cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
From Syllabus to Shoah

Margaret Lavinia Anderson Published : Central European History, vol. 34, no. 2 (2001): 231-38 Review Article From Syllabus to Shoah? Katholicizismus und Antisemitismus im Deutschen Kaiserreich. By Olaf Blaschke. Gottingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1997. pp. 443. DM 78.00. ISBN 3-525-35785-0 kart. Why have Catholics have gotten off so lightly when guilt for German antisemitism has been assessed? Their demonstrably high levels of immunity to the siren calls of National Socialism during the Weimar Republic's last elections have made them look good, at least in comparison to other groups. The harassment and at times persecution of their clergy under the Nazi dictatorship underscored the incompatibility between the Catholicism and this most antisemitic of regimes. And finally, most historians of Germany are aware that the representatives of the Church had, long before the movement's triumph under Hitler, vehemently denounced antisemitism. In this study of antisemitic discourse within German Catholicism, Olaf Blaschke has knocked the props out from under that last piece of evidence. In a brilliant piece of Begriffsgeschichte, Blaschke reminds us of the pejorative connotations that adhered to the term antisemite, which was, after all, a neologism, indelibly associated with the radical, vulgar, obviously
Plant Breeding and Rural Development in the United States

Plant breeders contributed enormously to the agricultural and economic development of the United States. By improving the profi tability of farming, plant breeders improved the eco- nomic condition of farmers and contributed to the growth and structure of rural communities. In the years since World War II, agriculture and the quality of rural life have been driven by poli- cies that encouraged and subsidized an agro- industrial production model. Plant breeders responded by developing methods and deploy- ing products attuned to agroindustrial clients. Major achievements by plant breeders of the era include the development of higher-yielding crops suitable to new environments and mecha- nized harvesting and shipping. As social, tech- nological, and economic changes reinforced the expansion and dominance of the agroin- dustrial model, rural communities sustained high levels of out-migration. At the same time, a variety of societal and economic forces have encouraged new food system models, includ- ing the locavores and community-supported agriculture. Sustainability indices refl ect the desire of megaretailers to make the relation- ship between consumers and the production of their food more transparent. These forces, along with an increased focus on the quality of rural life in America, represent opportunities for plant breeders to address the needs of new clients, to develop methods appropriate to their client's values, and to serve traditional clients in new ways.
The metabolic activity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, assessed by use of a novel inducible-GFP expression system, correlates with its capacity to inhibit phagosomal maturation and acidification in human macrophages

Mycobacterium tuberculosis generally reside in phagosomes within human macrophages that resist maturation and acidification, but exhibit significant heterogeneity. In this study we have constructed an IPTG-inducible GFP expression system in M. tuberculosis to assess the relationship between the metabolic status of M. tuberculosis and the degree of phagosomal maturation. Using these recombinant bacteria, we have found that, in human macrophages, M. tuberculosis that respond to IPTG with expression of GFP fluorescence, and hence are metabolically active, reside in non-acidified phagosomes that have not fused with Texas red dextran pre-labelled lysosomes. In contrast, M. tuberculosis that fail to express GFP in response to IPTG, and hence are metabolically inactive, reside within acidified phagosomes that have fused with Texas red dextran labelled lysosomes. These studies demonstrate that metabolic activity of M. tuberculosis correlates strongly with phagosomal maturation and that the inducible GFP expression system is useful for assessing metabolic activity of intracellular M. tuberculosis.
Nonnative Protein Polymers: Structure, Morphology, and Relation to Nucleation and Growth

Thermally induced aggregates of alpha-chymotrypsinogen A and bovine granulocyte-colony stimulating factor in acidic solutions were characterized by a combination of static and dynamic light scattering, spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and monomer loss kinetics. The resulting soluble, high-molecular weight aggregates (approximately 10(3)-10(5) kDa) are linear, semiflexible polymer chains that do not appreciably associate with one another under the conditions at which they were formed, with classic power-law scaling of the radius of gyration and hydrodynamic radius with weight-average molecular weight (M(w)). Aggregates in both systems are composed of nonnative monomers with elevated levels of beta-sheet secondary structure, and bind thioflavine T. In general, the aggregate size distributions showed low polydispersity by light scattering. Together with the inverse scaling of M(w) with protein concentration, the results clearly indicate that aggregation proceeds via nucleated (chain) polymerization. For alpha-chymotrypsinogen A, the scaling behavior is combined with the kinetics of aggregation to deduce separate values for the characteristic timescales for nucleation (tau(n)) and growth (tau(g)), as well as the stoichiometry of the nucleus (x). The analysis illustrates a general procedure to noninvasively and quantitatively determine tau(n), tau(g), and x for soluble (chain polymer) aggregates, as well as the relationship between tau(n)/tau(g) and aggregate M(w).
Human Mannose-Binding Protein Inhibits Infection of HeLa Cells by Chlamydia trachomatis

