cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Cadmium Binding, Uptake, and Translocation in Intact Seedlings of Bread and Durum Wheat Cultivars

High Cd content in durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var durum) grain grown in the United States and Canada presents potential health and economic problems for consumers and growers. In an effort to understand the biological processes that result in excess Cd accumulation, root Cd uptake and xylem translocation to shoots in seedlings of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and durum wheat cultivars were studied. Whole-plant Cd accumulation was somewhat greater in the bread wheat cultivar, but this was probably because of increased apoplastic Cd binding. Concentration-dependent109Cd2+-influx kinetics in both cultivars were characterized by smooth, nonsaturating curves that could be dissected into linear and saturable components. The saturable component likely represented carrier-mediated Cd influx across root-cell plasma membranes (Michaelis constant, 20–40 nm; maximum initial velocity, 26–29 nmol g−1 fresh weight h−1), whereas linear Cd uptake represented cell wall binding of109Cd. Cd translocation to shoots was greater in the bread wheat cultivar than in the durum cultivar because a larger proportion of root-absorbed Cd moved to shoots. Our results indicate that excess Cd accumulation in durum wheat grain is not correlated with seedling-root influx rates or root-to-shoot translocation, but may be related to phloem-mediated Cd transport to the grain.
Journal of Pediatric Psychology Statement of Purpose—Section on Methodology

study pediatric populations? Are we doing something wrong? Can you help us do it right? If so, you may be able to make an important methodological contribution to this new section of the Journal. More generally, we seek to publish innovative papers focused on any of the following aspects of the research endeavor: the design of research studies, participant sampling methods, measurement and procedural issues, data reduction and data management techniques, data analytic strategies, issues pertaining to data interpretation, and training issues related to research methodology (including issues relevant to grant writing and publishing). We encourage authors to take risks in submitting these papers. Invited commentaries and author rebuttals will be employed to promote discussion of controversial methodological issues. In the special issue on methodology of Noll (2002) in JPP, he included papers on three basic topics: design and methodological issues, novel approaches to research, and contemporary statistical issues. As illustrated in the sections below, we seek papers in areas similar to these: (a) papers that explore new methods or methods that are new to pediatric psychologists, (b) papers that examine new or existing constructs from a novel perspective and in a manner useful for pediatric psychologists, and (c) innovative applications of statistical strategies. In addition to papers that introduce innovative and creative methods to our readership, we also welcome papers that represent critiques of methods and strategies currently in use in the field of pediatric psychology. Finally, papers may be submitted that pose a methodological or statistical ‘‘question’’ that will be of general interest to researchers in the field of pediatric psychology. With respect to the latter, the editor will recruit suitable authors to provide answers to the questions posed.
Wildlife conservation in urban greenways of the mid-southeastern United States

Goals related to wildlife conservation are stated or implied in many urban greenway plans, but the actual wildlife conservation value of urban greenways is unclear. We surveyed 72 km. of greenway consisting of 38 different greenway segments in six cities in the mid-southeastern United States to determine the presence or absence of red fox (Vulpes vulpes), grey fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), and to assess characteristics of the greenways and adjacent lands that might promote or limit the presence of these species in each greenway. We focused on fox and deer because these mammals, while habitat generalists, require diverse habitats within close proximity, and are more sensitive to human disturbance and have larger territories than the majority of urban wildlife in this region. Thus, they can serve as indicator species for these habitat values in urban greenways in the southeastern United States. Field observations and scent station inventories revealed that only 18 of the 38 greenway segments had either fox or deer, 12 had only fox, 6 had fox and deer, and none had deer alone. Greenway segments with more forest cover, wider corridors, greater amounts of adjacent natural or seminatural habitat, and forest connectivity between greenways and nonadjacent natural areas were more likely to have fox or deer present. Characteristics associated with fox and deer presence were not independent of each other. Because greenways with such characteristics tend to be surrounded by less urban areas, adjacent land use is a good predictor of fox and deer presence in the surveyed greenways. Whether greenways that are beneficial to fox and deer can be developed in urban settings is strongly site specific, because the greenway variables that appear most essential to these species are often dictated by the preexisting urban form and the vegetation in the vicinity of the greenway. Because the wildlife conservation value of urban greenways depends greatly on factors external to the greenway, greenways that have fox and deer present today may be particularly vulnerable to future changes in surrounding land use.
Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia-like reactions: A nonspecific response or an atypical form of rejection or infection in lung allograft recipients?

