cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Serum-free production of recombinant proteins and adenoviral vectors by 293SF-3F6 cells.

This article describes the step-wise approach undertaken to select a serum-free medium (SFM) for the efficient production of a recombinant adenoviral vectors expressing beta-galactosidase (Ad5 CMV-LacZ), in the complementing human embryonic kidney 293S cells. In the first step, a 293S-derived transfectoma, secreting a soluble epidermal growth factor receptor sEGFr (D2-22), was used to estimate the potential of selected serum-free formulations to support the production of a recombinant protein as compared to serum-containing medium. Assays showed that only one among six commercial serum-free formulations could support both sEGFr production and cell growth in static or suspension culture. In commercially available calcium-containing serum-free formulations, the cell aggregates reached up to 3 mm in diameter. In the second step, 293S cells were gradually adapted to a low-calcium version of the selected medium (LC-SFM). Cells were cloned, then screened according to their ability to grow at a rate and an extent comparable to parental cells in serum-containing medium (standard) as single cells or small aggregates. The 293SF-3F6 clone, first adapted to and then cloned in the selected serum-free medium, was selected for further experiments. Bioreactor run performed with the 293SF-3F6 clone showed similar growth curve as in the shake-flask controls. In the final step, the recombinant viral vector productivity of the 293S cells and the 293SF-3F6 clone was tested. The 293SF-3F6 cells infected by Ad5 CMV-LacZ in 3 L-scale bioreactor maintained the specific productivities of both beta-galactosidase and adenoviral vector equivalent to the shake-flask controls in suspension culture. Results from this study clearly demonstrate that the 293SF-3F6 cell line thus selected may be used either for establishing stable transfected cell line or for the production of adenoviral vectors required for gene therapy studies.
Bulge K and M Giants

Several independent studies of the abundances and kinematics of K and M giants in the inner Galaxy (R < 2 kpc) are assembled to trace out this region’s global properties. The mean metal abundance is [M/H] ≈ +0.3 at R = 0.5 kpc, and declines by about 1.2 dex out to R = 2 kpc. The line-of-sight velocity dispersion at R = 0.5 kpc is σr ≈ 115 km sec-1 for all population tracers, and declines by d logσr/d log R = -0.4. It now seems fairly clear that only the most metal-poor K giants become RR Lyrae variables, while the more metal-rich ones become late M stars. There is some evidence that the most metal-rich stars are in a flatter, more rapidly rotating system. Metal abundance ratios for a few K giants suggest that the inner Galaxy may have formed rapidly.
Irrational Workers: The Moral Economy of Labor Protest in Egypt

After comparing the predictions of Marxist, moral economy, and rational-choice theories concerning collective actions by workers in Egypt in the period since the 1952 Free Officers coup, this article concludes that a moral economy perspective is best able to explain the nature and frequency of these protests. The supporting evidence is the correlation between labor protest and violations of workers' feelings of entitlement, as manifest in declining real wages or disruptions to established patterns of wage differentials. The targeting of state institutions, combined with the fact that workers have eschewed actual production stoppages in favor of symbolic protests, indicates a view of reciprocal rights and obligations between themselves and the state. The latter reinforces the moral economy by combining significant concessions with its repressive response to labor protests. Marxism proves unable to explain the largely defensive and reactive nature of labor protest, while rational-choice theory is reduced to efforts to quantify workers' reactions to this repression.
A maximal invariant framework for adaptive detection with structured and unstructured covariance matrices

We introduce a framework for exploring array detection problems in a reduced dimensional space by exploiting the theory of invariance in hypothesis testing. This involves calculating a low-dimensional basis set of functions called the maximal invariant, the statistics of which are often tractable to obtain, thereby making analysis feasible and facilitating the search for tests with some optimality property. Using this approach, we obtain a locally most powerful invariant test for the unstructured covariance case and show that all invariant tests can be expressed in terms of the previously published Kelly's generalized likelihood ratio (GLRT) and Robey's adaptive matched filter (AMF) test statistics. Applying this framework to structured covariance matrices, corresponding to stochastic interferers in a known subspace, for which the GLRT is unavailable, we obtain the maximal invariant and propose several new invariant detectors that are shown to perform as well or better than existing ad-hoc detectors. These invariant tests are unaffected by most nuisance parameters, hence the variation in the level of performance is sharply reduced. This framework facilitates the search for such tests even when the usual GLRT is unavailable. >
An analysis of a fractal kinetics curve of Savageau

The fractal kinetics curve derived by Savageau is analysed to show that its parameters are not uniquely determined given four appropriately situated data points. Comparison is made with an alternate fractal Michaelis-Menten equation derived by Lopez-Quintela and Casado.
An improved model for mass transfer during the formation of polymeric membranes by the immersion-precipitation process

