cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Probabilistic methodology for the analysis of paleoliquefaction features

Paleoliquefaction features can be used to estimate lower bounds on the magnitude and ground motion associated with the earthquake that caused the liquefaction feature. The engineering back-analysis of paleoliquefaction features is usually conducted using state of the practice liquefaction-triggering analysis methodologies. Recent studies have shown that these methodologies are associated with variable probabilities of liquefaction depending on the soil parameters. This would imply that estimates of magnitude and ground motion intensity obtained from these methodologies would not be consistent for all soil sites. Moreover, these estimates could be unconservative. In this paper, the use of a probabilistic methodology for the back-analysis of paleoliquefaction features is proposed. The proposed methodology permits the incorporation of model and parameter uncertainty into the analysis and results in more robust estimates of past magnitude and a measure of the uncertainty associated with these predictions. Previously published paleoliquefaction data are used to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed method. Magnitude estimates obtained with the proposed method do not differ significantly from those obtained using deterministic methodologies, but the proposed methodology permits a quantification of the uncertainty associated with magnitude estimates.
A fresh look at strategic alliances: research issues and future directions

This article reviews the current state of strategic alliances between and among firms by discussing the confusion concerning their epistemology and taxonomy; it offers a plain definition and typology of such ventures. Also examined are their evolution and theoretical foundations and important research questions reflected in the extant literature. After clarifying existing misconceptions and presenting a systematic treatment of strategic alliances, it aims at delineating new research issues and stimulating further research for advancement of the current body of knowledge on interfirm cooperation.
The effects of the nonsphericity and size distribution of ice crystals on the radiative propertues of cirrus clouds

Hexagonal ice crystal and equivalent ice spheres have significantly different single-scattering properties. Although the extinction cross-section for spheres with equivalent surface areas is about the same as that for nonspherical ice crystals randomly oriented in space, equivalent spheres produce more forward scattering and have smaller single-scattering albedos. On the basis of broad-band radiative transfer calculations, in this note we will illustrate that the assumption that ice particles are spheres with equivalent surface areas leads to an underestimate to the solar albedo of cirrus clouds. Furthermore, we show that, for a given optical thickness, small ice particles reflect more solar flux than large ice particles. This implies that the ice crystal size distribution could be extremely important in the determination of the solar albedo of cirrus clouds due to external radiative forcing in climatic perturbation experiments. In the thermal infrared region, absorption by ice crystals predominates and the effects of the nonsphericity and size distribution of ice crystals on infrared radiative transfer appear to be secondary.
Eye to eye with hurricane Gloria on Virginia's Tangier Island

Abstract A field survey on Tangier Island in the Chesapeake Bay and interviews with emergency management officials in Virginia have provided us with a base on which to assess and interpret the evacuation response of the resident population when threatened by Hurricane Gloria in 1985. Because of their finely tuned cognition of environmental hazards, most islanders responded to an evacuation advisory by leaving the island. The pattern of evacuation response, including choices of evacuation destinations and transit mode off the island, however, indicated a decision‐making process that did not conform to the expectations of emergency officials, but betrayed an understanding of human‐environment interaction and insights that needs to be incorporated into the emergency planning process.
Xenon difluoride fluorination. IV. Photochemically initiated xenon difluoride fluorination of norbornene

Abstract Norbornene was selectively fluorinated with xenon difluoride by photochemical means. Unrearranged 2,3-difluoronorbornane isomers and acetonitrile solvent adducts were the exclusive products. This represents a novel example of controlled XeF 2 radical fluorination by light initiation.
Two- and three-electron processes in H+3-He collisions

Abstract We have measured the energy spectrum of electrons emitted at 160° laboratory angle for 50–110 keV H + 3 -He collisions. The spectra show the well-known autoionizing states of He and the He − (1s2s 2 ) Feshbach resonance. The triplet autoionizing states result from three-electron processes, whereas the singlets can be formed by either two- or three-electron processes. The Feshbach resonance is formed by a transfer and excitation mechanism, a two-electron process. The dependence of these states on the energy of the incoming beam is presented.
The relationships of sociodemographic factors, medical, psychiatric, and substance-misuse co-morbidities to neurocognition in short-term abstinent alcohol-dependent individuals

