cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Imagining resilience: situating perceptions and emotions about climate change on Kamchatka, Russia

Global environmental change shapes places and people through ongoing transformation of ecological, socioeconomic, political, and cultural phenomena. One region construed as highly vulnerable to global environmental change, particularly anthropogenic climate change, is the North. Recent research about human communities in Western arctic and subarctic places revolve around vulnerability to anthropogenic climate change, focusing on loss of the ability to pursue traditional livelihoods, threats to ecosystems sustaining human communities and the need to adapt to new environmental regimes. Fewer studies address Russia and the perceptions and emotions related to climate change. To understand how people of the Russian North engage with climate change, I conducted ethnographic research in two rural and remote communities in subarctic alpine Kamchatka, Russia in 2009–2010. Local narratives about climate change largely reflect climate skepticism, and anthropogenic climate change is rejected as explaining environmental changes because: (1) climate is considered as naturally and cyclically changing, (2) humans are not considered a large enough force to alter natural climate cycles, (3) environmental problems are solvable with technology and (4) there is a lack of knowledge about climate change science. Thus, perceptions and emotions about transformation focus on other realms—socioeconomic, political, cultural—that are perceived as more critical to everyday life in the present and near future. Here, I describe these narratives and place the regional understanding of climate change in greater context to explain resistance to imagining environmental transformations due to climate change.
Revolution and progress in medicine

This paper adapts Kuhn's conceptual framework to developmental episodes in the theory and practice of medicine. Previous attempts to understand the reception of Ignaz Semmelweis's work on puerperal fever in Kuhnian terms are used as a starting point. The author identifies some limitations of these attempts and proposes a new way of understanding the core Kuhnian notions of "paradigm," "progress," and "revolution" in the context of a socially embedded technoscience such as medicine.
Relationships of Mammalian Sperm Motility and Morphology to Hydrodynamic Aspects of Cell Function

This study investigated the relationships of sperm body morphology and flagellar beat frequency and shape with the swimming velocity, power output, and stirring of nearby fluid by the spermatozoa of several mammals. Hamster spermatozoa were studied before and after the motility activation which is associated with capacitation and the acrosome reaction in that species. Human spermatozoa were assessed while swimming progressively in semen, and also while exhibiting the figure-of-eight beat pattern seen in cervical mucus and other media of high viscosity. Ram spermatozoa were studied while swimming in diluted semen. Data obtained from high-speed cinemicrography were applied to a computerized mathematical model of the hydrodynamics of sperm movement. The results demonstrate the relationships between sperm hydrodynamics and morphology, flagellar beat frequency, and shape. Many of these relationships are highly nonlinear, so that small differences in geometrical parameters of morphology and movement can produce large differences in hydrodynamic characteristics. Thus, hamster spermatozoa (preactivated) swim faster and expend more energy than ram spermatozoa which, in turn, exceed human spermatozoa in these measures. However, there is sufficient geometrical similarity in the morphologies and movement characteristics of these spermatozoa that appropriate grouping of various parameters results in dimensionless expressions with general applicability. Thus, the conclusions resulting from the present work can be used in studying the spermatozoa of other mammals as well. It was also shown that fluid stirring by spermatozoa, as opposed to smaller microorganisms, is an important mechanism of transfer of dissolved ions, molecules, and gases to and from the cell surface. In this regard, activated hamster sperm stir substantially more fluid than do preactivated hamster sperm, even though their power outputs are not significantly different.
A socioeconomic analysis of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring during spine surgery: national use, regional variation, and patient outcomes.

Object In the United States in recent years, a dramatic increase in the use of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) during spine surgeries has been suspected. Myriad reasons have been proposed, but no clear evidence confirming this trend has been available. In this study, the authors investigated the use of IONM during spine surgery, identified patterns of geographic variation, and analyzed the value of IONM for spine surgery cases. Methods In this retrospective analysis, the Nationwide Inpatient Sample was queried for all spine surgeries performed during 2007–2011. Use of IONM (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, code 00.94) was compared over time and between geographic regions, and its effect on patient independence at discharge and iatrogenic nerve injury was assessed. Results A total of 443,194 spine procedures were identified, of which 85% were elective and 15% were not elective. Use of IONM was recorded for 31,680 cases and increased each calendar year from 1% of...
An Automatic and Robust Method for Microarray Image Analysis and the Related Information Retrieval for Microarray Databases

