cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Whey as a Source of Plant Nutrients and Its Effect on the Soil

Summary The possibility of the use of whey as a source of plant nutrients was investigated through laboratory analysis and field studies. A ton of whey was found to contain about one dollar's worth of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, plus significant amounts of sodium, calcium, magnesium, and chlorides. Whey applications do not have a detrimental effect on the pH of soils which are well limed and near neutral. However, whey added to soils with a pH of 5.0–5.5 may temporarily increase the soil acidity to a point which is injurious to plant growth. Alfalfa will tolerate a limited amount of whey but does not benefit much from it. About one-half acre inch per week is the maximum quantity tolerable. Grasses appear more tolerant, and whey applications increased the growth of bluegrass, especially during the second growing season. This delayed benefit seems due to the slow breakdown of nitrogen compounds in the whey. Whey benefits soil aggregation, with the amount of aggregation being dependent on the amount of whey added. However, exceedingly large applications may result in a reduction in the formation of aggregates.
Bias in Conditional and Unconditional Fixed Effects Logit Estimation

Fixed-effects logit models can be useful in panel data analysis, when N units have been observed for T time periods. There are two main estimators for such models: unconditional maximum likelihood and conditional maximum likelihood. Judged on asymptotic properties, the conditional estimator is superior. However, the unconditional estimator holds several practical advantages, and therefore I sought to determine whether its use could be justified on the basis of finite-sample properties. In a series of Monte Carlo experiments for T < 20, I found a negligible amount of bias in both estimators when T ≥ 16, suggesting that a researcher can safely use either estimator under such conditions. When T < 16, the conditional estimator continued to have a very small amount of bias, but the unconditional estimator developed more bias as T decreased.
Reminder-induced recovery from blocking as a function of the number of compound trials

Abstract Conditioned lick suppression in rats was employed to examine changes in the associative status of a blocked stimulus as a function of the number of compound stimulus conditioning trials. In each of two experiments, prior tone-footshock pairings produced similar blocking of conditioned responding to the light element of a tone-light compound when either two or six compound trials were used. In experiment 1, two exposures to the light alone in a dissimilar context during the retention interval, i.e., a reminder treatment, resulted in a restoration of responding to the light which was complete and similar for animals receiving two or six compound trials. This indicated that latent acquisition with respect to the blocked stimulus was largely complete after two compound trials. Because of a potential ceiling effect for reminder-induced recovery from blocking, Experiment 2 employed an attenuated reminder (one light exposure). This reminder reversed the blocking when six, but not when two, compound trials were used. These results suggest that, after latent acquisition to the blocked stimulus is complete, the blocked stimulus continues to be processed during additional compound stimulus conditioning trials, with a consequent latent facilitation of retrieval of associations to the blocked stimulus.
Spatially resolved chemical analysis with an NSOM-based laser desorption microprobe

A new instrument for simultaneous analysis of surface topography and chemical composition has been developed. An uncoated probe of a near-field scanning optical microscope (NSOM) is used to deliver laser radiation to the sample surface. Laser-desorbed species are analyzed with a time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF MS). Both elemental and molecular analysis can be performed with simultaneous topographical imaging of the sample.
Modification of the loss cone for energetic particles

The optimal pitch angle which maximizes the penetration distance, along the magnetic field, of relativistic charged particles injected from the midplane of an axisymmetric field is investigated analytically and numerically. Higher-order terms of the magnetic moment invariant are necessary to correctly determine the mirror point of trapped energetic particles, and therefore the loss cone. The modified loss cone resulting from the inclusion of higher-order terms is no longer entirely defined by the pitch angle but also by the phase angle of the particle at the point of injection. The optimal orientation of the injection has a nonzero component perpendicular to the magnetic field line, and is in the plane tangential to the flux surface. Numerical integration of particle orbits were carried out for a relativistic electron in a dipole field, showing agreement with analytic expressions. The results are relevant to experiments, which are concerned with injection of relativistic beams into the atmosphere from aboard a spacecraft in the magnetosphere.
HEDGING SWING OPTIONS

We study models for electricity pricing and derivatives in the context of a deregulated market setting. In particular we value swing options, since these are the electricity derivatives that attract the most attention from market participants. These are American style options in that they allow for multiple exercises subject to a set of constraints on the consumption process. Through the use of a penalty function, we generalize the problem by allowing for the consumption restrictions to be broken. We characterize the price function as a stochastic optimal control problem, and show that the option is exercised in a bang-bang fashion. The value of the swing option is the solution to a backward stochastic differential equation, and we show how European calls, along with forward contracts, can be used to hedge them.
A Monolithic Interdigitated PVDF Transducer for Lamb Wave Inspection

