cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regulation of p38 mitogen-activated kinase-mediated fetal membrane senescence by statins.

Problem Oxidative stress (OS)-induced, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK)-mediated chorioamniotic senescence and inflammation (senescence-associated secretory phenotype [SASP]) are associated with parturition. In response to OS-inducing risk factors, premature senescence contributes to preterm premature rupture of the membranes (pPROM) and spontaneous preterm birth (PTB). We determined the effect of simvastatin, rosuvastatin, and progesterone in downregulating p38MAPK-mediated senescence and SASP. Method of study Normal term, not-in-labor fetal membranes (n = 8) were exposed to cigarette smoke extract (CSE: OS inducer) alone or combined with simvastatin (100 and 200 ng/mL), rosuvastatin (100 and 200 ng/mL), and progesterone (10-6 mol/L). p38MAPK expression changes were studied by Western blot, senescence was determined by senescence-associated β-Galactosidase (SA-β-Gal) staining, and multiplex analysis determined changes associated with 4 SASP markers (IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, and GM-CSF). A pairwise comparison between groups was conducted by ANOVA. Results Compared to untreated controls, CSE induced p38MAPK-mediated senescence and SASP. CSE cotreatment with simvastatin and rosuvastatin significantly reduced p38MAPK activation, senescence (decrease in SA-β-Gal) and SASP markers, GM-CSF, and TNF, but not IL-8, while increasing anti-inflammatory IL-10 in a dose-dependent manner. Cotreatment of CSE and progesterone had no effect on reducing p38MAPK activation, senescence, or SASP. Conclusion Both simvastatin and rosuvastatin downregulated OS-induced p38MAPK activation, senescence, and SASP, while rosuvastatin showed a pronounced effect. Progesterone did not reduce OS-induced fetal membrane senescence and SASP. Simvastatin or rosuvastatin may reduce the incidences of OS-associated PTB and pPROM by preventing premature senescence and SASP.
Correlation of 2-year SRS-22r and ODI patient-reported outcomes with 5-year patient-reported outcomes after complex spinal fusion: a 5-year single-institution study of 118 patients.

OBJECTIVEPatient-reported outcomes (PROs) are often measured up to 2 years after surgery; however, prospective collection of longitudinal outcomes for 5 years postoperatively can be challenging due to lack of patient follow-up. The aim of this study was to determine whether PROs collected at 2-year follow-up accurately predict long-term PROs 5 years after complex spinal fusion (≥ 5 levels).METHODSThis was an ambispective study of 118 adult patients (≥ 18 years old) undergoing ≥ 5-level spinal arthrodesis to the sacrum with iliac fixation from January 2002 to December 2011. Patient demographics and radiographic parameters as well as intraoperative variables were collected. PRO instruments (Scoliosis Research Society [SRS]-22r function, self-image, mental health, pain, and Oswestry Disability Index [ODI]) were completed before surgery then at 2 and 5 years after surgery. Primary outcome investigated in this study was the correlation between SRS-22r domains and ODI collected at 2- and 5-year follow-up.RESULT...
Earth System Science: A Model for Teaching Science as State, Process and Understanding?

An overview of the events and activities leading to the NASA/USRA sponsored Earth System Science Education (ESSE) Program initiated in 1991 with continuation through 2006 as ESSE 21 is presented. The overview includes the rationale for seeking support from NASA for the initiation of interdisciplinary courses and collaborative efforts in the creation and sharing of interdisciplinary educational resources within the ESSE Program. The immediate motivation in 1991 for initiating the ESSE Program stemmed from the vision expressed by NASA's Earth System Sciences Committee in its presentation document, “Earth System Science, A Closer View,” which is turn was part of the Nation's 1980's focus on Global Change. Several key events and capabilities that emerged during the last century which led to and enabled the focus on Global Change nationally and internationally are summarized. Besides society's concern over the environment, for the first time satellites and computers in combination with communications provided ...
GIS and Homeland Security Education: Creating a Better Tomorrow in our Classrooms Today

The future stacks up to be a very dangerous place. To meet homeland security challenges, integrated solutions that cross discipline boundaries and incorporate new technologies like Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are required. Constructing an integrated homeland security curriculum in our classrooms today can help to shape a safer future. Developing such a curriculum that successfully incorporates the full potential of geospatial solutions including Geographic Information Systems (GIS) requires efforts on the part of GIS experts. These professionals must learn the challenges and the components of the solutions, and find ways to incorporate their expertise into those solutions and then convince experts in other disciplines who remain skeptical of unproven programs and unfamiliar technologies, of the potential benefits of integrating GIS into homeland security education.
Advanced Geometry Tutor: An intelligent tutor that teaches proof-writing with construction

