cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Other Minds and Unknown Women: The Case of Gaslight

Stanley Cavell’s approach to film is distinguished by his insistence on a deep connection between the recurring preoccupations of certain classical Hollywood genres, on the one hand, and the philosophical problem of other minds skepticism, on the other. In his groundbreaking 1981 book Pursuits of Happiness, Cavell argued that a series of films he dubbed “comedies of remarriage” represent profound and original sources of thought about the conditions in which one can come to know the subjectivity of another. According to Cavell, these films demonstrate how this knowledge is achieved, not through an abstract intellectual argument, but through a certain mode of living together: a practice of marriage that Cavell calls, following John Milton, a “meet and happy conversation.” In this chapter, I focus on Cavell’s attempt, in his 1996 book Contesting Tears, to elaborate a “companion genre” to the remarriage comedies, one that he terms “the melodrama of the unknown woman.” This later work is remarkably ambitious in its attempt to bring the themes of Cavell’s earlier writings on film into a closer conversation with some of the characteristic concerns of feminism, especially the structural injustice built into traditional forms of marriage. Through his renewed openness to doubt about whether marriage can constitute a scene of genuine acknowledgment between men and women, the Cavell of Contesting Tears presents a profound challenge to his own earlier work. For all of its ambitions, however, Contesting Tears has the air of an unfulfilled promise: it has neither found a comfortable place in Cavell’s oeuvre nor been warmly received by the feminist thinkers he hoped to engage. I aim to celebrate the ambitions of Contesting Tears, to explain why the project failed and to draw a series of lessons from its failure for how we should inherit Cavell’s approach to aesthetic understanding.
Finance and the Quantum Mechanical Formalism

This contribution tries to sketch how we may want to embed formalisms from the exact sciences (more precisely physics) into social science. We begin to answer why such an endeavour may be necessary. We then consider more specifically how some formalisms of quantum mechanics can aid in possibly extending some finance formalisms.
Sagittal plane walking biomechanics in individuals with knee osteoarthritis after quadriceps strengthening.

Summary Objective To compare sagittal walking gait biomechanics between participants with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) who increased quadriceps strength following a lower-extremity strengthening intervention (responders) and those who did not increase strength following the same strengthening protocol (non-responders) both at baseline and following the lower extremity strengthening protocol. Design Fifty-three participants with radiographic KOA (47% female, 62.3 ± 7.1 years, BMI = 28.5 ± 3.9 kg/m2) were enrolled in 10 sessions of lower extremity strengthening over a 28-day period. Maximum isometric quadriceps strength and walking gait biomechanics were collected on the involved limb at baseline and 4-weeks following the strengthening intervention. Responders were classified as individuals who increased quadriceps strength greater than the upper limit of the 95% confidence interval (CI) for the minimal detectable change (MDC) in quadriceps strength (29 Nm) determined in a previous study. 2 × 2 functional analyses of variance were used to evaluate the effects of group (responders and non-responders) and time (baseline and 4-weeks) on time-normalized waveforms for knee flexion angle (KFA), vertical ground reaction force (vGRF), and internal knee extension moment (KEM). Results A significant group x time interaction for KFA demonstrated greater KFA in the first half of stance at baseline and greater knee extension in the second half of stance at 4-weeks in responders compared to non-responders. There was no significant group x time interaction for vGRF or internal KEM. Conclusions Quadriceps strengthening may be used to stimulate small changes in KFA in individuals with KOA.
Transformative adaptation to climate change for sustainable social-ecological systems

Abstract In the face of major shifts in temperature and precipitation, some conventional strategies that help people to cope or incrementally adapt to climate change may become inappropriate in the long-term. Transformative adaptation, i.e. fundamental systems’ changes that address root causes of vulnerability may be needed. However, we have a limited understanding of what transformative adaptation looks like in social-ecological systems and when it can be implemented. We applied an interdisciplinary perspective to describing social-ecological shifts driven by climate change. We reviewed 80 recent conceptual publications about responses of social, ecological, and social-ecological systems to climate change. Our review suggests that transformative adaptation is characterized as being restructuring, path-shifting, innovative, multiscale, systemwide, and persistent. Despite several barriers to implement transformative adaptation, policy makers and practitioners should consider this option in adaptation plans to help societies to anticipate, guide, or recover from radical climate change impact. Using transformative adaptation to navigate shifts driven by climate change can increase the efficiency and sustainability of climate solutions.
Review of The Socratic Method Today: Student-Centered and Transformative Teaching in Political Science

I first heard of the Socratic method on a tour of Phillips Exeter Academy, one of the elite boarding schools in the US (Martin and Browning 2015) and in the world (PrepPreview.com 2019). With huge ...
Reckoning with sexuality.

