cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Canadian Winter' of Edward Sapir

SUMMARYContrary to the commonly-held view advanced in the literature and by Edward Sapir (1884-1939) himself that he hibernated in Canadian exile, most of the linguistic work and the initial culture and personality theorizing upon which his reputation rests were done while he was head of the Division of Anthropology within the Canadian Geological Survey, Ottawa (1910-25). Despite personal tragedy and successful competition for funds with the (World War I) effort, Sapir professionalized ethnolinguistic work on Canadian native languages, co-ordinated and did fieldwork, and published more than he had or would in positions he held in the United States (University of Chicago, 1925-31, and Yale University, 1931-39)RESUMEContrairement a ce qu'on pense en general et a ce qu'a suggere Sapir lui-meme, parlant de son hivernage dans l'exil canadien, la plus grande partie de ce qui fonde son renom — ceuvre linguistique et mise en theorie de la culture et de la personnalite primitives - date de Pepoque ou il etait directeur du Departement d'anthropologie, dans le cadre du Releve geologique du Canada. Malgre son drame personnel et l'impossibilite de concurrencer, en matiere de flnancement, I'effort de querre (de la premiere guerre mondiale); Sapir a reussi a faire de l'etude ethno-linguistique des langues autochtones du Canada une specialite reconnue, a coor-donner et a realiser lui-meme d'importants travaux sur le terrain et a publier plus qu'il n'avait ou n'aurait fait aux postes occupes par lui aux Etats-Unis (Uni-versite de Chicago, 1925-31, et Universite de Yale, 1931-39).
Early Successional Microhabitats Allow the Persistence of Endangered Plants in Coastal Sand Dunes

Many species are adapted to disturbance and occur within dynamic, mosaic landscapes that contain early and late successional microhabitats. Human modification of disturbance regimes alters the availability of microhabitats and may affect the viability of species in these ecosystems. Because restoring historical disturbance regimes is typically expensive and requires action at large spatial scales, such restoration projects must be justified by linking the persistence of species with successional microhabitats. Coastal sand dune ecosystems worldwide are characterized by their endemic biodiversity and frequent disturbance. Dune-stabilizing invasive plants alter successional dynamics and may threaten species in these ecosystems. We examined the distribution and population dynamics of two federally endangered plant species, the annual Layia carnosa and the perennial Lupinus tidestromii, within a dune ecosystem in northern California, USA. We parameterized a matrix population model for L. tidestromii and examined the magnitude by which the successional stage of the habitat (early or late) influenced population dynamics. Both species had higher frequencies and L. tidestromii had higher frequency of seedlings in early successional habitats. Lupinus tidestromii plants in early successional microhabitats had higher projected rates of population growth than those associated with stabilized, late successional habitats, due primarily to higher rates of recruitment in early successional microhabitats. These results support the idea that restoration of disturbance is critical in historically dynamic landscapes. Our results suggest that large-scale restorations are necessary to allow persistence of the endemic plant species that characterize these ecosystems.
KATP channel subunits in rat dorsal root ganglia: alterations by painful axotomy

ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels in neurons mediate neuroprotection, they regulate membrane excitability, and they control neurotransmitter release. Because loss of DRG neuronal KATP currents is involved in the pathophysiology of pain after peripheral nerve injury, we characterized the distribution of the KATP channel subunits in rat DRG, and determined their alterations by painful axotomy using RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. PCR demonstrated Kir6.1, Kir6.2, SUR1 and SUR2 transcripts in control DRG neurons. Protein expression for all but Kir6.1 was confirmed by Western blots and immunohistochemistry. Immunostaining of these subunits was identified by fluorescent and confocal microscopy in plasmalemmal and nuclear membranes, in the cytosol, along the peripheral fibers, and in satellite glial cells. Kir6.2 co-localized with SUR1 subunits. Kir6.2, SUR1, and SUR2 subunits were identified in neuronal subpopulations, categorized by positive or negative NF200 or CGRP staining. KATP current recorded in excised patches was blocked by glybenclamide, but preincubation with antibody against SUR1 abolished this blocking effect of glybenclamide, confirming that the antibody targets the SUR1 protein in the neuronal plasmalemmal membrane. In the myelinated nerve fibers we observed anti-SUR1 immunostaining in regularly spaced funneled-shaped structures. These structures were identified by electron microscopy as Schmidt-Lanterman incisures (SLI) formed by the Schwann cells. Immunostaining against SUR1 and Kir6.2 colocalized with anti-Caspr at paranodal sites. DRG excised from rats made hyperalgesic by spinal nerve ligation exhibited similar staining against Kir6.2, SUR1 or SUR2 as DRG from controls, but showed decreased prevalence of SUR1 immunofluorescent NF200 positive neurons. In DRG and dorsal roots proximal to axotomy SLI were smaller and showed decreased SUR1 immunofluorescence. We identified Kir6.2/SUR1 and Kir6.2/SUR2 KATP channels in rat DRG neuronal somata, peripheral nerve fibers, and glial satellite and Schwann cells, in both normal state and after painful nerve injury. This is the first report of KATP channels in paranodal sites adjacent to nodes of Ranvier and in the SLI of the Schwann cells. After painful axotomy KATP channels are downregulated in large, myelinated somata and also in SLI, which are also of smaller size compared to controls. Because KATP channels may have diverse functional roles in neurons and glia, further studies are needed to explore the potential of KATP channels as targets of therapies against neuropathic pain and neurodegeneration.
A photonic crystal joint (PCJ) for metal waveguides

