cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Total Cross Sections for the Excitation of the Triplet States in Molecular Nitrogen

A consistent set of total cross sections for electron impact excitation of the $A^{3}\ensuremath{\Sigma}_{u}^{+}$, $B^{3}\ensuremath{\Pi}_{g}$, $W^{3}\ensuremath{\Delta}_{u}$, ${B}^{\ensuremath{'}}^{3}\ensuremath{\Sigma}_{u}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, $C^{3}\ensuremath{\Pi}_{u}$, $E^{3}\ensuremath{\Sigma}_{g}^{+}$, and $D^{3}\ensuremath{\Sigma}_{u}^{+}$ triplet states of molecular nitrogen from the $X^{1}\ensuremath{\Sigma}_{g}^{+}$ state has been calculated quantum mechanically for incident electron energies from threshold to 80 eV. The Ochkur-Rudge exchange scattering and Franck-Condon approximations were employed to obtain these cross sections. Minimum and double-minimum basis-set LCAO-MO wave functions centered on the nuclei were used, and the multicenter terms in the scattering amplitude were evaluated using a $\ensuremath{\zeta}$-function expansion. Rotationally averaged cross sections were calculated for excitation from ${v}^{\ensuremath{'}\ensuremath{'}}=0$ to individual ${v}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ levels of the excited electronic states. The calculated total cross section for excitation of the $B^{3}\ensuremath{\Pi}_{g}$ state is in good agreement with that deduced from recent experimental data for the process. The cross section for excitation of the $C^{3}\ensuremath{\Pi}_{u}$ state agrees well with one pair of experimental measurements and is a factor of 2 larger than another pair of measurements and about a factor of 4 larger than a fifth experimental determination and the previous calculations. The calculated cross section for excitation of the $A^{3}\ensuremath{\Sigma}_{u}^{+}$ state is a good deal larger than previous theoretical and experimental estimates. However, a comparison with recent experimental differential cross-section data indicates that the theoretical $A^{3}\ensuremath{\Sigma}_{u}^{+}$ total cross section is correct for incident energies greater than about 35 eV. The relative magnitude of these excitation cross sections leads to interesting predictions concerning ${\mathrm{N}}_{2}$ processes in the upper atmosphere.
Electrophoretic separation of the plus and minus strands of rotavirus SA11 double-stranded RNAs.

Abstract The genome of the rota viruses consists of eleven segments of completely double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). To provide a method for separating and identifying the complementary plus and minus strand RNAs within these segments, we have characterized their migration patterns under denaturing conditions on agaroseurea gels. Virion-derived 3H-labelled dsRNAs were resolved by electrophoresis on a polyacrylamide gel and the individual genome segments recovered by electroelution. Upon electrophoresis in a low pH 1.75% agarose gel containing 6 M urea, the dsRNAs were denatured with complementary plus and minus strands migrating at different rates. Our results showed that, like cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus but unlike human reovirus (Smith et al., 1981), rotavirus plus strand RNA migrates faster than its complementary minus strand on agarose-urea gels.
Hydrodynamic stability and the inviscid limit

It is shown that for appropriately posed problems, the solutions of the linearized Navier–Stokes equations approach those of the linearized Euler equations as the viscosity tends to zero.
B cell infection and activation by rabies virus-based vaccines

Replication-deficient rabies viruses (RABV) are promising rabies postexposure vaccines due to their prompt and potent stimulation of protective virus neutralizing antibody titers, which are produced in mice by both T-dependent and T-independent mechanisms. To promote such early and robust B cell stimulation, we hypothesized that live RABV-based vaccines directly infect B cells, thereby activating a large pool of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) capable of providing early priming and costimulation to CD4(+) T cells. In this report, we show that live RABV-based vaccine vectors efficiently infect naive primary murine and human B cells ex vivo. Infection of B cells resulted in the significant upregulation of early markers of B cell activation and antigen presentation, including CD69, major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II), and CD40 in murine B cells or HLA-DR and CD40 in human B cells compared to mock-infected cells or cells treated with an inactivated RABV-based vaccine. Furthermore, primary B cells infected with a live RABV expressing ovalbumin were able to prime and stimulate naive CD4(+) OT-II T cells to proliferate and to secrete interleukin-2 (IL-2), demonstrating a functional consequence of B cell infection and activation by live RABV-based vaccine vectors. We propose that this direct B cell stimulation by live RABV-based vaccines is a potential mechanism underlying their induction of early protective T cell-dependent B cell responses, and that designing live RABV-based vaccines to infect and activate B cells represents a promising strategy to develop a single-dose postexposure rabies vaccine where the generation of early protective antibody titers is critical.
A two-dimensional moving dislocation model for a strike-slip fault

For a propagating, vertical, strike-slip fault whose breakage extends to the Earth's surface, previous studies by Aki (1968) and Haskell (1969) have suggested that the near-field motions may be similar to those from uniformly-glidingedge dislocations. The theory of these dislocations in uniform motion leads to a simple, convenient relation between the perpendicular and parallel components of motion at the fault's surface. A number of examples are considered in order to illustrate this relation between the horizontal components. In general, step-function-like parallel motions result in pulse-like perpendicular displacements. For a given parallel displacement, the amplitude of the pulse depends in a concise manner on ratios of the rupture to shear-wave velocity, and on shear- to compressional-wave velocity. Increasing either of these ratios leads to an increased pulse-amplitude. The dislocation model is applied to the near-field observations of the Parkfield earthquake. The resulting estimate of the total fault offset is within the range of those based on the more detailed models of Aki (1968) and Haskell (1969).
A pilot survey on the licensing of DNA inventions.