A review of Freud’s ideas about the sexual drive and sexuality reveals reoccurring questions: What is the relation between the sexual drive and its somatic underpinnings? Can we integrate formulati...
SIDS associated RYR2 p.Arg2267His variant may lack pathogenicity.

Abstract Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden death of an infant under 1 year of age that remains unexplained after death scene and medicolegal investigation, including a complete autopsy and clinical history review. The fatal event typically occurs during sleep and heart rhythm during the event is rarely documented. Large series which have utilized molecular autopsy show that long QT syndrome (LQTS) associated cardiac channel mutations contribute to between 5 and 10% of SIDS deaths. In addition, rare novel RYR2 variants have been identified in SIDS victims. Given the lack of a phenotype, the pathogenicity of these variants is inferred from in vitro studies. We report a family with 5 members (mother and 4 children) who are carriers of a rare RYR2 variant (c.6800G > A, p.Arg2267His [Exon: 45], heterozygous) which has previously been identified in a SIDS victim and shown to confer a gain-of-function CPVT phenotype in vitro. All of these 5 family members including the mother (age range 7 to 41 years) have had negative exercise stress tests, echocardiograms and Holter monitors. These findings suggest that caution should be exercised in inferring pathogenicity of rare RYR2 variants based on in vitro functional data which does not always translate to human phenotype.
First-Principles Calculations 2

Gallium oxide has rapidly developed as a prime candidate for next-generation power electronics owing to the availability of high-quality material (e.g., large single-crystal substrates and epitaxial films) in conjunction with its favorable optical and electronic properties. While a number of advances have been made in improving the crystal quality, improving control over the free carrier and defect concentrations in this wide-band gap semiconductor are critical to realize the full potential of Ga\(_2\)O\(_3\)-based devices. Identifying the most suitable dopants and the origins of the prominent deep-level defects, as well as possible passivation techniques, is therefore an essential next step in further developments. In this chapter, we use hybrid functional calculations to investigate the behavior of a number of native defects, candidate dopants, and extrinsic impurities in \(\upbeta \)-Ga\(_2\)O\(_3\) and to elucidate how theory has helped in understanding the defect-related properties of this material.
Gender and Arrests for Larceny, Fraud, Forgery, and Embezzlement: Conventional or Occupational Property Crime Offenders?

Abstract Purpose Our goal is to address a major debate within criminology – among scholars and practitioners interested in white collar/corporate crime and the gender-crime relationship in particular – regarding the types of offenses and offenders represented within the Uniform Crime Report categories of larceny, fraud, forgery, and embezzlement (LFFE). In particular, we examine whether female versus male arrests are serious, employment-situated offenses or instead represent minor, conventional property crime. Methods We utilize detailed offense and incident information from the National Incident-Based Reporting System and New York Crime Reporting Program to disaggregate female and male LFFE arrests into occupational and non-occupational offenses, as well as establish the severity for each specific type of crime. Results We find most LFFE offending is non-occupational, especially for females whose arrests are disproportionately for shoplifting, bad checks, and welfare/benefit fraud as compared to male arrests for theft from motor vehicles, transportation fraud, and counterfeiting. For both males and females, most arrests involve small financial loss and misdemeanors or low-level felony charges. Conclusions Providing a current profile of female and male property crime, we conclude that arrestees within the summary categories of larceny, fraud, and forgery overwhelmingly represent minor, conventional property crime offenders.
Immigrants and Interdependence: How the Covid-19 Pandemic Exposes the Folly of the New Public Charge Rule

On February 24, 2020, just as the Trumadministration began taking significant action to prepare for an outbreak of COVID-19 in the United States, it also bega
Towards the generation of controlled one-inch impact damage in thick CFRP composites for SHM and NDE validation

Abstract In this paper, an attempt has been made to conduct controlled low velocity impact experiments in quasi-isotropic carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites of increasing thicknesses to generate barely visible impact damage (BVID) that creates 1″ impact damage diameter. Such impacted CFRP coupons with controlled damage diameter would serve in the future for validation of structural health monitoring (SHM) and nondestructive evaluation (NDE) damage detection methodologies. Various 2-mm, 4-mm and 6-mm thick quasi-isotropic CFRP composite plates having similar stacking sequence were manufactured in a compression molding machine. These plates were cut into numerous 6″ × 4″ coupons to be impacted in accordance with ASTM D7136 standard on a Dynatup impact testing machine. The goal of the experiments was to identify the combination of impactor mass, energy and momentum at which approximately 1″ impact damage diameter could be produced for test coupons of increasing thicknesses. Interesting observations were made with respect to the size and shape of the impact damage as the thickness of the composite coupons was increased from 2-mm to 6-mm. Modified experiments were also conducted on 6-mm coupons to achieve close to 1″ impact damage diameter. The greatest challenge in conducting these experiments was in the thick 4-mm and 6-mm coupons which did not display a predictable trend. Future work should focus on overcoming this challenge towards achieving a predictable impact damage size methodology.
DEXA overestimates bone mineral density in adults with knee replacements

