cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preliminary Study of California Wintertime Model Wet Bias

Abstract The Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model version 3.0.1 is used in both short-range (days) and long-range (years) simulations to explore the California wintertime model wet bias. California is divided into four regions (the coast, central valley, mountains, and Southern California) for validation. Three sets of gridded surface observations are used to evaluate the impact of measurement uncertainty on the model wet bias. Short-range simulations are driven by the North American Regional Reanalysis (NARR) data and designed to test the sensitivity of model physics and grid resolution to the wet bias using eight winter storms chosen from four major types of large-scale conditions: the Pineapple Express, El Nino, La Nina, and synoptic cyclones. Control simulations are conducted with 12-km grid spacing (low resolution) but additional experiments are performed at 2-km (high) resolution to assess the robustness of microphysics and cumulus parameterizations to resolution changes. Additionally, long-...
Review of botulinum toxin type A and its clinical applications in migraine headache

Botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) has been used successfully for many disorders related to excessive muscle contraction. It works, in part, by causing a dose-dependent, reversible muscle relaxation. BTX-A has also been used for migraine prevention. The mechanism by which BTX-A acts in migraine is probably unrelated to its effect on muscle relaxation. BTX-A may have a distinct antinociceptive mechanism, either through action on the muscle spindles or through a direct effect on the central nervous system. Several trials and case reports have demonstrated the safety and efficacy of BTX-A in migraine headache. BTX-A is distinct from other preventive medications. Adverse events (AEs) are rare and mild. BTX-A is convenient, since the dosing interval may be 3 months or longer. However, before BTX-A can be considered a first-line agent for migraine, larger studies need to be conducted to determine optimum dosing and administration sites as well as patient characteristics that are predictive of response.
An electrochemical study of the surface oxidation of arsenopyrite in alkaline media

The electrochemical behavior of arsenopyrite (FeAsS) electrodes in alkaline cyanide solutions has been investigated in an attempt to gain a better understanding of its dissolution chemistry. Surface oxidation reactions of arsenopyrite have been studied using cyclic voltammetry for pH values between 8.1 and 12.0 and for cyanide concentration from 10-4 to 10-2 M. Anodic oxidation of FeAsS appears to be sensitive to both pH and cyanide, as indicated by a characteristic peak at 0.30 Vvs SHE for pH 11.3 and 10-2 M CN-. The anodic process corresponding to the main peak is described by the reaction: FeAsS + 9H2O = FeOOH + H2AsO3 - + SO4 2- + 15H+ + 12e - The oxidation of the H2AsO3 -to HAsO4 2- is detected by a second wave at higher potentials under quiescent conditions. At high pH, the main peak is insensitive to the presence of cyanide, whereas at low-alkalinity this peak is sensitive to cyanide.
THE STATE OF STAR FORMATION AND THE INTERGALACTIC MEDIUM AT z ∼ 6

In the context of stellar reionization in the standard cold dark matter model, we analyze observations at z {approx} 6 and are able to draw three significant conclusions with respect to star formation and the state of the intergalactic medium (IGM) at z {approx} 6. (1) An initial stellar mass function (IMF) more efficient, by a factor of 10-20, in producing ionizing photons than the standard Salpeter IMF is required at z {approx} 6. This may be achieved by having either (a) a metal-enriched IMF with a lower mass cutoff of {>=}30 M{sub sun} or (b) 2%-4% of stellar mass being Population III massive metal-free stars at z {approx} 6. While there is no compelling physical reason or observational evidence to support (a), (b) could plausibly be fulfilled by continued existence of some pockets of uncontaminated, metal-free gas for star formation. (2) The volume-weighted neutral fraction of the IGM of {sub V}{approx}10{sup -4} at z = 5.8 inferred from the SDSS observations of QSO absorption spectra provides enough information to ascertain that reionization is basically complete with at most {approx}0.1%-1% of IGM that is unionized at z = 5.8. (3) Barring some extreme evolution of the IMF, themore » neutral fraction of the IGM is expected to rise quickly toward high redshift from the point of H II bubble percolation, with the mean neutral fraction of the IGM expected to reach 6%-12% at z = 6.5, 13%-27% at z = 7.7, and 22%-38% at z = 8.8.« less
Crystal structure of platinum and nickel foils as a function of substrate temperature during deposition

Abstract The empirically determined conditions for making strong, self-supporting foils, 100–300 μg / cm 2 , of nickel and platinum by electron-gun vacuum evaporation include substrate temperatures of 250–350°C. X-ray diffraction studies have been made to determine what changes in crystal structure with increasing temperature are correlated with foil strength. Nickel crystallite size was found to be nearly infinite at the optimum substrate temperature but orientation remained relatively random. Platinum exhibited increasing crystallite size with temperature and also a highly oriented structure whose planar alignment was determined by the substrate.
Gross Beta-Activity in the Thames River (Conn.)

