cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The biocultural evolution of Khoisan populations of Southern Africa

The research presented here offers new information on the recent evolution of Khoisan populations of southern Africa through the new study of Holocene skeletons. When combined with subfossil and historical remains, these archeological specimens provide a skeletal record for the last 5000-9000 years of southern African prehistory. Multivariate statistical analyses of cranial measurements were used to determine patterns of morphological variation in the skeletal record with which hypotheses of biocultural evolution were tested. These analyses yielded the following results. First, the traditional distinction between Bushmen ad Hottentots holds for recent inland individuals. Second, there is a suggestion of a morphologically distinct San population living on the coast of South Africa. The idea of a "Strandloper" population suggested by early scholars is here revived. The third results is that there is little evidence of complete population succession on the coast of South Africa,, suggesting that there were to massive population movements associated with the spread of Hottentot pastoralism throughout southern Africa.
Forensic biological pursuits of exotic fish origins: piranha in Hawaii

The otoliths of an adult red-bellied piranha, Pygocentrus nattereri, captured from a reservoir in Hawaii were scrutinized to determine the fish's origin and growth history. Sagittal otoliths of the piranha, P. nattereri, contained internal microincrements visible by Scanning Electron Microscopy. The medial cross sectional plane of the sagitta was resolved to provide counts for the most visible micro-increments. An opportune spawning of confiscated adults provided samples for verification of ‘daily’ increment formation. Daily formation of microincrements was verified from hatched individuals, and confirmed the suitability of otoliths for revealing daily patterns in the age and growth of piranhas. The central area of the sagitta was diffuse in regards to otolith microstructure and indicated the fish was held in an unchanging environment (aquarium). Therefore, otoliths provide important life history or forensic information incorporated within their structural components. The visualization of daily microincrements in the otolith of a juvenile allowed the determination of age at and since release. Fish grew rapidly after being released into the wild. From otolith increments the date of release for an individual fish can be calculated with acceptable accuracy. As presented, otolith structural information can provide age and growth data which are essential to the management of introduced species.
Inorganic‐organic composites, including some examples involving polyamides and polyimides

Inorganic-organic composites are frequently synthesized using techniques very similar to those used in the new sol-gel approach to ceramics. Organometallics such as silicates, titanates, and aluminates are hydrolyzed in the presence of polymer chains that typically contain reactive groups for bonding onto the silica, titania, or alumina being formed in the hydrolysis, thus forming inorganic-organic composites. When the polymer chains are present in excess, they constitute the continuous phase, with the ceramic-type material appearing as reinforcing particles. When present in smaller amounts, the polymer is dispersed in the continuous ceramic phase, to give a polymer-modified ceramic. Under some conditions, bicontinuous systems are obtained. The composites thus prepared are characterized by electron microscopy, x-ray and neutron scattering intensities, density determinations, and stress-strain and impact-strength measurements. Some unique challenges, problems, and results involved in the application of these techniques to high-performance polyamides and polyimides are described.
Magnetic, transport and magneto-optical properties of U/sub x/Sb/sub 1-x/ amorphous films

It is shown experimentally that amorphous films of U-Sb and films with 20% Co and Mn added are all ferromagnetic with Curie temperatures as high as 135 K with magnetic moments per uranium of up to 1.4 mu /sub B/. Magnetooptical polar Faraday and Kerr rotations at 10 K and 40 kOe have values up to +2*10/sup 6/ degrees /cm and -3 degrees , respectively. The magnetooptical rotation correlates with Hall angles of up to 17 degrees . It is suggested that U-Sb magnetooptical effects and Hall effects are due to an intraband transition. >
Spinoza’s Arguments for the Existence of God*

It is often thought that, although Spinoza develops a bold and distinctive conception of God (the unique substance, or Natura Naturans, in which all else inheres and which possesses infinitely many attributes, including extension), the arguments that he offers which purport to prove God’s existence contribute nothing new to natural theology. Rather, he is seen as just another participant in the seventeenth century revival of the ontological argument initiated by Descartes and taken up by Malebranche and Leibniz among others. That this is the case is both puzzling and unfortunate. It is puzzling because although Spinoza does offer an ontological proof for the existence of God, he also offers three other non-ontological proofs. It is unfortunate because these other non-ontological proofs are both more convincing and more interesting than his ontological proof. In this paper, I offer reconstructions and assessments of all of Spinoza’s arguments and argue that Spinoza’s metaphysical rationalism and his commitment to something like a Principle of Sufficient Reason are the driving force behind Spinoza’s non-ontological arguments.
32nm yield learning using addressable defect arrays

The Shorts and Opens Monitor (SOM) is a read-only addressable defect array that is widely and effectively used as a yield monitor in technology development and early stage of manufacturing. The SOM consists of scan-chain input/output, fully stackable DUTs, reference resistors for calibration, and a robust periphery design. The area efficiency and defect localization capabilities of the SOM greatly enable characterization of top yield detractors in 32nm process technology.
The effect of angiotensin II on mitogen-activated protein kinase in human cardiomyocytes