Abstract We examined bone mineral density (BMD) measurements made by dual-energy-xray-absorptiometry (DEXA) taken from 100 patients (♂46/♀54, 66±6yr) who previously underwent single total-knee arthroplasty (TKA) to determine if automated software-based artifact detection (ASAD) adequately removes implant artifact from the DXA image before analysis and if potential inaccuracies could be overcome through manual artifact correction (MAC). We also sought to determine if software-based inaccuracies would result in fracture risk misclassification (Low-BMD/Osteopenia = Young-Adult T-Score
Women, Gender, and the Kirk Before the Covenant

This article explores the ways women interacted with the Scottish kirk in the decades prior to the National Covenant of 1638, mainly focusing on urban areas especially Edinburgh and environs. The written records, especially those of the kirk session, are skewed toward punishing women who engaged in sin, especially sexual sins such as adultery and fornication. Indeed, these records show that while women’s behavior and speech was highly restricted and women were punished more frequently than men for their sexual behavior or for speaking out of turn, there were moments when women had a significant public voice, albeit one that was highly restricted and required male sanctioning. For example, women were often called on to testify before kirk sessions against those who had committed sins, even if the accused sinners were male or social superiors or both. Perhaps the most important moment where women used their male-sanctioned voice to speak out in public came at the Edinburgh Prayer Book Riots of 1637, which was led by women. This article argues that women were given the opportunity to act in public because the church had been characterized by many Scottish male preachers in gendered language – they called the church a “harlot mother” and a “whore” that needed correction. Therefore, the women of the Prayer Book Riot were sanctioned to speak out against a licentious sinner, much in the way women were called on to testify against sinners in front of kirk sessions.
Magnetostructural coupling from competing magnetic and chemical bonding effects

The authors find that the magnetostructural coupling in MnAs arises from an orbital-specific competition between exchange energies and kinetic energies, which may give rise to an exotic paramagnetic state.
Podcasting the Pandemic: Exploring Storytelling Formats and Shifting Journalistic Norms in News Podcasts Related to the Coronavirus

The coronavirus pandemic dominated headlines at the same time that mainstream news organizations began adding more podcasts to their digital storytelling platforms. This popular form of audio journ...
Chemical methods for protein site-specific ubiquitination.

Ubiquitination is an important protein post-translational modification regulating many cellular processes in eukaryotes. Ubiquitination is catalyzed by a three-enzyme cascade resulting in the conjugation of the C-terminal carboxylate of ubiquitin (Ub) to the e-amino group of a lysine residue in the acceptor protein via an isopeptide bond. In vitro enzymatic ubiquitination utilizing Ub ligases has been successfully employed to generate Ub dimers and polymers. However, limitations of the enzymatic approach exist, particularly due to the requirement of specific Ub ligase for any given target protein and the low catalytic efficiency of the Ub ligase. To achieve an in-depth understanding of the molecular mechanism of Ub signaling, new methods are needed to generate mono- and poly-ubiquitinated proteins at a specific site with defined polyubiquitin chain linkage and length. Chemical methods offer an attractive solution to the above-described challenges. In this review, we summarize the recently developed chemical methods for generating ubiquitinated proteins using synthetic and semisynthetic approaches. These new tools and approaches, as an important part of the Ub toolbox, are crucial to our understanding and exploitation of the Ub system for novel therapeutics.
Thermal image analysis for polygraph testing

We have designed, developed, and tested a very promising thermal image analysis method for polygraph testing. The method achieved a correct classification rate of CCR= 84% on the test population to our avail. This method, once refined, can serve as an additional channel for increasing the reliability and accuracy of traditional polygraph examination. We extract subtle facial temperature fluctuation patterns through nonlinear heat transfer modeling. The modeling transforms raw thermal data to blood flow rate information. Then, we use the slope of the average periorbital blood flow rate as the feature of a binary classification scheme. The results come to support our previous laboratory findings about the importance of periorbital blood flow in anxious states.
Heritability and interindividual variability of regional structure-function coupling.

White matter structural connections are likely to support flow of functional activation or functional connectivity. While the relationship between structural and functional connectivity profiles, here called SC-FC coupling, has been studied on a whole-brain, global level, few studies have investigated this relationship at a regional scale. Here we quantify regional SC-FC coupling in healthy young adults using diffusion-weighted MRI and resting-state functional MRI data from the Human Connectome Project and study how SC-FC coupling may be heritable and varies between individuals. We show that regional SC-FC coupling strength varies widely across brain regions, but was strongest in highly structurally connected visual and subcortical areas. We also show interindividual regional differences based on age, sex and composite cognitive scores, and that SC-FC coupling was highly heritable within certain networks. These results suggest regional structure-function coupling is an idiosyncratic feature of brain organisation that may be influenced by genetic factors. The relationship between the human structural and functional connectome is still not well established. Here the authors show the interindividual variability that exists in regional coupling of structural and functional connectivity across the brain, and that this is heritable.
How did we reform our out of control massive transfusion protocol program

