cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Alternative Tale of Two Tax Jurisdictions: A Comment

I Longer-Term Considerations Galles and Sexton (1998) provide ten real per capita revenue and expenditure measures for each of the states. According to the Augmented Dickey-Fuller test, all ten of these measures are nonstationary in levels (although stationary in first-differences) for the 1966-1977 pre-Proposition 13 period for California and for the 1966-1979 pre-Proposition 2-1/2 period for Massachusetts. Thus, prior to these Propositions, these time series exhibited significant upward trend. Galles and Sexton (1998, p. 132) focus in their conclusions on real per capita general revenues (of which there are two measures, real per capita total general revenue, TGENREV, and real per capita own source general revenue, OGENREV) and real per capita general expenditures (TGENEXP). In Table 1 below, we display select values computed for these same series. We focus on 1966 and 1990, the first and last years considered in Galles and Sexton (1998), 1977 (the last pre-Proposition year for California), and 1979 (the last pre-Proposition 2-1/2 year for Massachusetts). Whereas Galles and Sexton (1998) do correctly conclude that the values of these variables tended to decline initially after these Propositions were enacted, they do not take the pre-Proposition time trends of the variables into consideration in their analysis. Based on their figures, the average annual growth rates for California from 1966 to 1977 were: TGENREV = 4.38 %; OGENREV = 4.21%, TGENREV = 2.8%. The average annual growth rates for Massachusetts from 1966 to 1979 were: TGENREV = 4.44%, OGENREV = 3.53%, and TGENEXP = 4.26%. Following the enactment of Propositions 13 and 2-1/2, there soon were declines in TGENREV, OGENREV, and TGENEXP (as well as real per capita property taxes, among other things); this is why Galles and Sexton (1998, p. 123) argue that "[b]oth [Propositions] initially succeeded." However, had Propositions 13 and 2-1/2 not been enacted and had these six average annual growth rates then simply continued at their pre-Proposition paces, the predicted values of TGENREV, OGENREV, AND TGENEXP would be those shown in Table 1 on the line for 1990 "predicted values." Had Propositions 13 and 2-1/2 not been enacted, not only would their short-term successes not have been experienced, but the longer-term upward movement of TGENREV, OGENREV, and TGENEXP might have far exceeded the actual values for these items (as well as other items) computed in Galles and Sexton (1998, Tables 1, 2). In other words, in the absence of these Propositions, California and Massachusetts residents might well have found themselves far worse off in terms of tax burdens and the like than they actually were in 1990. Hence, while it may be regarded as "disappointing" for TGENREV, OGENREV, and TGENEXP to have within a decade or so surpassed their pre-Proposition highs (especially in Massachusetts), things could easily have been much worse without the Propositions at all. …
Impact of socio-economic and demographic factors on food away from home consumption: number of meals and type of facility

This study identifies several socioeconomic and demographic characteristics affecting food away from home consumption using the recent 1987-88 National Food Consumption Survey (the individual intake portion). The fmdings indicate that the following variables significantly alfect the number of meals purchased: region, race, ethnicity, sex, household size, age, income, and time of week of consumption. The results also indicate that employed individuals consume more meals away from home than unemployed individuals.
Predominant K-ras codon 12 G --> A transition in chemically induced lung neoplasms in B6C3F1 mice.

Based on long-term toxicity and carcinogencity studies in B6C3F1 mice conducted by the National Toxicology Program, 2,2-Bis(bromomethyl)1,3-propanediol (BMP) and tetranitromethane (TNM) have been identified as carcinogens. Following 2 yr of exposure to 312, 625, or 1,250 ppm BMP in feed, or exposure to 0.5 or 2 ppm TNM by inhalation, increased incidences of lung neoplasms were observed in B6C3F1 mice at all exposure concentrations compared to unexposed mice. The present study characterizes genetic alterations in the K-ras protooncogene in BMP- and TNMinduced lung neoplasms, respectively, and compares the findings to spontaneous lung neoplasms from corresponding control mice. The frequencies of the K-ras mutations were 57% (29/51) in BMP-induced lung neoplasms compared to 15% (3/20) in lung neoplasms from dosed feed control mice, and 54% (14/26) in TNM-induced lung neoplasms compared to 60% (3/5) in lung neoplasms from inhalation control mice. G → A transitions at the second base of the K-ras codon 12 (GGT → GAT) were the most frequent pattern of K-ras mutations identified in BMP-induced (20/29) and TNM-induced lung neoplasms (13/14), which differed from the mutational patterns identified in the lung neoplasms from unexposed control mice. These results indicate that mutations in the K-ras gene are involved in B6C3F1 lung carcinogenesis following BMP- and TNM-exposure, and the high frequency and specificity of the ras mutation profile in lung neoplasms (G → A transition) may be due to in vivo genotoxicity by the parent compounds or their metabolites.
Medical student views of substance abuse treatment, policy and training