An analysis is presented, which describes the isothermal ternary diffusion process encountered in the formation of a cellulose acetate polymeric membrane by a direct immersion-precipitation of polymeric solutions in a nonsolvent bath. A material coordinate was employed to derive the mass transfer equations for the membrane solution and the convective mass transfer in the coagulation bath was taken into account by solving the hydrodynamic boundary layer equations. Diffusion coefficients were measured and used to deduce ternary phenomenological coefficients. The computed results are found to agree with the experimental precipitation time and membrane morphologies observed in scanning electron photomicrographs. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Archaeological Interpretations of West Mexican Ceramic Art From the Late Preclassic Period: Three Figurine projects

Scholars of West Mexico generally rely on the ceramic figurine tradition found in shaft tombs for interpreting the prehistory of the Late Preclassic period. Three new projects on shaft-tomb ceramics seek to advance our understanding of the Late Formative culture and societies of this region. First, ceramic figures are examined for evidence of the ball game in West Mexico; second, for cultural information about domestic and community organization; and third, for ways to differentiate authentic figures from modern reproductions.
Auditory event-related potentials during target detection are abnormal in mild cognitive impairment

Abstract Objective : To define brain activity and behavioral changes in mild cognitive impairment (MCI), an isolated memory deficit in the elderly that is a major risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. Methods : Brain potentials and reaction time were examined in elderly controls ( n =12) and MCI ( n =15) using a target detection paradigm. Subjects listened to a sequence of tones and responded to high-pitched target tones ( P =0.20) that were randomly mixed with low-pitched tones ( P =0.80). Measures were a pre-stimulus readiness potential (RP), post-stimulus potentials (P50, N100, P200, N200, P300), and reaction time. Results : Accuracy was equivalent between groups, but there was a trend for longer reaction times in MCI ( P =0.08). Two potentials differed between groups: (1) P50 amplitude and latency were significantly increased in MCI, and (2) P300 latency was significantly longer in MCI. Results from two MCI subjects that converted to Alzheimer's disease are also discussed. Conclusions : Brain potentials in MCI subjects during target detection have certain features similar to healthy aging (RP, N100, P200, N200), and other features similar to Alzheimer's disease (delayed P300 latency, slower reaction time). P50 differences in MCI may reflect pathophysiological changes in the modulation of auditory cortex by association cortical regions having neuropathological changes in early Alzheimer's disease.
Complications of lumbar drainage after thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair

Abstract Objectives: Paraplegia remains a frequent complication of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) repair. Many adjunct therapies have been developed to address this complication. Lumbar drainage is frequently used in an attempt to decrease intrathecal pressure and improve intramedullary perfusion pressure. The effectiveness of this therapy is unclear, and the complications of lumbar drainage used for this indication are unknown. We present a case of intraspinal hematoma with significant neurologic deficit after TAAA repair and review the associated complications of lumbar drains placed for TAAA. Methods: The charts of all patients undergoing operations for TAAA repair were reviewed. Patients who underwent perioperative placement of a lumbar drain were included regardless of aneurysm type or etiology. Demographics, Crawford grade, and perioperative parameters and complications were reviewed. Results: Sixty-five patients underwent TAAA repair with 62 (95%) receiving a preoperative lumbar drain. There were two (3.2%) intraspinal hemorrhagic complications, including one patient with a poor neurologic outcome. No infections or other complications directly related to drainage were identified. Multivariate logistic regression analysis failed to demonstrate a significant association between lumbar drain complications and perioperative and intraoperative parameters such as blood loss or hypotension, level of drain placement, and Crawford grade. Conclusions: Lumbar drainage is a frequent adjunct to TAAA repair. However, placement of the drain itself can be associated with significant complications whose aggravating factors may be unidentifiable. Complications resulting from lumbar drainage should be considered in any patient who has postoperative lower extremity neurologic deficits. (J Vasc Surg 2001;34:623-7.)
Why China's Rise Will Be Peaceful: Hierarchy and Stability in the East Asian Region

Will China's expected emergence as the predominant state in East Asia result in hierarchy or balancing? At least three major bodies of literature predict that a rising China will be destabilizing. Realpolitik pessimists see China's rise as inherently so. John Mearsheimer writes that if China threatened to dominate the entire region, “It would be a far more dangerous place than it is now … Engagement policies and the like would not dull China's appetite for power.” Power transition theorists also see rapidly rising power as a likely cause of conflict. Robert Powell writes that, “A rapidly shifting distribution of power combined with the states' inability to commit to an agreement can lead to war.” Finally, those who focus on signaling emphasize that an authoritarian state has more difficulty in making credible statements about its intentions than a democratic state.David C. Kang is associate professor of government at Dartmouth College (david.c.kang@dartmouth.edu).
Sleep quality and quality of life in adults with type 2 diabetes.