Co-morbidities that commonly accompany those afflicted with an alcohol use disorder (AUD) may promote variability in the pattern and magnitude of neurocognitive abnormalities demonstrated. The goal of this study was to investigate the influence of several common co-morbid medical conditions (primarily hypertension and hepatitis C), psychiatric (primarily unipolar mood and anxiety disorders), and substance use (primarily psychostimulant and cannabis) disorders, and chronic cigarette smoking on the neurocognitive functioning in short-term abstinent, treatment-seeking individuals with AUD. Seventy-five alcohol-dependent participants (ALC; 51+/-9 years of age; three females) completed comprehensive neurocognitive testing after approximately 1 month of abstinence. Multivariate multiple linear regression evaluated the relationships among neurocognitive variables and medical conditions, psychiatric, and substance-use disorders, controlling for sociodemographic factors. Sixty-four percent of ALC had at least one medical, psychiatric, or substance-abuse co-morbidity (excluding smoking). Smoking status (smoker or nonsmoker) and age were significant independent predictors of cognitive efficiency, general intelligence, postural stability, processing speed, and visuospatial memory after age-normed adjustment and control for estimated pre-morbid verbal intelligence, education, alcohol consumption, and medical, psychiatric, and substance-misuse co-morbidities. Results indicated that chronic smoking accounted for a significant portion of the variance in the neurocognitive performance of this middle-aged AUD cohort. The age-related findings for ALC suggest that alcohol dependence, per se, was associated with diminished neurocognitive functioning with increasing age. The study of participants who demonstrate common co-morbidities observed in AUD is necessary to fully understand how AUD, as a clinical syndrome, affects neurocognition, brain neurobiology, and their changes with extended abstinence.
An experimental study of autoclaved aerated concrete lintels strengthened with externally bonded glass FRP

This article presents the experimental data obtained from four-point loading of AAC lintels and compares the measured failure loads with capacities predicted using the conventional strength-design method. Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) fabrics are used to strengthen existing concrete structures as an alternative to externally bonded steel plates. Design approaches have been developed for application of FRP on conventional concrete surfaces, but there are other types of concrete materials that have not been sufficiently studied for FRP application. Autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) is one such material introduced in the US market in the mid 1990s. There is an interest in evaluating the feasibility of application of FRP to retrofit existing structures or components made of AAC (e.g., AAC lintels, floor panels, wall panels, etc.). The specimens used in this study include AAC lintels without FRP and with two alternative schemes of FRP applied to the external lintel surfaces for flexural and shear strengthening. Specimens of conventional reinforced concrete were also tested for comparison with AAC when both are strengthened with FRP. The measured test data provide a basis for evaluating the accuracy of existing strength-design equations to predict the capacity of such specimens. Test results show that the application of FRP at the bottom of the lintels, in combination with U-wrap at the ends of the lintels, increases the load and deflection capacities. Comparison of test results and calculated strengths shows that the existing guidelines such as ACI 440.2R and ACI 523.4R give safe estimates of shear and flexural strength for FRP-enhanced AAC lintels.
FATAL MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS AND HELMET LAWS IN PENINSULAR MALAYSIA

The objectives of this research are to determine the effect of helmet laws on fatalities associated with motor cycle accidents in Peninsular Malaysia. The prevalence of accidents and deaths occurring in the 10 groups of states of the Peninsula between 1973 and 1979 is analyzed. Differences in rates, especially the deaths/accidents, from before to after the introduction of the helmet law are emphasized. The rates accidents/1000 registrations and deaths/10,000 registrations decreased in almost all of the states after the law was introduced. There was not a uniform reduction in the rate of deaths/100 accidents after introduction of the law in individual states. However, a weighted linear regression shows that the effect of the introduction of the helmet law on deaths/accidents was significant. An odds ratio of 0.70 is the estimated risk of deaths associated with motorcycle accident after introduction of the helmet law compared with no helmet law. The 30 per cent estimated reduction in fatalities in Malaysia is similar in magnitude to that reported in the U.S.A. It is estimated that in 1979 the number of fatalities in Peninsular Malaysia was about 140 lower than could be expected without the helmet law.
BER estimation for serial links based on jitter spectrum and clock recovery characteristics

High performance serial communication systems often require the bit error rate (BER) to be at the level of 10/sup -12/ or below. The excessive test time for measuring such a low BER is a major hindrance in testing communication systems cost-effectively. We propose a new technique for accurate and efficient estimation of the BER. The proposed technique estimates the BER based on the spectral information of jitter and the characteristics of the clock and data recovery circuit. The method can significantly reduce the production test time for BER testing. Simulation results demonstrate the potential usefulness of the method.
Alloys and Compounds

Pure materials have a number of inherent mechanical properties, as discussed in Chapter 3. These features, such as strength or ductility, can be altered only to a limited degree, for example, by work hardening. In contrast to this, the properties of materials can be varied significantly if one combines several elements, that is, by alloying. In this chapter, we shall unfold the multiplicity of the mechanical properties of alloys and compounds with particular emphasis on the mechanisms which are involved. Specifically, we shall discuss a number of techniques which increase the strength of materials. Among them are solid solution strengthening, precipitation hardening (age hardening), dispersion strengthening, and grain size strengthening. In order to understand these mechanisms, we need to study the fundamentals of phase diagrams.
Searching for complete functions over E(3) with small radii

Recent advances in laser and fiber optic technology have made it feasible to build optical processors which are based upon value systems larger than E(2)={0,1}. The problem of designing a transistor which can be used as the basis for the circuits of such a processor involves a detailed study of functions which are either complete or complete with constants over E(3) and E(4). The radii of all complete functions over E(3) have been calculated but the sequential methods used cannot be applied over E(4). The authors use the known results for E(3) to develop genetic algorithm techniques to "grow" functions over E(3) with small radii. The paper ends with a discussion of the modifications needed to move the techniques developed for E(3) to a massively parallel environment so that complete functions over E(4) with small radii may be developed. >
Design of advanced underwater robotic vehicle and graphic workstation

Underwater robotic vehicles (URVs) are the integration of various subsystems such as sensor systems and guidance and control systems. In the Autonomous Systems Laboratory, an autonomous URV was designed and its first model was built as a part of research in developing a test platform for advanced vehicle technologies. Major components of the vehicle and its mechanical and electrical structure are described. >
The state psychiatric hospital in a mature system.