Background The massive transfusion protocol (MTP) is designed to quickly provide blood products at a fixed ratio for the exsanguinating patient. At our academic medical center, the frequency of MTP activation increased over 10-fold between 2008 and 2015, putting inordinate stress on our transfusion service. Study design and methods Gathering a large number of relevant stakeholders, we performed a multidisciplinary root cause analysis (RCA) in response to the acute clinical need to reform our MTP. Results Through the RCA, we identified four principal opportunities for improvement (OFI) associated with our MTP: education, stewardship, process improvement, and communication. Through the deployment of new approaches to each of these OFI, we reduced MTP activations, blood product waste, and transfusion service technologist stress. Conclusion The MTP is amenable to improvement, and, although time intensive, the RCA process yields significant favorable effects: improving communication with colleagues, reducing stress within the transfusion service, and improving resource utilization. Activation of the MTP at our institution is now more aligned with its primary purpose: rapidly providing large quantities of blood products to exsanguinating patients.
Discovery of davemaoite, CaSiO3-perovskite, as a mineral from the lower mantle.

Calcium silicate perovskite, CaSiO3, is arguably the most geochemically important phase in the lower mantle, because it concentrates elements that are incompatible in the upper mantle, including th...
Theorising violence in mobility: A case of Nepali women migrant workers:

In this article, I examine violence as constitutive of mobility for the feminine diasporic subject through an examination of women migrant workers from Nepal. I frame this project with two distinct...
Philosophy of Language

Philosophical investigations of language focus on issues about the metaphysical nature of meaning, logical form and compositional semantics, and the pragmatics of conversation. Keywords: semantics; pragmatics; meaning
The Power Average Operator for Information Fusion

The power average provides an aggregation operator that allows similar argument values to support each other in the aggregation process. The properties of this operator are described. We see this mixes some of the properties of the mode with mean. Some formulations for the support function used in the power average are described. We extend this facility of empowerment to a wider class of mean operators such as the OWA and generalized mean.
Formalizing human ignorance

There is a rarely mentioned foundational problem involving collision-resistant hash-functions: common constructions are keyless, but formal definitions are keyed. The discrepancy stems from the fact that a function H : {0,1}* → {0,1}nalways admits an efficient collision-finding algorithm, it's just that us human beings might be unable to write the program down. We explain a simple way to sidestep this difficulty that avoids having to key our hash functions. The idea is to state theorems in a way that prescribes an explicitly-given reduction, normally a black-box one. We illustrate this approach using well-known examples involving digital signatures, pseudorandom functions, and the Merkle-Damgard construction.
Introduction to SC2

The hypermedia community has engaged in open hypermedia research for well over a decade. Open hypermedia is an approach to providing hypermedia services to multiple users over heterogeneous information managed by an open set of applications. However, the conceptual foundations of open hypermedia—its underlying structures and behaviors—have all focused on supporting one task: information navigation. While these structures are flexible enough to be applied to other domains, the mappings are often inefficient and unsatisfying. In fact, concurrent with open hypermedia research, several researchers were exploring domains such as spatial hypermedia and taxonomic hypermedia that required conceptual foundations markedly different from those used to support navigational hypermedia.
An International Exercise to Increase Awareness of How Market, Political, and Cultural Forces Affect Economic Activity

This article presents an active-learning research exercise for an introductory economics course. Students find data on specific economic, cultural, and political details of an assigned country, update the data with information on current events, and make a basic assessment of the combined effects of markets, cultures, and political systems on the country's economy. Several presentation formats facilitate the sharing of student findings in the classroom. The exercise is intended to enhance students' skills in economic analysis, data and information collection, and communication. It also allows students to broaden their exposure to economies and cultures other than their own. The article documents the positive results from student evaluation of the exercise.
Asymmetry and Extent of In Vivo Transcripition of R-Plasmid Deoxyribonucleic Acid in Escherichia coli

Deoxyribonucleic acid-ribonucleic acid (DNA-RNA) hybridization studies have been performed with R-plasmid DNA (R538-1drd) and in vivo-synthesized RNA. R-plasmid DNA was isolated from Escherichia coli K-12, and the complementary strands were separated in cesium chloride-polyuridylic acid-polyguanylic acid gradients. DNA-RNA hybridization was performed with the separated DNA strands and RNA purified from R-plasmid-carrying cells. The results demonstrated that an asymmetric transcription of the R-plasmid DNA occurs in vivo. Hybridization was only detected with the H strand (denser strand in cesium chloride-polyuridylic acid-polyguanylic acid). By determining the density of the RNA-DNA hybrid in CsCl gradients, it was estimated that greater than 60% of the nucleotide sequences in the R-plasmid DNA are transcribed in logarithmically growing E. coli cells. No R-plasmid-specific RNA was detected in E. coli cells that did not carry the plasmid.
Optimal Trajectories for Hypervelocity Flight