Intellectual property in biotechnology invention provides important incentives for research and development leading to advances in genetic tests and treatments.1 However, there have been numerous concerns raised regarding the negative effect patents on gene sequences and their practical applications may have on clinical research and the availability of new medical tests and procedures.2 One concern is that licensing policies attempting to capture for the benefit of the licensor valuable rights to downstream research results and products may increase the financial risks and diminish potential payoffs of — and therefore motivation for — performing downstream research and development.3 In addition, very broad patent claims allowed by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the sheer growth in patents claiming genetic sequences, and threats of overlapping patents create a veritable minefield for researchers in both academia and industry. The concern is that research may be stifled because of the high cost and hassle of negotiating access. Despite the ethical and policy concerns about gene patents, virtually no empirical evidence exists to support claims about either positive or negative effects.4 Importantly, extremely little is known about the licensing behavior of firms and universities. To begin to examine emerging licensing issues for patents claiming genetic sequences, examine how gene-based technology is propagating, and understand how patents are influencing the sharing and use of fundamental genetic inventions, we performed this pilot interview study.
Institutional Alternatives to Traditional U.N. Peacekeeping: An Assessment of Regional and Multinational Options

This essay assesses the utility of two prominent alternate arrangements to traditional UN peacekeeping operations, i.e., peacekeeping operations organized by regional organizations or by multinatio...
Add Acronym for any Dysfunction or Difficulty

The purpose of this article is to review the professional literature related to the identification of causes and characteristics of attention deficit disorder (ADD) in school-age learners. Forty-eight articles and books written by leading authors in the field were synthesized to determine the extent of agreement regarding the characteristics and causes of this frequently used label. A total of 69 characteristics and 38 causes were cited, evidencing no clear-cut pattern for identifying the condition and little agreement for what causes ADD. Implications for current practices of diagnosis and treatment as well as future research directions are discussed.
Human Factors Engineering within the Legal-Judiciary System

The human factors engineer will find that most of his interactions with the legal establishment will involve tort law. He may expect to serve in one of the following capacities: as an expert witness in giving professional opinions, as an expert witness giving testimony concerning testing he has performed, or as a consultant to manufacturers with regard to the legal liability incurred from their products. Each of these roles is discussed with respect to the technological and ethical difficulties that can arise.
Parent Ads in the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign

The National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign aims not only to reduce drug use by teens and preteens, but also to arm parents with knowledge about specific parenting practices known to reduce the risk of teen drug use. Among the documented successes of the campaign to date was a small, but direct effect on some parenting practices, including parent-child discussions about drug use. To reach a deeper understanding about the substance of the parental ads, we content analyzed the message strategies employed in the campaign's parent ads over the inaugural 5 years of the campaign. Each ad was coded for its major theme, minor subtheme, and featured drug. Among seven possible major themes, the parental anti-drug ads largely featured four: enhance the risk of their child's drug use, encourage monitoring practices, promote parent-child discussions about drug use, or advocate positive involvement behaviors. Moreover, most parental messages addressed marijuana use or addressed drug use in general. Marijuana and inhalant ads largely were risk based, while general drug messages focused on monitoring, parent-child discussions or positive involvement practices.
A SPECIAL FINITE ELEMENT METHOD BASED ON COMPONENT MODE SYNTHESIS

The goal of our paper is to introduce basis functions for the finite element discretization of a second order linear elliptic operator with rough or highly oscillating coefficients. The proposed basis functions are inspired by the classic idea of component mode synthesis and exploit an orthogonal decomposition of the trial subspace to minimize the energy. Numerical experiments illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed basis functions.
Energy Transfer in Poly(N‐Vinylcarbazole) Films

The fluorescence spectra of poly(N-vinylcarbazole) films consist of two bands that are emitted by traps of differing structure. The relative proportion of the components is determined by the mode of polymerisation. The film phosphorescence, which is structureless and redshifted compared with monomer phosphorescence, is assigned to a triplet excimer whose structure is not identical with that of the two singlet traps. The kinetics is described on the basis of a three-trap model. Die Fluoreszenzspektren von Poly(N-vinylcarbazol)-Filmen bestehen jeweils aus zwei Banden, die aus Fallen verschiedener Struktur emittiert werden. Der relative Anteil der Komponenten wird von der Polymerisationsart bestimmt. Die Phosphoreszenz der Filme - strukturlos und gegenuber der Monomer-Phosphoreszenz rotverschoben — wird einem Triplett-Excimer zugeordnet, dessen Struktur nicht mit der Struktur der beiden Singulettfallen identisch ist. Die Kinetik wird auf der Grundlage eines Drei-Fallen-Modells beschrieben.
Uncertainties beyond statistics in Monte Carlo simulations.