Purpose: This study examined the impact of medical education on students’ views of substance abuse treatment, public policy options and training.Method: A longitudinal survey was conducted on a single-class cohort of 101 students in a major American, urban medical school. The survey was administered in the Spring semesters of the first to third years of the curriculum. The survey evaluated attitudes in three areas: (1) Treatment: efficacy of treatment and ideal level of physician involvement in substance abuse issues, (2) Public policy: degrees of support for competing public policy strategies and (3) Training: the amount of substance abuse education offered in medical school.Results: Response rates were 92% in the first year, 90% in the second and 75% in the third. About 54% of respondents were female, 55% were white (non-Hispanic) and 71% were 20–24 years old. Treatment: students held consistent views towards treating substance abuse patients, but there was a significant decline in the percentage who fe...
Trace element zoning in garnet as a monitor of crustal melting

X-ray composition maps of Sc, Y, P, and Cr in garnet have been measured using the electron microprobe. Zoning is discontinuous and is correlated with fluid-absent crustal melting reactions. The magnitude of the discontinuity is a function of the amount of muscovite that melts, and the partition coefficients of solids versus melt. Trace element zoning is apparently not modified by diffusive processes, so the zoning can be used to monitor the extent of melting and to examine kinetics of melting and the participation of accessory phases in crustal anatexis.
Decoding Turbo Codes Based on Their Parity-Check Matrices

The turbo iterative decoding algorithm only performs well for turbo codes with relatively small memories. Moreover, its decoding complexity becomes prohibitively large when the turbo encoders have very large memories. The sum-product and linear programming decoding algorithms are based on the parity-check matrices of the codes. They are widely used to decode low-density parity-check codes. These algorithms do not suffer the limitations of the turbo iterative decoding algorithm. In order to apply them to the turbo codes, the parity-check matrices of turbo codes must be found. By treating turbo codes as serially concatenated codes, the generator and parity-check matrices of the turbo codes are derived in this paper. Turbo codes with low-density parity-check matrices are then designed based on the derived results. Provided these matrices, turbo codes are decoded using the sum-product algorithms. Preliminary results show that the sum-product decoding of turbo codes performs slightly worse than sum-product decoding of conventional low-density parity-check codes. However, since the encoding of turbo codes has less complexity than the straightforward encoding of low-density parity-check codes, this loss in performance may be justified by the drastically decreased encoding complexity. The availability of the parity-check matrices of turbo codes also makes them ready to be decoded by the linear programming decoding algorithm which is optimum for the given linear constraints.
CXXC finger protein 1 contains redundant functional domains that support embryonic stem cell cytosine methylation, histone methylation, and differentiation.

CXXC finger protein 1 (Cfp1) is a regulator of both cytosine methylation and histone methylation. Murine embryonic stem (ES) cells lacking Cfp1 exhibit a decreased plating efficiency, decreased cytosine methylation, elevated global levels of histone H3-Lys4 trimethylation, and a failure to differentiate in vitro. Remarkably, transfection studies reveal that expression of either the amino half of Cfp1 (amino acids 1 to 367 [Cfp11-367]) or the carboxyl half of Cfp1 (Cfp1361-656) is sufficient to correct all of the defects observed with ES cells that lack Cfp1. However, a point mutation (C169A) that abolishes DNA-binding activity of Cfp1 ablates the rescue activity of the Cfp11-367 fragment, and a point mutation (C375A) that abolishes the interaction of Cfp1 with the Setd1 histone H3-Lys4 methyltransferase complexes ablates the rescue activity of the Cfp1361-656 fragment. Introduction of both the C169A and C375A point mutations ablates the rescue activity of the full-length Cfp1 protein. These results indicate that retention of either the Cfp1 DNA-binding domain or Setd1 interaction domain is required for Cfp1 rescue activity, and they illustrate the functional complexity of this critical epigenetic regulator. A model is presented for how epigenetic cross talk may explain the finding of redundant functional domains within Cfp1.
Assessing the Value of Certification Preparation Programs in Higher Education.

The purpose of this article is to begin an exploration into the value of certification preparation programs in high skills lifelong learning, specifically in the field of business and management. This segment of lifelong learning is often referred to as executive and professional education (EPE). As professions and skills are made obsolete in the knowledge economy the need for continued high level lifelong learning becomes increasing important to the sustainability and viability of local, regional, state and national economies. This research paper focuses on programs that prepare participants for nationally and internationally recognized certifications. Additionally the research addresses issues relating to the motivation of participants to enroll in EPE programs.
Breaker Travel and Choice of Design Wave Height

Experiments on three-plane laboratory beaches show that plunging waves travel a horizontal distance of from four to eight times breaker height during the breaking process. This suggests that the potentially damaging effect of breaking waves may be spread over a significant horizontal distance. The experiments, as well as previously available data, show that breaker depth-to-height ratios for plunging waves decrease from above 1.3 to below 0.9 as beach slope increases, so that higher waves on steeper slopes may approach nearer to shore before breaking. The combined effect of breaker travel and breaker depth-to-height ratio is such that structures sited in shallow water on moderate or steep slopes can be subject to breaking wave heights significantly larger than the design heights computed according to accepted practice. The experimental results are consistent with a solitary wave description of oscillatory waves at breaking, if the breaker depths of oscillatory waves are appropriately defined, and they are consistent with the limiting heights of breaking waves measured on rubble-mound breakwaters.
Shirley Temple and the Performance of Girlhood, by Kristen Hatch

