susan Crawford’s Captive Audience: The Telecom Industry and Monopoly Power in the New Gilded Age is a timely book on an industry whose rate of growth is only outpaced by its rate of change.Crawford traces the concentration of monopoly power in telecommunications, using Comcast as the story’s main character. The book’s focus is the 2010 merger of Comcast and NBC Universal, which tied several strands of the industry together. Not only is the book a fascinating history of the rise of an industry, it doubles as a manual on how the administrative apparatus of government operates.The book would benefit from a deeper exploration of the wireless market. However, without the same defining merger as in the cable industry (yet), using Comcast to drive the narrative is a reasonable and satisfying choice for readers of any level of familiarity with the topic.
THE FREQUENCY AND BLADDER CALCIFICATION IN A SAMPLE OF BOYS AT ST. MARY'S MISSION, SALISBURY.

In a secondary school near to Salisbury, at which boys between the ages of J 4 and 18 years attended from all parts of Rhodesia, bladder calcification was found in five out of 103 boys (4.8 per cent.) , who either gave a history of urinary bilharziasis in the past or were passing ova of S. haematobiuln at the time.
Observation of the Gold Plated Surface of Flexible Printed Circuits (FPC) by Electron Probe X-ray Micro-Analyzer (EPMA) .

Recently fine line Flexible Printed Circuits (FPC) are used in many applications such as Thermal Head Printers and Faximille. In these applications very precise control of plating thickness is required and leads us to difficult problem both in design and in measurment of plating thickness.The conventional β-ray method and Fluoro X-ray method are not sufficient to answer the above requirement. The Electron-Probe X-ray Micro Analyzer (EPMA) is recently developped surface measuring method which is especially suitable for these purposes.We applied this new technique to analyze the degrading problem in gold plated surface of FPC. Also the authors summarized the circuit resistivity effect on plating thickness control.
The Finite Size Effect on The Metal-Insulator Transition of VO2 Films Grown by MOCVD

We studied the finite size effect on the metal-insulator phase transition and the accompanying tetragonal to monoclinic structural phase transition of VO2 films grown by MOCVD. X-ray diffraction measurements and electrical conductivity measurements were done as a function of temperature for VO2 films with out-of plane particle size ranging from 60-310A. Each VO2 film was grown on a thin TiO2 buffer layer, which in turn was grown by MOCVD on a polished sapphire (1120) substrate. The transition was found to be first order. As the out-of plane particle size becomes larger, the transition temperature shifts and the transition width narrows. For the 60A film the transition was observed at ∼61°C with a transition width of ∼10°C, while for the 310A film the transition temperature was ∼59°C and the transition width ∼2°C. We also observed thermal hysteresis for each film, which became smaller with increasing particle size.
Appendix: Curves and Their Jacobians

Lecture I: What is a Curve and How Explicitly Can We Describe Them? Lecture II: The Moduli Space of Curves: Definition, Coordinatization, and Some Properties Lecture III: How Jacobians and Theta Functions Arise Lecture IV: The Torelli Theorem and the Schottky Problem Survey of Work on the Schottky Problem up to 1996
Equation for defining hydrodynamic oil-water contact surface and an alternative approach, “structure surface transformation” for mapping hydrodynamic traps

Abstract Flowing groundwater beneath an oil accumulation causes the oil-water contact (OWC) to be tilted. In this study we present an equation defining the surface of a tilted OWC: Z o w c = Z O W C _ 0 + ρ w ( ρ w − ρ o ) ( h w _ 0 − h w ) Where, ZOWC, ZOWC_0 are the depth of the OWC at a given location and a reference location (e.g. a well location), respectively; ρw, ρo are the density of formation water and oil, respectively; hw, hw_0 are the hydraulic head at the given location and the reference location, respectively. This equation can be used directly to delineate the tilted OWC of an oil accumulation. It can also be employed to map hydrodynamic traps. Based on the equation, an alternative approach, essentially the same as Hubbert's (1953) minimum energy level methodology, for mapping hydrodynamic traps is derived from an easy-to-understand concept, “Structure Surface Transformation”. A field example from the Arabian Basin is presented to illustrate the proposed approach for mapping hydrodynamic traps and the significance of hydrodynamic effect on trap size and volume. For this particular example, the traps' boundaries and volumes are significantly enlarged owing to a favorable hydrodynamic condition.
Semiología Y Arte: Serie De Ensayos Cortos | Semiotics and Art : Essays Short Series

