cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The phospholipids of the hepatic endoplasmic reticulum. Structural change in liver injury.

Abstract Endoplasmic-reticulum phospholipids were measured during the first hour after carbon tetrachloride administration to male Sprague–Dawley rats and compared with carbon tetrachloride challenge of microsomes from control animals in vitro. The extracted lipids were separated by high-pressure liquid chromatography. No significant differences in the abundance of phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol or phosphatidylcholine were found after either treatment when compared with untreated controls. Diene conjugate formation in each separated phospholipid was determined by measuring A232 and expressed on the basis of lipid phosphorus. Phosphatidylserine was peroxidized 6-fold greater than in controls after challenge in vivo, reaching maximal change after 15min, whereas the other phospholipids showed little or no alteration. Fatty acid composition analysis was performed by g.l.c. after transesterification of individual phospholipids. Phosphatidylserine revealed two types of response: an abrupt decrease in relative abundance of oleic acid (C18:1) and linoleic acid (C18:2) without further loss and a slower, linear decrease in arachidonic acid (C20:4) over the first hour. Similar changes were not seen in other phospholipids. In the `in vitro' model, the relative amounts of the phospholipids do not change. The extent of peroxidation was greater in all the phospholipids than found in vivo, with phosphatidylserine peroxidized to the greatest extent. These data suggest that carbon tetrachloride injury in vivo produces an early peroxidative event and that a specific phospholipid (phosphatidylserine) is selectively modified, although maintaining its relative concentration in the membrane. Dissection of this process in vitro will require refinement of existing systems to reduce the non-specific changes associated with the model system.
POSIX abstractions in modern operating systems: the old, the new, and the missing

The POSIX standard, developed 25 years ago, comprises a set of operating system (OS) abstractions that aid application portability across UNIX-based OSes. While OSes and applications have evolved tremendously over the last 25 years, POSIX, and the basic set of abstractions it provides, has remained largely unchanged. Little has been done to measure how and to what extent traditional POSIX abstractions are being used in modern OSes, and whether new abstractions are taking form, dethroning traditional ones. We explore these questions through a study of POSIX usage in modern desktop and mobile OSes: Android, OS X, and Ubuntu. Our results show that new abstractions are taking form, replacing several prominent traditional abstractions in POSIX. While the changes are driven by common needs and are conceptually similar across the three OSes, they are not converging on any new standard, increasing fragmentation.
Survey on the knowledge, attitude of AIDS and its influencing factors among female sex workers in Panyu district

Objective To understand the knowledge and attitude of AIDS and its influencing factors among female sex workers in Panyu district, and provide scientific basis for carry out prevention strategies among female sex workers. Methods The investigation and monitoring of AIDS among 400 female sex workers in the entertainment places in Panyu district was carried out in 2011. Results The general awareness rate of AIDS knowledge was 73.92%. Single factor analysis showed that the awareness rate of AIDS knowledge was related with age and the working time. Conclusion The general awareness rate of knowledge about AIDS was high in Panyu district, show that the effective of the propaganda and behavior intervention of AIDS in Panyu district. And we need to strengthen the propaganda and survey among the young age and floating female sex workers. The knowledge of AIDS should also be strengthened and promoted.
Monitoring and analysis on population and seasonal fluctuation of cockroaches

Objective To provide scientific data for cockroaches control after understanding its population change and seasonal fluctuation.Methods Glue trap were used to catch cockroaches at residence,restaurant and hotel from 2005 to 2007.Results There were three varieties of cockroaches such as Blattella germanica,Periplaneta americama and Periplaneta fuliginasa.Of which,B.germanica was the dominant species,which accounted for 97.12%.The cockroaches density was 1.40 piece per box for every night in 2007.The cockroach were active throughout the year and reached active peak from April to October.Conclusion There is seriously disturbed by B.germanica in Wenzhou.Effective measures should be taken to control cockroach.
ALMOST SURE CONVERGENCE OF LINEAR EMPIRICAL BAYES ESTIMATION

In the paper we discuss almost sure convergence of linear empirical Bayes estima-tion,and obtain some much more satisfactory results.
Microgrid Seamless Switching Strategy Based on Normalized Model of Converter

Firstly,the control technology of seamless sw itching w as studied for the microgrid system under islanded grid-connected operation mode,w hich used master-slave control mode and energy storage system converter as the girdforming unit. Then the P / Q and V / f normalized control model of energy storage converter w as proposed w ith ‘outer parallel,inner shared'strategy. M eanw hile,the parameter design of normalized controller w as completed,as w ell as the stability analysis. The real-time simulation model of microgrid under islanded grid-connected operation mode w as built in the RT_Lab real time simulation platform,and the analysis of the control strategy w as carried out. Finally,the microgrid seamless sw itching experiment under islanded grid-connected operation mode w as carried out in the National Wind Pow er Grid Integration RD( Testing) Center microgrid platform,and the experiment results verified the effectiveness of the control method.
Color Atlas of Medical Bacteriology, Second Edition