A novel method to eliminate currents in joints or interfaces in enclosed metal microwave structures is presented. By introducing a two-dimensional photonic crystal structure in the joint the conductor losses can be reduced to near that of a jointless structure. Experimental measurements at X-band of waveguide conductor loss using various joint geometries are presented, showing a drastic reduction in loss using the photonic crystal joint (PCJ). Various applications of the PCJ will be discussed, including H-plane waveguide joints, waveguide flanges and resonant cavities.
Pregnant Inmates: A Growing Concern

Very little empirical research has been conducted on pregnant inmates, a rapidly growing population, the majority of which has substance use disorders. It is important to identify the potential needs of these women in order to modify jail and prison conditions to improve birth outcomes. This study compared 53 pregnant inmates to 1160 non-pregnant female inmates on demographic and substance use and abuse variables to begin to understand the needs of pregnant inmates. The study supported other findings that women appear to reduce their drug use during pregnancy. About 90% of the pregnant women had long-standing problems with substances, mostly illegal drugs. The implications of experiencing pregnancy in prison are discussed.
Time-Dependent Nonlinear Hadley Circulation

The time-dependent Hadley circulation is studied numerically in a nonlinear, nearly inviscid, axially symmetric primitive equation model, with the heating varying periodically on an annual cycle. The annual average of the Hadley circulation strength in this model with time-dependent heating is about a factor of 2 stronger than the steady-state response to the annual mean heating and is closer to the observed strength in the real atmosphere. This is caused by the fact that heating centered off-equator tends to produce stronger meridional circulation in the winter hemisphere than in the case when the heating maximum is located at the equator, as pointed out previously by Lindzen and Hou. However, unlike the steady-state solutions, there is no abrupt change as the heating center is moved off the equator. The temperature response in this time-dependent model is simple to understand. In the tropical region, where there is a variable, but persistent, Hadley circulation, the temperature is homogenized latitudinally. In the highlatitude region, where there is no meridional circulation (in the absence of the eddies), the temperature response goes through an annual cycle with a phase lag relative to the phase of the heating. This response is as predicted by the simple time-dependent temperature equation in the absence of meridional circulation.
Restoration of electrical diastole with bi-ventricular pacing.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) has been shown to improve quality of life, increase cardiac output, enhance functional class, and reduce mortality in patients with cardiomyopathy and mechanical dyssynchrony. For pacemaker-dependent patients, the addition of a left ventricular (LV) lead most often leads to a reduction …
Appropriateness of antiviral prescribing for influenza in primary care: a retrospective analysis.

SUMMARY Background and objective: Antiviral medications cost-effectively reduce influenza-related morbidity and potentially mortality. We sought to assess the appropriateness of antiviral prescribing for influenza. Method: We performed a retrospective analysis of visits by adults to primary care clinics during influenza seasons from 1 October 2000 to 31 May 2004 with a claims diagnosis of influenza (n = 535) or with an electronic antiviral prescription (n = 25). We defined appropriate antiviral prescribing as the patient having (a) symptoms for 2 or fewer days, (b) fever and (c) any two of headache, sore throat, cough, or myalgias. Results and discussion: Physicians diagnosed patients with influenza in 102 of 535 (19%) visits with a claims diagnosis of influenza. Physicians prescribed antivirals at 15 of 102 (15%) of these visits. The addition of 25 additional electronic antiviral prescriptions gave a sample of 127 visits and 40 (31%) antiviral prescriptions. Twentyeight (70%) antiviral prescriptions were appropriate. Among patients who did not receive antivirals, 21 of 87 (24%) met criteria for appropriate antiviral prescribing. Antiviral prescribing was associated with a shorter median symptom duration (2 days vs. 3 days; P <0 AE01) and higher median temperature (37AE8 � C vs. 36AE9 � C; P <0 AE01). Physicians prescribed antivirals more frequently to patients who had myalgias (37% vs. 18%; P = 0AE04) and an influenza test (67% vs. 28%; P <0 AE01). Physicians prescribed antivirals more frequently to Blacks (44%) and patients with other race/ethnicity (67%) than to Whites (20% )o r Hispanics (20%; P <0 AE0001). Conclusions: To improve antiviral prescribing for influenza in primary care, interventions need to target the accurate identification of influenza visits, undertreatment, as well as inappropriate treatment.
The effect of insufficient excitation in PCA estimation

Linear relations external to the monitored plant, such as ratio-control, feedback or upstream constraints, make the data non-persistently exciting for the identification of the plant model. The effect of such external relations is studied on the PCA estimation of linear static models, and compared to LS estimation. Also, ways to detect the presence of such relations in the PCA framework are suggested. The results are extended to persistency and order/degree estimation in linear dynamic and polynomial static models.
Estimating reproductive success of primates and other animals with long and incompletely known reproductive life spans.

