cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Don’t Hate me Because I am Beautiful: Identifying the Relative Influence of Celebrity Attractiveness and Character Traits on Credibility

A celebrity spokesperson is typically defined as a recognizable person who uses this recognition to promote a consumer good through an advertisement. Celebrity endorsers are widely used to engage consumers. Past research has shown that almost 25% of all television commercials contain celebrity endorsers (Erdogan et al., 2001). As of 2010, it was estimated that $35 billion was spent on celebrity endorsements in traditional media (Crutchfield, 2012) and another $35 billion on digital endorsements (Shayon, 2011). Celebrities have their own brand and equity, and each celebrity’s brand is important to marketers as they seek to transfer the celebrity’s image to the endorsed product (McCraken, 1989).
Great Expectations for Fine Dining: Lessons for Small Business Resturateurs

As the 21st century unfolds, our work and our leisure will be changed by our growing sense of individualism and spiritualism. Experts say consumers in the new millennium will overturn much of what we know about target marketing: turning upside down traditional thinking about what we 'II buy, how we’ll live and work and how we’ll eat. For the aging baby boom generation, the new "meal-lennium" will be more about "time-using" (social event) than "time-saving" (eat-and-run). The fine dining experience will become the triumph of individualism over the ever-faster pace of the new economy as baby boomers den1and to be treated and catered to as individuals.This study investigated the difference between baby boom men and women in attitude, consumption emotions, and satisfaction resulting from a visit to a fine dining restaurant. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire from residents of a large mid western city using a judgment sampling approach. While there was no difference in the mean values on these constructs, the causal model revealed significant differences in the profile of emotions influencing satisfaction.
At the Intersection of National Interests and International Law: Why American Interests Should Assume the Right of Way

Following the interwar period and disastrous results of an isolationist foreign policy, the United States changed course coming out of the Second World War. Assuming the global leadership role, the U.S. led the international effort to design and build the international institutions and organizations that would ensure and manage the global recovery from the war that ravaged the world’s economy, deter future wars by providing checks on and a balance of power, and that would ensure, to some degree, international systems based on rule of law. Pursuit of U.S. interests should, when possible, be carried out within that international legal framework. The U.S. should conform its actions to international legal norms, so long as it does not create a substantial departure from pursuit of national interests. In considering ratification of conventions and treaties in areas of security and human rights, the U.S. should consider whether ceding sovereignty to unelected committees charged with monitoring U.S. compliance with the terms of those agreements is in U.S. interests. On the other hand, ceding sovereignty as a result of continued global leadership in the international economic institutions built by the U.S. and its allies may actually weigh in favor of U.S. interests. Finally, diverging from traditional international rules when dealing with contemporary challenges may also be in U.S. interests, particularly when adhering to values concerning the rule of law that respects human rights. To that end, the U.S. should consider, with partners when possible, the evolvement of new norms through action. Justification based on legitimacy is a valid interest. The U.S. should also rely on national institutions in managing the conflict between national interests and international cooperation, but always with the awareness of national interests.
Developing Mathematization with Physics Invention Tasks

Experts in physics develop and communicate ideas through mathematization, the mental practice of translating between the physical world and the symbolic world. Research in mathematics education and physics education has shown that introductory college physics students often struggle with the idiosyncratic ways that familiar mathematics is used in physics. Additional work has shown that invention tasks have promise as an instructional approach for helping students use math flexibly and generatively in science and in statistics. In this paper we describe our physics invention tasks,* classroom activities designed to support construction of quantitative physics concepts and relationships and to prepare students to better understand the reasoning introduced in subsequent formal instruction. We share results from a preliminary study of the impact of physics invention tasks in a reformed introductory calculus-based physics course. The reformed course, taught by one of the authors and designed specifically for mathematically underprepared engineering students, has for many years incorporated research-based instruction, but has only recently incorporated physics invention tasks. First we retrospectively compare Force Concept Inventory performance in the reformed course, finding an improvement of 0.18 in normalized gain when physics invention tasks were introduced. We then compare the intervention course to the traditionally taught mainstream engineering physics course. We see that the students in the intervention course have a higher FCI gain and absolute posttest score, perform equally well on selected items from the Mechanics Baseline Test, and become more expert-like in their responses on the Colorado Learning Attitudes about Science Survey. *available at this http URL
Improving EFL learners' pragmatic awareness: why and how

This paper overviews the ways in which EFL learners' pragmatic awareness can be developed in language classrooms through focused instruction and practice. It argues that effective communication requires awareness of the conventions governing language use and attention to the characteristics of the context and the interlocutors, besides linguistic sources. The main claim is that even though some pragmatics data that is based on native speaker norms might not provide relevant models for learners of English as a foreign or international language, these learners still need to become aware of cross-cultural variation in norms of language use and learn how to consider social and contextual factors surrounding effective communication. After defining pragmatic competence and transfer, the paper discusses possible ways for integrating pragmatic consciousness-raising into language teaching and the problems involved in this endeavour. It then describes a course designed to raise pragmatic awareness in advanced level EFL learners as part of their TEFL training program. The underlying principles, materials and sample activities of the course are presented and learners' reaction to the course is discussed.
On-Demand Degrafting and the Study of Molecular Weight and Grafting Density of Poly(methyl methacrylate) Brushes on Flat Silica Substrates