Abstract Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP) is a ubiquitous entity, known to occur either idiopathically or in association with various pulmonary disorders. Histologically, it is characterized by myxomatous connective tissue plugs present in the lumen of bronchioles with extension into the alveoli. Its significance in lung allograft recipients is not well documented. The authors reviewed all post—lung transplant biopsies (565 transbronchial; 19 open), explanted lungs for retransplantation (six), and autopsies (38) from 115 patients. A total of 32 patients (18 females and 14 males) showed histological evidence of BOOP-like reactions (ie, Masson bodies in 44 transbronchial and seven open lung biopsies). The mean age was 47 years (range = 14 to 69 years). Sixteen patients were recipients of single lungs, 14 received bilateral single lungs, and two had heart and double-lung transplants. BOOP-like reactions (BOOP-LRs) occurred as early as day 5 and as late as day 1,208 (40 months) posttransplantation. Twenty patients had one biopsy showing BOOP-LR, of which three patients had resolving mild acute rejection, four had ongoing minimal acute rejection, seven had ongoing mild acute rejection, one each had ongoing moderate and bronchiolar rejection, and four showed associated cytomegalovirus (CMV) pneumonitis. Seven patients had two biopsies each of BOOP-LR, of which six were associated with ongoing minimal or mild acute rejection, and one had resolving mild acute rejection. Three patients had three biopsies each of BOOP-LR, all associated with ongoing minimal or mild acute rejection. Two patients had four biopsies each, showing BOOP-LR, with ongoing mild or moderate acute rejection or CMV pneumonitis. Forty of the total 115 lung transplant patients (34.8%) have developed bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) or chronic airway rejection. Twelve of these patients are from the study group, of which five have a biopsy proven histological diagnosis of obliterative bronchiolitis (OB), and the remaining seven patients have been diagnosed clinically by deteriorating lung function tests. The authors conclude that BOOP-LR in the lung transplant setting result from acute epithelial injury secondary to either allograft rejection or an ongoing infection and are not a component of, nor do they necessarily predispose to, chronic rejection.
Overtone Interference in Array‐Based Love‐Wave Phase Measurements

Abstract We examine the effect of overtone interference on fundamental‐mode Love‐wave phase measurements made using single‐station and array‐based techniques at 25–100 s periods. For single‐station teleseismic measurements on USArray Transportable Array data, the contamination effects are small, less than 1% of the path‐averaged phase velocity, consistent with previous studies. Single‐station amplitude measurements provide complementary constraints on the interference pattern. For array‐based measurements on the same data set, contamination effects are much larger: up to ∼10% of the phase velocity for two‐station measurements and up to ∼20% for mini‐array measurements. The interference pattern for single‐station measurements from shallow earthquakes can largely be explained by interactions between only two modes, the fundamental mode and the first higher mode. This interpretation is confirmed using measurements on both mode‐summation synthetic waveforms for a 1D Earth model and synthetic waveforms calculated using SPECFEM3D Globe and a 3D Earth model. Array‐based phase measurements are calculated from differences of the single‐station phase delays, and we demonstrate that the overtone interference pattern for array‐based measurements can be approximated using gradients of the single‐station interference pattern with distance. This relationship can lead to an overall bias to higher phase velocities when combined with common quality selection and data‐reduction procedures for array measurements. Our results indicate that array‐based Love‐wave phase measurements must be carefully scrutinized for overtone contamination and suggest the possibility of new approaches for measuring overtone phase velocities.
Three to six ambiguities in immittance spectroscopy data fitting

Several important ambiguities in immittance spectroscopy (IS) model data-fitting results are identified and illustrated by means of complex-nonlinear-least-squares (CNLS) fits of experimental and synthetic frequency response data. A well-known intrinsic ambiguity, following from Maxwell’s electromagnetic equations, arises from the indistinguishability in external measurements of conduction and displacement currents. Usual fit models for either dielectric or conductive-system situations, such as the Davidson–Cole one, only involve a strength parameter, a dielectric constant, a characteristic relaxation time, and a fractional exponent and lead to no additional ambiguities. But the situation is different for more powerful and useful general models, such as ordinary or anomalous diffusion Poisson–Nernst–Planck ones: PNP and PNPA, used here, whose historical background, current status, and applicability are described and discussed herein. They apply to two different kinds of experimental IS situations and involve several additional, potentially free fit parameters, such as the mobilities of positive and negative charge carriers, and generation–recombination parameters that determine the partial or complete dissociation of a neutral entity of concentration N0 into positive and negative charge carriers of equal concentration, c0. Then, several additional ambiguities appear that may require information about the material system involved for their adequate resolution.
Sudden Cardiac Arrest and Death Following Application of Shocks From a TASER Electronic Control Device

Background—The safety of electronic control devices (ECDs) has been questioned. The goal of this study was to analyze in detail cases of loss of consciousness associated with ECD deployment. Methods and Results—Eight cases of TASER X26 ECD–induced loss of consciousness were studied. In each instance, when available, police, medical, and emergency response records, ECD dataport interrogation, automated external defibrillator information, ECG strips, depositions, and autopsy results were analyzed. First recorded rhythms were ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation in 6 cases and asystole (after ≈30 minutes of nonresponsiveness) in 1 case. An external defibrillator reported a shockable rhythm in 1 case, but no recording was made. This report offers evidence detailing the mechanism by which an ECD can produce transthoracic stimulation resulting in cardiac electrical capture and ventricular arrhythmias leading to cardiac arrest. Conclusions—ECD stimulation can cause cardiac electrical capture and provoke cardiac ...
Comment QCA Works—When Used with Care