Lifetime reproductive success is difficult to obtain for adequate numbers of wild, long-lived animals because of incomplete knowledge of reproductive life histories and fates of offspring. A procedure is described that provides a standard estimate of lifetime reproductive success from either complete or incomplete reproductive life spans. For this procedure, reproductive success is defined as the following ratio: the number of offspring living to a criterion age in a given time period divided by the number expected for that age and period. The number expected is based upon the mean inter-birth interval of the population, the length of the time period, the age criterion of reproductive success chosen by the researcher (e.g., the average age of menarche), and the probability that an offspring will live to the criterion age. The effect of error upon the estimation of parameters is analyzed using the yellow baboons of Mikumi National Park as an example. The method can be used for both sexes, any litter (clutch) size, any mating system, any mean length of interbirth interval, any age criterion of reproductive success, and any study length that allows a reasonably sized sample of individuals for each of whom a substantial proportion of their reproductive life span is known. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Energy feed forward at the SLC

The energy of the Stanford Linear Collider is stabilized by using a hardware-based feed-forward system. The three bunches are stored and cooled in the damping rings, and coaccelerated in a single machine cycle. Prior to extraction of the stored bunches, the energy gain of the accelerator is set by rephasing of klystrons to correct for anticipated beam loading effects. A discussion is presented of the hardware associated with determining the intensities and the appropriate energy corrections to compensate for variations in energy due to beam loading effects. Machine tuning procedures, diagnostics, and operational experience are discussed. >
Cooperative Opportunistic Routing Using Transmit Diversity in Wireless Mesh Networks

We propose a new high performance forwarding scheme, denoted transmit diversity based cooperative opportunistic routing (TDiCOR), that efficiently exploits multiuser and transmit diversity to improve the overall throughput in wireless multi-hop networks. Neighboring nodes cooperate through simultaneous transmissions in a MISO fashion in order to overcome the destructive effects of fading. TDiCOR uses distributed transmit diversity to increase the robustness of acknowledgements as well as data transmissions while preserving the opportunistic nature by using multiple candidates for packet relaying. We present measurements from a wireless testbed which suggest that cooperation using transmit diversity is feasible even with today's off-the-shelf hardware. At the instance of TDiCOR, we demonstrate how to realize the idea of cooperative opportunistic routing as an operational protocol and present very promising simulation results. TDiCOR outperforms traditional routing (i.e. DSR) in typical outdoor scenarios in terms of throughput by 30% and by 50% in indoor scenarios with high shadow fading, without consuming additional bandwidth or additional hardware resources.
Cure or control of HIV/AIDS?

Mostly on theoretical gounds, we hypothesize that a seven-drug combination of widely available antiretrovirals can cure or control HIV/AIDS.
Blue light emission from cyclometallated iridium (III) cyano complexes: Syntheses, crystal structures, and photophysical properties

In this study, we describe the synthesis and crystal structures of four iridium compounds containing the 2-(4,6-difluorophenyl)pyridyl ligand. Cleavage of dichloro-bridged iridium(III) dimers with phosphorus ligands leads to (46dfppy)2Ir(L)(Cl) where L = PPh3 or P(OPh)3. Treatment of the chloro compounds with cyanide forms the cyano complexes (46dfppy)2Ir(L)(CN). All complexes exhibit a trans effect in their molecular structures due to the phosphorus ligands, with the phosphite having a greater effect than the phosphine. With L = PPh3, blue photoluminescence with CIE coordinates (x = 0.16, y = 0.24), quantum yield of 0.66 ± 0.15 and 4.5 ± 0.5 μs decay time is measured. For L = P(OPh)3, blue photoluminescence with CIE coordinates (x = 0.16, y = 0.21), quantum yield of 0.65 ± 0.15 and 2.9 ± 0.3 μs decay time is measured.
QUANTIFICATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT AND RISK INDUCED BY INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITIES ON GROUND WATER QUALITY: CASE STUDY CORDUN - ROMAN AREA, ROMANIA

The question of whether environmental assessment has achieved its goal of helping to reach better decisions has continually engaged the attention of academics, policy makers and environmental impact assessment practitioners. Answering this question requires several different groups working together and/or in sequence, and examining the effectiveness of environmental impact and risk assessment. EIA has tended to focus on the identification of impacts associated with planned activities or projects, whereas ERA involves a rigorous analysis of those impacts: the calculation of the probability, and magnitude of effects. The integrated method described herein for environmental impact and risk assessment has the advantages that it is very easy to be used by non environmental experts: it calculates the impacts and risks, correlated with measured concentrations of quality indicators for environmental component, considered representative in assessment process; it is not a subjective method because several mathematical steps are applied. Also, the lack of experience of evaluator doesn’t influence the results of assessment process, and it will reflect in a very objective way the real situation. The purpose of this work was to propose a new method for integrated environmental impact and risk assessment and apply it on a case study in order to make the right decision concerning the quality of ground water from evaluated area. Thus, groundwater from ten drillings was sampled and analyzed over the period 1995-2006 (exception years 1997, 1998 and 1999). From each drilling over the period 1995-2006, eight quality indicators considered representative for evaluated situation were analyzed. The results showed that, in period 1995 – 2006, the ground water quality was highly negative influenced by industrial activities developed on studied area. The maximum value for impact and risk induced in ground water is in 1995 year, when the industrial activities from this area were working at maximum capacity. Thus, it is absolutely necessary to apply the measures for remediation to improve the quality of ground water and control the pollution, considering the fact that the ground water quality needs to be at optimum parameters, required by national legislation.
Bayesians Don’t Tell Knowledge-Lies (and Probably Nobody Else Does Either)