Two problem solving strategies, forward chaining and backward chaining, were compared to see how they affect students' learning of geometry theorem proving with construction. In order to determine which strategy accelerates learning the most, an intelligent tutoring system, the Advanced Geometry Tutor, was developed that can teach either strategy while controlling all other instructional variable. 52 students were randomly assigned to one of the two strategies. Although computational modeling suggests an advantage for backwards chaining, especially on construction problems, the result shows that (1) the students who learned forward chaining showed better performance on proof-writing, especially on the proofs with construction, than those who learned backward chaining, (2) both forward and backward chaining conditions wrote wrong proofs equally frequently, and (3) the major reason for the difficulty in applying backward chaining appears to lie in the assertion of premises as unjustified propositions (i.e., subgoaling).
Percolation of interaction diffusing particles

The connectivity properties of systems of diffusing interacting particles with the blind and myopic diffusion rules are studied. It is found that the blind rule case is equivalent to the lattice gas with J = 0 in all dimensions. The connectivity properties of blind rule diffusion are described by random site percolation due to the fact that the density on neighboring sites is uncorrelated.
Zinc absorption by infants.

UNLABELLED Zinc is a vital mineral in human nutrition and rare cases of overt zinc deficiency are well described in term and preterm infants. A variety of methods have been developed to assess zinc absorption, retention and balance in humans, either using mass (metabolic) balance or stable isotope-based METHODS The different methods have different benefits and disadvantageous. Many studies have used such methods to examine zinc absorption in term and preterm infants. In preterm infants the main interest has been establishing whether different diets lead to positive zinc balance and approached in utero accretion rates. The earliest studies were concerning as they suggested that preterm infants may be in negative zinc balances for prolonged periods after birth. Subsequent studies have been more contradictory and it remains unclear from the literature how much zinc preterm infants absorb early in life. Nor is it clear whether poor zinc absorption during this period has any long-term consequences. Studies in term infants have suggested no such prolonged period of negative zinc balance. Generally the absorption values are in line with those used by the Institute of Medicine in the most recent edition of the Dietary Reference Intakes. Other studies have been designed to assess the effect of changes in formula composition on zinc intake (e.g. the presence or absence of lactose, high vs low zinc contents, etc.). Ho-wever, despite almost 20 studies of zinc absorption in infants many physiologically important questions remain unanswered, especially in preterm infants.
Transcatheter Repair of Pulmonary Venous Baffle Stenosis

A 47-year-old man with a history of d-transposition of the great arteries palliated with an atrial switch (Mustard) operation presented to our institution with progressive exertional dyspnea. Transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated pulmonary venous baffle stenosis, with a mean gradient of 17 mm
Experimental Evidence that Stochasticity Contributes to Bacterial Composition and Functioning in a Decomposer Community.

ABSTRACT Stochasticity emerging from random differences in replication, death, mutation, and dispersal is thought to alter the composition of ecological communities. However, the importance of stochastic effects remains somewhat speculative because stochasticity is not directly measured but is instead inferred from unexplained variations in beta-diversity. Here, we performed a field experiment to more directly disentangle the role of stochastic processes, environmental selection, and dispersal in the composition and functioning of a natural bacterial decomposer community in the field. To increase our ability to detect these effects, we reduced initial biological and environmental heterogeneity using replicate nylon litterbags in the field. We then applied two treatments: ambient/added precipitation and bacterial and fungal dispersal using “open” litterbags (made from 18.0-μm-pore-size mesh) (“open bacterial dispersal”) versus bacterial and fungal dispersal using “closed” litterbags (made from 22.0-μm-pore-size mesh) (“closed bacterial dispersal”). After 5 months, we assayed composition and functioning by the use of three subsamples from each litterbag to disentangle stochastic effects from residual variation. Our results indicate that stochasticity via ecological drift can contribute to beta-diversity in bacterial communities. However, residual variation, which had previously been included in stochasticity estimates, accounted for more than four times as much variability. At the same time, stochastic effects on beta-diversity were not attenuated at the functional level, as measured by genetic functional potential and extracellular enzyme activity. Finally, dispersal was found to interact with precipitation availability to influence the degree to which stochasticity contributed to functional variation. Together, our results demonstrate that the ability to quantify stochastic processes is key to understanding microbial diversity and its role in ecosystem functioning. IMPORTANCE Randomness can alter the diversity and composition of ecological communities. Such stochasticity may therefore obscure the relationship between the environment and community composition and hinder our ability to predict the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. This study investigated the role of stochastic processes, environmental selection, and dispersal in microbial composition and its functioning on an intact field community. To do this, we used a controlled and replicated experiment that was similar to that used to study population genetics in the laboratory. Our study showed that, while the stochastic effects on taxonomic composition are smaller than expected, the degree to which stochasticity contributes to variability in ecosystem processes may be much higher than previously assumed.
A review of friction stir–based processes for joining dissimilar materials