Growing steadily since the mid-1990s, the field of girls’ media studies is now flourishing, with new books and essays circulating more frequently today than ever before. Most work in this interdisc...
Reentrance and Multistriped Phases in the Blume-Emery-Griffiths Model with Biased Diffusion

The authors report new multistriped phases at high densities in a three-state model (s{sub i} = 0, {+-}1) driven by an external field E and influenced by repulsive nearest neighbor interactions. The dynamics are dictated by local Metropolis rates with the ratio of particle-particle to particle-hole exchange given by {gamma}. In the noninteracting limit, this model shows an ordered, low-current phase above a density-dependent critical field. In this phase the two types of charges are segregated from each other and from the vacancies, forming stripes transverse to the field direction. Addition of a repulsive bilinear interaction J favors mixing of the charges. This interaction competes directly with the charge-segregated ordering and the system undergoes a nonequilibrium transition to one of four other types of striped phases, some with checkerboard ordering. The authors have calculated the staggered charge density and used the amplitude of its longest wavelength Fourier component along the field direction as an order parameter to characterize this new type of striped ordering. The phase diagram in the parameter space of E, J, {gamma}, and density shows both first and second order transitions, with second order transitions most prevalent in the high-E/J, high density regions. The study also showsmore » a reentrant phase diagram with only second order transitions for high {gamma} and a tricritical topology at low {gamma}. For field strengths close to zero, the system orders in a checkerboard fashion above a J-dependent density. Results were obtained using Monte Carlo simulations on a 30x30 square lattice with periodic boundary conditions and charge conservation.« less
Bradykinin antagonism following oral protease therapy.

SummaryOrally given proteolytic enzymes appear to antagonize 3 bradykinin physiologic responses: hypotension, smooth muscle contraction and enhanced capillary permeability. Whether these observations relate to anti-inflammatory activity of orally given proteolytic enzymes requires further study.
Energy policy and the electricity supply industry in Hong Kong (Abstract only)

Summary form only given. Hong Kong, a highly developed commercial centre, has to import all the energy it consumes every year. The energy policy of Hong Kong has been broadly set as to ensure an adequate supply of energy at reasonable costs, taking into consideration environmental factors and choices for the consumers. The electricity sector plays an overwhelming role in the local energy economy, consuming about two-thirds of total primary energy for power generation each year. The government is negotiating with the two power companies concerning the new framework that will govern the two power companies in the post-2008 years. This presentation analyses the intricate relationship between the energy policy of Hong Kong and future developments in the power sector in the post-2008 years. (1 page)
Rates of Increase and Probing Behavior of Acyrthosiphon pisum (Homoptera: Aphididae) on Preferred and Nonpreferred Host Cover Crops

Developmental time, fecundity, nymphal mortality, generation time, intrinsic and finite rates of increase, and days for population to double were compared for peaaphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris, feeding on cover crop seedlings of sesbania, Sesbania exaltata (Rafinesque-Schmaltz) Cory; cowpea, Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walpers; hairy indigo, lndigofera hirsuta L.; hairy vetch, Vicia villosa Roth; crimson clover, Trifolium incarnatum L.; or cereal rye, Secale cereale L. The study was conducted under constant temperatures (15, 20, 25, and 30°e) in the laboratory. A. pisum had the shortest developmental, prereproductive, and generation times on V. villosa and T. incarnatum , followed by V. unguiculata . However, A. pisum had higher mean total fecundity, fecundity rate, and intrinsic and finite rates of increase on V. villosa and T. incarnatum than on other cover crops evaluated. Differences in life parameters of A. pisum were detected on the same plant species exposed to different temperatures. Probing behavior of individual A. pisum differed on various cover crops. Mean probe duration was longer on S. exaltata and I. hirsuta , whereas the time to start the first probe, the number of probes per 6-min observation period, and nonprobing duration were shorter on V. villosa and T. incarnatum than on other plant species evaluated.
Regional Planning for Blood Resources

The primary objective of a regional blood distribution system is to maintain adequate inventories of blood at each of the hospital blood banks in the region with a maximum of blood utilization within its limited lifetime. The institution of a predictive regional planning system operating under the objective of overall regional efficiency has significantly improved both utilization and availability. The system is applicable to any region and provides a mechanism for effective collaboration between regions.
Living and Mineral Reefs: Are they Comparable and What Ecological Information Is Preserved?