The Monte Carlo method has become an essential tool for the simulation of radiation and particle transport problems. The combination of its ease of use and the power of the method can create a temptation to use Monte Carlo as a ‘black box’ tool. In this paper, we shall mention a number of important issues that any user of a Monte Carlo computer code should keep firmly in mind when attempting a transport simulation, and we shall present a recent practical example to show the potential significance of such issues.
Molecular Dynamics Investigation of Transient Nucleation in the Freezing of Clusters of SeF6

Although theorists have devised a number of different approaches to treat the early (transient) stages of freezing by homogeneous nucleation, no experiments of sufficient accuracy have been performed to check the theories. In the present work a computer experiment is carried out by molecular dynamics simulations in order to make such a check. A system of 2500 independent liquid clusters of SeF6 with an average size of 545 molecules was rapidly cooled to 130 K and maintained at that temperature until each cluster froze. Nucleation times of each cluster were recorded, ordered, and plotted against the quantity − ln[N(t)/No] for comparison with Wu's theory of moments. Results conformed to Wu's expression. From the behavior in the transient region could be derived the reduced moment characterizing the initial, rapidly increasing rate of appearance of nuclei, and from the slope and intercept of the steady state plot could be derived the steady state nucleation rate and nucleation time lag. Although Wu provided ...
Differential Expression of Igh-1-Linked T-Cell Alloantigens

The relationship between antigen receptors on T and B cells has long been debated(1–3) Immunoglobulin on the surface of B cells clearly acts as an antigen recognition structure(4) and may also be a key to the differentiation of an IgM-bearing early B cell(5) to a cell population expressing both IgM and IgD.(6–7) T- and B-cell receptors may closely resemble one another in that at least part of the polypeptide chain coding for antigenic specificity of each cell type carries determinants cross-reactive with the major serum idiotypes (reviewed in Ref. 8). Although the VH gene products expressed on T and B cells may overlap, (9,10) the fine specificity of the repertoire may not be identical(11,12) The constant-region markers (isotypes) on B cells have never been found to be expressed on the surface of T cells.(13)
Immature ovarian teratoma in an adolescent: a case report and review of the literature.

Abstract Background Benign cystic teratomas are relatively common tumors in reproductive age women, but can occur at any age. While the incidence of malignant elements in a teratoma is low (approximately 1–2%), the survival of patients with immature teratoma is poor. Definitive diagnosis is mandatory. Case We describe a case of a 13-year-old African American female, gravida 0, presenting with a large pelvic mass, determined to be a benign cystic teratoma by intra-operative frozen section. However, due to the size of the tumor and the preponderance of neural elements we performed a full surgical staging procedure (excluding hysterectomy and complete removal of adnexa). The final pathology report revealed foci of immature neural tissue, with a final diagnosis of an immature cystic teratoma Stage Ia. Conclusion Foci of immature neural elements can be readily missed on frozen section, especially with a large tumor. Full surgical staging at the time of initial laparotomy is justified when encountering an apparently mature cystic teratoma with a preponderance of neural elements on frozen section.
Revisiting the rightward turn: Max Rafferty, education, and modern American politics

Max Rafferty is best remembered as a larger-than-life traditionalist who boasted of “killing progressive education in California.” Though rarely attracting sustained scholarly attention, the twice-elected state superintendent (1962–71) and bestselling author often serves as a symbol of the conservative populism that germinated in the Golden State and then nationally in the late twentieth century. This article challenges the “Rise of the Right” narrative, employing Rafferty’s career as a lens through which to understand the political and cultural transformations wrought by the late 1960s, and how educational questions – particularly those negotiated in K-12 schoolhouses, and specifically bilingual and sex education – were crucial to these shifts.
Landscape-level variation in forest structure and biogeochemistry across a substrate age gradient in Hawaii