Psychiatric hospitals functioning in maturing mental health systems must adapt to ongoing changes in their environment.
Mass Measurements Using Exotic Reaction — 48Ca(3He, 11C) 40S

Accurate mass measurements have received a strong impetus in recent years to test model predictions based on local systematics, global fits and independent particle models among others. One widely used technique is precise reaction Q-value measurements giving an unknown mass relative to known masses and calibrant Q-values. We have previously applied this technique1,2 to reach nuclei far from the valley of stability using reactions such as 70Zn(3He, 8B)65Co and 70Zn (4He, 7Be) 67Ni. Exotic reactions which involve the transfer of three or more nucleons can accurately measure masses which are otherwise unreachable except by heavy ion reactions which may suffer severe resolution limitations due to target thickness effects.
Dual Commitment and Labor-Management Relationship Climates

In 22 municipal bus companies, the extent of union members' dual commitment-to their unions and to their employing organizations-covaried with interorganizational differences in labor-management cl...
DMP1-derived Peptides Promote Remineralization of Human Dentin

Remineralization of dentin during dental caries is of considerable clinical interest. Dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1) is a non-collagenous calcium-binding protein that plays a critical role in biomineralization. In the present study, we tested if peptides derived from DMP1 can be used for dentin remineralization. Peptide pA (pA, MW = 1.726 kDa) and peptide pB (pB, MW = 2.185), containing common collagen-binding domains and unique calcium-binding domains, were synthesized by solid-phase chemistry. An extreme caries lesion scenario was created by collagenase digestion, and the biomineral-nucleating potential of these peptides was ascertained when coated on collagenase-treated dentin matrix and control, native human dentin matrix under physiological levels of calcium and phosphate. Scanning electron microscopy analysis suggests that peptide pB was an effective nucleator when compared with pA. However, a 1:4 ratio of pA to pB was determined to be ideal for dentin remineralization, based on hydroxyapatite (HA) morphology and calcium/phosphorus ratios. Interestingly, HA was nucleated on collagenase-challenged dentin with as little as 20 min of 1:4 peptide incubation. Electron diffraction confirmed the presence of large HA crystals that produced a diffraction pattern indicative of a rod-like crystal structure. These findings suggest that DMP1-derived peptides may be useful to modulate mineral deposition and subsequent formation of HA when exposed to physiological concentrations of calcium and phosphate.
Social Skill and Social Anxiety Self-Report Measurement in a Psychiatric Population

An inventory composed of 105 items was administered to 195 psychiatric patients. The items consisted of descriptions of specific types of social situations. The subjects were asked to rate each situation on a Likert scale with respect to the degree of anxiety they experienced and the degree of skill competency they displayed in each of the situations. Data are reported with respect to the test-retest reliability, internal consistency, and factor structure of the inventory. The results of the factor analyses indicated a large general factor for both anxiety and skill, with a number of other factors which appeared to be situationally specific. The utility of the inventory for identifying specific problem areas for patients as an outcome measure in treatment studies and as a means of scaling social situations was discussed.
Editorial: The Information Processing Approach as a Perspective for Groups Research:

Neither of these predictions came true. Groups research did not experience a resurgence 8 to 10 years later as Steiner believed, nor did the scientific community forget his prediction. Steiner himself raised the issue again several years later, noting with disappointment that the ‘new day’ had not come (Steiner, 1983, 1986). Other articles dealing with the destiny of groups research have been published since, and many attempts have been made to analyze its sad decline and hopes for a renewal (cf., Abrams & Hogg, 1998). We will briefly outline this discussion before turning to the topic of this special issue, Information Processing in Groups. Decline and Rise of Groups Research
On the Security of Distributed Position Services

In this paper we analyze the security vulnerabilities of positionbased routing protocols and virtual home region (VHR)-based distributed position service systems. We propose methods to protect the position information from both external and internal attackers. We then discuss and propose several mitigation mechanisms against position abuse by internal attackers that exploit the position service to trace their targets. Finally, we propose a position verification mechanism that allows the position service to verify that the positions reported by nodes are correct.
Light verb constructions with `do' and `be' in Hindi: A TAG analysis

In this paper we present a Lexicalized Feature-based Tree-Adjoining Grammar analysis for a type of nominal predicate that occurs in combination with the light verbs “do” and “be” (Hindi kar and ho respectively). Light verb constructions are a challenge for computational grammars because they are a highly productive predicational strategy in Hindi. Such nominals have been discussed in the literature (Mohanan, 1997; Ahmed and Butt, 2011; Bhatt et al., 2013), but this work is a first attempt at a Tree-Adjoining Grammar (TAG) representation. We look at three possibilities for the design of elementary trees in TAG and explore one option in depth using Hindi data. In this analysis, the nominal is represented with all the arguments of the light verb construction, while the light verb adjoins into its elementary tree.
A Sequential IRT Model for Multiple-Choice Items and a Multidimensional Extension.