A monolithic interdigitated PVDF transducer (PVDF IDT) was built in this study. This PVDF IDT is capable of generating and receiving Lamb waves for structural health monitoring. Unlike most existing laminate-structured interdigitated PVDF transducers, this PVDF IDT features a monolithic structure, which eliminates sensor delamination as a potential problem. The flexible nature of PVDF promises the ability for the sensor to be attached to different structural surfaces. Other advantages of this PVDF IDT include low unit cost, easy installation, low power consumption, and the ability for wireless operation or remote interrogation. The fabrication of this sensor was accomplished by using etch-back photolithography technology. The interpretation of the complex Lamb wave signals was realized by using the continuous wavelet transform (CWT).
Analysis of Supersonic Turbulent Boundary Layers Over Rough Surfaces Using the K-Omega and Stress-Omega Models

In this study, the influence of surface roughness in the prediction of the mean flow and turbulent properties of a high-speed supersonic (M = 2.9, Re/m = 2.0e7) turbulent boundary layer flow over a flat plate is performed using the k-ω and the stress-ω models. Six wall topologies, including a smooth and five rough surfaces consisting of three random sand-grain plates and two uniformly machined plates were tested. Experimental data are available for these configurations. It is observed that, for smooth surface, both k-ω and stress-ω models perform remarkably well in predicting the mean flow and turbulent quantities in supersonic flow. For rough surfaces, both models matched the experimental data profiles fairly well for lower values of the roughness height. Overall, the k-ω model performed better than the stress-ω model. The stress-ω model did not show any strong advantages to make up for the extra computational cost associated with a Reynolds stress model. The simulation results indicated that the prescription for the surface boundary conditions for ω in both models, especially for the stress-ω model, need to be refined encountering high roughness numbers and reconsidered to include the geometric factor.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Evolution of sentinel lymph node biopsy for melanoma at a National Cancer Institute—designated cancer center***

Abstract Background. Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) has rapidly evolved into the standard of care for clinically node-negative melanoma. Since adopting sentinel lymph node (SLN) technology in 1993, we have periodically reviewed our institution's results and made several modifications. Methods. From January 1993 to December 1998, 182 patients with clinically node-negative primary cutaneous melanoma underwent SLNB. Charts were retrospectively reviewed and assessed for the technique for the identification of the SLN, the pathologic analysis, and the use of intraoperative frozen section. Results. The accuracy of SLN identification improved from 91% to 100% with the combination of isosulfan blue dye and radiolabeled colloid over isosulfan blue dye alone. Routine versus selective lymphoscintigraphy identified 7 in-transit SLNs and increased detection of dual nodal basin drainage (15%-27%). Identification of micrometastases in the SLN increased from 14% to 24% after a modification of pathologic evaluation. The positive SLN was the only involved node in most patients (80%). Intraoperative frozen section had a sensitivity of 58% and was of benefit in only 13 of 124 patients (10%). Conclusions. Several modifications to the identification of the SLNs and the detection of metastatic melanoma have improved our outcome with SLNB. A careful, periodic review of results to identify areas for improvement at each institution is crucial to the success of SLNB for melanoma. (Surgery 2000;128:556-63.)
CCR2 Plays a Critical Role in Dendritic Cell Maturation: Possible Role of CCL2 and NF-κB

We postulated that CCR2-driven activation of the transcription factor NF-κB plays a critical role in dendritic cell (DC) maturation (e.g., migration, costimulation, and IL-12p70 production), necessary for the generation of protective immune responses against the intracellular pathogen Leishmania major. Supporting this notion, we found that CCR2, its ligand CCL2, and NF-κB were required for CCL19 production and adequate Langerhans cell (LC) migration both ex vivo and in vivo. Furthermore, a role for CCR2 in upregulating costimulatory molecules was indicated by the reduced expression of CD80, CD86, and CD40 in Ccr2−/− bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) compared with wild-type (WT) BMDCs. Four lines of evidence suggested that CCR2 plays a critical role in the induction of protective immunity against L. major by regulating IL-12p70 production and migration of DC populations such as LCs. First, compared with WT, Ccr2−/− lymph node cells, splenocytes, BMDCs, and LCs produced lower levels of IL-12p70 following stimulation with LPS/IFN-γ or L. major. Second, a reduced number of LCs carried L. major from the skin to the draining lymph nodes in Ccr2−/− mice compared with WT mice. Third, early treatment with exogenous IL-12 reversed the susceptibility to L. major infection in Ccr2−/− mice. Finally, disruption of IL-12p70 in radioresistant cells, such as LCs, but not in BMDCs resulted in the inability to mount a fully protective immune response in bone marrow chimeric mice. Collectively, our data point to an important role for CCR2-driven activation of NF-κB in the regulation of DC/LC maturation processes that regulate protective immunity against intracellular pathogens.
Thyroid function test abnormalities in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma treated with sorafenib