Radioassays were conducted on oysters, clams, mussels, and algae. Maximum levels of radioactivity occurred in January 1961, in Laminaria (algae) with a total of 356 mu mu c/ gm of ash. Minimum values recorded during the year were in oysters in December 1960, with 23 mu mu c/gm of ash. On the basis of analyses for total potassium in the organisms, it was determined that most of the beta activity observed was due to potassium-40. It was concluded that the quantity of radioactivity present in marine organisms studied is extremely small and does not represent a health hazard. (P.C.H.)
Long-term monitoring of martian gully formation and evolution with MRO/HiRISE

Abstract Gully landforms are commonly taken as evidence for surface liquid water in the recent geological history of Mars. Repeat observations with the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) instrument on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter demonstrate widespread activity in gullies in the southern hemisphere, particularly in those with the freshest morphologies. This activity includes substantial channel incision and large-scale mass movements, and constitutes ongoing gully formation rather than degradation of older landforms. New apron deposits that are bright, dark and neutrally toned have all been observed. The timing of gully activity is seasonally controlled and occurs during the period when seasonal frost is present and defrosting. These observations support a model in which currently active gully formation is driven mainly by seasonal CO 2 frost. Gullies in the northern hemisphere are far less active than those in the south. This may be due to the current timing of perihelion near the northern winter solstice. Integrated over time, activity like that observed within the past few years appears capable of forming all of the martian gully landforms on timescales of millions of years. Additionally, the current style and rate of activity is able to erase meter- to decameter-scale surface features that might have been uniquely produced by other processes during the last obliquity high ∼0.4 Ma. Although it is impossible to rule out a past role for water in the formation of martian gullies, a model in which gullies form only through currently active processes with little or no liquid water is consistent with our observations.
The Colombian Caribbean amidst the national debacle: failure or rebirth of a nation?

Setting an historiographic context, this article proposes a new reading of Colombian nationhood in which growing regional participation – in particular, Caribbean interest – leads to adjustment. This change, it is claimed, results from the cultural industry that subverts traditional channels for the construction of Colombian identity as well as from globalisation, which forces a re‐examination of identity within a new, transnational context. Thus, if Colombia is to survive its present crisis as a modern nation‐state, the profile of regional culture ought to increase, fostering greater tolerance for social, political and cultural difference, and bringing about the gestation of a new, more comprehensive collective.
Use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers in high-risk clinical and ethnic groups with diabetes

BACKGROUND: Diabetes causes 45% of incident end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Risk of progression is higher in those with clinical risk factors (albuminuria and hypertension), and in ethnic minorities (including blacks, Asians, and Latinos). Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) slow the progression of diabetic nephropathy, yet little is known about their use among patients at high risk for progression to ESRD. OBJECTIVES: To examine the prevalence of ACE or ARB (ACE/ARB) use overall and within patients with high-risk clinical indications, and to assess for ethnic disparities in ACE/ARB use. DESIGN: Observational cohort study. SETTING: Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC) Diabetes Registry, a longitudinal registry that monitors quality and outcomes of care for all KPNC patients with diabetes. PATIENTS: Individuals (N=38,887) with diabetes who were continuously enrolled with pharmacy benefits during the year 2000, and had self-reported ethnicity data on survey. INTERVENTIONS AND MEASUREMENTS: Pharmacy dispensing of ACE/ARB. RESULTS: Forty-one percent of the cohort had both hypertension and albuminuria, 30% had hypertension alone, and 12% had albuminuria alone. Fourteen percent were black, 11% Latino, 13% Asian, and 63% non-Latino white. Overall, 61% of the cohort received an ACE/ARB. ACE/ARB was dispensed to 74% of patients with both hypertension and albuminuria, 64% of those with hypertension alone, and 54% of those with albuminuria alone. ACE/ARB was dispensed to 61% of whites, 63% of blacks, 59% of Latinos, and 60% of Asians. Among those with albuminuria alone, blacks were significantly (P=.0002) less likely than whites to receive ACE/ARB (47% vs 56%, respectively). No other ethnic disparities were found. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort, the majority of eligible patients received indicated ACE/ARB therapy in 2000. However, up to 45% to 55% of high-risk clinical groups (most notably individuals with isolated albuminuria) were not receiving indicated therapy. Additional targeted efforts to increase use of ACE/ARB could improve quality of care and reduce ESRD incidence, both overall and in high-risk ethnic groups. Policy-makers might consider use of ACE/ARB for inclusion in diabetes performance measurement sets.
Meso-scale adhesion testing of integrated micro- and nano-scale structures