We compared forest canopy heights and nitrogen concentrations in long-term research sites and in 2 x 2 km landscapes surrounding these sites along a substrate age gradient in the Hawaiian Islands. Both remote airborne and ground-based measurements were used to characterize processes that control landscape-level variation in canopy properties. We integrated a waveform light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system, a high-resolution imaging spectrometer, and a global positioning system/inertial measurement unit to provide highly resolved images of ground topography, canopy heights, and canopy nitrogen concentrations (1) within a circle 50 m in radius focused on a long-term study site in the center of each landscape; (2) for the entire 2 x 2 km landscape regardless of land cover; and (3) after stratification, for our target cover class, native-dominated vegetation on constructional geomorphic surfaces throughout each landscape. Remote measurements at all scales yielded the same overall patterns as did ground-based measurements in the long-term sites. The two younger landscapes supported taller trees than did older landscapes, while the two intermediate-aged landscapes had higher canopy nitrogen (N) concentrations than did either young or old landscapes. However, aircraft-based analyses detected substantial variability in canopy characteristics on the landscape level, even within the target cover class. Canopy heights were more heterogeneous on the older landscapes, with coefficients of variation increasing from 23-41% to 69-78% with increasing substrate age. This increasing heterogeneity was associated with a larger patch size of canopy turnover and with dominance of most secondary successional stands by the mat-forming fern Dicranopteris linearis in the older landscapes.
Distribution System Restoration via Subgradient-Based Lagrangian Relaxation

Lagrangian relaxation with subgradient iterations is applied to the problem of optimal restoration of distribution systems after a blackout. The method breaks the restoration horizon into intervals and develops a restoration plan by finding the status of each of the feeders at each time interval. The Lagrangian relaxation approach allows a computationally efficient calculation of the timing and selection of feeders to be energized. The subgradient iterative approach relates to the selection of a vector of Lagrange multipliers in the optimization process. A restoration index obtained from the dual formulation of the problem is also shown. This index identifies the feeders that are closer to restoration. The proposed algorithm applies to radially configured distribution systems and is an operator-permissive, automated approach. Examples are shown including a 100-feeder restoration case.
Reinduction platform for children with first marrow relapse in acute lymphoblastic lymphoma

Purpose Treatment of childhood relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) remains a significant challenge. The goal of the Children's Oncology Group (COG) AALL01P2 study was to develop a safe and active chemotherapy reinduction platform, which could be used to evaluate novel agents in future trials. Patients and Methods One hundred twenty-four patients with ALL and first marrow relapse received three, 35-day blocks of reinduction chemotherapy: 69 with early relapse (ER; < 36 months from initial diagnosis) and 55 with late relapse (LR). Minimal residual disease (MRD) was measured by flow cytometry after each treatment block. Results Second complete remission (CR2) rates at the end of block 1 in 117 assessable patients were 68% ± 6% for ER (n = 63) and 96% ± 3% for LR (n = 54; P < .0001). Five of seven patients with T-cell ALL (T-ALL) failed to achieve CR2. Among patients in CR2, MRD greater than 0.01% was detected at the end of block 1 in 75% ± 7% of ER (n = 36) versus 51% ± 8% of LR (n = 43; P = .0375) a...
Daylighting control performance of a thin-film ceramic electrochromic window : Field study results

Control system development and lighting energy monitoring of ceramic thin-film electrochromic (EC) windows were initiated at the new full-scale Window Systems testbed facility at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) in Berkeley, California. The new facility consists of three identically configured side-by-side private offices with large-area windows that face due south. In one room, an array of EC windows with a center-of-glass visible transmittance (Tv) range of 0.05-0.60 was installed. In the two other rooms, unshaded windows with a Tv=0.50 or 0.15 were used as reference. The same dimmable fluorescent lighting system was used in all three rooms. This study explains the design and commissioning of an integrated EC window-lighting control system and then illustrates its performance in the testbed under clear, partly cloudy, and overcast sky conditions during the equinox period. The performance of an early prototype EC window controller is also analyzed. Lighting energy savings data are presented. Daily lighting energy savings were 44-59% compared to the reference window of Tv=0.15 and 8-23% compared to the reference window of Tv=0.50. The integrated window-lighting control system maintained interior illuminance levels to within ±10% of the setpoint range of 510-700 lux for 89-99% of the day. Further work is planned to refine the control algorithms and monitor cooling load, visual comfort, and human factor impacts of this emerging technology.
The binding of pyrene and other probes to CD polymers

The binding interactions of commercial epichlorohydrin (EP)-linked CD polymers (CDPs) with pyrene and p-substituted phenols are compared with those of the respective CD monomers for these probes. Shifts in pKa for the phenols are consistent with a more open site on the CDPs than the CDs. The relative affinity for pyrene exhibited by β-CDP is estimated by a competition experiment with pyrene / β-CD binding. Spectral studies on synthesized EP-linked sucrose polymers are employed to gain insight into the role of glyceryl-linker units in guest binding.
Observations and modeling of aboveground tree carbon stocks and fluxes following a bark beetle outbreak in the western United States