The role that collectin (mannose-binding protein) may play in the host’s defense against chlamydial infection was investigated. Recombinant human mannose-binding protein was used in the inhibition of cell culture infection by Chlamydia trachomatis (C/TW-3/OT, E/UW-5/Cx, and L2/434/Bu), Chlamydia pneumoniae (AR-39), and Chlamydia psittaci (6BC). Mannose-binding protein (MBP) inhibited infection of all chlamydial strains by at least 50% at 0.098 μg/ml for TW-3 and UW-5, and at 6.25 μg/ml for 434, AR-39, and 6BC. The ability of MBP to inhibit infection with strain L2 was not affected by supplementation with complement or addition of an L2-specific neutralizing monoclonal antibody. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and dot blot analyses showed MBP bound to the surface of the organism to exert inhibition, which appeared to block the attachment of radiolabeled organisms to HeLa cells. Immunoblotting and affinity chromatography indicated that MBP binds to the 40-kDa glycoprotein (the major outer membrane protein) on the outer surface of the chlamydial elementary body. Hapten inhibition assays with monosaccharides and defined oligosaccharides showed that the inhibitory effects of MBP were abrogated by mannose or high-mannose type oligomannose-oligosaccharide. The latter carbohydrate is the ligand of the 40-kDa glycoprotein of C. trachomatis L2, which is known to mediate attachment, suggesting that the MBP binds to high mannose moieties on the surface of chlamydial organisms. These results suggest that MBP plays a role in first-line host defense against chlamydial infection in humans.
Emerging drugs for the treatment of gastroparesis

Introduction: Gastroparesis presents with symptoms of gastric retention with findings of delayed gastric emptying on diagnostic testing. Manifestations of gastroparesis are disabling in severe cases and lead to significant health resource utilization. Current therapies often are ineffective, may exhibit tolerance on chronic administration or produce prominent side effects in large patient subsets. Areas covered: This review assessed literature on drugs with theoretical efficacy in gastroparesis including medications that accelerate gastric emptying, reduce nausea and vomiting, or act as neuromodulators to reduce gastric sensitivity. Numerous agents exhibit diverse actions to modify gastric sensorimotor function in animal models; however, few medications are in controlled testing in gastroparesis. Prokinetic drugs with promise for this condition include investigational serotonin 5-HT4 agonists, motilin agonists, dopamine D2 antagonists, ghrelin agonists and an agent with combined muscarinic antagonist and ...
"Sex" versus "gender": a renewed plea.

Evidence from scholarly journals, texts, and other sources indicates that the terms “sex” and “gender” continue to be used incorrectly, despite earlier pleas to remedy this and related errors (e.g., the terms sex role, gender role, male/female). I advance the plea again, in the hope of reducing confusion and thereby improving scholarly communication with our students and one another.
Evidence for the formation of dynamically created pre-formed ions at the interface of isotopically enriched thin films.

A novel approach to elucidate the ionization mechanism for the [M + H]+ molecular ion of organic molecules is investigated by molecular depth profiling of isotopically enriched thin films. Using a model bi-layer film of phenylalanine (PHE) and PHE-D8, the results show formation of an [M + D]+ molecular ion for the non-enriched PHE molecule attributed to rearrangements of chemical damage due to successive primary ion impacts. The [M + D]+ ion is observed at the interface for 19.9 nm in the enriched-on-top system and 9.9 nm for the enriched-on-bottom system. This ion formation is direct evidence for dynamically created pre-formed ions as a result of chemical damage rearrangement induced by previous primary ion bombardment events. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A mechanically stable, low profile, omni-directional solar-cell integrated antenna for outdoor wireless sensor nodes

A novel mechanically stable, omnidirectional, low profile “solar-enabled” antenna is proposed and features very good radiation and matching characteristics suitable for the 2.4GHz wireless sensor network protocol. By using cheap, realizable fabrication process to achieve a compact integration, the proposed antenna integration concept could be a disruptive technology that would potentially enable truly autonomous, robust wireless sensor network in “rugged” outdoor environment.
Axial versus Appendicular: Constraint versus Selection1

Synopsis.Constraint theory has suffered from its many and varying definitions and from repeated confusion with the action of selection. Constraints are difficult to isolate, more difficult to quantify, and their consequences may be simulated by the action of agents such as stabilizing selection. This paper presents an alternative method of constraint analysis using a simple one-dimensional measurement. A total of 29 skeletal elements from 15 species representing 11 orders of mammals were measured for length and normalized for body mass, after which means, standard deviations, and variances were generated. A coefficient of variation analysis was performed to normalize for mean element length. The axial skeleton was found to be less variable than the appendicular. The appendicular demonstrated a trend where the more distal elements were the most variable, and variation decreased with more proximal positions. The three most variable of the 29 elements were finger V, toe V, and metacarpal V. In summary, the axial skeleton was found to be more conservative in the lengths of its elements, the more distal appendicular elements were less constrained than proximal ones and these constraints were probably the results of genetic, developmental, and mechanical factors. It is also proposed that stabilizing selection played some role in maintaining the curb on length variance in these structures, based on mechanical performance. The results of this study are intended to promote discussion of alternative methods of constraint analysis.
The efficacy of resilience training programs: a systematic review protocol

