cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Two New Species of Schoenocaulon (Liliales: Melanthiaceae) from Mexico Supported by ITS Sequence Data

Abstract Two new species of Schoenocaulon from Mexico, S. framei and S. oaxacense, are delimited by analyses of ITS sequence data and characterized by distinct morphology and biogeography. Schoenocaulon framei, a segregate from the polyphyletic S. comatum s.l., is described for the first time; S. oaxacense is elevated to species rank, based on S. caricifolium var. oaxacense, one of two monophyletic varieties comprising polyphyletic S. caricifolium s.l. Schoenocaulon framei is distinguished by unusual sunken stomata on the abaxial leaf surface and ligulate, weakly auriculate tepals, each with a smooth basal nectariferous zone; the basal perigonal gland of S. oaxacense is a glandular depression, and its tepals are ligulate. Both new species also are well-supported cladospecies with ITS sequence data according to the apomorphic species concept. Our results confirm the importance of molecular phylogenetic analyses in decisions relating to species circumscription, especially when such analyses are carefully co...
Improved Long-Term Outcome With Chemoradiotherapy Strategies in Esophageal Cancer

Background Controversy currently exists about the optimum preoperative treatment platform for locoregionally advanced esophageal cancer, namely, preoperative chemoradiotherapy (preoperative C/RT) or preoperative chemotherapy alone. We therefore reviewed sequential phase II/III trials performed at a single institution to assess the impact of preoperative chemotherapy versus preoperative C/RT strategies. Methods In all, 157 esophageal cancer patients were sequentially enrolled in phase II/III trials at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center from March 27, 1990, to March 8, 2005. The treatment approaches included preoperative chemotherapy, n=76 (INT 113 and ID90-01); preoperative C/RT, n=81 (ID96-189 and DM98-349). Analysis was by intention to treat. Factors evaluated included demographics, preoperative staging, type of surgery, pathology, adjuvant therapies, and long-term outcome. Results Adenocarcinoma predominated (85%), with cT3 (73%) and cN1 (43%). No significant difference was noted between groups in demographics or perioperative mortality. More patients with preoperative C/RT were staged with endoscopic ultrasound (52% versus 9%, p p p = 0.04). Preoperative C/RT was a significant independent predictor of improved overall survival (hazard ratio 0.58, 95% confidence interval: 0.37 to 0.90, p = 0.015) and disease-free survival (hazard ratio 0.55, 95% confidence interval: 0.35 to 0.85, p = 0.007) in multivariable regression. Conclusions In sequential phase II/III trials involving locoregionally advanced esophageal cancer patients, preoperative C/RT was associated with improved overall and disease-free survival rates ( p = 0.046 and p = 0.015, respectively) and increased pathologic complete response ( p
Effects of Metal Nanocrystals and Traps in Tunneling Rate Measurements in Metal Nanocrystal Based Carbon Nanotube Memory

The metal nanocrystal (NC) based carbon nanotube (CNT) memory device has been probed with tunneling rate measurements. Firstly, tunneling behavior at two temperatures (300K and 10K) is reported here to demonstrate the distinct charge tunneling behavior for traps versus NCs and understand their relative contributions to program operations. Low temperature measurements show clear differentiation for two regimes of quantum transport. The FN tunneling regime exhibits strong bias dependence and dominates at high electric fields producing larger tunneling rates than the direct tunneling regime. In comparison to traps, the metal NCs repel potential contours and hence produce higher electric fields that enhance tunneling. The FN tunneling diminishes when the charging of the nanocrystal or traps decreases (relaxes) the electric field in the tunnel dielectric (TD) enough for the low field direct tunneling to dominate. The direct tunneling occurs at low fields, and is less sensitive to electric fields. The NCs demonstrate faster tunneling which can be ascribed to their large tunneling cross-section compared to traps. This is despite the relative proximity of traps to the channel in our structure. Secondly, the tunneling rates for two different TDs of similar EOT (under linear approximation) have been characterized and compared. They are a homogenous evaporated SiO2 and layered dielectric consisting of an evaporated SiO2 and ALD Al2O3 stack. While the evaporated SiO2 based TD demonstrates the distinct NC versus trap tunnel rate performance, the layered TD demonstrates stronger resistance to tunneling to the NCs. This result is consistent with the low tunneling rates demonstrated in Al2O3 elsewhere. Finally, the program performance of the NC-CNT memory device is evaluated as 0.5 V threshold voltage (VT) shift for a charging pulse of 9V and 100 μs. Combining with previous results, this indicates that NC-CNT memory is a promising candidate for low voltage, fast, multi-level cell (MLC) operation with sub-lithographic (self-assembled) features for sub 30 nm FLASH memory node. From the device physics perspective, these measurements may serve as the calibration and validation for advanced tunneling calculations and device modeling for promising nanoscale charge-based non-volatile memories.
High-molecular-weight polyethylene glycol protects cardiac myocytes from hypoxia- and reoxygenation-induced cell death and preserves ventricular function