Bark beetle epidemics result in tree mortality across millions of hectares in North America. However, few studies have quantified impacts on carbon (C) cycling. In this study, we quantified the immediate response and subsequent trajectories of stand-level aboveground tree C stocks and fluxes using field measurements and modeling for a location in central Idaho, USA that experienced an outbreak of mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins). We measured tree characteristics in lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) plots spanning a range of structure and mortality conditions. We then initialized the forest vegetation simulator, an individual tree-based model, with these measurements and simulated the response of aboveground production of C fluxes as well as trajectories of C stocks and fluxes in the coming decades. Mountain pine beetles killed up to 52% of the trees within plots, with more larger trees killed. C stocks in lodgepole pine were reduced by 31-83% following the outbreak, and plot-level C fluxes decreased 28-73%. Modeled C stocks increased nearly continuously following the infestation, recovering to preoutbreak levels in 25 years or less. Simulated aboveground tree C fluxes increased following the immediate postoutbreak decrease, then subsequently declined. Substantial variability of C stocks and fluxes among plots resulted from the number and size of killed and surviving trees. Our study illustrates that bark beetle epidemics alter forest C cycling unlike stand-replacement wildfires or clear-cut harvests, due in part to incomplete mortality coupled with the preference by beetles for larger trees. The dependency of postoutbreak C stocks and fluxes on stand structure suggests that C budget models and studies in areas experiencing mountain pine beetle disturbances need to include size distribution of trees for the most accurate results.
Paxillin-dependent paxillin kinase linker and p21-activated kinase localization to focal adhesions involves a multistep activation pathway.

The precise temporal-spatial regulation of the p21-activated serine-threonine kinase PAK at the plasma membrane is required for proper cytoskeletal reorganization and cell motility. However, the me...
ApoE-Dependent Modulation of HDL and Atherosclerosis by G2A in LDL Receptor–Deficient Mice Independent of Bone Marrow–Derived Cells

Objective— Deletion of the lysophospholipid-sensitive receptor, G2A, in low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout (LDLR −/− ) mice elevates plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and suppresses atherosclerosis. However, chemotactic action of G2A in monocytes/macrophages, in addition to its modulatory effect on HDL, may contribute to the proatherogenic action of G2A. Methods and Results— We determined that deletion of G2A in LDLR −/− mice increases the ApoA1, ApoE, and cholesterol content of plasma HDL fractions. Hepatocytes were shown to express G2A and hepatocytes from G2A-deficient LDLR −/− mice secreted more ApoA1 and ApoE in HDL fractions compared to their G2A-sufficient counterparts. The atheroprotective and HDL modulatory effects of G2A deficiency were dependent on the presence of ApoE, as deletion of G2A in ApoE −/− and ApoE −/− LDLR −/− mice failed to raise HDL and did not suppress atherosclerosis. G2A deficiency in bone marrow–derived cells of LDLR −/− mice had no effect on atherosclerosis or HDL, whereas G2A deficiency in resident tissues was sufficient to raise HDL and suppress atherosclerosis. Conclusion— These data demonstrate that the chemotactic function of G2A in bone marrow–derived monocytes does not modulate atherosclerosis in LDLR −/− mice and suggest an ApoE-dependent function for G2A in the control of hepatic HDL metabolism that might contribute to its proatherogenic action.
A 4mW wide bandwidth ring-based fractional-n DPLL with 1.9ps rms integrated-jitter

In this paper, a ring oscillator based fractional-N DPLL that achieves low jitter by extending bandwidth using noise cancellation techniques is presented. A dual-path digital loop filter architecture is employed to resolve the ΔΣ DAC quantization noise challenge. Fabricated in 65nm CMOS process, the proposed PLL operates over a wide frequency range of 4GHz-5.5GHz and achieves 1.9ps rms jitter while consuming only 4mW. The measured in-band phase noise is better than −96 dBc/Hz at 1MHz offset. The proposed FNDPLL achieves wide bandwidth up to 6MHz using a 50 MHz reference. The FoM is −228.5dB, which is at least 20dB better than all reported ring-based FNDPLLs.
Diabetes Mellitus Increases Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Patients: A Systematic Review.

Rising rates of obesity, diabetes mellitus (DM), and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) among chronic hepatitis C (HCV) patients may contribute to higher hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk. To perform a systematic review evaluating the impact of DM, body mass index (BMI), or steatosis on HCC risk among chronic HCV patients. A structured keyword search of PubMed from January 1, 2001, to July 1, 2014, was performed to identify original articles evaluating the association of DM, BMI, or steatosis with HCC among adults with chronic HCV. Studies involving HCV patients co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B virus, or other chronic liver diseases with the exception of NAFLD were excluded. Quality assessment utilized the Newcastle–Ottawa scale. Nine studies (seven cohorts, two case–controls) met inclusion criteria for the final analysis. Five of seven studies analyzing DM demonstrated significantly increased HCC risk associated with concurrent DM with effect sizes ranging from HR 1.73 (95 % CI 1.30–2.30) to RR 3.52 (95 % CI 1.29–9.24). One of three studies analyzing BMI demonstrated a significant association with HCC risk (BMI ≥ 30.0 vs. BMI < 23: RR 4.13, 95 % CI 1.38–12.40). Two of the three studies analyzing steatosis demonstrated significantly higher risk of HCC associated with steatosis ranging from RR 2.81 (95 % CI 1.49–4.41) to OR 6.39 (95 % CI 1.04–39.35). Concurrent DM is associated with increased HCC risk among chronic HCV patients. BMI and steatosis may also increase HCC risk, but the limitations of the current studies do not allow us to draw strong conclusions.
Note on Islam

