cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Appearance-based minimalistic metric SLAM

This paper addresses the problem of simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) for the case of very small, resource-limited robots which have poor odometry and can typically only carry a single monocular camera. We propose a modification to the standard SLAM algorithm in which the assumption that the robots can obtain metric distance/bearing information to landmarks is relaxed. Instead, the robot registers a distinctive sensor "signature", based on its current location, which is used to match robot positions. In our formulation of this non-linear estimation problem, we infer implicit position measurements from an image recognition algorithm. The iterated form of the extended Kalman filter (IEKF) is employed to process all measurements.
The Performance of Perfluoropolyalkylether Oils under Boundary Lubrication Conditions

Perfluoropolyalkylether (PFPE) oils and greases are being used with increasing frequency on spacecraft as a result of their purported outstanding properties. Previously we demonstrated that, under boundary lubrication, these materials degrade by way of an autocatalytic mechanism. As a result, they have serious limitations that cannot be improved using additives because of the inability of the PFPE fluids to dissolve antiwear additives. A series of wear tests comparing PFPE oils and greases with hydrocarbon fluids under boundary conditions were performed which augment the fundamental studies. As predicted, the performances of the PFPE fluids were below that of the hydrocarbon fluids. The results of the wear tests are discussed in terms of the effect that additives would have on the PFPE degradation mechanism and the overall usefulness of the PFPE fluids under boundary lubrication conditions. Presented as a Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers paper at the STLE/ASME Tribology Conference in San ...
Wearable devices: new ways to manage information

Although the Information Age has many upsides, one of its major downsides is information overload. Indeed, the amount of information easily pushes the limit of what people can manage. This conflict drives research to seek a solution to humanity's information woes. As computers have shrunk from room size to palm size, so they have also moved from being passive accessories, such as laptops and personal digital assistants, to wearable appliances that form an integral part of our personal space. Wearable computers are always on and accessible. As the computer moves from desktop to coat pocket to the human body, its ability to help manage, sort, and filter information will become more intimately connected to our daily lives. The paper discusses the principles of wearable computers.
Melanoregulin regulates a shedding mechanism that drives melanosome transfer from melanocytes to keratinocytes

Mammalian pigmentation is driven by the intercellular transfer of pigment-containing melanosomes from the tips of melanocyte dendrites to surrounding keratinocytes. Tip accumulation of melanosomes requires myosin Va, because melanosomes concentrate in the center of melanocytes from myosin Va-null (dilute) mice. This distribution defect results in inefficient melanosome transfer and a dilution of coat color. Dilute mice that simultaneously lack melanoregulin, the product of the dilute suppressor locus, exhibit a nearly complete restoration of coat color, but, surprisingly, melanosomes remain concentrated in the center of their melanocytes. Here we show that dilute/dsu melanocytes, but not dilute melanocytes, readily transfer the melanosomes concentrated in their center to surrounding keratinocytes in situ. Using time-lapse imaging of WT melanocyte/keratinocyte cocultures in which the plasma membranes of the two cells are marked with different colors, we define an intercellular melanosome transfer pathway that involves the shedding by the melanocyte of melanosome-rich packages, which subsequently are phagocytosed by the keratinocyte. Shedding, which occurs primarily at dendritic tips but also from more central regions, involves adhesion to the keratinocyte, thinning behind the forming package, and apparent self-abscission. Finally, we show that shedding from the cell center is sixfold more frequent in cultured dilute/dsu melanocytes than in dilute melanocytes, consistent with the in situ data. Together, these results explain how dsu restores the coat color of dilute mice without restoring intracellular melanosome distribution, indicate that melanoregulin is a negative regulator of melanosome transfer, and provide insight into the mechanism of intercellular melanosome transfer.
Bystander Target Cell Lysis and Cytokine Production by Dengue Virus-Specific Human CD4+ Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte Clones

Dengue hemorrhagic fever, the severe form of dengue virus infection, is believed to be an immunopathological response to a secondary infection with a heterologous serotype of dengue virus. Dengue virus capsid protein-specific CD4(+) cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) clones were shown to be capable of mediating bystander lysis of non-antigen-presenting target cells. After activation by anti-CD3 or in the presence of unlabeled antigen-presenting target cells, these clones could lyse both Jurkat cells and HepG2 cells as bystander targets. Lysis of HepG2 cells suggests a potential role for CD4(+) CTL in the liver involvement observed during dengue virus infection. Three CD4(+) CTL clones were demonstrated to lyse cognate, antigen-presenting target cells by a mechanism that primarily involves perforin, while bystander lysis occurred through Fas/Fas ligand interactions. In contrast, one clone used a Fas/Fas ligand mechanism to lyse both cognate and bystander targets. Cytokine production by the CTL clones was also examined. In response to stimulation with D2 antigen, CD4(+) T-cell clones produced gamma interferon, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and TNF-beta. The data suggest that CD4(+) CTL clones may contribute to the immunopathology observed upon secondary dengue virus infections through direct cytolysis and/or cytokine production.
The Crucible Differentiation Scale: Assessing Differentiation in Human Relationships