Abstract Background Sorafenib is an orally bioavailable vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) inhibitor with antitumor activity in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Sunitinib, also a VEGFR inhibitor, induces biochemical hypothyroidism in 85% of metastatic RCC patients, the majority of whom have signs or symptoms of hypothyroidism. Hence, the incidence of thyroid function test (TFT) abnormalities in patients with metastatic RCC receiving sorafenib was investigated. Patients and methods Sixty-eight patients with metastatic RCC were treated with sorafenib at the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Center, and 39 patients had TFTs available. Results Eight patients (21%) had thyroid dysfunction possibly caused by sorafenib [seven hypothyroidism (18%) and one hyperthyroidism (3%)] and eight additional patients (21%) had findings compatible with nonthyroidal illness. Only two patients had clinical signs and symptoms secondary to thyroid dysfunction and received thyroid hormone replacement. Conclusions In summary, clinically significant TFT abnormalities were not common in patients treated with sorafenib, and replacement therapy was rarely indicated. TFTs should be measured before sorafenib therapy in RCC patients and subsequently only if clinically indicated.
Toxicologic Pathology in a Multicultural World—India

The global practice of drug development is expanding into many different continents and countries. India, in particular, is rapidly emerging as an economic force in this arena by offering ever-expa...
Score on the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology as a Function of Attributes of Clinical Psychology Graduate Programs

Graduate programs' correlates with doctoral recipients' scores on the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP) were determined Higher EPPP score was associated with larger faculty-to-student ratios, smaller clinical programs traditional as opposed to professional program orientation, and Ph D rather than Psy D awarded Programs approved by the American Psychological Association and those that scored favorably on a number of objective indices also produced graduates with high EPPP scores Among the more frequently used admissions requirements median Quantitative score on the Graduate Record Examination correlated most highly with EPPP score
The association of area-level social class and tobacco use with adverse breast cancer characteristics among white and black women: evidence from Maryland, 1992–2003

Background In breast cancer, worse disease characteristics are associated with fewer social resources and black race. However, it is unknown whether social gradients have similar impact across race, and whether behaviors, including tobacco use, may explain a portion of the social gradient.
Chronic Granulomatous Disease Involving the Central Nervous System

Two male sibling infants died following a short course of lethargy and obtundation after a lifelong history of persistent, unrelenting diarrhea. Postmortem examination revealed extensive necrosis and early granuloma formation in the liver, spleen, lungs, and lymph nodes as well as in the central nervous system. To our knowledge, this fulminant clinical course, with documentation of granulomatous CNS lesions, has not been reported in patients with chronic granulomatous disease of childhood.
Affective Coloring of Personality from Young Adulthood to Midlife

New Adjective Check List (ACL) scales (Gough, Bradley, and Bedeian) to measure Tellegen's dimensions of positive emotionality (PEM), negative emotionality (NEM), and constraint (CNS) were scoredfor a longitudinal sample of women and their male partners over 25 years. For women, data were available to show that convergent and discriminant relations with life data and selected personality traits across time supported the construct validity and usefulness of NEM, PEM, and, to a lesser extent, CNS. Rank order stability coefficients ranged from .51 to .65 and were similar to those obtained for other personality scales. In line with expectations, the women increased in PEM and CNS and decreased in NEM. Analyses of 21 couples studied at two times suggested that both men and women decreased in NEM and that women may have increased more than men in PEM. In these and all other couples, women tended to score higher on NEM than partners in young adulthood and higher on PEM than partners in mature middle age.
Multi-decadal retreat of Greenland's marine-terminating glaciers

Many marine-terminating glaciers draining the Greenland ice sheet have retreated over the past decade, yet the extent and magnitude of retreat relative to past variability is unknown. We measure changes in front positions of 210 marine-terminating glaciers using Landsat imagery spanning nearly four decades and compare decadal-scale rates of change with earlier observations. We find that 90% of the observed glaciers retreated between 2000 and 2010, approaching 100% in the northwest, with rapid retreat observed in all sectors of the ice sheet. The current retreat is accelerating and likely began between 1992 and 2000, coincident with the onset of warming, following glacier stability and minor advance during a mid-century cooling period. While it is clear an extensive retreat occurred in the early 20th century, a period of increasing air temperatures, a comparison of our results with historical observations provides evidence that the current retreat is more widespread. The onset of rapid retreat with warming relative to the slow and lagged advance with cooling suggests an asymmetry in the response of marine fronts to external forcing.
Tonic status and electrodecremental paroxysms in an adult without epilepsy

Electrodecremental status epilepticus is classically described in infants and children with severe refractory epilepsy, mental retardation, and structural brain abnormalities. We describe a 24-year-old woman who presented to the emergency department with prolonged tonic status epilepticus which evolved into stimulus-induced diffuse voltage attenuation (SIDVA) pattern in the setting of aseptic meningoencephalitis. There was no history of seizures or further events after recovery. This is the first report of a SIDVA pattern in an adult without a history of epilepsy.
Effects of competition on size and growth rates of Caracolus caracolla (L.) in Puerto Rico