DNA microarray is an increasingly important technique that allows biologists to monitor expression levels of thousands of genes in parallel. This technique is widely used in biological research for studying genomic aberrations in cancer and other genetic diseases, and therefore, it has great potential for clinical diagnostics in the future. However, there are still several critical problems with this technology. In this study, we focus on two important issues. The first issue is related to automatic gridding and spot segmentation for microarray images. It has been reported that the quality of spot segmentation significantly influences data precision in the subsequent data analysis. However, nowadays microarray image analysis software still requires users' fine tuning to obtain acceptable results. Another important issue is how to automatically collect related information regarding all genes on the microarray slide for subsequent data analysis and data mining. To relieve researchers from manually correcting image processing results and manually collecting the related information for genes, in this paper, we proposed an automatic and robust method for microarray image analysis and the related information retrieval module which is integrated with the proposed database schema for microarray image data.
Eolian deposition in the alpine zone of the Uinta Mountains, Utah, USA

Abstract Field and laboratory investigations were conducted to determine the origin of a ubiquitous layer of silt that caps soil profiles in the alpine zone of the Uinta Mountains, Utah, USA. Fine sediment isolated from snowbanks was studied to constrain the fraction of this material derived from allochthonous eolian additions. Lake sediments representing deposition over the past few centuries were analyzed to determine whether dust deposition in the Uintas has been a long-term process, and if properties of the modern dust differ from dust which accumulated prior to European settlement. Results indicate that alpine soils have been strongly influenced by long-term eolian deposition. The loess cap in these soil profiles averages 18 cm thick, and physical and chemical properties of soil horizons derived from the eolian parent material are significantly different than those of the subsurface horizons derived from in situ produced congelifractate. Fine sediment observed at the surface of snowbanks in the early summer is a mixture of silty exotic eolian material and sandy locally derived sediment. Snowbanks on ridgecrests and on slopes of blocky scree tend to accumulate the maximum amount of exotic dust with the minimum amount of local material. The grain-size distribution, mineralogy, and geochemistry of lake sediments indicate that dust has been accumulating in the Uintas for at least the last few centuries. Modern lake sediments are significantly enriched in elements indicative of upwind mining and agricultural activity, recording an anthropogenic change in dust composition following settlement of the surrounding lowland basins.
Glucose and Hemoglobin A1c

Glucose, a monosaccharide, is the primary source of energy for the human body. It is used by the liver and other cells for energy or stored as glycogen for later use. The level of glucose in the bloodstream is regulated by 2 pancreatic hormones, insulin and glucagon. Insulin is released when glucose levels rise. Insulin acts by increasing glycogenesis, lipogenesis, and glycolysis, causing a decrease of glucose in the bloodstream. Glucagon is released when glucose levels fall, causing the liver to release stored glucose (glycogen) into the bloodstream (glycogenolysis), thereby increasing the level of glucose in the bloodstream. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), also called glycosylated hemoglobin, is a hemoglobin compound produced when glucose reacts with the amino group on a hemoglobin molecule forming a ketoamine. The glucose molecule is attached to one or both N-terminal valines of the β-polypeptide chains of normal adult hemoglobin.1 The HbA1c formation is proportional to the blood glucose concentrations. Because the average red blood cell life is approximately 120 days, the glycosylated hemoglobin level reflects the average blood glucose level during the previous 2 to 3 months. Glucose testing is used to determine if an individual has hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia. A high fasting glucose level (≥126 mg/dL) and/or a high HbA1c level (>6.5%) might indicate that an individual has diabetes mellitus. HbA1c is a reliable method of monitoring long-term diabetes mellitus control; it determines the average blood glucose level of an individual during a period of approximately 3 months. Normal values range from 4.0% to 6.0%. Results of a study2 have shown the strong linear relationship between average blood glucose levels and HbA1c levels. Current American Diabetes mellitus Association guidelines recommend that a HbA1c test be performed at least twice yearly on patients who are meeting treatment … [↵][1]* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: vfreeman{at}utmb.edu [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Integrating energy calculations with functional assays to decipher the specificity of G protein–RGS protein interactions

The RGS family is involved in regulating G protein signaling. Using computational analysis coupled with examination of RGS activity, a group of variable residues that together modulate G protein recognition are now identified. Mutational analysis confirmed the importance of these modulatory residues and generated gain-of-function RGS proteins. The analysis described is shown to be applicable to uncovering important residues in other protein families.
Extracorporeal life support.

Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) denotes the use of prolonged extracorporeal cardiopulmonary bypass in patients with acute, reversible cardiac or respiratory failure. As technology has advanced, organ support functions other than gas exchange, such as liver, renal, and cardiac support, have been provided by ECLS, and others, such as immunologic support, will be developed. The future of ECLS will include improvements in devices accompanied by circuit simplification and auto-regulation. Such enhancements in technology will allow application of ECLS to populations currently excluded from such support; for example, thromboresistant circuits will eliminate the need for systemic anticoagulation and lead to the use of this technique in premature newborns. As the ECLS technique becomes safer and simpler, and as morbidity and mortality are minimized, criteria for application of ECLS will be relaxed. New approaches to ECLS, such as pumpless arteriovenous bypass, the artificial placenta, arteriovenous CO 2 removal (AVCO 2 R), and intravenous oxygenators (IVOX), will become more commonly applied. Such advances in technology will allow broader and more routine application of ECLS for lung and other organ system failure.
Acoustic emissions analysis of damage in amorphous and crystalline metal foams

