cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The role of goals and outcomes in young children's memory for actions.

Four- to six-year-old children participated in three experiments designed to investigate action features that may contribute to the self-enactment effect and help clarify contradictory findings in the literature. Although activity is important in young children’s learning and development, preschoolers’ memory for self-actions is often found to be no better than memory for another person’s actions. In the few studies in which the self-enactment effect has been found for this age group, the actions included as test materials differ markedly from those in the studies in which no differences occur. Specifically, the actions in studies finding the effect are goal-directed and enable outcomes whereas the actions in studies that don’t find the effect have no instrumental goals, other than to perform the action, and often do not enable outcomes external to the action carried out. In Experiment 1 source memory and in Experiment 2 free recall were better for children’s own actions than those of the experimenter when children participated in actions that produced outcomes in a game-like context. Findings from these two studies suggested that action outcomes were particularly important in these self-enactment effects which were then verified in Experiment 3. Our results support the role of self-directed actions for learning in early childhood classrooms, but highlight the contribution of goal-based activities that lead to instrumental and enabling outcomes in that learning.
Comprehensive profiling of androgen receptor-positive (AR+) triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients (pts) treated with standard neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) +/- enzalutamide.

517Background: The luminal androgen receptor (LAR) subtype of TNBC has a low pathologic complete response (pCR) rate after NAT. We determined the pCR rate of the enzalutamide and paclitaxel (ZT) re...
Modeling the evolution of differences in variability between sexes

An elementary mathematical theory based on a “selectivity-variability” principle is proposed to address a question raised by Charles Darwin, namely, how one sex of a sexually dimorphic species migh...
Security Motives and Threats to Computer Networks

In February, 2002, the Internet security watch group CERT Coordination Center first disclosed to the global audience that global networks, including the Internet, phone systems, and the electrical power grid, are vulnerable to attack because of weakness in programming in a small but key network component. The component, an Abstract Syntax Notation One, or ASN.1, is a communication protocol used widely in the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP).
O uso de jogos matemáticos no trabalho com o cálculo mental

The mental calculation consists of different strategies that aim to obtain results through simpler methods of resolution, with the aid of the written calculation. One of the possibilities to develop it is the use of mathematical games, as they provide observation, individual and collective work. In this article, we seek to investigate how students in the final years of elementary school use mental calculus when working with mathematical games. To this end, a survey was conducted with a group of 16 students from a state school located in the municipality of Castelo,Espirito Santo. We theoretically ground in Parra (1996), Carvalho (2011), Lorenzato (2012), Kishimoto (2017) among others. The activities carried out made it possible to conclude that during the application of the games, the students were more committed to performing the tasks. We identified the use of the multiplication addition algorithms as the main mental calculation strategies.
Untangling the Recombination Line Emission from H II Regions with Multiple Velocity Components

H ii regions are the ionized spheres surrounding high-mass stars. They are ideal targets for tracing Galactic structure because they are predominantly found in spiral arms and have high luminosities at infrared and radio wavelengths. In the Green Bank Telescope H ii Region Discovery Survey (GBT HRDS), we found that of first Galactic quadrant H ii regions have multiple hydrogen radio recombination line (RRL) velocities, which makes determining their Galactic locations and physical properties impossible. Here we make additional GBT RRL observations to determine the discrete H ii region velocity for all 117 multiple-velocity sources within . The multiple-velocity sources are concentrated in the zone , coinciding with the largest regions of massive star formation, which implies that the diffuse emission is caused by leaked ionizing photons. We combine our observations with analyses of the electron temperature, molecular gas, and carbon recombination lines to determine the source velocities for 103 discrete H ii regions ( of the sample). With the source velocities known, we resolve the kinematic distance ambiguity for 47 regions, and thus determine their heliocentric distances.
Blockade of α1 subtype GABAA receptors attenuates the development of tolerance to the antinociceptive effects of midazolam in rats.

Benzodiazepines bind to and act on α1-3 and α5-containing GABAA receptors. Previous studies suggest that different GABAA receptor α-subtypes mediate the various behavioral effects of benzodiazepines, which raises the possibility of combining benzodiazepines with subtype-selective GABAA receptor antagonists to improve the therapeutic profiles of benzodiazepines. This study examined the GABAA receptor subtype mediation of the tolerance to midazolam-induced antinociception in rats. Midazolam (3.2 mg/kg) significantly reduced the locomotion in rats which was prevented by the selective α1-preferring GABAA receptor antagonist β-carboline-3-carboxylate-t-butyl ester (βCCt) (3.2 mg/kg). Midazolam increased the paw withdrawal threshold as tested by the von Frey filament assay in the complete Freund's adjuvant-induced inflammatory pain model in rats, and this effect was not altered by βCCt or another α1-preferring GABAA receptor antagonist 3-propoxy-β-carboline hydrochloride (3PBC). Repeated treatment with midazolam in combination with vehicle, βCCt or 3PBC (twice daily) for 7 days led to a progressive increase of the ED50 values in the midazolam- and vehicle-treated rats, but not in other rats, suggesting the development of tolerance to midazolam but not to the combination of midazolam with α1-preferring GABAA receptor antagonists. These results suggest the essential role of the α1-subtype of GABAA receptors in mediating the development of tolerance to midazolam-induced antinociceptive effects and raise the possibility of increasing therapeutic profiles of benzodiazepines by selectively blocking specific α-subtypes of GABAA receptors.
ddSMT 2.0: Better Delta Debugging for the SMT-LIBv2 Language and Friends