This paper covers a detailed study of friction stir–related processes with the focus on joining dissimilar materials. First, the effects of the process parameters and tool geometries on weld mechanical properties, defects, and weld microstructure along with the formation and growth of intermetallics are systematically reviewed. Process-structure-property relationships are discussed in details. Second, the paper summarizes different physical models that have been developed for friction stir–related process. A specific session on modeling dissimilar material joining is provided. The objective of these models is to determine the temperature profile, stress, and strain distribution along with material flow field based on the input process parameters and tool geometries. By further implementing these results into microstructure evolution and material property models, the dissimilar material weld mechanical performance can be predicted eventually. Third, recently developed friction stir variants for process improvement and joint quality enhancement are discussed. Finally, potential future research directions are recommended in conclusion.
Hospice Photography’s Effects on Patients, Families, and Social Work Practice

This qualitative study examined the influence of hospice photography on patients' end-of-life experiences, families' experiences with hospice and grief, and hospice social work practice. Hospice photography was defined in this study as photographs of hospice patients taken by social workers in the service of legacy construction. Six social workers were interviewed about the photographs they had previously taken of patients. The themes revealed were categorized as hospice photography's perceived and potential effects on patients, families, and practice and the role of smartphone technology. The data suggested that hospice photography may positively affect patients, families, and practice due to its reported ability to build and enhance rapport, facilitate therapeutic discussion, affirm patients' dignity, worth, and self-esteem, provide opportunities for bearing witness, and increase social workers' job satisfaction. Potential effects of the use of hospice photography in social work practice included the ability to tangibly contextualize the end-of-life experience; improve termination and closure; and provide comfort during the grieving process.
Temporal Dynamics of the Blueberry Maggot Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) and its Primary Parasitoid, Biosteres melleus (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), in the Maine Wild Blueberry System.

Between 1998 and 2017, we conducted studies in wild blueberry, Vaccinium angustifolium Aiton (Ericales: Ericaceae), to elucidate the temporal dynamics of the blueberry maggot fly, Rhagoletis mendax Curran, and its parasitoid, Biosteres melleus (Gahan). A predictive model for the emergence of R. mendax was validated at two sites over 3 yr. A second predictive model for the major parasitoid, B. melleus, of R. mendax was constructed and suggests that the delay in emergence of the parasitoid relative to its host provides a period or ‘biological window’ of 9 d where insecticide sprays can be applied to manage R. mendax with a limited impact on the parasitoid. A 20-yr study on the parasitoid/host dynamics showed parasitism rates ranging from 0.5 to 28.2%. It appears that R. mendax populations in Maine wild blueberry are characterized by stable equilibrium dynamics, significantly affected by stochastic processes. There was a weak, but significant relationship between B. melleus density and R. mendax intrinsic rates of growth. Our data suggest that R. mendax population dynamics in wild blueberry is characterized by an unstable equilibrium tipping point of 7.9 maggots per liter of blueberries or an average of 10 flies per trap.
Multilocus sequence typing technique research on 35 strains of Neisseria meningitidis C serogroup isolated from Guangdong province, 2003-2011

流行性脑脊髓膜炎(流脑)近年来在广东省发病维持在低水平,但流行菌群有不断变迁趋势,B、C群菌株已成为主要致病菌群之一.本研究采用多位点序列分析(MLST),对2003-2011年广东省保存的35株C群脑膜炎奈瑟菌(Nm)分离株开展分子流行病学研究,探讨菌株间遗传进化关系. 关键词：脑膜炎奈瑟菌;多位点序列分析
Pediatric Boot Camp Series: Longitudinal Care for a Child With Asthma-From the Emergency Department to Outpatient Clinic.

Introduction Childhood asthma is a major source of worldwide morbidity and mortality. Successful management requires a broad spectrum of skills. Given the prevalence, medical students should be pro...
Short course gamma tocopherol did not mitigate effects of ozone on airway inflammation in asthmatics

Ozone (O3) is a commonly encountered oxidant pollutant, which is a frequent trigger of asthma exacerbations (Bromberg 2016). We and others have shown that short term O3 exposure results in lung fun...
Injury-severity analysis of lane change crashes involving commercial motor vehicles on interstate highways.

Abstract Introduction: One of the challenging tasks for drivers is the ability to change lanes around large commercial motor vehicles. Lane changing is often characterized by speed, and crashes that occur due to unsafe lane changes can have serious consequences. Considering the economic importance of commercial trucks, ensuring the safety, security, and resilience of freight transportation is of paramount concern to the United States Department of Transportation and other stakeholders. Method: In this study, a mixed (random parameters) logit model was developed to better understand the relationship between crash factors and associated injury severities of commercial vehicle crashes involving lane change on interstate highways. The study was based on 2009–2016 crash data from Alabama. Results: Preliminary data analysis showed that about 4% of the observed crashes were major injury crashes and drivers of commercial motor vehicles were at-fault in more than half of the crashes. Acknowledging potential crash data limitations, the model estimation results reveal that there is increased probability of major injury when lane change crashes occurred on dark unlit portions of interstates and involve older drivers, at-fault commercial vehicle drivers, and female drivers. The results further show that lane change crashes that occurred on interstates with higher number of travel lanes were less likely to have major injury outcomes. Practical Applications: These findings can help policy makers and state transportation agencies increase awareness on the hazards of changing lanes in the immediate vicinity and driving in the blind spots of large commercial motor vehicles. Additionally, law enforcement efforts may be intensified during times and locations of increased unsafe lane changing activities. These findings may also be useful in commercial vehicle driver training and driver licensing programs.
Gender Bias in Employment: Implication for Social Work and Labor Studies