For certain multiple-choice tests, it might be theorized that respondents evaluate response options in a stepwise fashion. Statistical models that assume such a process may compete against models t...
On-site seismic yield (OSSY) estimates for BRISTOL based on nuclear to chemical explosion spectral ratios and yield scaling

We have computed a seismic yield estimate for the nuclear explosion BRISTOL by scaling near-source seismic recordings of BRISTOL with recordings from chemical explosions. Path and near-source coupling effects were accounted for by modeling ratios of the spectra of BRISTOL and chemical explosions recorded at identical locations and detonated in nearly the same locations. We estimated BRISTOL's yield, corner frequency, and overshoot by minimizing the difference between observed spectral ratios and model spectral ratios assuming yield scaling. Based on an average of spectral ratios at six stations, and assuming an average, gas-filled porosity of 4% in the vicinity of BRISTOL's working point, we obtained a yield of 10 kt with an interstation uncertainty corresponding to an increase or decrease by a factor of 1.7. This uncertainty could probably be reduced by using sensors with better low-frequency response and chemical explosions that generated larger signal to noise ratios (SNR). This yield estimate is in good agreement with a yield estimate obtained using regional Lg waves of Y = 11. We also find a corner frequency of 2.5 Hz and no evidence of overshoot in the seismic source function. Measurements such as these help improve our understanding of explosion sources and may be important for verification of threshold and low-yield nuclear testing treaties because they are less intrusive and potentially less expensive than existing on-site methods such as Continuous Reflectometry for Radius versus Time Experiment (CORRTEX). They are also applicable to explosions of all sizes.
New Progress in Research on Multi-Time Scale Unified Simulation and Modeling for AC/DC Power Systems

New achievements from the research on multi-time scale unified simulation and modeling for AC/DC power systems are summarized.As the technical foundation of the research,PSD Power Tools,developed and owned by Power System Department of China Electric Power Research Institute and widely used in power utilities of China,is a power system simulation and analysis software package.By means of PSD Power Tools,following research results in power system simulation are achieved,including hybrid simulation of electromechanical transient and electromagnetic transient,unified simulation of electromechanical transient stability and medium-and long-term stability,small signal stability analysis of large-scale power system,short-circuit current calculation,static voltage stability analysis and optimal power flow calculation;the new achievements in the modeling are as following:prime mover and energy supply models,new exciter and governor models of generator,wind power models,HVDC models,FACTS device models,load models and protection and control system models and so on.These research achievements strengthen and enhance the simulation ability of AC/DC power systems and further improve the technical level of power system simulation and modeling in China.
Influence of Urea Alone or Combined with Fish Meal and Solubles in Liquid Supplements on Performance of Grazing Cow-Calf Pairs

Experiments were conducted for 84 d, beginning on July 1, with cow-calf pairs grazing summer grass to determine the effects of feeding molasses containing urea or urea, fish solubles, and fish meal on BW gains, milk production, and blood metabolites. The four treatments based on a 16% CP urea-molasses mixture were no supplement, 97.8% base mixture plus 2.2% urea for cows and calves, 80% base mixture plus 10% fish solubles and 10% fish meal for cows and calves, and the supplement with fish solubles and fish meal as a creep feed for calves. The mixture contained 23% CP as fed. In Exp. 1, 60 crossbred cows with Angus-sired calves were allotted according to sex and birth date to 12, 2-ha pastures. Three pastures each with five cow-calf pairs were assigned to each treatment. In Exp. 2, 48 Hereford X Brahman F1 cows with Angus- or Belgian Blue-sired calves were allotted as in Exp. 1 to 24, 1-ha Alicia bermudagrass pastures. Three pastures with two cow-calf pairs were assigned to each treatment for each sire breed of calf. Cows were machine-milked, and jugular blood samples were collected initially and on d 28 and 56. Cows and calves were weighed, and cows were condition-scored after a 16-h shrink at the beginning and end of both experiments. Both supplements were consumed at similar levels (1.75 kg/d) by cow-calf pairs in both experiments. Cows in Exp. 1 and calves in both experiments gained more (P<0.05) BW when cow-calf pairs had access to the supplement containing fish solubles and fish meal. Milk yield was numerically higher on d 28 (P<0.18) and d 56 (P<0.11) when cows received fish solubles and fish meal in the supplement. The decline in milk yield from initial milking tended to be less (P<0.10) on d 28 and was less (P<0.05) on d 56 when cows received this supplement. Plasma ammonia N concentrations were higher (P<0.05) when cows were fed supplement containing only urea, and both supplements increased (P<0.05) plasma urea N when compared with no supplement. Supplements containing molasses, urea, fish solubles, and fish meal appear beneficial for cow-calf pairs grazing summer forage.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation: an update.