Whereas most existing differentiation measures are grounded in Bowen's writings about differentiation, the self-report instrument created in this study addresses differentiation according to the Four Points of Balance articulated by the Crucible Approach. The Crucible Differentiation Scale (CDS) is a 63-item, Likert-type, multidimensional measure of differentiation focused on adults and their important relationships. The psychometric properties of the CDS were tested through five studies with a total of 4,169 participants. The identified CDS subscales are Solid Self, Connectedness, Anxiety Regulation through Self-Soothing, Anxiety Regulation through Accommodation, Reactivity through Avoidance, Reactivity through Arguments, and Tolerating Discomfort for Growth. The CDS has potential use in evaluating differentiation theory, organizing treatment, and measuring therapy process and outcome.
Life-history tradeoffs and reproductive cycles in Spotted Owls

ABSTRACT The study of tradeoffs among life-history traits has long been key to understanding the evolution of life-history strategies. However, more recently, evolutionary ecologists have realized that reproductive costs have the potential to influence population dynamics. Here, we tested for costs of reproduction in the California Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis occidentalis), and assessed whether costs of reproduction in year t − 1 on reproduction in year t could be responsible for regionally synchronized biennial cycles in reproductive output. Logistic regression analysis and multistate mark–recapture models with state uncertainty revealed that breeding reduced the likelihood of reproducing in the subsequent year by 16% to 38%, but had no influence on subsequent survival. We also found that costs of reproduction in year t − 1 were correlated with climatic conditions in year t, with evidence of higher costs during the dry phase of the El Nino–Southern Oscillation. Using a simulation-based population mod...
Sampling range and range of attraction of Dendroctonus pseudotsugae pheromone-baited traps

Nous avons procede a deux experiences de marquage-recapture et une experience d'interference entre les pieges, les premieres pour determiner la portee de l'echantillonnage, la troisieme pour delimiter l'etendue du pouvoir d'attraction de pieges garnis de pheromone de Dendroctonus pseudotsugae Hopkins (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) dans le nord de l'Idaho. Pour determiner la portee de l'echantillonnage, des coleopteres vivants ou des troncs morts contenant des couvains ont ete marques au moyen de poudre fluorescente de l'une de quatre couleurs. Les coleopteres ou les troncs colores ont ete places le long de transects orientes en direction opposee a celle d'un piege a pheromone central, a des distances de 50, 100, 200 et 300 m. Une distance de relâchement de 400 m a ete ajoutee lors d'une experience de marquage-recapture au cours de la 2 e annee. Pour evaluer le pouvoir d'attraction de la pheromone, nous avons procede a une experience d'interference entre les pieges dans laquelle des groupes de trois pieges etaient ete installes en triangles equilateraux, a des distances de 50, 100, 200 et 300 m les uns des autres. Les distances entre les pieges ont ete changees chaque jour pour qu'il y ait un nombre adequat de repetitions de l'experience. Les etudes de marquage-recapture ont montre que la plupart des scolytes recaptures provenaient d'une distance egale ou inferieure a 200 m d'un piege a pheromone. En moyenne, 95 % des coleopteres recaptures etaient des mâles. Les resultats dl'interference entre les pieges n'ont pas permis de conclure quoi que ce soit sur la portee du pouvoir d'attraction des pheromones de D. pseudotsugae. Nous recommandons aux gestionnaires de l'amenagement d'installer des pieges de suppression garnis de pheromones a moins de 200 m des populations de D. pseudotsugae visees. De plus, pour minimiser la mortalite des arbres due au scolyte, les pieges doivent etre installes aussi loin que possible des arbres vivants que l'on veut proteger.
Possible resonance structure in the elastic scattering of neutrons by Y near En = 1 MeV

Abstract The total cross section as well as the differential cross section and polarization in the elastic scattering of 0.8–1.4 MeV neutrons by Y have been measured with neutron beams of energy spread less than 20 keV. Rather weak structure with widths ≈ 50 keV was observed at a few energies within this range. The data were analyzed by use of a model in which the scattering process is described in terms of resonance amplitudes superimposed on an optical-potential background. Although not completely definitive, this analysis indicates the existence of three intermediate-width resonances (two 1− and one 1+) at neutron energies between ≈ 1.0 and 1.2 MeV. The properties of the 1− resonances suggest that these are the parent states of the proposed T> components of the El giant resonance observed near 21 MeV excitation energy in 90Zr produced in the 89Y(p,γ0) reaction. The resolved resonance structure in this energy region is in reasonable agreement with a recent calculation of the energies and widths of negative-parity states in 90Y.
Indium phosphide, indium-gallium-arsenide and indium-gallium-antimonide based high efficiency multijunction photovoltaics for solar energy harvesting