Roy Sorensen (forthcoming) claims that there are lies that attack knowledge without attacking belief. Using the framework of Bayesianism, I argue that all of Sorensen's examples of knowledge-lies actually achieve the goal of the liar by altering people's beliefs in one way or another. Although Sorensen has not identified one, there may be philosophically interesting examples of knowledge-lies. I argue, however, that such lies can have no effect on people's behavior and, thus, no one (with the possible exception of philosophers) is likely to tell them.
Long-Term Drug-Free Remission and Visual Outcomes in Sympathetic Ophthalmia

ABSTRACTPurpose: To assess corticosteroid- and immunosuppressive therapy (IST)-free long-term remission in the treatment of patients with sympathetic ophthalmia (SO), a vision-robbing disease that can span a lifetime.Methods: The medical records of 19 patients with SO aged 16.1 to 94.95 years (median age 58.56 years) with median follow-up of 7.10 years (mean, 6.41; range, 2.5 to 8.63 years) were retrospectively examined.Results: All patients achieved control of inflammation, 13 of them for 2 years or more. Three (15.78%) of the 19 patients maintained remission without IST and corticosteroids for more than 5 years with vision of 20/25 or better in the sympathizing eye. Thirteen patients (68.42%) were inactive on IST or corticosteroids or in combination therapy. Eleven patients (57.9%) maintained visual acuity of 20/40 or better at the end of follow-up.Conclusion: Even with a devastating and possibly lifelong disease like sympathetic ophthalmia, long-term remission off all IST and corticosteroids, and perha...
Effective heuristics for beam angle optimization in radiation therapy

In radiation therapy, the main challenge is to deliver the dose to the tumor while sparing healthy tissues around the tumor. One important decision to make is the beam configuration. The corresponding mathematical problem, known as beam angle optimization (BAO), is a large-scale problem. We propose three novel heuristic approaches to reduce the computation time and find high-quality treatment plans for BAO. The first heuristic is based on the fact that the beams that are geometrically close to each other (i.e., ‘adjacent’ beams) have similar impacts, and hence are less likely to be used in the optimal configuration simultaneously. Therefore, in this heuristic, referred to as ‘neighbor cuts’, their use is limited. The second heuristic is to eliminate the beams with small contribution to dose delivery in the ideal plan when all candidate beams can be used. Finally, the number of beams is reduced in the third heuristic while ensuring the quality of the plan remains within a pre-specified range. These heurist...
Teaching GIS and Other Geospatial Technologies to In-Service Teachers

Since the early 1990s, geospatial technologies (GSTs) have been reported as effective and useful instructional tools in K–12 education to improve students’ learning and enhance their critical thinking, spatial thinking, and problem solving skills. However, the number of teachers who are implementing those technologies in their classrooms is still pretty low. Among various identified barriers, the major ones are teachers’ lack of background and lack of time to learn, practice, and develop lesson plans using GSTs. In order to solve these barriers, many researchers and professionals in different countries have been providing various kinds of training for in-service teachers. In this chapter, six models of in-service teacher training of GSTs—project-based learning, community partnership, iterative training, minimal Geographic Information System, snowball dispersion, and online training—are introduced and reviewed with exemplary case studies conducted in several countries. The future direction of the effective and useful in-service teacher training is also discussed.
Effect of passivation on III-nitride/silicon tandem solar cells

We have studied the impact of mesa sidewall passivation by SiO2 on characteristics of III-nitride/silicon tandem solar cells. These dual junction solar cells were fabricated from standard n-type Si (111) substrates with III-nitride epitaxial layers grown by plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy (PAMBE). Photovoltaic testing was experimentally carried out under a solar simulator before and after the 100nm-thick SiO2 passivation of these solar cell mesa side walls. We have found that the sidewall passivation improves the efficiency of these solar cells. The open-circuit voltage (VOC) increased from 1.45 to 1.53 V, the short-circuit current density (JSC) enhanced from 0.116 to 0.121 mA/cm2, the fill factor increased from 39.7 to 41.5% under the solar simulator illumination yielding 13.3% conversion efficiency improvement after passivation. Moreover, IPCE (the incident monochromatic photon to current conversion efficiency) also moderately increased by approximately 13% in the visible region after passivation.
Inhibition of fatty acid oxidation as a therapy for MYC-overexpressing triple-negative breast cancer