Many advances have been made in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency cardiac care. Topics reviewed in this article include educational programs in CPR and emergency cardiac care, developments in the basics of good resuscitation (airway, breathing, circulation), pharmacology in CPR, defibrillation, and vascular access. The authors stress the consolidation of observations and information from the patient, the laboratory, and diagnostic aids in an effort to develop knowledge of resuscitation to the point at which survival from cardiac arrest can be improved.
Surgical Treatment of Intractable Epilepsy

Seventy-five children, ages 5 months to 15 years, were treated for intractable seizures in the Neurosurgical Dept.
Stars That Bind: Civilization, Calendars, and the Sky

The measurement of time catalyzed the development of numbers, mathematics and astronomy, and cosmology, as the first humans began counting days, hours, minutes, and seconds of time. The sophistication of ancient civilizations in noting the cycles of the Sun, the Moon, planets, and stars enabled them to unify their people and to coordinate the activities of their people with both the cycles of nature and with the cycles of their gods. For the study of time, the planets, the Sun, and the Moon set the beat by which human civilization developed.
Fast analytical approach of application specific dose efficient spectrum selection for diagnostic CT imaging and PET attenuation correction

Computed tomography (CT) has been used for a variety of applications, two of which include diagnostic imaging and attenuation correction for PET or SPECT imaging. Ideally, the x-ray tube spectrum should be optimized for the specific application to minimize the patient radiation dose while still providing the necessary information. In this study, we proposed a projection-based analytic approach for the analysis of contrast, noise, and bias. Dose normalized contrast to noise ratio (CNRD), inverse noise normalized by dose (IND) and bias are used as evaluation metrics to determine the optimal x-ray spectrum. Our simulation investigated the dose efficiency of the x-ray spectrum ranging from 40 kVp to 200 kVp. Water cylinders with diameters of 15 cm, 24 cm, and 35 cm were used in the simulation to cover a variety of patient sizes. The effects of electronic noise and pre-patient copper filtration were also evaluated. A customized 24 cm CTDI-like phantom with 13 mm diameter inserts filled with iodine (10 mg ml−1), tantalum (10 mg ml−1), water, and PMMA was measured with both standard (1.5 mGy) and ultra-low (0.2 mGy) dose to verify the simulation results at tube voltages of 80, 100, 120, and 140 kVp. For contrast-enhanced diagnostic imaging, the simulation results indicated that for high dose without filtration, the optimal kVp for water contrast is approximately 100 kVp for a 15 cm water cylinder. However, the 60 kVp spectrum produces the highest CNRD for bone and iodine. The optimal kVp for tantalum has two selections: approximately 50 and 100 kVp. The kVp that maximizes CNRD increases when the object size increases. The trend in the CTDI phantom measurements agrees with the simulation results, which also agrees with previous studies. Copper filtration improved the dose efficiency for water and tantalum, but reduced the iodine and bone dose efficiency in a clinically-relevant range (70–140 kVp). Our study also shows that for CT-based attenuation correction applications for PET or SPECT, a higher-kVp spectrum with copper filtration is preferable. This method is developed based on filter back projection and does not require image reconstruction or Monte Carlo dose estimates; thus, it could potentially be used for patient-specific and task-based on-the-fly protocol optimization.
Design of a pulse sensor to detect medium activity in UWB networks

Impulse-based ultra wideband (I-UWB) is an attractive radio technology for large ad hoc and sensor networks due to its robustness to multipath effects, sub-centimeter ranging ability, simple hardware, and low radiated power. Current medium access control (MAC) protocols for I-UWB target small wireless personal area networks (WPANs) and cellular networks, but they are not suitable for large, multihop ad hoc and sensor networks. In a previous work, we proposed a method, termed pulse sense, to quickly, reliably, and efficiently detect medium activity in an I-UWB network. Pulse sense enables a distributed MAC protocol for I-UWB radios that is similar to carrier sense multiple access (CSMA) in narrowband systems. This paper investigates CMOS RF circuit implementation of a pulse sensor and its system level design considerations. Simulation results show that the proposed implementation is practical and improves the network performance.
High-speed stochastic circuits using synchronous analog pulses

The primary advantages of stochastic computing are the very simple hardware required to implement complex operations, its ability to gracefully tolerate noise, and the skew tolerance. Its relatively long latency, however, is a potential barrier to widespread use of this paradigm, particularly when high accuracy is required. This work proposes a new, high-speed, yet accurate approach for implementing stochastic circuits that uses synchronized analog pulses as a new way of representing correlated stochastic numbers.
Memory and Specificity in the Insect Immune System: Current Perspectives and Future Challenges.

