cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cocoa: A Study of Demand Elasticities in the Five Leading Consuming Countries, 1950–1961

T HE COCOA consumed in the world is almost exclusively an internationally traded commodity. Cocoa is produced in Ghana, Nigeria, Brazil, the Ivory Coast, the Camerouns, and, in smaller quantities, in other tropical countries. Most cocoa is consumed in the United States, the United Kingdom, the Federal Republic of Germany, the Netherlands, France, and, to a lesser extent, in other high per capita income countries. In fact, during the 12 years from 1950 through 1961, the first group of five countries above accounted for 77 percent of world production, and the second group accounted for 65 percent of world final consumption [5]. For several of the producing countries, cocoa exports are a major source of much needed foreign exchange. During the period of this study, for example, cocoa annually accounted for from 55 to 75 percent of the total value of Ghanaian exports. To such countries, the demand elasticities for cocoa are of great significance. To date, however, no satisfactory study of these elasticities has been conducted.' Since the five countries in the second group above account for a large proportion of total cocoa final consumption, estimates of their respective demand elasticities should be of considerable interest to the cocoa producing countries. Such estimates are presented in this study.
Roles of Autophagy and Autophagy-Related Proteins in Antifungal Immunity

Autophagy was initially characterized as a process to digest cellular components, including damaged cell organelles or unused proteins. However, later studies showed that autophagy plays an important role to protect hosts from microbial infections. Accumulating evidences showed the contribution of autophagy itself and autophagy-related proteins (ATGs) in the clearance of bacteria, virus, and parasites. A number of studies also revealed the molecular mechanisms by which autophagy is initiated and developed. Furthermore, it is now understood that some ATGs are shared between two distinct processes; autophagy and LC3-associated phagocytosis (LAP). Thus, our understanding on autophagy has been greatly enhanced in the last decade. By contrast, roles of autophagy and ATGs in fungal infections are still elusive relative to those in bacterial and viral infections. Based on limited numbers of reports, ATG-mediated host responses appear to significantly vary depending on invading fungal species. In this review, we discuss how autophagy and ATGs are involved in antifungal immune responses based on recent discoveries.
Closed-loop control of leading edge vorticity on a 3D wing: Simulations and low-dimensional models

We study model-based feedback control of the low-Reynolds-number flow over a flat plate at large angles of attack, in both two and three dimensions. Our long-term goal is to be able to manipulate the leading-edge vortices that form on low-aspect-ratio wings at high angles of attack, and that often contribute to exceptionally large lift coefficients. In two-dimensional simulations, we present a model-based feedback controller that uses an observer to reconstruct the entire flow field from velocity measurements at three locations, and stabilizes the flow at an angle of attack for which the natural flow state is periodic shedding. In three-dimensional simulations, we use open-loop forcing to study actuator placement, and conclude that trailing-edge actuation is more effective than leading-edge actuation in influencing the forces on the plate, as well as the wake structures. Finally, we present initial results towards extending our model-based control design to the 3D setting, and apply a selective frequency damping method to find unstable equilibrium flow fields in 3D simulations.
Compositional Effects on the Piezoelectric and Ferroelectric Properties of Chemical Solution Deposited PZT Thin Films

The piezoelectric, dielectric, and ferroelectric properties of highly (111)-textured polycrystalline lead zirconate titanate (PZT) films as a function of Zr/Ti composition have been investigated. The peak in piezoelectric coefficient at the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) observed in bulk PZT ceramics has not been found in thin film PZTs. Measurement of the piezoelectric response as a function of AC amplitude suggests that non-180° domain wall motion in these films is negligible, indicating that the extrinsic contribution to the room temperature dielectric constant is dominated by only 180° domain wall motion. The semi-empirical phenomenological equation relating the piezoelectric coefficient to measured polarization and permittivity values is demonstrated to give an excellent description of the piezoelectric behavior in these films, assuming bulk electrostrictive coefficients. The small deviation between calculated and measured piezoelectric coefficients as well as the dependence of piezoelectric and polarization behavior on the external dc field, i.e., hysteresis loop, are suggested to be primarily due to backswitching of 180° domains.
Discovering the Needs Assessment of Qualified STEM Teachers for the High-Need Schools in South Texas.