Gender bias in employment is not a new phenomenon. The historical devalued status of women and equity-seeking groups preserved in cultural and social gendered roles permeates the workplace and contributes to institutional structures which are fashioned by and reproduced through traditional norms and mores relegating women and equity-seeking groups to secondary status roles. The question then becomes is the continuation of these reinforced structural norms in the best long-term interest of all humanity? What are we giving up when we relegate over half of the world’s population to secondary and devalued status? What gains could be made if all workers were given the same opportunities, supports, and encouragements to reach their full potential.
Cardiac application of embryonic stem cells

Cardiomyocytes deceased during myocardial infarction (MI) are replaced with non-contractile scar tissue, whichhas a great chance to cause heart failure. Repair of dead or injured myocardium and improvement of cardiac function remain aserious challenge for the therapy of heart failure. Recently, stem cells have been transplanted in experimental settings to re-place lost myocardium. This article summarizes the recent experimental findings on transplantation of embryonic stem cells(ESCs) and their derived cells in animals with myocardial injury and highlights the progresses in research of these particularcell types. Beneficial effects of cell transplantation with other cell types in injured hearts have been detailed in other reviews.ESCs are pluripotent cells derived from early mammalian embryos at the blasto-stage. These cells have the capacity for pro-longed undifferentiated proliferation or differentiation into all of specialized somatic cell types of the body in culture, includingcardiomyocytes. Be at ability of proliferation and differentiation to mature tissues, ESCs are a potential valuableresource for cell therapy targeting regeneration of functional myocardium in diseased hearts. In recent animal studies intramyo-cardial transplantation of ESCs or their differentiated cardiac-like cells regenerated injured myocardium and improved heartfunction in infarcted animal models. In addition, intravenous infusion of ESCs significantly increased the survival rate and at-tenuated myocardial injury in viral myocarditic mice. Development and characterization of cardiomyocytes in vitro from humanESCs have been reported recently. However, many ethical, political, and scientific barriers have to be overcome before clini-cal utilization of human ESCs and their differentiated cells for treating end-stage cardiac diseases.
Theorizing Home in the Academy: Chicana Doctoral Student Testimonios From the Borderlands:

This article focuses on the educational journeys of two Chicana doctoral students born and raised along the U.S.–Mexico border. These scholars analyze how the intersection of their multiple identit...
Proximate sources of growth in neighborhood income segregation: Class-selective migration versus in situ change.

Abstract The growth in residential segregation by income implies an increase over time in the neighborhood income gap between rich and poor households. This analysis uses data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, in concert with tract-level decennial U.S. census data, to quantify the relative contribution of two proximate sources of this increase: change in the income-class-selectivity of inter-neighborhood migrants and change in the class difference in neighborhood income among non-migrants, or in situ change. Change in the income-class-selectivity of migrants is likely to be particularly important for explaining the increase in the neighborhood income gap among blacks to the extent that declining housing discrimination enables middle-class blacks to access higher-income neighborhoods. Decomposition of the change between 1980 and 1990 in the class difference in neighborhood income shows that, among blacks, the increase in the neighborhood income gap between rich and poor persons is attributable in large measure to a change in migrant selectivity. An increase in the class difference in average income among the destination neighborhoods of short-distance migrants is a particularly important source of the growth in the class difference in neighborhood income among blacks. In contrast, among whites, the bulk of the increase in the class difference in neighborhood income is attributable to a divergence in neighborhood income between rich and poor non-migrants.
Characterization of the slowly inactivating sodium current INa2 in canine cardiac single Purkinje cells