Esta serie de ensayos cortos abarca diversos temas concernientes a topicos y angulos de temas mas canonicos presentados en tratados de mas y diferente cubierta (libros o articulos) en discursos de la semiotica de la estetica y de la semiologia del arte. Especificamente, estos ensayos presentan cuestiones e invitan reflexiones sobre las intersecciones menos tratadas entre la filosofia y la psicologia del arte (estetica). Fueron concebidos y escritos en su forma presente como presentaciones encapsuladas y ejercicios para introducir ideas, a una audiencia diversa, de como el arte comunica, que puede comunicar, y que falla en realizar como comunicacion.
From Virginia Tech to Seattle Pacific U: An Exploratory Study of Perceptions Regarding Risk and Crisis Preparedness Among University Employees

With recent tragic incidents like the 2007 Virginia Tech campus shooting and the 2014 Seattle Pacific University shooting, it is clear that crisis is always a possibility for colleges and universities. Many large organizations have crisis contingency plans, which are ineffective unless they are communicated to the desired target audience. The current study presents findings from a survey of university employees, measuring perception variables regarding risk and crisis preparedness. Women were more knowledgeable than men on crisis response. Staff members reported higher levels of knowledge and self-efficacy than faculty. In addition, perceived knowledge may be a better predictor of self-efficacy and perceived preparedness than actual knowledge. Implications for risk and crisis management are discussed.
The Regulatory Environment

The legal environment in which spaceports operate and will operate is very much a work in progress because there are so many national, regional and supranational legal mechanisms that must be considered [1–4]. Not surprisingly, given the country’s busy launch schedule, it is the United States that has the most advanced regulatory framework that regulates and legislates what happens at a spaceport. In the U.S., spaceport policy comes under the jurisdiction of the Federal Aviation Administration’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation (FAA—AST), which developed the current legal spaceport environment by first examining civil aviation policies and the current crop of United Nations (UN) international treaties (Table 3.1/Appendix B) that concern space access (Fig. 3.1).
Nucleon spin structure studies at Jefferson Lab

We report on the low and moderate Q^2 nucleon spin structure measurements done at Jefferson Lab, examining specifically the inclusive program. We discuss what the data teach us about quark confinement and the emergence of the effective hadronic degrees of freedom from the fundamental partonic ones. We show how this experimental program has reached its goal by providing a precise mapping at low, intermediate and moderately high Q^2 which has followed in many advances, e.g., with Chiral Perturbation Theory. Another example of a recent advance imputable to the JLab spin data is the improved understanding of \alpha_s at low energy, which allowed Light-Front Holographic QCD, an approximation to non-perturbative QCD, to derive the hadron spectrum from \Lambda_s.
Abstract 18021: Functional Substrates as the Strongest Predictor of Outcomes in Patients Presenting for Ventricular Arrhythmia Ablation

Introduction: Recent work has shown that rotor characteristics can distinguish sustained versus non-sustained ventricular fibrillation (VF). However, the significance of functional VF substrates on patient outcomes is not studied. Methods: In 26 consecutive patients presenting for ventricular arrhythmia ablation procedures, 64-electrode basket catheters were inserted into both the left and right ventricles and VF was induced and defibrillated at 11±3 seconds. Computational phase analysis was performed and each VF cycle was characterized as rotor, focal, or disorganized activation. Follow-up data were analyzed for arrhythmia recurrence and compared to rotor stability. Forward stepwise regression analysis incorporating age, history of CHF, history of a-fib, history of prior MI, number of VTs induced, and presence of post-procedure inducible VT was performed to determine the strongest predictor of procedural outcome. Results: Of 26 patients, 19 had sustained VF, and 16 underwent attempted ablation (7 VT, 9 PVC). Optimization of the Youden index for the ROC analysis regarding rotor stability and procedural outcome demonstrated that maximum rotor stability of > 14.5 rotations (corresponding to total rotor prevalence of 71%) provided optimal sensitivity of 85% and specificity of 87% for arrhythmia recurrence. Among these, greater rotor stability was significantly associated with ventricular arrhythmia recurrence (86% versus 11%, p = 0.01) (Table 1), and was the strongest predictor of outcomes. Recurrence was independent of presenting arrhythmia. Conclusions: Functional VF/VT metrics were the strongest predictor of ventricular arrhythmia outcomes compared to traditional predictors in this series of patients. This suggests that functional substrate characteristics may provide added insight into recurrence mechanisms. Whether they may identify a target for future interventions requires further study. ![][1] [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
Manganese-Containing Nodules in two Calcareous Rice Soils of Pakistan