Multijunction solar cells direct sunlight towards matched spectral sensitivity by splitting the spectrum into smaller slices. The main challenge in the photovoltaic industry is to make the modules more cost effective. The high efficiency multijunction photovoltaics have played a very significant role in reducing the cost through concentrator photovoltaic systems being implemented around the world. For example National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and US Department of Energy (DOE) have funded several III–IV multijunction solar cell projects. In this paper we have introduced a new multijunction photovoltaic cell based upon InP/InGaAs/InGaSb, and performed a comparison of solar energy absorption, reflection and transmission with existing single-junction and multijunction cells being deployed around the world. The inclusion of InGaSb layer in the design has made a significant difference in absorption in the spectral range of 598nm-800nm, contributing to a higher efficiency of the solar cell.
Adaptations to Information Impactedness: A Survey

Uncertainty is taken to mean that an individual does not have a complete description of the world, while information means a more complete description of events—i.e., events transforming the individual’s probability distributions over possible states of the world. (See Arrow, 1974, pp. 33–34, Hirschleifer, p. 31.) Whether an individual has more or less information pertaining to a given subject depends of course on his or her innate abilities, demographic characteristics, formal education, interest, chance factors, and so forth. The degree of information completeness also depends upon economic considerations: Like more conventional goods, the production of information depends upon a deliberate comparison of the resulting opportunity costs and benefits
Monoallelic Expression and Dominance Interactions in Anthers of Self-Incompatible Arabidopsis lyrata

Genetic dominance and recessiveness are most commonly addressed in the context of mutated alleles that confer aberrant phenotypes but have rarely been explained for functional variants. An opportunity to gain a mechanistic understanding of interactions between naturally occurring functional allelic
Aripiprazole for Treatment of Apathy.

Objective: The objective of this article is to present a case of improved outcome of apathy syndrome with aripiprazole. Case summary: A 42-year-old man with depression and seizure disorder had significant apathy that did not respond to carbamazepine, sertraline, and topiramate. Apathy was assessed using Apathy Evaluation Scale. Discontinuation of carbamazepine did not alleviate apathy. Aripiprazole, a novel antipsychotic with partial agonistic activity at dopamine D2 receptors, was introduced and the dose adjusted to 15mg a day. The patient showed significant improvement in apathy after six weeks of therapy with aripiprazole. Discussion: Depression is often mistaken for apathy, which is different in symptoms, presentation, and treatment options. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are known to cause or increase symptoms of apathy in some patients. Recent evidence suggests that dopamine receptor agonists can be helpful in treatment of apathy. Apathy significantly improved in this patient after initiation of aripiprazole. Conclusion: Aripiprazole may be useful for treatment of apathy syndrome. Its role in treatment of apathy requires further investigation in clinical trials.
Prevalence of Substantive Consolidation in Large Bankruptcies from 2000-2004: Preliminary Results

This preliminary study highlights the importance of substantive consolidation doctrine to large public company bankruptcies. The study provides a definition of Substantive Consolidation Bankruptcy and then studies original sources for the top 21 bankruptcies during 2000-2004, measured by pre-filing asset size, to determine the extent to which the doctrine of substantive consolidation informs our largest restructurings. Secondary source materials also are analyzed for bankruptcies with prefiling assets in excess of $100 million for 2000-2004 and 1990-1999. The study aims to show the extent to which negotiation of reorganization plans takes place in the shadow of the doctrine of substantive consolidation.
Nephrotoxicity of Hemoglobin Solutions

Nephrotoxicity is a problem of hemoglobin solutions (HbS) that still awaits full elucidation and correction. Therefore, a study was conducted using five HbS with different characteristics to replace 1/3 of blood volume in five groups of rabbits. All HbS contained bovine Hb, 6.5 g/dl, dissolved into a balanced electrolyte solution. HbS-I was Hb incompletely purified of stromal phospholipids and environmental bacterial endotoxins, and uncrosslinked; HbS-II was pure Hb non crosslinked; HbS-III was completely purified and crosslinked; HbS-IV was like HbS-III, but with pH 8.4; and HbS-V was like HbS-III, with the addition of mannitol. The effects of blood replacement with these solutions were studied on: (a) PAH clearance (expression of renal plasma flow); (b) endogenous creatinine clearance (expression of glomerular filtration); (c) fractional excretion of sodium and (d) urine/plasma osmolarity (expressions of tubular function). Histological changes were assessed after 24 hours. Significant alterations were observed in decrescent order following the administration of HbS-I, -II and -III, while HbS-IV and -V were well tolerated. These results suggest that the nephrotoxicity of Hb solutions can be prevented by the following steps: (1) complete purification of Hb; (2) complete crosslinking; and (3) protection of the kidney by alkalinization of the urine and/or the addition of mannitol.
Mindset and Metaphor: A Response to Randall Kennedy's Racial Critiques of Legal Academia

In this response to a well-known article by Randall Kennedy taking three prominent critical race theorists to task for various errors of omission and commission, I analyze the basis of his disagreement with us. I find that his critique gains its apparent force from his deployment of certain metaphors — for example the “pool” of candidates of color — rather than others, e.g., a rushing river.
Investigations of the mechanism by which mammalian cell growth is inhibited by N1N12-bis(ethyl)spermine