Erroneous behavior of verification back ends such as SMT solvers require effective and efficient techniques to identify, locate and fix failures of any kind. Manual analysis of large real-world inputs usually becomes infeasible due to the complex nature of these tools. Delta Debugging has emerged as a valuable technique to automatically reduce failure-inducing inputs while preserving the original erroneous behavior. We present ddSMT 2.0, the successor of the delta debugger ddSMT. ddSMT is the current de-facto standard delta debugger for the SMT-LIBv2 language. Our tool improves and extends core concepts of ddSMT and extends input language support to the entire family of SMT-LIBv2 language dialects. In addition to its ddmin-based main minimization strategy, it implements an alternative, orthogonal strategy based on hierarchical input minimization. We combine both strategies into a hybrid strategy and show that ddSMT 2.0 significantly improves over ddSMT and other delta debugging tools for SMT-LIBv2 on real-world examples.
Evaluation of a Grip-Strengthening Algorithm for the Initial Treatment of Chronic, Nonspecific Wrist Pain in Adolescents

Purpose Chronic, nonspecific wrist pain in adolescents can be challenging to assess and treat. We hypothesized that an algorithmic approach beginning with grip strengthening can alleviate pain, improve function, and identify patients in need of further intervention. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the results of a grip-strengthening protocol for adolescents with chronic, nonspecific wrist pain. Before and after treatment, grip strength was measured using handheld dynamometry, and patient-reported pain and function were measured using the adolescent self-reported Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument’s (PODCI’s) Pain/Comfort and Upper Extremity Function domains (PODCI/pain and PODCI/UE, respectively). Results Thirty-two patients (28 female, 4 male) were included, with a mean age of 14 years (range, 10–18 years) and the dominant hand affected in 19, nondominant hand in 9, and bilateral impacts in 4. The mean symptom duration prior to presentation was 9 months (range, 1–63 months); 17 patients had undergone prior immobilization and 5 prior occupational/physical therapy. Grip-strengthening treatment, lasting a mean of 40 days (range, 21–82 days) with a median of 4 therapy visits (range, 2–6), was associated with significantly improved grip strength (mean, 32–48 lbs), PODCI/pain scores (mean, 49.0–78.2 points), and PODCI/UE scores (mean, 78.2–91.2 points). Improvements in grip strength correlated with improvements in PODCI/pain and PODCI/UE scores (r = 0.64 and 0.70, respectively). Eight patients (25%) had either no or incomplete pain relief: 5 underwent successful further intervention (2 ganglion cyst excisions, 1 triangular fibrocartilage complex repair, 1 arthroscopic debridement, 1 steroid injection), 2 received ongoing pain management for generalized pain syndromes, and 1 was lost to further follow-up. No pretreatment variables were identified that predicted failure. Conclusions Grip strengthening relieves pain and improves function in the majority of adolescents with chronic, nonspecific wrist pain. Systematic use of this protocol helps to identify patients who require further intervention. Type of study/level of evidence Therapeutic IV.
On Mixed H2 - H∞ Tangential Interpolation

The central solution for the commutant lifting theorem is used to solve mixed H2-H∞ tangential interpolation problems. These include an H2-H∞ tangential Caratheodory interpolation problem, an H2-H∞ tangential Nevanlinna-Pick interpolation problem and an H2-H∞ tangential Hermite-Fejer interpolation problem. Explicit computational formulas in terms of state space realizations are given.
Identification of H-2-Restricted Suppressor T Cell Factors Specific for L-Glutamic Acid50-L-Tyrosine50(GT) and L-Glutamic Acid60-L-Alanine30-L-Tyrosine10(GAT)

The synthetic polymers GAT and GT are closely related antigens that stimulate responses regulated by genes in the I region of the H-2 gene complex. The responses stimulated by these two antigens are distinct and the genetics of the regulation of the immune responses are different. First, some mice (H-2a,b,d,k) produce antibody and develop T cell proliferative responses to GAT while others (H-2p,q,s) do not (1–4); whereas, none of the inbred strains of mice tested produce antibody or develop proliferative responses to GT (5,6). All mice produce specific antibody and are primed for T cell proliferative responses to GAT or GT when immunized with GAT or GT complexed to methylated bovine serum albumin (MBSA). Second, GAT stimulates specific suppressor T cells in all non-responder strains (7,8), whereas GT stimulates suppression in some (H-2k,d,s), but not other (H-2a,b,q) nonresponder mice (9,10). Production of GAT specific suppressor T cells is not limited to nonresponder strains of mice, since similar T cells have been detected in adult responder strains of mice that were injected intravenously with GAT or GAT-pulsed macrophages (GAT-Mo) as neonates (11).
Empower people with knowledge: the next frontier for web search