The role of angiotensin II (Ang II)-receptors on mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation in cardiomyocytes remains controversial. Therefore, the current study was designed to investigate the actions of AT(1)- and AT(2)-receptors on Ang II-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38 and the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) MAPK activities in human cardiomyocytes. Human cardiac tissue was obtained from open-heart surgery (n=6). The cardiac tissue was minced and incubated in the special tissue culture system for 24 hours in the absence or presence of Ang II (10(-7) M). These studies were repeated with the AT(1)-receptor antagonist losartan (10(-6) M) or the AT(2)-receptor antagonist PD-123319 (10(-6) M). Immunohistochemical staining and Western blot analysis with phospho-antibodies were performed to determine ERK, JNK and p38 activities. Ang II increased ERK and p38 activities in human cardiomyocytes. The effects of Ang II were abolished by losartan and enhanced by PD-123319. Co-incubation with both losartan and PD-123319 resulted in a decrease of ERK and p38 activities in cardiomyocytes. The immunohistochemical staining of JNK showed no significant differences between Ang II alone, Ang II plus losartan and Ang II plus PD-123319 groups. In conclusion, Ang II has a potent effect on ERK and p38 MAPK activities in cardiomyocytes, by acting through AT(1)-receptors. This effect of Ang II is modified by AT(2)-receptors. Therefore, Ang II, via AT(1)- and AT(2)-receptor stimulation, has a distinct effect on MAPK activity in cardiomyocytes.
Conjecture on the infrared structure of the vacuum Schrödinger wave functional of QCD

The Schr\"odinger wave functional $\ensuremath{\psi}=\mathrm{exp}﻿(\ensuremath{-}S{{\mathcal{A}}_{i}^{a}(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{x})})$ for the $d=3+1$ QCD vacuum is a partition function constructed in $d=4$; the exponent $2S$ [in $|\ensuremath{\psi}{|}^{2}=\mathrm{exp}﻿(\ensuremath{-}2S)$] plays the role of a $d=3$ Euclidean action. We start from a simple conjecture for $S$ based on dynamical generation of a gluon mass $M$ in $d=4$, then use earlier techniques of the author to extend (in principle) the conjectured form to full non-Abelian gauge invariance. We argue that the exact leading term, of $\mathcal{O}(M)$, in an expansion of $S$ in inverse powers of $M$ is a $d=3$ gauge-invariant mass term (gauged nonlinear sigma model); the next-leading term, of $\mathcal{O}(1/M)$, is a conventional Yang-Mills action. The $d=3$ action that is (twice) the sum of these two terms has center vortices as classical solutions. The $d=3$ gluon mass ${m}_{3}$, which we constrain to be the same as $M$, and $d=3$ coupling ${g}_{3}^{2}$ are related through the conjecture to the $d=4$ coupling strength, but at the same time the dimensionless ratio ${m}_{3}/{g}_{3}^{2}$ can be estimated from $d=3$ dynamics. This allows us to estimate the $d=4$ coupling ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{s}({M}^{2})$ in terms of the strictly $d=3$ ratio ${m}_{3}/{g}_{3}^{2}$; we find a value of about 0.4, in good agreement with an earlier theoretical value but somewhat low compared to the QCD phenomenological value of $0.7\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.3$. The wave functional for $d=2+1$ QCD has an exponent that is a $d=2$ infrared-effective action having both the gauge-invariant mass term and the field-strength squared term, and so differs from the conventional QCD action in two dimensions, which has no mass term. This conventional $d=2$ QCD would lead in $d=3$ to confinement of all color-group representations. But with the mass term (again leading to center vortices), only $N\mathrm{\text{\ensuremath{-}}}\mathrm{ality}\ensuremath{\not\equiv}0$ mod $N$ representations can be confined [for gauge group $SU(N)$], as expected.
Numerical Parameter Estimation Procedure for Three Phase Induction Motor Models

This paper concentrates on the implementation of an analytically-based identification procedure of three phase induction motor models, for steady-state and quasi-steady-state analysis. The mathematical model of the motor is based on the use of linear and quadratic equations, reducing therefore the system nonlinearity to at most second degree. The model optionally includes slip-dependent rotor parameters, allowing therefore a unified and accurate representation of every possible motor design (NEMA designs A, B, C and D). The parameter estimation methodology allows the motor model identification using the slip-torque and slip-current motor characteristic. The estimation procedure is demonstrated with some simple numerical examples.
Invasive weeds in rangelands: Species, impacts, and management

Abstract Rangeland and pastures comprise about 42% of the total land area of the United States. About three-quarters of all domestic livestock depend upon grazing lands for survival. Many ranges have had domestic stock grazing for more than 100 years and, as a result, the plant composition has changed greatly from the original ecosystems. Western rangelands previously dominated by perennial bunchgrasses have been converted, primarily through overgrazing, to annual grasslands that are susceptible to invasion by introduced dicots. Today there are more than 300 rangeland weeds in the United States. Some of the most problematic include Bromus tectorum, Euphorbia esula, Centaurea solstitialis, C. diffusa, C. maculosa, and a number of other Centaurea species. In total, weeds in rangeland cause an estimated loss of $2 billion annually in the United States, which is more than all other pests combined. They impact the livestock industry by lowering yield and quality of forage, interfering with grazing, poisoning a...
β2-Adrenergic Receptor Genetic Variants and Risk of Sudden Cardiac Death