Abstract Acoustic emission methods are used to investigate the nature and evolution of microfracture damage during uniaxial compression of ductile amorphous and brittle crystalline metal foams made from a commercial Zr-based bulk metallic glass, and to compare this behavior against that of aluminum-based foam of similar structure. For the amorphous foam, acoustic activity reveals evolution of the damage process from diffuse to localized damage through the foam stress plateau region, and reversion back towards diffuse damage in the foam densification region. Accommodation of microfracture by surrounding ductile struts, and significant point contact formation, permit high average compressive strains of ca. 80% in the amorphous foam without macroscopic failure.
OFDM Interference Mitigation Algorithms for Doubly-Selective Channels

Frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system may suffer from significant Inter-carrier Interference (ICI) and Inter-block Interference (IBI) under a time- and frequency- selective (or doubly-selective) channel. We propose a novel hybrid architecture where a time-domain FIR filter mitigates IBI by shortening the channel to the cyclic prefix length. This is followed by ICI cancellation in the frequency-domain using few FIR taps per subchannel combined with successive cancellation. We also propose an iterative joint data and channel estimation scheme to improve the channel estimation performance.
State-Owned Enterprise, Labor Redundancy, and Job Creation: The Experience of Chinese Provinces from 1986 to 1996

Little is known about the magnitude of China's SOE labor redundancy and the patterns and determinants of job creation. Such knowledge gap makes it difficult for decision-makers to provide prescriptions for China's labor problems. This paper uses a panel data of Chinese provinces between 1986 to 1996 to estimate China's SOE labor redundancy, and patterns and determinants of job creation in China. We find that (i) releasing all redundant workers would raise the average urban unemployment rate to 25 percent; (ii) SOE labor redundancy proved to be a major impediment of job creation; (iii) patterns of job creation performance were mainly explained by structural variables such as SOE labor redundancy, schooling, railway mileage, and distance to seaport; and (iv) demand variables such as GDP growth rates, trade exposure and FDI inflow, in contrast, did not explain much.
Herbivore density mediates the indirect effect of herbivores on plants via induced resistance and apparent competition

Herbivore-induced plant resistance and apparent competition are two indirect ways herbivores interact. If a less damaging herbivore indirectly suppresses the abundance of a more damaging herbivore via these mechanisms, then plants may ultimately benefit. Changes in herbivore density, however, can dictate the intensity of species interactions and may play a critical role in determining the outcome of plant- and predator-mediated herbivore interactions. We tested the effects of herbivore density on the strength of indirect interactions among phloem-feeding aphids and herbivorous caterpillars and the outcome of these interactions for their shared host plant, cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). We quantified the survival of caterpillars on host plants that were infested with varying densities of aphids in the presence and absence of predators (ladybeetles). We found that aphids induced defensive proteins in cotton plants and that caterpillar survival was negatively affected by induced resistance. Likewise, we found that the presence of aphids increased predation of caterpillars by ladybeetles, but that apparent competition between aphids and caterpillars was density dependent. Ladybeetles consumed relatively high numbers of small caterpillars at low to intermediate aphid densities, but essentially became aphid specialists at high aphid densities. Aphid induced defenses and apparent competition combined such that plant damage by caterpillars was lowest when predators were present at low aphid density (induced resistance + highest level of apparent competition). This suggests that herbivores can benefit plants, but the effect on host plants is mediated by herbivore density. Indirect herbivore-plant mutualisms may increase plant quality, plant fitness, and yield of crop plants and these interactions need to be considered in ecologically based pest management plans. In addition, these interactions likely alter arthropod community structure and natural selection on anti-herbivore defense traits in plants in natural systems.
SONG DIALECTS AS BARRIERS TO DISPERSAL: A RE-EVALUATION.

Although much has been written on the subject of song dialects in birds (reviews in Thielcke, 1969; Lemon, 1975; Bitterbaum and Baptista, 1979), few data exist testing the current theories regarding the adaptive significance of these vocalizations. Two popular ideas presented by Marler and Tamura (1962) and Konishi (1965), and developed by Nottebohm (1969), are that: 1) song dialects reduce gene flow across demes by attracting birds to settle near their place of birth on hearing their familiar natal song; 2) females select males that sing their own song for mates, thus promoting deviation from panmixia. Baker (1975) and Baker and Mewaldt (1978, 1979) have tested the first using biochemical and capture/recapture techniques on sedentary White-crowned Sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys nuttalii). Between 1975 and 1979, we conducted a similar study on the same species at the Presidio (P) of San Francisco (see map, Fig. 1). The habitat consists of coastal soft chaparral, and is, therefore, similar to that of the Point Reyes Peninsula, 38 km to the northwest, where Baker and Mewaldt (1978) conducted their study. One might expect the local dispersal biologies of the two populations to be similar. The Presidio study area is unusual; while most birds sing the local (Presidio) dialect within the 1.5 km by 370 m area, scattered throughout this population are breeding birds singing the dialect of the adjacent San Francisco city. Additional data were gathered at a site 5.6 km south at Twin
Key Factors to Strengthen the Disaster Contingency and Recovery Planning Process