Expression of the oncogenic transcription factor MYC is disproportionately elevated in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), as compared to estrogen receptor-, progesterone receptor- or human epidermal growth factor 2 receptor-positive (RP) breast cancer. We and others have shown that MYC alters metabolism during tumorigenesis. However, the role of MYC in TNBC metabolism remains mostly unexplored. We hypothesized that MYC-dependent metabolic dysregulation is essential for the growth of MYC-overexpressing TNBC cells and may identify new therapeutic targets for this clinically challenging subset of breast cancer. Using a targeted metabolomics approach, we identified fatty acid oxidation (FAO) intermediates as being dramatically upregulated in a MYC-driven model of TNBC. We also identified a lipid metabolism gene signature in patients with TNBC that were identified from The Cancer Genome Atlas database and from multiple other clinical data sets, implicating FAO as a dysregulated pathway that is critical for TNBC cell metabolism. We found that pharmacologic inhibition of FAO catastrophically decreased energy metabolism in MYC-overexpressing TNBC cells and blocked tumor growth in a MYC-driven transgenic TNBC model and in a MYC-overexpressing TNBC patient-derived xenograft. These findings demonstrate that MYC-overexpressing TNBC shows an increased bioenergetic reliance on FAO and identify the inhibition of FAO as a potential therapeutic strategy for this subset of breast cancer.
Leading Graduate Entomology Programs in the United States

A bright young undergraduate, seeking a challenging institution at which to pursue his graduate studies in entomology, would do well to begin his search by examining a copy of a recent publication by Roose and Anderson 0970). This valuable publication, sponsored by the American Council on Education, is an up-dated version of a similar study published by the Council in 1966 (Cartter).
Optical study of SiGe films grown with low temperature Si buffer

In this work, SiGe films on low temperature Si buffer layers were grown by solid-source molecular beam epitaxy and characterized by atomic force microscope, photoluminescence and Raman spectroscopy. Effects of the growth temperature and the thickness of the low temperature Si buffer were studied. It was demonstrated that using proper growth conditions of the low temperature Si buffer, the Si buffer became tensily strained and gave rise to the compliant effect. High-quality SiGe films with low threading dislocation density have been obtained.
State Natural Rates of Unemployment

I construct estimates for the natural rate of unemployment by state and year from 1981 to 2013. The estimate is conditional on a set of standard public finance variables and state fixed effects. While year fixed effects were used to estimate the model, the year fixed effects are dropped and replaced with a value that forces the national natural rate of unemployment to equal the natural rate estimated by the Congressional Budget Office. Significant cross-sectional variation and variation across time is found. These estimates may be policy relevant due to the lack of a case for regional fiscal stimulus when an economy is operating below its natural rate.
Study on Two-Phase Flow of CO_2 Foam Fracturing Fluid in Fissures.

CO2 foam fracturing fluid is characterized by its low formation damaging effect, reduced filtration loss and increased flowback therefore it can be applied not only in fracturing operation in high permeability wells but also in low permeability wells. This paper described the research work conducted on the two phase flow characteristics at varied flow rate of foam fluids of different driedness and presented a rectification coefficient of foam driedness for calculation of two phase-flow resistance using a rectangular fracture testing system. In the low viscosity range, the two-phase flow resistance increases as the flow rate and foam driedness increase. In the range of high viscosity and high foam driedness, the two-phase flow characteristic curve is just like a parallel one to the curve in the low flow rate region moved along the flow rate coordinate and this demonstrated that CO2 foam fracturing fluid can meet the requirements of the fracturing technology on high suspension ability of sand at high resistance and good flowback character at low resistance that may provide references for evaluation on the properties of the foam fracturing fluid and rational selection of the parameters of fracturing operations.
Rat and rabbit heart infarction: effects of anesthesia, perfusate, risk zone, and method of infarct sizing

Rabbits and rats are becoming popular models for in vitro as well as in situ studies of myocardial infarction. In the present analysis we evaluated the results of several of our completed investigations and tested whether blood-free perfusate, anesthesia, or risk zone size affects infarction in these species. In addition, the influence of the method used for determining infarct size (histology or histochemistry) was examined in rabbits. All hearts experienced 30 min of regional ischemia followed by either 2-3 h of reperfusion in animals in which infarct size was assessed by staining with triphenyltetrazolium chloride or 72 h in those in which histological methods were used to measure infarct size. Eighteen rabbit and seven rat hearts perfused with Krebs buffer, seventeen open-chest rabbits, eight rats anesthetized with pentobarbital, and ten conscious rabbits were studied. Risk zone size measured with fluorescent particles was plotted against infarct size. Infarct size was linearly correlated with risk zone size and did not differ among models for each species. In rat hearts the regression line passed through the origin so that zero infarction occurred with zero risk zone size. However, in the rabbit heart there was no apparent infarction for risk zone sizes < 0.3 cm3. Although the relationship between risk zone and infarction was found to be remarkably independent of the model chosen, the nonzero intercept for the rabbit heart can be an important, previously unrecognized source of experimental variability when infarct size is expressed as a percentage of the risk zone.
Preventing School Rampage Violence through Student Bystander Intervention and Positive School Environments