We report on degrafting of surface-anchored poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) brushes from flat silica-based substrates using tetrabutylammonium fluoride (TBAF) and determining their molecular weight distribution (MWD) using size exclusion chromatography (SEC). The grafted PMMA layer was synthesized using surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) of MMA for polymerization times ranging from 6 to 24 h. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, ellipsometry, and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry were employed in tandem to characterize the degrafting process. The SEC eluograms were fit to various polymer distributions, namely Zimm–Schulz, ATRP in continuous stirred tank reactor, Wesslau, Schulz–Flory, and Smith et al. The ATRP model gives the best fit to the experimental data. The dry PMMA brush thickness and the number-average molecular weight (obtained from the MWD) suggest that the grafting density of the PMMA grafts is independent of polymerization time, indicating well-control...
Twospotted Spider Mite Resistance in Nicotiana Species

Fifty-two species of Nicotiana and 17 tobacco cultivars were evaluated for resistance to Tetranychus urticae Koch. The plants were greenhouse grown, mass-infested with mites, and rated for injury. The Nicotiana spp. were tested further to characterize the nature of resistance by utilizing the technique that employs leaf disks with tanglefoot around the edge. Notably susceptible were N. glauca Graham, N. suaveolens Lehmann, N. debneyi Domin, and N. eastii Kostoff and the cultivar TI 1298. Resistance generally resulted from antibiosis and nonpreference. N. gossei Domin, N. noctiflora Hooker, N. Velutina Wheeler, and N. benthamiana Domin produced mite mortalities that ranged from 30–90% in 24 h. Nonpreference was manifested in many species, notably N. nesophila Johnst., N. stocktonii Brandeg., N. glutinosa L., and N. trigonophylla Dun. Resistance associated with a viscid secretion from trichomes took 2 forms: actual toxicity, and entrapment resulting in mite death by dehydration. Available evidence points to alkaloids as the chemicals responsible for antibiosis.
Original Research: Sickle cell anemia and pediatric strokes: Computational fluid dynamics analysis in the middle cerebral artery

Children with sickle cell anemia (SCA) have a high incidence of strokes, and transcranial Doppler (TCD) identifies at-risk patients by measuring blood velocities in large intracerebral arteries; time-averaged mean velocities greater than 200 cm/s confer high stroke risk and warrant therapeutic intervention with blood transfusions. Our objective was to use computational fluid dynamics to alter fluid and artery wall properties, to simulate scenarios causative of significantly elevated arterial blood velocities. Two-dimensional simulations were created and increasing percent stenoses were created in silico, with their locations varied among middle cerebral artery (MCA), internal carotid artery (ICA), and anterior cerebral artery (ACA). Stenoses placed in the MCA, ICA, or ACA generated local increases in velocity, but not sufficient to reach magnitudes > 200 cm/s, even up to 75% stenosis. Three-dimensional reconstructions of the MCA, ICA, and ACA from children with SCA were generated from magnetic resonance angiograms. Using finite element method, blood flow was simulated with realistic velocity waveforms to the ICA inlet. Three-dimensional reconstructions revealed an uneven, internal arterial wall surface in children with SCA and higher mean velocities in the MCA up to 145 cm/s compared to non-SCA reconstructions. There were also greater areas of flow recirculation and larger regions of low wall shear stress. Taken together, these bumps on the internal wall of the cerebral arteries could create local flow disturbances that, in aggregate, could elevate blood velocities in SCA. Identifying cellular causes of these microstructures as adhered blood cells or luminal narrowing due to endothelial hyperplasia induced by disturbed flow would provide new targets to treat children with SCA. The preliminary qualitative results provided here point out the critical role of 3D reconstruction of patient-specific vascular geometries and provide qualitative insight to complex interplay between vascular geometry and rheological properties possibly altered by SCA.
Congestion Avoidance Mechanism Based on Bandwidth Estimation in MANET Networks

A congestion avoidance mechanism based on bandwidth estimation in MANET networks is proposed.In order to get the metric of congestion degree,the available bandwidth is estimated through the work status of wireless link that is monitored by the node continuously.The congestion control mechanism is implemented according to packet type.The bandwidth estimation needn’t exchange information with other nodes,so the overload of system is low.The results of simulation show that the mechanism has better performance.
Investigation on sanitary condition of rural drinking water in Luannan County in 2012