Resilience has been defined as the ability of individuals to manage and adapt to stress and life challenges. Training programs that develop and/or enhance resilience may have efficacy in improving health, well-being, and quality of life. Because patients with chronic conditions must reliably self-manage their health, strategies to bolster resilience in this population may be of particular value. The objectives of this systematic review are to synthesize the evidence of resilience training program efficacy in improving outcomes related to quality of life, self-efficacy and activation, and resilience and coping ability in: 1) diverse adult populations; and 2) patients with chronic conditions. We will conduct a systematic review of randomized controlled trials assessing the efficacy of any program designed to enhance resilience in adults that measure any outcome against any comparator. We will search multiple electronic databases, trial registries, bibliographies, and will contact authors and experts to identify studies. We will use systematic review software to independently and in duplicate screen reports and extract data. We will extract characteristics of the study populations, interventions, comparators, outcomes, and quality/risk of bias. Primary, patient reported outcomes will be categorized into domains of quality of life, self-efficacy, and resilience. Secondary outcomes will be considered based on findings of the review. We will attempt meta-analysis by pooling standardized mean differences and minimally important differences (MIDs), when possible. Planned trial subgroup analyses are: 1) studies of patients with chronic conditions; 2) studies with placebo controls; 3) studies with similar intervention characteristics; and 4) studies with common lengths of follow-up. This study is intended to accumulate the evidence for resilience training programs in improving quality of life, resilience, and self-efficacy for care management, particularly among adult patients with chronic conditions. Its findings will be valuable to policy-makers, funding agencies, clinicians, and patients seeking innovative and effective ways to achieve patient-centered care. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42014007185 .
Survey for Resistance to Four Insecticides in Myzus persicae Clones from Peach Trees and Weeds in South-Central Washington

The insecticides esfenvalerate, endosulfan, imidacloprid, and methamidophos were screened against 74 clonal populations of the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), collected as fundatrices from peach (Prunus spp.) and as apterous virginoparae from various weeds near potato (Solanum spp.) fields in the Yakima Valley and Columbia Basin regions of Washington state. Response to diagnostic concentration of four insecticide products demonstrated a bimodal pattern of survival to endosulfan (Phaser), suggesting two phenotype classes responding to this insecticide. This pattern was not observed with the other products. Moderately significant correlations in mortality of aphid clones treated with diagnostic concentrations of endosulfan versus clones treated with methamidophos and similarly with the correlation of mortalities for imidacloprid-treated versus methamidophos-treated clones suggested modest levels of cross tolerance. No significant correlations were observed with the remaining four possible comparisons. Concentration-response bioassays were conducted on 16 clones with the four insecticides. The greatest difference between resistant and susceptible clones (expressed as the ratio of lethal concentrations producing 50% mortality; RR) was only seven-fold observed in the endosulfan-treated clones. The greatest RR was five-fold for imidacloprid, four-fold for esfenvalerate, and three-fold for methamidophos-treated clones. Only the endosulfan response is likely to be ofbiological significance and reflects the same cyclodiene resistance discovered in this region over a decade ago.
Adenoma and Carcinoma, Thyroid Follicular Cell, Mouse

Thyroid follicular cell adenomas are usually not visible grossly although they occasionally occur as a mildly enlarged thyroid gland or a flesh-colored to brownish nodule up to 3-4 mm in diameter. Follicular cell carcinomas may be undetectable at necropsy, but they often appear as tan to dark brown spherical or lobulated nodules up to 10 mm or more in diameter. They are most often unilateral, and the larger tumors may displace or encompass the trachea, larynx or esophagus.
Thermal Conductivity of Cementitious Composites Containing Microencapsulated Phase Change Materials

Abstract This paper investigates the effects of adding microencapsulated phase change materials (PCM) on the thermal conductivity of cement paste and cement mortar composites. Embedding cementitious composites with microencapsulated PCM has been considered a promising method for increasing the thermal mass of buildings to achieve greater energy efficiency and for reducing the risks of thermal cracking in pavements. Cement paste and cement mortar samples were synthesized with a constant water to cement ratio of 0.45. Both contained microencapsulated PCM with diameter ranging from 17–20 μm, volume fraction up to 30%, and a melting temperature around 24 °C. The cement mortar also contained quartz grains 150–600 μm in diameter such that the sum of the volume fractions of quartz and microencapsulated PCM was fixed at 55%. All samples were aged for more than 28 days. Their effective density and free moisture content were systematically measured. A guarded hot plate apparatus was designed, assembled, and validated according to the ASTM C177-13 to measure the effective thermal conductivity of the aged specimens of cement paste and cement mortar without and with microencapsulated PCM. Measurements were performed between 10 and 40 °C, encompassing the entire PCM phase change temperature window. The effective thermal conductivity of both the cement paste and the cement mortar composites was found to be nearly independent of temperature in the range considered. It also decreased as the volume fraction of microencapsulated PCM increased. Finally, excellent agreement was obtained between experimental data and the effective medium approximation derived by Felske (2004) for core–shell–matrix composites. These results can be used to design cementitious composite materials containing microencapsulated PCMs for energy efficient buildings and crack-resistant pavements.
Regulation of Alkaline Phosphatase in Human Skin Fibroblasts