Apoptosis plays a significant role in maladaptive remodeling and ventricular dysfunction following ischemia-reperfusion injury. There is a critical need for novel approaches to inhibit apoptotic cell death following reperfusion, as this loss of cardiac myocytes can progressively lead to heart failure. We investigated the ability and signaling mechanisms of a high-molecular-weight polyethylene glycol-based copolymer, PEG 15–20, to protect cardiac myocytes from hypoxia-reoxygenation (H-R)-induced cell death and its efficacy in preserving ventricular function following extended hypothermic ischemia and warm reperfusion as relevant to cardiac transplantation. Pretreatment of neonatal rat ventricular myocytes with a 5% PEG solution led to a threefold decline in apoptosis after H-R relative to untreated controls. There was a similar decline in caspase-3 activity in conjunction with inhibition of cytochrome c release from the inner mitochondrial membrane. Treatment with PEG also reduced reactive oxygen species production after H-R, and sarcolemmal lipid-raft architecture was preserved, consistent with membrane stabilization. Cell survival signaling was upregulated after H-R with PEG, as demonstrated by increased phosphorylation of Akt, GSK-3β, and ERK1/2. There was also maintenance of cardiac myocyte β-adrenergic signaling, which is critical for myocardial function. PEG 15–20 was very effective in preserving left ventricular function following prolonged hypothermic ischemia and warm reperfusion. PEG 15–20 has a potent protective antiapoptotic effect in cardiac myocytes exposed to H-R injury and may represent a novel therapeutic strategy to decrease myocardial cell death and ventricular dysfunction at the time of reperfusion during acute coronary syndrome or following prolonged donor heart preservation.
Netflix recommendations for groups

In this era of overabundant information and content, people increasingly rely on recommender systems to identify those information items that best meet their needs and interests. Movie recommender systems, like the one used by Netflix, attempt to predict which films a given person will enjoy watching. While these systems help single individuals making decisions, they provide limited support for groups of people. This work explores how to create recommender systems for groups that can combine multiple user profiles and predict which movies a group of users will collectively enjoy the most. We built a prototype using Netflix REST API based on the results of a formative study of the watching habits of 60 actual Netflix users and examined their views of how a group recommendation system would fit in with their current habits. We conducted a preliminary evaluation with a focus group which validated our approach to group recommendations, revealing that this type of system could facilitate social interactions by sparking discussion about movies, directors, and actors among viewers. This prototype provides a valuable platform for further exploring group decision making in this context.
Empowering self-renewal and differentiation: the role of mitochondria in stem cells

Stem cells are characterized by their multi-lineage differentiation potential (pluripotency) and their ability for self-renewal, which permits them to proliferate while avoiding lineage commitment and senescence. Recent studies demonstrate that undifferentiated, pluripotent stem cells display lower levels of mitochondrial mass and oxidative phosphorylation, and instead preferentially use non-oxidative glycolysis as a major source of energy. Hypoxia is a potent suppressor of mitochondrial oxidation and appears to promote “stemness” in adult and embryonic stem cells. This has lead to an emerging paradigm, that mitochondrial oxidative metabolism is not just an indicator of the undifferentiated state of stem cells, but may also regulate the pluripotency and self-renewal of stem cells. The identification of specific mitochondrial pathways that regulate stem cell fate may therefore enable metabolic programming and reprogramming of stem cells.
Economic Development and Military Effectiveness

Abstract What makes some states more militarily powerful than others? A growing body of research suggests that certain ‘non-material’ factors significantly affect a country's ability to translate resources into fighting power. In particular, recent studies claim that democracy, Western culture, high levels of human capital, and amicable civil-military relations enhance military effectiveness. If these studies are correct, then military power is not solely or even primarily determined by material resources, and a large chunk of international relations scholarship has been based on a flawed metric. The major finding of this article, however, suggests that this is not the case. In hundreds of battles between 1898 and 1987, the more economically developed side consistently outfought the poorer side on a soldier-for-soldier basis. This is not surprising. What is surprising is that many of the non-material factors posited to affect military capability seem to be irrelevant: when economic development is taken in...
Age and sex-specific rates of leaf regeneration in the Mojave Desert moss Syntrichia caninervis

The extremely skewed female-biased sex ratio in the desert moss Syntrichia caninerviswas investigated by assessing the regeneration capacity of detached leaves. Juvenile, green, yellow-green, and brown leaves equating to approximately 0, 2, 6, and 12 yr of age, respectively, were detached from individuals of S. caninervis collected from 10 field populations and grown in a growth chamber for 58 d at a light intensity of 33‐128 mmol · m22 ·s 21. Younger leaves (0‐2 yr old) tended to have a greater viability, regenerate more quickly, extend their protonemal filaments farther, produce shoots (gametophores) more quickly, produce more shoots, and accumulate a greater biomass than older leaves (6 and 12 yr old). Among younger leaf classes, regenerating female leaves were more likely to produce a shoot than male leaves and produced more shoots than male leaves. The sexes did not differ significantly in time until protonemal emergence, linear extension of protonemata, or rate of biomass accumulation. However, protonemata of male leaves tended to emerge more quickly and produce a greater total biomass, ultimately consisting mostly of protonemata, than did female leaves. The more rapid proliferation of shoots by female leaf regenerants may help to explain the rarity of males in this species.
Nitrous Oxide Fluxes from Cultivated Areas and Rangeland: U.S. High Plains