Concerns are arising in the United States that a majority of secondary school students fail to achieve mathematics and science proficiency due to teachers who lack adequate knowledge of the subjects. The concerns over shortages of mathematics and science teachers have also reached new heights. In Texas, the high school mathematics and science are teaching areas that have persisted among the most critical shortage areas. The needs assessment Student/Teacher surveys were conducted in the spring and fall semesters of 2013 to collect important information for decision making in preparing highly qualified STEM teachers for high-need school districts in South Texas. About 72% of student participants from the Student survey indicated that they would like to teach STEM subjects (31% of them like to teach Computer Science). 56.25% of the STEM students indicated that they were interested in becoming a teacher and nearly 100% of them were willing to teach in high-need schools and they needed financial assistance to complete the educator preparation program. About 50% of teacher participants from the Teacher survey thought that the funding designated for K-12 STEM education was insufficient. 40% of them also believed that K-8 STEM education was inadequate and professional development for STEM teachers was insufficient. Teacher participants would like universities to provide training or professional development for teachers such as the implementation of vertical curriculum alignment and the establishment of partnerships between universities and school districts.
Sequence-Based High Resolution Chromosomal Comparative Genomic Hybridization (CGH)

We aimed to devise an appropriate method to directly link the fluorescence profile of chromosomal copy number alterations detected by chromosomal comparative genomic hybridization (cCGH) or any other hybridization or staining information with the genome sequence data. Our goal was to establish an internal anchoring system that could facilitate profile alignment and thus increase the resolution of cCGH. We were able to achieve the alignment of chromosomes with gene mapping data by superimposition of (a) the fluorescence intensity pattern of a sequence-specific fluorochrome (GGCC binding specificity), (b) the cCGH fluorescence intensity profile of individual chromosomes, and (c) the GGCC motif density profile extracted from a genome sequence database. The adjustment of these three pieces of information allowed us to precisely localize, in cytobands and mega base pairs (Mb), regions of genomic alterations such as gene amplifications, gains, or losses. The combined visualization of sequence information and cCGH data together with application of the Warp tool, presented here, considerably improves the cCGH accuracy by increasing its resolution from 10 to 20 Mb to less than 2 Mb.
Fungal get-together.

Mushrooms are the fruit bodies of certain fungi and usually develop from two compatible colonies. A study of one such fungus, however, shows that during a particular period the mushrooms were mosaics — that is, they formed from several genetically distinct populations of cells. The reasons remain mysterious.
Prior Information and the Development of New Ideas: The Copenhagen Family of Theories

In classical physics, mechanical systems are thought of as fully determined entities in two prominent senses. First, they always have sharply defined values of position, momentum, and all the so-called dynamical properties (angular momentum, energy, etc.). Second, the evolution of the values in question follows a deterministic law. According to classical mechanics, therefore, a measurement of a dynamical property on a system o yields a value which one can attribute to a retroactively, at least in principle. None of this is clearly the case in quantum mechanics [QM], a theory in which the standard dynamical properties split into incompatible subsets. For example, simultaneous specification of position and momentum is not straightforward in QM. On the most influential interpretation of the theory among practicing physicists, the so-called “Copenhagen Interpretation” [CI], this incompatibility is of an ontological character and rooted in the quantum world. Within the framework of CI, all physical entities are subject to some degree of property-indeterminateness, ontological entanglement, and objective chance, all of which traits are completely alien to the traditional conception of physical objects. Refusing to regard the mentioned oddities as shortcomings of the theory, defenders of CI maintain that QM provides a complete description of mechanical systems, and that the measurement process plays an active role in the very generation of property values(i.e., measurement fails to to reflect prior reality).
Ultraslow Domain Motions in HIV-1 TAR RNA Revealed by Solid-State Deuterium NMR.

Intrinsic motions may allow HIV-1 transactivation response (TAR) RNA to change its conformation to form a functional complex with the Tat protein, which is essential for viral replication. Understanding the dynamic properties of TAR necessitates determining motion on the intermediate nanosecond-to-microsecond time scale. To this end, we performed solid-state deuterium NMR line-shape and T1Z relaxation-time experiments to measure intermediate motions for two uridine residues, U40 and U42, within the lower helix of TAR. We infer global motions at rates of ∼105 s–1 in the lower helix, which are much slower than those in the upper helix (∼106 s–1), indicating that the two helical domains reorient independently of one another in the solid-state sample. These results contribute to the aim of fully describing the properties of functional motions in TAR RNA.
Elucidating the Uncoupling of ATP Hydrolysis and Ca2+ Transport in SERCA by Sarcolipin

The activity of the sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+ -ATPase (SERCA), which plays a key role in muscle contraction and relaxation, is regulated by sarcolipin (SLN), a 31-residue transmembrane peptide. Sarcolipin has been shown to uncouple ATP hydrolysis and Ca2+ transport in SERCA and is largely found in skeletal muscle and the atria of the heart. The interaction between SLN and SERCA is thought to play an important role in energy metabolism. SLN is composed of a transmembrane helix flanked by two short, unstructured N- and C-termini. The N-terminus is hypothesized to play a role in the uncoupling of SERCA, while the role of the C-terminus has been shown to be largely responsible for SERCA inhibition. In this study, we made two constructs of SLN, with either the C- or N-terminus deleted. We then used coupled-enzyme activity assays to measure the effect of the SLN constructs on SERCA ATPase activity and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) to monitor the change in heat release due to ATP hydrolysis. We found through these methods that the deletion of the termini led effected the uncoupling function in SLN. The results of this study, in combination with forthcoming solid-state NMR studies, will help to establish the mechanism by which SLN regulates SERCA activity.
Static H ∞ loop shaping control for identical dynamically coupled systems