Abstract Many insects and lizards display the amazing ability to climb and stick to just about any surface. Recent research has honed in on these systems to better understand how they work, particularly on how fine sub-micron hairs enhance van der Waals, or other short-range interactions. Provided enough intimate surface contact these “weak” forces can add up to produce significant amounts of adhesion. Additionally, the attractive interaction must be much larger than repulsive forces, due to elastic deformation, for the adhesive to be effective. To achieve this, nature has created a hierarchal structure to conform over a range of size scales. In previous work, micro-fabrication techniques were used to create a synthetic dry adhesive modeled after the fine hair adhesive motif found in nature. The artificial structure consists of a silicon dioxide platform, covered with organic looking polymeric nanorods (“organorods”), and supported by a single single-crystal silicon pillar. The multiscale integrated compliant structures (MICS) offer three levels of surface compliance: (1) the organorods on the surface (also necessary for enhancing surface adhesion), (2) the fingers of the platforms, and (3) the flexibility of slender silicon pillar supporting the platform. In this work large arrays, 1 cm × 1 cm, have been batch fabricated across an entire 10 cm wafer. Additionally, to characterize meso-scale adhesion, a nanoindentation adhesion test technique was extended to measure the adhesion between the micro-fabricated samples and a rough 5 mm diameter aluminum flat punch. Results indicate improved adhesion with the integration of the nano- and micro-structures. The multi-scale structures also demonstrated improved wear characteristics over solid supported organorods.
Purification and characterization of soluble forms of human and rat stem cell factor recombinantly expressed by Escherichia coli and by Chinese hamster ovary cells

Stem cell factor (SCF) is a novel, early-acting hematopoietic factor. It was isolated from the medium of a rat cell line in a soluble, processed form (Zsebo et al., 1990, Cell 63, 195). The cloned human and rat genes encode the soluble form plus additional C-terminal amino acids including a hydrophobic transmembrane domain (Martin et al., 1990, Cell 63, 203). We have recombinantly expressed forms of human and rat SCF corresponding to the soluble, processed form in Escherichia coli and in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. After expression in E. coli, folding and oxidation of the SCF polypeptides are required. The SCFs expressed in CHO cells are secreted into the medium in active state and, like the natural SCF, are glycosylated. Purification of the recombinant SCFs is described. Biological and biochemical characterization includes activity toward responsive human and mouse cell lines, N-terminal amino acid sequences, disulfide bond linkages, and sites of glycosylation.
A new outer bound for the gaussian interference channel with confidential messages

In this work, we derive new outer bounds for the two-user interference channel with confidential messages. An upper bound is found for the sum rate. When the interfering link of the first user is greater than 1, a new upper bound on 2R 1 + R 2 is obtained by studying a special form of the three-user interference channel. The bounds are then compared with known bounds for the symmetric interference channel under strong interference regime. In particular, examples are presented to showcase for channel parameters where positive secrecy rates are known to be achievable, the new bounds improve upon the known outer bounds on the secrecy capacity region. It is shown that, in some cases, the 2R 1 +R 2 bound also improves the bound on the sum rate.
Teaching about Scientific Models in a Science Content Course

Scientists construct and use models as part of scientific inquiry. Thus, learners should be knowledgeable about what scientific models are, how they are developed, and how they are used by scientists. This paper describes the instruction and effectiveness of teaching about the nature of scientific models in the context of an undergraduate science course for future elementary and middle school teachers. Multiple representations are used to teach biological phenomena while drawing explicit attention to the development and use of models in the scientific community and in science teaching. Results indicate participants initially considered models to be physical representations of objects to be visualized, the process scientists use to do an experiment, and a chart scientists use to record data. Posttests indicate increased recognition of models as representations of scientists’ ideas and explanations of processes. Despite explicit instruction, few came to understand the role of models in making and testing predictions.
Combined valve replacement and myocardial revascularization

Abstract Combining valve replacement with coronary artery bypass (CABG) for significant concomitant disease remains a controversial subject. To determine the operative results following combined valve replacement and CABG, we evaluated 201 patients seen consecutively between July 1977 and June 1982. CABG for vessels with >70% stenosis was performed with aortic valve replacement in 106 patients, with mitral valve replacement in 82, and with aortic and mitral valve replacement in 13. There were 143 men and 58 women; the mean age was 67 years. Nine operative deaths (8.5%) occurred with aortic valve replacement and CABG: 5 of 25 (20%) when cardioplegia was not used and 4 of 81 (4.9%) with cardioplegia (p
mapDamage: testing for damage patterns in ancient DNA sequences.

Summary: Ancient DNA extracts consist of a mixture of contaminant DNA molecules, most often originating from environmental microbes, and endogenous fragments exhibiting substantial levels of DNA damage. The latter introduce specific nucleotide misincorporations and DNA fragmentation signatures in sequencing reads that could be advantageously used to argue for sequence validity. mapDamage is a Perl script that computes nucleotide misincorporation and fragmentation patterns using next-generation sequencing reads mapped against a reference genome. The Perl script outputs are further automatically processed in embedded R script in order to detect typical patterns of genuine ancient DNA sequences. Availability and implementation: The Perl script mapDamage is freely available with documentation and example files at http://geogenetics.ku.dk/all_literature/mapdamage/. The script requires prior installation of the SAMtools suite and R environment and has been validated on both GNU/Linux and MacOSX operating systems. Contact: aginolhac@snm.ku.dk Supplementary information: Supplementary data available at Bioinformatics online
Why Do They Stay? Job Tenure among Certified Nursing Assistants in Nursing Homes.