Let me begin by situating myself. I am a quantitative researcher. I have used regression in 80 percent of my published empirical papers and qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) in 33 percent of them. I have taught conventional graduate statistics courses at Berkeley and Duke as well as several short courses on QCA. I have argued elsewhere that more connections are needed between conventional methods and QCA (see Vaisey 2009). For these reasons, I was happy to see my former colleague Sam Lucas and Alisa Szatrowski (this volume, pp. 1–79; hereafter L&S) take on QCA from a “quant” perspective. Although I found some of L&S’s ideas useful, I also found several important errors in their analyses and interpretations. I fear that some researchers, skimming the paper or abstract, will conclude that L&S have dealt a significant blow to QCA and that the method is not worthy of further investigation. That would be unfortunate. In the brief space that follows, I outline what I see as the most important of L&S’s errors. I then look at what they get right and conclude with some ideas about future work at the intersection of QCA and conventional statistics.
Paleomagnetism of upper Precambrian to lower Paleozoic intrusive rocks from Colorado

The paleomagnetism of the Iron Mountain–McClure Mountain alkalic intrusive complex in the northern Wet Mountains of Colorado has been investigated. Published radiometric ages for the complex, and for similar intrusive rocks nearby, range between 485 and 704 m.y. Eighty-five samples were collected from 35 sites, and the samples were demagnetized using thermal and alternating-field techniques. In many samples thermal cleaning has yielded better isolation of the primary magnetization, but the two methods yield very similar directions. The resulting directions have a trimodal distribution. One of the three groups of direction could possibly be interpreted as a later (Ordovician or late Paleozoic?) magnetization (pole position at lat 48°N, long 107°E) and agrees well with the previous findings of Larson and Mutschler, who studied these and similar intrusive complexes. However, the other two groups of directions observed in this study are interpreted with confidence as representing late Precambrian to Cambrian magnetizations. Their pole positions are 30° apart (lat 5°N, long 174°E and lat 15°N, long 142°E) and may well reflect a trend of apparent polar wandering during this time. When averaged, these two groups have a mean direction of 104° (declination) and −2° (inclination) for 21 sites (48 samples), k = 9, and α 95 = 11°. This direction yields a pole position at lat 12°N, long 156°E ( dp = 5.5°, dm = 11°), which is consistent with published Cambrian poles, but considerably different from the pole obtained by Larson and Mutschler.
GENETIC ALGORITHM LEARNING TO CHOOSE AND USE INFORMATION

A genetic algorithm (GA) is used to model learning in a financial model similar to the Grossman–Stiglitz model. Individuals need to learn how to use a signal, how to make an inference about a signal from a market-clearing price, and whether or not a signal is worth acquiring. We provide examples in which the GA does and does not converge to the rational expectations equilibrium. Similar to earlier results, the behavior depends heavily on the rate of experimentation or mutation in the GA and the size of the risky-asset supply noise in the economy.
Electromagnetic Interactions beyond Quantum Electrodynamics

There is growing evidence that the electromagnetic interactions of fundamental particles have a much richer and deeper structure than that given by the perturbation series of quantum electrodynamics. It is the purpose of this paper to discuss the directions in which either the methods or the concepts of quantum electrodynamics have to be generalized and to point out possible novel and unexpected phenomena.
ON and OFF inhibition as mechanisms for forward masking in the inferior colliculus: a modeling study

Masking effects of a preceding stimulus on the detection or perception of a signal have been found in several sensory systems in mammals, including humans and rodents. In the auditory system, it ha...
Daily Variation in Body Mass of Free-Living Rodents and Its Significance for Mass-Based Population Dynamics

Free-living cotton rats ( Sigmodon hispidus ) and prairie voles ( Microtus ochrogaster ) were trapped from two to five times within a 3-day interval and were weighed at each capture. Animals showed a tendency to lose mass between successive captures, and variation between successive estimates of body mass for individuals increased with mean body mass. Standard deviations of mass ranged from 4 to 9% of the mean. Short-term variation in mass represents a source of uncertainty when assigning animals to mass classes; classes should be at least 4–6 SD units wide to reduce misclassifications. Short-term, random variation in mass was not sufficient to account for low correlations of mass and other measures of body size.
Hereditary Muscular Hypertrophy in the Bovine I. Histological and Biochemical Characterization

SummaryMuscles from three normal calves and three calves with hereditary muscular hypertrophy were biopsied at nine months of age and assayed histochemically for succinic dehydrogenase activity, and histologically for evidence of muscular degeneration. In addition, the biopsy samples were analyzed for total DNA, RNA, and protein. Blood samples from 13 normal and 12 hypertrophied animals were taken at 12 months of age and assayed for creatine phosphokinase activity. Histologically, no degenerative changes were detected in hypertrophied animals. No significant differences were found in concentrations of DNA, RNA, protein, or in serum creatine phosphokinase activity between normal and hypertrophied animals. There was a significant decrease in succinic dehydrogenase activity of the hypertrophied muscle. There were fewer reacting fibers, and the activity was less in those fibers from hypertrophied muscle which did react for succinic dehydrogenase. It is concluded that degeneration is not a part of this syndrom...
WATERTABLE FLUCTUATIONS IN A SANDY OCEAN BEACH