Although interspecific competition has been demonstrated between some pairs of terrestrial gastropod species, little work addresses its importance in tropical assemblages, which are often characterized by high species richness or population densities. A 9-year data set was used to assess growth rates and median shell size of a common Puerto Rican snail, Caracolus caracolla, as a function of density of conspecifics and potential interspecific competitors. Neither the rate nor the magnitude of growth of C. caracolla were inhibited at high densities. No association existed over time between density and size or growth rate. In contrast, C. caracolla generally was largest at sites with high densities of conspecifics. Several factors may be responsible for the apparent unimportance of competition, including the broad, flexible diet of C. caracolla, high productivity of the study site or periodic changes in microclimate or resource availability associated with hurricane-induced disturbance and recovery.
Making judgments about other people: impression formation and attributional processing in older adults

Older adults face changing relationships with family members and friends with aging. Social cognition researchers investigate how individuals think about these social situations. The results of this research suggest that older adults are effective at accurately judging social partners when they are motivated to do so and can apply their accumulated knowledge to the situation. However, when cognitive resources are required in social situations, older adults may not perform as well as young adults. We review evidence supporting the importance of cognition, motivation, and knowledge for older adults’ impression formation and attributional reasoning. This research is important because it can lead to interventions to help older adults avoid scams and improve their interpersonal relationships.
The peaks and valleys of ocular histoplasmosis syndrome.

Ophthalmological examination of a 55-year-old white woman with longstanding ocular histoplasmosis syndrome (OHS) and recently diagnosed multiple sclerosis revealed poor central vision, peripapillary atrophy, extensive subretinal pigment deposition (fi gure), old choroidal neovascularisation (CNV; fi gure), and punched-out chorioretinal scars in the absence of any anterior segment and vitreous infl ammation. Cirrus HD retinal optical coherence tomography (OCT) scan revealed markedly disrupted topography of the internal limiting membrane and retinal pigment epithelium layers resulting from extensive chorioretinal scarring (fi gure). The so-called peaks and valleys seen on retinal OCT in this patient are in stark contrast to the smooth contours of these layers in eyes of healthy individuals. Characterised clinically by CNV and retinal scarring after exposure to histoplasma, OHS is thought to arise from spread of histoplasma spores that obstruct choroidal vessels in the eyes, although the fungus has only rarely been isolated from aff ected eyes. The patient likely developed OHS after prolonged exposure to chicken farms during young adulthood while living in the southern USA, a region known as the “Histo Belt” because of a high incidence of infection with histoplasmosis. In endemic areas within the USA, the Caribbean, and central and South America, OHS is a major cause of central vision loss in young adults. OHS, when accompanied by active CNV, can be treated with laser photocoagulation or injected anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy to prevent CNVinduced scarring. Our patient was previously treated with several courses of laser photocoagulation in the left eye, but was untreated in the depicted right eye because of the absence of active CNV. Her vision has remained stable for the past 10 years. Notably, OCT is an inexpensive tool for evaluation of retinal and macular pathology in a growing number of systemic disorders that result in ocular signs and symptoms.
The many voices of darwin's descendants: Reply to schmitt (2014)

This article elaborates on evolutionary perspectives relevant to the meta-analytic portion of our recent review (Eastwick, Luchies, Finkel, & Hunt, 2014). We suggested that if men and women evolved sex-differentiated ideals (i.e., mate preferences), then they should exhibit sex-differentiated desires (e.g., romantic attraction) and/or relational outcomes (e.g., relationship satisfaction) with respect to live opposite-sex targets. Our meta-analysis revealed no support for these sex-differentiated desires and relational outcomes in either established relationship or mate selection contexts. With respect to established relationships, Schmitt (2014) has objected to the idea that relationship quality (one of our primarily romantic evaluation dependent measures) has functional relevance. In doing so, he neglects myriad evolutionary perspectives on the adaptive importance of the pair-bond and the wealth of data suggesting that relationship quality predicts the dissolution of pair-bonds. With respect to mate selection, Schmitt (2014) has continued to suggest that sex-differentiated patterns should emerge in these contexts despite the fact that our meta-analysis included this literature and found no sex differences. Schmitt (2014) also generated several novel sex-differentiated predictions with respect to attractiveness and earning prospects, but neither the existing literature nor reanalyses of our meta-analytic data reveal any support for his “proper” function-related hypotheses. In short, there are diverse evolutionary perspectives relevant to mating, including our own synthesis; Schmitt’s (2014) conceptual analysis is not the one-and-only evolutionary psychological view, and his alternative explanations for our meta-analytic data remain speculative.
Incorporation of a Benefit-Risk Assessment Framework Into the Clinical Overview of Marketing Authorization Applications

Background:The main responsibility of regulators and industry is to ensure the benefit-risk balance of pharmaceutical products is positive for the intended patient populations. In recent decades, r...
Intra-Household Externality Generated by a MCH-FP Program on the Elderly in Matlab, Bangladesh

This paper extends the program evaluation literature by investigating intra-household externalities generated by a reproductive health program, administered as a quasi-control experiment in rural Bangladesh. Although the program only targeted mothers and children in randomly selected treatment areas, using a reduced form demand approach and data from Matlab Health and Socio-economic Survey of 1996, we find a significantly positive spillover impact of this reproductive health program on the health of the never-targeted elderly women.
A New Method for Controlling the Onion Maggot