The study of averted rampage has vital practical significance. By learning from the numerous instances where school rampage threats came to the attention of authorities and thus were thwarted, there exists potential for future policies and interventions to be modeled on prior successes. In addition, empirical knowledge about how school rampage incidents have been averted is especially important because many of the most popular and widespread school disciplinary policies and security practices implemented in recent years not only cannot be reliably linked to preventing rampage but also may actually hinder the few preventative measures with an empirical basis.
Reflexiones sobre el proceso de traducción del portugués al español de Amrik de Ana Miranda

Este articulo describe los problemas encontrados al traducir del portugues al espanol la novela Amrik (1997) de la escritora brasilena Ana Miranda. Ademas de detallar esos obstaculos, se reflexiona, desde un marco teorico interdisciplinar, sobre la logica y las herramientas usadas para solucionarlos. La traduccion literaria presenta problemas que, en este caso, se agudizan debido a algunos rasgos de la narracion que tienen una importante repercusion en el estilo: narradora de origen libanes que adopta el portugues como segunda lengua, frecuente introduccion de arabismos, omision casi total de puntuacion, uso de la analepsis como tecnica narrativa, etc. Asi, este estudio se ocupa de aspectos especificos que fueron problematicos al traducir del portugues al espanol como la traduccion de interjecciones, la casi total omision de puntuacion, o los problemas de expresion de una narradora cuya fluidez en portugues no es completa.
Microstructural characteristics of a Ni2TiAl-precipitate-strengthened ferritic alloy

Abstract The microstructure of a Ni 2 TiAl-strengthened ferritic alloy at room and elevated temperatures is characterized, using scanning/transmission-electron microscopy (SEM/TEM) and neutron-diffraction (ND). The SEM/TEM results revealed that this alloy contains a L2 1 -type Ni 2 TiAl precipitate distributed in the Fe matrix, and the L2 1 precipitate is decorated with a high density of interfacial dislocations (semi-coherent interfaces). The TEM energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) was used to derive the compositions and volume fractions of the precipitate and matrix phases, using the lever rule. The in-situ ND was conducted to investigate the evolution of the microstructures, such as lattice parameters and thermal-expansion coefficients of the Fe and L2 1 phases, and the composition and volume fraction of the precipitate, during heating to 700 °C. These in-situ ND studies revealed an increase in the intensity ratio of the (220) L21 to (110) Fe and the non-linear evolution of the lattice misfit between the precipitate and matrix during heating to 700 °C, which suggests a possible variation in the composition and volume fraction of the precipitate around 700 °C.
Interactive Forces Analysis and Haptic Modeling for Virtual Prototyping and Product Development

In this paper, we present a haptic modeling for interactive forces on heterogeneous deformable product design and virtual prototyping. Techniques of both geometric and physical modeling of deformable heterogeneous materials are presented for virtual prototyping and product development. Haptic interactive forces and torques are calculated based on the deformation of heterogeneous materials with different material properties. Surface frictions are considered in the force rendering modeling to simulate physical properties of deformable objects. A lab-built 5-DOF (degree of freedom) haptic force-torque feedback interface is developed to allow the user to maneuver and test the virtual product models built for product development. Examples of using the presented techniques in medical applications were also discussed. The proposed techniques can be used in design and product evaluation, virtual prototyping, and other virtual reality applications where soft materials are involved.
Unilateral Eccentric Contraction of the Plantarflexors Leads to Bilateral Alterations in Leg Dexterity.

Eccentric contractions can affect musculotendon mechanical properties and disrupt muscle proprioception, but their behavioral consequences are poorly understood. We tested whether repeated eccentric contractions of plantarflexor muscles of one leg affected the dexterity of either leg. Twenty healthy male subjects (27.3+/-4.0 yrs) compressed a compliant and slender spring prone to buckling with each isolated leg. The maximal instability they could control (i.e., the maximal average sustained compression force, or lower extremity dexterity force, LEDForce) quantified the dexterity of each leg. We found that eccentric contractions did not affect LEDForce, but reduced force variability (LEDSD). Surprisingly, LEDForce increased in the non-exposed, contralateral leg. These effects were specific to exposure to eccentric contractions because an effort-matched exposure to walking did not affect leg dexterity. In the exposed leg, eccentric contractions (i) reduced voluntary error corrections during spring compressions (i.e., reduced 0.5-4 Hz power of LEDForce); (ii) did not change spinal excitability (i.e., unaffected H-reflexes); and (iii) changed the structure of the neural drive to the alpha-motoneuron pool (i.e., reduced EMG power within the 4-8 Hz physiological tremor band). These results suggest that repeated eccentric contractions alter the feedback control for dexterity in the exposed leg by reducing muscle spindle sensitivity. Moreover, the unexpected improvement in LEDForce in the non-exposed contralateral leg was likely a consequence of crossed-effects on its spinal and supraspinal feedback control. We discuss the implications of these bilateral effects of unilateral eccentric contractions, their effect on spinal and supraspinal control of dynamic foot-ground interactions, and their potential to facilitate rehabilitation from musculoskeletal and neuromotor impairments.
Hope, Faith, and Charity: Foundations for A (New) Nation in Soraya Juncal’s Jacinta y la violencia