Conceived by a team of authors with decades of classroom and laboraory experience, the Color Atlas of Medical Bacteriology includes more than 730 brilliant, four-color images of common pathogenic bacteria and descriptions of the methods used to identify them, including microscopic and phenotypic characteristics, colonial morphology, and biochemical properties. Each chapter, organized by pathogen and taxonomic group, begins with a brief introduction that provides a contextual framework for the images. This second edition embraces the latest developments in molecular biology methodology in the diagnostic laboratory with a new chapter examining the breadth and possibilities of these new techniques. Also, in light of the alarming emergence of antibiotic resistance, antimicrobial susceptibiliy testing is addressed in another new chapter. The final chapter on stains, media, and reagents details the most common menthods and biochemical reactions used in the identification of pathogenic bacteria. The book's hundreds of illustrations, of typical stains, colony morphologies, and biochemical reactions of bacteria most frequently encountered in the clinical laboratory, have been thouroughly updated. A valuable illustrative supplement for lectures and laboratory presentations, this easy-to-use atlas was written for laboratorians, clinicians, students, and anyone interested in the field of diagnostic medical bacteriology.The Color Atlas of Medical Bacteriology is a good reference book that is fairly complete with wonderful images. It would be a welcome addition to the bookshelves of any teaching institution or clinical microbiology laboratory. – Clinical Infectious Diseases review of the first edition, written in 2006 Hardcover, 366 pages, color illustrations, index.
Anodic SiO2 for Low Temperature Gate Dielectrics

Electrical properties of anodic SiO2 grown at room temperature and annealed at 450℃ have been shown to closely approach those of thermal SiO2. Midgap interface state densities in the low-1010 cm−2.eV−1. oxide surface charge at flatband in the low-1010 cm−2. average breakdown fields in excess of 10 MV/cm. and do resistivities above 1016 Ω.cm at 1MV/cm have been measured. The oxide surface charge at flatband is thickness dependent. The dependence of electrical and structural properties on various annealing conditions will be discussed.
One dimensional metal dithiolene (M = Ni, Fe, Zn) coordination polymers for the hydrogen evolution reaction.

Immobilization of metal complexes to electrode surfaces has emerged as an attractive strategy to combine homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis. We recently reported the immobilization of cobalt dithiolene catalytic units via incorporation into extended one and two dimensional (1D and 2D) frameworks. We extend here this methodology to the formation of 1D nickel, iron, and zinc dithiolene coordination polymers based on benzene-1,2,4,5-tetrathiolate (BTT) frameworks and investigate their catalytic H2-evolving activities under fully aqueous conditions. The nickel dithiolene coordination polymer is an active electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). An overpotential of 470 mV was required to reach a current density of 10 mA cm−2 at pH 1.3, making this system one of the best performing heterogenized molecular catalysts for HER. This overpotential is 90 mV lower than that of the cobalt analogue, suggesting that the nickel coordination polymer is a more efficient H2-evolving catalyst. Additionally, no decrease in activity is observed for the nickel polymer during the first hour of electrolysis, indicating that it is stable under prolonged electrolysis.
Reliability of Robotic Telemedicine for Assessing Critically Ill Patients with the Full Outline of UnResponsiveness Score and Glasgow Coma Scale

Abstract Purpose: Telemedicine is increasingly utilized in the evaluation of critically ill patients, including those with decreased level of consciousness (LOC) or coma. Improving access to providers with neurologic expertise affords earlier triage and directed patient management. However, objective data regarding the reliability of using standardized coma scales, traditionally employed at the bedside for remote assessment, are largely lacking. Hypothesis: Bedside and remote assessments of patients with decreased LOC, using either the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) or Full scale Of UnResponsiveness (FOUR), score are equivalent. Methods: Prospective trial comparing the reliability of bedside and remote coma assessments using GCS or FOUR score clinical evaluation tools utilizing robotic telepresence technology. Total scores of the GCS and FOUR score were compared between bedside and remote physician assessors by paired t-test and Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC). Results: One hundred subjects were enrolled....
A Summary of Volume 1: The Rise of Breweries and Distilleries in the United States

The final chapter serves as summary to the first volume of Beers, Ciders & Spirits: Craft Beverages and Tourism in the U.S. entitled The Rise of Brewers and Distilleries in the United States. The chapters that are encapsulated in the first volume of this textbook present innovative examples of the craft beveragescape within the US context. This conclusion chapter summarizes the current practices and scope of research involving craft beer, cider and spirits as a substantial subsect of craft and entrepreneurial small and medium enterprises that are emerging across the country. The pioneering chapters summarized include craft beverage topics in locations such as Washington, Oregon, Kentucky, California, Pennsylvania, Florida, West Virginia and North Carolina. Influences of historical legislative restriction and current neoliberalism are examined within the rebirth of localized beer, cider and spirit production. Along with a multitude of nuanced ideas involving economic vibrancy, there are four primary themes that have emerged from this first volume include: (a) the interdisciplinary of the craft beveragescape, (b) the evolution of the craft-turn in beverage production, (c) the role of co-creation for innovation, and (d) community redevelopment and socio-cultural place making. This summary chapter concludes with an introduction to the forthcoming second volume entitled Environmental and Social Trends and Marketing Implications.
Climate Change, Climate Justice, and Environmental Health: Implications for the Nursing Profession.