Reefs are complex ecosystems on many scales and a host of simplifications, assumptions, and limitations are inherent in surveying and characterizing them. This chapter examines the techniques used to collect data on living and mineral reefs and asks what potential biases may arise from equating the two very different types of “reefs” (i.e., a living community vs. its mineral remains). Data from each of the two has its own limitations. Although fossil assemblages are famous for lost detail, vast amounts of ecological information are also lost when surveying living reefs. Despite inherent shortcomings, living and mineral reefs both provide important ecological context that is needed to address many of todays most relevant reef questions. While data on living organisms are the foundation for documenting the status of modern reefs, mineral reef deposits provide the baseline needed to put that information in a broader context.
Gender prediction on a real life blog data set using LSI and KNN

Gender prediction on social media data set is usually tackled as a text classification problem and can be solved using machine learning methods such as K-nearest neighbor algorithm (KNN). However, KNN is computationally costly due to its lazy learning pattern; it does not perform well when the dimension of feature space is high. Dimension reduction methods are thus introduced and integrated into KNN to save the computation time. In this paper we proposed an approach which combines the Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI) method to KNN to predict the gender based on a real life collection of posts on actual blog pages. Its effectiveness in processing large scale and high dimensional data is demonstrated by experimental results.
Measurement of process dynamics through coaxially aligned high speed near-infrared imaging in laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing

For process stability in laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) additive manufacturing (AM), control of melt pool dimensions is imperative. In order to control melt pool dimensions in real time, sampling frequencies in excess of 10 kHz may be required, which presents a challenge for many thermal and optical monitoring systems. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is currently developing the Additive Manufacturing Metrology Testbed (AMMT), which replicates a metal based laser powder bed fusion AM process while providing open architecture for control, sensing, and calibration sources. The system is outfitted with a coaxially aligned, near-infrared (NIR) high speed melt pool monitoring (MPM) system. Similar monitoring systems are incorporated into LPBF research testbeds, and appearing on commercial machines, but at lower available frame rates, which may limit observation of higher frequency events such as spatter or size fluctuations. This paper presents an investigation of the coaxial imaging systems of the AMMT to capture the process dynamics, and quantify the effects of dynamic fluctuations on melt pool size measurements. Analysis is carried out on a baseline experiment with no powder material added, melt pool size measurements collected in-situ are compared to ex-situ measurements, and results are discussed in terms of temporal bandwidth. Findings will show that, even at the frame rate and resolution presented, challenges in relating in-situ video signals to the ex-situ measurement analysis remain.
Inequitable Access to Health Care by the Poor in Community-Based Health Insurance Programs: A Review of Studies From Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

Background Out-of-pocket payments for health care services lead to decreased use of health services and catastrophic health expenditures. To reduce out-of-pocket payments and improve access to health care services, some countries have introduced community-based health insurance (CBHI) schemes, especially for those in rural communities or who work in the informal sector. However, there has been little focus on equity in access to health care services in CBHI schemes. Methods We searched PubMed, Web of Science, African Journals OnLine, and Africa-Wide Information for studies published in English between 2000 and August 2014 that examined the effect of socioeconomic status on willingness to join and pay for CBHI, actual enrollment, use of health care services, and drop-out from CBHI. Our search yielded 755 articles. After excluding duplicates and articles that did not meet our inclusion criteria (conducted in low- and middle-income countries and involved analysis based on socioeconomic status), 49 articles remained that were included in this review. Data were extracted by one author, and the second author reviewed the extracted data. Disagreements were mutually resolved between the 2 authors. The findings of the studies were analyzed to identify their similarities and differences and to identify any methodological differences that could account for contradictory findings. Results Generally, the rich were more willing to pay for CBHI than the poor and actual enrollment in CBHI was directly associated with socioeconomic status. Enrollment in CBHI was price-elastic-as premiums decreased, enrollment increased. There were mixed results on the effect of socioeconomic status on use of health care services among those enrolled in CBHI. We found a high drop-out rate from CBHI schemes that was not related to socioeconomic status, although the most common reason for dropping out of CBHI was lack of money to pay the premium. Conclusion The effectiveness of CBHI schemes in achieving universal health coverage in low- and middle-income countries is questionable. A flexible payment plan where the poor can pay in installments, subsidized premiums for the poor, and removal of co-pays are measures that can increase enrollment and use of CBHI by the poor.
Dupuytren Disease (Contracture)

Dupuytren disease occurs when normal fascial bands in the hand become pathologic nodules and cords (of collagen) creating flexion contractures. The stages range from skin changes through more severe joint and soft tissue contractures. During the physical exam, the patient places hand on table palm down to observe MCP or PIP contracture. Collagenase injections are a treatment option for nonoperative cases. Patients with MCP joint contractures of at least 30° and/or any PIP joint contractures with concomitant functional deficiency are surgical candidates. Hematoma and recurrence are the most common surgical complications.
Abstract 13299: Cross Talk Between Hyper Permeability and Autophagy in Endothelial Cells With Persistent Inflammation

Introduction: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is known to induce endothelial dysfunction causing an increase in permeability and damage intra cellular signaling as well as known to induce autophagy. Howev...
Barriers to Breastfeeding for US Physicians Who Are Mothers.