Background— Sympathetic activation influences the risk of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death (SCD), mediated in part by the β2-adrenergic receptor (B2AR). We investigated whether variation in the B2AR gene is associated with SCD risk. Methods and Results— In this study, 4441 white and 808 black Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS) participants were followed up prospectively for SCD and genotyped for B2AR Gly16Arg and Gln27Glu polymorphisms. The study was replicated in 155 case and 144 control white subjects in a population-based case-control study of SCD, the Cardiac Arrest Blood Study (CABS). In CHS, Gly16 and Gln27 allele frequencies were 62.4% and 57.1% among white and 50.1% and 81.4% among black participants. Over a median follow-up of 11.1 years, 156 and 39 SCD events occurred in white and black participants, respectively. The Gln27Glu variant was associated with SCD risk (P=0.008 for general model). SCD risk was higher in Gln27 homozygous participants than in Glu27 carriers (ethnicity-adj...
Investigation of SET and RESET States Resistance in Ohmic Regime for Phase-Change Memory

New technique to separate bulk and interface electrical properties of polycrystalline and glassy Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST) in phase-change memory (PCM) devices is proposed. PCM with different GST thicknesses are measured. The average activation energies for bulk conductivity are 0.37 eV and 0.09 eV as well as bulk resistivities are about µOhm*cm2 and 20 µOhm*cm. The contact barriers is 0.07eV and specific contact resistance is about 0.3 µOhm*cm2 in studied PCM devices. It is discovered that bulk resistivities for both SET and RESET states in PCM obey Meyer-Neldel rule with almost identical isokinetic temperatures 335K - 340K. This information is discussed in terms of GST structure.
Effects of a Peer-Mediated Phonological Skill and Reading Comprehension Program on Reading Skill Acquisition for Middle School Students with Reading Disabilities:

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a peer-mediated instructional approach on the teaching of phonological skills and reading comprehension for middle school (sixth- to eighth-grade) students with reading disabilities. All students (n = 38) were identified as having learning disabilities and reading at the third-grade level or below. One group was taught using a peer-mediated phonological skill program, Linguistics Skills Training (LST), and a peer-mediated reading comprehension program, Peer Assisted Learning Strategies (PALS). The contrast group was taught in the more traditional whole-class format using a widely implemented remedial reading program. The results showed significant differences between conditions, with students receiving the LST/PALS instruction outperforming the contrast group on Letter‐Word Identification, Word Attack, and Passage Comprehension using the Woodcock-Johnson Test of Achievement‐III. Furthermore, large effect sizes for growth were found on Letter‐Word Identification, Word Attack, and Passage Comprehension for the LST/PALS treatment group. No differences were found between conditions for reading fluency. Findings are discussed in regard to instruction delivery format (peer tutoring vs. whole class) with respect to best practices for middle school students with reading disabilities.
Assessment of various strategies for 18F-FET PET-guided delineation of target volumes in high-grade glioma patients

Purpose The purpose of the study is to assess the contribution of 18F-fluoro-ethyl-tyrosine (18F-FET) positron emission tomography (PET) in the delineation of gross tumor volume (GTV) in patients with high-grade gliomas compared with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) alone.
In vivo cartilage contact deformation in the healthy human tibiofemoral joint

Objectives. In vivo cartilage contact deformation is instrumental for understanding human joint function and degeneration. This study measured the total deformation of contacting articular cartilage in the human tibiofemoral joint during in vivo weight-bearing flexion. Methods. Eleven healthy knees were magnetic resonance (MR) scanned and imaged with a dual fluoroscopic system while the subject performed a weight-bearing single-leg lunge. The tibia, femur and associated articulating cartilage were constructed from the MR images and combined with the dual fluoroscopic images to determine in vivo cartilage contact deformation from full extension to 1208 of flexion. Results. In both compartments, minimum peak compartmental contact deformation occurred at 308 of flexion (24 � 6% medial, 17 � 7% lateral) and maximum peak compartmental deformation occurred at 1208 of flexion (30 � 13% medial, 30 � 10% lateral) during the weightbearing flexion from full extension to 1208. Average medial contact areas and peak contact deformations were significantly greater than lateral compartment values (P < 0.05). In addition, cartilage thickness in regions of contact was on average 1.4- and 1.1-times thicker than the average thickness of the tibial and femoral cartilage surfaces, respectively (P < 0.05). Conclusions. These data may provide base-line knowledge for investigating the effects of various knee injuries on joint contact biomechanics and the aetiology of cartilage degeneration.
Toward simple criteria to establish capacity scaling laws for wireless networks