Fluctuations of the watertable level within a fine-grained beach were observed for 2 months in Fall 1996. The magnitude of fluctuations at diurnal and semi-diurnal frequencies decayed rapidly inland, but fluctuations at spring-neap frequencies remained significant nearly 100 m inland of the mean shoreline location. During two storms that coincided with spring tides, overtopping and ponding of water behind the berm resulted in increased watertable levels that persisted for several days. Beach erosion during the second storm resulted in landward displacement of the shoreline location, and subsequent watertable fluctuations also extended farther inland. Numerical solutions of the nonlinear Boussinesq equation, with the seaward boundary condition given by the observed shoreline location, agree well with the observations. The landward attenuation and phase shifting of tidal watertable fluctuations are predicted well, as is the location of the seepage face.
Strategy Analysis on Famed brand Making of Agricultural Enterprises

The realities lie in the famed-brand making in China agricultural enterprises were discussed.Some strategies,according to principles including based on enterprise product,low-cost publicizing,standing out individuality,targeting terminals and conception reforming,were proposed.
Proton Reduction Using a Hydrogenase-Modified Nanoporous Black Silicon Photoelectrode.

Metalloenzymes featuring earth-abundant metal-based cores exhibit rates for catalytic processes such as hydrogen evolution comparable to those of noble metals. Realizing these superb catalytic properties in artificial systems is challenging owing to the difficulty of effectively interfacing metalloenzymes with an electrode surface in a manner that supports efficient charge-transfer. Here, we demonstrate that a nanoporous “black” silicon (b-Si) photocathode provides a unique interface for binding an adsorbed [FeFe]-hydrogenase enzyme ([FeFe]-H2ase). The resulting [FeFe]-H2ase/b-Si photoelectrode displays a 280 mV more positive onset potential for hydrogen generation than bare b-Si without hydrogenase, similar to that observed for a b-Si/Pt photoelectrode at the same light intensity. Additionally, we show that this H2ase/b-Si electrode exhibits a turnover frequency of ≥1300 s–1 and a turnover number above 107 and sustains current densities of at least 1 mA/cm2 based on the actual surface area of the electro...
Automated classification of histopathology images of prostate cancer using a Bag-of-Words approach

The goals of this paper are (1) test the Computer Aided Classification of the prostate cancer histopathology images based on the Bag-of-Words (BoW) approach (2) evaluate the performance of the classification grade 3 and 4 of the proposed method using the results of the approach proposed by the authors Khurd et al. in [9] and (3) classify the different grades of cancer namely, grade 0, 3, 4, and 5 using the proposed approach. The system performance is assessed using 132 prostate cancer histopathology of different grades. The system performance of the SURF features are also analyzed by comparing the results with SIFT features using different cluster sizes. The results show 90.15% accuracy in detection of prostate cancer images using SURF features with 75 clusters for k-mean clustering. The results showed higher sensitivity for SURF based BoW classification compared to SIFT based BoW.
The Early Years of Frank Plumpton Ramsey

Some Great Minds earn their distinction for just a couple of brilliant ideas over an entire year. The best create many brilliant ideas over an illustrious career. Only a couple produce an abundance of brilliance in the shortest of time, and then pass like a shooting star. Frank Plumpton Ramsey falls into this third category. He waxed philosophical in an era that redefined philosophy. Despite his chosen vocation, he came from a much more doctrinaire family.
Using First-Person Reports During Meditation to Investigate Basic Cognitive Experience

This chapter describes a line of research that seeks to incorporate first-person subjective input into the analysis of meditation-related brain activity and connectivity, as a way to better define and understand everyday mental functions. I present a basic model of naturalistic cognitive fluctuations between mind wandering and attentional states derived from the practice of focused attention meditation. This model proposes four phases in a cognitive cycle: mind wandering, awareness of mind wandering, shifting of attention, and sustained attention. We developed a paradigm to leverage the common experience of awareness of mind wandering during this style of meditation, using subjective reports to drive the analysis of brain imaging data. Results revealed activity in specific brain networks associated with each cognitive phase. Further, participants with more meditation experience exhibited altered patterns of neural activity and resting state functional connectivity compared to participants with less experience. These neural patterns may be involved in the development of cognitive skills such as maintaining attention and disengaging from distraction that are often reported with meditation practice, and suggest mechanisms for how benefits may transfer “off the cushion.” Implications for neurophenomenological investigations are discussed, as well as future directions and possible extensions of the model.
Forward Sensitivity Method: General Case

In this chapter we generalize the results of Chaps. 2 and 3 to nonlinear dynamical systems. In Sect. 4.1, the dynamics of evolution of the first order sensitivities are given. The intrinsic relation between the adjoint and forward sensitivities are explored in Sect. 4.2. In Sect. 4.3 forward sensitivity based data assimilation scheme is derived. Exercises and Notes and References are contained in Sects. 4.4 and 4.5, respectively.
Representing qualitative social science in computational models to aid reasoning under uncertainty: National security examples:

Representing causal social science knowledge in models is difficult: much of the best knowledge is qualitative and ambiguously conditional, unlike the knowledge in “physics models.” This paper desc...
Splice Variant JAK2 Transcript Deleting Exon 14 in Patients with Chronic Myeloproliferative Neoplasms.