This survey study evaluates the barriers to breastfeeding among a large representative nationwide cohort of physicians who are mothers.
A pilot study to assess the bacterial contaminants in hookah pipes in a community setting.

Setting Hookah smoking among young adults remains a public health threat. Increasing research has uncovered the deleterious effects of hookah smoking, including both acute and chronic health conditions. Due to the current lack of regulation, hookah bars/lounges lack protocols for equipment sanitation. Objectives To examine evidence of bacterial contamination in hookah pipes due to a lack of sanitation regulations. Design For this field/laboratory study, 10 hookah bars/lounges were studied. Isolated bacteria were characterized and identified by species using 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. Results At the 10 hookah bars sampled, the mouthpiece had the highest bacterial prevalence and diversity. Some of the bacterial isolates were found to be antibiotic-resistant. Ten of the isolated bacteria were Gram-positive and two were identified as Gram-negative. Conclusion Levels of bacterial contamination vary widely from one hookah bar to the next, and reflect a lack of industry standards for cleaning these devices. Bacterial contamination of hookah pipes may represent a fomite for transmission of infectious diseases. Our results warrant future surveillance of hookahs to monitor for potential human pathogens.
Synthesis and adhesion control of glucose-based bioadhesive via strain-promoted azide–alkyne cycloaddition

A glucose-based bioadhesive, poly(2-methacrylamido glucopyranose-co-N-methacryloyl-3,4-dihydroxyl-L-phenylalanine-co-8-azidooctyl methacrylate) [poly(MG-co-MDOPA-co-AOM)], has been synthesized by thermally-initiated free radical polymerization. The new bioadhesive is composed of three modules: a hydrophilic glycopolymer segment, a mussel-inspired catechol segment, and a crosslinking azide segment. Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-based crosslinker, (1R,8S,9s)-bicyclo[6.1.0]non-4-yn-9-ylmethyl PEG (BCN-PEG) was synthesized separately. Bulk adhesion properties of the terpolymer were enhanced by covalent bond forming crosslinking via strain-promoted azide–alkyne cycloaddition (SPAAC). The occurrence of SPAAC was confirmed by 1H NMR and FT-IR. After moistening the adhesive and the crosslinker, BCN-PEG with water, adhesion properties were examined by a lap shear strength test on porcine skins. The control of adhesion was studied under various crosslinker concentrations, crosslinking durations, and crosslinker lengths. Even without crosslinking, the new terpolymer adhesive demonstrated 20-fold higher adhesion strength (115 kPa) compared to a commercial rubber cement (5.8 kPa). The most significant factor to control for adhesion was crosslinker length. BCN-PEG was prepared with 134 and 43 repeating units of PEG. Crosslinking with the long crosslinker, BCN-PEG (PEG repeating units: 134), did not enhance adhesion strength meaningfully. However, crosslinking the short crosslinker BCN-PEG (repeating units: 43) showed significant improvement in work of adhesion (150% higher than uncrosslinked). The overall revealed features of strong adhesion on biological surfaces, structural similarity to natural carbohydrate, water compatibility, controllability of adhesion strength, and non-toxic adhesion enhancement principle via SPAAC crosslinking, suggest that the new glucose-based bioadhesive can be successfully used for biomedical applications.
Factors Influencing Adaptation to Rotated Visual Fields: The Role of Meaning

I first became acquainted with Kurt Goldstein’s work, and with the man himself, through one of his great admirers, Heinz Werner. These two men shared a dual interest in language and perception and, though dealing with different populations of subjects, they came to many conclusions in common. Goldstein’s stress on holistic functioning had had a great impact on Werner and his colleague, Seymour Wapner, especially on their thinking about perception. In the early fifties, when I was a graduate student at Clark University and working on the sensory-tonic theory of perception, I became impressed by Goldstein’s concept of the integrity of the organism. His studies of perceptual disturbances in cerebellar patients, his emphasis on the equalization tendencies of the organism, his research and his ideas, formed an important part of all our theoretical discussions. My interest in space perception—an area which interested Goldstein very much—dates back to those days. In the present paper I shall deal with the influence of one variable in particular which intrigued him: meaning.
Effects of Biguanides on Growth and Glycolysis of Bladder and Colon Cancer Cells.

Background/ Aim: There is evidence that inhibitory effects of biguanides on oxidative phosphorylation require uptake of biguanides into the mitochondria. In this study the action of two biguanides that enter the mitochondria (buformin and phenformin) were compared with the action of two biguanides with poor uptake (phenyl biguanide and proguanil). Materials and methods Effects on growth, glucose uptake and medium acidification were studied with two human colon cancer cells and seven bladder cancer cell lines. Results Growth inhibition was greatest with proguanil followed by phenformin, buformin and phenylbiguanide. In contrast, increased glucose uptake and acidification of the medium was observed with buformin and phenformin, with no change or less acidification of the medium with phenyl biguanide and proguanil. Conclusion The effect of biguanides on glucose metabolism requires mitochondrial uptake while the mechanism for growth inhibition by biguanides remains to be defined.
PET Image Denoising Using Deep Neural Network