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between sleep quality and health-related and diabetes-related quality of life in adults with type 2 diabetes.MethodsThree hundred individuals with type 2 diabetes (mean age 63.9 years) completed questionnaires assessing sleep quality, health-related quality of life, diabetes-related quality of life, comorbidities, and depressive symptoms.ResultsMore than half of the participants (55%) were “poor sleepers” according to the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. After controlling for covariates, poor sleep quality was found to be a significant predictor of lower health-related quality of life as indicated by lower scores on both the physical and mental component scores of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short Form health survey (SF-36). Poor sleep quality was also associated with worse diabetes-related quality of life, in particular lower scores on the Diabetes Quality of Life measure total score and the Satisfaction With Treatment and Diabetes Im...
LEG STRENGTH AND HIP FRACTURE MORBIDITY — RESULTS OF 4 SEPARATE CASE STUDIES

The purpose is to examine the importance of ipsilateral leg strength in mediating hip fracture disability. Leg strength measures were recorded and analyzed for 4 separate data sets: (1) 35 patients hospitalized for acute hip fractures; (2) 72 hip replacement surgical candidates with prior hip fracture histories; (3) 30 hip fracture patients followed prospectively for six months after hospital discharge; (4) 23 hip fracture cases interviewed two years after hospital discharge. (1) 78% of patients with acute hip fracture exhibited leg weakness on the injured side, and 41% exhibited knee extensor muscle weakness on the injured side; (2) 79% of patients readmitted for hip surgery, had deficient muscle power of the previously fractured leg and 33% had specific evidence of knee extensor weakness; (3) Interlimb knee extensor strength differentials greater than 10%, more commonly due to strength deficits on the injured side than the uninjured side, were present in 80% of cases examined six months post surgery, and affected walking speed. (4) knee extensor strength of the affected leg predicted the subject’s walking speed, as did leg strength two years post surgery. The conclusion is that knee extensor strength deficits of the affected leg are common features of hip fracture patients, and may contribute to, or perpetuate, functional disability.
What's the Use of Philosophy? Democratic Citizenship and the Direction of Higher Education

In order to justify the discipline to administrators and prospective majors, many philosophy departments have begun to emphasize the "transferable skills" that students can develop in their courses — problem-solving and communication skills, the ability to argue and write well, and the capacity to engage in systematic analysis. However, designing the study of philosophy around job preparation reinforces a particular conception of the good life and undermines philosophy's primary goal: to invite us to question the values we already hold and to ask whether those values should govern our lives. Philosophers should encourage students' capacity to question conventional norms and to engage in the rational pursuit of the good life. Education then becomes a social activity of holding ourselves to certain values. This shift in subject matter and teaching methods will serve the larger political purpose of better preparing students to be democratic citizens who are able to participate in public dialogue about questions of justice and morality.
3D Ionospheric Electron Density Reconstructions and Radio Propagation Modeling Using DMSP/SSUSI

We describe the use of the Special Sensor Ultraviolet Spectrographic Imager (SSUSI) instrument on the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) F16 satellite to produce 3D ionospheric electron density profiles and the coupling of these profiles with a high frequency (HF) radio propagation tool. These 3D reconstructions, produced via tomographic inversion, show the locations and shapes of density depleted regions and irregularities in the equatorial ionosphere. The radio propagation tool characterizes the effect of these bubbles on the refraction of HF skywave signal paths. We present examples of anomalous refraction occurring in and around density depleted regions seen in SSUSI reconstructions and the calculation of instantaneous Maximum Usable Frequency (MUF).
Base electrodes for high dielectric constant oxide materials in silicon technology

Several conductive structures which appeared to be usable as base electrodes in VLSI capacitors based on high dielectric materials have been annealed in oxygen at 650 °C. The studied structures were Pt/TiN, Pt/Ta, Au/TiN, Ru, and RuO2/Ru, prepared under a variety of conditions. The structures have been studied by Rutherford backscattering (RBS) and Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES). It was found that none of the pure metals, Pt, Au, or Ru, can prevent the diffusion of oxygen to the underlying layer and its oxidation, thus causing a possible break in the electrical conduction path to the silicon substrate. Of the investigated materials, in the thickness range ≤ 110 nm only the RuO2/Ru couple preserved its electrical connectivity to the Si substrate and prevented diffusion of silicon to the surface of the electrode.
Adaptive delay concealment for Internet voice applications with packet-based time-scale modification

For Internet audio applications, much effort has been involved in packet-level error control and delay jitter concealment. In this paper, a packet-based time-scale modification scheme for speech signal is applied to provide adaptive delay concealment at the receiver of an Internet voice session. The adaptive playout algorithm strives to minimize receiver packet droppings for late-arrival packets and premature packets while keeping the end-to-end delay constrained. By stretching the voice segment up/down and incorporating the silence interval, the proposed algorithm could adapt quickly to accommodate fluctuating delays including delay spikes. The evaluation verifies the performance of the proposed adaptive playout, which improves the received speech intelligence under a tightly bounded average playout delay.
NANOG Metabolically Reprograms Tumor-Initiating Stem-like Cells through Tumorigenic Changes in Oxidative Phosphorylation and Fatty Acid Metabolism