[Objective]To understand the safe and sanitary condition of rural drinking water in Luannan County,provide scientific basis for improving the rural drinking water quality.[Methods]The data of water supply modes,types of water source,coverage of the population and water supply capacity in Luannan County were investigated,and 30 rural centralized water supply projects were collected as the research objects by stratified random sampling.Each research site was sampled once in the dry season and flood season respectively.[Results]A total of 120 water samples were monitored,and 97 were qualified with the qualified rate of 80.8%.The qualified rate in flood season and dry season was 70.0% and 91.7% respectively,and the difference was significant.The lower qualified rates of microbiological indicators were the main factor that influenced the water quality.39 719 people were involved in this study,and 17 130 have drunk the unqualified water,which accounted for 43.1% of all population,and was higher than the national proportion(34.3%).[Conclusion]The sanitary condition of rural drinking water in Luannan County is poor,and microbial contamination is the main health problem in rural drinking water in Luannan County.In order to ensure the safety of drinking water,it is necessary to strengthen the water source protection and disinfection treatment,and improve the monitoring of microbiological indicators in the flood season.
Gothic Traces in the Metaphysical Detective Story: The Female Sleuth in Pynchon’s The Crying of Lot 49 and Gibson’s Pattern Recognition

This essay argues that William Gibson’s novel Pattern Recognition (the first volume of his Blue Ant Trilogy) borrows from Pynchon’s The Crying of Lot 49 as regards plot, character, narration, structure, imagery, and theme, even as it transforms these elements to reflect a post-9/11 world. The essay particularly focuses, however, on the fear and anxiety experienced by the protagonists, Pynchon’s Oedipa Maas and Gibson’s Cayce Pollard, who are among the very few female sleuths to appear in postmodernist metaphysical detective stories. It argues that Pynchon and Gibson modeled their narratives on female gothic novels in which a heroine discovers evidence of a conspiracy against her but cannot determine whether it exists or whether she imagined it. The essay thus offers a new context in which to read Pynchon’s novel, in terms of both genre and gender, as well as extensive evidence of its impact on Gibson. At the same time, the essay argues, using the examples of Pynchon’s and Gibson’s novels, that the female gothic genre has been an important influence on the metaphysical detective story, especially its depiction of investigators who project their own interpretations onto insoluble mysteries.
The Ongoing Genetic Adaptation of Streptococcus pneumoniae.

ABSTRACT Streptococcus pneumoniae has demonstrated a remarkable ability to adapt during the conjugate vaccine era. The increasing incidence of serotype 35B disease and emergence of a multidrug-resistant clone reported in this issue of the Journal of Clinical Microbiology (L. Olarte et al., J Clin Microbiol 55:724–734, 2017, https://doi.org/10.1128/JCM.01778-16 ) underscore the limitations of pneumococcal vaccines that target the polysaccharide capsule.
Identical Novel C-Kit Transcripts in Two Patients with Mast Cell Leukemia.

Background: Mutations of c-kit have been well documented in mast cell neoplasms. The most common alterations found in human cutaneous and systemic mastocytosis are V560G and D816V. Mast cell leukemia is the most aggressive mast cell neoplasm, characterized by diffuse bone marrow and peripheral blood involvement. It has not been well studied due to its rarity. To date, no C-KIT mutational analysis of primary mast cell leukemia cells has been reported, although a mast cell leukemia cell line expresses the V560G and D816V mutations. Here we report on C-KIT cDNA analysis on two patients diagnosed with mast cell leukemia at the University of Chicago Hospitals. Both patients had peripheral blood involvement. Their diagnosis was confirmed on bone marrow biopsies with tryptase stains. Patient 1, diagnosed in 1989, died shortly after diagnosis. Patient 2 achieved a complete remission with allogeneic stem cell transplant. Upon relapse, treatment with Gleevec, resulted in an incomplete but significant response. This patient eventually died of sepsis following refractory cytopenias. Methodology: We retrieved liquid nitrogen frozen, pre-treatment bone marrow aspirate samples from both patients. We performed RT-PCR analysis of the entire coding region of C-KIT by amplifying 21 exons in smaller fragments. Each PCR product was cloned and sequenced. A thorough sequencing analysis was performed by screening several clones of each amplification product, with the purpose of being able to identify low abundance transcripts. Results: In both patients, the most abundant transcript was alternatively spliced and lacked exons 12 and 13. In addition, coexisting on the same allele, there were novel but not identical single amino acid deletions: deletion of L521 in patient 1 and of S715 in patient 2. A second novel alteration detected in both patients was the duplication of Q252. Patient 2 also demonstrated two independent, low abundance transcripts, one encoding the point mutation V559G and the other containing a deletion of exon 12. Discussion: Here we describe two novel and identical C-KIT alterations in two patients with mast cell leukemia (deletion of exons 12 and 13 and duplication of Q252). We hypothesize that both are key molecular changes underlying mast cell leukemia. Exons 12 and 13 encode the N-terminus of the kinase domain, which is thought to have modulatory effect on the kinase active site. Amino acid 252 is located in the fourth immunoglobulin-like domain of the extracellular region, which is thought to be critical for receptor dimerization and phosphorylation. We predict that these mutations result in the superactivation of C-KIT, based on the aggressive behaviour of mast cell leukemia. The response to Gleeevec seen in patient 2 indicates that at least some of these transcripts are Gleevec sensitive. Functional assays to test if the encoded C-KIT proteins are constitutively activated and whether Gleevec inhibits the novel C-KIT proteins are in progress.
Symptomatic BK virus as a significant independent predictor of immune suppression and poor overall survival in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell recipients.