(1998). Key Factors to Strengthen the Disaster Contingency and Recovery Planning Process. Information Strategy: The Executive's Journal: Vol. 14, No. 2, pp. 37-43.
Mechanisms of antibody-mediated acute and chronic rejection of kidney allografts.

Purpose of review Antibody-mediated rejection is responsible for up to half of acute rejection episodes in kidney transplant patients and more than half of late graft failures. Antibodies cause acute graft abnormalities that are distinct from T cell-mediated rejection and at later times posttransplant, a distinct pathologic lesion is associated with capillary basement membrane multilayering and glomerulopathy. Despite the importance of donor-reactive antibodies as the leading cause of kidney graft failure, mechanisms underlying antibody-mediated acute and chronic kidney graft injury are poorly understood. Here, we review recent insights provided from clinical studies as well as from animal models that may help to identify new targets for therapy. Recent findings Studies of biopsies from kidney grafts in patients with donor-specific antibody versus those without have utilized analysis of pathologic lesions and gene expression to identify the distinct characteristics of antibody-mediated rejection. These analyses have indicated the presence of natural killer cells and their activation during antibody-mediated rejection. The impact of studies of antibody-mediated allograft injury in animal models have lagged behind these clinical studies, but have been useful in testing the activation of innate immune components within allografts in the presence of donor-specific antibodies. Summary Most insights into processes of antibody-mediated rejection of kidney grafts have come from carefully designed clinical studies. However, several new mouse models of antibody-mediated kidney allograft rejection may replicate the abnormalities observed in clinical kidney grafts and may be useful in directly testing mechanisms that underlie acute and chronic antibody-mediated graft injury.
A new record of Heribaudiella fluviatilis , a freshwater brown alga (Phaeophyceae), from Oregon

Members of the algal class Phaeophyceae (brown algae) are almost entirely marine species. A few genera have been described from freshwater habitats, but their distribution and ecological requirements, especially in North America, are very poorly known. The 1st specimens of a freshwater species of brown algae from Oregon, Heribaudiella fluviatilis , were discovered in 3 localities of the McKenzie River, near McKenzie Bridge and Belknap Springs (44°22′N, 122°00′-15′W). This is the 4th extant population of this species known from the United States. The alga forms distinctive, macroscopic, dark brown patches on rocks in rapidly flowing water. In the McKenzie River it co-occurs, apparently year-round, with several other macrophytic algal species, including Prasiola Mexicana , Zygnema sp. (sterile), Nostoc parmelioides , N. vemlcossum , and Phormidium cf. autumnale . In cooler months the macroalgal species Ulothrix zonata and Hydrurus foetidus are also present with Heribaudiella . Photographs and ecological information are provided. We report a 380-km range extension south for the species, and thus far the most southerly population known from North America. This new record suggests that the alga may be more widespread than previously recognized and that other localities may be discovered with further study.
Comparative study on outcome of different treatments for Grauer typeII odontoid fractures

Objective To explore the outcome of different treatments for Grauer type Ⅱ odontoid fractures. Methods From August 2007 to August 2012, forty-two patients with type Ⅱ odontoid fractures were enrolled. Four patients were associated with spine cord injury. Six type Ⅱ A patients were performed skull traction, then they were treated by Holo-vest fixation for several months. Nineteen typeⅡ B patients were managed with odontoid screw fixation(group A). Seventeen(including seven typeⅡ B of severe fracture displacement and ten type ⅡC) patients were treated with atlantoaxial pedicle screw system(group B). Results All the patients were followed up for 12-20 months, 14.8 months on average. All obtained bone union. One typeⅡ C patient had loosening of pedicle screw 6 months after operation, and received an revision. One year after operation, bone union was obtained. There was significant difference in blood loss and operation time between group A and group B(P 0.05).There was no significant difference of VAS scores between two groups(P 0.05). The patients with spine cord injury obtained neural function recovery. Conclusion The conservative treatment is proper for typeⅡ A fractures, odontoid screw fixation can be alterative for typeⅡ B fractures without displacement atlantoaxial, pedicle screw system is better for type ⅡC and typeⅡ B fractures with severe facture displacement.
The Culturally Responsive Classroom Management Self-Efficacy Scale: Development and Initial Validation:

This article reports on the development and initial validation of the Culturally Responsive Classroom Management Self-Efficacy Scale. Data from 380 preservice and inservice teachers were used to ex...
First Experimental Evidence for the Diverse Requirements of Excimer vs Hole Stabilization in π-Stacked Assemblies

Exciton formation and charge separation and transport are key dynamical events in a variety of functional polymeric materials and biological systems, including DNA. Beyond the necessary cofacial approach of a pair of aromatic molecules at van der Waals contact, the extent of overlap and necessary geometrical reorganization for optimal stabilization of an excimer vs dimer cation radical remain unresolved. Here, we compare experimentally the dynamics of excimer formation (via emission) and charge stabilization (via threshold ionization) of a novel covalently linked, cofacially stacked fluorene dimer (F2) with the unlinked van der Waals dimer of fluorene, that is, (F)2. Although the measured ionization potentials are identical, the excimeric state is stabilized by up to ∼30 kJ/mol in covalently linked F2. Supported by theory, this work demonstrates for the first time experimentally that optimal stabilization of an excimer requires a perfect sandwich-like geometry with maximal overlap, whereas hole stabilizat...
Simultaneous localization and planning for cooperative air munitions

This chapter considers the cooperative control of aerial munitions during the attack phase of a mission against ground targets. It is assumed that sensor information from multiple munitions is available to refine an estimate of the target location. Based on models of the munition dynamics and sensor performance, munition trajectories are designed that enhance the ability to cooperatively estimate the target location. The problem is posed as an optimal control problem using a cost function based on the variances in the target-location estimate. These variances are computed by fusing the individual munition measurements in a weighted least squares estimate. Numerical solutions are found for several examples both with and without considering limitations on the munitions’ field of view. These examples show large reductions in target-location uncertainty when these trajectories are used compared to other naively designed trajectories. This reduction in uncertainty could enable the attack of targets with greater precision using smaller, cheaper munitions.
Predicting and correcting for image placement errors during the fabrication of EUVL masks

With the stringent requirements on image placement (IP) errors in the sub-65 nm regime, all sources of mask distortion during fabrication and usage must be minimized or corrected. For extreme ultraviolet lithography, the nonflatness of the mask is critical as well, due to the nontelecentric illumination during exposure. This paper outlines a procedure to predict the IP errors induced on the mask during the fabrication processing, e-beam tool chucking, and exposure tool chucking. Finite element (FE) models are used to simulate the out-of-plane and in-plane distortions at each loading step. The FE results are compiled to produce a set of Correction Tables that can be implemented during e-beam writing to compensate for these distortions and significantly increase IP accuracy.
Disorder-driven destruction of a non-Fermi liquid semimetal studied by renormalization group analysis

We investigate the interplay of Coulomb interactions and short-range-correlated disorder in three-dimensional systems where absent disorder the noninteracting band structure hosts a quadratic band crossing. Though the clean Coulomb problem is believed to host a non-Fermi liquid phase, disorder and Coulomb interactions have the same scaling dimension in a renormalization group (RG) sense, and thus should be treated on an equal footing. We therefore implement a controlled $\ensuremath{\varepsilon}$ expansion and apply it at leading order to derive RG flow equations valid when disorder and interactions are both weak. We find that the non-Fermi liquid fixed point is unstable to disorder, and demonstrate that the problem inevitably flows to strong coupling, outside the regime of applicability of the perturbative RG. An examination of the flow to strong coupling suggests that disorder is asymptotically more important than interactions, so that the low-energy behavior of the system can be described by a noninteracting sigma model in the appropriate symmetry class (which depends on whether exact particle-hole symmetry is imposed on the problem). We close with a discussion of general principles unveiled by our analysis that dictate the interplay of disorder and Coulomb interactions in gapless semiconductors, and of connections to many-body localized systems with long-range interactions.
Design and Evaluation of a Training Protocol for a Photographic Method of Visual Estimation of Fruit and Vegetable Intake among Kindergarten Through Second-Grade Students.

Abstract Objective To design a replicable training protocol for visual estimation of fruit and vegetable (FV) intake of kindergarten through second-grade students through digital photography of lunch trays that results in reliable data for FV served and consumed. Methods Protocol development through literature and researcher input was followed by 3 laboratory-based trainings of 3 trainees. Lunchroom data collection sessions were done at 2 elementary schools for kindergarten through second-graders. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were used. Results By training 3, ICC was substantial for amount of FV served and consumed (0.86 and 0.95, respectively; P P = .06). In-school estimates for ICCs were all significant for amounts served at school 1 and percentage of FV consumed at both schools. Conclusions and Implications The protocol resulted in reliable estimation of combined FV served and consumed using digital photography. The ability to estimate FV intake accurately will benefit intervention development and evaluation.
Tidal Energy Resource Measurements