Concentration profiles of N 2 O, a greenhouse gas, and the conservative trace gases SF 6 and the chlorofluorocarbons CFC-11, CFC-12, CFC-113, and were measured periodically through thick vadose zones at nine sites in the U.S. High Plains. The CFC and SF 6 measurements were used to calibrate a one-dimensional gas diffusion model, using the parameter identification program UCODE. The calibrated model was used with N 2 O measurements to estimate average annual N 2 O flux from both the root zone and the deep vadose zone to the atmosphere. Estimates of root-zone N 2 O fluxes from three rangeland sites ranged from near 0 to about 0.2 kg N 2 O-N ha −1 yr −1 , values near the low end of the ranges determined for native grass from other studies. Estimates of root-zone N 2 O fluxes from two fields planted to corn ( Zea mays L.) of about 2 to 6 kg N 2 O-N ha −1 yr −1 are similar to those determined for corn in other studies. Estimates of N 2 O flux from Conservation Reserve grassland converted from irrigated corn indicate that production of N 2 O is substantially reduced following conversion from cropland. Small N 2 O fluxes from the water table or from deep in the vadose zone occurred at three sites, ranging from 0.004 to 0.02 kg N 2 O-N ha −1 yr −1 . Our estimates of N 2 O flux represent space- and time-averaged values that should be useful to more fully evaluate the significance of instantaneous point flux measurements.
Productive Labor and Thought Reform in Chinese Corrections: A Historical and Comparative Analysis

The Chinese practice of productive labor and thought reform in correctional institutions is rooted in Chinese history and culture. It bears influence and reinforcement from the Western prison model of reform and rehabilitation introduced to China at the turn of the 20th century. However, it was not until the communist era that productive labor and thought reform were systematically instituted with a unified ideology and a military-style organization. This article examines productive labor and thought reform in terms of its history, rationale, process, and consequence. From a historical and comparative perspective, it shows what reference they may offer to Western corrections and how they may evolve with the open-up and reform policy in China.
Compact 1 S 1 helium wave functions

A highly compact four-parameter form for helium's approximate nonrelativistic wave function is proposed and shown to yield an energy expectation value within $0.003\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{a.u.}$ of the ``exact'' value. The wave function employs proper atomic-number-parametrized hydrogenic orbitals and a correlation function whose form is $[1+(1∕2){r}_{12}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\alpha}{r}_{12}}]$, coupled with a variationally determined expansion in ${r}_{1}$, ${r}_{2}$, and ${r}_{12}$.
Suspension feeding dynamics of anuran larvae related to their functional morphology.

The tadpoles of two anuran species, Rana sylvatica and Xenopus laevis, were fed various concentrations of two algae, Anabaena sphaerica (large filaments) and Chlorella pyrenoidosa (small unicells). Filtering rates were measured indirectly with a Coulter Counter system; buccal pumping rates were observed directly.
Incidence of male intersex in adult Pacific lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus), with a brief discussion of intersex vs. hermaphroditism in lampreys (Petromyzontiformes)

We report the incidence of male intersex in adult Pacific lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus (Richardson, 1836)) during their pre-spawning migration in fresh water. Although "hermaphrodites" have been suggested in other adult lampreys, this is the first detailed description and discussion of this phenomenon. A total of 0.5% of our adult Pacific lamprey from Willamette Falls (2 out of 427 adults) were intersex, with oocytes in the testes. This phenomenon was identifiable only by histological examination. The testes of the intersex males were immature, in the beginning stages of meiosis. One intersex male possessed primary growth or perinucleolar stage oocytes loosely interspersed throughout the testes, and the other pos- sessed at least 6 mid-vitellogenic oocytes (0.6 mm, mean long diameter) separate from the testes. Because premetamorphic lamprey can possess both female and male gonial cells, we hypothesize that intersex is a remnant larval trait and that these fish failed to fully develop into males during metamorphosis. Resume : Nous rendons compte de l'incidence d'intersexualite chez des mâles adultes de lamproie du Pacifique (Entosphe- nus tridentatus (Richardson, 1836)) durant leur migration en eau douce precedant le frai. Bien que la presence « d'herma- phrodites » ait ete suggeree chez d'autres lamproies adultes, il s'agit des premieres description et discussion detaillees de ce phenomene. Au total, 0,5 % des lamproies du Pacifique adultes de Willamette Falls recensees (2 individus sur 427 adultes) etaient intersexuelles, presentant des oocytes dans les testicules. Ce phenomene n'est observable que par un examen histolo- gique. Les testicules des mâles intersexuels etaient immatures, aux stades initiaux de la meiose. Un mâle intersexuel posse- dait des oocytes au stade de croissance primaire ou perinucleolaire dissemines ca et la dans les testicules et l'autre possedait au moins six oocytes a des stades intermediaires de la vitellogenese (diametre long moyen de 0,6 mm) separes des testicu- les. Etant donne que la lamproie premetamorphique peut presenter des cellules goniales femelles et mâles, nous avons emis l'hypothese que l'intersexualite est un caractere larvaire residuel et que ces poissons ne se sont pas developpes complete- ment en individus mâles durant la metamorphose. Mots-cles : intersexualite, gonochoriste, poisson primitif, reproduction, maturation, cyclostomes. (Traduit par la Redaction)
MATE-CLEVER: Mendelian-inheritance-aware discovery and genotyping of midsize and long indels.