In this paper we consider the control problem of a special class of distributed systems i.e. decomposable systems. These systems have an incredible property of decomposing into a set of identical modal subsystems, leading to more effective and easy way of controller synthesis. Using this state-of-art property, a static H ∞ loop shaping controller is designed by solving an optimization problem defined in form of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). Sufficient conditions are derived for the existence of the static loop shaping controller. Finally the controller reconstruction LMIs are formulated to compute the controller. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the technique a multi agent system (MAS) as a special case of decomposable system is chosen for controller synthesis, in which the number of agents can be selected arbitrarily.
Reliability of SiC power MOSFETs under high repetitive pulse current conditions

Due to technology advancements in material sciences, power MOSFETs manufactured with wide band gap materials such as silicon carbide (SiC), gallium nitride (GaN) have been proposed as an alternative to silicon (Si) based MOSFETs and IGBTs. Reliability of these power switches is important when considering their vital role in power converters for aerospace, railways, hybrid electric vehicles, and power system applications. In this paper, 1200V 4H-SiC MOSFET 2D device model is designed and simulated using technology computer-aided design (TCAD). Later mixed mode simulations are carried out under repetitive pulse current conditions. During the testing, device characteristics such as threshold voltage (V th ), on state resistance (R ds-on ), and junction temperature (T j ) are recorded. Instability in the threshold voltage of the device is identified due to trapping of interface charges at the gate oxide as a result of the pulse current stress on the device. Furthermore it is identified that junction temperature and on state resistance increases with the increase in the number of pulse current cycles which can eventually lead to device failure.
A reliability-based robust design for structural components with a variable cross section under limited probabilistic information:

In engineering design, structural components with variable cross sections are extensively employed due to their excellent mechanical properties. From a strength and stiffness perspective, structura...
Don't Judge a Book by its Cover: Examiner Expectancy Effects Predict Neuropsychological Performance for Individuals Judged as Chronic Cannabis Users

Objective The experimenter expectancy effect confound remains largely unexplored in neuropsychological research and has never been investigated among cannabis users. This study investigated whether examiner expectancies of cannabis user status affected examinees' neuropsychological performance. Method Participants included 41 cannabis users and 20 non-users. Before testing, examiners who were blind to participant user status privately rated whether they believed the examinee was a cannabis user or non-user. Examiners then administered a battery of neuropsychological and performance validity measures. Multiple regression analyses compared performance between examinees judged as cannabis users (n = 37) and those judged as non-users (n = 24). Results Examiners' judgments of cannabis users were 75% accurate; judgments of non-users were at chance. After controlling for age, gender, and actual user status, examiner judgments of cannabis user status predicted performance on two measures (California Verbal Learning Test-II, and Trail Making Test B; p < .05), as individuals judged as cannabis users obtained lower scores than those judged as non-users. Conclusions Examiners' judgments of cannabis user status predicted performance even after controlling for actual user status, indicating vulnerability to examiner expectancy effects. These findings have important implications for both research and clinical settings, as scores may partially reflect examiners' expectations regarding cannabis effects rather than participants' cognitive abilities. These results demonstrate the need for expectancy effect research in the neuropsychological assessment of all populations, not just cannabis users.
Couples Facing the Birth of a Newborn with a Congenital Anomaly: PTSD Symptoms in the First Year.

Objective The objective of this study was to assess the presence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in parental couples of newborn requiring early surgery at 6 and 12 months after birth. Study Design A longitudinal study was set up from January 2014 to June 2015. As a measure of PTSD, we used the Italian version of the Impact of Event Scale—Revised (IES-R). Results Thirty-four couples form the object of the study. At 6 months, half of mothers (52.9%) and fathers (44.1%) reported traumatic stress symptoms above the clinical cutoff. Percentages remained stable at 12 months. When parental gender and length of follow-up were compared with two-factor analysis of variance, none had an impact on IES-R score, nor an interaction between these factors was found. A significant correlation of IES-R total score was present within the couple both at 6 and 12 months (6 months—r: 0.6842, p Conclusion Having a child with a repaired malformation represents a complex prolonged stressful situation with persistent burden for both parents who are at high risk of developing PTSD symptoms.
Use of a Video Module to Improve Faculty Understanding of the Pharmacists' Patient Care Process.