The Web has continued to evolve quickly. With the emergence of cloud computing, we see a new opportunity of creating a cloud platform to leverage developer ecosystem and enabling the development of millions of micro-vertical services and applications to serve users' various information need. In this new world, there is an opportunity to build a more powerful and intelligent search engine that understands what users are trying to accomplish and helps them learn, decide and take actions. In this talk, I will first discuss a few new trends from cloud computing that will impact web search, and then I will share my thoughts on possible directions to tap into this new wave and develop not only innovative but also potentially disruptive technologies for Web search.
Is the Airport Symbol Sufficient to Convey Route Information

The silhouette of a jet aircraft that is used as an airport symbol on highway route markers was evaluated to determine the strength of its directional information when used with an arrow route marker and when used alone. Signs with the plane silhouette plus the route arrow were combined as described in the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices; that is, no agreement between plane orientation and route direction was required. This produced signs with concordance, discordance, and orthogonal relationships between the plane orientation and the route direction. In addition, signs with the plane silhouette only (without a route arrow) were tested. Without prior instruction, the majority of the observers did not interpret the airport symbol as providing directional information without a route arrow. However, after instructions, the mean response time for signs of plane silhouettes alone (752 ms) was comparable to response times (765 ms) for signs with concordance between plane-silhouette orientation and route-arrow direction.
Finitely Representables Spatial Objects and Efficient Computation

This paper discusses issues that relate to the finite representation of database entities that may have an infinite size. A first issue concerns the construction of unique representations which support efficient implementations of various procedures. We discuss sorted and unsorted representations of various geometrical entities and show how the sorted representations support more efficient procedures. A second issue concerns the declarative specification of various procedures in terms of the parameters of the finite representation of entities. This issue is of importance in relation to the ease with which a user may express procedures on complex representations. We show how well-defined procedures may be represented in a declarative form in terms of the parameters of the finite representation of the entities.
IVIG Therapy in Neonatal Isoimmune Thrombocytopenic Purpura and Alloimmunization Thrombocytopenia

Alloimmunization to HLA and other surface antigens expressed on human platelets is a major cause of refractoriness to platelet- transfusion therapy in patients with idiopathic and iatrogenic bone- marrow-failure syndromes. Maternal alloimmunization to antigens expressed on paternal platelets can cause thrombocytopenia in the fetus and newborn infant if their platelets express the paternal antigens. Each of these clinical conditions can be associated with significant bleeding episodes and life-threatening hemorrhage. Recently, high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy has been shown to be beneficial in clinical management of these diseases. This report will summarize the uses of IVIG therapy in thrombocytopenic conditions secondary to alloimmune disease.
A fast random sampling algorithm for sparsifying matrices

We describe a simple random-sampling based procedure for producing sparse matrix approximations. Our procedure and analysis are extremely simple: the analysis uses nothing more than the Chernoff-Hoeffding bounds. Despite the simplicity, the approximation is comparable and sometimes better than previous work. Our algorithm computes the sparse matrix approximation in a single pass over the data. Further, most of the entries in the output matrix are quantized, and can be succinctly represented by a bit vector, thus leading to much savings in space.
Kurt cobain, generation X, and the press: College students respond

(1995). Kurt cobain, generation X, and the press: College students respond. Popular Music and Society: Vol. 19, Grunge, Youth, and Communities of Alienation, pp. 3-22.
Human interactions with heterogeneous information sources

Information seeking using computer based systems is fundamentally an interactive process. Several factors including user's cognitive capabilities and limitations, work domain and task constraints, and the content and form of the electronic medium influence the information seeking process. Advances in computer based systems development must be integrated with a comprehensive understanding of the information seeking and synthesis behaviour in the context of information use. The article discusses theoretical and practical issues associated with human centered design of effective electronic systems to support search, retrieval, and synthesis of distributed information sources.
In vivo characterization of the highly selective monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitor KML29: antinociceptive activity without cannabimimetic side effects.