The aim of our experiments was to investigate by means of a whole cell patch-clamp technique the characteristics of the slowly inactivating sodium current (I(Na2)) found in the plateau range in canine cardiac Purkinje single cells. The I(Na2) was separated from the fast-activating and -inactivating I(Na) (labelled here I(Na1)) by applying a two-step protocol. The first step, from a holding potential (V(h)) of -90 or -80 mV to -50 mV, led to the quick activation and inactivation of I(Na1). The second step consisted of depolarizations of increasing amplitude from -50 mV to less negative values, which led to the quick activation and slow inactivation of I(Na2). The I(Na2) was fitted with a double exponential function with time constants of tens and hundreds milliseconds, respectively. After the activation and inactivation of I(Na1) at -50 mV, the slope conductance was very small and did not change with time. Instead, during I(Na2), the slope conductance was larger and decreased as a function of time. Progressively longer conditioning steps at -50 mV resulted in a progressive decrease in amplitude of I(Na2) during the subsequent test steps. Gradually longer hyperpolarizing steps (increments of 100 ms up to 600 ms) from V(h) -30 mV to -100 mV were followed on return to -30 mV by a progressively larger I(Na2), as were gradually more negative 500 ms steps from V(h) -30 mV to -90 mV. At the end of a ramp to -20 mV, a sudden repolarization to approximately -35 mV fully deactivated I(Na2). The I(Na2) was markedly reduced by lignocaine (lidocaine) and by low extracellular [Na(+)], but it was little affected by low and high extracellular [Ca(2+)]. At negative potentials, the results indicate that there was little overlap between I(Na2) and the transient outward current, I(to), as well as the calcium current, I(Ca). In the absence of I(to) and I(Ca) (blocked by means of 4-aminopyridine and nickel, respectively), I(Na2) reversed at 60 mV. In conclusion, I(Na2) is a sodium current that can be initiated after the inactivation of I(Na1) and has characteristics that are quite distinct from those of I(Na1). The results have a bearing on the mechanisms underlying the long plateau of Purkinje cell action potential and its modifications in different physiological and pathological conditions.
Islet cell tumor in a neonate: diagnosis by selective angiography and histological findings.

Congenital islet cell adenomas of the pancreas are rare. Fewer than 20 cases have been documented.1,2 The purpose of this article is to present what we believe is the first case in which a preoperative diagnosis of an insulinoma was established by selective angiography in a neonate and to describe the histological findings. CASE REPORT A girl weighing 2,759 gm was the product of a normal 38-week pregnancy with an uncomplicated labor and delivery. The one- and five-minute Apgar scores were 8 and 9. At 19 hours of age she was observed to be cold, pale, and diaphoretic. A sepsis evaluation was initiated.
Discrete Soluble Forms of Middle and High Molecular Weight Neurofilament Proteins in Dilute Aqueous Buffers

Abstract Neurofilament proteins purified from bovine spinal cord were characterized by sedimentation studies in aqueous buffers. In 10 mM Tris, pH 8, the middle molecular weight neurofilament protein (NF-M) has a sedimentation coefficient, S20,w, of 2.6 S. Sedimentation equilibrium data shows considerable nonideality; extrapolation to infinite dilution and correction for the primary charge effect yield a molecular weight of 1.09 X 10(5), indicative of a monomeric structure. When the ionic strength was increased, the sedimentation coefficient increased slightly, and the protein began to form larger aggregates. Reconstitution of short intermediate filaments was observed upon dialysis of denatured NF-M versus a reconstitution buffer. A circular dichroism spectrum of NF-M in 10 mM Tris was typical of alpha + beta proteins. High molecular weight neurofilament protein (NF-H) showed a considerable tendency to aggregate in 10 mM Tris, but a principal species with a sedimentation coefficient of 3.2 S was observed, and sedimentation equilibrium data also suggest a monomeric structure.
Dynamic Fatigue of a Titanium Silicate Glass

A dynamic fatigue study was performed on a Titanium Silicate Glass in order to assess its susceptibility to delayed failure. Fracture mechanics techniques were used to analyze the results for the purpose of making lifetime predictions for optical elements made from this material. The material has reasonably good resistance (N=23 to stress corrosion in ambient conditions).
Environmental variation, hybridization, and phenotypic diversification in Cuatro Ciénegas pupfishes

Hybridization can generate novel phenotypes, and in combination with divergent selection along environmental gradients, can play a driving role in phenotypic diversification. This study examined the influence of introgressive hybridization and environmental variation on the phenotypic diversity of two pupfish species (Cyprinodon atrorus and Cyprinodon bifasciatus) endemic to the Cuatro Cienegas basin, Mexico. These species occupy opposite environmental extremes and are comprised of multiple, intraspecifically isolated populations. However, interspecific hybridization occurs to various degrees within connecting, intermediate environments. Using geometric morphometric analysis, extensive variation of body shape was observed between and within species, and phenotypic variation was strongly correlated with environmental conditions. Furthermore, some introgressed populations exhibited unique phenotypes not found in either of the parents, and overall morphospace occupation was significantly higher in introgressed populations when compared to the parentals. Overall, we find environmental variation and transgressive segregation both appear to have been important in shaping phenotypic variation in this system.
Kucana v. Holder and Judicial Review of the Decision Not to Reopen Sua Sponte in Immigration Removal Proceedings