Stem cell markers, including NANOG, have been implicated in various cancers; however, the functional contribution of NANOG to cancer pathogenesis has remained unclear. Here, we show that NANOG is induced by Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling via phosphorylation of E2F1 and that downregulation of Nanog slows down hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression induced by alcohol western diet and hepatitis C virus protein in mice. NANOG ChIP-seq analyses reveal that NANOG regulates the expression of genes involved in mitochondrial metabolic pathways required to maintain tumor-initiating stem-like cells (TICs). NANOG represses mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) genes, as well as ROS generation, and activates fatty acid oxidation (FAO) to support TIC self-renewal and drug resistance. Restoration of OXPHOS activity and inhibition of FAO renders TICs susceptible to a standard care chemotherapy drug for HCC, sorafenib. This study provides insights into the mechanisms of NANOG-mediated generation of TICs, tumorigenesis, and chemoresistance through reprogramming of mitochondrial metabolism.
Subcaste-specific evolution of head size in the ant genus Pheidole

An organism's morphology is constrained by its evolutionary history and the need to meet a variety of potentially competing functions. The ant genus Pheidole is the most species-rich ant genus and almost every species has a dimorphic worker caste (a few are trimorphic). This separation of workers into two developmentally distinct subcastes (smaller minors and larger majors with distinctively large heads) may partially release individuals from functional constraints on morphology, making Pheidole an ideal genus for addressing questions on the evolution of morphology in relation to ecological specialization. Major workers can perform a variety of tasks, although they are usually specialized for defence, as well as food retrieval and processing. Pheidole species vary in their diet, although many species gather seeds. The major workers mill the seeds using large jaws powered by mandible closer muscles that occupy a large proportion of the head cavity. In the present study, we examined the relationship between seed-harvesting and morphology in Pheidole, hypothesizing that majors of seed-harvesting species would have larger heads relative to non-seed-harvesters to accommodate the powerful mandibular muscles needed to mill seeds. By taking a phylogenetically controlled comparative approach, we found that majors of seed-associated Pheidole did not have larger heads (width and length) than majors of non-seed-harvesting species. However, the head length of minors (and to a lesser extent head width) was smaller in seed-harvesters. Additionally, we found the difference in head size between majors and minors was greater in seed-harvesting species. These morphological differences in diet, however, were not related to changes in the rate of evolution in either seed-harvesting or non-seed-harvesting lineages. These findings suggest that the morphologies of worker subcastes can evolve independently of each other, allowing colonies with polymorphic workers to specialize on new resources or tasks in ways not possible in monomorphic species.
CARDIAC LIFESTYLE INTERVENTIONS DIFFERING IN DIETARY STRINGENCY IMPROVE INSULIN RESISTANCE THROUGH CHANGES IN LIPOPROTEIN PROFILES

Metabolic dysfunction characterized by insulin resistance (IR) is an important risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease (CAD). The Lipoprotein Insulin Resistance (LP-IR) score, derived from measures of lipoprotein subclass particle concentration and size, is a new
Development of a photosynthesis model with an emphasis on ecological applications : III. Carbon dioxide and oxygen dependencies.

A theoretical description of the simultaneous processes of photosynthesis and photorespiration in a single leaf is developed, based on the hypothesis that carbon dioxide and oxygen compete for the active site of ribulose diphosphate carboxylase. Michaelis-Menten kinetics and competitive inhibition at the end of a diffusion path provide the basic structure of the model. Data of Ludwig (1972) from sunflower are analyzed according to the formulation. This description is part of a more general physiological-ecological model of photosynthesis presented previously (Tenhunen et al., 1976a, b) and continues to elaborate sub-processes in terms of physiologically meaningful parameters. The description is considered a working hypothesis. Data on photorespiration from the literature are reviewed as they relate to this working hypothesis. Several lines of investigation are thereby suggested that will help clarify the role of photorespiration in whole leaf photosynthesis and determine the over-all utility of this modeling approach.
Fertility Study of Fresh Eggs by Radio Frequency Conductivity and Dielectric Effect

SummaryThe experiment introduces a new method of measuring conductivity and dielectric effects, independent of electrodes in contact with the material, and is especially adaptable for observations of these properties of a whole egg.The results indicate that conductivity is lower and dielectric constant higher in fertile fresh eggs than in infertile.
Transcranial and Skull Base Surgical Approaches to the Sellar and Parasellar Region

The surgeon approaching tumors in the sellar region must contend with a highly congested neurovascular anatomy surrounding the pituitary gland and stalk. In particular, the optic chiasm and nerves, carotid artery and branches, and upper cranial nerves merit meticulous attention. Although the transsphenoidal approach is used to resect the vast majority of sellar lesions and an increasing number of lesions with extrasellar extension, facility with open transcranial approaches is still necessary for safe resection of lesions with particular anatomical characteristics for which endonasal approaches are ill-advised.
Leadership and Your Community