Purpose Climate change is an emerging challenge linked to negative outcomes for the environment and human health. Since the 1960s, there has been a growing recognition of the need to address climate change and the impact of greenhouse gas emissions implicated in the warming of our planet. There are also deleterious health outcomes linked to complex climate changes that are emerging in the 21st century. This article addresses the social justice issues associated with climate change and human health and discussion of climate justice. Organizing construct Discussion paper. Methods A literature search of electronic databases was conducted for articles, texts, and documents related to climate change, climate justice, and human health. Findings The literature suggests that those who contribute least to global warming are those who will disproportionately be affected by the negative health outcomes of climate change. The concept of climate justice and the role of the Mary Robinson Foundation-Climate Justice are discussed within a framework of nursing's professional responsibility and the importance of social justice for the world's people. The nursing profession must take a leadership role in engaging in policy and advocacy discussions in addressing the looming problems associated with climate change. Conclusions Nursing organizations have adopted resolutions and engaged in leadership roles to address climate change at the local, regional, national, and global level. It is essential that nurses embrace concepts related to social justice and engage in the policy debate regarding the deleterious effects on human health related to global warming and climate change. Nursing's commitment to social justice offers an opportunity to offer significant global leadership in addressing the health implications related to climate change. Clinical relevance Recognizing the negative impacts of climate change on well-being and the underlying socioeconomic reasons for their disproportionate and inequitable distribution can expand and optimize the profession's role in education, practice, research, and policy-making efforts to address climate change.
Electron beam processing of fresh produce – A critical review

Abstract To meet the increasing global demand for fresh produce, robust processing methods that ensures both the safety and quality of fresh produce are needed. Since fresh produce cannot withstand thermal processing conditions, most of common safety interventions used in other foods are ineffective. Electron beam (eBeam) is a non-thermal technology that can be used to extend the shelf life and ensure the microbiological safety of fresh produce. There have been studies documenting the application of eBeam to ensure both safety and quality in fresh produce, however, there are still unexplored areas that still need further research. This is a critical review on the current literature on the application of eBeam technology for fresh produce.
Fragility and Resilience Indicators for Portfolio of Oil Storage Tanks Subjected to Hurricanes

AbstractThis paper develops fragility functions and estimates of resilience indicators for aboveground storage tanks (ASTs) subjected to hurricanes, which can be efficiently applied to all the tank...
Re-evaluation of the thermodynamic equilibria on the zirconia-rich side of the ZrO2-YO1.5 system

Abstract The thermodynamic database of ZrO 2 -YO 1.5 system, which has been extensively studied by many groups, was re-assessed and improved particularly on the ZrO 2 -rich side of the system. Due to sluggish kinetics and diffusionless transformations in the ZrO 2 -rich side of ZrO 2 -YO 1.5 system, providing accurate phase diagram and thermochemical data had become problematic. The newly developed thermodynamic database shows well agreement with the related experimental data, which were wisely evaluated and carefully selected to ensure the accuracy of the developed database. Applying the CALPHAD (CALculation of PHAse Diagrams) approach, the interaction parameters of the cubic, tetragonal, monoclinic, and liquid phases were optimized to develop a complete and self-consistent thermodynamic description of the ZrO 2 -YO 1.5 system. The Gibbs energy model for the monoclinic phase was also modified to a regular solution. The improved thermodynamic database of the ZrO 2 -YO 1.5 system can give more accurate modeling results, especially for the ZrO 2 -rich side of the system, which has critical applications.
Carrier acquisition and tracking for Europa relay communications