Two methods of control of Phorbia ceparum have been found effective. (1) Moistening the onions with corrosive sublimate solution. (2) Use of Bordeaux oil emulsion. Practically complete control was obtained by the latter method this year when maggots caused a loss of at least 50% of the onion crop.
Trimethylsilyl functionalization of alumina (γ-Al2O3) increases activity for 1,2-propanediol dehydration

γ-Al2O3 was functionalized with trimethylsilyl (TMS) and evaluated as a catalyst for 1,2-propanediol dehydration. TMS-coated catalysts demonstrated a ∼50% activity increase compared with the native uncoated alumina catalyst. Results from kinetic studies indicated similar activation barriers, rate laws, and deactivation profiles for uncoated and coated catalysts, suggesting that the increased rate of dehydration was not caused by an alternative mechanism, but rather by an increase in the effective number of active sites available on the TMS-functionalized surface. However, the apparent concentration of acid and base sites on the coated catalyst measured by base/acid adsorption decreased when compared with the native catalyst. Temperature programmed reaction spectroscopy (TPRS) studies suggested that binding of 1,2-propanediol on the coated catalysts was much weaker than on the native catalyst, with a desorption energy similar to that of 2-propanol. When the monofunctional alcohols 1-propanol and 2-propanol were used as reactants, the TMS coating decreased the catalyst activity, suggesting that the coating served mainly to favour binding of diols in a monodentate configuration that is invoked in the E2-like concerted dehydration mechanism.
Medical Students' Professionalism Narratives Reveal That Experiences With Death, Dying, or Palliative Care Are More Positive Than Other Experiences During Their Internal Medicine Clerkship.

Purpose:More physicians need to acquire the skills of primary palliative care. Medical students’ clerkship experiences with death, dying, and palliative care (DDPC), however, may create barriers to learning such skills during residency. Whether professional development is differentially affected by DDPC is unknown. This knowledge gap potentially hinders the development of educational strategies to optimize students’ preparedness for primary palliative care.Method:Third-year students submitted professionalism narratives (N = 4062) during their internal medicine clerkship between 2004 and 2011. We identified DDPC-related narratives and then randomly selected control narratives. Narratives were compared by valence (positive or negative) and professionalism-related themes.Results and Conclusion:Less than 10% of the narratives were related to DDPC, but the majority was positive. There was a significant overlap in professionalism themes between DDPC and control narratives. The results suggest student preparedne...
"En Santa María nada pasaba". Entrevista a Ricardo Piglia sobre Onetti

"Los motivos de esta entrevista pueden parecer contingentes. Es el ano del centenario del nacimiento de Onetti, y comienzan a multiplicarse homenajes, merecidos numeros especiales y renovadas lecturas sobre su obra. Sin embargo hay que decir que Ricardo Piglia accedio a este encuentro no por meras razones de calendario..."
Mazama americana temama (Red brocket deer)

Three animals were studied at San Diego Zoo, originating from Tamaulipas, Mexico. The male offspring (depicted) and mother had 50 chromosomes, the dam had 49 elements as shown above. One small acrocentric is missing and presumed to be translocated to 4q. Fibroblast cultures were used, stock is frozen. ASG bands are shown. One previous study of a single animal from the Philadelphia Zoo with unknown origin was found to have 68 chromosomes. As the specimens studied by us, that karyotype possessed two very small pairs of acrocentrics.
Transition of Vegetation States Positively Affects Harvester Ants in the Great Basin, United States☆

ABSTRACT Invasions by non-native plants can alter ecosystems such that new ecological states are reached, but less is known about how these transitions influence animal populations. Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) ecosystems are experiencing state changes because of fire and invasion by exotic annual grasses. Our goal was to study the effects of these state changes on the Owyhee and western harvester ants (Pogonomyrmex salinus Olsen and P. occidentalis Cresson, respectively). We sampled 358 1-ha plots across the northern Great Basin,which captured unburned and burned conditions across 1-≥31 years postfire. Our results indicated an immediate and consistent change in vegetation states fromshrubland to grassland between 1 and 31 years postfire. Harvester ant occupancy was unrelated to time since fire, whereas we observed a positive effect of fire on nest density. Similarly, we discovered that fire and invasion by exotic annuals were weak predictors of harvester ant occupancy but strong predictors of nest d...
The Characterization of a DIRSIG Simulation Environment to Support the Inter-Calibration of Spaceborne Sensors