N1N12-Bis(ethyl)spermine (BESM) and related compounds are powerful inhibitors of cell growth that may have potential as anti-neoplastic agents [Bergeron, Neims, McManis, Hawthorne, Vinson, Bortell and Ingeno (1988) J. Med. Chem. 31, 1183-1190]. The mechanism by which these compounds bring about their effects was investigated by using variant cell lines in which processes thought to be altered by these agents are perturbed. Comparisons between the response of these cells and of their parental equivalents to BESM, N1N11-bis(ethyl)norspermine, N1N14-bis(ethyl)homospermine and N1N8-bis(ethyl)spermidine were then made. It was found that D-R cells, an L1210-derived line that over-expresses ornithine decarboxylase, were not resistant to these compounds. This indicates that the decrease in ornithine decarboxylase is not critical for the action of the compounds on cell growth. Furthermore, although polyamine levels were decreased in the D-R cells, the content was not totally depleted, indicating that such depletion is also not essential for the anti-proliferative effect. Two cell lines lacking mitochondrial DNA (human 143B206 cells and chicken DU3 cells) did not differ in sensitivity to BESM from their parental 143BTK- and DU24 cells. Furthermore, the inhibition of respiration in L1210 cells in response to BESM developed more slowly than the inhibition of growth. Thus it appears that the inhibitions of mitochondrial DNA synthesis and of mitochondrial respiration are also not primary factors in the anti-proliferative effects of these polyamine analogues. The inhibition of growth did, however, correlate with the intracellular accumulation of the analogues. It appears that the bis(ethyl)polyamine derivatives act by binding to intracellular target molecules and preventing macromolecular synthesis. The decline in normal polyamines may facilitate such binding, but is not essential for growth arrest.
Reverse-Engineering Nonlinear Analog Circuits with Evolutionary Computation

The design of analog circuits by hand is a difficult task, and many successful approaches to automating this design process based on evolutionary computation have been proposed. The fitness evaluations necessary to evolve linear analog circuits are relatively straightforward. However, this is not the case for nonlinear analog circuits, especially for the most general class of design tasks: reverse-engineering an arbitrary nonlinear ‘black box’ circuit. Here, we investigate different approaches to fitness evaluations in this setting. Results show that an incremental algorithm outperforms naive approaches, and that it is possible to evolve robust nonlinear analog circuits with time-domain output behavior that closely matches that of black box circuits for any time-domain input.
Calculations of carrier localization in In/sub x/Ga/sub 1-x/N

The electronic structures of cubic InGaN systems are calculated using an atomistic empirical pseudopotential method. Two extreme cases are studied. One is a pure InN quantum dot embedded in a pure GaN matrix, another is a pure ${\mathrm{In}}_{x}{\mathrm{Ga}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}\mathrm{N}$ alloy without clustering. We find hole localizations in both cases. The hole wave function starts to be localized as soon as a few In atoms segregate to form a small cluster, while the electron wave function only becomes localized after the number of In atoms in the quantum dot becomes larger than 200. The hole state is also strongly localized in a pure ${\mathrm{In}}_{x}{\mathrm{Ga}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}\mathrm{N}$ alloy, on top of randomly formed (110) directioned In-N-In chains. Using one proposed model, we have calculated the hole energy fluctuation, and related that to photoluminescence linewidth. The calculated linewidth is about 100 meV, close to the experimental results. Wurtzite InGaN is also studied for optical anisotropies. We find that in both quantum dot and pure alloy, the polarization is in the $\mathrm{xy}$ plane perpendicular to the c axis of the wurtzite structure.
Interactional Practices across Settings: "From Classroom Role-Plays to Workplace Patient Consultations".

This article investigates how learned interactional practices from an instructional setting may be utilized in the workplace setting. I examine how the same novice in a pharmacy employed the practices of sequential organization in role-played patient consultations in the classroom and in subsequent actual patient consultations in a clerkship. I first describe how the novice developed her sequential organization practices in the role-played consultations, then analyze whether and how she utilized these practices in consultations at the pharmacy. I show that interactional practices developed in classroom role-plays were later sustained, eliminated, re-developed, or further modified in the clerkship consultations. In light of the findings, I discuss the strengths and limitations of role-plays as an instructional mode and the promise of conversation analysis for longitudinal studies.
Congenital Cardiac Forum.