Capacity scaling laws offer fundamental understanding on the trend of user throughput behavior when the network size increases. Since the seminal work of Gupta and Kumar, there have been active research efforts in developing capacity scaling laws for ad hoc networks under various advanced physical layer technologies. These efforts led to many custom-designed solutions, most of which were intellectually challenging and lacked universal properties that can be extended to address scaling laws of ad hoc networks with other physical layer technologies. In this paper, we present a set of simple yet powerful tool that can be applied to quickly determine the capacity scaling laws for various physical layer technologies under the protocol model. We prove the correctness of our proposed criteria and demonstrate their usage through a number of case studies, such as ad hoc networks with directional antenna, MIMO, multi-channel multi-radio, cognitive radio, and multiple packet reception. These simple criteria will serve as powerful tools to networking researchers to obtain throughput scaling laws of ad hoc networks under different physical layer technologies, particularly those to be developed in the future.
Initial experience of 3-tesla apparent diffusion coefficient values in characterizing squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck.

Background: With the increased clinical use of 3-Tesla (3T) magnets, it becomes important to identify the potential applications of advanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging techniques such as diffusion-weighted imaging in head and neck pathologies.Purpose: To establish the 3T apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values for normal neck structures, and to examine the utility of ADC values in distinguishing head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) from normal neck anatomy.Material and Methods: 3T diffusion-weighted imaging was performed on 10 normal volunteers and 10 patients with known HNSCC. In the volunteers, mean ADC was calculated in the parotid gland, submandibular gland, base of the tongue, pterygoid muscle, masseter muscle, paraspinal muscles, true vocal cord, thyroid gland, thyroid cartilage, cricoid cartilage, and lymph nodes. The mean tumor ADC value was calculated from the 10 patients with HNSCC and compared with the normal ADC values from various neck structures.Results: The mean ADC value...
Involvement of the TCR Cβ FG Loop in Thymic Selection and T Cell Function

The asymmetric disposition of T cell receptor (TCR) Cbeta and Calpha ectodomains creates a cavity with a side-wall formed by the rigid Cbeta FG loop. To investigate the significance of this conserved structure, we generated loop deletion (betaDeltaFG) and betawt transgenic (tg) mice using the TCR beta subunit of the N15 CTL. N15betawt and N15betaDeltaFG H-2(b) animals have comparable numbers of thymocytes in S phase and manifest developmental progression through the CD4(-)CD8(-) double-negative (DN) compartment. N15betaDeltaFG facilitates transition from DN to CD4(+)8(+) double-positive (DP) thymocytes in recombinase activating gene (RAG)-2(-/-) mice, showing that pre-TCR function remains. N15betaDeltaFG animals possess approximately twofold more CD8(+) single-positive (SP) thymocytes and lymph node T cells, consistent with enhanced positive selection. As an altered Valpha repertoire observed in N15betaDeltaFG mice may confound the deletion's effect, we crossed N15alphabeta TCR tg RAG-2(-/-) with N15betaDeltaFG tg RAG-2(-/-) H-2(b) mice to generate N15alphabeta RAG-2(-/-) and N15alphabeta.betaDeltaFG RAG-2(-/-) littermates. N15alphabeta.betaDeltaFG RAG-2(-/-) mice show an 8-10-fold increase in DP thymocytes due to reduced negative selection, as evidenced by diminished constitutive and cognate peptide-induced apoptosis. Compared with N15alphabeta, N15alphabeta.betaDeltaFG T cells respond poorly to cognate antigens and weak agonists. Thus, the Cbeta FG loop facilitates negative selection of thymocytes and activation of T cells.
Structure and Dynamics of Lithobates sylvaticus (Wood Frog) at the Periphery of Its Range in Missouri

Abstract Lithobates (Rana) sylvaticus (Wood Frog) has an extensive distribution primarily in the Appalachian Mountains in the eastern US and throughout Canada and Alaska. However, peripheral populations exist along the southern edge of its range, including in the Ozark regions of Missouri and Arkansas. We present results on the structure and dynamics of 5 Wood Frog populations studied over 4 years (2004–2007) at the edge of the species' range in central Missouri. We used drift fences and pitfall traps surrounding breeding ponds to sample adults and metamorphosing juveniles. We captured breeding males between 7 February and 13 March, and females between 28 February and 16 March. The sex ratio was male-biased (M:F = 2.4), females were larger than males (mean SVL = 61.3 and 52.3 mm, respectively), and the larval period averaged 14 weeks. The metamorphs had a mean SVL of 18.1 mm and varied in number from 0 to 400 individuals per pond per year. The mean juvenile production per female was 8.7 (range = 0–52), an...
Accelerating aging failures in MEMS devices