Deep neural networks have been widely and successfully used in computer vision and attracted growing interests in medical imaging. In this work, we trained a deep residual convolutional neural network to improve quality of PET images. To train the deep neural network, we augmented real patient data with computer simulated phantom data. Specifically, we first trained the network using simulation data and then fine tuned the network using real data. Results based on simulation and real data show that the proposed method is more effective in removing noise than the traditional Gaussian filtering method.
A miniature multi-contrast microscope for functional imaging in freely behaving animals

Neurovascular coupling, cerebrovascular remodeling and hemodynamic changes are critical to brain function, and dysregulated in neuropathologies such as brain tumors. Interrogating these phenomena in freely behaving animals requires a portable microscope with multiple optical contrast mechanisms. Therefore, we developed a miniaturized microscope with: a fluorescence (FL) channel for imaging neural activity (e.g., GCaMP) or fluorescent cancer cells (e.g., 9L-GFP); an intrinsic optical signal (IOS) channel for imaging hemoglobin absorption (i.e., cerebral blood volume); and a laser speckle contrast (LSC) channel for imaging perfusion (i.e., cerebral blood flow). Following extensive validation, we demonstrate the microscope's capabilities via experiments in unanesthetized murine brains that include: (i) multi-contrast imaging of neurovascular changes following auditory stimulation; (ii) wide-area tonotopic mapping; (iii) EEG-synchronized imaging during anesthesia recovery; and (iv) microvascular connectivity mapping over the life-cycle of a brain tumor. This affordable, flexible, plug-and-play microscope heralds a new era in functional imaging of freely behaving animals.
Comprehensive DFT study of hydroxyl coverage on titania surfaces

Abstract Titania has broad applications as a catalyst and photocatalyst, and is often used in water-containing environments. Water molecules interacting with titania surfaces–particularly those that are chemisorbed–will affect the interactions of any reactants and products with titania. Here we present results of a comprehensive set of density functional theory calculations of the structure and energetics of chemisorbed water on titania surfaces. With consistent calculation settings that allow direct quantitative comparisons we have examined the anatase (001), (101), and (100), and rutile (001), (101), (110), and (100) surfaces, all with a range of coverages of both associatively and dissociatively chemisorbed water molecules. In addition we have examined the effects of implicit solvation on these surface configurations, as well as the impact of mixed adsorption states. We find that associative adsorption is generally preferred, with the notable exception of rutile (001) surface. Implicit solvation does not significantly change the low-energy configuration of water on titania, but primarily acts to reduce the water adsorption energies. Titania surfaces in both aqueous and (water-containing) vapor environments will generally be fully covered with chemisorbed water that exhibit adsorption energies ranging from ∼−0.4 to −1.0 eV/H2O.
Gereja Sebagai Umat Pilihan Allah dalam Pandangan Clemens Romanus

Surat 1 Clement yang ditulis oleh Clemens Romanus (Clement of Rome) adalah salah satu naskah gereja abad permulaan yang dianggap memegang peranan penting dalam sejarah gereja mula-mula. Surat ini ditulis pada akhir abad pertama Masehi, sekitar tahun 95-96, dan merupakan tulisan Kristen paling awal sesudah penutupan kanon Perjanjian Baru yang kita miliki. Naskah ini berbentuk surat kiriman dan dicantumkan bersama-sama dengan salinan naskah Perjanjian Baru yang dimuat dalam Codex Alexandrianus, yang selalu dinilai memiliki bobot yang tinggi dalam analisa tekstual untuk salinan kitab-kitab Perjanjian Baru. Kenyataan bahwa surat ini dicantumkan bersama-sama dengan salinan Perjanjian Baru membuktikan bahwa gereja abad mula-mula sangat menghargai surat ini. Selain itu, surat ini juga diterjemahkan ke dalam bahasa Latin, Syriac, dan Coptic, sehingga isinya dapat dibaca oleh lebih banyak umat Kristen di wilayah yang lebih luas lagi, yakni di sekitar Yunani, Siria, Palestina dan Mesir pada akhir abad pertama dan awal abad kedua Masehi. …Tujuan penulisan artikel ini ialah untuk menunjukkan bahwa bagi Clement, pemahaman mengenai gereja sebagai umat pilihan Allah yang diikat erat dengan tali kasih satu dengan yang lain, adalah cara terpenting untuk mengatasi dan mencegah perpecahan di antara orang percaya. Menurut Clement gereja sebagai umat pilihan Allah memiliki tanggung jawab yang besar untuk menunjukkan kasih satu kepada yang lain.
Atención y recompensa

Diario del entomologo. Jorge Cadavid (prologo de Oscar Torres Duque). Trilce Editores, Bogota, 1998, 90 pags.
Chapter 6 – Titanium Surface Modification Techniques for Dental Implants—From Microscale to Nanoscale