Purpose: This study identifi es factors related to job tenure among certifi ed nursing assistants (CNAs) working in nursing homes. Design and Methods: The study uses 2004 data from the National Nursing Home Survey, the National Nursing Assistant Survey, and the Area Resource File. Ordinary least squares regression analyses were conducted with length of job tenure as the dependent variable. Tenure of CNAs was hypothesized to be motivated by the extrinsic rewards of their job, initial training and mentoring, reasons for being a CNA, organizational culture, and personal, facility, and market characteristics. Separate analyses were conducted for the overall sample and for CNAs who worked for the facility for more than 1 year. Results: Among policy-relevant domains, extrinsic rewards had the largest number of signifi cant variables (4). Only 1 training and 1 organizational culture variable signifi cantly affected CNA job tenure. Signifi cant variables in domains not readily infl uenced by policy (e.g., personal characteristics and characteristics of the facility and surrounding market area) were often signifi cant in both regressions. Implications: This study underscores the importance of the basic economics of job choice by low-income workers. Wages, fringe benefi ts, job security, and alternative choices of employment are important determinants of job tenure that should be addressed, in addition to training and organizational culture.
The effect of trade liberalization on child labor

Abstract The question of how trade liberalization affects the employment of children in developing economies is at the core of the debate on globalization. Trade theory predicts that an increase in the price of an exported good could either increase or decrease child labor depending on the magnitudes of the substitution and income effects. In this paper, we study the relationship between changes in the relative price of an exported commodity and child labor using household-level data from within a poor country. In particular, we relate child labor to regional and intertemporal variation in the real price of rice surrounding national and international rice market integration in Vietnam. We find that higher rice prices are associated with declines in child labor. Income effects play an important role in this relationship. Rice price increases are associated with the largest declines in child labor in households that are large net producers of rice. These findings show that greater market integration can be associated with less child labor. Moreover, our results suggest that the use of punitive trade sanctions on exports from developing countries to eradicate child labor is unlikely to yield the desired outcome.
Transcriptional Regulation of Human Dual Specificity Protein Phosphatase 1 (DUSP1) Gene by Glucocorticoids

Background: Glucocorticoids are potent anti-inflammatory agents commonly used to treat inflammatory diseases. They convey signals through the intracellular glucocorticoid receptor (GR), which upon binding to ligands, associates with genomic glucocorticoid response elements (GREs) to regulate transcription of associated genes. One mechanism by which glucocorticoids inhibit inflammation is through induction of the dual specificity phosphatase-1 (DUSP1, a.k.a. mitogenactivated protein kinase phosphatase-1, MKP-1) gene. Methodology/Principal Findings: We found that glucocorticoids rapidly increased transcription of DUSP1 within 10 minutes in A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) scanning, we located a GR binding region between 21421 and 21118 upstream of the DUSP1 transcription start site. This region is active in a reporter system, and mutagenesis analyses identified a functional GRE located between 21337 and 21323. We found that glucocorticoids increased DNase I hypersensitivity, reduced nucleosome density, and increased histone H3 and H4 acetylation within genomic regions surrounding the GRE. ChIP experiments showed that p300 was recruited to the DUSP1 GRE, and RNA interference experiments demonstrated that reduction of p300 decreased glucocorticoid-stimulated DUSP1 gene expression and histone H3 hyperacetylation. Furthermore, overexpression of p300 potentiated glucocorticoidstimulated activity of a reporter gene containing the DUSP1 GRE, and this coactivation effect was compromised when the histone acetyltransferase domain was mutated. ChIP-reChIP experiments using GR followed by p300 antibodies showed significant enrichment of the DUSP1 GRE upon glucocorticoid treatment, suggesting that GR and p300 are in the same protein complex recruited to the DUSP1 GRE. Conclusions/Significance: Our studies identified a functional GRE for the DUSP1 gene. Moreover, the transcriptional activation of DUSP1 by glucocorticoids requires p300 and a rapid modification of the chromatin structure surrounding the GRE. Overall, understanding the mechanism of glucocorticoid-induced DUSP1 gene transcription could provide insights into therapeutic approaches against inflammatory diseases.
Vascular tumors of the abdominal wall.

Abstract Background Vascular tumors of the abdominal wall are rare, benign congenital malformations that may cause pain or cosmetic disfigurement and are of significance for their ability to mimic more clinically aggressive tumors. There have been no previous reports of vascular tumors of the abdominal wall. This investigation reports the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of three patients with vascular tumors of the abdominal wall. Methods Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) was used to identify feeding and draining vessels and to aid in operative planning for two patients; in a third patient, standard magnetic resonance imaging revealed the feeding vessels. Results MRA accurately identified the feeding and draining vessels and aided in operative planning, thus facilitating complete tumor resection. To date, patients have not experienced tumor recurrence. Conclusions These cases suggest that MRA can be employed as a noninvasive imaging technique and should be the standard preoperative modality to plan the operative approach to vascular tumors of the abdominal wall.
The Energy Boom and Manufacturing in the United States