This note provides a brief overview of Islam, including the geographical representation of its believers, a description of its basic tenets, and a sketch of its historical development. Also provided are a synopsis of the life of the Prophet Muhammad and a discussion of the Sh'ia and the Sunni faiths. The note is intended to complement the teaching of any case that assumes knowledge of Islam.
Transparency, Replication, and Cumulative Learning: What Experiments Alone Cannot Achieve

Replication of simple and transparent experiments should promote the cumulation of knowledge. Yet, randomization alone does not guarantee simple analysis, transparent reporting, or third-party replication. This article surveys several challenges to cumulative learning from experiments and discusses emerging research practices—including several kinds of prespecification, two forms of replication, and a new model for coordinated experimental research—that may partially overcome the obstacles. I reflect on both the strengths and limitations of these new approaches to doing social science research. NOTE: This article has been corrected and republished as doi:10.1146/annurev-polisci-072516-014127.
Effects of Task and Personality Characteristics on Subordinate Responses to Participative Decision Making1

The effects of task and personality characteristics on subordinate responses to participatory decision making were investigated among 229 supervisor-subordinate pairs. Contrary to prediction, high need-for-independence subordinates performed better and were more satisfied with high participation only for nonrepetitive tasks.
Anticoccidial Efficacy of Semduramicin.: 1. Evaluation Against Field Isolates by Dose Titration in Battery Tests

Abstract Semduramicin (AVIAX™), a novel polyether ionophore, was titrated in a series of five battery tests at 20, 25, and 30 ppm in feed to determine the optimum level for use. Twelve-day-old broiler chicks were medicated for 48 h prior to inoculation in each 9-day test. The inocula included monospecific field isolates of Eimeria tenella, Eimeria brunetti, Eimeria necatrix, and Eimeria maxima, and a mixture of these species with Eimeria acervulina and Eimeria mitis. The numbers of oocysts inoculated were selected after titration of each species and the mixture of species. All three concentrations of semduramicin significantly (P
Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Youth and Young Adults: Social Support in Their Own Words

Perceived social support was explored in a qualitative study of 17 gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth and young adults from a Seattle-based sexual minority youth drop-in center. The participants were interviewed in person with an open-ended question format to describe, in their own words, perceived social support they received as sexual minorities. Support was organized into four types, those fulfilling concrete, emotional, financial, or informational needs. Content analysis revealed several themes of support tailored to the specialized needs participants had as sexual minorities: locating parental figures among other gays and lesbians, parental reactions to learning of the youths' sexual orientation, the ability to reciprocate support, and finding supporters who introduced the youth to the gay, lesbian, and bisexual community. Non-family members were found to be more supportive than family members, particularly regarding informational support. Sexual minorities were perceived as more supportive than non-sexual minorities. Understanding the process and significance of acquiring a sense of community from which youth may garner continued support may present an avenue for intervention among social service providers. Additional implications for practice and research are also discussed.
Non-Hermitian Optics and Parity Time Lasers

The interplay between gain and loss in optical materials can lead to novel device functionalities. Here we demonstrate a single-mode microring laser based on parity-time symmetry breaking. Article not available.
Oospore Morphology and Germination in the Phytophthora Palmivora Complex from Cacao

Oospore morphology and germination were studied using 17 isolates representing three morphological forms (MF) of Phytophthora palmivora from cacao. Oospore production was most abundant on carrot ag...
PA attitudes toward prescription drug costs.

PURPOSE: This descriptive comparative study assessed PAs' knowledge of drug costs and attitudes about prescribing prescription medications. METHOD: Data were collected using a modified questionnaire. The survey instrument assessed PAs' attitudes about prescribing as well as their knowledge of prescription medication costs. RESULTS: Forty percent of the sample population were able to accurately identify the correct cost of medications. Most of the sample population considered costs when making a prescriptive decision. There were significant differences in the prescribing attitudes of PAs in various practice settings and medical specialties. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study with PAs are similar to those of previous investigations involving physicians' knowledge of drug costs. We should recognize this deficit and ensure that a discussion of drug costs, particularly those associated with the Medicare population, is an important part of PA continuing education.
Modulation Classification of Single-Input Multiple-Output Signals Using Asynchronous Sensors

This paper discusses the automatic modulation classification of weak communication signals using distributed low-cost sensors. The concept of a secondary user in sensor networks is presented and very high-order statistics are used as modulation features. Two feature-based methods, single-variable and multivariable modulation classifiers, are proposed for estimating unknown modulation schemes through single-input multiple-output signal sensing channels. The new approaches acquire multiple signal observations collected from distributed sensors and leverage the channel diversity to enhance signal power and reduce bias in estimation. The experiment demonstrates that the network centric modulation classifier achieves significantly improved performance in terms of probability of correct classification than the current state-of-the-art single sensor modulation classifier, and the multivariable modulation classifier is more robust to the channel parameter variations than the single-variable classifier.
Non-volatile Bistable All-Optical Switch from Mechanical Buckling

A non-volatile all-optical bistable optomechanical switch comprising two parallel buckling waveguides is proposed. The bistability from mechanical buckling requires no maintenance power while optical coupling allows all-optical switching and reading.
Effect of Local Anesthetic Concentration (0.2% vs 0.1% Ropivacaine) on Pulmonary Function, and Analgesia After Ultrasound-Guided Interscalene Brachial Plexus Block: A Randomized Controlled Study.