Objective: To evaluate change in faculty’s knowledge and perceptions after an online video module on the Pharmacists’ Patient Care Process (PPCP). Innovation: An educational video module on the PPCP was developed and disseminated to full-time faculty members at Samford University, McWhorter School of Pharmacy. Voluntary and anonymous pre- and post-test assessments were evaluated and analyzed. Critical Analysis: Thirty faculty completed the pre-assessment, and 31 completed the post-assessment (73% and 75% response rates, respectively). A significant improvement in faculty perceptions was indicated by an increase in agreement with the majority (80%) of questions on attitudes toward the PPCP on the post-test. Faculty’s knowledge of the introduction and assessment of PPCP within the school’s curriculum was significantly increased after viewing the video module. After viewing the module, more faculty were also able to correctly identify the majority of the PPCP components and their corresponding practice activities. Next Steps: A short video module was effective at improving faculty knowledge and perceptions of the PPCP. Development of a similar faculty development module is feasible for implementation in other Schools of Pharmacy. Conflict of Interest We declare no conflicts of interest or financial interests that the authors or members of their immediate families have in any product or service discussed in the manuscript, including grants (pending or received), employment, gifts, stock holdings or options, honoraria, consultancies, expert testimony, patents and royalties. Treatment of Human Subjects: IRB exemption granted Type: Note
Snorkel MeTaL: Weak Supervision for Multi-Task Learning

Many real-world machine learning problems are challenging to tackle for two reasons: (i) they involve multiple sub-tasks at different levels of granularity; and (ii) they require large volumes of labeled training data. We propose Snorkel MeTaL, an end-to-end system for multi-task learning that leverages weak supervision provided at multiple levels of granularity by domain expert users. In MeTaL, a user specifies a problem consisting of multiple, hierarchically-related sub-tasks---for example, classifying a document at multiple levels of granularity---and then provides labeling functions for each sub-task as weak supervision. MeTaL learns a re-weighted model of these labeling functions, and uses the combined signal to train a hierarchical multi-task network which is automatically compiled from the structure of the sub-tasks. Using MeTaL on a radiology report triage task and a fine-grained news classification task, we achieve average gains of 11.2 accuracy points over a baseline supervised approach and 9.5 accuracy points over the predictions of the user-provided labeling functions.
Polysemy: Discussions and Debates on the Huang–Lu Love Affair

This chapter focuses on debates in the periodical press regarding the love affair, with which journalists and newspaper contributors popularized newly introduced ideas of marriage, divorce, concubinage, and compassionate family. Newspapers circulated in various regions and journalists of differing ideological orientations capitalized on the coverage of the Huang–Lu affair to disseminate their liberal, conservative, statist, or anarchistic views on new gender relations and family values. The debates on the elopement signal the final triumph of anti-individualistic, pro-family conservatives in the wake of the Nationalist Party’s unification of China. This chapter highlights the multiple interpretations of the elopement because of a lack of consensus among writers, scholars, and journalists in their discussions of the elopement.
Nonvolatile magneto-electric field effect transistors for spintronic memory and logic

Here we describe the development of magneto-electric transistor devices to address the need for non-volatile, ultra-low power, ultra-fast, and scalable memory and logic.
Efficient and Scalable Pareto Front Generation for Energy and Makespan in Heterogeneous Computing Systems

The rising costs and demand of electricity for high-performancecomputing systems pose difficult challenges to system administrators that are trying to simultaneously reduce operating costs and offer state-of-the-art performance. However, system performance and energy consumption are often conflicting objectives. Algorithms are necessary to help system administrators gain insight into this energy/performance trade-off. Through the use of intelligent resource allocation techniques, system administrators can examine this trade-off space to quantify how much a given performance level will cost in electricity, or see what kind of performance can be expected when given an energy budget. A novel algorithm is presented that efficiently computes tight lower bounds and high quality solutions for energy and makespan. These solutions are used to bound the Pareto front to easily trade-off energy and performance. These new algorithms are shown to be highly scalable in terms of solution quality and computation time compared to existing algorithms.
Alveolar soft part sarcoma--reciprocal translocation between chromosome 17q25 and Xp11. Report of a case with metastases at presentation and review of the literature.

The molecular pathogenesis of alveolar soft part sarcoma, a rare tumor with uncertain histogenesis, was elucidated recently and was shown to be due to a translocation between chromosome 17q25 and Xpll resulting in a fusion product between TFE3 (a transcription factor gene) at chromosome Xpll and a novel gene designated as ASPL at chromosome 17q25. This results in the transcriptional dysregulation in the pathogenesis of this neoplasm. Of the 12 cases reported so far, the translocation was due to non-reciprocal translocation in 11 cases with only one case demonstrating a reciprocal translocation with respective fusion products. We report yet another case with reciprocal translocation between chromosomes 17q25 and Xpll with TFE3/ASPL fusion product who presented with metastatic disease. A standard cytogenetic analysis of primary tumor cells with G-banding revealed an abnormal karyotype : 46, X, t(X;17)(p11;q25)[15]/46,XX[5]. PCR analysis of the frozen tumor tissue revealed a type 1 fusion product as described in the literature. We demonstrate a rare cytogenetic abnormality in ASPS, namely reciprocal translocation between chromosomes 17q25 and Xp11 with demonstration of molecular fusion product between TFE3 and ASPL in a patient who initially presented with pulmonary metastases.
Vinyl chloride-induced hepatic angiosarcoma.