Motions to reopen allow aliens facing removal to have their case reexamined by the Board of Immigration Appeals in light of new evidence or intervening events, and are an important procedural safeguard in immigration removal proceedings. Parties may move to reopen, and the Board may also reopen removal proceedings under its sua sponte authority. Although federal courts of appeals may review final removal decisions, the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRIRA) severely curtailed the ability of federal courts to review final removal decisions. Prior to 2010, circuits were split on the issue of whether motions to reopen were reviewable by federal courts in light of IIRIRA. In Kucana v. Holder, the U.S. Supreme Court held that a decision to reopen made pursuant to a party’s motion was reviewable since the discretion to grant or deny such a motion had derived from a regulation promulgated by the Attorney General. The Court held that the Executive could not use regulations alone to change the ability of the federal courts to review their decisions, but bracketed the issue of whether the decision not to reopen sua sponte could be reviewed under this same logic. Following the Court’s decision in 2010, the courts of appeals are divided over whether such decisions are reviewable; some circuits have determined that they lack jurisdiction based on pre-Kucana case law, while others have urged a reconsideration of pre-Kucana decisions in light of the Supreme Court’s reasoning. This Note argues that the decision not to reopen sua sponte should be subject to judicial review under the same reasoning applied in Kucana. Review of these decisions would also be in line with the Supreme Court’s movement toward greater judicial review of federal immigration decisions.
Measurement of polarization group velocity dispersion in optically active and organic materials using entangled photons

Summary form only given. We adapted a quantum interferometric technique for measuring the relative delay between two oppositely polarized photons to measure the delay between right and left-polarized light in optically active materials. Measuring the delay of photons passing through a solution of organic molecules can be used to measure its concentration. A test to measure the delay between right- and left-polarized light passing through glucose is performed to demonstrate the feasibility of this method to measure concentrations of similar molecules. The setup measures the interference (intensity correlation) of two entangled photons of opposite polarization after passing through a sample.
The Phoenician City-states of Tyre and Sidon in Ancient Jewish Texts

Abstract Interpreted against the historical situation in the Levant of the first millennium BCE, ancient Jewish texts reflect the historical situation of the time in which they were written. Based on this assumption, we propose in this article that ancient Jewish materials speak of the city-states of Tyre and Sidon in three divergent ways that reflect three distinct socio-historical situations. The first grouping, represented primarily by the books of Amos and Hosea, reflects the pre-Persian or late Persian historical situation. These books speak of Tyre as the dominant economic polity in the Levant, whereas an economically weaker Sidon receives little coverage, if any. The second large grouping, represented primarily by the DtrH, addresses the Persian-period historical situation. We propose the DtrH materials coincide with the Persian-period compositional date when placed against the historical situation of the mid-6th4th centuries BCE. The third category of ancient Jewish texts does not differentiate be...
High open-circuit voltage dye-sensitized solar cells based on a nanocomposite photoelectrode

A high open-circuit voltage dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC), based on a ZnO/TiO2 nanocomposite (NC) photoelectrode, was presented. This NC photoelectrode was composed of density-controlled ZnO-TiO2 core-shell nanorod arrays and dispersed TiO2 nanoparticles. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results confirmed that a reduced recombination loss was achieved by applying the proposed composite nanostructure. Thus, a higher open-circuit voltage of up to 0.93 V was achieved.
Insights from quartz cathodoluminescence zoning into crystallization of the Vinalhaven granite, coastal Maine

The Vinalhaven intrusive complex provides field and petrographic evidence for multiple replenishments of mafic and silicic magmas, mingling and limited mixing, and rejuvenation of granite. Quartz in granitic rocks preserves a record of those processes, in the form of cathodoluminescence (CL) zoning, which is related to concentration of titanium, and to temperature of crystallization using the new TitaniQ (Ti in quartz) geothermometer. Injection of mafic melts into partly crystalline Vinalhaven granite resulted in partial quartz resorption followed by higher-temperature growth from H2O-undersaturated melt. This is shown by steep, rimward increases in CL intensity and Ti content across discordant boundaries that truncate older growth zones. Quartz zoning in granite affected by mafic magmas displays large rimward jumps in Ti content, whereas quartz in granitic feeders and in granite far from mafic rocks typically displays broad rims with decreasing Ti contents, consistent with slow cooling without thermal disruptions due to mafic recharge.
Copulatory Behavior and Reproduction in the Binturong, Arctictis binturong

Observations of binturongs ( Arctictis binturong ) in captivity revealed that copulation was usually arboreal and was characterized by repeated mounts with multiple bouts of intravaginal thrusting. Receptive females showed increased activity, a vaginal mucous discharge, and increased frequency of two vocalizations. Neck-biting was absent, but tail wrapping was unique to the female. Known-aged females first copulated at a mean age of 30.4 months (range = 12.9–47.9), and conceived for the first time at 30.0 months (range = 139–47.9). Males copulated for the first time at 27.7 months (range = 13–45.7). Both sexes can remain fertile until at least 15 years old. The maximum life-time productivity in captivity was estimated to be 23 young. Quantitative reproductive data obtained from a zoo survey revealed that binturongs breed year-round, but show a pronounced birth peak from January through March. Estrous cycles averaged 81.8 days and copulations were seen over a period of 1 to 15 days (X = 6.1), suggesting a long period of estrus. Mean gestation was 91.1 days (range = 84–99), litter size ranged from one to six (X = 1.98), and the sex ratio at birth was not significantly different from 1:1. The prenatal growth rate was approximately 3.5g/foetus/day; neonatal weight ranged from 283.8 to 340.5 g (X = 319), or about 2.9% of the nonpreganant female's weight.
An analytical method to evaluate cooling rates during cryopreservation protocols for organs