This paper discusses optimal trajectories for hypervelocity flight of interest in aeroassisted orbital transfer. Both coplanar orbital transfer and noncoplanar orbital transfer are studied. More precisely, the GEO-to-LEO transfer, the HEO-to-LEO transfer, and the LEO-to-LEO transfer are considered in connection with a spacecraft which is controlled during the atmospheric pass via the angle of attack (coplanar case) or via the angle of attack and the angle of bank (noncoplanar case). Within the framework of classical optimal control, the following problems are studied: (P1) minimize the energy required for orbital transfer; (P4) maximize the time of flight during the atmospheric portion of the trajectory; and (P5) minimize the time integral of the square of the path inclination. Within the framework of minimax optimal control, the following problem is studied: (Q1) minimize the peak heating rate. Numerical solutions for Problems (P1), (P4), (P5), (Q1) are obtained by means of the sequential gradient - restoration algorithm for optimal control problems. The engineering implications of the results obtained are discussed. In particular, it is shown that the nearly-grazing solution [namely, the trajectory solving Problem (P5)] is a useful engineering compromise between energy requirements and aerodynamic heating requirements.
Evaluation of ground inductance in printed circuit boards

The problem of a printed circuit board (PCB) via is analyzed through the scattering parameter and the flux methods. The two results are compared in an effort to establish the relationship between the two techniques and evaluate their contributions. A ground via in a one-port and two-port configuration is studied in the time and frequency domains using the finite difference time domain (FDTD) and the finite element method (FEM) respectively. The scattering parameters for the via configuration are computed and compared for validation purposes. >
Sociodemographic Factors Influence Cultural Values Comparing European American With Korean Mothers and Children in Three Settings—Rural Korea, Urban Korea, and Los Angeles

The gross generalization that East is collectivistic and West is individualistic overlooks the within-group variability among East Asians in the current era of social change and globalization. The aim of this study was to disentangle the role of sociodemographic factors, ethnic heritage culture, and immigration in shaping the individualistic–collectivistic value orientations of Korean mothers and their fifth-grade children residing in rural Korea, urban Korea, and Koreatown, Los Angeles. A European American sample in Los Angeles provided an approximation of mainstream United States values. In semi-structured interviews, participants’ value orientations were assessed using interpersonal dilemma scenarios in home and school situations. Participants’ household sociodemographic factors were the most significant contributor to their home values: Higher maternal education was associated with orientation towards individualism, and three-generation households was associated with orienttion towards collectivism. W...
A method for defining wind turbine setback standards

Setback distances established by regulatory authorities to minimize the probability of blade fragment impact with roads, structures and infrastructure can often have a significant impact on wind farm development. However, these minimum distance requirements typically rely on arbitrary rules of thumb and are not based on a physical or probabilistic analysis of blade throw. The work reported here uses a probabilistic approach to evaluate the effectiveness of current standards and to propose a new technique for determining setback distances. This is accomplished through the use of a dynamic model of wind turbine blade failure coupled with Monte Carlo simulation techniques applied to three different wind turbines. It is first shown that common setback standards based on turbine height and blade radius provide inconsistent and inadequate protection against blade throw. Then, using a simplified dynamic analysis of a thrown blade fragment, it is shown that the release velocity of the blade fragment is the critical factor in determining the maximum distance fragments are likely to travel. The importance of release velocity is further verified through simulation results. Finally, a new method for developing setback standards is proposed based on an acceptable level of risk. Given specific wind turbine operational parameters and a set of failure probabilities, the new method leverages realistic blade throw modeling to produce setback standards with a valid physical foundation. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Psychometric Properties of the Colorado Symptom Index

The Colorado Symptom Index (CSI: Shern et al. 1994, Milbank Quart 72:123-148) is widely used in research as a self-report measure of psychiatric symptomatology, yet little information exists regarding the scale's psychometric properties. Additionally, the CSI has no cut-off score denoting the need for further psychiatric assessment. This study examined the CSI's psychometric properties and established a cut-off score. Analyses were based on 3,874 adult Florida Medicaid respondents. The CSI had excellent internal consistency (.92) and test-retest reliability (.71). Evidence of the CSI's validity was strong; CSI scores distinguished among individuals with and without mental health services needs and were significantly correlated with functioning. Results using a contrasting groups approach indicate that 30 is a reasonable "clinical" cut-off score. At this score, the CSI had respectable sensitivity (.76) and specificity (.68) and a ROC curve analysis suggests that the CSI is "fair to good" discriminator of individuals with psychiatric disabilities.
Selective monomethylation of the primary amine function using [11C]CH3I and the N-trifluoroacetyl derivative: Preparation of N-[11C-methyl]chlorphentermine