Good leaders are made not born. If you have the desire and willpower, you can become an effective leader. Good leaders develop through a never ending process of self-study, education, training, and experience. This guide will help you through that process. To inspire your workers into higher levels of teamwork, there are certain things you must be, know, and, do. These do not come naturally, but are acquired through continual work and study. A well focused leader always wins the hearts of the community members through his contributions.
Infrared thermography for detection of laminar–turbulent transition in low-speed wind tunnel testing

This work presents the details of a system for experimentally identifying laminar-to-turbulent transition using infrared thermography applied to large, metal models in low-speed wind tunnel tests. Key elements of the transition detection system include infrared cameras with sensitivity in the 7.5- to 14.0-µm spectral range and a thin, insulating coat for the model. The fidelity of the system was validated through experiments on two wind-turbine blade airfoil sections tested at Reynolds numbers between Re = 1.5 × 106 and 3 × 106. Results compare well with measurements from surface pressure distributions and stethoscope observations. However, the infrared-based system provides data over a much broader range of conditions and locations on the model. This paper chronicles the design, implementation and validation of the infrared transition detection system, a subject which has not been widely detailed in the literature to date.
Prevalence of Hepatitis C among Employees from Catering and Public Places in Urban Chengde during 2005—2009

[Objective]To understand the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) among employees from catering and public places of urban Chengde during 2005—2009,and provide scientific evidence for developing control strategies for hepatitis C and other infectious diseases in the future.[Methods]The immunological method was used to detect the anti-HCV of the employees from food and public places,and the collected data were analyzed statistically.[Results]The average positive rate of anti-HCV was 0.173% among the employees from catering and public places.The anti-HCV positive rate showed an upward trend annually,but there was no significant difference of anti-HCV positive rate between years during 2005—2009(χ2=0.228,P0.05).The anti-HCV positive rate of employees of catering industry was 0.174%,that of employees of public places was 0.172%,the difference was not significant by statistical analysis(χ2=0.00438,P0.05).[Conclusion]The supervision and management on units of catering industry and public places has been implemented exactly so that the anti-HCV positive rate did not increased significantly.In order to ensure public health security of Chengde City,it is necessary to persist in the annual health examination once a year and work transfer of this population,and to strengthen the prevention and control of hepatitis C simultaneously.
A New Dimension of Detection in Analytical Ultracentrifugation with Fluorescence Detection using Photoswitchable FPs as Time Domain Probes

Multi-component protein complex formation is of great interest in physiological and biochemical studies as it is ubiquitous in biological systems. Analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC) provides powerful methods for studying such systems. It offers information on size, shape and binding energies for interacting systems from the analysis of sedimentation profiles of molecular mixtures in free solution. By virtue of the superb hydrodynamic resolution achieved in sedimentation velocity, co-existing complexes can be identified, even in the presence of impurities and aggregates. A recently introduced fluorescence optical detection system (FDS) for AUC substantially extends capabilities for studying high-affinity protein interactions because of the selectivity of fluorescence high sensitivity, allowing studies at picomolar concentrations. To overcome limitations posed by a single excitation wavelength, in the current study, we employed photoswitchable fluorescent proteins (FP) as probes in FDS-AUC. Taking advantage of their characteristic time-dependent fluorescent signal change due to photoswitching during FDS-AUC, a new dimension of detection is created that allows resolving specific FPs in multi-component mixtures. We have developed a computational framework for the analysis of sedimentation data exploiting the new temporal dimension. Experimentally we demonstrated this approach using mixtures of FPs commonly used in imaging, which could be readily distinguished from experimental FDS data. This approach extends FDS-AUC to more complicated protein system with multiple components and allows for quantitative characterization of protein complexes with regard to the binding mechanism and stoichiometry under very low macromolecular concentrations.
Evidence of suppression of star formation by quasar-driven winds in gas-rich host galaxies at z < 1?

Feedback from active galactic nuclei (AGN) is widely considered to be the main driver in regulating the growth of massive galaxies through heating or driving gas out of the galaxy, preventing further increase in stellar mass. Observational proof for this scenario has, however, been scarce. We have assembled a sample of 132 radio-quiet type-2 and red AGN at 0.1<z<1. We measure the kinematics of the AGN-ionized gas, the host galaxies' stellar masses and star formation rates and investigate the relationships between AGN luminosities, specific star formation rates (sSFR) and outflow strengths W90 -- the 90\% velocity width of the [OIII]5007 line power and a proxy for the AGN-driven outflow speed. Outflow strength is independent of sSFR for AGN selected on their mid-IR luminosity, in agreement with previous work demonstrating that star formation is not sufficient to produce the observed ionized gas outflows which have to be powered by AGN activity. More importantly, we find a negative correlation between W90 and sSFR in the AGN hosts with the highest SFRs, i.e., with the highest gas content, where presumably the coupling of the AGN-driven wind to the gas is strongest. This implies that AGN with strong outflow signatures are hosted in galaxies that are more `quenched' than galaxies with weaker outflow signatures. Despite the galaxies' high SFRs, we demonstrate that the outflows are not star-formation driven but indeed due to AGN-powering. This observation is consistent with the AGN having a net suppression, `negative' impact, through feedback on the galaxies' star formation history.
Life, Labor, and Value: Recreating Affective Food Ecologies Through Interspecies Cooperation