In deep space communications, carrier acquisition is pivotal for demodulation of weak signals. Traditionally, NASA's Deep Space Network will sweep the uplink carrier to ensure that the receiver has acquired carrier lock before sending data. In a deep space relay link, the carrier acquisition process will be performed by one of the transponders. Using the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL) Frontier Radio Software Defined Radio architecture, the swept behavior required for unaided carrier acquisition was migrated to the radio's receiver through updates to the algorithms that perform carrier acquisition and tracking. A notional relay link between the NASA Europa Lander spacecraft and the Europa Clipper and Carrier Relay Spacecraft (CRS) is used as a case study for the technique. The nominal center frequency of the carrier acquisition phase-locked loop (PLL) is able to sweep at a user-defined rate within user-defined frequency bounds to ensure that the receiver can lock onto a carrier without the transmitted carrier sweeping through the receivers quiescent frequency. Carrier loop sweeping continues until lock is detected and the loop is switched to a tracking design. The technique that enabled receiver loop sweeping also allows the receiver to accept a Doppler prediction frequency to offset the quiescent frequency of the loop. The turn-around ratio is maintained through the acquisition process, as well as with Doppler prediction offset and tracking. As a result of implementing self-sweeping in the radio receiver, an offset can accumulate in the PLL filter state as the tracking design is nearly Type-II. Furthermore, this offset may compound with repeated acquisitions. The resulting filter state can cause an unwanted offset in the acquisition frequency of the loop. Since the internal state of the loop filter is not directly accessible in the Frontier Radio architecture, this state must be bled-off by temporarily altering the design of the second-order PLL to one with very short time constants. This bleed-off loop is applied at the beginning of each acquisition sequence for a short period of time, then the nominal loop parameters are reapplied before sweeping commences. Algorithms and analysis of the techniques are described below.
ENERGY BUDGETS IN NATURAL AND AGRICULTURAL ECOSYSTEMS

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses energy budgets in natural and agricultural ecosystems. Energy from the sun is essential for the survival of natural and agricultural ecosystems. Humanity escaped some of the limitations of the sun's annual energy budget by drawing on sunlight stored over millions of years in the form of fossil fuels. During the past 300 years, man has used some of this energy to increase (through increased food production and improved health) and maintain his ever-growing numbers. Because energy is a dominant force in natural communities, evolution in interdependent populations has been toward balanced supply–demand energy economies within their communities. The chapter analyzes some energy budgets of natural and agricultural ecosystems. It discusses the potential for surplus energy conversion from these systems for human use. The chapter presents an overview of agricultural ecosystems and energy used in food system.
Enzyme Engineering Case Study: Immobilized Lactase

The hydrolysis of the lactose in whey to glucose and galactose is becoming an attractive commercial process. As the cost of sweeteners from cane and corn continues its dramatic climb (having almost doubled within the past year), many segments of the food industry are seeking alternative sources of their sugar supply. The use of the glucose isomerase process, where glucose is converted to its much sweeter isomer, fructose, is an example of the food industry’s efforts to “stretch” the supply of sweetening sugars.
How Variational Methods in Scattering Theory Work

We explore the factors responsible for the rapid convergence of the Schwinger and Newton variational principles in scattering theory. We find that, contrary to conventional wisdom, these variational methods yield high accuracy not because the error associated with the computed quantity is second order in the error in the wavefunction, but because variational methods find wavefunctions that are far more accurate in relevent regions of the potential, compared to nonvariational methods.
The heterogeneity of arginases in rat tissues

Arginase reactions in rat tissues were shown to be catalysed by three isoenzymes which can be separated by bidirectional electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels. Anodic electrophoresis reveals a migrating band (isoenzyme I) present in all-non-hepatic tissues except submaxillary gland and a non-migrating band found in all tissues. The latter is resolved by cathodic electrophoresis into isoenzymes III (characteristic of liver and submaxillary gland) and a non-moving band (isoenzyme II), present in kidney, intestine and pancreas. Sequential electrophoresis, in the two directions, of mixture of liver and kidney extracts in the same gel columns separated all three isoenzymes. Differences in the solubilization properties, heat-sensitivity and substrate specificity of arginases from different tissues could be correlated with their electrophoretic behaviour. L-Canavanine could replace arginine as substrate in extracts of kidney but not of liver. Both kidney isoenzymes hydrolysed L-canavanine equally well, whereas isoenzyme III from submaxillary gland showed only very low activity. Antiserum against liver arginase interacted with the enzyme with submaxillary gland, but did not inactivate or adsorb arginase from kidney, intestine or pancreas. The distribution of arginase among 16 normal adult rat tissues is presented; the improved, sensitive, assay method was applicable to tissues containing as little as 0.1% of the hepatic activity.
Bone Reconstruction in the Diabetic Foot

Surgical bone reconstructive procedures of the foot and ankle in diabetic patients must be considered when performing evaluation of a diabetic foot for patients with preulcerative lesions and preexisting wounds. Preventive deformity correction can reduce the potential risk of ulceration, infection, and possible amputation in a patient with an at-risk foot type. It can also expedite wound healing and prevent further breakdown in a patient with lower extremity ulcerations. This article discusses different types of surgical bone reconstructive procedures as preventive and prophylactic deformity corrections to reduce osseous deformity, minimize preulcerative lesions, and increase limb-salvage rates in the compromised patient.
Symmetry Breaking in Embryology and in Neurobiology

As Sattinger (1980) has emphasized, there is an intimate connection between the symmetries of a dynamical system, and the nature of the solutions manifest at a point of bifurcation. Many aspects of symmetry breaking in biology can be interpreted in such terms. In this paper I shall confine myself to differing aspects of symmetry-breaking in embryology and in neurobiology.
Acute mastoiditis in children: contemporary opportunities and challenges.