Abstract Abstract 2161 Poster Board II-138 The JAK2 V617F mutation in exon 14 is the most common mutation in chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). While other point mutations and small deletions and insertions in exons 12, 13, and 14 have been reported in the JAK2 JH2 domain, deletion of the entire exon 14 is rarely detected in patients with MPNs. In a series of >10,000 samples from patients with suspected MPNs tested for JAK2 mutations by direct sequencing of mRNA, we detected a complete exon 14 (88 bp) deletion mutation in 15% of total JAK2 transcript) in a small proportion of MPN cases, we decided to investigate the possibility it may be expressed at low levels ( 15% were confirmed by direct sequencing. The JAK2 exon 14 splice mutation was detected at low levels in 9 of the 61 MPN patients (15%), accounting for 3.96% to 33.85% (mean=12.04%) of JAK2 transcript in these individuals. Among the 183 suspected MPN patients, the exon 14 splice variant was detected in 20 of the 93 (21.5%) with V617F (mean expression level relative to wild type=5.41%, range=2.13%-26.22%) and 31 of the 90 (34.4%) without V617F (mean expression=3.88%; range=2.08%-12.22%). All 46 normal individuals were considered negative for the alternatively spliced transcript. In conclusion, the expression of an alternatively spliced JAK2 mRNA with deletion of exon 14, leading to a truncated JAK2 protein, is a common abnormality in patients with MPNs. This alternatively spliced transcript is more common in MPN patients without V617F mutation and might contribute to the leukemogenesis in these patients. Low levels of JAK2 exon 14 splice mutation may also contribute to the effects of the V617F mutation in patients with MPNs. However, this mutation is missed if DNA and not the RNA is used for testing for JAK2 mutations. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Household Mobility Decisions and Location Choice

Household mobility is a dynamic process, not an isolated event. Choices and decisions about relocation, including decisions about where to go, vary based on individuals’ needs and preferences, previous mobility experiences, kin and social networks, and the resources available to realize a move. This chapter reviews theory and research on household mobility decision-making and location choice. Analyses of data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 explore factors that influence young adults’ expectations to move and their subsequent moving behaviors. The chapter draws largely from the life course principles of human agency and cumulative development, providing insight into the question, “Why, how, and where do people decide to move?”
Viral Hepatitis in Children: A Through E.

Abstract Hepatitis is defined as inflammation of the liver. This inflammation can be acute and self-limited, chronic (leading to cirrhosis and an increased risk for hepatocellular carcinoma), or fulminant (requiring lifesaving liver transplantation). Although there are many causes of hepatitis, this article focuses on the main childhood viral hepatidities: types A, B, C, D, and E. This review discusses the main characteristics of each virus, including salient epidemiology, clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies. [Pediatr Ann. 2016;45(12):e420-e426.].
Integrating Older Survey Data into Modern Research Paradigms: Identifying and Correcting Spatial Error in “Legacy” Datasets

The data from older archaeological surveys are incredibly important resources, often containing our only information about sites that have been destroyed or that are now inaccessible. These surveys occurred before the advent of GPS technology, however, so their spatial accuracy is often uncertain. Many types of locational errors accumulate in such “legacy” datasets, so using them in modern GIS-based spatial analyses is frequently problematic. Many of the sources of error can be identified and quantified, however, and systematic and random errors (derived mainly from Cartesian, rounding, and human error) can largely be mitigated by scanning the original field maps, georectifying the maps to trusted imagery, and then digitizing sites directly. The remaining “mislocation” errors derive from difficulty identifying locations in the field. The original survey notes may contain clues about mislocation error, but it is impossible to mitigate these errors without re-recording site locations with more accurate survey instruments. Instead, I advocate the use of GIS-based models to estimate the influence of specific surveying practices on site location accuracy. These models can provide a standardized, quantifiable measure of mislocation error in a legacy dataset, which can help guide its use in modern GIS analyses that require accurate site locations.
Elite strategies and incremental policy change: The expansion of primary education in India

This article analyzes India's recent enactment of universal primary education. This programmatic policy change is puzzling given the clientelistic features of Indian democracy. Drawing on interviews and official documents, I demonstrate the catalytic role of committed state elites, who introduced incremental reforms over three decades. These officials operated beneath the political radar, layering small-scale initiatives on top of the mainstream school system. Following India's globalization in the 1990s, support from the World Bank gave committed officials the political opportunity to experiment with new programs in underperforming regions, which they progressively extended across the country. These incremental reforms supplied the institutional blueprint for India's universal primary education program. Along with state initiative from above, civil society mobilized from below, using the judiciary to hold the state legally responsible for policy implementation. Reforms exposed acute gaps in service delivery, propelling new civic demands for state accountability.
Abstract 342: Increased Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore Opening Dominates Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in the Aged Female Rat Heart