In this article I analyze Soraya Juncal’s Jacinta y la violencia and its arrangement of matters of class, race, and gender. I argue that it conveys a conservativepartisan idea, and I find that whereas it is feasible to link the novel to a Feminist aesthetics, it is really hard to go any further, politically wise, because the story is dedicated to perpetuate oppressive systems. I chose the Theological Virtues (Faith, Charity, and Hope) as deconstruction devices because it is not possible to trace intersectional matters in Jacinta y la violencia, without understanding them in a context of an utterly Catholicized nation that sees everything in essentialist ways.
Gaussian Process Regression for Predictive But Interpretable Machine Learning Models: An Example of Predicting Mental Workload across Tasks.

There is increasing interest in real-time brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) for passive monitoring of human cognitive state, including cognitive workload. Too often, however, effective BCIs based on machine learning may function as “black boxes” that are difficult to analyze or interpret. In an effort toward more interpretable BCIs, we studied a family of N-back working memory tasks using a machine learning model, Gaussian Process Regression (GPR), that was both powerful and amenable to analysis. Participants performed the N-back task with three stimulus variants, auditory-verbal, visual-spatial, and visual-numeric, each at three working memory loads. GPR models were trained and tested on data from all three task variants combined, in an effort to identify a model that could be predictive of mental workload demand regardless of stimulus modality. To provide a comparison for GPR performance, a model was additionally trained using multiple linear regression (MLR).The model was effective when trained on individual human participant data, resulting in an average standardized mean squared error (SMSE) between true and predicted n-back levels of 0.44. In comparison, the MLR model using the same data resulted in an average SMSE of 0.55. We demonstrate how GPR can be used to identify which EEG features are highly influential in predictions of cognitive workload in an individual participant. A fraction of EEG features account for the predictive power, and only the top 25% of features were sufficient for near for maximum accuracy. Subsets of features identified by linear models (ANOVA) were not as efficient as subsets identified by GPR. Similarly, multiple linear regression was less effective than GPR for accurately predicting task load. This raises the possibility of real-time BCIs that are simpler (requiring fewer model features) but that still capture all the neurophysiological information needed to achieve high predictive accuracy. This study sought to establish effectiveness and interpretability for a rapidly trainable, real-time, passive BCI for cognitive monitoring in individuals, without regard for specific theories of neural function. Potential valuable applications beyond the scope of the present study include characterizing the neural basis of workloading or other cognitive states, in individual participants and across groups of human participants.
Managing Values: Analyzing Corporate Social Responsibility in Media Companies from a Structuration Theory Perspective

Up to now the research in the field of corporate social responsibility in media companies was strongly focused on the analysis of the communication about CSR-activities by media companies themselves or remained on a normative level. This paper presents an approach how Giddens’ structuration theory can be used to step beyond that. We developed a framework to examine empirically the existence of rules and resources within media companies to realize and manage CSR. Thus, it helps to determine if they only pay lip-service. Further, the abstract categories make it possible to apply the framework to other industries and enable comparative research.
An On-Line Parameter Estimation Scheme for Fault Diagnosis

Abstract A parameter estimation technique is proposed that represents the system dynamics as a discrete-time Markov process and can be used with incomplete information on system state. A demonstration of the technique with a van der Pol oscillator indicates that the computational time is less than data collection time and hence the technique has potential for online implementation. The technique is particularly suited for fault diagnosis, including incipient faults, because of its capability to assign probabilities to the parameters being in specified intervals which may be associated with normal and abnormal system operation. The capability of the methodology to handle noise has been demonstrated elsewhere.
Impact of Armored Shorelines on Shore-Zone Fish Density in a Mid-Atlantic, USA, Estuary: Modulation by Hypoxia and Temperature

Anthropogenic modifications of estuarine environments, including shoreline hardening and corresponding alteration of water quality, are accelerating worldwide as human population increases in coastal regions. Estuarine fish species inhabiting temperate ecosystems are adapted to extreme variations in environmental conditions including water temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen across seasonal, daily, and hourly time scales. The present research utilized quantitative sampling to examine the spatiotemporal distribution of shore-zone estuarine fish species in association with four unique shoreline types across a range of water temperature and dissolved oxygen conditions. Fish were collected from the intertidal and shallow subtidal region of four shoreline types, Spartina alterniflora marsh, Phragmites australis marsh, riprap, and bulkhead, in the summer and fall of 2009 and 2010. Analyses were performed to (1) compare mean fish density among shoreline types across all water conditions and (2) explore relationships of the complete fish assemblage, three functional species groupings, and two fish species (Fundulus heteroclitus and Menidia menidia) to unique shoreline/water conditions. Significantly greater mean fish densities were found along S. alterniflora shorelines than armored shorelines. Several metrics including fish density, species richness, and occurrence rates suggest S. alterniflora shorelines may serve as a form of refuge habitat during periods of low dissolved oxygen and high temperatures for various species, particularly littoral-demersal species including F. heteroclitus. Potential mechanisms that could contribute to a habitat providing refuge during adverse water quality conditions include tempering of the adverse condition (decreased temperatures, increased dissolved oxygen), predation protection, and increased foraging opportunities.
Ethnic Identity, Life Satisfaction, and Depressive Symptoms of Mexican Descent Adolescents: Self-Esteem as a Mediating Mechanism