The feasibility of using temperature and humidity to age vapor-deposited SAM-coated electrostatic-actuated MEMS devices with contacting surfaces was determined. Failures were dependent on both temperature and humidity. The trend indicated longer life at both lower temperatures and lower humidity levels. Using cantilever beams, measurements reveal degradation of the VSAM (vapor-deposited self assembled monolayer) surface coating when stressed at 300/spl deg/C with controlled humidity environments of 500 and 2000 ppmv. In particular, we have seen the surface adhesion change for these beams stressed at 300/spl deg/C for time intervals of 10, 24, 50, 100, and 200 hours. However, there is no measurable change after 2 hours. The higher humidity case promotes the same surface adhesion change in a factor of ten less time. The complex MEMS devices tested followed the same trends as the beam test structures. We definitely observe a failure of the MEMS devices due to the environment with most failures occurring at 300/spl deg/C and some failures at 200/spl deg/C. These failures are due to an adhesion site in the hub of the load gear where the typical gap is 0.3 /spl mu/m.
Pre- and Postnatal Dietary Conjugated Linoleic Acid Alters Adipose Development, Body Weight Gain and Body Composition in Sprague-Dawley Rats

Sprague-Dawley rats were fed either a control diet (7 g/100 g soybean oil) or a conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) diet (6.5 g/100 g soybean oil and 0.5 g/100 g CLA) beginning on d 7 of gestation to determine whether pre- and postnatal CLA affects short- and long-term growth and adiposity. At weaning (d 21), progeny were assigned control or CLA diet and fed until 11 wk of age. At birth, litter size and weight were not different between treatments. There were age- and sex-dependent changes in inguinal adipose fatty acid composition at birth and weaning, whereas there were no differences in lipid accretion or adipocyte proliferation. At weaning, CLA did not alter inguinal adipocyte proliferation but increased (P < 0.01) CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha expression in inguinal adipose tissue from females, whereas there was no difference in expression in males. Significant differences in size distribution of inguinal adipocytes at weaning and retroperitoneal adipocytes at 11 wk of age were observed. In general, CLA increased the proportion of smaller cells and decreased the proportion of larger cells. The main long-term effect of the dams' diet was the significantly heavier gastrocnemius and soleus muscles, and significantly longer tail lengths, an indication of skeletal growth, of male pups whose dams were fed CLA. Postweaning diet reduced fat pad weights in female but not male pups fed CLA. This response was due to differences in cell size rather than number. Response to CLA treatment may depend on the sex and age of the animal as well as duration of feeding.
Readability and Content Characteristics of Powdered Infant Formula Instructions in the United States.

Objectives This study aimed to assess readability characteristics and layout features, including reading grade level, text point size, dimensions (length and width), diagrams, key directions (warnings, proper hygiene, preparation and use, and storage), and compliance to International Code provisions of English-language instructions affixed to a representative sample of brand-name and generic powdered, infant formula containers currently available for purchase in the US. Methods During June 2014, comprehensive Internet searches were conducted to identify brand-name powdered infant formulas currently available for purchase in the US (n = 10). The English-language instruction section affixed to each formula container was evaluated for readability characteristics and layout features, including reading grade level, text point size, dimensions (length and width), diagrams, key directions (warnings, proper hygiene, preparation and use, and storage), and compliance to International Code. Results Overall, containers were similar in circumference (50.8 ± 7.3 cm) and height (14.0 ± 0.0 cm) and held an average of 656.0 ± 12.3 g (range 629–663 g) of powdered infant formula. Both Directions for Preparation and Use and Storage Instructions sections had average reading difficulty scores at the college level. Step-by-Step Preparation Directions and Warnings and Safe Handling sections had reading difficulty between the 8th and 9th grade level. All container labels contained three diagrams depicting step-by-step preparation instructions and a feeding chart. Overall, infant formula containers reviewed in our study adhered to compliance to International Code provisions. Conclusions As negative health outcomes are associated with inappropriately prepared infant formula feedings, healthcare providers should routinely query infant caregivers regarding their formula preparation and administration practices.
Thin-film High Voltage Capacitors for Hybrid Electric Vehicle Inverter Applications

The propulsion system in hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) requires an alternating current (AC) electric motor in combination with an internal combustion engine. When the HEV is being propelled by the AC motor, the power for the motor is provided by batteries whose direct current (DC) voltage is chopped into an AC waveform via an electronic device called a power inverter. Capacitors known as DC bulk capacitors are placed between the battery and the inverter to “decouple” the AC switching inverter from the power source. Power electronics inverters use several large high voltage discrete DC bulk capacitors, which negatively influence the inverter's size, weight and are a high cost item in the assembly. The use of a high dielectric constant (Dk) ferroelectric material enables smaller, higher temperature capable, lower-cost power capacitors. Ceramic ferroelectrics, such as (Pb,La)(Zr,Ti)O3 [PLZT], offer the highest dielectric constants. Argonne National Laboratory is developing a novel film-on-foil technology f...
Heterogeneous Solvatochromism of Fluorescent DNA-Stabilized Silver Clusters Precludes Use of Simple Onsager-Based Stokes Shift Models