Objective. This study aims to assess diaphragmatic excursion and measure pulmonary functions as measures of the degree to which the phrenic nerve is blocked after ISB with two different concentrations of ropivacaine: 0.2% and 0.1%. Design. Randomized, double-blinded study. Setting and Patients. Ambulatory surgical facility. Subjects. Fifty patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopy for rotator cuff repair. Methods. Patients were randomized to receive ultrasound-guided ISB with 20 mL of either 0.2% or 0.1% ropivacaine. Diaphragmatic excursion was measured using M-mode ultrasound. Pulmonary functions were assessed by portable spirometer. Additional outcome data included oxygen saturation in post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), pain scores, quality of recovery scores (QOR), and opioid consumption over 72 hour period after surgery. Results. Forced vital capacity (FVC) was significantly reduced 30 minutes after block placement and in PACU in the 0.2% group when compared with the 0.1% group ( P = 0.04, P = 0.03, respectively). Forced expiratory volume (FEV1) was also significantly decreased in the 0.2% group in PACU when compared with the 0.1% group ( P = 0.04). There were no significant differences in pain scores, length of stay, and total opioid consumption in PACU. Patients who received 0.2% ropivacaine had a longer block duration (18 vs 11.9 hours, P = 0.04) and used less opioid in the 72 hours after surgery (55 mg vs 102 mg codeine equivalents, P = 0.02), when they were compared to their counterparts who received 0.1% for their block. Conclusion. 0.1% ropivacaine may impair pulmonary function less than 0.2% ropivacaine. The clinical significance of these differences needs to be further studied.
Policy brief. Why are economically disadvantaged Americans less likely than wealthier persons to make preparations for their end-of-life health care?

Dying older adults may receive unwanted, futile, and costly medical interventions that cause distress for them and their families. As a way to take control over treatments received at the end of life, older adults often do advance care planning, which comprises a living will and durable power of attorney for health care appointment. These documents formally convey one’s treatment preferences, in the event one is incapacitated. However, persons with fewer economic resources are less likely to do advance care planning, and may receive medical treatments that are unwanted, or may be spared treatments they would have desired.
The SOUPA Ontology for Pervasive Computing

This paper describes SOUPA (Standard Ontology for Ubiquitous and Pervasive Applications) and the use of this ontology in building the Context Broker Architecture (CoBrA). CoBrA is a new agent architecture for supporting pervasive context-aware systems in a smart space environment. The SOUPA ontology is expressed using the Web Ontology Language OWL and includes modular component vocabularies to represent intelligent agents with associated beliefs, desire, and intentions, time, space, events, user profiles, actions, and policies for security and privacy. Central to CoBrA is an intelligent broker agent that exploits ontologies to support knowledge sharing, context reasoning, and user privacy protection. We also describe two prototype systems that we have developed to demonstrate the feasibility and the use of CoBrA.
Mechanisms of Complement Regulation of Infection by Flaviviruses

The complement system is a family of more than 30 serum proteins and cell surface receptors that recognizes pathogen-associated molecular patterns, altered-self ligands, and immune complexes. Complement activation through the classical, lectin and alternative pathways triggers an array of functions including direct pathogen opsonization and/or lysis, and enhancement of B and T cell responses. Recent work has demonstrated that complement activation is necessary for the development of protective immune responses and mediates important antiviral effector functions of Flavivirus-specific antibody. In this review, we will examine the mechanisms and functions of complement activation and discuss our current understanding of the role of complement in protection against infection by Flaviviruses, with an emphasis on experiments with West Nile virus (WNV). In addition, we will discuss ongoing studies on the immune evasion mechanisms that WNV uses to limit complement activation.
Clinical outcome prediction in esophageal adenocarcinoma based on tumor and germ-line single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in DNA-repair pathways

15144 Background: Germ-line SNPs in DNA repair enzymes are studied as predictive factors in various cancers. More rarely studied, however, is the presence of SNPs in tumor cells and how they relate...
Statement of Commissioner Gail Heriot in the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights' Report 'Peaceful Coexistence: Reconciling Nondiscrimination Principles with Civil Liberties'

In September of 2016, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights published its report, "Peaceful Coexistence: Reconciling Nondiscrimination Principles with Civil Liberties. This Commissioner Statement by Commissioner Gail Heriot (also a professor of law at the University of San Diego) was part of that report. It critiques both the conclusions arrived at in that report and the arguments that tend to take a constricted view of religious liberty made by her fellow Commissioners in that report. In particular, she disagrees with the Commission's conclusion that anti discrimination laws are "preeminent" and that religious liberty is not. She also discusses various legislative bills pending in various states ― cited in the report as evidence of a massive backlash against the LGBT community ― including bills that deal with adoption agencies affiliated with churches that do not recognize same-sex marriage and bills modeled after the previously-uncontroversial federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
Reactivation and Lytic Replication of Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus: An Update.