When conducting tidal energy resource characterization and assessment, it is important to capture the strong variations of tidal currents in time and space. Field measurements can quantify many of these variations, which have both deterministic and stochastic components. The deterministic components occur on timescales of hours to years. As such, they are repeatable and well-suited to harmonic analyses associated with astronomical tidal forcing. The stochastic components are well-suited to statistical descriptions of fluid turbulence , from the short scales (milliseconds and millimeters), where dissipation occurs, to the long scales (seconds and meters), where large eddies occur. While the resolution of deterministic components may be adequate for characterizing annual energy production, both components need to be quantified to determine design loads on tidal energy conversion devices. In addition to the direct utility of field measurements to characterize and assess the tidal energy resource, field measurements are also essential to validate computational models used to assess the resource over large spatial domains.
Bridging the Service Divide: Dual Labor Niches and Embedded Opportunities in Restaurant Work

Restaurants and other interactive service workplaces in the United States serve as labor niches for two very different kinds of workers doing different tasks. Immigrant Latinos primarily work “back-of-the-house” jobs doing manual tasks, while class-privileged whites work “front-of-the-house” jobs performing customer-facing tasks. How do these social and structural cleavages between dual labor niches affect the workplace dynamic? Drawing on ethnographic research in upscale Los Angeles restaurants, I describe the closed boundaries between these distinct labor niches and the valuable bridging between them performed by certain workers who are able to ease social tensions and buffer the service labor process. I discuss the implications of these findings for the study of contemporary immigrant labor niches and the nature of the opportunities within them and between them.
Simulating selenium and nitrogen fate and transport in coupled stream-aquifer systems of irrigated regions

Abstract Elevated levels of selenium (Se) in aqueous environments can harm aquatic life and endanger livestock and human health. Although Se occurs naturally in the rocks and soils of many alluvial aquifers, mining and agricultural activities can increase its rate of mobilization and transport to surface waters. Attention is given here to regions where nonpoint source return flows from irrigated lands carry pollutant loads to aquifers and streams, contributing to concentrations that violate regulatory and performance standards. Of particular concern is the heightened level and mobilization of Se influenced by nitrate (NO3), a harmful pollutant in its own right. We present a numerical model that simulates the reactive transport of Se and nitrogen (N) species in a coupled groundwater-surface water system. Building upon a conceptual model that incorporates the major processes affecting Se and NO3 transport in an irrigated watershed, the model links the finite-difference models MODFLOW, UZF-RT3D, and OTIS, to simulate flow and reactive transport of multiple chemical species in both the aquifer and a stream network, with mass exchange between the two. The capability of the new model is showcased by calibration, testing, and application to a 500 km2 region in Colorado’s Lower Arkansas River Valley using a rich data set gathered over a 10-yr period. Simulation of spatial and temporal distributions of Se concentration reveals conditions that exceed standards in groundwater for approximately 20% of the area. For the Arkansas River, standards are exceeded by 290%–450%. Simulation indicates that river concentrations of NO3 alone are near the current interim standard for the total of all dissolved N species. These results indicate the need for future use of the developed model to investigate the prospects for land and water best management practices to decrease pollutant levels.
Automata for modeling real-time systems

To model the behavior of finite-state asynchronous real-time systems we propose the notion of timed Buchi automata (TBA). TBAs are Buchi automata coupled with a mechanism to express constant bounds on the timing delays between system events. These automata accept languages of timed traces, traces in which each event has an associated real-valued time of occurrence.
Behavioral and Serotonergic Changes in the Frontal Cortex Following Methamphetamine Self-Administration

Background Methamphetamine use is associated with a variety of negative health outcomes, including psychosis. The frontal cortex serotonin receptors are thought to contribute to psychosis-like behaviors. This study investigated changes in serotonergic markers in the frontal cortex following methamphetamine self-administration and hallucinogenic drug-induced behavior. Methods Consistent with previously published studies, freely cycling male and female rats were allowed to self-administer methamphetamine (males: 0.12 mg/infusion; females: 0.09 mg/infusion) or saline (10 µL) for 7 days. On the day following self-administration or following 10 days of extinction training, animals were given the serotonin 2A/2C agonist, 1-(2,5-Dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane hydrochloride (2 mg/kg, i.p.), and head twitches were analyzed. Autoradiography was also used to assess serotonin receptors and transporters in the frontal cortex following self-administration. Results Methamphetamine self-administration led to an increase in DOI-induced head-twitch behavior compared to saline only on the day following self-administration. Increases in serotonin receptors in the orbitofrontal cortex and decreases in serotonin transporters in the orbitofrontal cortex and infralimbic cortex were observed following methamphetamine self-administration as assessed by autoradiography. Conclusions Methamphetamine self-administration was associated with serotonergic alterations in the frontal cortex, which may underlie behavioral changes related to methamphetamine-associated psychosis.
Product Market Competition and the Profitability Premium