This paper examines the response of U.S. manufacturers to changes in competitiveness brought about by movements in the price of natural gas. I estimate the response of various measures of manufacturing activity using panel regression methods across roughly 80 industries that allow each industry’s response to vary with its energy intensity. These estimates suggest that the fall in the price of natural gas since 2006 is associated with a 2 to 3 percent increase in activity for the entire manufacturing sector, with much larger effects of 30 percent or more for the most energy intensive industries.
Identification of EMS-Induced Mutations in Drosophila melanogaster by Whole-Genome Sequencing

Next-generation methods for rapid whole-genome sequencing enable the identification of single-base-pair mutations in Drosophila by comparing a chromosome bearing a new mutation to the unmutagenized sequence. To validate this approach, we sought to identify the molecular lesion responsible for a recessive EMS-induced mutation affecting egg shell morphology by using Illumina next-generation sequencing. After obtaining sufficient sequence from larvae that were homozygous for either wild-type or mutant chromosomes, we obtained high-quality reads for base pairs composing ∼70% of the third chromosome of both DNA samples. We verified 103 single-base-pair changes between the two chromosomes. Nine changes were nonsynonymous mutations and two were nonsense mutations. One nonsense mutation was in a gene, encore, whose mutations produce an egg shell phenotype also observed in progeny of homozygous mutant mothers. Complementation analysis revealed that the chromosome carried a new functional allele of encore, demonstrating that one round of next-generation sequencing can identify the causative lesion for a phenotype of interest. This new method of whole-genome sequencing represents great promise for mutant mapping in flies, potentially replacing conventional methods.
Amblyomma americanum (L.) (Acari: Ixodidae) tick salivary gland serine protease inhibitor (serpin) 6 is secreted into tick saliva during tick feeding

In order to successfully feed and transmit disease agents, ticks are thought to inject serine protease inhibitors (serpins) into the host to modulate host defense responses to tick feeding, such as inflammation, the complement activation pathway and blood coagulation. In this study, we show that Amblyomma americanum ( Aam ) serpin (S) 6 is putatively injected into the host during tick feeding, in that the antibody to recombinant (r) AamS6 specifically reacted with the expected ∼43/45 kDa AamS6 protein band on western blots of pilocarpine-induced tick saliva. Additionally, antibodies to tick saliva proteins that were generated by repeated 48 h infestations of rabbits with adult A. americanum specifically reacted with r AamS6 . We speculate that AamS6 is associated with regulating events at the start of the tick feeding process, as temporal and spatial RT-PCR and western blot analyses revealed that both AamS6 mRNA and protein are strongly expressed during the first 24–72 h of feeding time before starting to fade from 96 h. The AamS6 protein has an apparently slow turnover rate in that, although the injection of AamS6 dsRNA into unfed ticks triggered complete disruption of the AamS6 mRNA by the 48 h feeding time point, western blot analysis of protein extracts of the same animals showed that the AamS6 protein that may have been expressed prior to disruption of the AamS6 mRNA was not depleted. We speculate that the presence of the AamS6 protein in ticks despite the complete disruption of the AamS6 mRNA explains the observation that RNAi-mediated silencing of the AamS6 mRNA did not affect the ability of A. americanum ticks to attach onto host skin, successfully feed and lay eggs. These findings are discussed in regards to advances in the molecular biology of ticks.
Peptides as probes to study molecular mimicry and virus-induced autoimmunity.

One hypothesis to explain virus (or other microbe)-induced autoimmunity is that an immunogenic determinant of a virus (considered as foreign material) can incite the formation of antibodies or effector lymphocytes, which in turn may react with homologous epitopes on a host protein. One Variation on this theme is molecular mimicry, which we define as the presence of epitopes, either linear or conformational, shared between virus and host proteins. When the shared determinants are identical, the organism will be tolerant to the viral epitope by recognizing it as self. Homologous but nonidentical determinants differing in one or more amino acids could be foreign enough to elicit an immune response. The immune response initiated against the foreign material may, how- ever, react not only with it but also with the closely homologous “self” host protein. Depending on the biologic function of the host protein which is recognized and the magnitude of the immune response elicited, the outcome of the interaction may be disease.
A catastrophic kill of ice-trapped coots; time-averaged versus scavenger-specific disarticulation patterns

More than 300 coots ( Fulica americana ) became frozen in Spring Lake, Tazewell County, Illinois, on December 1, 1985. This catastrophic event permitted 8 weeks of taphonomic observations, which showed that ice forms a stable substrate which permits terrestrial taphonomic processes to be imprinted on lacustrine deposits. Bird and mammal scavengers attacked coot carcasses in different manners, resulting in distinct disarticulation sequences. Bird scavengers preferentially fed on the head, neck, and breast-wing complex, causing early disarticulation of bones in these areas, late loss of hindlimb joints, and minimal bone damage. In contrast, mammal scavengers concentrated their attention on the hindlimb and tail region, resulting in bone breakage and early disarticulation of these body parts, but late disarticulation of the breast-wing complex. These data demonstrate that scavenger-specific feeding behaviors significantly influence disarticulation patterns early in assemblage formation, while anatomy may exert increasingly greater influence on disarticulation patterns as carasses become less attractive to scavengers. Finally, because taphonomic processes change in intensity and type through time, bone frequency and modification patterns will vary according to the time at which the patterns are arrested by burial. Thus, bone frequency and modification patterns should provide an index to the relative importance of specific biotic agents and of anatomy in fossil disarticulation patterns as well as an estimate of the time between death and burial.
Euler–Maclaurin Summation in ℝd