Background: Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in older post-menopausal women. Ischemia/Reperfusion (I/R) injury triggers mitochondrial calcium (Ca 2+ ) overload inducing mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) opening, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cell death potentially by necrosis, apoptosis, and/or autophagy. Purpose: We sought to determine if age-associated estrogen deficiency increases mitochondrial Ca 2+ sensitivity, providing a possible mechanism for increased vulnerability to I/R injury in older women. Methods: Mitochondrial respiration (MR) was assessed in isolated mitochondria from ventricles of adult (6 mo; n=15) and aged (24 mo; n=18) ovary-intact or ovariectomized (OVX) female F344 rats. MR at complexes I and II was compared in the absence (State 2) and presence (State 3) of ADP to calculate respiratory control index (RCI; state3/state 2). Reduced RCI following Ca 2+ addition was used to assess Ca 2+ sensitivity, while mitochondrial Ca 2+ retention capacity was measured to quantify MPTP opening (CRC; n=4-5/group) prior to and following coronary artery ligation (55 min I and 6 hr R). Apoptosis was examined using DNA laddering and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). Markers of autophagy were evaluated by western blotting and mitochondrial morphology through electron microscopy (EM). Results: Significant age-dependent decreases in RCI for complex I (12%) and complex II (8%) were observed in the absence of Ca 2+ , and correlated with increased necrosis in aged hearts revealed by triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining (p 2+ exposure decreased MR (18-30%; p 2+ to open the MPTP. Reduced DNA laddering and TUNEL staining combined with increased beclin-1 and cathepsinD expression in aged vs. adult further support a dominant role for necrosis over apoptosis underlying cell death in aged females (n=4-5/group). EM revealed morphological alterations with age and OVX. Conclusion: Decreased MR and increased MPTP opening with aging are likely causal in necrotic cell death mechanisms associated with I/R injury observed in post-menopausal women.
A novel 3D printed leg design for a biped robot

This paper proposes a novel leg design for a hu-manoid robot that can be 3D printed. More explicitly, the efforts of this paper are to bring some of the more complex leg designs seen in large scale bipedal robot into the realm of smaller bipeds while still allowing for it to be easily reproducible or modified. In order to accomplish this 3D printing technology was utilized, as well as an iterative design process. An ankle and knee powered by linear actuators were first constructed to test the conceptual design of the leg. This was followed by a complete leg design with improved ankle and knee. The results and challenges during the design process for actuation of the leg are discussed, and the electrical design is also explained.
Serpientes de la Gran Área Metropolitana (GAM) de Costa Rica

The GAM is a small geographic area that concentrates most of the Costa Rican population, but it that does not contain all the biodiversity that makes the country famous. Here I review information on snakes that coexist with humans in the area. From a total of 142 species, 73 occur in the GAM: 21 species dwell in leaf litter (harmless), two are semi-aquatic species (harmless), 16 tree species (13 harmless) and 34 terrestrial species (26 harmless). Only 11 species pose a real danger to human health but, we can coexist with them in peace
A novel elasto-viscoplastic formulation for compression behaviour of clays

This paper presents a novel elasto-viscoplastic formulation for describing the time-dependent compression behaviour of clays. The formulation incorporates a novel flow rule that attributes viscopla...
Plato’s Minos and the Euthyphro

At the start of Plato’s Minos an anonymous comrade argues that the variability of law according to time and place undermines the claim that it conveys moral truth. But by the end he has accepted Minos as the greatest of lawgivers because of his education by Zeus. How does he manage to slide so quickly from the moral laxity of conventionalism to the moral absolutism of divine revelation? Guided by this question, the author considers how the two divergent parts of the Minos form one whole, and so what Plato suggests is the common basis to conventionalism and piety. Plato’s Minos thus ends up having an unexpectedly close relationship to his Euthyphro .
Bounded and Unbounded Linear Operators

This chapter is devoted to the basic material on operator theory, semigroups, evolution familites, interpolation spaces, fractional powers of operators, intermediate spaces, and their basic properties needed in the sequel. Various illustrative examples are discussed in-depth. The estimates in Lemma 2.2 (Diagana et al. [52]) and Lemma 2.4 (Diagana [62]) will play a key role throughout the book. Detailed proofs of these lemmas are discussed.
Gleichstellungstheoretische Verortung: Gender & Diversity Management als handlungsleitende Strategie

Im Anschluss an diese Skizzierung des interdisziplinaren Forschungsstandes der drei zentralen Gegenstandsbereiche Mittelstand, Fachkraftemangel und Frauen auf dem Arbeitsmarkt beinhaltet das dritte Kapitel der Studie im Folgenden den gleichstellungstheoretischen Themenkomplex des Gender & Diversity Management:
Experimental Measurement of Corrosion Involving Inorganics (Salt Hydrates) Phase Change Materials (PCM) for Thermal Energy Storage (TES) Applications