The immune response of a host to a pathogen is typically described as either innate or adaptive. The innate form of the immune response is conserved across all organisms, including insects. Previous and recent research has focused on the nature of the insect immune system and the results imply that the innate immune response of insects is more robust and specific than previously thought. Priming of the insect innate immune system involves the exposure of insects to dead, or a sublethal dose of microbes in order to elicit an initial response. Comparing subsequent infections in primed insects to non-primed individuals indicates that the insect innate immune response may possess some of the qualities of an adaptive immune system. Although some studies demonstrate that the protective effects of priming are due to a “loitering” innate immune response, others have presented more convincing elements of adaptivity. While an immune mechanism capable of producing the same degree of recognition specificity as seen in vertebrates has yet to be discovered in insects, a few interesting cases have been identified and discussed.
TOP QUARK MASS AND THE DECAY Bs→γγ

In spite of every-growing knowledge of the standard model, some fundamental questions remain. Particularly, the top quark t, whose existence is unquestioned by many particle theorists, continues to elude experimentalists. The current experimental limit is m{sub t}, {gt}89 GeV. Short of direct productions, one may have to resort to careful studies of its footprints through radiative corrections. As the b-quark and the t-quark belong to the same family, given the structure of the Kobayashi-Maskawa (KM) matrix, careful studies of rare B meson decays should therefore provide an interesting probe of the top quark mass m{sub t}. In recent years, considerable efforts have been focused on rare B decays via penguin type Feynman graphs such as b {yields} s{gamma}, and b {yields} sg. Within the framework of the standard model, the branching ratios of these processes are sensitive to the top quark mass. Subject to certain assumptions, they may also be sensitive to mass scales of some new physics beyond. Besides the branching ratio, one may also study the photon polarization of the decay, say, b {yields} s{gamma} through B {yields} K*{gamma} {yields} K{pi}{gamma}. But, there little can be learned other than some details of the meson quark model. In thismore » paper the authors consider the processes b {yields} s + ({gamma}{gamma} or g{gamma} or gg) which are more complicated than the penguin b {yields} s + ({gamma} or g), partly because we can fuse the b and s together to form a B{sub s}. Of course, we do not know as yet how to calculate its formation wavefunction, but it is certainly simpler than the matrix elements needed in penguin exclusive processes, where a spectator quark has to be picked up to form both an initial and a final hadron (which incidentally can also be done here).« less
UV-annealing-enhanced stability in high-performance printed InO x transistors

We report on low-temperature additive processing methods for fabrication of high-performance InOx thin film transistors (TFTs) based on UV-annealed, printed high-k AlOx gate dielectrics. The impact of UV annealing on dielectric properties, TFT performance, and bias-stress stability is studied.
Threat of Predation Does Not Affect Crassostrea virginica Filtration

Biotic interactions can structure ecological communities and influence ecosystem functioning. As ecosystem engineers and filter feeders, bivalves often have disproportionately large effects on ecosystem functioning. They also utilize numerous morphological and behavioral responses to reduce predation, which can include changes in their filtration rates. To test the response of Crassostrea virginica filtration rates to the presence of predators, juvenile and adult oysters were separately exposed to varying types of predation risk from Callinectes sapidus and Panopeus herbstii in outdoor mesocosms. Water column chlorophyll a concentrations and crab behavior were measured over the duration of the experiment. Predation risk had no effect on oyster reef drawdown of chlorophyll a, which suggests that this important ecosystem function of oyster reefs is not mediated by behaviorally induced predator effects. Therefore, efforts to model how oyster predators influence filtration rates and associated ecosystem services should focus primarily on the factors that influence oyster mortality rather than predator effects on oyster behavior.
El descubrimiento de la tabla periódica como un caso de descubrimiento simultáneo

Este articulo examina la cuestion de la prioridad y la simultaneidad de descubrimientos en el contexto del descubrimiento del sistema periodico. Se argumenta que mas que ser anomalos, los descubrimientos simultaneos son la regla. Mas aun, argumento que el descubrimiento de la tabla periodica por al menos seis autores en el periodo de siete anos representa uno de los mejores ejemplos de descubrimiento multiple. Esta nocion esta sustentada por una nueva vision del desarrollo evolutivo de la ciencia a traves de un mecanismo que puede ser llamado “Ciencia Gaia” [Sci-Gaia] en analogia con la hipotesis Gaia de Lovelock.
Gabriel's Horn: A Revolutionary Tale

SummaryWe generalize hypersurfaces of revolution by allowing the profile curve to be dependent on more than one variable. We call these more general objects spherical arrays and we use them to introduce the reader to volume calculations, which are normally reserved for a more advanced course in differential geometry. The rich symmetry of the spherical arrays allow us to build objects with properties reminiscent of those for which Gabriel's Horn became a cause celebre.
Bleeding and Neurologic Complications in 58,000 Interventional Pain Procedures.