Background Mastoiditis is the most common intra-temporal complication of acute otitis media. Despite potentially lethal sequelae, optimal management remains poorly defined. Method A retrospective case review was conducted of children diagnosed with mastoiditis at a tertiary referral centre, in North East England, between 2010 and 2017. Results Fifty-one cases were identified, 49 without cholesteatoma. Median patient age was 42 months (2 months to 18 years) and median hospital stay was 4 days (range, 0–27 days). There was no incidence trend over time. Imaging was conducted in 15 out of 49 cases. Surgery was performed in 29 out of 49 cases, most commonly mastoidectomy with (9 out of 29) or without (9 out of 29) grommets. Complications included sigmoid sinus thrombosis (3 out of 49) and extradural abscess (2 out of 51), amongst others; no fatalities occurred. Conclusion A detailed contemporary description of paediatric mastoiditis presentation and management is presented. The findings broadly mirror those published by other UK centres, but suggest a higher rate of identified disease complications and surgical interventions.
Abstract 4082: Hsp90B protects MAST1 from CHIP-mediated ubiquitination and degradation providing cisplatin resistance

Microtubule-associated serine/threonine kinase 1 (MAST1) plays a key role in cisplatin resistance of human cancers. However, the mechanism underlying MAST1 regulation remains elusive. We identified the hsp90B as a direct MAST1 binding partner essential for its stabilization via a proteomics screen. Targeting hsp90B in cancer cells sensitizes cisplatin treatment mainly through MAST1 destabilization. Mechanistically, hsp90B protects MAST1 from ubiquitination at lysine 317 and 545 by the E3 ubiquitin ligase CHIP and prevents proteasomal degradation. The role of the hsp90B-MAST1-CHIP signaling axis in cisplatin resistance was clinically validated in cancer patients. Furthermore, a combination of hsp90 inhibitor and MAST1 inhibitor lestaurtinib further inhibited MAST1 activity and consequently potentiated the cisplatin effect in a patient-derived xenograft model. Our study not only reveals the mechanism of MAST1 regulation in tumors but also demonstrates a promising combinatorial therapy to overcome cisplatin resistance in human cancers. Citation Format: Chaoyun Pan, Jie Li, Austin Boese, Sumin Kang. Hsp90B protects MAST1 from CHIP-mediated ubiquitination and degradation providing cisplatin resistance [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 4082.
The impact of religiously tailored and ethically balanced education on intention for living organ donation among Muslim Americans.

We tested the efficacy of religiously tailored and ethically balanced education upon living kidney organ donation intent among Muslim Americans. Pre-post changes in participant stage of change, preparedness, and likelihood judged efficacy. Among 137 participants, mean stage of change toward donation appeared to improve (0.59; SD ± 1.07, P < .0001), as did the group's preparedness to make a donation decision (0.55; SD ± 0.86, P < .0001), and likelihood to donate a kidney (0.39; SD ± 0.85, P < .0001). Mean change in likelihood to encourage a loved one, a co-worker, or a mosque community member with ESRD to seek a living donor also increased (0.22; SD ± 0.84, P = .0035, 0.23; SD ± 0.82, P = .0021, 0.33; SD ± 0.79, P < .0001 respectively). Multivariate ordered logistic regression models revealed that gains in biomedical knowledge regarding organ donation increased odds for positive change in preparedness (OR = 1.20; 95% CI 1.01-1.41, P = .03), while increasing age associated with lower odds of positive change in stage of change (OR = 0.98, 95% CI 0.96-0.998, P = .03), and prior registration as an organ donor lowered odds for an increase in likelihood to donate a kidney (OR = 0.22; 95% CI 0.08-0.60, P = .003). Our intervention appears to enhance living kidney donation-related intent among Muslim Americans [Clinicaltrials.gov number: NCT04443114].
The Collision of Social Justice Perfectionism, Rival Faiths, and Ordered Liberty: Review Essay: Mark T. Mitchell, The Unholy Marriage that Spawned America's Social Justice Warriors

Amid the nation’s swelling social discord, Mark T. Mitchell’s new book, Power and Purity: The Unholy Marriage That Spawned America’s Social Justice Warriors, avoids sterility, sclerosis, and nostalgia, while offering a creative understanding of the origins of the nation’s divisions that have seen the rise of social justice warriors (SJWs). Endeavoring to unravel the undemocratic forces advancing in our republic, his analysis forecasts the rise of totalitarianism and the possible return of “separate but equal.” He argues that social justice activists, after embracing Nietzsche’s rejection of Christian Platonism, the notion of truth, and traditional morality, have now, paradoxically, embraced many aspects of Puritanism. Additional issues arise because, despite their adoption of Nietzsche’s intuition, SJWs frequently emphasize goals, which are orthogonal to his vision. Mitchell’s book provides answers to a number of salient issues including the provenance, consequences, and morality of social justice approaches. In an epoch featuring (1) the rude collapse of metanarratives; (2) an uprising of mimetic rivalries within the political, religious, and economic realm; (3) spreading social irruptions signaling democracy’s end and totalitarianism’s beginning; and (4) the self-immolation of the liberal project accompanied by the rise of illiberal liberalism; Mitchell poses a crucial question: whether social justice policies grounded in postmodernism, are reconcilable with contrary views grounded in rival faiths and the notion of ordered liberty within a constitutional republic? Without resolving this conflict, Professor Mitchell implies that common ground cannot be found between individuals and subgroups who are driven by claims of social justice and those who are not.
The superhero symbol: media, culture & politics: edited by Liam Burke, Ian Gordon and Angela Ndalianis, New Brunswick, Rutgers University Press, 2020, 336 pp., $32.95 (paperback), ISBN 9780813597164