7025 Symptomatic BK virus as a Significant Independent Predictor of Immune Suppression and Poor Overall Survival in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Recipients Background: BK virus (BKV) infectio...
Seismic centrifuge modelling of suction bucket foundation for offshore wind turbine

Abstract Wind Energy is the one of the most promising renewable energy. Suction bucket foundation is considered to be a viable type of wind turbine foundation. Soil liquefaction caused by earthquakes at offshore seismic active area may lead to a significant degradation of soil strength and stiffness. In this study, nine centrifuge tests were carried out to investigate the seismic response of suction bucket foundation under earthquake loading. Both dry and saturate soil conditions were considered in tests. The geometric design of five suction bucket models considered the bucket diameter, penetration depth, and modified buckets with inside compartments. It was found that soil underlying and near the bucket foundation shown a better ability to resist liquefaction in saturated tests comparing to free field while no significant differences were observed in dry tests. The five bucket models performed quite differently, which demonstrated the aspect ratio effects and inside-bucket compartment effects. The results provide insight into optimized design of suction bucket foundation for wind turbine.
CARDIAC MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING FOR DIAGNOSIS OF LOEFFLER'S ENDOCARDITIS

Cardiac involvement is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in hypereosinophilic syndromes. A 35 year-old man presented with 4 weeks of fevers and malaise and was found to have an eosinophil count of 2,800 per microliter. Electrocardiogram (ECG) demonstrated diffuse T wave inversions and
Environmental drivers of cyclicity recorded in lower Permian eolian strata, Manitou Springs, Colorado, western United States

Abstract Ancient eolian deposits are effective records of environmental conditions and commonly exhibit cyclicity. Accordingly, these deposits can reveal information that allows assessment of the earth system drivers controlling that cyclicity. Here, we assess those drivers in the lower Permian Ingleside Formation exposed near Manitou Springs, Colorado. The unit is characterized by two major eolian depositional intervals, exposed as topographic ridges, and punctuated by alluvial facies, exposed as a valley between the two ridges. Eolian facies are moderately sorted, sub-rounded, fine-grained, sub-arkosic sandstone. Sets of cross strata are up to 10.5 meters thick, and foresets exhibit internal laminae. Eolian cosets are regularly truncated by parallel to sub-parallel bounding zones composed of laterally continuous massive to planar laminated muddy sandstone. Rhizoliths are locally present in these zones. Thin section petrography demonstrates that clay and carbonate cement are abundant in these zones when compared to eolian cosets. Bounding zone thicknesses range from surfaces (with no thickness) to 1.7 m. The bounding zones cut across all other surfaces within the eolian stratigraphy, and are inferred to be super bounding zones (SBZ). Based on similar relationships to interior erg deposits of the coeval Cedar Mesa Sandstone and in the context of late Paleozoic glacioeustasy, we propose the following model for creation of the SBZ. Dry eolian dunes mobilized and climbed during regression when abundant sand was available. During transgression, the encroaching shoreline trapped sediment resulting in deflation due to the loss of sediment flux. Relative sea level rise also raised the water table and when deflation reached a depth near the capillary fringe of the water table, the deflationary surface stabilized resulting in the SBZ. Three levels of cyclicity are observed in the Ingleside Formation that are inferred to reflect changes in local and global paleoenvironmental conditions. The first is the long-term gradation from the predominantly fluvial upper part of the Fountain Formation to the predominantly eolian Ingleside Formation. This trend is inferred to be the result of long-term aridification of the Pangaean interior. The second scale of cyclicity is denoted by punctuation of the two eolian ridges by alluvial facies comprising the intervening valley. We propose that this dry—wet—dry environmental change is driven by relative global ice volume during the early Permian. Higher volumes of global ice, occurring as Gondwanan ice sheets, appear to correlate to the eolian intervals, whereas, the alluvial interval may be coeval with feckless or complete loss of Gondwanan ice sheets. The third scale of cyclicity is indicated by the SBZ-coset couplets and is inferred to be the result of glacioeustatic variations in sea level resulting from the waxing and waning of relatively large Gondwanan ice sheets.
Evaluating the long-term persistence of Bacillus spores on common surfaces.