As our most complex and intimate relationship with wider environments, food and agriculture provide important opportunities for exploring affective ecologies. Here I re-visit some of the ways that Modern constructs of humans as radically different from environments and of value as a function of exchange work to produce agricultural systems that are ever less affective and more problematic. In an effort to construct value in a way more applicable to the whole of our biosphere, and not only to humans, I take up an explicitly non-Modern Heraclitean perspective which conceives of all life as essentially relational. I then extend Marx’s anthropocentric work to argue that all life labors to organize stocks and flows in environments which it finds useful and thus valuable. As co-adaptation illustrates, life often produces value by finding usefulness in the by-products of other lives. Thus, we may understand ecological relationships as guided by the creation of abundance rather than the imposition of scarcity. From the Marxist tradition I then enlist the concepts of cooperation, which produces value synergistically, and exploitation which destroys the ability to create value, to suggest a basis for the evaluation of socio-natural trajectories, for creating more and less affective food ecologies.
Disparities in reportable quality metrics by insurance status in the primary spine neoplasm population

Abstract Background Context The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) defines “adverse quality events” as the incidence of certain complications such as postsurgical hematoma or iatrogenic pneumothorax during an inpatient stay. Patient safety indicators (PSI) are a means to measure the incidence of these adverse events. When adverse events occur, reimbursement to the hospital decreases. The incidence of adverse quality events among patients hospitalized for primary spinal neoplasms is unknown. Similarly, it is unclear what the impact of insurance status is on adverse care quality among this patient population. Purpose We aimed to determine the incidence of PSI among patients admitted with primary spinal neoplasms, and to determine the association between insurance status and the incidence of PSI in this population. Study Design This is a retrospective cohort study. Patient Sample We included all patients, 18 years and older, in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) who were hospitalized for primary spine neoplasms from 1998 to 2011. Outcome Measures Incidence of PSI from 1998 to 2011 served as outcome variable. Methods The NIS was queried for all hospitalizations with a diagnosis of primary spinal neoplasm during the inpatient episode from 1998 to 2011. Incidence of PSI was determined using publicly available lists of International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) diagnosis codes. Logistic regression models were used to determine the effect of primary payer status on PSI incidence. All comparisons were made between privately insured patients and Medicaid or self-pay patients. Results We identified 6,095 hospitalizations in which a primary spinal neoplasm was recorded during the inpatient episode. We excluded patients younger than 18 years and those with “other” or “missing” primary insurance status, leaving 5,880 patients for analysis. After adjusting for patient demographics and hospital characteristics, Medicaid or self-pay patients had significantly greater odds of experiencing one or more PSI (odds ratio [OR] 1.81 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11–2.95) relative to privately insured patients. Conclusions Among patients hospitalized for primary spinal neoplasms, primary payer status predicts the incidence of PSI, an indicator of adverse health-care quality used to determine hospital reimbursement by the CMS. As reimbursement continues to be intertwined with reportable quality metrics, identifying vulnerable populations is critical to improving patient care.
Promoting Culturally Competent Assessment in Schools

Chapter 17 presents the status of current assessment instruments and related processes in schools and discusses the extent to which they are implemented from a cultural competence framework. The chapter discusses best practices to culturally competent assessment, including barriers and innovations (22 pages).
Accurate circuit model for two-port loop antennas as E- and H-probe

In this paper a simple but very accurate circuit model for two-port (split) loop antenna used for direction finding at HF-band is presented. The circuit model consists of lumped elements and can be used to accurately estimate the input impedances and received voltages of the split loop antenna in receive mode. It is shown that the same circuit model can be reduced to model the behavior of a single port loop antenna and provides much higher accuracy than the existing transmission line and lumped element models for the input impedance of the single port loop. The model is shown to be valid for frequencies up to a point where the loop circumference is a wavelength.
Ventral Striatum Functional Connectivity during Rewards and Losses and Symptomatology in Depressed Patients.