Climate change studies require long-term, continuous records that extend beyond the lifetime, and the temporal resolution, of a single remote sensing satellite sensor. The inter-calibration of spaceborne sensors is therefore desired to provide spatially, spectrally, and temporally homogeneous datasets. The Digital Imaging and Remote Sensing Image Generation (DIRSIG) tool is a first principle-based synthetic image generation model that has the potential to characterize the parameters that impact the accuracy of the inter-calibration of spaceborne sensors. To demonstrate the potential utility of the model, we compare the radiance observed in real image data to the radiance observed in simulated image from DIRSIG. In the present work, a synthetic landscape of the Algodones Sand Dunes System is created. The terrain is facetized using a 2-meter digital elevation model generated from NASA Goddard's LiDAR, Hyperspectral, and Thermal (G-LiHT) imager. The material spectra are assigned using hyperspectral measurements of sand collected from the Algodones Sand Dunes System. Lastly, the bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) properties are assigned to the modeled terrain using the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) BRDF product in conjunction with DIRSIG's Ross-Li capability. The results of this work indicate that DIRSIG is in good agreement with real image data. The potential sources of residual error are identified and the possibilities for future work are discussed..
Medieval Craft Guilds Died Out in Business, but They Are Alive and Thriving in Business Schools

The medieval university flourished at the time that craft guilds were quite influential, and the early university clearly was influenced by the guild system. That influence remains quite evident today. For example, Ph.D. students are the parallel to craft guild apprentices, untenured assistant professors are the parallel to the journeymen, and tenured faculty members are the parallel to the masters. However, craft guilds were monopolies, and monopolies have to be controlled if they are to serve the public good. In the guild system, this control had two parts. First, the local municipality approved the guild’s monopoly, and the approval was at risk of being revoked. Second, each guild kept tight control on its members. This guild monopoly has important implications today in the university in general and in the business school specifically.
Non-Myeloablative Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (allo-HSCT) for Patients with Severe Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)

Abstract 10 Allo-HSCT remains the only curative approach for patients with SCD, yet a high risk of procedural toxicities and graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) limit this approach in adult patients with end organ damage from SCD. We chose a low-dose radiation approach utilizing sirolimus based upon its unique ability to promote T cell tolerance. Entry criteria include irreversible SCD-related complications (stroke, nephropathy, or tricuspid regurgitant jet velocity >2.5 m/s), or reversible complications not ameliorated by a 6-month course of hydroxyurea (frequent vaso-occlusive crises or acute chest syndrome). Conditioning was achieved with 1mg/kg of alemtuzumab divided over 5 days, a single total body irradiation dose of 300cGy, and oral sirolimus targeting trough levels between 10–15 ng/ml. Donor chimerism was measured by microsatellite PCR among CD3 and CD14/15 positive white cells. Twenty-three patients have been transplanted to date, and their ages ranged from 17 to 64 years (median 28). All are alive at 2 months to 7 years post allo-HSCT. Conditioning was well-tolerated. All received unmanipulated G-CSF mobilized peripheral blood progenitors obtained from 8/8 HLA-matched siblings. CD34+ cell doses ranged from 5.5 to 31 × 10e6/kg (median 14.4), and CD3+ cell doses ranged from 1.6 to 5.4 × 10e8/kg (median 3.4). Three patients engrafted temporarily but lost their grafts between the 2 nd and 3 rd months post transplant and had recurrent SCD. Twenty patients engrafted with mean myeloid chimerism of 97.5% (median 89%) and CD3 chimerism of 42% (median 49%). Improvements in laboratory parameters of engrafted patients are as follows: pre vs post HSCT hemoglobin, 8.7 vs 12.1 g/dL; reticulocyte count, 181 vs 74 k/uL; LDH, 328 vs 202 units/L; total bilirubin, 2.87 vs 1.0 mg/dL. Hemoglobin electrophoresis revealed replacement by donor type hemoglobin in 19 patients by 1 year, with amelioration of the SCD phenotype allowing for therapeutic phlebotomy. In 17 patients at 1 year or more post allo-HSCT, 5 had CD3 chimerism >50% which allowed complete withdrawal of immunosuppression; they have maintained stable mixed chimerism. Two patients received preemptive treatment with ganciclovir or foscarnet for presumed CMV reactivation (blood PCR >300 genome/mL) before day 30. Treatment in both patients was discontinued 1 week later with negative blood PCR and prophylaxis with acyclovir was resumed. There were 2 patients with zoster at 2 and 3 years post allo-HSCT. Finally, no engrafted patient to date has developed any evidence of acute or chronic GVHD. Our results demonstrate that this relatively simple conditioning regimen is well-tolerated across a broad age range of adults with severe SCD, is effective in achieving stable mixed chimerism without the development of GVHD, and is sufficient to induce functional tolerance. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Electrochemical Generation of Sulfur Vacancies in the Basal Plane of MoS2 for Hydrogen Evolution

Recently, sulfur (S)-vacancies created on the basal plane of 2H-molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) using argon plasma exposure exhibited higher intrinsic activity for the electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction than the edge sites and metallic 1T-phase of MoS2 catalysts. However, a more industrially viable alternative to the argon plasma desulfurization process is needed. In this work, we introduce a scalable route towards generating S-vacancies on the MoS2 basal plane using electrochemical desulfurization. Even though sulfur atoms on the basal plane are known to be stable and inert, we find that they can be electrochemically reduced under accessible applied potentials. This can be done on various 2H-MoS2 nanostructures. By changing the applied desulfurization potential, the extent of desulfurization and the resulting activity can be varied. The resulting active sites are stable under extended desulfurization durations and show consistent HER activity.
Automated Interpretation and Extraction of Topographic Information from Time of Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry Data