Background and PurposeSince monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) has been firmly established as the predominant catabolic enzyme of the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), a great need has emerged for the development of highly selective MAGL inhibitors. Here, we tested the in vivo effects of one such compound, KML29 (1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropan-2-yl 4-(bis(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-yl)(hydroxy)methyl)piperidine-1-carboxylate). Experimental ApproachIn the present study, we tested KML29 in murine inflammatory (i.e. carrageenan) and sciatic nerve injury pain models, as well as the diclofenac-induced gastric haemorrhage model. KML29 was also evaluated for cannabimimetic effects, including measurements of locomotor activity, body temperature, catalepsy, and cannabinoid interoceptive effects in the drug discrimination paradigm. Key ResultsKML29 attenuated carrageenan-induced paw oedema and completely reversed carrageenan-induced mechanical allodynia. These effects underwent tolerance after repeated administration of high-dose KML29, which were accompanied by cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) receptor desensitization. Acute or repeated KML29 administration increased 2-AG levels and concomitantly reduced arachidonic acid levels, but without elevating anandamide (AEA) levels in the whole brain. Furthermore, KML29 partially reversed allodynia in the sciatic nerve injury model and completely prevented diclofenac-induced gastric haemorrhages. CB1 and CB2 receptors played differential roles in these pharmacological effects of KML29. In contrast, KML29 did not elicit cannabimimetic effects, including catalepsy, hypothermia and hypomotility. Although KML29 did not substitute for Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in C57BL/6J mice, it fully and dose-dependantly substituted for AEA in fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) (−/−) mice, consistent with previous work showing that dual FAAH and MAGL inhibition produces THC-like subjective effects. Conclusions and ImplicationsThese results indicate that KML29, a highly selective MAGL inhibitor, reduces inflammatory and neuropathic nociceptive behaviour without occurrence of cannabimimetic side effects. Linked ArticlesThis article is part of a themed section on Cannabinoids 2013. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2014.171.issue-6
Decision analysis models in reinsurance

Abstract Decision analysis models are developed and illustrated for the reinsurance (risk transfer) decisions made by insurance companies. Decision analytic models were found to be useful tools both for structuring multistage reinsurance decisions and for comparing alternative options. The insurer is faced with many possible choices involving reinsurance type and extent, and an expected utility model provided insight both as a screening device and as an evaluation criterion. Decision analytic models appeared to be superior to other approaches such as mean/variance and risk of ruin models both because of their flexibility and their more comprehensive treatment the important elements of the decision, namely the complete claims distribution, the cost of reinsurance and the insurer's risk attitude.
Beneficial Effect of Enteral Feeding

The last 4 decades have seen an explosion in nutritional research investigating both clinical and laboratory issues occurring in diverse groups of patients who cannot maintain a normal oral diet. Over the past 25 years, researchers have investigated how the administration of macro- and micronutrients via the gastrointestinal tract provides additional benefit over parenteral administration of similar nutrients. The administration of enteral feeding provides effects that are far beyond those of merely administering macro- and micronutrients. Rather, the processing of nutrients via the gastrointestinal tract stimulates a complex response that has implications for body composition and for immunologic integrity. Route and type of nutrition are important aspects of successful patient recovery.
Enhanced abstract data types in object-relational databases

The explosion in complex multimedia content makes it crucial for database systems to support such data efficiently. This paper argues that the “blackbox” ADTs used in current object-relational systems inhibit their performance, thereby limiting their use in emerging applications. Instead, the next generation of object-relational database systems should be based on enhanced abstract data type (E-ADT) technology. An (E-ADT) can expose the semantics of its methods to the database system, thereby permitting advanced query optimizations. Fundamental architectural changes are required to build a database system with E-ADTs; the added functionality should not compromise the modularity of data types and the extensibility of the type system. The implementation issues have been explored through the development of E-ADTs in Predator. Initial performance results demonstrate an order of magnitude in performance improvements.
Effects of oxidative and physical treatments on inactivation of Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii and removal of cylindrospermopsin

The presence of toxic cyanobacterial blooms (or blue-green algae) in water bodies used either as drinking water or for recreational purposes may present serious health risks for the human population. In this study, the removal of the chemical toxin, cylindrospermopsin, via free chlorine, chlorine dioxide, monochloramine, permanganate, ozone, and UV irradiation was studied. Ozone and free chlorine were found to be highly effective for cylindrospermopsion removal while the other disinfectants were ineffective. Ozone and free chlorine were also determined to be highly effective for the inactivation of the cyanobacteria, Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii, at typical water treatment exposures, chlorine dioxide, monochloramine, and permanganate were only marginally effective at inactivation of Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii.
Normal and Variant Pelvic Anatomy on MRI

The superior tissue contrast and flexible imaging planes afforded by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) versus competing technologies permit optimal depiction of the pelvic viscera. Targeted protocols developed for specific pelvic visceral organs highlight important anatomic features that may not be imaged by other modalities. Therefore, a solid understanding of normal and variant pelvic anatomy is crucial for appropriate interpretation of pelvic MRI studies. This article discusses the protocol strategies and relevant anatomy with commonly encountered anatomical variants in a segmented/organ-specific manner, using gender as a broad split given the substantial variance in relevant organs.
Tunicamycin inhibition of polyisoprenyl N-acetylglucosaminyl pyrophosphate formation in calf-liver microsomes.