Bacillus spores resist inactivation, but the extent of their persistence on common surfaces is unclear. This work addresses knowledge gaps regarding biothreat agents in the environment to reduce uncertainty in risk assessment models. Studies were conducted to investigate the long-term inactivation of Bacillus anthracis and three commonly used surrogate organisms - B. cereus, B. atrophaeus and B. thuringiensis on three materials: laminate countertop, stainless steel and polystyrene Petri dishes. Viable spores were measured at 1, 30, 90, 196, 304 and 1038 days. Twelve different persistence models were fit to the data using maximum likelihood estimation and compared. The study found that (1) spore inactivation was not log-linear, as commonly modelled; (2) B. thuringiensis counts increased at 24 h on all materials, followed by a subsequent decline; (3) several experiments showed evidence of a 'U' shape, with spore counts apparently decreasing and then increasing between 1 and 304 days; (4) spores on polystyrene showed little inactivation; and (5) the maximum inactivation of 56% was observed for B. atrophaeus spores on steel at 196 days. Over the range of surfaces, time durations and conditions (humidity controlled vs. uncontrolled) examined, B. thuringiensis most closely matched the behaviour of B. anthracis.
A Non-Vanishing Cosmological Constant is Geometrodynamically Prohibited

If one solves the electromagnetic wave equation in the Lorenz gauge for a charged particle moving with a uniform velocity, and then inserts this solution into the gauge condition, mathematically one gets the result that the current density must be the charge density times the velocity. Thus the field equations of electromagnetism through the gauge condition imply a correct velocity requirement for the current density four-vector, much like the field equations of General Relativity imply through the Bianchi Identities a correct acceleration requirement. Likewise we can construct a velocity requirement for the stress-energy tensor from the gauge condition of the Linear Field Equations of gravitation. However, the correct velocity relationship will be implied only if the cosmological constant vanishes. Thus the cosmological constant must vanish.
GENETIC CONTROL OF CELLULAR TRANSPORT

Publisher Summary This chapter describes genetic control of cellular transport and focuses on the selection methods and the ways in which the resulting mutants can be exploited. To isolate mutants of a cultured cell line, the standard procedure consists of mutagenesis, which involves an increase in the overall mutation rate, an intermediate period of growth to allow mutant phenotypes to be expressed, a selection step to enrich the desired mutants, and screening to identify the mutants. The chapter focuses on selection and screening methods that have proved particularly valuable in the search for transport mutants. Positive selection methods are of most useful because they involve conditions that prevent the growth of wild-type cells and allow only mutant clones to form. In negative selection methods, conditions are chosen to kill growing cells while permitting nongrowing mutants to survive. Once the transport mutants have been isolated, they can be used to reveal the mechanism of transport.
Accurate estimation of microbial diversity with Distanced

Microbes are the most diverse organisms on Earth. Sequencing their DNA suggests thousands of different microbes could be present in a single sample. Errors in sequencing, however, make it challenging to estimate exactly how diverse microbes are. Here we developed a tool that estimates diversity accurately, even in the presence of sequencing errors. We first evaluated two existing tools, DADA2 and Deblur, which work by correcting sequencing errors. We found that these tools estimated within-sample (alpha) diversity poorly. In fact, we obtained better estimates if did not use the tools at all (left errors uncorrected). These tools performed poorly because they changed the relative abundance of different sequences; this is a side effect of correcting errors and discarding up to 90% of sequence reads in the process. Previous evaluations ignored sequence abundance when calculating diversity, overlooking this problem. Our tool, Distanced, differs from existing tools because it does not correct sequencing errors. Instead, it corrects sequence distances, which are used to calculate diversity. It does this correction with Phred quality scores and Bayes theorem. No sequence reads are discarded in the process. In our evaluation, Distanced accurately estimated diversity of bacterial DNA, fungal DNA, and even antibody mRNA. Given its accuracy, Distanced will help investigators answer important questions about microbial diversity. For example, it could answer how important is diversity for the planets ecosystems and human health.
Constitutive activation of STAT3 is associated with the acquisition of an interleukin 6-independent phenotype by murine plasmacytomas and hybridomas.

Interleukin 6 (IL-6), the major growth factor for myeloma cells, signals through the activation of signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) proteins. An important step in the malignant progression of murine plasmacytomas is the transition from dependence on IL-6 to a state of IL-6 independence. To elucidate the mechanism whereby IL-6 independence occurs, intracellular signaling events elicited by IL-6 in both IL-6–dependent and –independent plasmacytomas and hybridomas were compared. It was found that STAT3, a key molecule involved in IL-6 signaling, was constitutively activated and phosphorylated in IL-6–independent cell lines compared to the IL-6–dependent cells. Further comparison of upstream signaling pathways revealed that JAK-1 was constitutively present in anti-phosphotyrosine immunoprecipitates of IL-6–independent cells; gp130 was constitutively phosphorylated in a subset of IL-6–independent plasmacytomas, whereas other IL-6–independent lines showed no detectable gp130 phosphorylation in the absence of exogenous IL-6. Secretion of a factor capable of supporting the growth of IL-6–dependent cells was observed in one of the IL-6–independent plasmacytomas, but not in others, making an autocrine mechanism an unlikely explanation for IL-6 independence. These findings provide evidence that the constitutive activation of STAT3, either in the absence of detectable receptor-proximal events or associated with the concomitant activation of gp130, can contribute to the process of IL-6 independence.
Use of the spectral-finite element method for infrasound propagation in a 3D heterogeneous environment

The use of the spectral element method (SEM), as implemented in the open-source software SpecFEM3D, is explored for the application of longitudinal wave propagation. Infrasound, <20 Hz, propagation using local atmospheric data and a numerical weather forecast model through a heterogeneous environment is examined. The spectral-finite element method simulates acoustic and seismic waves by particle displacement in the earth and velocity potential through the atmosphere. This method also allows for inclusion of air-to-ground coupling plus realistic topography. Modifications to the code that allow for a moving atmosphere are described. Models are designed at local distances no greater than 15 km. Furthermore, high density/velocity regions for lateral heterogeneities are implemented. Absorbing boundary conditions are applied to each of the model’s sides. Simulation results are compared to real-world data collected at separate test sites and discussed. This presentation will discuss the applicability of SpecFEM3D to realistic infrasound modeling.
Rethinking Person-Centeredness: Contestations of Disability, Care, and Culture at the Social Service Application Interface.