One of the most exciting aspects of medicine as a career is that as our knowledge evolves so should our clinical practice. As anesthesiologists, we should expect how we deliver perioperative care to patients to be different in the future as new discoveries are made. Anesthesiologists not only need to adapt to changes over the span of their careers, we must also be able to respond appropriately to immediate changes in the patient in the perioperative environment. All 3 articles in the Congenital Cardiac Forum illustrate this. The first article by Cvetkovic et al presents a case of severe coronary artery disease in a 14-year-old patient with a rare variant in the PA-1 (SERPINE) gene. The authors discuss causes of coronary artery disease including rare causes such as this prothrombotic genetic variant and its clinical implications. The second article by Latham et al presents a case of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in a child on extracorporeal life support who then underwent heart transplantation after transitioning to argatroban for anticoagulation management. The authors provide an excellent overview of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and alternative anticoagulation management strategies for extracorporeal life support and cardiopulmonary bypass. The final article by Schwartz et al is potentially an early warning about a drug that is being used commonly in congenital cardiac anesthesiology. The authors present a case of cardiac arrest in a patient who is receiving dexmedetomidine during cardiac catheterization for heart transplant surveillance and conclude that dexmedetomidine should be used with caution in pediatric heart transplant patients. In all these reports, the anesthesiologists have quickly adapted to changes in their patients and worked as part of a team. These immediate responses and teamwork are part of our everyday clinical practice as we respond to changing physiology, modifications of the surgical plan, and unexpected events. The future perioperative care of patients with congenital heart disease will be shaped by how we adapt to changes in our specialty and how we engage with others in the health care team to influence positive changes for our patients.
PREDICTION AND ASSESSMENT OF FRACTURE HEIGHT OF HYDRAULIC FRACTURING WITH LOGGING DATA

There is a close relationship between the fracture height of hydraulic fracturing and the plan applied in fracturing operation,also,the height is a important parameter to evaluate the effectiveness of reservoir acidizing and fracturing.There was not quantitative way to predict and assess the height previously,which could only be assessed qualitatively after operation to a large extent.Study indicates,by using array acoustic data,casing pipe cross-dipole shearing wave logging data,the fracture height of hydraulic fracturing can be accurately predicted and tested,so as to guide and assess fracturing operation quantitatively.Case study shows the way can be used to effectively forecast the fracture height of hydraulic fracturing.
“Community” as a Foundation for Public Relations Theory and Practice

This essay argues that community serves as a viable theoretical foundation for the development of public relations theory and practice. Four arguments are set forth, based on (a) the pervasiveness of the community idea and ideal in everyday life and contemporary scholarship, (b) conceptual limitations rooted in the widely accepted focus on publics in public relations, (c) the emerging recognition of community-related theories in public relations scholarship, and (d) the strength of community building as a philosophy to drive public relations practice.
Laser-crystallized polysilicon TFT adder cells on flexible metal foil

In an effort to develop a large area digital system (such as a CUP) on flexible metal foil substrate utilizing polysilicon TFT technology, we extensively studied 21 different adder cells most of them novel circuits. The adder circuits were first carefully designed to be best compatible with poly-Si TFT technology and then fabricated on flexible metal foil. Adder cells were carefully tested and their performance were evaluated and compared with the goal of realizing the optimum adder structure(s) suitable for poly-Si TFT digital system development.
Sense size‐dependent dust loading and emission from space using reflected solar and infrared spectral measurements: An observation system simulation experiment

The Climate Absolute Radiance and Refractivity Observatory (CLARREO) satellite mission observes hyperspectral Earth reflected solar (RS) and emitted infrared radiance (IR). Such measurements span an additional dimension on spectrally dependent scattering and absorption of dust, the critical signals for particle size. Through a suite of observation system simulation experiments (OSSEs), this study assesses the capability of CLARREO's measurements for recovering size-dependent dust emissions in GEOS-Chem chemistry transport model (CTM). To this end, another CTM (FIM-Chem) is used for the nature run to simulate CLARREO spectral radiances. The spectral signals are then used for analyzing the sensitivities and error characteristics of dust optical depth (DOD) under three observations scenarios (IR-only, RS-only, and combined IR and RS) using an optimal estimation technique. Next, these synthetic data are assimilated into GEOS-Chem adjoint model to constrain dust emissions of four particle sizes with radii from 0.1 μm to 6.0 μm. The OSSEs results indicate: (1) The IR spectra are most sensitive to dust of the third size bin (1.8 – 3.0 μm) and least sensitive to the smallest bin (0.1 – 1.0 μm); (2) The RS spectra are most sensitive to dust of the smallest size bin and the sensitivity decreases as dust size increases; (3) Combining IR and RS spectra can fully characterize DOD across all sizes, providing the best constraints for size-resolved dust emissions; (4) CLARREO data fail to constrain the spatial distribution of dust sources due to its narrow swath and joint observations from CLARREO-calibrated sensors with wide swath are desirable.
Femtosecond laser writing of electro-optic crystalline structures in glass

Over the last decade it has been demonstrated that nonlinear optical (NLO) crystals can be grown by laser precipitation in customized glasses and used for electro-optic applications. It has been further demonstrated that this novel crystal growth technique is capable of fabricating nonlinear waveguide structures, where the polar axis of the crystal is aligned along the growth direction. Femtosecond precipitation of NLO crystals in glass has the potential to be a low-cost method of creating functional optical elements. In order to realize this goal, the orientation of the NLO crystals must be carefully controlled. In the present study, a widely used electro-optical crystal, Lithium Niobate, was precipitated in 33LiO 2 -33Nb 2 O 5 -34SiO 2 (mol%) (LNS) glass, forming NLO crystalline structures in an amorphous matrix. Glass fabrication techniques for making high quality glass, and the crystallization parameter space were explored to determine the optimal conditions for smooth and continuous crystal growth. The crystalline orientation of the precipitated lithium niobate was determined for a variety of writing conditions, and the growth technique was extended to multi-dimensional structures.
Regulation of transcription factor IRF8 in myeloid progenitors is a critical checkpoint for formation of defective myeloid cells in cancer.