A simple, graphical procedure has been established to estimate the cooling rates at a specified location and temperature in a biological medium frozen by imposing a constant cooling rate at the outer surface. The graphical procedure also facilitates the determination of the outer surface temperature at the instant a given temperature has been attained in a specific location. The results obtained through a numerical study using finite elements can be applied to biological media with various chemical compositions including different concentrations of cryoprotective agents.
Phenolic Acid Content and Composition in Leaves and Roots of Common Commercial Sweetpotato (Ipomea batatas L.) Cultivars in the United States

Phenolic acids in commercially important sweet potato cultivars grown in the United States were analyzed using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, 4,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid, and 3,4-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid were well separated with an isocratic elution in less than 25 min compared to about 120 min for analyzing and re-equilibrating the column with a gradient method. The isocratic elution order of these caffeoylquinic acid derivatives was confirmed by LC-MS/MS. Chlorogenic acid was the highest in root tissues, while 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid and/or 4,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid were predominant in the leaves. Steam cooking resulted in statistically nonsignificant increases in the concentration of total phenolics and all the individual phenolic acids identified. Sweetpotato leaves had the highest phenolic acid content followed by the peel, whole root, and flesh tissues. However, there was no significant difference in the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity between purees made from the whole and peeled sweet potatoes.
Injection control technique for high speed switching with a double gate PNM-IGBT

We proposed a PNM-IGBT [1] that can realize performance close to the theoretical limit shown by Nakagawa, et, al [2, 3]. In that work, we confirmed PNM-IGBT can achieve a very low saturation voltage due to its great injection enhancement effect. However, it is accompanied by a slight increase in turn-off-loss. We believe that we can diminish this increase by our unique control technique. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a fundamentally new IGBT control technique. By combining this control technique and PNM-IGBT, it becomes possible to achieve both a low saturation voltage and fast switching speed. To demonstrate the above hypothesis, we have developed a double gate PNM-IGBT, and confirmed a decrease in turn-off-loss of 30% using this technique.
Region‐specific constitutive gene expression in the adult porcine meniscus

The knee meniscus exhibits extensive spatial variations in native healing capacity, biochemical composition, and cell morphology that suggest the existence of distinct phenotypes for meniscus cells. Constitutive gene expression levels of appropriate extracellular matrix proteins may serve as useful molecular markers of cellular phenotypes; however, relatively little is known of variations in the gene expression for meniscus cells of different regions of the tissue. The objective of the present study was to evaluate constitutive differences between radial inner and outer regions in gene expression for extracellular matrix proteins relevant to the meniscus. A secondary objective was to determine if these region-specific differences in gene expression are maintained after periods of monolayer culture. The innermost regions of the meniscus were found to constitutively express higher mRNA levels for proteins highly expressed in articular cartilage, including aggrecan, type II collagen, and NOS2. In contrast, the outer meniscus was found to contain higher gene expression for proteins associated with fibrous tissues including type I collagen, and the proteases MMP2 and MMP3. Isolated inner and outer meniscus cells maintained these region-specific gene expression patterns for collagens and proteoglycans during short-term monolayer culture. The results provide new information that suggests the utility of constitutive gene expression levels as molecular markers to distinguish tissue and cells of the inner and outer meniscus.
A universal code for environmental management of products

The UPC code has provided a foundation for efficient product supply chains, the proliferation of products, and the development of superstores. Extension of the universal product code could make reuse and recycling of consumer products more efficient, and provide a foundation for recycling more types of products. Three types of applications are discussed. Use of product codes in existing recycling and refurbishing enterprises (1) is a baseline application that may be cost-effective. Use of product codes for automated sorting of recyclables (2) is technically challenging, may be cost-effective as a follow-on application, and would provide potential for increased recycling of small appliances, small electronics, batteries, and other small goods. A universal product code also provides a basis for recycling innovations, such as recycling rebates and online market applications (3) that could increase reuse and recycling. Voluntary private sector implementation is feasible, with coordination between recyclers, manufacturers, retailers, government, and non-governmental organizations, although recycling regulation and legislation may be necessary for effective development of recycling programs.
Reactivity of the Gold/Water Interface During Selective Oxidation Catalysis