Summary Calf-liver rough microsomes incorporated N-acetyl[3H] glucosamine from UDP-[3H]GlcNAc or [14C]mannose from GDP-[14C]Man into products soluble in chloroform-methanol (2:1). The [3H] GlcNAclabeled material had the hydrolytic and chromatographic properties of a polyisoprenyl N-acetylglucosaminyl pyrophosphate whereas the 14C-mannolipid exhibited the characteristics of a polyisoprenyl mannosyl phosphate. Tunicamycin inhibited the production of the [3H]G1cNAc-lipid but did not affect the synthesis of the 14C-mannolipid. This inhibition accounts for the effect of the antibiotic upon glycoprotein formation in vivo since polyprenyl sugar phosphates are intermediates in the biosynthesis of certain glycoproteins.
Control with rhythms: A CPG architecture for pumping a swing

This paper presents a bio-inspired central pattern generator (CPG) architecture for feedback control of rhythmic behavior. The CPG circuit is realized as a coupled oscillator feedback particle filter. The collective dynamics of the filter are used to approximate a posterior distribution that is used to construct the optimal control input. The architecture is illustrated with the aid of a model problem involving pumping up of a swing, modeled as a parametrically forced pendulum. For this problem, the coupled oscillator particle filter is designed and its control performance demonstrated in a simulation environment.
The extra sex bombs protein is highly conserved between Drosophila virilis and Drosophila melanogaster

Extra sex combs (esc) is one of the Polycomb Group genes, whose products are required for long term maintenance of the spatially restricted domains of homeotic gene expression initially established by the products of the segmentation genes. We recently showed that the esc protein contains five copies of the WD motif, which in other proteins has been directly implicated in protein-protein interactions. Mutations affecting the WD repeats of the esc protein indicate that they are essential for its function as a repressor of the homeotic genes. We proposed that they may mediate interactions between esc and other Polycomb Group proteins, recruiting them to their target genes, perhaps by additional interactions with transiently expressed repressors such as hunchback. To further investigate the functional importance of the WD motifs and identify other functionally important regions of the esc protein, we have begun to determine its evolutionary conservation by characterizing the esc gene from Drosophila virilis, a distantly related Drosophila species. We show that the esc protein is highly conserved between these species, particularly its WD motifs. Their high degree of conservation, particularly at positions which are not conserved in the WD consensus derived from alignment of all known WD motifs, suggests that each of the WD repeats in the esc protein is functionally specialized and that this specialization has been highly conserved during evolution. Its highly charged N-terminus exhibits the greatest divergence, but even these differences are conservative of its predicted physical properties. These observations suggest that the esc protein is functionally compact, nearly every residue making an important contribution to its function.
Modeling the alternate bias configuration and low temperature C-V profiling in blocked impurity band detectors

Numerical modeling of Blocked Impurity Band (BIB) detectors is performed using a four-region finite difference approach to study the role of blocking layer thickness and minority doping concentration in alternate bias operation and the role of space charge in C-V (capacitance-voltage) profiling of minority carrier doping. Compensation in the blocking layer is found to play a critical role in determining the net voltage drop in this part of the device under alternate polarity bias. The effect of space charge at the blocking layer/active layer interface on the measured low temperature C-V distribution is modeled as a function of the doping interface between the two layers. The magnitude of the space charge can cause large deviations in the measurement of minority doping concentration from the idealized case which assumes a space-charge free blocking layer and interface.
Temperature preferences and electrocardiography of Elaphe obsoleta (Serpentes).

Abstract 1. Telemetered electrocardiograms and body temperatures of unrestrained rat snakes, Elaphe obsoleta , were recorded at ambient temperatures selected by the snakes in an environmental chamber. 2. Body temperatures were consistent with those previously reported for free-living Elaphe . 3. Heart rates and electrocardiographic intervals were generally equivalent to those previously reported for snakes at similar temperatures. 4. The P-R and R-T intervals generally comprised less than 30 and 60%, respectively, of the cardiac cycle. 5. The heart rate-body temperature relationship exhibited by unrestrained Elaphe over a broad temperature range suggests that it is not so uniform as has been previously reported.
Understanding the generational differences between "Boomers" and "Xers" in the workplace.

Baby Boomers-The generation born between 1940 and 1965. Rebelled against post-Depression materialism, then rebounded into 1980s materialism. Optimistic beyond any reason. Not searching for any answers. Everything will be okay. Don't overreact. Generation X-The generation born between 1965 and 1980. Rebelled against Boomer materialistic mentality, diligently searching for answers and will die trying to find them. Nothing is okay. And I'm going to change it for better or worse. Pick a direction and go all the way.
MHC class Ib molecules bridge innate and acquired immunity

Our understanding of the classical MHC class I molecules (MHC class Ia molecules) has long focused on their extreme polymorphism. These molecules present peptides to T cells and are central to discrimination between self and non-self. By contrast, the functions of the non-polymorphic MHC class I molecules (MHC class Ib molecules) have been elusive, but emerging evidence reveals that, in addition to antigen presentation, MHC class Ib molecules are involved in immunoregulation. As we discuss here, the subset of MHC class Ib molecules that presents peptides to T cells bridges innate and acquired immunity, and this provides insights into the origins of acquired immunity.
Regulations: Evidence from the Florida Dairy Industry

An increasing number of regulations are being imposed on agricultural producers. The conflict between producers and regulators has become increasingly serious in the more urban states like California, New York, and Florida. In this paper we provide empirical evidence of the impact of regulations on the Florida dairy industry, using concepts from welfare economics as a basis (Just, Hueth, and Schmitz).
Engineering of absorbing medium for quantum dot infrared photodetectors