Manganese (Mn) and Fe are reduced in anaerobic conditions and their concentrations increase in soil solution. These elements when moved downward to an oxidized zone accumulate as Fe and Mn nodules and coatings. Mineral precipitates have been predicted by solubility product relationships, yet data on such phases in seasonally submerged soils are not available. Nodules from the of Gujranwala (Udic Haplustalf) Btc2 (96- 130 cm) and Satghara (Typic Natrargid) 2Btcknb2 (80–108 cm) soil horizons were sectioned or ground and fractionated. Fractionated samples were analyzed by elemental and mineralogical methods. Thin sections for both nodule samples showed some black Mn oxide accumulation. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) microprobe analysis showed Mn present in a cavity in a Gujranwala nodule and Mn and Fe were associated with a carbonate particle in the Satghara sample. Hydroxylamine hydrochloride dissolved 0.8 to 1.8% Mn and dithionite-citrate-bicarbonate (DCB) dissolved 7 to 12% Fe from the Gujranwala nodule fractions. Gujranwala nodules contained birnessite and lithiophorite. The Mn-oxide phase in Satghara nodules was not determined but Mn-containing calcite was suggested. The Fe oxide in Satghara nodules appears to be goethite. The Gujranwala nodules contained mica, chlorite, quartz, goethite and some feldspars. The Satghara nodules contained mainly calcite with some dolomite, quartz, mica, chlorite and vermiculite. Selectively dissolved Mn was more concentrated in the coarse clay (2-0.2 μm) than fine clay (<0.2 μm) of crushed nodules of both soils whereas Fe oxide distribution was the reverse.
Silica- and germania-based dual-ligand sol-gel organic-inorganic hybrid sorbents combining superhydrophobicity and π-π interaction. The role of inorganic substrate in sol-gel capillary microextraction.

Principles of sol-gel chemistry were utilized to create silica- and germania-based dual-ligand surface-bonded sol-gel coatings providing enhanced performance in capillary microextraction (CME) through a combination of ligand superhydrophobicity and π-π interaction. These organic-inorganic hybrid coatings were prepared using sol-gel precursors with bonded perfluorododecyl (PF-C12) and phenethyl (PhE) ligands. Here, the ability of the PF-C12 ligand to provide enhanced hydrophobic interaction was advantageously combined with π-π interaction capability of the PhE moiety to attain the desired sorbent performance in CME. The effect of the inorganic sorbent component on microextraction performance of was explored by comparing microextraction characteristics of silica- and germania-based sol-gel sorbents. The germania-based dual-ligand sol-gel sorbent demonstrated superior CME performance compared to its silica-based counterpart. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of the created silica- and germania-based dual-ligand sol-gel sorbents suggested higher carbon loading on the germania-based sorbent. This might be indicative of more effective condensation of the organic ligand-bearing sol-gel-active chemical species to the germania-based sol-gel network (than to its silica-based counterpart) evolving in the sol solution. The type and concentration of the organic ligands were varied in the sol-gel sorbents to fine-tune extraction selectivity toward different classes of analytes. Specific extraction (SE) values were used for an objective comparison of the prepared sol-gel CME sorbents. The sorbents with higher content of PF-C12 showed remarkable affinity for aliphatic hydrocarbons. Compared to their single-ligand sol-gel counterparts, the dual-ligand sol-gel coatings demonstrated significantly superior CME performance in the extraction of alkylbenzenes, providing up to ∼65.0% higher SE values. The prepared sol-gel CME coatings provided low ng L-1 limit of detections (LOD) (4.2-26.3 ng L-1) for environmentally important analytes including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, ketones and aliphatic hydrocarbons. In CME-GC experiments (n = 5), the capillary-to-capillary RSD value was ∼2.1%; such a low RSD value is indicative of excellent reproducibility of the sol-gel method used for the preparation of these CME coatings. The dual-ligand sol-gel coating provided stable performance in capillary microextraction of analytes from saline samples.
High-dose Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) for cancer-related fatigue (CRF): A preliminary report.