Liam Burke, Ian Gordon and Angela Ndalianis’s The Superhero Symbol: Media, Culture & Politics brings together a multitude of scholarly and industry voices to reflect on the ontology and hermeneutic...
Development of a low-cost subsea datalogger for passive phased sonar arrays

Hobbyist electronics have greatly improved in both quality and capability over the past several years. It is now possible to solve computationally challenging problems with equipment costing less than a few hundred US Dollars. Both of the datalogger concepts presented in this work leverage this improvement by using off-the-shelf technology to replace what could previously only be done with expensive custom hardware. The processors used in these concepts, the Teensy 4.0 Audio Adapter and the CTAG BEAST, were originally designed for musicians who require the ability to manipulate multiple channels of audio simultaneously. This capability, however, also enables the construction of dataloggers capable of recording perfectly synchronized multi-channel audio – a requirement for passive phased sonar arrays. Each datalogger carries the additional benefit of low power consumption, permitting the array to be deployed for several hours before requiring recovery. Future versions of the dataloggers are expected to have mission durations comparable to existing commercial systems. This paper follows the development process of both of these concepts and compares each of their performance. The first concept, the Teensy, consists of two Teensy 4.0 control boards, each sandwiched between two Teensy Audio Adapters. This assembly is capable of recording up to eight channels of audio in near perfect sync. The second concept, the BEAST, consists of a BeagleBone Black single board computer augmented with a CTAG BEAST cape. This system is capable of recording eight channels of perfectly synchronized audio. Both of these systems were tested in the field with a four-element co-prime sonar array. The data is analyzed and the results of the comparison are presented in this work. Finally, some operational recommendations and possibilities for improvement are also discussed.
Liturgy and Public Theology

Liturgy is an act of public theology, when considered from the point of view that Christian ritual performance is publicly enacted for the sake of a wider public, and joins the assembly to Jesus Ch...
Metastable high entropy alloys: An excellent defect tolerant material for additive manufacturing

Abstract Fatigue failure is ubiquitous in structural components. In additively manufactured (AM) components, the processing induced defects limit the fatigue performance. Further, the stochastic nature of defects in laser-powder bed fusion (L-PBF) make it difficult to predict the fatigue life in these components. In this work, we explored exceptional work hardening (WH) of a metastable Fe40Mn20Co20Cr15Si5 high entropy alloy (CS-HEA) to obtain high fatigue-resistance with L-PBF. Further, a fatigue life estimation tool based on the statistical size distribution of microstructural entities such as grains, pores and solid-state inclusions and, their mutual interaction was used to estimate the fatigue life of as-printed material. Upon deformation, CS-HEA exhibited γ (f.c.c.) → e (h.c.p.) martensitic transformation and subsequent twinning in e (h.c.p.) phase. Such deformation behavior resulted in sustained WH and is specifically beneficial in the vicinity of critical pores. A high normalized fatigue strength of 0.65 with respect to the yield strength was thus obtained in as-printed condition. Further, the model accurately predicted extended crack initiation life for CS-HEA. The current work therefore provides guidance towards developing defect-tolerant alloys for L-PBF and presents a tool for estimation of fatigue life of AM alloys with unconventional WH behavior.
Uncertainties in seismic inverse calculations

As in all such calculations, seismic inversion requires careful estimation of prior information and data uncertainties in order to be able to make quantitative inferences about the Earth. The prior information comes from diverse sources, some of which may best be incorporated as hard constraints on parameters or functions of parameters, and some which may best be described probabilistically. There are also sources of subjective prior information from experts. It is important that we assimilate such information consistently and quantitatively. In the event that all the uncertainties can be treated as being Gaussian random variables, this information conveniently takes the form of model and data covariance matrices. In that case, the computational formalism applied is superficially similar to Tikhonov regularization, or constrained least squares, although the goals and conclusions are potentially rather different. But in some cases such Gaussian assumptions may not be justified. In the general case, in which the probability distribution associated with the prior information can only be sampled point-wise, it may be necessary to use an importance sampling procedure based on Monte Carlo methods. But this begs the question of how one estimates such a general prior probability. I have given some suggestions as to how these probabilities may be estimated, but I suspect we are a long way from a definitive answer to this question.
An Evaluation of Student Learning and Engagement in a Technology-Enhanced Algebra Unit on Slope