Quantum well infrared photodetectors are widely used in focal plane arrays operating at liquid nitrogen temperatures. Compared to quantum-well structures, quantum dot (QD) nanomaterials are more flexible to control photoelectron processes by engineering of the nanoscale potential profiles formed by charged quantum dots. Quantum dots with builtin charge (Q-BIC) suppress capture of photoelectrons by QDs and provide strong coupling to infrared radiation. We review design approaches, fabrication and characterization of photodetectors based on Q-BIC media with strong selective doping to increase the built-in dot charge. Characterization of Q-BIC media includes the structural, spectral (photoluminescence measurements) and electrical characterization (dark current, I-V measurements). After several design-growth-characterization cycles we reached relatively high density of quantum dots, small concentration of defects related to quantum dot growth, and suppressed carrier capture by QDs. Optimized Q-BIC media were used for fabrication of Q-BIC IR photodetectors. We studied spectral and temperature dependences of photoresponse and also its dependences on bias voltage and parameters of Q-BIC medium.
Factors determining the effect of aerosols on cloud mass and the dependence of these factors on liquid-water path

Abstract. Increasing aerosols decreases the size of droplets and thus their collection efficiencies, leading to an inefficient conversion of droplets to precipitable raindrops. This, in turn, increases the mass of droplets suspended in the air by decreasing the removal of cloud mass by sedimentation and has been known to be a main mechanism which determines the effect of aerosols on cloud mass. However, a recent study showed that this mechanism played a negligible role in the determination of the cloud mass as compared to aerosol-induced feedbacks between microphysics and dynamics in thin stratocumulus clouds with LWP of ~50 g m 50 g m−2. Hence, it is important to understand whether the role of aerosol-induced feedbacks in the effect of aerosols on cloud mass depends on the level of LWP. This study examines the dependence of the role of the conversion of droplets to raindrops and their sedimentation in the determination of the effect of aerosols on cloud mass on the level of LWP. Pairs of numerical experiments for high and low aerosol cases are run for four cases of stratiform clouds with different LWPs. Comparisons among these cases show that the role of the conversion and sedimentation becomes less important as the level of LWP decreases. Instead, the role of the feedbacks between microphysics and dynamics become more important with the lowering level of LWP. The results of this study indicate that the traditional approach to the understanding of the aerosol-cloud interactions and its application to the parameterization of these interactions in climate models can be misleading. The understanding of feedbacks between microphysics and dynamics induced by aerosol changes and their parameterization can be critical to the correct assessment of the effect of aerosols on clouds and climate.
Human amnion membrane serves as a substratum for growing axons in vitro and in vivo

The epithelial cell layer of human amnion membrane can be removed while the basement membrane and stromal surfaces remain morphologically intact. Such a preparation has been used as a substratum for the in vitro culture of dissociated neurons. Embryonic motor neurons from chick ciliary ganglion attached to both surfaces but grew extensive neurites only on the basement membrane. On cross sections of rolled amnion membranes, regenerating axons of cultured neurons were guided along pathways of basement membrane that were immunoreactive with an antibody to laminin. In addition, when rolled amnion membranes were implanted into a lesion cavity between the rat septum and hippocampus, cholinergic neurons extended axons through the longitudinally oriented implant into the hippocampus. Thus, this amnion preparation can serve as a bridge to promote axonal regeneration in vivo in damaged adult brain.
Hrem Study of Heteroeprtaxial Interfaces in the TiO2/Al2O3 System

TiO 2 thin films were grown epitaxially on (1120) sapphire (α-Al 2 O 3 ) at 800 °C by the MOCVD method. The TiO 2 films and TiO 2 /Al 2 O 3 interfaces were characterized by TEM and HREM. The observations indicate that the TiO 2 films are single crystalline and have the rutile structure. A majority of the films has the epitaxial orientation relationship between the TiO 2 rutile films (R) and the α-Al 2 O 3 substrates (S): (101)[010] R ||(1120)[0001] S , while the epitaxial relationship of (100)[010] R ||(1120)[0001] s has also been observed for one film. HREM studies show that the (100) film was grown on an off-cut substrate, vicinal to (1120). Detailed atomic structures of the interfaces will be presented and discussed in terms of the growth mechanism and misfit dislocation structure.
Structural studies of amorphous MoGe alloys through the semiconductor-metal transition

Abstract Changing atomic scale structure through the semiconductor-metal transition in amorphous MoGe films has been studied with RDF, differential anomalous scattering, EXAFS and small-angle scattering techniques. Mo remains most closely coordinated by Ge through this structural transition, with no evidence for separation into well-defined amorphous phases on a size scale of 20 A and up. All evidence of the a-Ge network has disappeared by about 23% Mo.
Longer time scale for human evolution

During the past few years, the best estimates of the human single nucleotide mutation rate have been cut in half. Until recently, estimates of mutation rate have relied on counting substitutions between primate species and assuming that fossil relatives of living species can accurately pin dates onto phylogenetic branches. This procedure allows very precise estimates, but introduces systematic bias toward higher substitution rates and longer branch lengths because a new lineage can leave a fossil record only after its origin, never beforehand (1). Now, widespread resequencing, initially of de novo Mendelian genetic disorders (2, 3) and later of whole genomes in parent–offspring trios (4), has allowed direct comparisons of parent and offspring genomes. The most commonly used, but now outdated, estimate of the mutation rate was 2.4 × 10−8 changes per nucleotide per generation (5). Current estimates of the same value based on resequencing data are much lower, approximately 1.1 to 1.28 × 10−8 (3, 4).
Bcl-xL interrupts oxidative activation of neutral sphingomyelinase.