In early 1974, an alert plant physician reported the occurrence of several cases of the otherwise rare hepatic angiosarcoma (HAS) at a single polyvinyl chloride (PVC) production facility in Louisville, Kentucky (U.S.A.). Upon further investigation, the relative risk for HAS at this plant appeared to be approximately 5,000, strongly indicating a causal relationship with some factor at the plant. Epidemiologic studies at this and other PVC polymerization plants identified vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) as the causative agent. Experimental studies reported in early 1974 confirmed VCM as a hepatic carcinogen capable of producing HAS and other tumors. Follow-up epidemiologic studies revealed that: 1) HAS is the end stage of a progressive liver disease consisting of hepatocytic and sinusoidal cell hyperplasia, sinusoidal dilatation, and hepatic fibrosis; 2) over 100 cases of VCM-induced HAS have occurred worldwide; and 3) an increased risk of lung cancer has been reported in some cohort studies of PVC polymerization workers, although this outcome may be related to PVC dust or factors other than VCM. A national study of HAS in the United States identified 3 other causes of HAS: Thorotrast, inorganic arsenic, and androgenic-anabolic steroids. Of 168 cases found to occur during 1964 through 1974, 42 cases (25%) were associated with the 4 known etiologic agents, while 126 cases (75%) were of unknown etiology.
Polynomial Parsing of Extensions of Context-Free Grammars

In (Joshi, Vijay-Shanker, & Weir, 1989; Vijay-Shanker, Weir, & Joshi, 1986; Weir & Joshi, 1988) we have shown that Combinatory Categorial Grammars (CCG), Head Grammars (HG), Linear Indexed Grammars (LIG), and Tree Adjoining Grammars (TAG) are weakly equivalent, i.e., they generate the same class of string languages. Although it is known that there are polynomial-time recognition algorithms for HG and TAG (Pollard, 1984; Vijay-Shanker & Joshi, 1985), there are no known polynomial-time recognition algorithms that work directly with CCG or LIG. In this chapter we present polynomial-time recognition algorithms for LIG and CCG that resemble the CKY algorithm for Context-Free Grammars (CFG) (Kasami, 1965; Younger, 1967). We also show how this approach can be adapted for TAG.
Bunga-bunga on the Dreadnought: hoax, race and Woolf

The 1910 Dreadnought hoax was famous in its day and continues to be well-known today, in large part because it involved both the young Virginia Woolf and the celebrated prankster Horace DeVere Cole...
Role of the Reader's Schema in Comprehension, Learning, and Memory

This chapter explains schema theory, give illustrations of the supporting evidence, and suggest applications to classroom teaching and the design of instructional materials. It urges publishers to include teaching suggestions in manuals designed to help children activate relevant knowledge before reading. The chapter explains the teachers' manuals accompanying basal programs and content area texts ought to include suggestions for building prerequisite knowledge when it cannot be safely presupposed. It calls for publishers to feature lesson activities that will lead children to meaningfully integrate what they already know with what is presented on the printed page. The chapter urges publishers to employ devices that will highlight the structure of text material. It explains the implications of schema theory is that minority children may sometimes be counted as failing to comprehend school reading material because their schemata do not match those of the majority culture. As a consequence, large differences in comprehension, learning, and memory for the letters were expected.
Comparison of climate–growth responses of montane and piedmont longleaf pine ( Pinus palustris Mill.) chronologies in North Carolina

Montane longleaf pine tree-ring chronologies exhibit fidelity to summer soil-moisture conditions. Multi-century climate reconstructions using longleaf pine can provide insights into the natural range of moisture variability. Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) ring width is associated with temperature and precipitation throughout its range, yet intrasite comparisons of climate and ring growth are limited and have not examined interior (i.e., montane vs. piedmont) populations. Here, we investigated remnant stands of montane and piedmont longleaf pine in central North Carolina and compared their sensitivity to summer climatic variables during 1935–2015. Summer precipitation and PDSI were better associated with tree-ring chronologies developed from latewood growth from both the montane (r = 0.429 PDSI, r = 0.563 precipitation) and piedmont (r = 0.252, r = 0.441) chronologies while correlations with temperature variables were either weak (r = − 0.249 maximum temperature montane, r = − 0.229 piedmont) or not significant. We examined longleaf pine latewood sensitivity to late-summer (July–September) climate conditions, drought detection, and differences in radial growth during drought and non-drought periods and found greater sensitivity of the montane chronology to these metrics. Specifically, the montane chronology was more sensitive to drought detection identifying all 11 droughts that occurred during the 81-year study period, while the piedmont chronology identified only 6 of the 11. Further, while significant differences in radial growth existed between drought and non-drought years for both chronologies, the montane chronology exhibited considerably greater growth range between these favorable and unfavorable periods. These results indicate the use of montane longleaf pine is preferable when reconstructing precipitation variability and when coupled with remnant stump data provide an opportunity to reconstruct summer climate variability.
From trash to treasure: Three-dimensional basement imaging with “excess” data from oil and gas explorations