Abstract Background The ventral striatum (VS) and striatal network supports goal motivated behavior. Identifying how depressed patients differ in their striatal network during the processing of emotionally salient events is a step towards uncovering biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment. Methods 38 depressed and 30 healthy adults completed a task that examined brain activation to the anticipation and receipt of monetary rewards and losses. Data were collected using a 3T Siemens Trio scanner. Functional connectivity differences were examined with seeds in the Left or Right VS. FC estimates were regressed on specific symptoms. Results Depressed patients displayed higher functional connectivity between the VS and midline cortical areas during loss versus reward trials. Anhedonia and depressed mood were associated to fairly similar striatal circuits but suicidality was associated to a unique VS-midline structures coupling, while depression severity was linked to higher VS to caudate and precuneus connectivity during loss versus reward trials. Conclusions Depression is characterized by excessive VS coupling to cognitive control and associative networks during losses versus rewards. High VS to midline cortical structures coupling may index suicidality.
Tension Cracks in a Compacted Clay Embankment

AbstractIn a spirit of adventure, a boring was made and soil moisture contents measured along a tension crack near the crest of an earth embankment. Moisture contents increased linearly with depth ...
“Every Swamp is a Castle”: Navigating Native Spaces in the Connecticut River Valley, Winter 1675–1677 and 2005–2015

This essay focuses on the historical and ecological landscape of King Philip's War (1675–1678), highlighting 2 spaces in Kwinitekw, the Western Abenaki term for the Connecticut River Valley, during the harsh winter of 1675–1676. I track the captive Mary Rowlandson's journey with the Wampanoag leader Weetamoo through the interior Nipmuc country and Kwinitekw and discuss the Penacook leader Wanalancet's winter refuge in the Kwinitekw headwaters. This paper highlights an indigenous studies methodology of place-based, experiential research in the land and waterways, in combination with more traditional historical and literary methodologies. It also demonstrates the importance of indigenous language and place names in mapping historical contexts, understanding ecological knowledge, and interpreting the movements of leaders. The paper focuses on the vast expanse of the Wabanaki country, which is often neglected or misrepresented in colonial-era histories, and especially the “extensive and varied ‘winterlands’” highlighted by the scholarship of Thomas Wickman. The essay features maps of areas historically inhabitated by Native peoples created with ArcGIS by a collaborative team, and highlights contemporary on-the-ground engagement with these places, the knowledge gained from reading the archive of the land, and the possibility of understanding of these spaces as vital ecological and social communities, which have much to teach us today.
UNVEIL: A large-scale, automated approach to detecting ransomware (keynote)

Although the concept of ransomware is not new (i.e., such attacks date back at least as far as the 1980s), this type of malware has recently experienced a resurgence in popularity. In fact, in 2014 and 2015, a number of high-profile ransomware attacks were reported, such as the large-scale attack against Sony that prompted the company to delay the release of the film “The Interview”. Ransomware typically operates by locking the desktop of the victim to render the system inaccessible to the user, or by encrypting, overwriting, or deleting the user's files. However, while many generic malware detection systems have been proposed, none of these systems have attempted to specifically address the ransomware detection problem. In this keynote, I talk about some of the trends we are seeing in ransomware. Then, I present a novel dynamic analysis system called UNVEIL that is specifically designed to detect ransomware. The key insight of the analysis is that in order to mount a successful attack, ransomware must tamper with a user's files or desktop. UNVEIL automatically generates an artificial user environment, and detects when ransomware interacts with user data. In parallel, the approach tracks changes to the system's desktop that indicate ransomware-like behavior. Our evaluation shows that UNVEIL significantly improves the state of the art, and is able to identify previously unknown evasive ransomware that was not detected by the anti-malware industry.
Integrated circuit identification and true random numbers using 1.5-transistor flash memory

Flash memory bits, like other integrated circuit (IC) devices, are prone to random variability in their actual vs. nominal characteristics. We present the use of 1.5-T flash memory cells in physically unclonable functions (PUFs) leveraging their erase speed variability. This type of memory is interesting for the internet of things (IOT) due to its wide availability as IP at foundries. Using experimentally measured results, we show simple methods that provide high reliability with no or limited need for helper data and error correction. High quality fingerprints for IC identification are demonstrated. Moreover, techniques to remove systematic variations from the array response are shown, allowing the resulting binary strings to pass all National Institute of Standards and Technology tests for randomness. Consequently, with low complexity helper functions, true random numbers can be readily produced.
A Global Perspective on Renewable Energy Resources: Nasa’s Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources (Power) Project

The Prediction of the Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) Project, initiated under the NASA Science Mission Directorate Applied Science Energy Management Program, analyzes, synthesizes and makes available data parameters on a global scale. These data have proved to be reliable and useful to the renewable energy industries, especially to the solar energy sectors. The POWER project derives its data primarily from NASA’s World Climate Research Programme (WCRP)/Global Energy and Water cycle Experiment (GEWEX) Surface Radiation Budget (SRB) project (Version 2.9) and the Global Modeling and Assimilation Office (GMAO) Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS) assimilation model (Version 4).
Study of Passivation in the Gap Region Between Contacts of Interdigitated-Back-Contact Silicon Heterojunction Solar Cells: Simulation and Voltage-Modulated Laser-Beam-Induced-Current