Motivation: Accurately predicting and genotyping indels longer than 30 bp has remained a central challenge in next-generation sequencing (NGS) studies. While indels of up to 30 bp are reliably processed by standard read aligners and the Genome Analysis Toolkit (GATK), longer indels have still resisted proper treatment. Also, discovering and genotyping longer indels has become particularly relevant owing to the increasing attention in globally concerted projects. Results: We present MATE-CLEVER (Mendelian-inheritance-AtTEntive CLique-Enumerating Variant findER) as an approach that accurately discovers and genotypes indels longer than 30 bp from contemporary NGS reads with a special focus on family data. For enhanced quality of indel calls in family trios or quartets, MATE-CLEVER integrates statistics that reflect the laws of Mendelian inheritance. MATE-CLEVER’s performance rates for indels longer than 30 bp are on a par with those of the GATK for indels shorter than 30 bp, achieving up to 90% precision overall, with >80% of calls correctly typed. In predicting de novo indels longer than 30 bp in family contexts, MATE-CLEVER even raises the standards of the GATK. MATE-CLEVER achieves precision and recall of ∼63% on indels of 30 bp and longer versus 55% in both categories for the GATK on indels of 10–29 bp. A special version of MATE-CLEVER has contributed to indel discovery, in particular for indels of 30–100 bp, the ‘NGS twilight zone of indels’, in the Genome of the Netherlands Project. Availability and implementation: http://clever-sv.googlecode.com/ Contact: ln.iwc@mt or ln.iwc@sa Supplementary Information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Software-defined radio for OFDM transceivers

This paper presents a software-defined radio (SDR) system with reconfigurable architecture for wireless communications. As an example, adaptable orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) transceiver for standards, such as IEEE 802.11 is studied. Specifically, the baseband software implementation by using a low-power fixed-point digital signal processor (DSP) is applied to demonstrate the concept of SDRs for different standards, and different operational modes. For simplicity, two operational modes, binary phase shift keying (BPSK) and quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) of OFDM baseband transceivers are implemented. The interoperability and adaptability among these operational modes of this OFDM system is discussed. Additionally, two assembly programming approaches, straight-line method and loop method, are studied experimentally for this software reconfigurable system. Both methods employ radix-2 decimation-in-time fast Fourier transform (FFT) algorithms. Furthermore, the straight-line code has significantly fewer clock cycles than the loop code OFDM transceiver, but demands the expense of a larger program memory requirement. The performance comparison of these two methods with OFDM length versus speed (clock cycles) is presented.
Radiation safety with breast sentinel node biopsy.

Abstract Background: Sentinel lymph node biopsy with Technetium 99m sulfur colloid (Tc99m) is an evolving technique that offers the potential for improved staging of breast cancer with decreased morbidity. However, the use of radioactive materials in the operating room generates significant concern about radiation exposure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate radiation exposure to operating room personnel, pathologist, and equipment from specimens during breast sentinel lymph node biopsy. Methods: Twenty patients were injected with 0.7 to 1.1 mCi of Tc99m sulfur colloid 1.5 to 3 hours before sentinel lymph node biopsy. A calibrated Geiger counter was used to measure dose rates from the breast injection site before skin incision (n = 20), lumpectomy specimens (n = 8), and sentinel nodes (n = 20) at distances of 3, 30, and 300 cm. This represented exposure to the surgeon’s hands, surgeon’s torso, and scrub nurse, respectively. Exposure to the pathologist’s hands and torso was represented as dose-rate measurements from lumpectomy and nodal specimens. The operative instruments, trash receptacles, suction canisters, pathology slides, and cryostat machines were measured at 3 cm at the conclusion of each procedure. Specimens or equipment emitting radiation doses equal to background levels (0.04 mRem/h) were exempt from special handling and disposal. Results: The highest exposure rate was to the surgeon’s hands from the breast injection site before skin incision (34.25 mRem/h). Exposure to the surgeon’s torso measured 1.33 mRem/h, and exposure to the scrub nurse’s torso measured 0.15 mRem/h from the injection site. Exposure to the pathologist’s hands was 18.62 and 0.06 mRem/h from the lumpectomy specimen and sentinel node, respectively. Exposure to the pathologist’s torso measured 0.34 and 0.04 mRem/h from the lumpectomy specimen and sentinel node, respectively. One hundred percent of lumpectomy specimens measured above the exempt level. Thirty-two of 46 (70%) sentinel lymph nodes emitted radiation equal to the exempt background level. Seventeen of 20 trash receptacles (85%) and 4 of 12 (33%) suction canisters measured equal to background levels. All operative instruments, pathology slides, and cryostat machines were equal to background levels. Conclusions: Radiation exposure to operating room personnel, pathologists, and operative equipment during a breast sentinel node biopsy using Tc99m is minimal. A primary surgeon can perform 2,190 hours, a scrub nurse 33,333 hours, and a pathologist 14,705 hours of procedural work before surpassing Occupational Safety and Health Administration limits. Operative instruments, pathology slides, and cryostat machines do not require special handling. All lumpectomy specimens should be stored for decontamination until the dose rate equals background levels. Intraoperative dose-rate monitoring allows selective decontamination of nodal specimens, trash receptacles, and suction canisters, which decreases disposal time and cost.
Do Chinese Consumers Care About Corporate Social Responsibility