The diverse optical and chemical properties of DNA-stabilized silver clusters (AgN-DNAs) have challenged the development of a common model for these sequence-tunable fluorophores. Although correlations between cluster geometry and fluorescence color have begun to shed light on how the optical properties of AgN-DNAs are selected, the exact mechanisms responsible for fluorescence remain unknown. To explore these mechanisms, we study four distinct purified AgN-DNAs in ethanol–water and methanol–water mixtures and find that the solvatochromic behavior of AgN-DNAs varies widely among different cluster species and differs markedly from prior results on impure material. Placing AgN-DNAs within the context of standard Lippert–Mataga solvatochromism models based on the Onsager reaction field, we show that such nonspecific solvent models are not universally applicable to AgN-DNAs. Instead, alcohol-induced solvatochromism of AgN-DNAs may be governed by changes in hydration of the DNA template, with spectral shifts r...
The Legal Suppression of Scientific Data and the Christian Virtue of Parrhesia

Powerful interest groups have responded to evidence of environmental or health risks by manufacturing doubt, partially through attacks on scientists. The current legal standard for the admissibility of scientific evidence in court enables such strategies for generating doubt. In the face of attacks on their reputations and careers, researchers working on public interest science need the courage to speak the truth despite risk, which Michel Foucault described as the virtue of parrhesia. Parrhesia is also a Christian virtue shown in the willingness to witness to truth in the face of risk because of one’s confidence in God. This essay argues that Christianity possesses resources to form individuals in parrhesia in ways that support the dedication to scientific truth.
Examples of Effective Data Sharing in Scientific Publishing

We present a perspective on an approach to data sharing in scientific publications we have been developing in our group. The essence of the approach is that data can be embedded in a human-readable and machine-addressable way within the traditional publishing environment. We show this by example for both computational and experimental data. We articulate a need for new authoring tools to facilitate data sharing, and we discuss the tools we have been developing for this purpose. With these tools, data generation, analysis, and manuscript preparation can be deeply integrated, resulting in easier and better data sharing in scientific publications.
New High- and Low-Temperature Phase Changes of ZIF-7: Elucidation and Prediction of the Thermodynamics of Transitions

We have found that the 3D zeolitic imidazolate framework ZIF-7 exhibits far more complex behavior in response to the adsorption of guest molecules and changes in temperature than previously thought. We believe that this arises from the existence of different polymorphs and different types of adsorption sites. We report that ZIF-7 undergoes a displacive, nondestructive phase change upon heating to above ∼700 °C in vacuum, or to ∼500 °C in CO2 or N2. This is the first example of a temperature-driven phase change in 3D ZIF frameworks. We predicted the occurrence of the high-temperature transition on the basis of thermodynamic arguments and analyses of the solid free-energy differences obtained from CO2 and n-butane adsorption isotherms. In addition, we found that ZIF-7 exhibits complex behavior in response to the adsorption of CO2 manifesting in double transitions on adsorption isotherms and a doubling of the adsorption capacity. We report adsorption microcalorimetry, molecular simulations, and detailed XRD ...
False Positives in Scientific Research

This paper develops a model of costly information acquisition, focusing on an application to scientific research. When research protocols are not fully transparent, scientists are incentivized to make their experiments more susceptible to false positives, despite their preference for better information. On the other hand, non-transparency can induce a well-intentioned scientist to undertake a costlier but more informative experiment if it also enables her to commit to acting scrupulously. Our analysis suggests, counterintuitively, that policies establishing greater transparency in scientific methodology might therefore ultimately lead to some scientists undertaking research that is worse for those interested in the results.
STUDY ON PROPERTY OF CALIBRATING VACAUUM LEAK DEVICE WITH CONSTANT CONDUCTANCE METHOD

Constant conductance method uses quardrupole mass spectrometer to compare the known gas out of conduction orifice with gas from vacuum leak,It is a very precise method to deal with leak rate.Orifice is the use of machinery,laser processing method for producing,In the molecular flow conditions,the orifice conductance is a constant.Use this method for calibration data,we found a standard vacuum leak detection.To ensure the credibility of calibration data,the uncertainties of calibration system should be precisely estimated.
Thirty Years of Chinese Reform of Unemployment Statistics Calculate with the Analysis

The unemployment statistics is the country to promote the employment and unemployment is an important work,unemployment statistical bias could lead to national policy misconduct.This paper from commenting on China′s system of unemployment statistics problems,combines the registered unemployment rate and unemployment rate with the " labor ratio change law" on China′s 30 years reform unemployment to calculation,and puts forward the corresponding countermeasure proposal.
HIV infections of the central nervous system. What are the nursing implications

HIV disease attacks people without regard to age, race, gender or socioeconomic status, and the number of people affected continues to increase. The increased incidence of disease and increased length of survival will lead to a rise in HIV-related CNS syndromes. CNS involvement adds to the complexity of the disease and necessitates involvement of many disciplines. The nurse is responsibility for facilitating and coordinating the multidisciplinary team effort. The nurse must also be an advocate to provide access to beneficial services and to develop services that are not in place. The task of nursing is to assist the person living with AIDS to maintain his or her quality of life however they wish to define it.
Cellulolytic enzyme production by three fungi grown in a ground corn cob medium