Background and Objectives Interventional pain procedures are commonly performed on patients receiving antiplatelet therapy. However, there is limited evidence to support or refute the safety of this practice. The goal of this investigation was to assess the rate of bleeding complications in a large cohort of patients undergoing intermediate- and low-risk pain procedures, with a specific focus on antiplatelet and anticoagulant medication use and baseline coagulation abnormalities. Methods This is a retrospective cohort study of adult patients undergoing low- and intermediate-risk pain procedures from 2005 through 2014 by the division of pain medicine at a single academic tertiary care center. Baseline characteristics, antiplatelet and anticoagulant medication use, coagulation parameters, and procedural details were extracted from the electronic medical record. The primary outcome was a bleeding-related complication requiring emergency medicine, neurology, or neurosurgical evaluation within 31 days. The secondary outcome was the presence or absence of a periprocedural red blood cell transfusion occurring within 72 hours of needle placement. Results A total of 58,066 procedures were performed on 24,590 unique patients. Preprocedural aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug therapy was present for 17,825 procedures (30.7%). Sixteen procedures were associated with perioperative red blood cell transfusion (0.03%), with no difference based on preprocedural nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, including aspirin, or other anticoagulation use (P = 0.107). Five patients (0.009%) had a neurologic complication requiring further evaluation, of which 2 were likely related to procedural bleeding. Conclusions Bleeding complications are rare in patients undergoing low- or intermediate-risk pain procedures even in the presence of antiplatelet medications. This is consistent with recently released guidelines.
Characterization of mammary-specific disruptions for Tph1 and Lrp5 during murine lactation.

Serotonin is a homeostatic regulator of the mammary gland during lactation. The contribution of mammary-derived serotonin to circulating serum serotonin concentrations was previously unknown. We have developed mice with mammary-specific disruptions of tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (Tph1) or low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 (Lrp5) that are induced during late pregnancy and lactation via use of the whey acidic protein (WAP)-Cre cre-lox system. Our objective was to characterize dams with a lactation- and mammary-specific disruption of Lrp5 (WAP-Cre × Lrp5 FL/FL) or Tph1 (WAP-Cre × Tph1 FL/FL). Milk yield and pup weights were recorded throughout lactation. Dams were euthanized on d10 postpartum and mammary glands and duodenal tissue were harvested. WAP-Cre × Lrp5 FL/FL dams had elevated serotonin concentrations in both the mammary gland and circulation compared to controls. In contrast, WAP-Cre × Tph1 FL/FL dams had decreased mammary gland and serum serotonin concentrations compared to controls. Alveolar morphology, milk yield, and pup weights were similar. Mammary-derived serotonin makes a significant contribution to circulating serotonin concentrations during lactation, with no effect on milk yield or alveolar morphology. These transgenic models can and should be confidently used in future lactation studies to further elucidate the contribution of serotonin to the maintenance of lactation.
How Was the Nerd or Geek Born

Lane offers an evolution of the nerd/geek stereotype through the present day, utilizing a historical retrospective of media. The birth of the “nerd” stereotype is directly connected to television and, through analysis of media through the decades, the nerd/geek’s evolution is chronicled, leading to the twentieth-century construct so easily recognized today. The nerd has evolved from its humble beginnings as a social outcast, as depicted in 1978’s Saturday Night Live episodes, into a mainstream character, as demonstrated on The Big Bang Theory, which is ripe for analysis and study. Lane theorizes that the nerd/geek stereotype, more than any other, reveals Western culture’s complex relationship with a world dominated by technology.
Small-molecule Sigma1 Modulator Induces Autophagic Degradation of PD-L1

Emerging evidence suggests that Sigma1 (SIGMAR1, also known as sigma-1 receptor) is a unique ligand-regulated integral membrane scaffolding protein that contributes to cellular protein and lipid homeostasis. Previously, we demonstrated that some small-molecule modulators of Sigma1 alter endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-associated protein homeostasis pathways in cancer cells, including the unfolded protein response and autophagy. Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) is a type I integral membrane glycoprotein that is cotranslationally inserted into the ER and is processed and transported through the secretory pathway. Once at the surface of cancer cells, PD-L1 acts as a T-cell inhibitory checkpoint molecule and suppresses antitumor immunity. Here, we demonstrate that in Sigma1-expressing triple-negative breast and androgen-independent prostate cancer cells, PD-L1 protein levels were suppressed by RNAi knockdown of Sigma1 and by small-molecule inhibition of Sigma1. Sigma1-mediated action was confirmed by pharmacologic competition between Sigma1-selective inhibitor and activator ligands. When administered alone, the Sigma1 inhibitor decreased cell surface PD-L1 expression and suppressed functional interaction of PD-1 and PD-L1 in a coculture of T cells and cancer cells. Conversely, the Sigma1 activator increased PD-L1 cell surface expression, demonstrating the ability to positively and negatively modulate Sigma1 associated PD-L1 processing. We discovered that the Sigma1 inhibitor induced degradation of PD-L1 via autophagy, by a mechanism distinct from bulk macroautophagy or general ER stress-associated autophagy. Finally, the Sigma1 inhibitor suppressed IFNγ-induced PD-L1. Our data demonstrate that small-molecule Sigma1 modulators can be used to regulate PD-L1 in cancer cells and trigger its degradation by selective autophagy.Implications: Sigma1 modulators sequester and eliminate PD-L1 by autophagy, thus preventing functional PD-L1 expression at the cell surface. This posits Sigma1 modulators as novel therapeutic agents in PD-L1/PD-1 blockade strategies that regulate the tumor immune microenvironment.Visual Overview: http://mcr.aacrjournals.org/content/molcanres/16/2/243/F1.large.jpg Mol Cancer Res; 16(2); 243-55. ©2017 AACR.
2-(4-Biphenylyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazoles: synthesis and mesogenic studies