A simple, rapid and efficient method for the preparation of a potential brain blood-flow agent, N-[11C-methyl]-chlorphentermine ([11C]NMCP), is described. Optimization of the radiochemical yield of [11C]NMCP was accomplished by a Gabriel-like reaction which permits the transformation of a primary amine to a secondary amine through a sequence of acylation, deprotonation, monomethylation and saponification. This method precludes the formation of polymethylated by-products which can reduce radiochemical yields, particularly with low specific activity 11CO2.
Research Participation Among Asian American Women at Risk for Cervical Cancer: Exploratory Pilot of Barriers and Enhancers

The purposes of this exploratory pilot were to describe perceived barriers to participation in cervical cancer prevention research, and identify culturally-appropriate communication strategies to recruit Asian women into cancer prevention research. This thematic analysis of transcripts, from focus groups and in-depth interviews, was conducted in English, Vietnamese, and Mandarin Chinese, at a community clinic in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Thirty participants were either Vietnamese (35%) or Chinese (65%). Mean age was 36.8 (SD 9.9 years). Reasons for non-participation were: lack of time, inconvenience, mistrust of institutions and negative experiences, lack of translated materials, feeling intimidated by English, and the lack of translation of key words or terms. Enhancers of participation were: endorsement by a spouse, monetary compensation, and a personalized approach that offers a benefit for Asian women. To increase participation, first one must remove language barriers and, preferably, use specific dialects. Second, one must specify if benefits are indirectly or directly related to the family or cultural group. Asian research participants in our study consistently expressed that a significant motivator was their desire to be of help, in some way, to a family member or to the Asian community in general.
Regulation of osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells in PEG-ECM hydrogels

Bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are candidates for regeneration applications in musculoskeletal tissue such as cartilage and bone. Various soluble factors in the form of growth factors and cytokines have been widely studied for directing the chondrogenic and osteogenic differentiation of MSCs, but little is known about the way that the composition of extracellular matrix (ECM) components in three-dimensional microenvironments plays a role in regulating the differentiation of MSCs. To define whether ECM components influence the regulation of osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation by MSCs, we encapsulated MSCs in poly-(ethylene glycol)-based (PEG-based) hydrogels containing exogenous type I collagen, type II collagen, or hyaluronic acids (HA) and cultured them for up to 6 weeks in chondrogenic medium containing transforming growth factor-β1 (10 ng/ml) or osteogenic medium. Actin cytoskeleton organization and cellular morphology were strongly dependent on which ECM components were added to the PEG-based hydrogels. Additionally, chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs was marginally enhanced in collagen-matrix-based hydrogels, whereas osteogenic differentiation, as measured by calcium accumulation, was induced in HA-containing hydrogels. Thus, the microenvironments created by exogenous ECM components seem to modulate the fate of MSC differentiation.
Growth, yield, and yield components of ethephon-treated corn

Field studies were conducted during 1985 and 1986 to study the effect of stage and rate of ethephon application on growth, combine-harvested yield, and yield components of three corn (Zea mays L.) hybrids at two densities. Ethephon was applied at four rates from 0 to 560g ha−1 at three growth stages: tassel elongation (TE ≥ 3mm), TE + 6d, and Ear elongation (EE ≥ 3mm). The greatest rate of ethephon decreased lodging by 85% in 1985 and 93% in 1986. Reduction in yield at the greatest rate of ethephon was 6% and 2% of the control in 1985 and 1986, respectively. Brace-root rating in 1986 was increased 20%, when comparing the greatest application rate with the control. In the same year, weight per seed was reduced 2%, which was equivalent to the percentage yield reduction. Plant and ear heights generally decreased in a linear fashion with increasing rate of ethephon. The growth stage at the time of ethephon application significantly altered all variables except grain moisture. Grain yield, seed weight, and lodging decreased as ethephon application was delayed. Decrease in seed weight probably caused the yield decrease with delayed application. Stages of application interacted with rate such that ear height was reduced less as ethephon application was delayed. The greatest rate of ethephon applied at the beginning of EE resulted in the best lodging control. However, reduction in lodging did not result in higher yield. Also, ethephon applied at the TE stage mainly affected elongation of internodes below the ear; at the EE stage, elongation of internodes above the ear was affected.
Remote Event Detection and Tracking using Multiple Heterogeneous Satellite Data Fusion