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a technology-enhanced unit on slope in algebra. The technology used in the study was the Topological Panorama Camera (Topocam). The research questions explored the learning and transfer of knowledge about slope and the engagement level of students during Topocam learning activities. The Topocam is a computer-controlled camera that moves on a modular track while it scans a scene through a vertical slit. Students can program the speed of the camera and frequency of pictures. They then witness the results of time and motion in the image created by the camera. Data for this study were collected from a pretest/posttest, as well as from observations of indicators of engaged learning. The research population consisted of 46 students from three classes of Algebra I students. Three classroom teachers each taught a unit on slope, while a fourth teacher conducted the activities with the Topocam for all the classes. The classroom activities focused on the concept of slope as a rate of change utilizing coordinate grids. The Topocam activities involved students in collaboratively making and testing predictions about slope. The findings of the study indicate that student learning did occur with this technology-enhanced unit on slope in algebra. Students showed statistically significant improvement in understanding slope and in transferring that concept to other situations. Since technology was only part of the unit presentation, the amount of learning attributed to the Topocam activities cannot be determined. However, students demonstrated a high degree of engagement in learning while working with the Topocam which suggests that the activities were a factor. A low correlation between students slope unit test scores and previous algebra performance may indicate that students who have not been successful in algebra were more successful in the technology-enhanced unit. Some variation was found between classes that could be attributed to other factors than the Topocam.
Density Functional Theory and Conductivity Studies of Boron-Based Anion Receptors

Anion receptors that bind strongly to fluoride anions in organic solvents can help dissolve the lithium fluoride discharge products of primary carbon monofluoride (CFx) batteries, thereby preventing the clogging of cathode surfaces and improving ion conductivity. The receptors are also potentially beneficial to rechargeable lithium ion and lithium air batteries. We apply Density Functional Theory (DFT) to show that an oxalate-based pentafluorophenyl-boron anion receptor binds as strongly, or more strongly, to fluoride anions than many phenyl-boron anion receptors proposed in the literature. Experimental data shows marked improvement in electrolyte conductivity when this oxalate anion receptor is present. The receptor is sufficiently electrophilic that organic solvent molecules compete with F– for boron-site binding, and specific solvent effects must be considered when predicting its F– affinity. To further illustrate the last point, we also perform computational studies on a geometrically constrained boron ester that exhibits much stronger gas-phase affinity for both F– and organic solvent molecules. After accounting for specific solvent effects, however, its net F– affinity is about the same as the simple oxalate-based anion receptor. Lastly, we propose that LiF dissolution in cyclic carbonate organic solvents, in the absence of anion receptors, is due mostly to the formation of ionicmore » aggregates, not isolated F– ions.« less
A geometric approach to bisimulation and verification of hybrid systems

The paper opens up avenues for applying model checking algorithms to the verification of safety problems for hybrid systems consisting of coordinating autonomous agents, and especially hybrid systems where the continuous level is a model of the kinematic dynamics. There are some limitations and obstacles to be overcome. First, it is likely that model checking will still be a computationally expensive tool. Initially, the number of autonomous agents will be small and the continuous dynamics will be low-dimensional, at least until further breakthroughs appear on this frontier. The approach becomes more interesting when more of the burden of control can be placed at the logic level, for the performance of model checking is relatively unaffected by the number of states of the automaton. Some work that remains to be done is obtaining the approximate automaton automatically, given the analytical representation of its bisimulation, and to characterize the robustness of the reach set to model variations.
STIM1 enhances SR Ca2+ content through binding phospholamban in rat ventricular myocytes

In ventricular myocytes, the physiological function of stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1), an endo/sarcoplasmic reticulum (ER/SR) Ca(2+) sensor, is unclear with respect to its cellular localization, its Ca(2+)-dependent mobilization, and its action on Ca(2+) signaling. Confocal microscopy was used to measure Ca(2+) signaling and to track the cellular movement of STIM1 with mCherry and immunofluorescence in freshly isolated adult rat ventricular myocytes and those in short-term primary culture. We found that endogenous STIM1 was expressed at low but measureable levels along the Z-disk, in a pattern of puncta and linear segments consistent with the STIM1 localizing to the junctional SR (jSR). Depleting SR Ca(2+) using thapsigargin (2-10 µM) changed neither the STIM1 distribution pattern nor its mobilization rate, evaluated by diffusion coefficient measurements using fluorescence recovery after photobleaching. Two-dimensional blue native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and coimmunoprecipitation showed that STIM1 in the heart exists mainly as a large protein complex, possibly a multimer, which is not altered by SR Ca(2+) depletion. Additionally, we found no store-operated Ca(2+) entry in control or STIM1 overexpressing ventricular myocytes. Nevertheless, STIM1 overexpressing cells show increased SR Ca(2+) content and increased SR Ca(2+) leak. These changes in Ca(2+) signaling in the SR appear to be due to STIM1 binding to phospholamban and thereby indirectly activating SERCA2a (Sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) ATPase). We conclude that STIM1 binding to phospholamban contributes to the regulation of SERCA2a activity in the steady state and rate of SR Ca(2+) leak and that these actions are independent of store-operated Ca(2+) entry, a process that is absent in normal heart cells.
VOHL: a VLSI object-oriented hardware language