SummaryThe specific activity of alkaline phosphatase in human diploid skin fibroblasts in tissue culture increased following addition of prednisolone, hydrocortisone, and cortisone. Estradiol-17β, testosterone, and progesterone had no significant effect on induction of alkaline phosphatase in the same tissue culture system. Using prednisolone-21-phosphate (10–5 to 10–8M), we have shown that the phase of rapid increase in enzyme activity is linear with respect to time and that the rate of increase is dependent on concentration of the hormone. Maximal rate of induction occurred at a 10–6M concentration of prednisolone-21-phosphate. Evidence from our in vitro system indicates that the activity of alkaline phosphatase in regenerating connective tissue may be effectively regulated by physiological levels of adrenal glucocorticoids present in plasma.We sincerely thank Miss M. Gail Hawkins and Mr. Boyd R. Switzer for assistance in this work.
Polychalcogenide Complexes as Low Temperature Precursors for Quantum Size and Bulk Binary and Ternary Semiconductors

We report the utility of \Cd(Se4)2]2-, \Cu4Se12]2- and \In3Se15]3- as convenient low temperature precursors to semiconducting CdSe and CuInSe2. DMF and DMSO solutions of these complexes react with Se-abstracting reagents such as CN- and n-(Bu3)P to yield the corresponding binary solids at 155 °C or less. Appropriate stoichiometric mixtures of \Cu4Se12]2- and \In3Se15]3- react to give CuInSe2. The semiconducting solids were characterized with UV/vis spectroscopic, X-ray crystallographic and electron (scanning and transmission) microscopic techniques. The particle size of these materials can range from the quantum-size regime to the bulk regime, depending on the reaction conditions, metal precursor complex and Se-abstracting reagent used.
Relation of Nutrition to Gastric Function. I. An Experimental Method

We have developed an experimental procedure for studying the relation of nutrition to gastric function with the rat as the subject. Tentatively, we are determining the total acidity, the free HCl, and the mucin of gastric juice as a measure of gastric function. By “mucin” we mean that material which is precipitated by adding 4 volumes of alcohol to gastric juice and is determined as glucose by the orcinol method of Tilmans and Philippi.1 Later we plan to study the enzyme and other constituents of the gastric juice.As gastric stimulants we have used mecholyl (acetyl-β-methylcholine chloride) and histamine. The dosage used per kilo of body weight was 0.01 mg for mecholyl and 0.03 mg of ergamine phosphate for histamine. Each stimulant was dissolved in physiological saline and injected subcutaneously.Our experimental procedure is as follows: Rats are placed in individual false-bottom cages and fasted for 48 or 72 hours. A meshed-wire jacket is placed upon the torso of each rat during the fasting period to pre...
Alfalfa Leafcutting Bee Parasite Sapyga pumila Trap: Effects of Color and Domicile Placement on Catch

Traps have been found useful in monitoring and reducing populations of Sapyga pumila Cresson an important parasite of the alfalfa leafcutting bee, Megachile rotundata Fabricius. Traps painted white, light blue or green were more effective than brown or red. Traps painted white, shades of light blue or coated with transparent plastic were equal in trapping efficiency to the natural unpainted traps. S. pumila was more responsive to the contrast between hole in the trap than to trap color. Largest numbers of S. pumila were caught in traps placed on the front of leafcutting bee domiciles.
Visualizing dynamic capabilities as adaptive capacity for municipal water governance

This study seeks to expand empirical research on how municipalities have adapted and innovated (or not) their water systems as a result of climate change. We analyze characteristics of water governance at the municipal scale in Oklahoma, USA. ArcMap 10.3 was used to build a qualitative geographic information system (GIS) based on fieldwork, including interviews and site-observations, to compare dynamic capabilities that lead to innovation in 38 cities in the state. The GIS enables visualization of our digitalized research to understand the interconnections between drivers of innovativeness—the combination of dynamic capabilities and innovation rates—and state of water resource infrastructure in place specific and regional planning contexts. In particular, the GIS takes into consideration income level, the influence of state-level water policy (Water for 2060 Act), water manager certification levels, population, dynamic capabilities, and perceptions of risk and vulnerability to water system change. Digitizing this information provides a diverging perspective on the historical lack of innovation in the public sector, as different socio-cultural, socio-economic, and socio-political contexts occur throughout Oklahoma, a state notorious for its oil centered economy and its climate change deniers. The findings suggest that innovativeness is directly related to dynamic capabilities and indirectly related to population size, income level, and the educational backgrounds of water decision-makers. The visualizations also show that some cities have surplus capacity for adaptation, while others were able to more efficiently turn capacity into water management innovations. Seeing representations of water governance success and failure in communities affords the opportunity to educate citizens and decision-makers to adapt water infrastructures to the effects of climate change, showcasing the utility of digitalization in a quest for sustainable solutions.
Spoilage and safety characteristics of ground beef packaged in traditional and modified atmosphere packages.