As cosmetic marketers actively embrace corporate social responsibility (CSR) and promote “ethical” or “green” products in their advertising campaigns, exploring how consumers perceive the role of CSR in the cosmetics industry isbecoming increasingly imperative. This study explores how CSR is practiced and perceived in China, the largest female consumer market in the world. Consistent with Chinese cultural values of collectivism and harmony, the results suggest that the CSR of the cosmetics business is important in China. This study opens the door for further research by investigating an under-served region and industry. Theoretical and managerial implications for cosmetic advertising strategies are discussed. Keyword: corporate social responsibility (CSR), advertising, culture, cosmetic industry, and China
Wind-Driven Circulation in a Shallow Microtidal Estuary: The Indian River Lagoon

ABSTRACT Weaver, R.J.; Johnson, J.E., and Ridler, M., 2016. Wind-driven circulation in a shallow microtidal estuary: The Indian River Lagoon. Studying wind-driven fluctuations in the surface elevation along the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) allows researchers to better understand the best methods for managing sustainable water quality in a microtidal estuary. Water quality has a direct effect not only on the marine life, but also on tourism. This study improves the knowledge of circulation and surge in a shallow, microtidal estuary while enabling validation of numerical modeling efforts. Two submersible pressure sensors were deployed in the IRL for 7 months. Data collected from these gauges is analyzed in conjunction with data from permanent gauges at Haulover Canal and Sebastian Inlet, with an emphasis placed on the relationship between surface elevation and meteorological forcing. A time series analysis was employed to correlate periods of harmonic oscillations with wind events. Analysis focused on the dire...
On realizations of Lie algebras and symmetries in classical and quantum mechanics

Realization of any Lie algebra having a faithfuln×n matrix representation and dimension less thann2 in terms of 2n canonical variables (in the classical case) or 2n creation and annihilation operators (in the quantum case) is performed. Sufficient conditions for the Hamiltonian to be invariant with respect to this algebra are presented. In addition, the Lie algebras ofSUa,b,a+b=n+1, andOc,d,c+d=n+2, are realized by functions of 2n canonical variables.
ROLE OF SYSTEMIC OCTREOTIDE IN DECREASING RECURRENT LOWER GASTROINTESTINAL BLEEDS RELATED TO ARTERIOVENOUS MALFORMATION IN PATIENTS ON SYSTEMIC ORAL ANTICOAGULATION

Arteriovenous (AV) malformations cause significant lower gasterointestinal bleeds in patients who are on oral anticoagulation for atrial fibrillation or deep venous thrombosis. This complicates the continued care of these patients and put them at significant risk for recurrent bleeds, anemia forcing
On the Form and Stylistic Feature of Network Language

With the popularity of the network and the increasing netizens,the network language emerges.The network language can generally be divided into the following types: facial make-up notation,unbending abbreviation,new word new meaning,and childrenese expression,while its stylistic feature shows agility,novelty,entertainment,iconicity and covertness.The bad network language will be eliminated by language itself and society,while the good one will be taken in by culture and enrolled into languages.
Do changes in natural gas futures prices influence changes in natural gas spot prices

Des methodes econometriques sont utilisees pour determiner si la variabilite des prix du gaz naturel sur les marches a terme influence celle des prix-spots
The Diagnosis of Orbital Mucoceles and Pyoceles with Standardized Echography

Among the periorbital lesions that affect and secondarily invade the orbit, benign mucoceles and pyoceles of the paranasal sinuses play a prominent role. The incidence of these orbital ‘Muco(pyo)celes’ among all orbital tumors ranges between 3% and 10%; they are the cause of unilateral prop-tosis in 3% to 15% of the cases (1–4, 6, 11, 12, 14). Orbital mucoceles usually originate in the frontal and adjacent ethmoidal sinuses; a mucocele rarely invades the orbit from the sphenoidal or maxillary sinuses. Therefore, an orbital mucocele is clinically suspected in a case of unilateral prop-tosis in which the globe is displaced mostly temporally and inferiorly rather than anteriorly, and in which a smoothly outlined mass can be palpated in the superonasal anterior orbit. Diplopia, pain and headaches may occur, and patients with this condition frequently give a typical history of chronic rhinological problems or severe head injury (skull fracture) long before the onset of the displacement of the globe.
Connector design for 3D printed antennas

Due to a recent growth in 3D printing technology, engineers are able to fabricate affordable and versatile antennas; however, poorly matched antenna terminations continue to limit the capabilities of 3D printed antennas. In this paper a 3D printed bowtie antenna is considered and 3D cable connectors are designed and their performance has simulated. The effect of printer resolution is examined to design the most feasible termination.
Evaluating physical quantities and learning human utilities from RGBD videos