Defectivemyeloid cells are commonly observed across a large range of solid cancers. These defects contribute to immune suppression and tumor progression tometastatic disease. Early studies focused on characterizing such myeloid-derivedsuppressor cells (MDSC) in peripheral tissues and the tumor microenvironment, but molecular processes underlying their development remained unclear. Bone marrowis the major site for normal myeloid production and is known to respond to signalsfrom the periphery. Thus, we hypothesizedthat tumors perturb bone marrow myelopoiesis, resulting in production of MDSC . During myelopoiesis, transcription factor IRF8 expression within granulocyte/monocyteprogenitors (GMP) determines differentiation such that high IRF8 favorsmonocytes while low IRF8 favors granulocytes. We previously revealed that IRF8 suppressionby tumor-derived factors leads to accumulation of MDSC, but exactly when andwhere IRF8 is compromised was unknown. Here we utilize a novel mouse model expressingan IRF8-EGFP fusion protein to investigate specific changes in IRF8 during myelopoiesisin both orthotopic and spontaneous mammary tumor progression. Our results show that:1) GMP can be divided into IRF8 hi and IRF8 lo expressingpopulations corresponding to monocytic and granulocytic progenitor phenotypes,2) IRF8 lo GMP preferentially expand with increasing tumor size andincreasing G-CSF serum concentration, and 3) enforced IRF8 expression restrainsthis expansion and reduces the frequency of myeloid suppressors in theperiphery. Altogether, these data identify modulation of IRF8 in myeloidprogenitors as a consequence of tumor development and potential target fortherapeutic intervention.
How well are reporting guidelines and trial registration used by dermatology journals to limit bias? A meta-epidemiological study.

Reporting guidelines were created to ensure research is reported in a transparent, complete manner that minimizes reporting bias. Further, these guidelines assist editors and peer reviewers when reviewing manuscripts for publication and readers when critically appraising published articles 1. Though reporting guidelines and trial registration have been associated with improved reporting quality, the full effect of these guidelines has yet to manifest because many journals do not require their use 2. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Preparation of the Au@TiO2 nanofibers by one-step electrospinning for the composite photoanode of dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract The TiO2 nanofibers containing Au nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized via one-step electrospinning of TiO2 precursor, HAuCl4·3H2O, and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) in DMF solution followed by pyrolysis. The amount of Au NPs in the Au@TiO2 nanofibers was varied by the concentration of HAuCl4·3H2O in the electrospinning solution. The formation of the Au@TiO2 nanofibers during the pyrolysis process was characterized by SEM, TEM, TGA, and UV/Vis. Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) based on composite photoanode of the Au@TiO2 nanofibers and the TiO2 nanoparticles were investigated. The results indicated that the efficiency of the DSSC would be enhanced by the optimal amount of Au NPs (i.e., 0.5 wt.%) in the Au@TiO2 nanofibers.
A Social Safety Net: Developing a Model of Social-Support Figures as Prepared Safety Stimuli:

Although the presence of social-support figures (e.g., close friends and family members) is known to increase feelings of safety, reduce threat responses, and improve health, the route by which these effects occur is not well understood. One explanation is that social-support figures are members of a powerful category of safety signals—prepared safety stimuli. Here, we review research demonstrating that social-support figures act as prepared safety stimuli and explore the impact that these unique safety stimuli have on fear-learning processes. According to recent work, the presence of social-support figures both reduces fear acquisition and enhances fear extinction, ultimately decreasing perceptions of threat. These findings shed light on the route by which social support buffers against threat and illustrate the unique properties of prepared safety stimuli and how they might be used to improve mental and physical health outcomes.
The Role of the Programmed Death Receptor-1/Programmed Death Ligand-1: Immunologic Checkpoint in Human Papillomavirus–Associated Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Context.— There has been increasing interest in understanding the role of programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1)/programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) pathway in cancer biology and its clinical significanc...
When is Metacognition Helpful, Debilitating, or Benign?