Maximizing the lateral transport and collection of photogenerated carriers near the rear surface of the interdigitated-back-contact silicon heterojunction solar cell (IBC-SHJ) is critical for high efficiency. Specifically, this requires minimizing the recombination over the gap region between the well-passivated emitter and base contacts. In this paper, we investigate the potential of a p-type amorphous silicon and intrinsic hydrogenated amorphous silicon layer stack, which forms an inversion layer for n-type crystalline Si (n.c-Si) surfaces, to provide gap passivation for a scalable low-temperature IBC-SHJ fabrication process. We fabricate novel three terminal rear heterojunction silicon devices to understand the effect of this gap passivation structure in terms of carrier distribution and transport mechanisms when localized high recombination regions are introduced due to the simplified fabrication process. Voltage-modulated laser-beam-induced-current measurements are utilized to characterize the device performance before and after introducing intentional localized laser damage. Interpretation of results is aided by one-dimensional simulation of band alignments and charge distribution at different voltage-modulations under illumination. We confirmed that the gap passivation structure that induces an inversion layer at the surface should be avoided to eliminate any parasitic shunting or inversion-layer-assisted-recombination on n.c-Si IBC-SHJ, and this is applicable to any n-type IBC cells in general.
Fluoride release and re-release from a bioactive restorative material.

PURPOSE To compare the amount of fluoride release and re-release of three different restorative materials. METHODS The three restorative materials included a resin-based composite (Z100TM, 3M-ESPE), a resin-modified glass ionomer cement (VitremerTM, 3M-ESPE) and a bioactive material (Activa Bioactive-RestorativeTM, Pulpdent,). Ten disks were fabricated from each material. The disks were immersed in deionized water and stored. Samples were taken from each vial on Days 1, 7, 14 and 30 for fluoride ion analysis. Each disk was then exposed to 2.0% neutral sodium fluoride gel (0.9% fluoride ion, Dentsply), immersed in deionized water and stored. Samples were taken on Days 1, 7, 14 and 30 for fluoride ion analysis utilizing a fluoride-specific ion-analyzer. RESULTS Z100 released less fluoride on Days 1 (P< 0.001), 7 (P= 0.001) and 14 (P< 0.022) for Phase I (initial release) than Phase II (re-release). Vitremer and Activa released less fluoride on Days 7, 14 and 30 (P< 0.001) for Phase II than Phase I. For all intervals of Phase I, Vitremer released the most fluoride, Activa released the second most, and Z100 released the least. These results were the same for Days 7, 14 and 30 of Phase II. The level of fluoride release from Activa was less than that of Vitremer, and greater than that of Z100 for all intervals of Phase I. The results were the same for all but one interval of Phase II. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE This in vitro study evaluated the fluoride release and subsequent re-release of fluoride following a topical fluoride treatment to analyze if the materials were truly bioactive. The results indicate the bioactive material does uptake fluoride and re-release it which could offer inhibition to caries at restoration margins.
“Are You Willing to Die for This Work?” Public Targeted Online Harassment in Higher Education: SWS Presidential Address:

This address examines a growing problem in academia: the public targeted online harassment of faculty. This harassment, organized and carried out by the alt-right and supported by other sectors of ...
Dietary Patterns and Breast Cancer Risk: A Systematic Review.

Background/aim The association of dietary patterns representing multiple dietary components and breast cancer risk is not clearly understood. Our objective was to conduct a systematic review of the association between dietary patterns and breast cancer risk. Materials and methods The original articles included, were published between January 2013 and May 2017 and characterized diets using a priori and posteriori approaches to examine associations between dietary patterns and breast cancer risk. A novel scoring matrix was used to grade posteriori dietary pattern alignment with the American Cancer Society dietary guidelines. Results Seventeen case-control and nested case-control studies identified 15 healthy, and 10 unhealthy, dietary patterns determined posteriori, and 7 dietary indices determined a priori. Vegetables were consistently found in breast cancer protective patterns whereas saturated fat and red and processed meats were consistently found in patterns associated with increased breast cancer risk. Conclusion Findings suggest that dietary patterns that include vegetables and limit saturated fat and red and processed meats may lower breast cancer risk.
The Text Encoding Initiative at 10: Not Just an Interchange Format Anymore – But a New Research Community

Mylonas and Renear introduce a volume of selected papers from The Text Encoding Initiative 10th Anniversary Conference, held at Brown University in November 1997. The Text Encoding Initiative (TEI), was launched in 1987 and sponsored by the Association for Computers and the Humanities, the Association for Literary and Linguistic Computing, and the Association for Computational Linguistics. It had as its original objective the development of an interchange language for textual data. This effort was completely successful and the TEI Guidelines are now widely accepted as the standard interchange format for textual data. Mylonas and Renear also note that the TEI has accomplished two other major achievements: it has produced a powerful new data description language (which is influencing the development of new WWW standards); and, most importantly, it has motivated the development of an entirely new research community, focused on understanding the role of text structure and markup in the use of emerging information technologies in culture, scholarship, and communication.