9642 Background: CRF is a common and severe symptom in patients with cancer. There are limited useful treatments available. The objective of this preliminary study was to assess the safety of high-...
Phenformin Inhibits Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells and Enhances the Anti-Tumor Activity of PD-1 Blockade in Melanoma

Biguanides, such as the diabetes therapeutics metformin and phenformin, have shown antitumor activity both in vitro and in vivo. However, their potential effects on the tumor microenvironment are largely unknown. Here we report that phenformin selectively inhibits granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells in spleens of tumor-bearing mice and ex vivo. Phenformin induces production of reactive oxygen species in granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells, whereas the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine attenuates the inhibitory effects of phenformin. Co-treatment of phenformin enhances the effect of anti-PD-1 antibody therapy on inhibiting tumor growth in the BRAF V600E/PTEN-null melanoma mouse model. Combination of phenformin and anti PD-1 cooperatively induces CD8 + T-cell infiltration and decreases levels of proteins that are critical for immune suppressive activities of myeloid-derived suppressor cells. Our findings show a selective, inhibitory effect of phenformin on granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cell–driven immune suppression and support that phenformin improves the anti-tumor activity of PD-1 blockade immunotherapy in melanoma.
An Alternative Approach to an Analysis of Standard Cost Variances

Variances, or the differences between budgeted, planned, or standard amounts and the actual amounts incurred or sold, are a critical part of managerial accounting. They give managers a basis for making informed decisions, yet many accounting students have a difficulty with variance analysis. Part of this difficulty may be caused by their manner in which this topic is typically presented in cost/managerial accounting text books. The case presented in this paper allows students to see the "Big Picture" without being overly complex. While students are required to calculate all variances typically presented in cost/managerial textbooks, they are continuously reminded of the numerous similarities in the computational aspects of these variances. Furthermore, they learn - and understand -alternative methods for computing variances and presenting their solutions.
Online Combination of EPID & Cherenkov Imaging for 3-D Dosimetry in a Liquid Phantom

Online acquisition of Cherenkov and portal imaging data was combined with a reconstruction scheme called EC3-D, providing a full 3-D dosimetry of megavoltage X-ray beams in a water tank. The methodology was demonstrated and quantified in a single static beam. Furthermore, the dynamics and visualization of the 3-D dose reconstruction were demonstrated with a volumetric modulated arc therapy plan for TG-119 C-Shape geometry. The developed algorithm combines depth dose information, provided by Cherenkov images, with the lateral dose distribution, provided by the electronic portal imaging device. The strength of our approach lies in the acquisition of both imaging data streams with sub-millimeter theoretical resolution at 5-Hz frame-rate, which can be concurrently processed by the fast Fourier transform-based analysis, thus providing means for an efficient real-time 3-D dosimetry.
Tunable absorptive bandstop filter with an ultra-broad upper passband

This paper presents a new broadband external coupling structure for tunable evanescent-mode cavity resonator-based bandstop filters. This coupling method has low levels of parasitic reactances, which when combined with the wide spurious-free range of evansecent-mode cavities enables the implementation of a 3 to 6 GHz tunable bandstop filter which has a measured upper passband with less than 3-dB of insertion loss up to 28.5 GHz.
Reversing the undesirable pH-profile of doxorubicin via activation of a di-substituted maleamic acid prodrug at tumor acidity.