We propose a notion of affordance that takes into account physical quantities generated when the human body interacts with real-world objects, and introduce a learning framework that incorporates the concept of human utilities, which in our opinion provides a deeper and finer-grained account not only of object affordance but also of people's interaction with objects. Rather than defining affordance in terms of the geometric compatibility between body poses and 3D objects, we devise algorithms that employ physics-based simulation to infer the relevant forces/pressures acting on body parts. By observing the choices people make in videos (particularly in selecting a chair in which to sit) our system learns the comfort intervals of the forces exerted on body parts (while sitting). We account for people's preferences in terms of human utilities, which transcend comfort intervals to account also for meaningful tasks within scenes and spatiotemporal constraints in motion planning, such as for the purposes of robot task planning.
Ultra-narrow gating of InGaAs/InP SPAD for high-detection-efficiency low-error-rate high-speed single-photon detection

An InGaAs/InP SPAD is biased and readout using RF interferometry with frequency contents spanning four harmonics, resulting in high detection efficiency >0.40, and ultra-low afterpulsing < 0.008, even at detection rates up to 108 s−1.
Modulation technique for improving temporal resolution in biphoton coincidence measurements

We propose and demonstrate a new method for temporal characterization of entangled photons based on electro-optic modulation and time shifting. Our technique reduces the resolution limits induced by the large timing jitters in single-photon detectors.
Ardener, Shirley, Fiona Armitage-Woodward, and Lidia Dina Sciama, eds. War and Women across Continents: Autobiographical and Biographical Experiences New York: Berghahn Books 204 pp., $90.00 ISBN 978-1-78533-013-1 Publication Date: February 2016

War and Women across Continents: Autobiographical and Biographical Experiences presents fascinating new insights on several well-known, and a few lesser-known, modern conflicts. The concept for the...
Special pro-resolving mediator (SPM) actions in regulating gastro-intestinal inflammation and gut mucosal immune responses

Surfaces covered by epithelial cells, termed mucosal surfaces, serve special functions as selectively permeable barriers that partition the host and the outside world. Given its close association to microbial antigens, the intestinal mucosa has evolved creative mechanisms to maintain homeostasis, to prevent excessive inflammatory responses, and to promote rapid and full inflammatory resolution. In recent years, an active role for the epithelium has been attributed to the local generation of specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) in the maintenance of immunological homeostasis. In this brief review, we highlight evidence that the epithelium actively contributes to coordination and resolution of inflammation, principally through the generation of SPMs. These autacoids are derived from omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Acting through widely expressed G-protein coupled receptors, SPMs are implicated in the resolution of acute inflammation that manifests specific, epithelial-directed actions focused on mucosal-homeostasis, including regulation of leukocyte trafficking, the generation of antimicrobial peptides, the dampening of endotoxin signaling, and the attenuation of mucosal cytokine responses.
Value of diagnostic imaging for the symptomatic male breast: Can we avoid unnecessary biopsies?

Abstract Purpose To review the use of diagnostic breast imaging and outcomes for symptomatic male patients. Methods We retrospectively evaluated 122 males who underwent diagnostic imaging for breast symptoms at our academic center. Results The majority (94%) of cases had negative or benign imaging, with gynecomastia being the most common diagnosis (78%). There were two malignancies, both of which had positive imaging. Fifteen patients underwent percutaneous biopsy, and over half (53%) were palpation-guided biopsies initiated by the referring clinician despite negative imaging. Diagnostic imaging demonstrated 100% sensitivity and 96% specificity for identifying cancer. Conclusions Malignancy is rarely a cause of male breast symptoms. Diagnostic breast imaging is useful to establish benignity and avert unnecessary biopsies.
Lattice Points in a Tetrahedron and Generalized Dedekind Sums

Let p, q be two positive integers prime to each other. One form of the reciprocity formula for the so-called Dedekind sums.
Militant Buddhism and Post-War Sri Lankan Cinematic Memory Work

Since 2009, several Sinhala films, such as Matha (2012) by Boodee Keerthisena, and Ini Avan (2012) by Asoka Handagama, have revisited the memory of the last phase of the thirty-year Sri Lankan civi...
Construction of a 16-scale concrete containment model

Abstract This paper discusses the features and construction of a 1 6 - scale reinforced-concrete containment model that has been built at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The model Light-Water-Reactor (LWR) containment building was designed and built to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) code by United Engineers and Constructors, Inc. The containment model will be tested to failure to determine its response to static internal overpressurization. The results from testing the heavily instrumented containment will be used to assess the capability of analytical methods for predicting the performance of containments subject to severe accident loads as part of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission's program on containment integrity. The scaled dimensions of the cylindrical wall and hemispherical dome are typical of a full-size containment. Features representative of a prototypical containment and included in the heavily reinforced model are equipment hatches, personnel airlocks, several small piping penetrations, and a thin steel liner attached to the concrete by headed studs.
The Lebesgue Integral (F. Riesz’s Approach)

In this chapter we introduce a notion of integration extending the Riemann integration defined and studied in Chapter 7. The reasons for this extension are numerous and we shall not go into a detailed explanation of them. Probably the most important among them is that the space of all Riemann integrable fuctions on a compact interval [a, b] ⊂ ℝ is not complete with respect to the natural “metric”: $$ ( * ) d_1 (f,g): = \int_a^b {|f(x) - g(x)|dx (\forall f,g \in \mathcal{R}([a,b]))} . $$
Improving Electrical Breakdown Strength of Polymer Nanocomposites by Tailoring Hybrid-Filler Structure for High-Voltage Dielectric Applications