Two separate studies, one with pathogen-inoculated product and one with noninoculated product, were conducted to determine the safety and spoilage characteristics of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and traditional packaging of ground beef patties. Ground beef patties were allotted to five packaging treatments (i) control (foam tray with film overwrap; traditional), (ii) high-oxygen MAP (80% O2, 20% CO2), (iii) high-oxygen MAP with added rosemary extract, (iv) low-oxygen carbon monoxide MAP (0.4% CO, 30% CO2, 69.6% N2), and (v) low-oxygen carbon monoxide MAP with added rosemary extract. Beef patties were evaluated for changes over time (0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 14, and 21 days) during lighted display. Results indicated low-oxygen carbon monoxide gas flush had a stabilizing effect on meat color after the formation of carboxymyoglobin and was effective for preventing the development of surface discoloration. Consumers indicated that beef patties packaged in atmospheres containing carbon monoxide were more likely t...
The Effects Of Water Utility Pricing On Low Income Consumers

This study reviews ten water utilities in Florida utilizing current pricing models to determine how municipal utilities approach affordability. Water is no longer a commodity that can be taken for granted as the effects on the family budget has risen considerably in the past couple of decades. Increasing costs in capital, debt, personnel, chemicals, retrieval, and production have dramatically increased the price of water. Municipalities are faced with diminishing resources, escalating costs, and the need to consider those less fortunate when determining utility pricing. This research reviews programs available to utilities to offset the effect on capital requirements if municipalities adapt a low income friendly pricing model. Ten Florida municipalities are examined utilizing data from the 2012 Water and Wastewater Rate Study conducted for the American Water Works Association. Additionally, affordability programs for all ten municipalities are reviewed.
Empire's Guestworkers: Haitian Migrants in Cuba during the Age of US Occupation

Haitian seasonal migration to Cuba is central to narratives about race, national development, and US imperialism in the early twentieth-century Caribbean. Filling a major gap in the literature, this innovative study reconstructs Haitian guestworkers' lived experiences as they moved among the rural and urban areas of Haiti, and the sugar plantations, coffee farms, and cities of eastern Cuba. It offers an unprecedented glimpse into the daily workings of empire, labor, and political economy in Haiti and Cuba. Migrants' efforts to improve their living and working conditions and practice their religions shaped migration policies, economic realities, ideas of race, and Caribbean spirituality in Haiti and Cuba as each experienced US imperialism.
Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticle (AgNPs) using Lactobacillus and their effects on oxidative stress biomarkers in rats

Abstract Biosynthesis method of nanoparticles acquires very important area due to their economic and ecofriendly benefits. The present study was aimed to the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Lactobacillus mixture and evaluating their antioxidant activity. The characterization and biosynthesis AgNPs was achieved, using Ultra Violet (UV)–Visible spectrophotometry. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to detect the size, shape and distribution of AgNPs. The occurrence of elemental silver was analyzed by Energy Dispersive-X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) analysis. To evaluate the antioxidant activity of AgNPs and Lactobacillus in vivo , forty healthy adult rats were used and divided into eight equal groups, first group served as control, second group received LAB mix1 (1 ml/kg) and three groups were administrated with three concentration of AgNPs (5, 50 and 500 mg/kg AgNPs) respectively and other three groups were administrated with the same concentration of AgNPs along with LAB mix1 for two weeks. The results revealed significant increased (p The current study demonstrated that Lactobacillus afforded beneficial role by increasing the antioxidant activity with AgNPs and as ameliorative function for the effect of high dose of AgNPs.
A characterization of sampling patterns for low-rank multi-view data completion problem

In this paper, we consider the problem of completing a sampled matrix U = [U1|U2] given the ranks of U, U1, and U2 which is known as the multi-view data completion problem. We characterize the deterministic conditions on the locations of the sampled entries that is equivalent (necessary and sufficient) to finite completability of the sampled matrix. To this end, in contrast with the existing analysis on Grassmannian manifold for a single-view matrix, i.e., conventional matrix completion, we propose a geometric analysis on the manifold structure for multi-view data to incorporate more than one rank constraint. Then, using the proposed geometric analysis, we propose sufficient conditions on the sampling pattern, under which there exists only one completion (unique completability) given the three rank constraints.
Anticipating and Reducing the Unfairness of Monsanto's Inadvertent Infringement Lawsuits: A Proposal to Import Copyright Law's Notice-and-Takedown Regime into the Seed Patent Context