The selective oxidation of alcohols in aqueous phase over supported metal catalysts is facilitated by high-pH conditions. We have studied the mechanism of ethanol and glycerol oxidation to acids over various supported gold and platinum catalysts. Labeling experiments with (18)O(2) and H(2)(18)O demonstrate that oxygen atoms originating from hydroxide ions instead of molecular oxygen are incorporated into the alcohol during the oxidation reaction. Density functional theory calculations suggest that the reaction path involves both solution-mediated and metal-catalyzed elementary steps. Molecular oxygen is proposed to participate in the catalytic cycle not by dissociation to atomic oxygen but by regenerating hydroxide ions formed via the catalytic decomposition of a peroxide intermediate.
Multiple sources of uncertainty affect metrics for ranking conservation risk under climate change

Aim Ecological niche modelling is one of the main tools that allows for the incorporation of climate change effects into conservation planning. For example, ecological niche model predictions can be used to rank species by degree of predicted future habitat loss. While many studies have considered how different modelling decisions contribute to uncertainty in niche model outputs, here we evaluate how metrics used to rank species by conservation risk respond to the choice of global climate models, greenhouse gas emission scenarios, suitable versus unsuitable threshold values, and the degree of model complexity. Location California, USA. Methods We built ecological niche models for 153 species of reptiles and amphibians. Reduced complexity models were compared to default complexity models using AICc to select climate variables and tune Maxent' s built-in regularization parameter. We predicted the distribution of climatically suitable habitat under future (2041–2060) climate conditions according to 11 global climate models, four representative concentration pathways, and three threshold values. Two metrics to rank species by predicted future loss of climatically suitable habitat were calculated for each set of modelling decisions. To determine the effects of modelling decisions on rankings, we used mixed models. Results Our results indicate that while individual modelling decisions had relatively small effects on species ranks alone, in combination, they lead to very different conservation assessments. Main conclusions We recommend that a wide range of modelling decisions be explored and that variation in ranks across runs be reported as a first step in identifying the uncertainty in rank metrics used for assessing conservation risk under changing, but uncertain climate predictions.
The Baardhere Dam and Water Infrastructure Project in Somalia—Ethiopia's objection and the World Bank response

Abstract Unilateral action by riparian states has been, by and large, the dominant approach for planned measures on shared watercourses. In planning and executing such measures, riparian states do not usually undertake any consultations with, or notification to, the other riparians, unless required to do so by an existing agreement or arrangement. The perceived sovereignty over international watercourses and the absence of a globally-binding treaty have been the main reasons for these actions. Despite this situation, the World Bank has, over the years, developed detailed policies and procedures for notification to, and for dealing with objections from, other riparians, for the projects it plans to finance. This paper discusses and analyses those policies and procedures, compares their main features with those of other international instruments, and examines their application by the World Bank to the Baardhere Dam and Water Infrastructure Project in Somalia, to which Ethiopia objected. Citation Salman, S. ...
Recognizing clothes patterns for blind people by confidence margin based feature combination

Clothes pattern recognition is a challenging task for blind or visually impaired people. Automatic clothes pattern recognition is also a challenging problem in computer vision due to the large pattern variations. In this paper, we present a new method to classify clothes patterns into 4 categories: stripe, lattice, special, and patternless. While existing texture analysis methods mainly focused on textures varying with distinctive pattern changes, they cannot achieve the same level of accuracy for clothes pattern recognition because of the large intra-class variations in each clothes pattern category. To solve this problem, we extract both structural feature and statistical feature from image wavelet subbands. Furthermore, we develop a new feature combination scheme based on the confidence margin of a classifier to combine the two types of features to form a novel local image descriptor in a compact and discriminative format. The recognition experiment is conducted on a database with 627 clothes images of 4 categories of patterns. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method significantly outperforms the state-of-the-art texture analysis methods in the context of clothes pattern recognition.
The synthesis of [1]benzothieno[2,3‐c]quinolines, [1]benzothieno[2,3‐c][1,2,4]triazolo[4,3‐a]quinoline, and [1]benzothieno[2,3‐c]tetrazolo[1,5‐a]quinoline

Photocyclization of 3-chloro-N-phenylbenzo[b]thiophene-2-carboxamide 10 afforded [1]benzothieno[2,3-c]-quinolin-6(5H)-one 11 which was chlorinated to 6-chloro[1]benzothieno[2,3-c]quinoline 12 followed by dechlorination to give [1]benzothieno[2,3-c]quinoline 5. A series of 6-substituted alkoxy and thioalkoxy[1]benzothieno[2,3-c]quinoline derivatives were prepared along with the N-methyl quaternary salt 13 of 5. 6-Chloro[1]-benzothieno[2,3-c]quinoline 12 was converted into 6-hydrazino[1]benzothieno[2,3-c]quinoline 23 which upon treatment with formic acid yielded [1]benzothieno[2,3-c][1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]quinoline 6. Treatment of 23 with nitrous acid resulted in [1]benzothieno[2,3-c]tetrazolo[1,5-a]quinoline 7. Compounds 6 and 7 are novel heterocyclic ring systems.