We describe an automated remote cyclone detection and tracking approach using heterogeneous data from multiple satellites. Single Earth orbiting satellite has been used in the past to detect and track events such as cyclones but suffer from major drawbacks due to limited spatio-temporal coverage. Our novel approach addresses the challenges in using heterogeneous data from multiple data sources for knowledge discovery, tracking and mining of cyclones. Moreover, it offers better detection performance and spatio-temporal resolutions. Our solution is sufficiently powerful that it generalizes to multiple sensor measurement modalities. Our approach consists of: (i) feature extraction from each sensor measurement, (ii) an ensemble classifier for cyclone detection, and (iii) knowledge sharing between the different remote sensor measurements. Our extensive experimental results demonstrate (i) the superior performance of our cyclone detector compared to previous work on preprocessed historical data, (ii) stable performance of our cyclone detector when it is applied on different geographical regions (Western Pacific Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean), (iii) meaningful knowledge derived from the cyclone detector output, and (iv) the performance quality of our automated cyclone detection and tracking solution closely match the cyclone best track information from the National Hurricane Center.
Bioremediation of gasoline-contaminated soil using poultry litter

Abstract Contaminated soil, excavated from around a leaking underground gasoline storage tank, is commonly subjected to thermal degradation to remove the gasoline. Bioremediation as an alternative treatment technology is now becoming popular. The important hydrocarbon‐degrading bacteria include Pseudomonas, Arthrobacter, and Flavobacterium. Poultry litter contains a large number of microorganisms, including Pseudomonas, as well as many inorganic nutrients and organic biomass that may assist in biodegrading gasoline in contaminated soil. During bioremediation of contaminated soil, microbial densities are known to increase by 2–3 orders of magnitude. However, bioremediation may result in an increase in the toxic characteristics of the soil due to the production of potentially toxic degradation intermediates. The objective of this research was to study the influence of the addition of poultry litter on the bioremediation of gasoline‐contaminated soil by quantifying the changes in the densities of microorgani...
Hydrophobic hydration: Inhomogeneous water structure near nonpolar molecular solutes.

A potential of mean force (PMF) expansion is used to predict the water structure near nonpolar solutes having different shapes and molecular conformations. The decomposition of $n$-particle PMFs into pair and triplet contributions describes well the hydration of those solutes consisting of nonbonded clusters, but not covalently bonded molecules. Alternative proximity approximations are devised based on the local dependence of the water structure on solute shape and excluded volume. Accurate predictions obtained using these proximity approximations demonstrate that water organization is only locally sensitive to structural details of nonpolar solutes.
The Interferon-inducible Ubiquitin-protein Isopeptide Ligase (E3) EFP Also Functions as an ISG15 E3 Ligase

The expression of the ubiquitin-like protein ISG15 and protein modification by ISG15 (ISGylation) are strongly activated by interferons. Accordingly, ISG15 expression and protein ISGylation are strongly activated upon viral and bacterial infections and during other stress conditions, suggesting important roles for the ISG15 system in innate immune responses. Here, we report the identification of the ubiquitin-protein isopeptide ligase (E3) EFP (estrogen-responsive finger protein) as the ISG15 E3 ligase for 14-3-3sigma protein. Like other known components of the protein ISGylation system (ISG15, UBE1L, UBP43, and UBC8), EFP is also an interferon-inducible protein. Expression of EFP small interfering RNA decreased the ISGylation of 14-3-3sigma in the 293T cell ISGylation system as well as in MCF-7 cells upon interferon treatment. Furthermore, the ISGylation enzyme activity of EFP was RING domain-dependent. These findings indicate that EFP is an ISG15 E3 ligase for 14-3-3sigma in vivo. The fact that both UBC8 and EFP are common components in the ubiquitin and ISG15 conjugation pathways suggests a mechanism whereby a limited set of enzymes accomplishes diverse post-translational modifications of their substrates in response to changes in environmental stimulations.
The florite‐water vapor sorption therm

The sorption isotherms for moist air and Florite were determined at a total pressure of one atmosphere and 75°, 100°, 125°, 150°, 175°, and 200°F. No hysteresis was evident. An investigation of the sorption isotherms showed that a concentration-temperature coordinate could be identified, which when plotted against amount sorbed, causes all sorption isotherms to collapse into a single sorption therm. For purposes of sorption curve fitting the concentration-temperature coordinate was incorporated into a version of BET theory. This relation produced an excellent fit of data without resorting to more complicated versions of BET theory. The concentration-temperature coordinate was also incorporated into a modified version of Langmuir-Hey theory to show that this interpretation also leads to a very satisfactory fit of sorption data. Some additional observations are made concerning the computerized curve fitting technique as applied to silica gel, the data for which were reported in an earlier publication.
3D finite element modeling of the thermally induced residual stress in the hybrid laser/arc welding of lap joint