Modern oil and gas seismic surveys commonly use areal arrays that record continuously, and thus routinely collect “excess” data that are not needed for the conventional common reflection point imaging that is the primary goal of exploration. These excess data have recently been recognized to have utility not only in resource exploration but also for addressing a diverse range of scientific issues. Here we report processing of such discarded data from recent exploration surveys carried out in southeastern New Mexico. These have been used to produce new three-dimensional (3-D) seismic reflection imagery of a layered complex within the crystalline basement as well as elements of the underlying crust. This enigmatic basement layering is similar to that found on industry and academic seismic reflection surveys at many sites in the central United States. Correlation of these reflectors with similar features encountered by drilling in northwestern Texas suggest that they may be part of an extensive, continental-scale network of tabular mafic intrusions linked to Keweenawan rifting of the igneous eastcentral Unites States during the late Proterozoic. More importantly, this analysis clearly demonstrates that the new generation of continuously recorded 3-D exploration datasets represent a valuable source of fresh information on basement structure that should be examined rather than discarded. Such basement information is not only important to understanding crustal evolution, it is directly relevant to assessing risks associated with fossil fuel extractions, such as induced seismicity related to waste water injection.
Vegetables and FruitsOpen image in new window

Vegetables are the edible portion of plants eaten with (or as) the main course. They are in salads and soups. Vegetables may be processed into beverages or vegetable starches, eaten fresh or lightly processed, dried, pickled, or frozen. They impart their own characteristic flavor, color, and texture to diets, and undergo changes during storage and cooking. Ranked next to the cereal crops wheat, rice, and corn, potatoes are the most prolific vegetable crop grown for human consumption.
The electrokinetic properties of cationic surfactants adsorbed on a hydrophobic substrate: effect of chain length and concentration

Electrokinetic (EK) properties, such as the electro-osmotic flow (EOF), are influenced by surfactant adsorption at the solid–liquid interface. With the growing popularity of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) as the substrate for polymeric-based microfluidics, it is important to understand the effect of surfactants on EOF in these devices. Here, we investigate the effect of surfactant chain length and concentration on the electro-osmotic (EO) mobility induced by three cationic surfactants cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), trimethylammonium bromide (TTAB), dodecyl trimethylammonium bromide (DTAB) in PMMA microcapillaries. The EO mobility curve as a function of concentration shows three regimes. First, at very low concentrations below 0.002 mM, the mobility is constant and approximately equal to the value obtained with the surfactant-free electrolyte (1 mM KCl). Next, the EOF reverses and mobility increases linearly with surfactant concentration. Finally, the mobility reaches a plateau at a concentration well below surfactant CMC (0.2-mM CTAB, 0.5-mM TTAB and 2-mM DTAB) and decreases at the vicinity of CMC. Our results show that the rate of change in mobility with respect to concentration is a linear function of chain length and increases with longer-chain surfactants. In addition, we deduce the magnitude of Van der Waals or cohesive energy between the adsorbed alkyl chains from the EO mobility values. For the alkyl trimethylammonium surfactants adsorbed on the hydrophobic surface of PMMA, this energy was found to be 0.114 kT smaller than the reported value for ionic surfactants adsorbed on a hydrophilic surface.
Sleep and immune function among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

People living with HIV are at increased risk for sleep disturbances. Up to 75% of the HIV-infected individuals in the United States experience sleep disturbances of some kind. Previous studies have...
Peritoneal Dialysis for Acute Kidney Injury during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has created challenges for nephrologists due to a surge in the number of critically ill patients with AKI requiring KRT. The combination of limited trained hemodialysis personnel, scarce continuous RRT (CRRT) supplies, and a high rate of CRRT circuit
Hypocretin Deficiency in Human Narcolepsy

Narcolepsy-cataplexy is a neurological disorder affecting 0.02–0.18% of the general population. The syndrome is characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), fragmentation of nocturnal sleep, and intrusion of REM sleep events into wakefulness (e.g., cataplexy, sleep paralysis, and hypnagogic hallucinations). Daytime sleepiness and cataplexy are the most consistent symptoms of the syndrome. Sleepiness is the most disabling symptom. It is characterized by unpredictable and irresistible sleep attacks on a background of constant daytime sleepiness. Cataplexy, the sudden occurrence of muscle atonia triggered by emotions such as laughing or anger, is almost pathognomonic for the disorder. Nocturnal polysomnography is conducted to exclude other causes of daytime sleepiness, and multiple sleep latency tests (MSLTs) are carried out to demonstrate excessive daytime sleepiness and sleep onset REM periods, which are also characteristics of the disorder. Current therapeutic options are purely symptomatic. Modafinil is the most common treatment for sleepiness, and antidepressant compounds have some therapeutic effect on cataplexy and REM-related symptoms. Sodium oxybate (GHB) is a sedative hypnotic that improves disturbed nocturnal sleep and reduces cataplexy and sleepiness after long-term administration.
Abstract PO085: Cryogel-based cancer vaccine to treat acute myeloid leukemia