This paper studies the impact of product market competition on the well-documented positive relation between firms' current profitability and future stock returns. I find that this relation is robust only in competitive industries. A long-short portfolio sorted on profitability earns an average monthly return of 1.1% in competitive industries and only 0.14% in concentrated industries. Firms' differential exposure to investment-specific technology shocks explains this gap. To understand this result, I build a production-based model with imperfect competition. Market power reduces a firm's investment response to these shocks and thus lowers risk exposure. Empirical tests confirm the model's predictions.
Screening for Conspiracies: Applications for Litigation, Pre-Litigation, Regulation and Internal Monitoring

A screen is a statistical test designed to detect conspiracies aimed at illegally manipulating a market. Competition authorities, academics and consultants have designed a variety screens to detect competition problems, and the use of such screens is increasing. In this paper, we first describe screens designed to detect bid rigging, price fixing, market allocation schemes and commodity market manipulation. Next, we discuss the ways in which screens can be used by plaintiffs and defendants in antitrust cases. These include (i) class certification, (ii) disproving the existence of a cartel; (iii) establishing the immateriality of a cartel; (iv) estimating the effects and damages of collusion; (v) assisting companies in deciding when and whether to file a leniency application; and (vi) assisting managers in large companies to monitor for data manipulation (e.g. falsified reimbursement or accounting statements) and price fixing in purchasing.
Non-LTE Modeling of Molybdenum L-Shell Radiation Produced Using the Nike Laser*

The Nike KrF laser facility can deliver a few kJ of UV light $( \lambda =248\ \text{nm})$ to a target. This is sufficient to ionize a solid high-atomic-number target, such as molybdenum, producing HED plasma. The emitted molybdenum L-shell x-rays were measured using a high resolution spectrometer with a mica crystal (2d = l 19.84 A). The recorded spectral lines can be used to identify the ion charge states (F-, Ne-, and Na-like) present and non-LTE modeling can be used to diagnose the temperature and density of the plasma. A 1-D non-LTE collisional-radiative kinetic model that solves the radiation transport equation frequency-by-frequency was used to produce a synthetic spectrum to match the recorded experimental spectrum. We report diagnostically useful emission lines that characterize the molybdenum L-shell plasma.
Taking the rules of the game seriously : mainstreaming justice in development - the World Bank's justice for the poor program

This paper explains the ideas and approaches that underpin the World Bank's Justice for the Poor (J4P) program. J4P is an approach to legal empowerment that focuses on mainstreaming sociolegal concerns into development processes, in sectors ranging from community-driven development and mining technical assistance to labor-rights advocacy and classic judicial reform. It has developed out of a perspective that legal and regulatory frameworks and related justice concerns cannot be conceived of in terms of a 'sector' or a specific set of institutions, but are integral to all development processes. Further, while there is broad agreement that justice reform and building an equitable justice sector is central to good governance and sustainable development, there is limited understanding of how equitable justice systems emerge and how such processes can be facilitated by external actors. J4P addresses these knowledge gaps with intensive research aimed at understanding the ways in which development processes shape and are shaped by local context, and in particular, how the poor engage with and/or are excluded from the multiple rule systems ('legal pluralism') governing their everyday lives. Through three case studies of the program's work, this paper illustrates how understanding the various roles of law in society provides an innovative means of analyzing and responding to particular development problems. The cases also demonstrate the principles that underpin J4P: development is inherently conflict-ridden; institutional reform should be seen as an iterative and thus 'interim' process; building local research capacity is critical to establishing an empirically based and context-driven reform process; integrating diverse sources of empirical evidence is needed to deeply engage in local contexts; and rule systems are ubiquitous in all areas of development, not just the 'legal sector.'
EMI Prediction of Multiple Radiators

A new method is developed to predict the scaling of the electromagnetic interference from a large system if similar subsystems are added. The method gives the predicted emission from multiple radiators as well as the level of certainty of the estimation. The proposed statistical approach is based on the phased array antenna theory and Monte Carlo simulation for a router with several line cards (N) and optical modules inserted. To validate the method, a large router with 498 optical modules with an unwanted radiation at 10.31 GHz was investigated in two different cases: the same frequency and different frequency per radiating subsystem. Several statistical experiments were performed for the proposed problem. The effect of phase and amplitude variations over the radiators is reported in this paper. The method is useful when it is not practical to assemble extraordinary amounts of identical hardware in a product installation. The results indicate the existence of a 10 log N (dB) tendency for the maximum electric field emission in a system radiating at the same frequency with random phase distribution over the radiators. For different frequency subsystems, the slope of the maximum electric field emission is lower than the 10 log N (dB) formula.
Arctangent Formulas and Pi