Thus far, we have often been concerned with the difference between the discrete volume of a polytope \(\mathcal{P}\) and its continuous volume. An important extension is the difference between the discrete integer-point transform and its continuous sibling: $$\displaystyle{ \sum _{\mathbf{m}\in \mathcal{P}\cap \mathbb{Z}^{d}}\!\!e^{\mathbf{m}\cdot \mathbf{x}} -\int _{ \mathcal{P}}e^{\mathbf{y}\cdot \mathbf{x}}d\mathbf{y}\,, }$$ (12.1) where we have replaced the variable \(\mathbf{z}\) that we have commonly used in generating functions by an exponential variable. Note that on setting x = 0 in (12.2), we obtain the difference between the discrete and the continuous volumes of \(\mathcal{P}\). Relations between the two quantities \(\sum _{\mathbf{m}\in \mathcal{P}\cap \mathbb{Z}^{d}}e^{\mathbf{m}\cdot \mathbf{x}}\) and \(\int _{\mathcal{P}}e^{\mathbf{y}\cdot \mathbf{x}}d\mathbf{y}\) are known as Euler–Maclaurin summation formulas for polytopes. The “behind-the-scenes” operators that are responsible for affording us with such connections are the differential operators known as Todd operators, whose definition utilizes the Bernoulli numbers in a surprising way.
Modeling Automation Within an Abstraction Hierarchy

Work Domain Analysis (WDA) has been used within cognitive engineering as an analytic framework for developing systems design recommendations. The current research examines different treatments of automation by developing and comparing illustrative abstraction hierarchy models of a relatively simple automated system, a camera. A multi-part AH model (system, environment, and automation) was constructed to represent the camera in order to examine the benefits and disadvantages of integrating automation in the system model as opposed to representing it separately, as applied to implications for automation design recommendations. Comparison of the two models revealed that integrating automation was more descriptive of the interaction between the automation and other functions of the camera, whereas using a separate model clarified important relationships between the three domains. Thus, the single model approach may prove more useful for the management of automation while the dual modeling approach provides mo...
Pyrrolysyl-tRNA synthetase, an aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase for genetic code expansion

Genetic code expansion (GCE) has become a central topic of synthetic biology. GCE relies on engineered aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) and a cognate tRNA species to allow codon reassignment by co-translational insertion of non-canonical amino acids (ncAAs) into proteins. Introduction of such amino acids increases the chemical diversity of recombinant proteins endowing them with novel properties. Such proteins serve in sophisticated biochemical and biophysical studies both in vitro and in vivo, they may become unique biomaterials or therapeutic agents, and they afford metabolic dependence of genetically modified organisms for biocontainment purposes. In the Methanosarcinaceae the incorporation of the 22nd genetically encoded amino acid, pyrrolysine (Pyl), is facilitated by pyrrolysyl-tRNA synthetase (PylRS) and the cognate UAG-recognizing tRNAPyl. This unique aaRS•tRNA pair functions as an orthogonal translation system (OTS) in most model organisms. The facile directed evolution of the large PylRS active site to accommodate many ncAAs, and the enzyme's anticodon-blind specific recognition of the cognate tRNAPyl make this system highly amenable for GCE purposes. The remarkable polyspecificity of PylRS has been exploited to incorporate >100 different ncAAs into proteins. Here we review the Pyl-OT system and selected GCE applications to examine the properties of an effective OTS.
Challenge of the Dictators

I Adolf Hitler’s decision to leave the Geneva Disarmament Conference and the League of Nations revealed his intentions to scrap the Versailles Treaty and launch an aggressive campaign against its provisions. This entailed enlisting Mussolini to his cause. First, however, he needed to be in a position to overwhelm foreign foes who would try to hold Germany to the inferior position it had occupied during the first post-war decade. He began this process by addressing the Reichstag in May 1933, informing its members that Germany would not demand equality of armaments for four years, but would sign no agreement that perpetuated the military inequality. Inside Germany, he began to implement his program, set forth in Mein Kampf , with speeches that emphasized German nationalism and militarism. His anti-Semitic Nuremberg Laws sent a stream of talented Jews out of the country. Hitler’s open campaign against Versailles began in July 1934 with his dramatic move to annex Austria. The effort failed. The attempted coup resulted in the assassination of Austrian Chancellor Engelbert Dollfuss. It produced no annexation, but it exposed Hitler’s expansionist program. Ironically, this move frightened future ally Benito Mussolini, because German possession of the Brenner Pass would give Hitler an open route to northern Italy. Mussolini need not have worried. Hitler’s emphasis on Lebensraum strengthened his drive for an Italian alliance, while Mussolini’s designs in the Mediterranean placed him at odds with France. This gave Germany and Italy a common potential enemy. Hitler, moreover, was an early admirer of Mussolini and his Fascist program. The more Mussolini was attacked by “liberal” elements in Germany and elsewhere, the more Hitler desired to cement an alliance. Hitler’s later support of Mussolini’s adventure in Abyssinia helped to bring the two dictators together.
Combined and hybrid geothermal power systems