Recent studies demonstrate a role for intracellular oxidation in the regulation of neutral sphingomyelinase (N-SMase). Glutathione (GSH) has been shown to regulate N-SMase in vitro and in cells. However, it has not been established whether the effects of GSH in cells are due to direct action on N-SMase. In this study, treatment of human mammary carcinoma MCF-7 cells with diamide, a thiol-depleting agent, caused a decrease in intracellular GSH and degradation of sphingomyelin (SM) to ceramide. The SM pool hydrolyzed in response to diamide belonged to the bacterial SMase-resistant pool of SM. Importantly, pretreatment of MCF-7 cells with GSH, N-acetylcysteine, an antioxidant, or GW69A, a specific N-SMase inhibitor, prevented diamide-induced degradation of SM to ceramide, suggesting that intracellular levels of GSH regulate the extent to which SM is degraded to ceramide and that this probably involves a GW69A-sensitive N-SMase. Unexpectedly, expression of Bcl-xL prevented tumor necrosis factor-α-induced SM hydrolysis and ceramide accumulation but not the decrease in intracellular GSH. Furthermore, Bcl-xL inhibited diamide-induced SM hydrolysis and ceramide accumulation but not the decrease in intracellular GSH. These results suggest that the site of action of Bcl-xL is downstream of GSH depletion and upstream of ceramide accumulation, and that GSH probably does not exert direct physiologic effects on N-SMase.
Observation of a high Kondo temperature for dilute Co in the transition metal Mo

Abstract Low temperature electrical resistivity and magnetic susceptibility measurements are reported for Mo Co alloys in which the impurity concentration ranges from 0.1 to 1.0 at. % Co. The results exhibit localized moment behavior and demonstrate the formation of a spin-compensating quasibound state with a Kondo temperature of 20 → 40°K.
Vegetable, animal, human : The perils and powers of transgressing (sociobiological) boundaries in narrative.

Bible myths, fairy tales, and science fictions all offer narratives that imply and sometimes question boundaries for human behavior. By subscription to certain narratives, individuals can enter and leave social groups; by evolving narratives, groups can adjust the realm of the allowable and the realm of the forbidden; and by selective transgression, individuals can gain power beyond that initially granted by the group. All these functions of narrative contribute to the sociobiological vigor of the individuals and groups that subscribe to them, suggesting that the creation and use of narratives has proadaptive functions.
C(2)-vinylhalo-cephems

Abstract C(2)-vinylhalo-cephems are prepared from a Pummerer type rearrangement of the corresponding sulfoxide with dimethyl immonium halide.
Ballistic hole injection velocity analysis in Ge UTB pMOSFETs: Dependence on body thickness, orientation and strain

Ge exhibits a high bulk hole mobilty making it an attractive channel material for pMOSFET devices [1,2]. For improving the device performance and suppressing short channel effects ultra-thin-body (UTB) Ge-on-insulator (GeOI) structures have been researched throughly [2]. Recently oriented Ge-OI pMOSFETs grown on (110) surface were shown to exhibit enhanced hole mobility, which was 3 times compared to (100)/ Si and 2.3 times (100)/ Ge pMOSFETs [2]. Due to heavy warping within valence bands and finite atomic granularity in sub-10 nm thick devices, atomistic modelling becomes important. To analyse the recent experimental results a tight binding based 10 band sp3s∗d5 (including SO coupling) bandstructure model for is used for UTB Ge [3]. It has been reported in literature that carrier mobility is closely correlated with carrier injection velocity near the top-of-the barrier or the virtual source region [4]. Hence in this paper ballistic injection velocity (v inj ) is used as the metric for analysing UTB Ge device performance.
An FTIR study of the Cl-atom-initiated reaction of glyoxal

The kinetics and mechanism of Cl-atom-initiated reactions of CHOCHO were studied using the FTIR detection method to monitor the photolysis of Cl2–CHOCHO mixtures in 700 torr of N2–O2 diluent at 298 ± 2 K. The observed product distribution in the [O2] pressure of 0–700 torr combined with relative rate measurements provide evidence that: (1) the primary step is Cl + CHOCHO HCl + CHOCO with a rate constant of [3.8 ± 0.3(σ)] × 10−11 cm3 molecule−1 s−1; (2) the primary product CHOCO unimolecularly dissociates to CHO and CO with an estimated lifetime of ≤ca. 1 × 10−7 s; (3) alternatively, the CHOCO reacts with O2 leading to the formation of CO, CO2, and most likely the HO radical, but no stable products containing two carbon atoms; (4) the HO2 radical, formed in the secondary reaction CHO + O2 HO2 + CO, reacts with the CHOCHO with a rate constant ca. 5 × 10−16 cm3 molecule−1 s−1 to form HCOOH and a new transient product resembling that detected previously in the HO2 reaction with HCHO.
Light Activated Insulin Release from Pancreatic Beta Cells