Psychologists in many fields are interested in metacognition because it focuses attention on how people monitor and control their own thinking. Cognitive psychologists often analyze the bases and accuracy of metacognition in memory whereas educational psychologists study the role of metacognition as instrumental in self-regulated learning in academic domains. The structural and functional perspectives on metacognition are contrasted. I suggest that a functional analysis of metacognition; should be anchored in a theory, should be sensitive to changes due to development and learning, should identify context and motivating conditions, should be interpreted relative to sociocultural practices of the local community, and should examine the potential consequences of specific metacognitions. Attention to these five factors may allow researchers to identify the circumstances that make metacognitions useful, harmful, or innocuous for the person.
The Future of Paleolithic Studies: A View from the New World

Paleolithic studies have a long tradition in European and American archaeology, beginning in serious fashion with the work of John Lubbock in Britain and later with that of William Henry Holmes in the United States. Research questions that have been asked with respect to the Paleolithic period have changed dramatically over the decades, but the interest in stone tools as major sources of information on prehistoric peoples has not. In the New World, the last decade has witnessed a shift in research emphasis back to questions of culture history, but the methods and techniques now being brought to bear on the questions are entirely modern in how they address issues of cultural relatedness. Without an ability to distinguish between cases of technological convergence and cases of homologous similarity, we can never hope to untangle prehistory. The methods and techniques now being used are geared specifically for that purpose. Most important, they yield testable results as opposed to impressions. As a result, we now have unparalleled views into Paleolithic life in the New World.
Aflatoxin-Dna Interactions: Qualitative, Quantitative and Kinetic Features in Relation to Carcinogenesis

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is covalently bound to calf thymus DNA by incubation in the presence of rat liver microsomes and appropriate cofactors. Under optimum conditions, a binding level of one AFB1, residue per 18 DNA nucleotides can be attained. Acid hydrolysis of the modified DNA liberates a mixture of adducts, of which the major one, representing about 90% of bound AFB1, is 2,3-dihydro-2-(N7-guanyl) -3-hydroxyAFB1 (I). A single i.p. injection of AFB1 at a dose level of 1 mg/kg to rats produces 2 hours later maximum binding levels of 1 AFB1 residue per 8.0 × 103 DNA nucleotides in liver and 1 per 8.4 × 104 in kidney. The N7-guanyl adduct (I) represents the major DNA adduct in both organs (liver, 80%; kidney, 70%). Administration of an equitoxic dose (12 mg/kg) to mice produces 2 hour binding levels of 1 AFB1 per 4.4 × 105 DNA nucleotides in liver and 1 per 1.4 x 105 in kidney. HPLC of DNA hydrolysates from mouse tissues shows qualitatively similar patterns of adducts as in rat tissues. Both contain at least 10 minor components which are as yet only partially identified. Two are probably derivatives of the major adduct, and two others are thought to be N7 -guanyl adducts of aflatoxin P1 and M1, respectively. The major adduct (I) is efficiently removed from rat liver DNA within 24 hours after dosing. However, several of the minor adducts are more stable and accumulate in DNA as a result of repeated dosing. Thus, the minor adducts could be functionally important in carcinogenesis. The major adduct (I) is excreted in urine of rats in dose-dependent manner, and measurement of urinary excretion could form the basis of a non-invasive method for monitoring aflatoxin exposure.
Biochemical and physiological effects of copper compounds/nanoparticles on sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum)

The widespread use of copper based nanomaterials has been accompanied by an increasing interest in understanding their potential risks. It is essential to understand the effects of these nanoparticles on edible crops by performing long-term experiments at relevant exposure concentrations. Sugarcane is the source of 70% of the world's sugar supply and the widespread use of refined sugar and the consumption of raw sugarcane can provide a route for nanoparticles to enter the food supply. In order to evaluate the biochemical and physiological effects of copper nanoparticle exposure, sugarcane was grown for one year in soil amended with 20, 40, and 60 mg/kg of Kocide 3000 (a copper based fungicide), copper metal nanoparticles, micro-sized CuO, and CuCl2. The results show that stress indicators such as catalase and ascorbic peroxidase enzymatic activity in the sugarcane plant were activated by all the copper based materials at different concentrations. Sugarcane plants exposed to nearly all copper treatments showed dosage dependent increases in copper concentrations in root tissues. Translocation of copper to aerial tissues was minimal, with copper concentrations not being significantly different from controls. In addition, Chlorophyll A content was higher in plants treated with Kocide 3000 at 20 and 60 mg/kg, μCuO at 20 mg/kg, and CuCl2 at 20 and 60 mg/kg. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the effects of nano-copper compounds in sugarcane crop.
The implications of ideology on teachers’ beliefs regarding civic education

Abstract This study analyzes data from middle and high school teachers in Missouri to determine their civic education ideology, across conservative, liberal, or critical notions within the United States' context. The researchers explored the relationship between teachers’ ideologies and system justification, as well as their beliefs regarding which civic behaviors should be emphasized the classroom. Findings indicate that stronger conservative and liberal civic education ideologies relate to greater levels of system justification while favoring teaching of more passive forms of citizenship. However, critical civic education ideology is negatively associated with system justification and aligned with active forms of civic participation.
The connection between mode beliefs and mode liking: biking versus driving

This paper examines the connection between beliefs about modes and liking of modes using data from the annual Campus Travel Survey at the University of California, Davis. The analysis, which focuses on biking and driving, shows that the beliefs about these modes differ significantly but that in both cases the beliefs that the mode is fun and relaxing are more strongly correlated with liking than other beliefs.
Interacting Boson-Fermion Model of Collective States in the Odd-Gold Nuclei