Trichoderma reesei NRRL 11236, Trichoderma viride ATCC 32630, Trichoderma viride ATCC 32098 and Myrothecium verrucaria ATCC 9095 were evaluated for the production of toxic substances with the fertile egg tests. Strains NRRL 11236, ATCC 32630, and ATCC 9095 produced no detectable toxic substance. However, when an oil extract was made of fermented corn cobs, strain ATCC 32098 produced a significant kill of 23.1% of the embryos. Cellulases (C1,Cx) and beta glucosidase production were produced using different ammonium salts as additional nitrogen sources to what the corn cobs contained. Temperatures (23° and 30°C) had no effect on beta glucosidase except for T. viride ATCC 32630 which produced significantly smaller quantities at 30°C than at 23°C.
Process in Farming Versus Process in Manufacturing: A Problem of Balanced Development

It is Wicksteed who first pointed out the ‘fascinating’ analogy between the laws of satisfaction and those of production.1 A trivial idea by now, the formal identity between consumption and production theory comes from the fact that in both cases the main problem is one of maximizing an ordinary function of several independent variables subject to a budget constraint.
Looking while listening: Using eye movements to monitor spoken language comprehension by infants and young children.

The “looking-while-listening” methodology uses real-time measures of the time course of young children’s gaze patterns in response to speech. This procedure is low in task demands and does not require automated eyetracking technology, similar to “preferential-looking” procedures. However, the looking-whilelistening methodology differs critically from preferential-looking procedures in the methods used for data reduction and analysis, yielding high-resolution measures of speech processing from moment to moment, rather than relying on summary measures of looking preference. Because children’s gaze patterns are time-locked to speech and coded frame-by-frame, each 5-min experiment response latencies can be coded with millisecond precision on multiple trials over multiple items, based on data from thousands of frames in each experiment. The meticulous procedures required in the collection, reduction, and multiple levels of analysis of such detailed data are demanding, but well worth the effort, revealing a dynamic and nuanced picture of young children’s developing skill in finding meaning in spoken language.
Receding Horizon Sliding Control design with robustness to implementation imprecisions

Uncertainties caused by sampling and quantization (Analog to Digital Conversion, ADC) generate discrepancies between actual and recorded data. This results in degrading controller performance in general. However, if these uncertainties are considered in designing a controller, performance can be improved. In this paper, a Receding Horizon Sliding Control (RHSC) is used, which extends the sliding control to incorporate a receding horizon approach. Estimation of current uncertainties due to ADC and RHSC formulation are used to predict future uncertainties. Then, RHSC design is modified utilizing the current and predicted future uncertainties. Cold start emission control problem is used as an application for the proposed control strategy. During simulation, the proposed control approach shows significant improvement in reducing tracking errors in the presence of ADC imprecisions compared to a baseline discrete sliding controller and RHSC.
Patient-Provider Communication in the Context of Hearing Loss

Hearing is the primary mechanism through which most of us receive ideas from other people. When that ability is altered, it affects how we interpret and react to information. In a physician's office, the transfer of thought is critical to ensuring that patients understand their healthcare information and are compliant with things like medication. In this article, we discuss ways to enhance that communication.
Postoperative Analgesia in Patients Undergoing Primary or Revision Knee Arthroplasty with Adductor Canal Block.

Background Multimodal analgesia featuring peripheral nerve blocks decreases postoperative pain for patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Many anesthesiologists and surgeons advocate for the use of adductor canal blocks (ACBs) for analgesia, which result in less weakness compared to femoral nerve blocks. Few data exist to guide analgesic management in total knee revision (TKR), considered to be more painful than primary TKA. We hypothesized that TKR patients with a continuous ACB would use more opioids than primary TKA patients who received the same analgesic regimen. Methods A retrospective study of 58 TKA and TKR patients who received ACBs in a multimodal protocol was conducted from 1/2014 to 3/2016. Exclusion criteria included patients who took ≥ 20 mg of morphine daily preoperatively. The primary outcome was 48-hour opioid consumption. Secondary outcomes included pain ratings, catheter boluses, and catheter infusion rate changes over 48 hours. Results For the primary outcome of 48-hour opioid consumption, there was no significant difference between groups. Postoperative pain ratings were not significantly different during the overall 48-hour time period. There were also no significant differences in catheter boluses and infusion rate changes. Least squares regression analysis revealed a positive correlation between number of previous knee surgeries and postoperative pain level. Conclusions Patients who underwent TKR with continuous ACB experienced a similar postoperative analgesic course as primary TKA patients. Within the TKR cohort, the number of previous revisions was positively associated with pain level. Larger prospective studies with TKR are needed to confirm these findings.
Cost Minimization Analysis of Ganglion Cyst Excision.