This article examines how normative assumptions about disability, family, and care perpetuate barriers to social services in cross-cultural contexts. It reports on an 8-month case study of how a co...
Carbon Dioxide, pH, and Alkalinity

The pH or negative logarithm of the hydrogen ion concentration is a master variable in water quality because the hydrogen ion influences many reactions. Because dissolved carbon dioxide is acidic, rainwater that is saturated with this gas is naturally acidic—usually about pH 5.6. Limestone, calcium silicate, and feldspars in soils and other geological formations dissolve through the action of carbon dioxide to increase the concentration of bicarbonate in water and raise the pH. The total concentration of titratable bases—usually bicarbonate and carbonate—expressed in milligrams per liter of calcium carbonate is the total alkalinity. Total alkalinity typically is less than 50 mg/L in waters of humid areas with highly leached soils, but it is greater where soils are more fertile, limestone formations are present, or the climate is arid. Alkalinity increases the availability of inorganic carbon for photosynthesis in waters of low to moderate pH. Water bodies with moderate to high alkalinity are well-buffered against wide daily swings in pH resulting from net removal of carbon dioxide by photosynthesis during daytime and return of carbon dioxide to the water by respiratory process at night when there is no photosynthesis. The optimum pH range for most aquatic organisms is 6.5–8.5, and the acid and alkaline death points are around pH 4 and pH 11, respectively. Fish and other aquatic animals avoid high carbon dioxide concentration, but 20 mg/L or more can be tolerated if there is plenty of dissolved oxygen. The optimum alkalinity for aquatic life is between 50 and 150 mg/L.
Biological and molecular characterization of an ECV-304-derived cell line resistant to p53-mediated apoptosis

Upregulation of the p53 tumor suppressor protein by infection with a recombinant p53 adenovirus resulted in extensive apoptosis in ECV-304 cells and the eventual death of almost all the cells. To establish a system to elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved in p53-mediated apoptosis of these cells, we established a variant of ECV-304 that is resistant to p53-induced apoptosis by repeated infections with a recombinant p53 adenovirus. We have designated this variant as the DECV cell line (Differentiated ECV-304). DECV cells expressed similar amounts of nuclear-localized p53 as ECV-304 cells when infected with recombinant p53 adenovirus, but in contrast to ECV-304 cells, greater than 95% of DECV cells survived and remained viable after 24 hours of infection. In further contrast to ECV-304 cells, DECV cells grew less efficiently in soft agar and exhibited contact inhibition in growth assays. Moreover, DECV cells formed unusual lattice or cyst-like structures in culture and formed lumenal structures indicative of epithelial differentiation in three-dimensional collagen matrices, while parental ECV-304 cells showed minimal evidence of these cellular behaviors. A comparative molecular analysis of gene expression in DECV and ECV-304 cells was conducted by cDNA micro-array technology. Protocadherin-1 was found to be expressed in DECV cells but not in ECV-304 cells, while the Id-3 gene was observed expressed in ECV-304 cells but not in DECV cells. Moreover, upregulated expression of p53 in ECV-304 cells induced the EPHB2 (Ephrin) receptor tyrosine kinase and the ephrin-B1 ligand mRNAs compared to DECV cells treated in the same manner. These data demonstrate that a new variant of the ECV-304 cell line, which is resistant to p53-mediated apoptosis, exhibits differential gene expression as well as distinct cell behaviors as compared to the parental ECV-304 cell line. DECV cells should prove to be a useful tool in future studies to elucidate mechanisms of p53-mediated apoptosis and differentiation.
When is a difference not a difference: medicine or shooting craps?