This chapter discusses integrated power plant systems that consist of either different types of geothermal energy conversion systems or some type of geothermal plant combined with at least one other different source of energy. The former are called “combined systems,” and the latter are called “hybrid systems.” In all cases, the objective in combining different kinds of plant is to achieve synergy, meaning that the integrated system is capable of superior performance compared to separate individual plants. This may mean higher utilization or thermal efficiency, more net power, or a more economic outcome. Geothermal combined systems may consist of different types of flash-steam units and/or binary plants in an integrated combination that achieves advantages and benefits not realizable in separate units. Hybrid systems may consist of fossil-fueled plants, such as coal-fired central stations, gas turbines, biomass or waste-to-energy plants, or concentrating solar thermal or photovoltaic plants in conjunction with geothermal flash and/or binary units. Many variations are presented with a history of development and performance assessments.
Positioning the Field: STS Futures (INTRODUCTION)

The thematic collection entitled “Positioning the Field: STS Futures” consists of seven short articles that had their origins in a conference organized by the Science, Knowledge, and Technology Section of the American Sociological Association. These position papers blend autobiography, history, and STS analysis to advocate for specific future directions in STS scholarship.
Human Values and Use of Time

The history of interest in human values as moderating variables in behavior has been most thoroughly traced by Clawson and Vinson (1978). The potential utility in understanding “our society’s transition into affluence” by studying both human values and the allocation of time was noted by Nicosia and Glock (1968). Most reported studies in this area have adopted the Rokeach (1973) framework of “instrumental” and “terminal” values. There are excellent summary discussions of the Rokeach paradigm found in the Clawson and Vinson (1978) and Vinson, Munson and Nakanishi (1977) papers.
Current trends in the practice of endoscopy among surgeons in the USA.

The diagnostic and therapeutic roles for endoscopic intervention are expanding. To continue emphasis on endoscopy in surgical training, The Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons has developed the Fundamentals of Endoscopic Surgery (FES) course to standardize and assess endoscopy training. However, little demographic information exists about the current practice of endoscopy by general surgeons and how to best integrate endoscopic skills into surgical training. A survey to collect data regarding the current practice patterns of endoscopy was sent to surgeons with a valid email address in the American Medical Association masterfile. Information regarding the type of training (academic vs. community general surgery residency) and current practice environment (academic medical center vs. community hospital) was collected. The respondents’ current practice volume of upper endoscopy and colonoscopy over the prior year was stratified into three groups: rare ( 10 per month). Pearson’s Chi-squared test was used to analyze the data. The survey was sent to 9902 general surgeons. There were 767 who provided answers regarding their current practice of endoscopy. Mean time in practice was 18 ± 10 years, 87 % were male, and 83 % practiced in a metropolitan area. Respondents who trained at academic general surgery programs were less likely than those at community programs to frequently perform colonoscopy (17.3 vs. 27.9 %, p < 0.05) and upper endoscopy (11.8 vs. 17.1 %, p < 0.05). Those who currently practice in academic medical centers were also less likely to be frequent performers of colonoscopy (5.6 vs. 24.7 %, p < 0.05) and upper endoscopy (9.8 vs. 14.8 %, p < 0.05) than those who practice at community hospitals. The type of residency training and current practice setting of general surgeons has a significant influence on the volume of endoscopic procedures performed. This study identifies areas where more emphasis on endoscopic skills training is needed, such as FES.
Deciphering Pro-Lymphangiogenic Programs during Mammary Involution and Postpartum Breast Cancer.

Postpartum breast cancers are a highly metastatic subset of young women’s breast cancers defined as breast cancers diagnosed in the postpartum period or within 5 years of last child-birth. Women diagnosed with postpartum breast cancer are nearly twice as likely to develop metastasis and to die from breast cancer when compared to nulliparous women. Additionally, epidemiological studies utilizing multiple cohorts also suggest that nearly half of all breast cancers in women aged <45 qualify as postpartum cases. Understanding the biology that underlies this increased risk for metastasis and death may lead to identification of targeted interventions that will benefit the large number of young women with breast cancer who fall into this subset. Preclinical mouse models of postpartum breast cancer have revealed that breast tumor cells become more aggressive if they are present during the normal physiologic process of postpartum mammary gland involution in mice. As involution appears to be a period of lymphatic growth and remodeling, and human postpartum breast cancers have high peri-tumor lymphatic vessel density (LVD) and increased incidence of lymph node metastasis37,41, we propose that novel insight into is to be gained through the study of the biological mechanisms driving normal postpartum mammary lymphangiogenesis as well as in the microenvironment of postpartum tumors.
Electron transport and heating in silicon dioxide films