The acid-labile behavior of di-substituted maleamic acid (DMA) and its equilibrium with di-substituted maleimide (DMI) are exploited to build an ultra acid-sensitive, small molecule prodrug that can be activated by tumor extracellular pH (pHe) in the range of 6.5–6.9. Such a DMA prodrug reversed the unfavorable pH-profile of doxorubicin (Dox), which may improve its therapeutic window.
Be careful what you calibrate for: Social discounting in general equilibrium

Abstract Concerns about intergenerational equity have led to an influential practice of setting social utility discount rates based on ethical considerations rather than to match household behavior, particularly in climate change economics (e.g., Stern, 2006). This paper formalizes the broader policy implications of this approach in general equilibrium by characterizing jointly optimal environmental and fiscal policies in a climate-economy model with differential planner-household discounting. First, I show that decentralizing the optimal allocation requires not only high carbon prices but also fundamental changes to tax policy: If the government discounts the future less than households, implementing the optimal allocation requires an effective capital income subsidy (a negative intertemporal wedge), and, in a setting with distortionary taxation, an effective labor-consumption tax wedge that is decreasing over time. Second, if the government cannot subsidize capital income, the constrained-optimal carbon tax may be up to 50% below the present value of marginal damages (the social cost of carbon) due to the general equilibrium effects of climate policy on household savings. Third, given the choice to optimize either carbon, capital, or labor income taxes, the socially discounting planner's welfare ranking is ambiguous over a standard range of parameters. Overall, in general equilibrium, a policy-maker's choice to adopt differential social discounting may thus overturn conventional recommendations for both environmental and fiscal policy.
Agronomic performance of drought-resistance rice cultivars grown under alternate wetting and drying irrigation management in southeast China

Abstract Compared to drought-susceptible rice cultivars (DSRs), drought-resistance rice cultivars (DRRs) could drastically reduce the amount of irrigation water input and simultaneously result in higher grain yield under water-saving irrigation conditions. However, the mechanisms underlying these properties are unclear. We investigated how improved agronomic traits contribute to higher yield and higher water use efficiency (WUE) in DRRs than in DSRs under alternate wetting and drying (AWD). Two DRRs and two DSRs were field-grown in 2015 and 2016 using two different irrigation regimes: continuous flooding (CF) and AWD. Under CF, no statistical differences in grain yield and WUE were observed between DRRs and DSRs. Irrigation water under the AWD regime was 275–349 mm, an amount 49.8%–56.2% of that (552–620 mm) applied under the CF regime. Compared to CF, AWD significantly decreased grain yield in both DRRs and DSRs, with a more significant reduction in DSRs, and WUE was increased in DRRs, but not in DSRs, by 9.9%–23.0% under AWD. Under AWD, DRRs showed a 20.2%–26.2% increase in grain yield and an 18.6%–24.5% increase in WUE compared to DSRs. Compared to DSRs, DRRs showed less redundant vegetative growth, greater sink capacity, higher grain filling efficiency, larger root biomass, and deeper root distribution under AWD. We conclude that these improved agronomic traits exert positive influences on WUE in DRRs under AWD.
Using Seed and Foliar Insecticides to Control Corn Flea Beetles and Stewart's Disease of Corn

Introduction Stewart's disease of corn, caused by Pantoea (Erwinia) stewartii has significant economic implications for sweet and seed corn producers. These problems stem from phytosanitary regulations put in place by many countries to prevent the introduction of this pathogen into their countries. Growers or seed producers have to perform costly tests on seeds from fields where P. stewartii was found to occur in order to export the seed. Foliar insecticides have been used to reduce corn flea beetle populations during the growing season as a means to reduce the risk of Stewart's disease of corn. This management practice, however, has not been adequately tested in field trials. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of using both seed (Gaucho, Gustafson, Inc., Dallas, TX; Cruiser (formerly Adage), Greensboro, NC) and foliar (Warrior, ZENECA Ag Products, Wilmington, DE) insecticides to reduce corn flea beetle populations and Stewart’s disease of corn and to quantify the impact of these management practices on yield.
Back to basics; assigning biochemical function in the post-genomic era.

Abstract In the March and May issues of Chemistry & Biology , Croteau and coworkers [16, 17] reported the molecular cloning, expression, and biochemical characterization of two new cytochrome P450 hydroxylases of the taxol biosynthesis pathway. The results reported not only mark a major advance toward the long-term goal of engineering the taxoid pathway to increase biological production yields of this important anticancer agent, but also highlight the challenges and opportunities in assigning specific biochemical function to newly discovered biosynthetic genes.
An early preceptorship and medical students' beliefs, values, and career choices.