The life cycle of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) consists of two phases, latent and lytic. The virus establishes latency as a strategy for avoiding host immune surveillance and fusing symbiotically with the host for lifetime persistent infection. However, latency can be disrupted and KSHV is reactivated for entry into the lytic replication. Viral lytic replication is crucial for efficient dissemination from its long-term reservoir to the sites of disease and for the spread of the virus to new hosts. The balance of these two phases in the KSHV life cycle is important for both the virus and the host and control of the switch between these two phases is extremely complex. Various environmental factors such as oxidative stress, hypoxia, and certain chemicals have been shown to switch KSHV from latency to lytic reactivation. Immunosuppression, unbalanced inflammatory cytokines and other viral coinfections also lead to the reactivation of KSHV. This review article summarizes the current understanding of the initiation and regulation of KSHV reactivation and the mechanisms underlying the process of viral lytic replication. In particular, the central role of an immediate-early gene product RTA in KSHV reactivation has been extensively investigated. These studies revealed multiple layers of regulation in activation of RTA as well as the multifunctional roles of RTA in the lytic replication cascade. Epigenetic regulation is known as a critical layer of control for the switch of KSHV between latency and lytic replication. The viral noncoding RNA, PAN, was demonstrated to play a central role in the epigenetic regulation by serving as a guide RNA that brought chromatin remodeling enzymes to the promoters of RTA and other lytic genes. In addition, a novel dimension of regulation by microPeptides emerged and has been shown to regulate RTA expression at the protein level. Overall, extensive investigation of KSHV reactivation and lytic replication has revealed a sophisticated regulation network that controls the important events in KSHV life cycle.
Abstract 788: Less is more: macrophage depletion via CSF1/CSF1R pathway improves anti-VEGF therapy after adaptive resistance

Objectives: Anti-angiogenesis therapy shows clinical benefit in patients with high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC), but adaptive resistance typically occurs. Thus, approaches to overcome such resistance are needed. Here, we systematically assessed immune cell populations enriched during adaptive resistance and identify novel therapeutic avenues. Methods: A series of in vitro and in vivo (immune competent and nude mice) experiments were carried out. Animals were treated with anti-VEGF antibody continuously until resistance emerged, at which point full immune profiling was performed. Based on these results, efficacy of AC708 (CSF1R inhibitor to target tumor-associated macrophages) was tested in the adaptive-resistance models. F4/80 antibody was used as a macrophage marker. Results: On the basis of full immune profiling, we detected significantly increased macrophage infiltration in tumors with anti-VEGF antibody resistance compared to tumors from sensitive mice (p Conclusions: The addition of CSf1R inhibitor to anti-VEGF therapy and taxane chemotherapy results in robust anti-tumor effects. To confirm these findings, a clinical trial at our institution is nearing activation. The REDIRECT (RandomizEd Induction DIscontinuation TRial of EmaCTuzumab) trial will randomize patients to continue weekly paclitaxel and biweekly bevacizumab with or without a CSF1R inhibitor (emactuzumab) following an induction phase. Citation Format: Yasmin A. Lyons, Sunila Pradeep, Jean M. Hansen, Michael J. Wagner, Robert L. Dood, Sherry Y. Wu, Rebecca A. Previs, Wei Hu, Robert L. Coleman, Anil K. Sood. Less is more: macrophage depletion via CSF1/CSF1R pathway improves anti-VEGF therapy after adaptive resistance [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 788. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-788
The Risk of Remaining Silent: Addressing the Current Threats to Women's Health.

Author(s): Brindis, Claire D; Freund, Karen M; Baecher-Lind, Laura; Bairey Merz, C Noel; Carnes, Molly; Gulati, Martha; Joffe, Hadine; Klein, Wendy S; Mazure, Carolyn M; Pace, Lydia E; Regensteiner, Judith G; Redberg, Rita F; Wenger, Nanette Kass; Younger, Lorie
Updatable Encryption with Post-Compromise Security

An updatable encryption scheme allows to periodically rotate the encryption key and move already existing ciphertexts from the old to the new key. These ciphertext updates are done with the help of a so-called update token and can be performed by an untrusted party, as the update never decrypts the data. Updatable encryption is particularly useful in settings where encrypted data is outsourced, e.g., stored on a cloud server. The data owner can produce an update token, and the cloud server can update the ciphertexts.