When gamblers make mistakes, it costs them money. In medical research, mistakes are paid for by adopting medications or drugs that may be harmful or rejecting drugs that may have potential benefits. People who wager billions of dollars each year based on the outcome of random events may be surprised to learn that the same laws of probability that govern their decisions also play a part in determining whether a drug or treatment will become an accepted practice in medicine. The gambler's dilemma is to decide whether to have the certainty of keeping his/her hard-earned (but perhaps small) bankroll or to risk it in an attempt to have even more. The researcher's dilemma is to decide whether the results of his/her experiment warrant the acceptance of a new treatment that may eventually prove to be useless (or even dangerous) or rejection of a procedure that may actually have potential benefit.
Apuleius' Platonism: The Impersonation of Philosophy

Apuleius of Madauros, writing in the latter half of the second century CE in Roman North Africa, is best known to us today for his Latin fiction, the Metamorphoses aka The Golden Ass, about a man who turned into a donkey and back again. However, he was also a Platonic philosopher, who, even though many of his writings are lost, wrote a range of rhetorical and philosophical works which survive to this day. This book examines these works to reveal how Apuleius' Platonism is a result of his 'impersonation of philosophy', that is, a rhetorically powerful methodological tool that allows him to 'speak' on behalf of Plato and his philosophy. This book is the first exploration of the full scope of his idiosyncratic brand of Platonism across his multifarious literary corpus and is a major contribution to the study of the dynamic between literature and philosophy in antiquity and beyond.
IL-33 Changes Our “Gut Feelings” about Serotonin

Many studies highlight direct interactions between immune cells and enteric neurons, but whether immune signals can indirectly modulate enteric function through neurotransmitter regulation is poorly understood. In this issue of Immunity, Chen et al. reveal how IL-33 induces intestinal serotonin to promote gut motility.
Tin(IV) oxide nanoparticulate films for aqueous dye-sensitized solar cells

Abstract Reported solar conversion efficiencies of aqueous dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) trail those of traditional organic electrolyte-based systems but offer the potential for lower environmental impact and overall cost. Methods for improving the photochemical activity of aqueous DSSCs could also impact progress in related fields such as solar fuels and solar batteries. This work presents the first study solely focused on the use of SnO2-based photoanodes for use in aqueous DSSCs. Material design and interfacial engineering are critical to the effective use of SnO2 in this context, and it is found that mesoporous films comprised of both large 1–2 μm flower-like SnO2 particles and small 10–20 nm spherical SnO2 particles provide better performance than films composed of only one particle type. Insulating TiO2 coatings further improve the performance, and this work presents a facile liquid phase deposition strategy under ambient conditions using an aqueous TiF62- solution that proves more effective than the widely used method with TiCl4 for fabricating high-performing SnO2@TiO2 photoanode surfaces. The best aqueous DSSCs reported here using cis-bis(isothiocyanato)-bis(2,2′-bipyridyl-4,4′-dicarboxylato)ruthenium(II) dye and simple I3-/I- electrolyte achieve a power conversion efficiency of 0.7% which eclipses the first reported TiO2-based DSSC using otherwise identical dye and electrolyte composition.
The Dawn for a New Era for Higher Education

Colleges and universities cannot immunize themselves against COVID-19 by simply shutting their gates and throwing away the key, nor can they claim ignorance of the broader social and economic storms impacting their students. Rather, institutions of higher education must embrace their core mission to educate and improve the lives of their students.
Z-Pinch Chamber Assessment and Design

The 3 GJ target with low repetition rate and thick liquid wall chamber presents the mainline choice for the Z-Pinch power plant. An engineering scoping assessment has been developed for two candidate breeders (Flibe (F 4 Li 2 Be) molten salt and Li 17 Pb 83 liquid metal) to identify the design requirements and optimize the components' dimensions. Several important engineering features have been incorporated to improve the Z-Pinch performance. For instance, an advanced high-temperature steel-based structure could operate near 800°C, an advanced power cycle could achieve high thermal conversion efficiency approaching 50%, a low-activation F82H-based steel with controlled impurities will generate only low-level waste, and an innovative idea has been developed to establish jet flow using a sluice valve. This paper identifies self-consistent reference parameters and documents an interesting comparison between the candidate breeders, highlighting the fundamental differences in performance and the benefits and drawbacks of each breeder.
The Airy Function is a Fredholm Determinant

Let G be the Green’s function for the Airy operator $$\begin{aligned} L\varphi := -\varphi ''+ x \varphi , \quad 0< x < \infty , \quad \varphi (0)=0. \end{aligned}$$ We show that the integral operator defined by G is Hilbert–Schmidt and that the 2-modified Fredholm determinant $$\begin{aligned} {\mathrm {det}}_2(1+zG) = \frac{{\mathrm {Ai}}(z)}{{\mathrm {Ai}}(0)} , \quad z \in {\mathbb {C}}. \end{aligned}$$
Diversity and Presidential Cabinet Appointments

Objective A significant indicator of a president's commitment to equality in American society can be found in the people appointed to fill senior-level positions within the administration. Method The history of diversity appointments to the cabinet is reviewed with more detailed analysis of cabinet and Executive Office of the President (EOP) appointees since the Carter presidency. Results The pattern of appointments of women and minorities is one of plateaus, with Carter making notable advancements in the appointment of women and African Americans and Obama's initial appointments taking diversity of appointments to a new level. In particular, more women and minorities appointed by Obama have elite connections as defined by Dye. Conclusion Despite greater numbers than in the past, diversity appointments represent desegregation of the cabinet and White House rather than full integration of women and minorities into the upper reaches of the executive branch.
The early history of phagocytosis