The controlled release of insulin from pancreatic beta cells is a critical and complex process that is required for the maintenance of appropriate glucose levels in the blood. An efficient way to secrete naturally produced insulin could form the basis of new treatments for diabetes mellitus. Insulin release from beta cells is stimulated by the depolarization of the cell membrane. The light activated cationic Channelrhodopsin-2 based ion channel protein, known as chIEF, has been used in the past to depolarize neurons in culture. This protein was expressed in murine pancreatic beta cells. These cells were exposed to light at the excitation wavelength of the chIEF protein for ten mintues. The cells were exposed through different cycling protocols, in order to investigate the effect of rhythmic excitation. A novel FRET-based Ca2+ sensor was designed to attempt to monitor the dynamics of the Ca2+ gradients in response to this stimulation. It was found that specific patterns of light activation resulted in an increase in the amount of insulin secreted compared to cells which did not have the chIEF protein under the same light conditions. These results suggest that there is some oscillatory behavior in the Ca2+ depolarization of the beta cells, which can be tuned through adjusting the pattern of light excitation to produce controllable insulin release from pancreatic beta cells.
Luminescent LaF3:Ce-doped organically modified nanoporous silica xerogels

Organically modified silica compounds (ORMOSILs) were synthesized by a sol-gel method from amine-functionalized 3-aminopropyl triethoxylsilane and tetramethylorthosilicate and were doped in situ with LaF3:Ce nanoparticles, which in turn were prepared either in water or in ethanol. Doped ORMOSILs display strong photoluminescence either by UV or X-ray excitation and maintain good transparency up to a loading level of 15.66% w/w. The TEM observations demonstrate that ORMOSILs remain nanoporous with pore diameters in the 5–10 nm range. LaF3:Ce nanoparticles doped into the ORMOSILs are rod-like, 5 nm in diameter and 10–15 nm in length. Compression testing indicates that the nanocomposites have very good strength, without significant lateral dilatation and buckling under quasi-static compression. LaF3:Ce nanoparticle-doped ORMOSILs have potential for applications in radiation detection and solid state lighting.
Allosteric modulation of the NMDA receptor by dihydrolipoic and lipoic acid in rat cortical neurons in vitro

The mitochondrial cofactor dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA) was observed to potentiate N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), but not non-NMDA, receptor-mediated whole-cell responses in cultured neurons. This potentiation was readily reversed by the oxidizing agent 5,5'-dithio-bis-(2-nitro-benzoic acid) (DTNB). DHLA was unable to increase NMDA responses previously potentiated by dithiothreitol, nor did it have an effect on NMDA receptors alkylated with N-ethylmaleimide. Single-channel recordings revealed that DHLA produced an increase in NMDA channel open frequency, with no change in single-channel conductance or open time. In contrast, lipoic acid reversed the potentiation of NMDA-evoked responses produced by dithiothreitol and had no effect on NMDA receptors previously oxidized by DTNB. DHLA and lipoic acid are pervasively found substances that readily permeate cellular membranes and thus may influence NMDA receptor activity in vivo by modifying its redox site.
Physical aspects of protein and DNA synthesis

Abstract The idea that the synthetic processes of a bacterial cell take place by random collision and specific selection has been examined in terms of Brownian movement theory. The observed rates of protein, deoxyribonucleic acid and ribosome synthesis are used to calculate the necessary concentrations of the metabolites used in the synthetic process. If the collision process must involve the presentation of the active part of the colliding molecule at first impact, then the observed rates require excessive concentrations for soluble ribonucleic acid. The concentration required for nucleotide triphosphates in the synthesis of deoxyribonucleic acid is such that many points of synthesis are called for. If, instead, a very temporary complex can form, of the nature expected from the operation of London-Van der Waals forces, the free rotation of the colliding molecule provides a variety of aspect changes, and the collision process is much more efficient. If this process takes place, the transfer of energy from rotation to vibration becomes important. The precision of assembly of deoxyribonucleic acid is examined in terms of the idea that precision in timing is important. It is shown that the cell could not function in that way if any large molecule had to move during the assembly. It is suggested that enzymes having high activation energies must be present in abnormally high concentrations.
Chemotherapy: Gemcitabine remains the standard of care for pancreatic cancer.

A randomized phase III trial for advanced pancreatic cancer comparing gemcitabine with gemcitabine plus capecitabine has again demonstrated that combination chemotherapy provides no significant outcome advantage for patients. A marked change in treatment paradigm is essential if therapeutic interventions are to move beyond the persistently dismal outcome results for the majority of pancreatic cancer patients, as exemplified by the past decade of clinical research.