Background and Objectives: Curriculum influence on career choice is difficult to determine. In this study we explored the impact of a summer rural/underserved preceptorship on the residency choices of participants and on the beliefs and attitudes of participating students about rural underserved primary care practices. Methods: Two data sets are used to examine the Rural/Underserved Opportunities Program (R/UOP). Matriculation and residency selection information is analyzed to compare R/UOP participants with nonparticipants. Second, a survey eliciting beliefs and attitudes about various career choices was given to participants before and after the experience and to a sample of nonparticipating classmates matched for age, race, and ethnicity. Results: At matriculation, R/UOP participants gave higher rankings to primary care specialties as possible career choices. They were more likely to be matched in a primary care residency than nonparticipants. R/UOP participants expressed belief in more differences between urban and rural practice than did nonparticipants. They maintained their higher attitudes towards rural practice. Conclusions: R/UOP supports preexisting beliefs and positive attitudes towards rural underserved primary care careers. Participating students do not have large differences at entry into medical school. They are more likely to select primary care residencies, compared with nonparticipants.
Tyrosine metabolism in connective tissue disease. P-hydroxyphenylpyruvic acid excretion.

NUMEROUS amino acid studies have centered on the metabolic fate of tyrosine and tryptophan in health and disease. The pathways of the latter have been worked out in considerable detail. [I, 21 Much less is known about the quantitative aspects of that portion of the metabolic pathway of tyrosine which leads to the tricarboxylic acid cycle and much of what is reported in the literature is contradictory. Among other conditions the connective tissue diseases give rise to a disturbance of the tryptophan excretion pattern. [3-61 This, coupled with reports of excretions of 2, 5-dihydroxyphenylpyruvic acid (2, 5-DHPPA) in the connective tissue diseases [7], led us to investigate this acid as well as its presumed precursor, p-hydroxyphenylpyruvic acid (p-HPPA). Like KNOX et al. [8] we were unable to demonstrate the appearance of 2, 5-DHPPA or its lactone in all but 3 urines out of over 100 tested. Even in these three instances, identification of 2,5-DHPPA was tentative and the amounts well below 1 mg/24 hr. In contrast, p-HPPA levels were found to be significantly elevated above normal in the connective tissue diseases and are the reason for this report.
Drug-Induced Liver Injury in Children

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is relatively rare among children but can cause substantial morbidity and mortality. Here, we summarize the literature on pediatric DILI including a focus on commonly used classes of drugs. The incidence of pediatric DILI remains poorly defined. Antimicrobials and antiepileptic medications are the most commonly reported causes of pediatric idiosyncratic DILI in the US DILI network (DILIN) experience. DILI among children being treated for cancer appears to be underreported, and recent literature clearly implicates newer classes of agents such as tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors as potentially hepatotoxic. Many drugs trigger signature patterns of DILI; autoimmune hepatitis secondary to minocycline is an example. DILI should be suspected whenever a child presents with evidence of liver injury. Familiarity with established patterns of DILI secondary to specific agents can facilitate recognition of cases. Active reporting of cases by clinicians to registries such as US DILIN remains critical to a continuing understanding of the causes and risk factors of DILI among children.
Qualitative Consistency Masquerading as Quantitative Fit

Much of physical science is based on the ability to control and negate the effects of variables not being studied in order to examine the quantitative effects of variables of interest. In contrast, “soft” psychologists and other social scientists who study people and institutions and societies can never negate the effects of variables they are not studying. The results are generalizations of a ceteris paribus nature, occasionally without even a grudging understanding that the effect of variables not studied — often incapable of being controlled — is critical in determining the “significance” and effect size of the variables that are studied in any particular context. The result is that the generalizations in most psychological and social science contexts are of a very simple, usually qualitative, nature, although ironically phrased in quantitative terms. (The ubiquitous linear model is an example; even though it is specified in quantitative terms involving slope and intercept, it will be “fit” whenever variables have a merely monotonic relationship, and we feel validated whenever we have predicted the right direction.)
Combinatorial treatment with natural compounds leads to smaller prostate tumor size and key modulations of cell metabolism