Purpose Cost minimization analysis can be employed to determine the least costly option when multiple treatments lead to equivalent outcomes. We present a cost minimization analysis from the payers' perspective, of the direct per patient cost of arthroscopic versus open ganglion cyst excision. We tested the null hypothesis that there is no difference in cost between the 2 procedures from the payer perspective. Methods We utilized data from a private payer administrative claims database comprising 16 million individuals from 2007 to 2015. Using Current Procedural Terminology codes to identify open and arthroscopic ganglion excisions, we extracted demographic data and fees paid to providers and facilities for the procedure. Results We identified 5,119 patients undergoing open ganglion cyst excision and 20 patients undergoing arthroscopic ganglion excision. The average cost of an open excision was significantly lower than an arthroscopic excision ($1,821 vs $3,668). Conclusions Surgical costs from arthroscopic ganglion excision are significantly more than open excision. This data can inform health systems participating in value-based models. Type of study/level of evidence Economic and Decision Analysis IV.
Assessing Frailty and Vulnerability in Older Adults with Cancer

Aging is associated with decreased physiologic reserve, and older adults are more susceptible to cancer treatment toxicity. In this review, we discuss the implications of frailty and vulnerability in older patients with cancer. We also review a number of instruments that can be used to assess frailty and vulnerability and propose a practical approach to incorporate these tools in a general oncology or geriatric clinic. In older patients with cancer, frailty and vulnerability are associated with all-cause mortality, postoperative complications, and treatment intolerance/toxicities. If feasible, a comprehensive geriatric assessment should be used to assess of frailty and vulnerability. If a full geriatric assessment cannot be performed, screening tools such as the Balducci’s criteria, Vulnerable Elders Survey-13, Triage Risk Screening Tool, Groningen Frailty Index, and Geriatric 8 may be used. Future studies should evaluate geriatric assessment domains that have the greatest predictive value for toxicity for each cancer type and treatment.
Managing Reference Today: New Models and Best Practices. Cassell, Kay Ann: Lanham, MD: Rowan & Littlefield, 2017, Xi + 158pp., $36.00, ISBN 978-0-8108-9221-7.

The nine chapters of this text cover virtually all of the big ideas in reference: the emergence, growth, and adaptation of this service; technological changes and impacts; location and staffing; ou...
Trends in Water Yield under Climate Change and Urbanization in the US Mid-Atlantic Region

AbstractChanges in climate and land use are two primary drivers of hydrologic adjustment. This study analyzes 40 years of water resources data for 10 watersheds in the Washington, DC metropolitan a...
Clinical Characteristics of Children Needing Inpatient Treatment after Failed Outpatient Treatment for Fecal Impaction.

Purpose Treatment of chronic constipation and fecal impaction is usually outpatient and requires high or frequent doses of laxatives. However, there are children who fail outpatient treatments, sometimes repeatedly, and are ultimately hospitalized. We sought to compare the characteristics of the children who failed outpatient treatment and needed inpatient treatment vs those who achieved success with outpatient treatment, in an effort to identify attributes that might be associated with a higher likelihood towards hospitalization. Methods In this retrospective cohort study, we reviewed the medical records of all patients aged 0 to 21 years, with chronic functional constipation and fecal impaction seen in the pediatric gastroenterology clinic over a period of 2 years. Results Total of 188 patients met inclusion criteria. While 69.2% were successfully treated outpatient (referred to as the outpatient group), 30.9% failed outpatient treatment and were hospitalized (referred to as the inpatient group). The characteristics of the inpatient group including age at onset of 3.6±3.6 years (p=0.02); black ethnicity (odds ratio [OR] 4.31, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 2.04-9.09); p<0.001); prematurity (OR 2.39, 95% CI 1.09-5.26; p=0.02]; developmental delay (OR 2.20, 95% CI 1.12-4.33; p=0.02); overflow incontinence (OR 2.26, 95% CI 1.12-4.53, p=0.02); picky eating habits (OR 2.02, 95% CI 1.00-4.08; p=0.04); number of ROME III criteria met: median 4, interquartile range 3-5 (p=0.04) and 13±13.7 constipation related prior encounters (p=0.001), were significantly different from the outpatient group. Conclusion Identification of these characteristics may be helpful in anticipating challenges and potential barriers to effective outpatient treatment.
Effects of repeated cigarette smoke extract exposure over one month on human bronchial epithelial organotypic culture.

Abstract Cigarette smoke is a known risk factor for inflammatory diseases in the respiratory tract, and inflammatory exacerbation is considered pivotal to the pathogenesis of these diseases. Here, we performed two repeated exposure studies in which we exposed human bronchial epithelial tissues in an organotypic culture model to cigarette smoke extract (CSE); the first study was conducted over a four-day period to determine the suitable dose range for the extended exposure period, and the second was a one-month exposure study to elucidate the exposure-by-exposure effects in bronchial tissues. We focused on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and -1/3 and the inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-8 and growth factor related oncogene to evaluate the transition into an inflammatory state. Even at CSE doses with no or low toxicity for a single exposure, the repetition of exposure induced cumulative effects on both the inflammatory responses, specifically the IL-8 and MMPs levels, and tissue morphology. Interestingly, untreated controls initially had relatively high baseline levels of these secreted proteins; these levels gradually declined, after which they showed periodic level changes, suggesting an acclimation period may be needed for this system. These results demonstrate the usability of this system for the elucidation of sub-chronic effects in vitro.