Phase Change Materials (PCMs) have gained popularity for their high energy storage densities, which makes them suitable for various applications including, as heat transfer fluids (HTF) for waste heat management and supplementary thermal energy storage (TES) systems for dry cooling enhancement. PCMs are also used for Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage Systems (LHTESS). PCMs can be classified as organic (i.e. Paraffin, and Fatty acids) and inorganic (i.e. Salt hydrates). For a given volume, salt hydrates tend to have larger storage capacity due to their higher densities compared to that of organic PCMs. However, corrosive nature of salt hydrates towards various metals and alloys renders a challenge for their engineering applications. Corrosion is further enhanced on addition of nucleating agents to the PCMs. Additives can affect the operational performance and efficacy of PCMs. The effect of additives on the corrosivity of these PCMs are currently lacking in the contemporary literature. Hence, in this study the effect of nucleating agents (additives) on the rate of corrosion is explored for applications in LHTESS. In this study, various PCMs in liquid phase (with or without nucleating additives) are exposed to a variety of test coupons. The test coupons are made from stainless steel (SS347) and aluminum (AL 1000 Series). The corrosion tests were performed in sealed glass test tubes. The PCM samples utilized in the corrosion tests are lithium nitrate trihydrate, zinc nitrate hexahydrate, and calcium chloride hexahydrate. The glass tubes were fully submerged in 45°C water bath for 6 ~ 18 weeks. The mass loss of the test coupons were measured at 6 week intervals. The results obtained in this study were compared to the literature data and the efficacy of the various PCM samples for TES applications were explored. This study helped in the selection of appropriate platforms for the ARPA-E ARID program based on their material compatibility. The study showed that aluminum (Al 1000 series) and stainless steel (SS 347) metals are corrosion resistance to lithium nitrate trihydrate. Whereas only stainless steel (SS 347) is corrosion resistance to zinc nitrate hexahydrate and calcium chloride hexahydrate. Aluminum (AL 1000 series) metals are not recommended for usage with zinc nitrate hexahydrate and calcium chloride hexahydrate due to their high corrosion rate of 71 and 127 mg/cm2.yr.
Identification of 2-Oxatriazines as Highly Potent Pan-PI3K/mTOR Dual Inhibitors.

Two recently described potent, triazine and triazolopyrimidine scaffold-based, dual title inhibitors are further optimized leading to a novel series of 2-oxatriazines which also display excellent potency and good metabolic stability.
Introducing a cost-effective method to assess beach-dune dynamics using existing infrastructure

Coastal storms can induce significant geomorphic change often leaving behind costly erosion projects for local communities. Existing methods for quantifying geomorphic change (i.e., total stations, airborne and terrestrial LiDAR systems, drones) are often cost prohibitive. These methods often require considerable pre-planning, which often prohibits making data collection related to sudden events. The objective of this study is to introduce the applicability of repurposing existing signs as erosion pins to measure morphologic change along a barrier island. To demonstrate the applicability of this method, this novel methodology was tested along the Isle of Palms, SC after the passage of Hurricane Irma. Prior to the storm, an extensive foredune inventory was completed utilizing a GPS camera. Signs along the beach-dune system were photographed generating 70 data points and creating a comprehensive geospatial monitoring network. Post-storm, 56% of the signs remained and the foredunes experienced up to 2.5 m of erosion. The remaining signs and foredunes we re-photographed and compared in juxtaposition with pre-storm photos to measure relative geomorphic change at each data point. This method provides coastal community officials the capability to measure erosion-accretion dynamics on a limited budget utilizing existing infrastructure. While this method was tested in South Carolina, it shows promise of universal application to any coastal community.
Patient-Initiated Colonoscopy Scheduling Effectively Increases Colorectal Cancer Screening Adherence

We identified patients without medical record evidence of up-to-date colorectal cancer (CRC) screening and sent an invitation letter to self-schedule a colonoscopy without requiring prior primary care or gastroenterologist consultation. The aim of the study was to evaluate the response rate to the letter and factors associated with colonoscopy completion. A computer algorithm invited patients not up to date with CRC screening, with an INR < 1.5, and living within 300 miles of the Cleveland Clinic main campus through a letter. Patients scheduled a colonoscopy through a dedicated phone line without any prior physician consultation. Clinical, demographic, and socioeconomic variables were extracted from the EMR through natural language algorithms. We analyzed the percentage of patients who completed a colonoscopy within 6 months of sending the letter and factors associated with colonoscopy completion. A total of 145,717 letters were sent. 1451 patients were deceased and excluded from analysis. 3.8% (5442) of letter recipients completed a colonoscopy. The strongest factors associated with colonoscopy completion on multivariate analysis included family history of polyps (OR 3.1, 95% CI 2.3, 4.2) or CRC (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.7, 2.5). Other factors included younger age, male gender, married status, closer distance to endoscopy center, number of visits in the year prior, statin use, and diabetes. There were no immediate procedural complications. Patient-initiated colonoscopy in response to letter invitation for CRC screening is effective and safe with safeguards established a priori. Consultation with a gastroenterologist or primary care physician is not necessary prior to colonoscopy. To our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate patient-initiated colonoscopy for CRC cancer screening.
Associations Between Neuroticism and Executive Function Outcomes: Response Inhibition and Sustained Attention on a Continuous Performance Test