ABSTRACTA series of 2-(4-biphenylyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazoles bearing alkyl or alkoxy substituents at the 4ʹ position, and a hydrogen, or alkyl substituent (linear, branched, fluorinated or functionalised...
On the approach for determining association between changes in marital quality and cardiovascular disease risk factors

Bennett-Britton et al ’s recently published study of the association between changes in marital quality and cardiovascular disease risk factors in men from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC study) provided a longitudinal representation of how marital quality affects cardiovascular health.1 Though the conclusions are important to social support and cardiovascular health, significant selection bias may have affected their results and related inferences. An important excluded population was divorced men. A total of 116 men (which would be 19% of the final study population) were excluded because they were not confirmed to be married and/or the …
MAGNETOCALORIC EFFECT IN FINE MAGNETIC PARTICLE SYSTEMS

Abstract Upon the application of a magnetic field, the entropy of a magnetic species will change. If performed adiabatically, this field application will result in a temperature change, ΔT, referred to as the magnetocaloric effect. The magnitude of this effect depends on many materials-related properties including the size of the magnetic moment, the temperature dependence of the magnetization, and the heat capacity of the material. In fine magnetic particle systems, all of these parameters may be quite different from their values when the particles are consolidated into a large single entity. For an assembly of weakly-interacting nanometer-sized clusters of magnetic spins, as occurs in nanocomposite materials, it was predicted [ 1 , 2 ] that the magnetocaloric effect may be enhanced at low fields and high temperatures. Here, the work in this area is reviewed and an indirect measurement technique to determine ΔT using the measured field and temperature dependence of the magnetization is applied to a bulk nanocomposite of 11 wt. % Fe+silica gel.
Import and Assembly of the Mitochondrial ATP Synthase of Baker’s Yeast

The synthesis of mitochondrial ATPase is programmed by nuclear genes as well as by mitochondrial genes. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the coding dichotomy parallels the structural dichotomy of the enzyme: The five F1 subunits and OSCP are encoded in the nucleus, and the three known F0 subunits, 6, 9, 10 (also called aap1), are encoded in the mitochondrion. Because formation of both domains is essential if new ATPase complex is to be made, we are investigating the assembly of ATPase and particularly the interaction between nuclear and mitochondrial gene products. Our experiments are of two types: (1) studies of the rate of import and association of the ATPase subunits which are encoded in the nucleus and made in the cytoplasm; and (2) examination of nuclear mutations (suppressors) which compensate for a defect in the mitochondrial gene for an F0 subunit.
Working with Latino Students in Recovery: Understanding Culture and the Role of Family

This presentation explores and reflects upon the presenter’s experiences after moving and adjusting to a new culture at a large university in deep-south Texas, on the US/Mexico border, and how those experiences align with current research available regarding cultural considerations in a therapeutic environment. The presentation reviews several case studies and their relationship to six important cultural considerations when working with Hispanic or Latino students. The presentation also explores the important role families play in the recovery process for Latino students involved in Collegiate Recovery Programs and recommendations for CRPs to assist in the involvement of families in programming. Attendees will learn how the presenter learned the importance of understanding the vital role culture plays in different recovery communities and how that affects students in or seeking recovery.
Making sense of fraction division: domain and representation knowledge of preservice elementary teachers on a fraction division task

The mathematical domain of fraction division continues to be an area of great difficulty for many teachers and preservice teachers (Lo and Luo, Journal for Mathematics Teacher Education 15:481–500, 2012; Newton, American Educational Research Journal 45:1080–1110, 2008; Rizvi and Lawson, International Education Journal 8(2):377–392, 2007; Young and Zientek, Investigations in Mathematics Learning 4(1):1-23, 2011). In this study, preservice teachers were given a fraction division task that sought to investigate their own personal approaches to solving a fraction division problem. Their results were contrasted with their ability to interpret student work on the same task. The purpose was to uncover information and gain greater insight into conceptualizations of fraction division they used and links or connections they made among verbal, diagrammatic, and algebraic representations as they solved the task themselves and then analyzed sample student solutions to the same task. Our findings have implications for future research and instruction on fraction division.