Publisher Summary This chapter traces the development in the understanding of phagocytosis. Phagocytosis has a broad and a narrow definition. The former encompasses the spectrum of activities undertaken by a class of cells of the hematopoietic system in animal physiology related to tissue remodeling, immunity and inflammation. The latter is the attribute of particle engulfment that unifies this class of otherwise very diverse cells. Ilya Metchnikoff carried phagocytosis from its narrow to its broad conception. Moreover, the force of Metchnikoff's theory concerning the role of phagocytes in immunity and inflammation and the charm of the story by which he came to develop his theory have been so influential as to create the widespread belief that he discovered the narrower definition too, the fundamental cellular activity of phagocytosis. Metchnikoff cited the observation of an increased phagocytosis by leukocytes of microorganisms in immunized animals as evidence for his theory. But here he was on sorer ground, since the role of immunization in phagocytosis was later shown to be indirect, and since his adversaries marshaled evidence that infectious diseases prevailed in instances where there was brisk phagocytosis. Interestingly, some found Metchnikoff's ideas about battles between microbes and purposeful phagocytes too anthropomorphic and attacked him on this ground.
Optical properties of CdTe/Cd 1-x Zn x Te strained-layer single quantum wells

The electronic states in a series of molecular-beam-epitaxy-grown CdTe/${\mathrm{Cd}}_{0.79}$${\mathrm{Zn}}_{0.21}$Te strained-layer single quantum wells have been studied both theoretically and experimentally. Calculations based on model solid theory and deformation-potential theory have shown that, at Zn concentration of 0.21 in the barriers, the band lineup is type I for heavy holes and type II for light holes. The confined states were calculated using the three-band envelope function model. Photoluminescence measurement at temperatures between 9 and 100 K indicates that the broadening mechanism is dominated by the polar optical phonon (longitudinal optical) interactions. The circularly polarized excitation spectra have shown predominant heavy-hole feature confirming that the band lineup is type I for heavy holes and type II for light holes. With well width between 25 and 75 \AA{}, our study has shown that exciton binding energy decreases with decreasing well width.
Size-Dependent Nanoparticle Uptake by Endothelial Cells in a Capillary Flow System

An in vitro cell culture system is developed for studying the uptake characteristics of nanoparticles (NPs) by endothelial cells under shear stress. Results show that the smaller polystyrene nanospheres are uptaken more than larger nanospheres for sizes ranging from 100 nm to 500 nm for 12, 24, and 48 hrs delivery times. While the result is similar to that found in static cultures, the observed trend is different from NP delivery behaviors to a simple glass surface in a flow, where no clear size dependence was observed because of repulsive electrostatic force on marginating NPs. The trend is also opposite to the behavior found in another study of the adhesion of labeled particles onto endothelial cells in whole blood flow. The comparison shows that the reduced zeta potential of NPs in a serum-containing cell medium and particle removal by cells results in reduced repulsive electrostatic force on marginating NPs. Consequently, the uptake behaviors are dominated by Brownian diffusion and cell membrane deformation process, which favor the uptake of NPs with reduced sizes.
Exogenous Administration of Substance P Enhances Wound Healing in a Novel Skin-Injury Model

Soft tissue injury accounts for approximately 44% of all wounds in both the military and civilian populations. Following injury to soft tissue, Substance P (SP) and other neuropeptides are released by cutaneous neurons and modulate the function of immunocompetent and inflammatory cells, as well as epithelial and endothelial cells. The interaction between these components of the nervous system and multiple target cells affecting cutaneous repair is of increasing interest. In this report, we describe the effects of SP on wound repair in a novel, laser-induced, skin-wound model. Gross and histologic examination of laser-induced injury revealed that exogenously administered SP affects wound healing via neurite outgrowth, in addition to adhesion molecule and neurokinin-1 receptor involvement in vivo. All SP effects were decreased by pretreatment with Spantide II, an SP antagonist. The elucidation of SP-mediating mechanisms is crucial to firmly establishing the involvement and interaction of the peripheral nervous system and the immune system in cutaneous repair. Findings presented here suggest that SP participates in the complex network of mediators involved in cutaneous inflammation and wound healing.
Identifying Risk Factors for Surgical Site Complications after Laparoscopic Ventral Hernia Repair: Evaluation of the Ventral Hernia Working Group Grading System

Abstract Background: In 2010, the Ventral Hernia Working Group (VHWG) published a grading system to assess the risk of surgical site complications in patients undergoing ventral hernia repair. This study evaluated the predictive value of the VHWG classification for the surgical outcomes of laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (LVHR) and identified independent factors associated with surgical site infection (SSI) and surgical site occurrence (SSO). Methods: A retrospective review was performed of all patients who underwent LVHR over a 10-year period at two institutions. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention definition of SSI and the VHWG definition of SSO were used. Univariable analysis was performed using the Student t-test, analysis of variance, chi-square test, or Fisher exact test, as appropriate. Multivariable analysis was used to identify independent factors associated with SSI and SSO. Results: Differences in American Society of Anesthesiologists class, body mass index, diabetes mellitus...