In general, dielectric multifiller polymer composites have the potential to achieve enhanced performances by integrating the desirable properties of each filler. However, the improvement in thermophysical and dielectric properties is often accompanied by a deterioration of electrical breakdown strength (EBD). Here, we explore a two-filler polymer nanocomposite structure, based on polyolefins with montmorillonite and calcium carbonate fillers, and present an effective approach to obtain enhanced EBD by tailoring the composite morphology (by designing the pseudo-two-dimensional nanoclays to preferentially physisorb on the surfaces of calcium carbonates, so as to change the nature of the filler/polymer interfaces). It is shown that, in these structured polymer nanocomposites, the breakdown performance is substantially improved, exceeding the performance of the unfilled polymers and of the respective single-filler composites. The enhanced dielectric behavior originates from the specific composite morphology, ...
Heat-treated blue agave fiber composites

Abstract To meet consumer demand for low carbon-footprint transportation, automakers have been replacing high-density fillers with low-density natural fibers in polymeric composites. Torrefaction can improve natural fiber composite thermal performance, but leads to significant fiber mass loss. This study sought to balance the benefits and limitations of torrefaction by investigating the effects of low-temperature fiber heat treatment on the performance of 20 wt % agave-polypropylene composites. Heat treatment increased the thermal stability of agave fibers, but resulted in no observable change to composite thermal properties or crystallization kinetics. Additionally, treatment resulted in a reduction in rheological properties, but less than a 10% change in mechanical performance of agave composites.
Design of AlGaN-based lasers with a buried tunnel junction for sub-300 nm emission

This paper discusses the design of electrically-pumped AlGaN-based in-plane lasers emitting at ~290 nm. Our laser design utilizes strained Al0.5Ga0.5N quantum wells, and a novel polarization engineered AlGaN/InGaN/AlGaN-based tunnel junction. The low ­resistive tunnel junction is used as an intracavity contact in the device in place of the resistive p-type contact; which leads to improved hole injection and a reduced threshold voltage. Hence, room-temperature continuous-wave laser operation could be enabled. Strategies to improve the performance of the tunnel junction contact through the incorporation of low concentrations of boron in the highly-doped AlGaN tunnel junction layers as a means to increase the polarization sheet charge are also discussed.
Analogs of the β-turn of the cyclodepsipeptide didemnin B

Abstract Three side chain analogs of didemnin B were synthesized. All three analogs of the only conventional type II β-turn present in didemnin B differed in the functionality incorporated in the threonine residue. The cytotoxic activities of these analogs were evaluated, and one of them exhibited weak activity.
Drying Shrinkage and Crack Width of Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC)

ABSTRACT Drying shrinkage of an engineered cementitious composites (ECC) leads to eigenstress in the composite when restrained. If the eigenstress is higher than the tensile strength of the composite, crack formation will occur. Due to the engineered design of the composite the crack width is found to be less than 50μm, regardless of the specimen dimensions. From a durability point of view the composite can be considered as an effectively uncracked material. A physical model for the drying shrinkage deformation will be described. It will be demonstrated that at 50% relative humidity or below, the use of a Portland cement with a low alkali content for the ECC matrix reduces the drying shrinkage deformation and the crack width in comparison to an ECC with a normal alkali content cement matrix.
Test-retest reliability of the revised diplopia questionnaire.

Purpose To evaluate misclassification of diplopia “success” when using a standardized diplopia questionnaire (DQ), and to report test-retest reliability of the DQ. Methods We retrospectively identified a cohort of 100 patients with stable strabismus ( Results When defining success as rarely or never diplopic for distance, misclassification occurred in 12 (12%) of 100 (95% CI, 6%-20%). When defining success as rarely or never diplopic for distance and reading, misclassification occurred in 14 (14%) of 100 (95% CI, 8%-22%). The 95% LOA for the DQ score were 35.2 points, and ICC was 0.85 (95% CI, 0.79-0.90). Conclusions We have quantified misclassification and test-retest variability when using the DQ dichotomously or as a continuous measure, equipping the clinician to better interpret DQ outcome data in practice and research.
Facility Variability in Examination Indication Among Women With Prior Breast Cancer: Implications and the Need for Standardization.

Abstract Objective We sought to identify and characterize examinations in women with a personal history of breast cancer likely performed for asymptomatic surveillance. Methods We included surveillance mammograms (1997-2017) in asymptomatic women with a personal history of breast cancer diagnosed at age ≥18 years (1996-2016) from 103 Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium facilities. We examined facility-level variability in examination indication. We modeled the relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) at the examination level of a (1) nonscreening indication and (2) surveillance interval ≤9 months using Poisson regression with fixed effects for facility, stage, diagnosis age, surgery, examination year, and time since diagnosis. Results Among 244,855 surveillance mammograms, 69.5% were coded with a screening indication, 12.7% short-interval follow-up, and 15.3% as evaluation of a breast problem. Within a facility, the proportion of examinations with a screening indication ranged from 6% to 100% (median 86%, interquartile range 79%-92%). Facilities varied the most for examinations in the first 5 years after diagnosis, with 39.4% of surveillance mammograms having a nonscreening indication. Within a facility, breast conserving surgery compared with mastectomy (RR = 1.64; 95% CI = 1.60-1.68) and less time since diagnosis (1 year versus 5 years; RR = 1.69; 95% CI = 1.66-1.72; 3 years versus 5 years = 1.20; 95% CI = 1.18-1.23) were strongly associated with a nonscreening indication with similar results for ≤9-month surveillance interval. Screening indication and >9-month surveillance intervals were more common in more recent years. Conclusion Variability in surveillance indications across facilities in the United States supports including indications beyond screening in studies evaluating surveillance mammography effectiveness and demonstrates the need for standardization.
Predicting oak regeneration success at the stem exclusion stage of stand development in upland hardwood forests