There are known relationships between psychopathology, personality, and executive function (EF), though the association between personality and EF, independent of psychopathology, remains understud...
Spiritual Violence in the Age of Meaningless Work

David Graeber. 2018. Bullshit Jobs: A Theory. New York: Simon & Schuster. 333 pages. “What's this I hear about your TPS reports? Didn't you get the memo?”—the character Michael Bolton, Office Space...
The Distributed Biological Observatory: A change detection array in the Pacific Arctic - An introduction

Abstract The Distributed Biological Observatory (DBO) is a change detection array for select ecosystem variables along eight sampling transects in the Pacific Arctic Region (PAR). The overall objective of the DBO is to provide for the detection and consistent monitoring of the biophysical responses to major reductions in seasonal sea ice and concomitant increases in seawater temperatures observed across the region. A key uncertainty is how the PAR marine ecosystem is responding to these shifts in the timing of spring sea-ice retreat and/or delays in fall sea-ice formation. Variations in upper ocean hydrography, stratification, light penetration, planktonic production, pelagic-benthic coupling, and sediment carbon cycling are all influenced by sea ice and temperature changes. Observations of reduced sea ice extent/duration and seawater warming are linked to shifts in species composition and abundance, as well as northward range expansions in some upper trophic predators (e.g. humpback whales and commercially harvested fish), generally with negative impacts on ice-dependent species such as ice-associated seals and walruses. Some distributional shifts may be driven by changes in lower trophic level productivity that directly cascade into upper trophic levels. This special issue is a result of the international effort by participating scientists to implement a coordinated DBO that will meet these needs to understand the ecosystem responses to changing sea ice and thermal regimes. The key geographical focus is on the biologically productive waters in the PAR that are influenced by the inflow of North Pacific water through Bering Strait. Papers in this volume are based upon selected biological measurements at multiple trophic levels, together with appropriate hydrographic surveys and satellite observations. The DBO is developing into a significant national and international change detection resource for the identification and consistent monitoring of marine biophysical responses to climate change, with ongoing plans to expand into a pan-Arctic biological observing network.
Subsequent Pregnancy in Peripartum Cardiomyopathy- Is the Answer Always No?

Background Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare form of heart failure (HF) afflicting 1 in every 968 pregnancies and one of the leading causes of maternal morbidity in the United States. Women with PPCM are often counseled to avoid subsequent pregnancy based on limited data. Preconception evaluation (PCE) with stress echocardiography (SE) may allow clinicians to risk stratify patients with cardiomyopathy (CM) and guide therapies to improve pregnancy outcomes. Methods 40 women with CM, including 24 with PPCM, were referred to our program for either PCE with SE or medical management during a subsequent pregnancy and were categorized as either low or high risk of developing recurrent HF. Serial resting echocardiograms and cardiology clinic evaluation was recommended, medical interventions, change in cardiac function, and maternal and fetal outcomes were monitored. Results 12 PPCM patients had PCE, 6 deemed high risk with close monitoring and medical intervention (initiation of beta blocker or digoxin therapy) for all except one patient who did not follow up as recommended, she subsequently developed recurrent HF within 6 months postpartum. Of the 6 low risk PPCM patients, one developed HF despite being asymptomatic during pregnancy. Four women were started on beta blockade, hydralazine, and digoxin as indicated during cardiology clinic visits, Among all patients with CM, initiation of digoxin during pregnancy was associated with a 67% incidence of augmented EF and 33% subclinical improvement or unchanged EF. None had reduced EF. Discussion PCE may have risk stratification utility not only for PPCM patients, but also other CM cohorts who seek a successful pregnancy. In women with unknown risk, initiation of appropriate medications such as digoxin resulted in improved function and lower risk of maternal or fetal complications.
Standoff Imaging of Trace RDX Using Quantum Cascade Lasers

We report on a standoff spectroscopic technique for detecting chemical residues on surfaces. An infrared (IR) camera was used in combination with a wavelength tunable mid-IR quantum cascade laser to acquire multispectral image arrays of a surface with explosive residue. IR spectral signatures of residue of cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (commonly known as RDX) were extracted in the wavelength range 7.9 to 9.7 $\mu \text{m}$ from the multispectral IR images. Detection of RDX was achieved for a lower surface concentration of $5~\mu \text{g}$ cm−2 and a higher surface concentration of $20~\mu \text{g}$ cm−2 at distances of 0.15 m and 1.5 m, respectively. We performed no background subtraction and the resulting IR spectra of RDX were compared with reference Fourier Transform IR Spectroscopy data that were acquired by placing 20 $\mu \text{g}$ of RDX on a ZnS window. We found that the detection of RDX can be made with negligible interfering contribution of reflected IR photons from the substrate surface.