Monsanto, the world’s leading agricultural biotechnology company, is often criticized for its aggressive, farmer-directed litigation efforts to protect proprietary, genetically modified seed technologies through patent litigation lawsuits. Farmers fear that such litigation efforts could be based on “inadvertent infringement,” where farmers—typically those who grow organic produce or who simply do not want to use genetically modified seed—unintentionally plant and impermissibly use Monsanto’s patented seed technologies after the company’s seed products are transferred to their land by natural factors. This Comment clarifies the current landscape of seed patent protection and argues that while Monsanto has a legal right to sue farmers for “purposeful infringement”—where farmers knowingly breach Monsanto’s licensing restrictions on its seed products—it is unfair for this right to wholly extend to inadvertent infringement. To mitigate the risk that Monsanto might bring inadvertent infringement lawsuits against farmers who are merely victims of genetic drift, this Comment proposes to import copyright law’s digital notice-and-takedown regime into the seed patent context to protect inadvertent infringers, without stripping Monsanto of its patent rights.
Targeting CXCR4 in Brain Tumors

Chemokines (chemotactic cytokines) are a family of proteins associated with the trafficking and activation of leukocytes and other cell types in immune surveillance and inflammatory response. Besides their roles in the immune system, they play pleiotropic roles in tumor initiation, promotion, and progression. CXCL12, a chemokine that binds to CXCR4, has been frequently implicated in various cancers. Over the past several years, studies have increasingly shown that the CXCR4/CXCL12 axis plays critical roles in tumor progression, such as invasion, angiogenesis, survival, and homing to metastatic sites. This review focuses on the involvement of CXCR4/CXCL12 interaction in central and peripheral nervous system cancers. CXCR4 expression profiles can be utilized to determine different stages of malignancy in these cancers, which may lead to alternative prognostic markers for cancers and a plan to enhance both diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
A Maturity-Empowering Model of Christian Parenting:

This maturity-empowering model of Christian parenting integrates social science literature on parent/child relationships and a biblical model of God as parent. This model presents (a) a parenting s...
Analysis of acoustic emission signal evolution for monitoring diamond-coated tool delamination wear in machining

Abstract: Diamond-coated cutting tools have been utilized as a cost-effective alternative to brazed polycrystalline diamond tools in applications such as machining lightweight high-strength materials (e.g. metal matrix composites). However, coating delamination is a major failure mode of diamond-coated tools, terminating tool life prematurely. Once delamination failure occurs, the tool substrate often suffers severe abrasive wear, leading to catastrophic tool failures thus interrupting machining operations. Accurate detection and forecasting of coating delamination events may thus prevent production losses and assist process planning. In this study, the characteristics of acoustic emission (AE) signals acquired during machining of an aluminum matrix composite using diamond-coated cutting tools were analyzed in various ways. The AE signals were analyzed in both the time and the frequency domains under various machining conditions and at different cutting times. The results from machining experiments and analysis indicate that it may be feasible to use AE signals to monitor the condition of diamond-coated tools in machining. AE root-mean-squared values decrease considerably once coating delamination occurs. The results also indicate a correlation between tool condition and the fast Fourier transformation (FFT) spectra of AE raw data. The AE-FFT spectra with cutting time generally show a decreased intensity for the low-frequency peaks, but increased intensity for the high-frequency peaks. In addition, AE-FFT analysis of data from various time periods during one cutting pass clearly indicate coating failure transition. Further research using the short-time Fourier transform (STFT) method shows that during the coating failure pass, there is a clear increase in the amplitude ratio (1/value change) of the high- vs. low-frequency component with cutting time, which captures the coating failure transition. Repeatable results indicate that the applied STFT method has the potential for monitoring of diamond-coated tool failure during machining. However, for coating failures associated with less tool wear (flank wear-land width
Experiments in intraocular hydrodynamics

Seven hundred and fifteen perfusions were made into the eyes of 122 anesthetized living or dead cats via a catheter into the anterior chamber or via a catheter into the posterior chamber. The perfusion fluid was normal saline or Tyrode solution. At “steady state” condition the perfusion rate per unit of IOP was plotted against the IOP produced by the perfusion from IOP values of 20 mm Hg to values over 100 mm Hg. In living cats 48% of the resulting curves showed a rising slope and 15% showed a falling slope. In the eyes of dead cats 4% of the curves showed a rising and 68% showed a falling slope. In both living and dead cat eyes some curves were flat (i.e. showed no net slope), some were cup-shaped and some were dome-shaped. From July through January the ratio of rising slopes to falling slopes in the eyes of living cats changed gradually from 4 to 1·5. This change in experimental results appeared to correlate with the change in season and not with known factors associated with laboratory technique. No constant relationship was found between inflow perfusion rate and IOP in the eyes of living or dead cats perfused via either the anterior or posterior chamber.
The sicker the better: nematode-infected passalus beetles provide enhanced ecosystem services