Abstract Oaks (Quercus spp.) are becoming less abundant in most of the Central Hardwood Region of the eastern United States, and this is creating shifts in forest composition that will likely have important economic and ecological consequences. In large measure, these changes originate with deficiencies in the oak regeneration cohort preceding stand-replacement disturbances such as timber harvest. To sustain the oak resource, managers need better information on the connection between pre-harvest and early stand conditions and regeneration outcomes. In this study, we used direct observations of oak seedling dominance in the stem exclusion stage of stand development (mean age = 17.4 years) to model the probability of successful regeneration during stand initiation as a function of stand conditions before and after harvest (ages −1, 1, 4, and 7 years). For pre-harvest conditions, the most predictive model was based solely on the aggregate height of advance regeneration oak seedlings >15 cm in sample plots. As expected, post-harvest models were more predictive, and increasingly more predictive with the passage of time, and they were optimized by contrasting the height of the plot-dominant oak seedling with the heights of competing tree species. The predictive power of post-harvest models increased most between ages 1 and 4 years and only slightly between ages 4 and 7, indicating that age 4 is an optimal time to evaluate opportunities to favor oak regeneration with early silvicultural interventions. Of the two most common competitors, black birch (Betula lenta) had the more inhibitory effect on the success of oak regeneration when it was present. However, red maple (Acer rubrum) was the more important competitor because of its very high frequency of occurrence in plots occupied by oak seedlings.
Racial literacy theory into practice: teacher candidates’ responses

This article reports on a research and teaching project that brought the theory of racial literacy into practice in teacher education. Three teacher educators collaborated to develop and implement ...
The functional significance of redox-mediated intersubunit cross-linking in regulation of human type 2 ryanodine receptor

ABSTRACT The type 2 ryanodine receptor (RyR2) plays a key role in the cardiac intracellular calcium (Ca2+) regulation. We have previously shown that oxidative stress activates RyR2 in rabbit cardiomyocytes by promoting the formation of disulfide bonds between neighboring RyR2 subunits. However, the functional significance of this redox modification for human RyR2 (hRyR2) remains largely unknown. Here, we studied the redox regulation of hRyR2 in HEK293 cells transiently expressing the ryr2 gene. Analysis of hRyR2 cross-linking and of the redox-GFP readout response to diamide oxidation revealed that hRyR2 cysteines involved in the intersubunit cross-linking are highly sensitive to oxidative stress. In parallel experiments, the effect of diamide on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+ release was studied in cells co-transfected with hRyR2, ER Ca2+ pump (SERCA2a) and the ER-targeted Ca2+ sensor R-CEPIA1er. Expression of hRyR2 and SERCA2a produced “cardiac-like” Ca2+ waves due to spontaneous hRyR2 activation. Incubation with diamide caused a fast decline of the luminal ER Ca2+ (or ER Ca2+ load) followed by the cessation of Ca2+ waves. The maximal effect of diamide on ER Ca2+ load and Ca2+ waves positively correlates with the maximum level of hRyR2 cross-linking, indicating a functional significance of this redox modification. Furthermore, the level of hRyR2 cross-linking positively correlates with the degree of calmodulin (CaM) dissociation from the hRyR2 complex. In skeletal muscle RyR (RyR1), cysteine 3635 (C3635) is viewed as dominantly responsible for the redox regulation of the channel. Here, we showed that the corresponding cysteine 3602 (C3602) in hRyR2 does not participate in intersubunit cross-linking and plays a limited role in the hRyR2 regulation by CaM during oxidative stress. Collectively, these results suggest that redox-mediated intersubunit cross-linking is an important regulator of hRyR2 function under pathological conditions associated with oxidative stress.
Hydrazones as New Molecular Tools

Summary The development of new classes of molecular switches with enhanced performance and brand-new functionalities enables practitioners to push the frontiers of adaptive and biomimetic materials. The past decade has witnessed the emergence of photo- and chemically activated hydrazones as new molecular tools that can be used in addressing many of the challenges facing the field of molecular switches and machines. In this perspective, we walk through the evolution of these switches and highlight the unique dynamic and/or adaptive capabilities that they bring forth, allowing access to unprecedented opportunities. We focus on reaction cascades driven by the chemically activated switches and show how dynamic inter-molecular communication can be used in advancing a systems chemistry approach to solving challenges in the field. As for photochemically activated hydrazones, their bistability enables the multistate actuation of polymers as well as the kinetic trapping of different self-assemblies of liquid crystals, resulting in an emergent phenomenon.