While the limiting cases of the Interacting boson-fermion model are now moderately well knownl, 2) and can be related3) to familiar geometrical situations through the limiting boson symmetries, the many nuclei that lie between these limits have yet to be explored. In the present discussion, the description of collective properties of nuclei intermediate between the 0(6) and SU (3) limiting boson symmetries are considered. Specifically, some results are presented for the plication4) of the model to the h9/2 collective bands in 185–195 Au using the code5) ODDA.
Towards single-photon spectroscopy in the mid-infrared using superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors

Superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) are excellent single-photon detectors from the ultraviolet to the near-infrared. System detection efficiencies of ~ 90% are typical, with jitters on the order of 100 ps and maximum count rates of a few MHz. Recently we have begun exploring the use of SNSPDs for the detection of single mid-infrared photons in the 2 - 11 μm wavelength range for applications in astronomy and chemical sensing. In particular, we are developing arrays of SNSPDs which could potentially be used for exoplanet spectroscopy in order to identify elements in the atmospheres of exoplanets outside our solar system. Improved sensitivity for these low-energy photons has been made possible by the recent development of amorphous WSi which is now used in the fabrication of superconducting nanowire detectors. I will discuss the optimization of these detectors to enhance their detection efficiency in the midinfrared, with the ultimate goal of building a single-photon focal plane array of SNSPDs in the 2 - 11 μm band.
Can we selectively target AML stem cells

De novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML) leukemia stem cell (LSC) populations are uniquely dependent on amino acid metabolism to drive the TCA cycle and oxidative phosphorylation. Oxidative phosphorylation can be selectively downregulated in de novo AML LSC populations by perturbing amino acid metabolism via BCL2 inhibition with venetoclax. While venetoclax-based therapies have shown high response rates, not all patients achieve remission. It may be possible to prospectively identify the patients who will most likely respond to venetoclax-based treatment by analyzing the metabolic properties of individual patients. Specifically, it appears that patients who are likely to be resistant to venetoclax-based therapy are able to employ alternate metabolic pathways to drive oxidative phosphorylation.
Water, food, and the dual burden of disease in Galápagos, Ecuador

OBJECTIVE Rapid development in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) has led to changes in diet that have outpaced water and sanitation improvements, contributing to a dual burden of overweight and noncommunicable disease risk factors (OWT/NCD) and undernutrition and infectious disease symptoms (UND/ID) within individuals and households. Yet, little work has examined the joint impact of water and food exposures on the development of the dual burden. METHODS We use data from Ecuador's nationally representative Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutricion (ENSANUT-ECU) to test whether water access and quality and diet quality and security are associated with OWT/NCD and UND/ID among 1119 children and 1582 adults in Galapagos. Adjusted multinomial and logistic models were used to test the separate and joint associations between water and food exposures and the dual burden and its components at the individual and household levels. RESULTS The prevalence of the dual burden of OWT/NCD and UND/ID was 16% in children, 33% in adults, and 90% in households. Diet quality was associated with a higher risk of dual burden in individuals and households. Mild food insecurity was positively associated with the risk of dual burden at the household level. No water variable separately predicted the dual burden. Joint exposure to poor water access and food insecurity was associated with greater odds of dual burden in households. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that unhealthy diets and poor water quality contribute to the dual burden at the individual and household levels. Addressing both food and water limitations is important in LMIC.
Evaluating flood resilience in rural communities: a case-based assessment of Dyer County, Tennessee

Communities everywhere are being subjected to a variety of natural hazard events that can result in significant disruption to critical functions. As a result, community resilience assessment in these locations is gaining popularity as a means to help better prepare for, respond to, and recover from potentially disruptive events. The objective of this study was to identify key vulnerabilities relevant to addressing rural community resilience through conducting an initial flood impact analysis, with a specific focus on emergency response and transportation network accessibility. It included a use case involving the flooding of a rural community along the US inland waterway system. Special consideration was given to impacts experienced by at-risk populations (e.g., low economic status, youth, and elderly), given their unique vulnerabilities. An important backdrop to this work is recognition that Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Hazus, a free, publicly available tool, is commonly recommended by the agency for counties, particularly those with limited resources (i.e., rural areas), to use in developing their hazard mitigation plans. The case study results, however, demonstrate that Hazus, as currently utilized, has some serious deficiencies in that it: (1) likely underestimates the flood extent boundaries for study regions in a Level 1 analysis (which solely relies upon filling digital elevation models with precipitation), (2) may be incorrectly predicting the number and location of damaged buildings due to its reliance on out-of-date census data and the assumption that buildings are evenly distributed within a census block, and (3) is incomplete in its reporting of the accessibility of socially vulnerable populations and response capabilities of essential facilities. Therefore, if counties base their flood emergency response plans solely on Hazus results, they are likely to be underprepared for future flood events of significant magnitude. An approach in which Hazus results can be augmented with additional data and analyses is proposed to provide a more risk-informed assessment of community-level flood resilience.