There is growing appreciation for the role that parasites have in ecosystems and food webs, though the possibility that they could improve an ecosystem service has never been considered. In forest ecosystems, fallen trees naturally decay over time and slowly return their nutrients to the soil. Beetles in the family Passalidae play a key role by excavating tunnels and consuming wood from these logs, thereby breaking down the wood into smaller debris. In the eastern United States, the horned passalus ( Odontotaenius disjunctus) is host to a naturally occurring nematode, Chondronema passali, which appears to cause little harm to the beetles. We suspected this was due to compensatory food consumption by parasitized individuals, which we tested here. We collected and housed 113 adult beetles in individual containers with wood for three months, then determined the amount of wood each beetle had processed into fine debris and frass. We then assessed beetles for C. passali and compared wood processing rates between parasitized and non-parasitized groups. Results showed the average daily processing rate of parasitized beetles ([Formula: see text] = 0.77 g d-1) was 15% greater than that of unparasitized ones ([Formula: see text] = 0.67 g d-1). Parasitized beetles were 6% larger, and this may explain some of this pattern, though the effect of parasitism was still significant in our analysis. By extrapolating the daily rates, we estimate that 10 adult beetles without nematodes would break down approximately 2.4 kg of wood in a single year, while a group of 10 parasitized beetles would break down 2.8 kg. While our data are consistent with the idea of compensatory feeding, because these results are based on natural infections, we cannot rule out the possibility that beetles with heightened wood consumption are simply more likely to acquire the parasite. At an ecosystem level, it may not matter which is the case; parasitized beetles provide a more effective ecosystem service.
Re-constructing “China” in a Transnational Context

This study critically examines two Chinese newspapers’ representation of China as a “nation” and “culture.” Prior studies have deeply and broadly explored various ways through which China, Chinese ...
Targeted Therapies in Non-small-Cell Lung Cancer

The treatment landscape for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has dramatically shifted over the past two decades. Targeted or precision medicine has primarily been responsible for this shift. Older paradigms of treating metastatic NSCLC with cytotoxic chemotherapy, while still important, have given way to evaluating tumor tissues for specific driver mutations that can be treated with targeted agents. Patients treated with targeted agents frequently have improved progression-free survival and overall survival compared to patients without a targetable driver mutation, highlighting the clinical benefit of precision medicine. In this chapter, we explore the historic landmark trials, the current state of the field, and potential future targets under investigation, in this exciting, rapidly evolving discipline of precision medicine in lung cancer.
Rendering light fields for optical system simulation

The light field describes the radiance at a given point provided by a ray coming from a particular direction. Integrating the light field for all possible rays passing through that point gives total irradiance. For a static scene, the light field is unique. Cameras act as integrators of the light field. Previously, it was demonstrated that freeware rendering software can be used to simulate the light field entering an arbitrary camera lens. This is accomplished by placing an array of ideal pinhole cameras at the entrance pupil location and rendering. The pinhole camera images encode the ray directions for rays passing through the pinholes. The set of images from this array then describes the light field. Images for real camera lenses with different types of aberrations are then simulated directly from the light field. The advantage of this technique is that the light field only needs to be calculated once for a given scene. Calculation of the light field is computationally expensive and the practicality of implementing high resolution light field simulations on a desktop computer is limited. However, cloud-based rendering services with arrays of CPUs and GPUs are now readily available and affordable. These services enable more realistic simulations and different scenes to be rapidly created. Here, the techniques are demonstrated for different real lens aberration forms.
Relatives of cyanomethylene: replacement of the divalent carbon by B−, N+, Al−, Si, P+, Ga−, Ge, and As+

The lowest lying singlet and triplet states of HBCN−, HCCN, HNCN+, HAlCN−, HSiCN, HPCN+, HGaCN−, HGeCN, and HAsCN+ were studied using the CCSDT(Q)/CBS//CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVQZ level of theory. Periodic trends in geometries, singlet–triplet gaps, and barriers to linearity were established and analyzed. The first row increasingly favors the triplet state, with a singlet–triplet gap (ΔEST = Esinglet − Etriplet) of 3.5 kcal mol−1, 11.9 kcal mol−1, and 22.6 kcal mol−1, respectively, for HBCN−, HCCN, and HNCN+. The second row increasing favors the singlet state, with singlet–triplet gaps of −20.4 kcal mol−1 (HAlCN−), −26.6 kcal mol−1 (HSiCN), and −26.8 kcal mol−1 (HPCN+). The third row also favors the singlet state, with singlet–triplet gaps of −26.8 kcal mol−1 (HGaCN−), −33.5 kcal mol−1 (HGeCN), and −33.1 kcal mol−1 (HAsCN+). The HXCN species have larger absolute singlet–triplet energy gaps compared to their parent species XH2 except for the case of X = N+. The effect of the substitution of hydrogen with a cyano group was analyzed with isodesmic bond separation analysis and NBO.
Denitrification during infiltration for managed aquifer recharge: Infiltration rate controls and microbial response.