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews various techniques of titanium surface modification that are employed to fabricate implant surfaces in order to promote osseointegration, faster healing time, higher bone-to-implant contact (BIC) ratio, and longevity of titanium implants. Titanium (Ti) and its alloys are widely used to manufacture dental implants, maxillofacial, and orthopedic prostheses. Alteration in titanium surface morphology is used to influence osteoblast attachment, differentiation, proliferation, and migration. The most prominent fabrication methods to produce macro-, micro-, and nanoscale surface topographies include mechanical methods like plasma spraying, particle blasting, micromachining, grinding, polishing, and chemical methods like acid etching, alkali etching, and anodization. The physicochemical properties of titanium substrates can be altered primarily through manufacturing processes. This is often combined with biochemical modification of titanium surface. Biochemical modification of titanium surface can also be achieved through a variety of techniques. Micro- and nanoscale modification of titanium surface using physicochemical, morphological, and biochemical approaches have resulted in higher BIC ratio and improved osseointegration. Anodization of titanium has been effectively applied to fabricate nanotubular surfaces which closely mimic the nanoscale architecture of human bone. Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs can also be physically adsorbed on such surfaces to produce antibacterial implant surfaces in order to prevent infection and inflammation.
Logjams and Channel Morphology Influence Sediment Storage, Transformation of Organic Matter, and Carbon Storage Within Mountain Stream Corridors

The flow of organic matter (OM) along rivers and its retention within floodplains are fundamental to the function of aquatic and riparian ecosystems and are significant components of terrestrial ca...
Development of an integrated, single electrode liquid sampling - atmospheric pressure glow discharge microplasma ionization source

Abstract The liquid sampling – atmospheric pressure glow discharge (LS-APGD) has been demonstrated as a versatile source for optical emission spectroscopy (OES) and mass spectrometry (MS). The initial LS-APGD design consisted of a solution cathode and a stainless-steel counter electrode. While shown to perform well across various MS applications, efforts to improve upon the initial design of this system have been ongoing. In this study, an integrated, single electrode design is presented in which the plasma is generated between the solution electrode and the sampling orifice of the mass spectrometer. The driving force, in this case, is the reduction of system components and moving parts, thus simplifying the ionization source. This preliminary study includes an optimization of the operating parameters with a focus on maintaining a stable plasma and improving analytical performance. The multi-parametric evaluation completed here included discharge current, solution flow rate, and the electrode/sampling orifice gap. Most significantly, the manner in which the plasma is powered has changed from the solution cathode being held at ground potential to being powered negatively versus the grounded sampling orifice. Comparisons between the formation of solvent related species in the original source design and this version were performed. With optimal conditions determined, initial LODs were established for Rb, Ag, Tl, and U, with values ranging from 0.02–0.17 ng mL−1 for 20 μL injections, demonstrating increased sensitivity (72-1900×) relative to the previous two-electrode design on the same MS system which employed 50 μL injections.
Always Among Men: Laura Bassi at the Bologna Academy of Sciences (1732–78)

On 20 March 1732, Laura Bassi (1711–1778) became the first woman admitted to the Academy of the Institute for Sciences in Bologna. This essay explores Bassi's long and evolving relationship with the academy and its members. It discusses how Bassi transformed an honorary position into a paid venue in which to present her own research in 1745. It explores her struggles to gain the full rights and privileges of membership, her relations with other women admitted after her, and her appointment as Institute professor of experimental physics in 1776.
Accounting for Asset Sales: The Effect on Earnings Smoothing

We examine whether accounting rules can influence gains trading activities in financial institutions. Gains trading occurs when managers strategically sell invested assets to affect earnings. We focus on the U.S. insurance industry, where Life insurers are subject to a rule that requires them to amortize realized capital gains and losses over the remaining maturity of the bond sold. This rule dilutes the impact of realized capital gains and losses on earnings, as only a portion can be recognized immediately as income. We find that the rule is effective in its design – even though managers of Life insurers make trades to offset operational losses, they do not significantly affect reported income. The rule imposes greater costs on managers with fewer near-maturity bonds, and we document more extreme gains trading in those situations. Our study contributes to the literature on gains trading among financial institutions, showing the impact of a unique accounting rule which significantly influences the real activities of managers.
Risk and Return: Does Tax Risk Reduce Firms’ Effective Tax Rates?

This study develops an ex-ante measure of firms’ overall tax risk, allowing us to classify a firm as pursuing a more or less risky tax strategy relative to other firms, and examines the distribution of tax outcomes associated with levels of tax risk. Our study is important because tax practitioners and firms have begun to focus on managing tax risk to improve the expected outcomes of firms’ tax strategies, but researchers have not systematically measured ex-ante tax risk or its association with tax outcomes. Our results indicate that tax risk is negatively associated with future cash effective tax rates; however, the sustainability of a firm’s pretax earnings moderates this association. Relative to other firms, firms with sustainable or unsustainable pretax earnings pay significantly higher taxes for an equal increase in tax risk. Our results imply that firms earn returns for tax risk, but that return depends on nontax considerations.
Mutants of Rhodospirillum rubrum Obtained After Long-Term Anaerobic, Dark Growth