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a hematopoietic malignancy with limited therapeutic options. Standard-of-care chemotherapy depletes AML cells to induce remission, but often precedes disease relapse. To promote robust and durable immunity against AML, we developed a macroporous cryogel-based vaccine which provided a sustained release of GM-CSF to concentrate dendritic cells (DCs), TLR agonist CpG-ODN, and leukemia antigen. Prophylactic vaccination in mice against AML cell lysates or peptide antigen induced a potent anti-tumor adaptive immune response and prevented the engraftment of AML cells. This immunity was transferable, as bone marrow transplanted from vaccinated mice immunized recipients against AML. In models of established disease, only the combination of chemotherapy and biomaterial vaccination entirely eradicated AML in all mice and generated long-term T cell immunity preventing relapse. Notably, in combination with chemotherapy, a cryogel vaccine delivering no antigen (only GM-CSF and CpG-ODN) generated robust AML-specific T cell immunity, depleted leukemia, and enabled long-term survival. In this setting, tumor antigens were likely sourced from chemotherapy-induced AML cell death, as AML cells expressing high levels of apoptotic markers were found in the vaccine site and draining lymph node, co-localizing with DCs activated by the vaccine. These results demonstrate the capacity of a biomaterial-based vaccine to induce a potent immune response depleting AML and preventing relapse, even without defined antigen targets. Citation Format: Alexander J. Najibi, Nisarg J. Shah, Ting-Yu Shih, Angelo S Mao, Azeem Sharda, David T. Scadden, David J. Mooney. Cryogel-based cancer vaccine to treat acute myeloid leukemia [abstract]. In: Abstracts: AACR Virtual Special Conference: Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy; 2020 Oct 19-20. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2021;9(2 Suppl):Abstract nr PO085.
Effectiveness and outcomes of invasive species removal in Hawaiian streams

Despite aquatic invasive species (AIS) being a widely recognized threat to native biodiversity in streams on subtropical and tropical oceanic islands across the Pacific, AIS management has been constrained by concerns that methods of removal could result in more harm than good. In this study, we assessed the effectiveness and outcomes of combining hand-netting and streamside sequestration of native species with AIS removal via three-pass electrofishing tailored for Hawaiian Island watersheds. Removals were conducted in 13 watersheds on the island of O‘ahu following a before-after, control-impact design to assess how AIS removal and post-removal community reassembly varied by surface flow and target species of interest. We found that removals resulted in a sharp reduction in AIS densities without altering native species densities. Removal efficacy was greatest in streams with intermediate mean discharge irrespective of target group or pre-removal AIS densities. Long-term monitoring demonstrated that removals led to persistent shifts in community composition reflecting sustained reductions in AIS densities. These findings indicate that electrofishing can be a valuable tool for AIS management in Hawaiian and other subtropical Pacific island streams, so long as steps are taken to minimize potential harm to at-risk and culturally important native species.
Electric Dipole Polarizability Measurements

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the perturbation and nonperturbation methods of calculating atomic polarizabilities and shielding factors. Shielding factors are of considerable specialized interest because of the role they play in the determination of nuclear properties obtained from atomic spectroscopy experiments. Atomic and molecular polarizabilities, however, are of general interest because they appear as parameters in a large variety of atomic, molecular, and condensed matter properties. The most accurate polarizabilities available currently are determined from bulk measurements of a dielectric constant or refractive index for a gas of atoms or molecules. The determination of a dielectric constant is accomplished by measuring a capacitance change with and without the gas present. The dynamic polarizability corresponding to the frequency of the radiation can be obtained by replacing the molar polarization in the formula with the molar refraction. A permanent electric dipole moment would tend to cancel some of the deflection of the molecular beam that is observed for an induced moment alone, leading to the underestimation of the induced polarizability.
The Potter’s Art

Reviewed Medium: book Authors: Henry Glassie Year: 1999 Pages: 149 Publisher: Indiana University Press Prices: $12.95 US
Island formation and tectonic processes

Tectonic processes can form an island in one of two ways. 1. Those processes that cause a rise in water levels and flooding a pre-existing topography, known as tectonic flooding. 2. Those processes that cause uplift of the basin floor to form a topography that emerges above water level, called tectonic emergence.
Evaluation of USDA Interval Forecasts Revisited: Asymmetry and Accuracy of Corn, Soybean, and Wheat Prices

This study evaluates the accuracy of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) interval forecasts for corn, soybean, and wheat prices using Christoffersen's (1998) tests for unconditional coverage, independence, and conditional coverage adjusted for asymmetries in tail probabilities. The findings demonstrate that due to the uneven distribution of forecast misses around the intervals, calibration of several corn, soybean, and wheat price forecasts was rejected by basic coverage tests (suitable for symmetric intervals), but not rejected by the tests adjusted for asymmetry. Thus, these forecasts were asymmetric, but accurate. USDA analysts should consider accounting for asymmetry and volatility of the underlying prices in their forecasts. [EconLit Citations: E370, Q110, C120].
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections among HIV-infected persons in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy: a review of the literature.