Abstract Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) systems can be designed and operated to improve water supply and quality simultaneously by creating favorable conditions for contaminant removal during infiltration through shallow soils. We present results from laboratory flow-through column experiments, using intact soil cores from two MAR sites, elucidating conditions that are favorable to nitrate (NO3) removal via microbial denitrification during infiltration. Experiments focused on quantitative relations between infiltration rate and the presence or absence of a carbon-rich permeable reactive barrier (PRB) on both amounts and rates of nitrate removal during infiltration and associated shifts in microbial ecology. Experiments were conducted using a range of infiltration rates relevant to MAR (0.3–1.4 m/day), with PRBs made of native soil (NS), woodchips (WC) and a 50:50 mixture of woodchips and native soil (MIX). The latter two (carbon-rich) PRB treatments led to statistically significant increases in the amount of nitrate removed by increasing zero-order denitrification rates, both within the PRB materials and in the underlying soil. The highest fraction of nitrate removal occurred at the lowest infiltration rates for all treatments. However, the highest nitrogen mass removal (∆NL) was observed at 0.4–0.7 m/day for both the WC and MIX treatments. In contrast, the maximum ∆NL for the NS treatment was observed at the lowest infiltration rates measured (~0.3 m/day). Further, both carbon-rich PRBs had a substantial impact on the soil microbial ecology in the underlying soil, with lower overall diversity and a greater relative abundance of groups known to degrade carbon and metabolize nitrogen. These results demonstrate that infiltration rates and carbon availability can combine to create favorable conditions for denitrification during infiltration for MAR and show how these factors shape and sustain the microbial community structures responsible for nutrient cycling in associated soils.
The potential of digital phenotyping to advance the contributions of mobile health to self-management science

Digital phenotyping consists of moment-by-moment quantification of behavioral data from individual people, typically collected passively from smartphones and other sensors. Within the evolving context of precision health, digital phenotyping can advance the use of mobile health -based self-management tools and interventions by enabling more accurate prediction for prevention and treatment, facilitating supportive strategies, and informing the development of features to motivate self-management behaviors within real-world conditions. This represents an advancement in self-management science: with digital phenotyping, nurse scientists have opportunities to tailor interventions with increased precision. In this paper, we discuss the emergence of digital phenotyping, the historical background of ecological momentary assessment, and the current state of the science of digital phenotyping, with implications for research design, computational requirements, and ethical considerations in self-management science, as well as limitations.
Cherenkov imaging for Total Skin Electron Therapy - an evaluation of dose uniformity

Total Skin Electron Therapy (TSET) utilizes high-energy electrons to treat cancers on the entire body surface. The otherwise invisible radiation beam can be observed via the optical Cherenkov photons emitted from interaction between the high-energy electron beam and tissue. Cherenkov emission can be used to evaluate the dose uniformity on the surface of the patient in real-time using a time-gated intensified camera system. Each patient was monitored during TSET by in-vivo detectors (IVD) as well as Scintillators. Patients undergoing TSET in various conditions (whole body and half body) were imaged and analyzed. A rigorous methodology for converting Cherenkov intensity to surface dose as products of correction factors, including camera vignette correction factor, incident radiation correction factor, and tissue optical properties correction factor. A comprehensive study has been carried out by inspecting various positions on the patients such as vertex, chest, perineum, shins, and foot relative to the umbilicus point (the prescription point).
Ethnoscientific expertise and knowledge specialisation in 55 traditional cultures

People everywhere acquire high levels of conceptual knowledge about their social and natural worlds, which we refer to as ethnoscientific expertise. Evolutionary explanations for expertise are still widely debated. We analysed ethnographic text records (N = 547) describing ethnoscientific expertise among 55 cultures in the Human Relations Area Files to investigate the mutually compatible roles of collaboration, proprietary knowledge, cultural transmission, honest signalling, and mate provisioning. We found relatively high levels of evidence for collaboration, proprietary knowledge, and cultural transmission, and lower levels of evidence for honest signalling and mate provisioning. In our exploratory analyses, we found that whether expertise involved proprietary vs. transmitted knowledge depended on the domain of expertise. Specifically, medicinal knowledge was positively associated with secretive and specialised knowledge for resolving uncommon and serious problems, i.e. proprietary knowledge. Motor skill-related expertise, such as subsistence and technological skills, was positively associated with broadly competent and generous teachers, i.e. cultural transmission. We also found that collaborative expertise was central to both of these models, and was generally important across different knowledge and skill domains.
Heavy Flavors and Quarkonia

In this chapter we review recent progress in the study of heavy flavors and quarkonia. These are considered a thermometer of the system produced in heavy-ion collisions. We will discuss the in-medium quark-antiquark potential, the free-energy, the euclidean temporal and spatial correlators and their relationships with the quarkonium spectral function. We also discuss effective theories for heavy quarkonia, besides lattice QCD results.
Being tall compared to compared to being tall and being taller

This paper investigates the semantics of implicit comparatives ( Alice is tall compared to Bob ) and its connections to the semantics of explicit comparatives ( Alice is taller than Bob ) and sentences with adjectives in plain positive form ( Alice is tall ). We consider evidence from two experiments that tested judgments about these three kinds of sentence, and provide a semantics for implicit comparatives from the perspective of degree semantics.