Using both geometrical and analytical approaches, new multivariable formulas connecting the arctangent function and the number π are produced.
Examining Associations Between Hurricane Sandy Exposure and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder by Community of Residence

Exposure to 2012's Hurricane Sandy differed by community across New York City and nearby Long Island, and the differential impact of exposure on mental health concerns must be studied to enhance resilience in vulnerable communities. We assessed the association between self-reported Hurricane Sandy exposure and subsequent posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, obtained through validated questionnaires completed by residents of lower Manhattan (n = 1,134), Queens/Long Island (LI)/Staten Island (SI; n = 622), and the Rockaways (n = 1,011); mean assessment times were 7, 14, and 32 months post-Sandy, respectively. The median number of hurricane exposures was similar for all communities; however, Rockaways residents had a higher proportion of likely PTSD symptoms (18.8%) compared to lower Manhattan (8.0%) and Queens/LI/SI residents (5.8%). Regarding likely PTSD, there was significant interaction between total hurricane exposure and community, p = .002, and flooding and community, p = .040. Number of hurricane exposures was associated with higher odds of likely PTSD in Queens/LI/SI, AOR = 1.61, 95% CI [1.34, 1.94]; lower Manhattan, AOR = 1.43, 95% CI [1.28, 1.59]; and the Rockaways, AOR = 1.25, 95% CI [1.16, 1.35]. Flooding was associated with increased odds of likely PTSD in the Rockaways, AOR = 1.65, 95% CI [1.01, 2.69]; and Queens/LI/SI, AOR = 3.29, 95% CI [1.08, 10.00]. This study emphasizes the differential impact of hurricane exposure on subsequent PTSD symptoms in three communities affected by Hurricane Sandy. Future preparedness and recovery efforts must understand community correlates of mental health concerns to promote resilience in vulnerable communities.
Towards a futurist cultural studies

Cultural studies is a future-oriented discipline, but it at best maintains tangential connections to futurism, a field of study devoted to the systematic study of the future. Why? This essay endeav...
Evaluating Change in Disease Activity Needed to Reflect Meaningful Improvement in Quality of Life for Clinical Trials in Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus

Background Outcome measures of clinical trials in cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) should reflect clinically meaningful improvement in disease activity, as measured by the Cutaneous Lupus Disease Area and Severity Index activity score (CLASI-A). Objective We aimed to define the degree of improvement in disease activity meaningful to a patient's quality of life. Methods The change in the CLASI-A in 126 patients needed to predict meaningful change in QoL, as defined by the Emotions and Symptoms subscales of the Skindex-29, was evaluated by linear regression models. Results In patients with an initial CLASI-A of ≥8, a 42.1% or ≥7-point and a 31.0% or ≥5-point decrease in CLASI-A predicts meaningful improvement in the Emotions and the Symptoms subscales, respectively. Limitations This is a retrospective study of prospectively collected data at a single site. Conclusions A CLASI-A score of ≥8 for trial entry allows for inclusion of patients with milder disease where CLASI-A improvement by ≥50% is clinically significant and meaningful.
Automating Abnormality Detection in Musculoskeletal Radiographs through Deep Learning.

This paper introduces MuRAD (Musculoskeletal Radiograph Abnormality Detection tool), a tool that can help radiologists automate the detection of abnormalities in musculoskeletal radiographs (bone X-rays). MuRAD utilizes a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) that can accurately predict whether a bone X-ray is abnormal, and leverages Class Activation Map (CAM) to localize the abnormality in the image. MuRAD achieves an F1 score of 0.822 and a Cohen's kappa of 0.699, which is comparable to the performance of expert radiologists.
Innate and adaptive immunity of murine neural stem cell-derived piRNA exosomes/microvesicles against pseudotyped SARS-CoV-2 and HIV-based lentivirus.

By testing pseudotyped SARS-CoV-2 and HIV-based lentivirus, this study reports that exosomes/microvesicles (Ex/Mv) isolated from murine hypothalamic neural stem/progenitor cells (htNSC) or subtype htNSCPGHM as well as hippocampal NSC have innate immunity-like actions against these RNA viruses. These extracellular vesicles also have a cell-free innate antiviral action by attacking and degrading viruses. We further generated the induced versions of Ex/Mv through prior viral exposure to NSCs and found that these induced Ex/Mv were stronger than basal Ex/Mv in reducing the infection of these viruses, suggesting the involvement of an adaptive immunity-like antiviral function. These NSC Ex/Mv were found to be characterized by producing large libraries of P element-induced wimpy testis (PIWI)-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) against genomes of various viruses, and some of these piRNAs were enriched during the adaptive immunity-like reaction, possibly contributing to the antiviral effects of these Ex/Mv. In conclusion, NSC Ex/Mv have antiviral immunity and could potentially be developed to combat against various viruses.