Objectives Despite the rise of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) among HIV-infected persons during the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), the precise relationship between these two infections has not been fully elucidated. Therefore, we provide a comprehensive, literature-based review of MRSA infections among HIV-infected persons. Methods A systematic search of MEDLINE using the search terms “HIV” and “MRSA” identified references published during the HAART era (January 1996 to January 2011). Relevant articles on MRSA in the general population were also reviewed for comparison. Results The most common type of MRSA infection among HIV-infected persons is SSTI caused by USA300, Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL)-positive strains. HIV-infected persons have an increased risk for both initial MRSA infections and recurrent infections compared with the general population. Risk factors for MRSA infections in this population include immunosuppression, comorbid conditions and certain lifestyle behaviours such as high-risk sexual behaviours and illicit drug use. Further research is needed on the optimal treatment and prevention strategies for MRSA infections among HIV-infected persons. Conclusions HIV-infected persons have a propensity for MRSA SSTI and a high rate of recurrent disease. The reasons for the elevated rates of MRSA infections among HIV-infected persons appear to be multifactorial, but may be mitigated with optimized HIV control and reductions in associated risk factors.
Cytogenetic analysis of hairy root cultures from a number of plant species transformed by Agrobacterium rhizogenes

Hairy root cultures, obtained after transformation of seven plant species by A. rhizogenes, were examined cytologically to assess their chromosome number. All species had the correct 2n diploid number of chromosomes in root tip cells. Free cell suspensions of two of the species were also examined and were found to be variable with polyploids or aneuploids predominating. The DNA from the hairy root cultures was isolated and the presence of the Agrobacterium T-DNA confirmed by Southern blotting. The relevance of these observations to the use of hairy roots in the study of plant secondary metabolite production is discussed.
System design of a wind turbine using a multi-level optimization approach

Abstract In this paper a multi-level system design (MLS) algorithm is presented and utilized for a wind turbine system analysis. The MLS guides the decision making process for designing a complex system where many alternatives and many mutually competing objectives and disciplines need to be considered and evaluated. Mathematical relationships between the design variables and the multiple discipline performance objectives are developed adaptively as the various design considerations are evaluated and as the design is being evolved. These relationships are employed for rewarding performance improvement during the decision making process by allocating more resources and influence to the disciplines which exhibit the improvement. Simulation tools developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) are employed in the wind turbine design analysis. The Cost Of Energy (COE) comprises the overall system level objective, while performance improvements at two technical design disciplines are pursued at the same time. The optimal design of the blade geometry for maximum Annual Energy Production (AEP), and the structural design of the blade for minimum bending moment at the root of the blade comprise the two technical design disciplines. Scalar metamodels are developed for linking the design variables with the performance metrics associated with the design of the blade geometry. Main characteristics of the wind turbine, namely, the rotor diameter, the rotational speed, the maximum rated power, the hub height, the structural characteristics of the blade, and the geometric characteristics of the blade (distribution of thickness, twist angle, and chord) are employed as design variables for the overall design analysis. The optimization results and the physical insight which can be gained through a sensitivity analysis for the optimal configuration are presented and discussed.
Central place theory and the location of services in Colorado in 1899

Abstract Central Place Theory predicts the geographic distribution of services in an economy. Using the 1899 Colorado State Business Directory, this case study examines retail grocers, physicians, wholesale grocers and dentists. As predicted by the theory, the distribution of grocers, physician, and dentists closelyailable parallels population patterns. Higher order services such as dentistry are available at few centers while low order services such as groceries and medical care are widely available. On the other hand, the distribution of wholesaling corresponds to location theories for producer services. These services concentrate in highly accessible trade entrepots and gateway centers. Overall the 1899 pattern is much like today.
Therapeutic percutaneous renal artery occlusion with a detachable balloon.

Bilateral nephrectomy is sometimes required for the control of severe hypertension or nephrotic syndrome. Surgical intervention in a patient with uncontrollable hypertension or the malnutrition and anasarca of nephrotic syndrome is associated with increased risk for the development of operative complications. We report 2 hemodialysis patients, 1 with uncontrollable hypertension and 1 with severe nephrotic syndrome, who were successfully treated with percutaneous renal infarction. Inflatable and detachable balloons were placed in each renal artery by percutaneous arterial catheterization. Neither patient experienced any significant complication from the procedure.
A new method for stereoselective oxidation of chiral 2-pyrrolidino-1-ethanol derivatives to oxazolopyrrolidines using trimethylamine-N-oxide in the presence of iron carbonyls

Abstract Chiral 2-pyrrolidino-1-ethanol derivatives were oxidatively cyclized to the corresponding oxazolopyrrolidines, with excellent stereoselectivity by treatment with excess Me3NO in the presence of 20% of an iron carbonyl complex.