Prostate cancer is one of the three most relevant cancer types in men, ranking second in death rate and first in newly diagnosed cancer cases according to the US cancer statistics in 2015. In recen...
Investigating horizontal and vertical pollution gradients in the atmosphere associated with an urban location in complex terrain, Reno, Nevada, USA

Abstract A new statistical method, the quadrant method, was used to aid in identifying different conditions affecting the relationship between columnar aerosol optical depth (τext) and surface concentrations of particulate matter ( 1 km from major highways. Vertical gradients were impacted by air pollution sources, including local and long-range transport, and atmospheric boundary layer stability. During periods when τext and surface PM2.5 concentrations were associated (i.e. both increase), emissions from wildfires and local pollutants in a well-mixed boundary layer dominated the relationship. During periods of no association, stable boundary layer conditions and pollution aloft created vertical heterogeneity of PM2.5 concentrations. Results showed that the quadrant method, developed for hourly data, can be used with 24 h PM2.5 and gaseous data and that it is a useful tool for identifying air pollution sources and atmospheric physics driving pollution gradients.
MFA and ASA-MF: A Psychometric Analysis of Attitudes Towards Measurement-Based Care.

Measurement based care (MBC) improves client outcomes by providing clinicians with routine mental health outcome data that can be used to inform treatment planning but is rarely used in practice. The Monitoring and Feedback Attitudes Scale (MFA) and Attitudes Towards Standardized Assessment Scales-Monitoring and Feedback (ASA-MF) (Jensen-Doss et al., 2016) may identify attitudinal barriers to MBC, which could help trainings and implementation strategies. This study examines the psychometric properties of the MFA and ASA-MF, including the factor structure, longitudinal invariance, and indicators of validity, in a sample of community mental health clinicians (N = 164). The measures demonstrate adequate fit to their factor structures across time and predict MBC use as captured in a client’s electronic health record. Given that clinician attitudes are associated with MBC use, using instruments with psychometric support to assess attitudes fills a research to practice gap.
Smoking and Drugs

Cigarette smoking, both active and passive, has vastly contrasting effects on the development and progression of both Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Quitting smoking also affects both forms of IBD differently. As smoking is a modifiable lifestyle factor, knowledge of its effects in IBD is therefore very important for those who care for people with IBD.
Measured Surface Deformation and Strains in Thin Thermoplastic Prepreg Tapes Steered along Curved Paths without Adhesion Using StereoDIC

Stereo digital image correlation (StereoDIC) measurements of wrinkle shapes and surface deformations along with numerical simulation results of prepreg tapes steered along paths having different radii of curvature without adhesion to a Teflon-coated substrate are presented. Experiments are conducted at temperatures ranging from 25 to 350 °C on thermoplastic prepreg tape (APC-2/AS4) having various widths. For the baseline studies at room temperature (25 °C), finite element simulation results from the combined experimental-computational study show very good agreement for both the wrinkling mode shape and general trends in the surface strains. Measurements do indicate a sharp change in the longitudinal and transverse strains for the two smallest steering radii, indicating the development of mesoscale damage in the prepreg. Finally, results from the experiments confirm that there is no significant deviation in the deformation response of the prepreg tape when performing steering at temperatures from 25 to 110 °C. However, significant differences in the deformation pattern of the thermoplastic tape are observed above the glass transition temperature, Tg, of the matrix material.
Sexual Equality and Violence Against Wives in American States

The relationship between increasing sexual equality and the level of violence against wives has been the subject of some debate. A negative relationship has been posited by those who point out that...
From the Clean Power Plan to the Affordable Clean Energy Rule: How Regulated Entities Adapt to Regulatory Change and Uncertainty