Time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) is a powerful surface-sensitive characterization tool allowing the imaging of chemical properties over a wide range of organic and inorganic material systems. This technique allows precise studies of chemical composition with sub-100-nm lateral and nanometer depth spatial resolution. However, comprehensive interpretation of ToF-SIMS results is challenging because of the very large data volume and high dimensionality. Furthermore, investigation of samples with pronounced topographical features is complicated by systematic and measureable shifts in the mass spectrum. In this work we developed an approach for the interpretation of the ToF-SIMS data, based on the advanced data analytics. Along with characterization of the chemical composition, our approach allows extraction of the sample surface morphology from a time of flight registration technique. This approach allows one to perform correlated investigations of surface morphology, biological function, and chemical composition of Arabidopsis roots.
A 28 GHz Rectangular Patch Antenna with Parasitic Element for Small Satellite Applications

This paper introduces a Ka band antenna candidate for small satellite communications. The design is a compact rectangular patch antenna with inset feed and parasitic element. The antenna's performances are analyzed using both HFSS 15.0 and CST Microwave Studio 2017 simulators. The designed antenna provides a high gain, better efficiency, ultra-wide band (UWB), and a unidirectional radiation pattern. The geometry and size of the parasitic element and distance between it and the patch are optimized to achieve the desired results.
An Ancient Fecundability-Associated Polymorphism Creates a GATA2 Binding Site in a Distal Enhancer of HLA-F.

Variation in female reproductive traits, such as fertility, fecundity, and fecundability, are heritable in humans, but identifying and functionally characterizing genetic variants associated with these traits have been challenging. Here, we explore the functional significance and evolutionary history of a G/A polymorphism at SNP rs2523393, which is an eQTL for HLA-F and is significantly associated with fecundability (the probability of being pregnant within a single menstrual cycle). We replicated the association between the rs2523393 genotype and HLA-F expression by using GTEx data and demonstrate that HLA-F is upregulated in the endometrium during the window of implantation and by progesterone in decidual stromal cells. Next, we show that the rs2523393 A allele creates a GATA2 binding site in a progesterone-responsive distal enhancer that loops to the HLA-F promoter. Remarkably, we found that the A allele is derived in the human lineage and that the G/A polymorphism arose before the divergence of modern and archaic humans and segregates at intermediate to high frequencies across human populations. Remarkably, the derived A allele is has also been identified in a GWAS as a risk allele for multiple sclerosis. These data suggest that the polymorphism is maintained by antagonistic pleiotropy and a reproduction-health tradeoff in human evolution.
Fatigue and fracture of pyrolytic carbon: a damage- tolerant approach to structural integrity and life prediction in "ceramic" heart valve prostheses.

Background and aims of the study The fracture and fatigue properties of Si-alloyed LTI pyrolytic carbon and pyrolytic carbon-coated graphite are described as a framework for establishing damage-tolerant analyses for maintaining structural integrity and for predicting the lifetimes of mechanical heart valve prostheses fabricated from these materials. Methods The analyses are based on fracture-mechanics concepts and provide conservative (worst-case) estimates of the time, or number of loading cycles, before the valve will fail, or more precisely for pre-existing defects in valve components to grow subcritically to critical size under elevated physiologic loading and environmental conditions. Results For structural life in excess of patient life-times, a minimum required detectable defect size is computed which must be detected by quality-control procedures prior to the device entering service; this defect size is typically of the order of tens of microns for such "ceramic" valves, compared to sizes in the hundreds of microns for corresponding metal valves. Conclusions It is concluded that in light of the brittle nature of pyrolytic carbon and the unacceptable cost of mechanical valve failures, the use of such analyses should be regarded as essential in order to provide maximum assurance of patient safety.
Identifying aluminum tolerance in sorghum genotypes grown on tropical acid soils

A field screening procedure to evaluate a large portion of the sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] world collection for tolerance to Al-toxic. low base status acid soils was developed that is now being employed in tropical South America. An Ultisol at Quilichao, Colombia, South America, with 63% Al-saturation, had Al-toxicity levels sufficient to kill sensitive sorghum genotypes, but not too high to prevent tolerant genotypes from producing reasonable yields of grain. Using soil classification maps of Africa to trace locations where particular genotypes were originally collected. genotypes were systematically selected for testing from areas with highly acid soils. The greatest genetic diversity in sorghum for Al tolerance might be expected to be found in the tropical areas with high percentages of acid soils. Higher percentages of sorghum lines in the tolerant and moderately tolerant category were selected from the acid soil areas in Kenya and Uganda than from the other African countries.
Behavioral Correlates for Eight Dimensions of Reading Attitude.