Transport studies in wide bandgap insulators have been limited for many years by the quality of the material. In particular, mobile ions, defects, and trapping sites could control many of the measurable quantities in these films. Because of its importance in the computer and semiconductor industries, amorphous silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ) has evolved over the past 30 years to become the premier insulator in terms of material quality and our understanding of its basic properties. Cleanliness conditions have improved to the extent that particulate and/or ionic contamination (by mobile ions of sodium, potassium, and lithium) no longer limit the quality of oxide layers as they once did. As trapping states in the forbidden bandgap of about 9.5 eV have been related to impurities (such as water) or defects induced during processing (for example, by radiation) and consequently trapping has been minimized, the behavior of this insulator has become more and more ideal in terms of its electrical and physical properties.1
Pow! Boom! Kablam! Effects of Viewing Superhero Programs on Aggressive, Prosocial, and Defending Behaviors in Preschool Children.

Many schools and parents try to motivate children to become defenders of victimized peers. Defending behavior is common in the media (particularly in superhero programs); however, no study has examined the effect of media on defending behavior. The aim of the study was to examine longitudinal associations between superhero engagement and a variety of aggressive, prosocial, and defending behaviors in preschool children. Participants consisted of 240 preschoolers (49% male) and their parents who reported on child media use and outcomes at 2 different time points. Preschooler’s engagement with superheroes was related to increased physical and relational aggression 1 year later. Engagement with superheroes was not related to prosocial or defending behaviors. Implications of the results are discussed.
(Re)considering STEM Education: Interrupting an Omnipresent Discourse

Guest editoral introduction for the (Re)Considering STEM Education series first batch of articles. This introduction reviews the impetus for the series and overviews the papers in this first grouping of accepted manuscripts.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection With Percutaneous Needling for Recalcitrant Lateral Epicondylitis: Comparison of Tenotomy and Fenestration Techniques:

Background:Recalcitrant lateral epicondylitis (LE) is a common debilitating condition, with numerous treatment options of varying success. An injection of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been shown to improve LE, although it is unclear whether the method of needling used in conjunction with a PRP injection is of clinical importance.Purpose:To determine whether percutaneous needle tenotomy is superior to percutaneous needle fenestration when each is combined with a PRP injection for the treatment of recalcitrant LE.Study Design:Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.Methods:A total of 93 patients with recalcitrant LE were treated with a PRP injection and percutaneous needle fenestration (n = 45) or percutaneous needle tenotomy (n = 48) over a 5-year study interval. Preoperative patient data, including visual analog scale for pain (VAS-P), Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH), and Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) scores and grip strength, were obtained from a chart review and...
Nurse Anesthesia: A Past, Present, and Future Perspective

The US health system needs to make efficient use of resources and avoid duplication of effort. The United States needs to examine how to make best use of highly qualified advanced practice registered nurses to drive a more efficient and effective health care system. Certified registered nurse anesthetists will help manage this change by continuing to provide patient access to safe, cost-effective anesthesia care; knowing the direction in which health care is headed; being politically active at the state and federal levels; educating the public about the value of nurse anesthetists; and being involved at the local community and institutional levels.
Pacemakers and Syncope

Syncope is the abrupt and transient loss of consciousness due to a temporary reduction in cerebral blood flow. It is associated with an absence of postural tone and followed by a rapid and usually complete recovery. Syncope may be both benign or the only warning before an episode causing sudden death (1). Recurrent episodes of syncope may result from a variety of disorders, all of which cause a temporary reduction in cerebral blood flow sufficient to disturb the normal functions of the brain. Neurocardiogenic (vasovagal) syncope is the most common of a group of reflex (neurally mediated) syncopes, characterized by a sudden failure of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) to maintain blood pressure, and occasionally heart rate, at a level sufficient to maintain cerebral perfusion and consciousness (2–4). Syncope accounts for 3.5% of all emergency room visits and 1–6% of all hospital admissions annually in the USA (5). The current opinion is that neurocardiogenic syncope (NCS) is only one component of a broad and varied group of disturbances in the normal functioning of the ANS. Any one of the disorders may result in orthostatic intolerance, hypotension and, ultimately, syncope.
A mission‐based architecture for swarm unmanned systems

This research applies a mission engineering approach with model‐based systems engineering foundations to formalize a swarm unmanned system design methodology and architecture. The architectural framework and methodology herein presented extend current swarm system design methods, which are primarily bottom‐up approaches focused on the behavior of individual agents. We introduce a top‐down, hierarchical approach with an overarching mission decomposed into phases, tactics, plays, and algorithms. Three unmanned aerial vehicle swarm case studies (one of which is discussed in this paper) are used to demonstrate the approach and its effectiveness in formalizing a mission‐based framework of common patterns in swarm missions that promote architecture reusability.
Allergic and Immunologic Disorders

Allergies and immunological disorders affect the children’s daily life, growth, and performance. Severe immunodeficiency can be life threatening and associated with high risk of malignancies.