Rhodospirillum rubrum S(1) cells were grown for more than 100 generations under strict anaerobic, dark conditions in liquid medium with sodium pyruvate. During this time, growth became nonpigmented. When cells were streaked onto the surface of solid growth medium in anaerobic bottles and placed in the dark, a few light-red colonies developed, but the majority was nonpigmented. Mutants were obtained from colonies selected on the basis of pigmentation and bacteriochlorophyll a content. The growth, ultrastructure, and light reactivity of two mutants were examined. Mutant C synthesized bacteriochlorophyll a (7.2 mumoles per mg of protein), altered membrane structures, and chromatophores during dark growth. Examination of light-induced changes of the absorption spectrum of this mutant suggested that only an electron transport pathway, which included the low potential cytochrome-like pigment C428, could be detected. Mutant C grew anaerobically in the light, whereas mutant G1 was light sensitive and produced only trace amounts of bacteriochlorophyll a (0.6 mumole per ml of protein). Poorly pigmented G1 cells contained unusual membrane structures. When dark-grown G1 colonies were placed in the light, deep-red colored papillae developed in the nonpigmented colonies. During anaerobic, dark growth with sodium pyruvate, both C and G1 synthesized poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate and produced acetate, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen gas.
Review of Forensic Structural Engineering Handbook, Second Edition, by Robert T. Ratay, Editor

The first edition of the Forensic Structural Engineering Handbook, published in 2000, has been updated and expanded to reflect changes in codes and standards, new investigative tools and techniques, and the evolving role of the expert witness in dispute resolution. If your practice includes forensic engineering, this revised volume deserves a prominent place in your library. The Forensic Structural Engineering Handbook is a multiauthored text that assembles contributions by 26 leading authorities in the field. The contributions are skillfully organized and well coordinated by the editor, Robert Ratay, who is both a respected academician and a practitioner of forensic structural engineering. The comprehensive nature of the book is seen in its five major section titles: • The design and construction process; • Engineering response to failures; • Causes of failures; • Material specific forensic analysis; and • Professional practice and legal aspects. While this book will definitely appeal to engineers who are entering the field of forensic practice, it will also be useful to
Alternative methods of selection for litter size in mice: II. Response to thirteen generations of selection.

Selection was conducted on an index of components of litter size (I = 1.21 x ovulation rate + 9.05 x ova success; ovulation rate measured by number of corpora lutea and ova success measured as number of pups born + number of corpora lutea), on uterine capacity (measured as number of pups born to unilaterally ovariectomized dams) and on litter size concurrent with an unselected control for 13 generations. Selection criteria (IX = index, UT = uterine capacity, LS = litter size and LC = control) were applied in each of three replicates. In an evaluation after five generations, IX and LS each exceeded LC by about .5 pups, with no response in UT. After 13 generations, mean ovulation rate, ova success and litter size (measured as number of fetuses at 17 d gestation in intact females) were, for IX, 14.25, .84, 11.95; for LS, 14.15, .82, 11.64; for UT, 12.61, .86, 10.77; and for LC, 12.27, .82, 9.98. The regression of number born (litter size in IX, LS and LC; uterine capacity with only a functional left uterine horn in UT) on cumulative selection differential across 13 generations was .12 +/- .01, .09 +/- .02 and .08 +/- .02 for IX, LS and UT, respectively. The regression of breeding value for litter size on each selection criterion, estimated as response in the generation-13 evaluation divided by cumulative selection differential, was .11 +/- .02, .08 +/- .01 and .05 +/- .03 for IX, LS and UT, respectively. Regression of response in number born on generation number was .17 +/- .01, .15 +/- .04 and .10 +/- .02 for IX, LS and UT, respectively. Selection in IX was promising relative to LS, and selection in UT changed number born.
Variability in movement dynamics of topminnow (Fundulus notatus and F. olivaceus) populations

Abstract – Movement and dispersal patterns are key biological processes across a range of organisational levels. The Fundulus notatus species complex includes several species with similar ecological niches that exhibit broadly overlapping ranges. We conducted a mark–recapture study on two of the most widely distributed members of this species complex to improve our understanding of their movement and habitat use. A population of F. notatus was studied between June and August of 2008 and 2009 in Cahokia Creek, a small tributary of the Mississippi River in Illinois, along with a parallel study of Fundulus olivaceus between May and July of 2009 in Big Creek, a tributary of the Pascagoula River in Mississippi. Fish were recaptured approximately weekly, and habitat variables were measured. Estimated daily movement rates varied significantly both between locations and between years. Fundulus olivaceus in Big Creek moved <1 m per day, while F. notatus in Cahokia Creek in 2009 moved nearly 23 m per day. The distribution of movements was strongly leptokurtic in all three data sets. Differences in movement rates were attributed to significant differences in population size and habitat characteristics. Our data did not support the hypothesis that populations consist of distinct mobile and resident components. Instead, individual fish went through periods of little or no movement followed by extensive movement (consistent with the home range shift model of fish movement). We discuss the implications these results have for contact zone dynamics between these two species.