Abstract In this study, a three-dimensional (3D) finite element model is developed to investigate thermally induced stress field during hybrid laser–gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) process. In the hybrid welding case, we focus on the GTAW process sharing common molten pool with laser beam and playing an augment role in the hybrid welding system. An experiment-based thermal analysis is performed to obtain the temperature history, which then is applied to the mechanical (stress) analysis. A modified material model is used to consider the influence of face-to-face contact between the top and bottom metal sheets in the thermo-mechanical analysis of welding lap joints. Results show that the normal stress components prevail in the weld zone during hybrid welding process, and maximum thermal stress exceeding the yield point of material exists at the heat affected zone (HAZ) near the weld pool. Increasing the welding speed causes the penetration and width of weld bead to decrease, and the thermal stress concentration at the welded joint is also reduced accordingly. After welding and cooling down, longitudinal tensile stress (SZ) and transverse compressive stress (SX) are retained in the formed weld, and the higher longitudinal compressive stress exists around the weld bead. In addition, a series of experiments are performed to validate the numerical results, and a qualitative agreement is achieved. Compared to the welded joint obtained by GTAW and laser welding alone, the residual stress concentration in the weld joint obtained by hybrid laser–GTAW is the minimal one.
Feasibility of catfish pond sediment as a growing medium

Abstract An Investigation was initiated to examine the feasibility of using catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) pond sediment, or pond mud, as a growing medium by examining the growth and plant nutrient content of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) grown in pond mud and in a field soil. Analysis of the two media indicated that pond mud contained relatively high levels of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg), and had a high base saturation percentage. Phosphorus (P), potassium (K), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and manganese (Mn) levels in pond mud were comparable to those in the field soil. The organic matter level of pond sediments was lower than that of the field soil; however, pepper uptake of nitrogen (N) was greater in the pond mud. Tissue dry weights of peppers in the field soil increased in a linear manner in response to increasing rates of fertilizer N. Fruit dry weights of peppers in pond mud, however, did not increase at N rates in excess of 84 kg/ha. There appear to be no elements at phytotoxic levels in catfish p...
The treatment of occlusive arterial disease of the legs by means of the Sanders vasocillator (Sanders bed)

Abstract The following is an attempt to summarize the value of the Sanders bed in the treatment of occlusive arterial diseases of the extremities, based on the effects observed in the eighty-eight cases. We have found no contraindications to the use of this method of treatment, with the possible exception of the presence of marked infection in association with gangrene. The bed can be used for comparatively short periods, or patients can be kept on it continuously for days or weeks. In comparison with other mechanical methods of treatment of peripheral circulatory diseases, it possesses the advantage of avoiding any constriction of the leg or obstruction to the venous circulation. It can be used in conjunction with vasodilating procedures, such as artificially induced fever, drugs given by mouth, or increased environmental heat. To secure the best effects, it is necessary to vary the position and timing of the cycle in accordance with the needs of the individual patient. This form of treatment produces slight objective improvement in circulation, and slight, but incomplete, vasodilatation. Its most striking therapeutic effect appears to be the immediate relief of pretrophic pain, the pain of ischemic neuritis, and the pain of ulceration and gangrene. Relief of these types of pain is not necessarily maintained when the treatment is discontinued. The bed apparently has minimal, if any, beneficial effects on the pain which causes intermittent claudication. It constitutes a valuable addition to the armamentarium for the treatment of peripheral arterial diseases, but it should not supplant other methods of treatment.
Hyaluronan Decreases Surfactant Inactivation In Vitro

Hyaluronan (HA) is an anionic polymer and a constituent of alveolar fluid that can bind proteins, phospholipids, and water. Previous studies have established that nonionic polymers improve the surface activity of pulmonary surfactants by decreasing inactivation of surfactant. In this work, we investigate whether HA can also have beneficial effects when added to surfactants. We used a modified pulsating bubble surfactometer to measure mixtures of several commercially available pulmonary surfactants or native calf surfactant with and without serum inactivation. Surface properties such as equilibrium surface tension, minimum and maximum surface tensions on compression and expansion of a surface film, and degree of surface area reduction required to reach a surface tension of 10 mN/m were measured. In the presence of serum, addition of HA dramatically improved the surface activities of all four surfactants and in some cases in the absence of serum as well. These results indicate that HA reduces inactivation of surfactants caused by serum and add evidence that endogenous HAs may interact with alveolar surfactant under normal and abnormal conditions.
Computational and Experimental Models of Cancer Cell Response to Fluid Shear Stress

It has become evident that mechanical forces play a key role in cancer metastasis, a complex series of steps that is responsible for the majority of cancer-related deaths. One such force is fluid shear stress, exerted on circulating tumor cells by blood flow in the vascular microenvironment, and also on tumor cells exposed to slow interstitial flows in the tumor microenvironment. Computational and experimental models have the potential to elucidate metastatic behavior of cells exposed to such forces. Here, we review the fluid-generated forces that tumor cells are exposed to in the vascular and tumor microenvironments, and discuss recent computational and experimental models that have revealed mechanotransduction phenomena that may play a role in the metastatic process.