This study used stepwise regression procedures to determine classroom behaviors associated with the eight dimensions of reading attitudes among inner-city fifth graders. Classroom behaviors were me...
An Inexact Trust-Region SQP Method with Applications to PDE-Constrained Optimization

We present a trust-region sequential quadratic programming (SQP) method with iterative linear system solves, for the solution of smooth nonlinear equality-constrained optimization problems. Stopping criteria for iterative solvers are selected by the optimization algorithm, based on its overall progress. Global convergence is ensured and unnecessary oversolving of linear systems is eliminated. The algorithm is applied to several PDE-constrained optimization problems.
Frozen blood shipping.

Abstract : The purpose of the report is to recommend shipping containers and packaging techniques designed to provide optimum protection for frozen blood during long distance shipping. Data presented prescribe packaging techniques that will afford ample protection from temperature fluctuation for frozen blood when properly packed in designated shipping containers. The recommendation relates to shipping containers presently available in the military supply system. Further studies are being made in designing and fabricating special transport boxes with the appropriate packing procedures that will enhance the position of blood banking logistics.
Evaluating the use of bootstrapping in cohort studies conducted with 1:1 propensity score matching-A plasmode simulation study.

PURPOSE Bootstrapping can account for uncertainty in propensity score (PS) estimation and matching processes in 1:1 PS-matched cohort studies. While theory suggests that the classical bootstrap can fail to produce proper coverage, practical impact of this theoretical limitation in settings typical to pharmacoepidemiology is not well studied. METHODS In a plasmode-based simulation study, we compared performance of the standard parametric approach, which ignores uncertainty in PS estimation and matching, with two bootstrapping methods. The first method only accounted for uncertainty introduced during the matching process (the observation resampling approach). The second method accounted for uncertainty introduced during both PS estimation and matching processes (the PS reestimation approach). Variance was estimated based on percentile and empirical standard errors, and treatment effect estimation was based on median and mean of the estimated treatment effects across 1000 bootstrap resamples. Two treatment prevalence scenarios (5% and 29%) across two treatment effect scenarios (hazard ratio of 1.0 and 2.0) were evaluated in 500 simulated cohorts of 10 000 patients each. RESULTS We observed that 95% confidence intervals from the bootstrapping approaches but not the standard approach, resulted in inaccurate coverage rates (98%-100% for the observation resampling approach, 99%-100% for the PS reestimation approach, and 95%-96% for standard approach). Treatment effect estimation based on bootstrapping approaches resulted in lower bias than the standard approach (less than 1.4% vs 4.1%) at 5% treatment prevalence; however, the performance was equivalent at 29% treatment prevalence. CONCLUSION Use of bootstrapping led to variance overestimation and inconsistent coverage, while coverage remained more consistent with parametric estimation.
Frontal electroencephalogram (EEG) asymmetry reactivity: Exploring changes from baseline to still face procedure response:

Electroencephalogram (EEG) asymmetry has been widely studied across the lifespan, with multiple studies conducted in infancy. However, few have investigated frontal EEG asymmetry in the context of ...
Whither/Wither Alimony?

Can alimony be saved? Historically, alimony protected women's dependence during marriage. The most fundamental challenge for its continuation therefore rests on reconciling alimony with an era in which the majority of women, including 71% of mothers with children under 18, are in the labor market.This requires reconsideration of the nature of marriage, not just as a partnership ideal, which arguably it has long been, or as a relationship between equals, which has emerged more recently, but as an integrated part of a new economic model. This review of The Marriage Buyout by Cynthia Starnes assesses her justification for the continuation of alimony. To do so, it explores the current state of American marriages, and propose separating the developments at the top from those affecting everyone else. The review highlights the book’s strengths in developing a sophisticated and insightful perspective on alimony and a persuasive justification for ongoing payments after divorce, even as it questions the meaning of the caretaker role in today’s families. At a time when no single model describes American marriages, American couples may not necessarily share the same assumptions about what will happen to their families. For the upper ten percent or so of the public, evidence points toward a neotraditional path, in which marriage precedes childbearing, husbands continue to earn more than wives and wives are more likely to cut back on work hours in the interest of the children. For the middle and the bottom, public sentiment is moving in the opposition direction, with growing distrust of marriage and a majority of births outside of marriage. Male employment is more unstable outside the elite and in these groups wives are more likely to outearn husbands at some point in the marriage; yet, this group also remains more committed to a traditionally gendered division of family responsibilities. Do Starnes’ proposals span the class divide? We suspect that the answer is no. Alimony, both in Starnes’ book and elsewhere, remains associated with a traditional division of family responsibilities that no longer describes the majority of American marriages dependent on two incomes or the increasing complexity of family arrangements in a time of economic insecurity.
Liquid biopsies in pancreatic cancer.

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a disease of high lethality. Invasive tissue biopsies of primary or metastatic lesions remain the gold standard for diagnosis, but r...