The present study investigates the mediating role of self-esteem and the moderating role of gender in the relationship between ethnic identity components (i.e., exploration, resolution, affirmation...
Sales Trends in Price-Discounted Cigarettes, Large Cigars, Little Cigars, and Cigarillos-United States, 2011-2016.

Introduction Tobacco manufacturers continue to implement a range of pricing strategies to increase the affordability and consumption of tobacco products. To demonstrate the extent of retail- and brand-level price discounts at the point of sale, this study assessed national sales trends in price-discounted cigarettes, large cigars, little cigars, and cigarillos. Methods Retail scanner data for tobacco product sales were obtained for convenience stores (C-store) and all-other-outlets-combined (AOC) from September 25, 2011, to January 9, 2016. The proportion of price-discounted sales, average nondiscounted unit price, and average discounted unit price were examined by product category and brand. JoinPoint regression was used to assess average monthly percentage change. Results Overall, price-discounted sales accounted for 11.3% of cigarette, 3.4% of large cigar, 4.1% of little cigar, and 3.9% of cigarillo sales. The average difference between nondiscounted and discounted prices was 25.5% (C-store) and 36.7% (AOC) for cigarettes; 11.0% (C-store) and 11.2% (AOC) for large cigars; 19.2% (C-store) and 9.6% (AOC) for little cigars; and 5.3% (C-store) and 14.7% (AOC) for cigarillos. Furthermore, price-discounted sales of top-selling tobacco brands comprised up to 36% of cigarette, 7.4% of large cigar, 7.7% of little cigar, and 4.2% of cigarillo unit sales. Conclusions These findings highlight the use of price discounts by tobacco manufacturers to reduce the cost of cigarettes, large cigars, little cigars, and cigarillos to consumers. These sales patterns underscore the importance of sustained efforts to implement evidence-based strategies to increase prices and reduce availability and consumption of combustible tobacco in the United States. Implications This study highlights the prevalence and provides a baseline of price-discounted cigarettes, large cigars, little cigars, and cigarillos. Surveillance of tobacco sales data, including state-level trends and additional product types, is critical for informing approaches to reduce tobacco consumption. These approaches include countering tobacco product price-discounting practices and raising and maintaining a high sales price for all tobacco products. The implementation of evidence-based population-level interventions, together with local, state, and federal regulation of tobacco products, could prevent tobacco initiation, increase tobacco cessation, and reduce overall tobacco use among US youth and adults.
Chitosan Both Activates Genes in Plants and Inhibits RNA Synthesis in Fungi

The regulatory role of chitosan in eucaryotic organisms may have far reaching consequences because chitosan and its acetylated form, chitin, are prevalent in nature. We have found two different regulatory functions for chitosan in a simple fungal-plant interaction1. Chitosan which is a normal component of the cell walls of some fungi (Fig. 1) can activate specific genes in plants and at similar concentrations can completely inhibit all RNA synthesis in some fungal organisms and thus suppress gene activity. In this paper we review data which partially explains this paradoxical action.
Synaptic dysfunction and altered excitability in C9ORF72 ALS/FTD

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by a progressive degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons, resulting in fatal paralysis due to denervation of the muscle. Due to genetic, pathological and symptomatic overlap, ALS is now considered a spectrum disease together with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), the second most common cause of dementia in individuals under the age of 65. Interestingly, in both diseases, there is a large prevalence of RNA binding proteins (RBPs) that are mutated and considered disease-causing, or whose dysfunction contribute to disease pathogenesis. The most common shared genetic mutation in ALS/FTD is a hexanucleuotide repeat expansion within intron 1 of C9ORF72 (C9). Three potentially overlapping, putative toxic mechanisms have been proposed: loss of function due to haploinsufficient expression of the C9ORF72 mRNA, gain of function of the repeat RNA aggregates, or RNA foci, and repeat-associated non-ATG-initiated translation (RAN) of the repeat RNA into toxic dipeptide repeats (DPRs). Regardless of the causative mechanism, disease symptoms are ultimately caused by a failure of neurotransmission in three regions: the brain, the spinal cord, and the neuromuscular junction. Here, we review C9 ALS/FTD-associated synaptic dysfunction and aberrant neuronal excitability in these three key regions, focusing on changes in morphology and synapse formation, excitability, and excitotoxicity in patients, animal models, and in vitro models. We compare these deficits to those seen in other forms of ALS and FTD in search of shared pathways, and discuss the potential targeting of synaptic dysfunctions for therapeutic intervention in ALS and FTD patients.