Regulated entities often struggle to adapt to regulatory change and uncertainty. This is particularly true in the power and utilities sectors, where the scope and scale of project-level planning and management is broad, and changes to these processes can be highly disruptive. Regulatory disruption notwithstanding, some companies adapt to regulatory change and uncertainty better than others. Presently, there is a gap in understanding what these regulatory adaptation best practices might be for the power and utilities sectors. When the federal Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) publicly proposed the Clean Power Plan (“CPP”) in 2014, stakeholders in the power and utilities sectors were forced to reckon with the possibility that the CPP would prompt profound changes in the regulatory landscape. As of writing, however, the EPA has since proposed to repeal the CPP and replace it with the Affordable Clean Energy (“ACE”) rule, a decision that significantly relaxes regulatory obligations for power companies. The ACE rule will be challenged in federal court, and its future remains in doubt. This case study will focus on the CPP as a means of investigating the best practices and ongoing challenges of adapting to regulatory uncertainty. The study will provide an in-depth analysis of the approach taken by three companies whose projects and/or financial investments would be implicated by the CPP. The three companies have been interviewed by the Author, and have developed unique and potentially transformative approaches to regulatory uncertainty, while at the same time offering cautionary tales and lessons learned.
Investigation of intake and exhaust manifolds parameters of a turbocharged diesel engine based on steady-state simulation

In the present work an approach to simulate and predict the flow characteristic in the intake and the exhaust manifolds of a six-cylinder four-stroke turbocharged diesel engine using GT-POWER and FORTRAN, for steady-state simulation. The simulation model covers the full engine cycle consisting of intake, compression, power and exhaust. The simulation and the prediction shown the diesel engine intake and exhaust manifolds parameters based on the crank angle degree. The results of the engine performances as well as pressure, temperature and mas flow rate in the intake and exhaust manifolds obtained by the developed program in language FORTRAN using the method of filling and emptying are presented. The commercial GT-Power software is used to the results validation. The range of variation of the rotational speed of the diesel engine chosen extends from 800 rpm to 2100 rpm. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.mech.25.2.21989
Towards Practical Record and Replay for Mobile Applications

The ability to repeat the execution of a program is a fundamental requirement in evaluating computer systems and apps. Reproducing executions of mobile apps has proven difficult under real-life scenarios due to different sources of external inputs and interactive nature of the apps. We present a new practical record/replay framework for Android, RandR, which handles multiple sources of input and provides cross-device replay capabilities through a dynamic instrumentation approach. We demonstrate the feasibility of RandR by recording and replaying a set of real-world apps.
Propostas alternativas para cemitérios urbanos enquanto santuários e espaços de memória na contemporaneidade

Frente aos danos urbanos e ambientais que as praticas tradicionais de destino aos cadaveres, como sepultamento e cremacao, vem causando ao meio ambiente, o presente artigo parte da identificacao de alguns metodos considerados mais ecologicos, desenvolvidos nos ultimos anos, com o objetivo de propiciar um retorno orgânico e sustentavel do cadaver a terra. O texto reflete sobre a maneira como estas novas tecnologias estimulam o desenvolvimento de propostas inovadoras de design, por parte de uma equipe de arquitetos de Nova York, para a criacao de memoriais com duracao temporaria, como espacos efemeros de culto aos mortos por parte de familias, parentes e amigos enlutados. Instalados em espacos publicos nas grandes capitais, tais memoriais visam integrar os mortos e sua memoria na vida cotidiana, por meio de projetos ambientalmente sustentaveis. Estes novos cemiterios urbanos, reconfiguram a morte, diante da superlotacao das necropoles tradicionais e da exiguidade dos espacos destinados aos mortos.
Formation of hexamethylbenzene: chloranil charge transfer nanocrystals

The nucleation and growth of nanoparticles can be induced using the reprecipitation method, in which a solution is rapidly mixed with a miscible non-solvent. This method has been used to create a wide variety of organic nanoparticles, including those comprised of polymers or of small molecules. Here we demonstrate the formation of charge transfer nanocrystals of the electron donor hexamethylbenzene and electron acceptor chloranil using the reprecipitation method. We achieve the rapid mixing needed for nanoparticle formation in a number of ways: using a 3D printed vortex micro-mixer, a double impinging jet mixer or direct jet injection of the solution into the non-solvent. The crystal formation kinetics are characterized over times scales from 10 ms to tens of minutes using UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering.
Motivation and Postsecondary Enrollment Among High School Students Whose Parents Did Not Go to College

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between motivation in high school and postsecondary enrollment among 10th-grade students whose parents did not go to college. Specifical...