A new hardware description language called VOHL has been designed for detailed structural descriptions of VLSI designs. VOHL has been designed to support object-oriented design descriptions and true extensibility. Since a design is always simulated at the gate level to examine detailed functionality and timing, the emphasis in VOHL is on the structural description at the gate and functional levels of design. A functional level is supported to speed up simulation for non-critical parts of the circuit. VOHL provides detailed structural descriptions of synchronous and asynchronous designs including specification of rise/fall delays and fan-outs. The syntax of VOHL and key features of object-oriented description and extensibility design are elaborated. >
The effect of humidity on the reliability of a surface micromachined microengine

Humidity is shown to be a strong factor in the wear of rubbing surfaces in polysilicon micromachines. We demonstrate that very low humidity can lead to very high wear without a significant change in reliability. We show that the volume of wear debris generated is a function of the humidity in an air environment. As the humidity decreases, the wear debris generated increases. For the higher humidity levels, the formation of surface hydroxides may act as a lubricant. The dominant failure mechanism has been identified as wear. The wear debris has been identified as amorphous oxidized silicon. Large slivers (approximately 1 /spl mu/m in length) of debris observed at the low humidity level were also amorphous oxidized silicon. Using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), we observed that the wear debris forms spherical and rod-like shapes. We compared two surface treatment processes: a fluorinated silane chain (FTS) process and supercritical CO/sub 2/ dried (SCCO/sub 2/) process. The microengines using the SCCO/sub 2/ process were found to be less reliable than those released with the FTS process under two humidity levels.
Changes in bladder and external urethral sphincter function after spinal cord injury in the rat

Spinal cord injury (SCI) in humans results in inappropriate contractions of the external urethral sphincter muscle (EUS) during micturition (bladder-sphincter dyssynergia), leading to urinary retention. The major goal of this study was to determine whether SCI in rats has similar detrimental effects on micturition. After chronic SCI, urethan-anesthetized rats had a significantly (15-fold) increased bladder capacity and impaired voiding (31-fold increase in residual volume) compared with control rats. Bladder contractions in SCI rats were accompanied by abnormal tonic EUS electromyographic activity, whereas the EUS electromyograms of control rats exhibited a burst pattern (4-8 Hz) during voiding. Suppression of EUS activity with neuromuscular blockade did not improve the fraction of urine voided in SCI rats and reduced the fraction voided in control rats. Therefore, both tonic activity and complete quiescence of the rat's EUS appear to be detrimental to voiding, suggesting that the normal bursting EUS activity facilitates bladder emptying. In summary, rats and humans exhibit similar micturition dysfunctions after SCI (e.g., bladder-sphincter dyssynergia and impaired voiding).
FUNCTIONS OF SUPPORT GROUP COMMUNICATION FOR WOMEN WITH POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION: HOW SUPPORT GROUPS SILENCE AND ENCOURAGE VOICES OF MOTHERHOOD

This phenomenological study sought to determine how social support communication compares between types of support groups for women with postpartum depression (PPD). Participants were 27 women who had given birth. Participants attended one of three types of support groups: a PPD support group, a local mothers’ group, or a working moms’ group. Findings indicate that there are differences in the way social support functions between these groups; however, all participants indicated attending group support as a means of sharing with and obtaining information from similar others. For women with PPD, condition-specific support groups were reported to be most helpful. These support groups encourage disclosure, provide contact with similar others, and pulls the condition away from the margins. Findings further indicate that, despite being beneficial for new mothers, women with PPD may receive all the benefits of social support groups only while attending condition-specific groups.
Controlling knowledge-based image segmentation using an iterative spatial data structure construction algorithm

Abstract In this paper, we present a control algorithm for knowledge-based segmentation of multidimensional image data. Based on the iterative expansion of spatial data structures, the algorithm provides a controlled environment during segmentation for accessing and manipulating image data at different spatial resolution scales. The control algorithm (1) facilitates the delivery and application of information and knowledge of diverse sources to the image classification decision making processes; and (2) helps to coordinate and balance the progress of image segmentation in order to reduce processing-order dependence of the final results. We prove that by choosing a sequence of consistent and progressively more stringent “stopping criteria”, the control algorithm, once established, will work with any arbitrary image of a given type. The effectiveness of this control algorithm has been demonstrated through test results from a prototype system with 3D biomedical image data.