cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Designing babies: human research issues.

A PUBLICATION OF THE HASTINGS CENTER uman genetic engineering was one of the earliest bioethics topics to attract widespread attention. During the 1960's, scientists and scholars began examining the possible benefits and harms that could come from attempts at human genetic alteration.' Germline genetic alterations attracted the most controversy. Genetic alterations made in earlystage human embryos would be present in the cells of children developing from such embryos, including the germ (sperm or egg) cells. As a result, this form of genetic alteration could affect not only children developing from genetically modified embryos, but their descendants, too. The long-running debate over the ethics of germline genetic alteration has focused on the technology's broad social implications, such as potential effects on parent-child relations, social inequalities, and the human gene pool.z These broad implications are only part of the story, however. Extensive human subjects research would be required to bring germline genetic alterations to the clinic. Yet the ethics of conducting such research has received comparatively little attention.
Seismic Stability of Underground Openings

To gain insight into the dynamic behavior of underground openings, observations of 71 tunnels responding to earthquake motions were compared with calculated peak ground motions. Comparison of the Modified-Mercalli (MM) Intensity at the ground surface with the tunnel damage showed that tunnels are less susceptible to damage than are surface structures. Seismic design considerations for large underground openings are briefly reviewed. Design motions must be estimated to take into account peak values, deamplification with depth and frequency content. Cavity response will then be a function of the ratio of cavern span or wall height to the earthquake's predominant wave length, dynamic properties of major joints and relative depth of cavern. Elastic, dynamic finite element analyses treating rock as a homogeneous medium show that dynamic stress concentrations are not more than 20% greater than those created by excavation alone. 71 tunnels furent observes et leurs reponses aux tremblements de terre comparees aux deplacements maximums anticipes. Pour une Intensite Mercalli Modifiee de VIII, endommageant toute structure a la surface, les tunnels renforces ne subissent que des fissures mineures et des eboulements peuvent se produire dans les tunnels non renforces. La conception doit refleter les extremums, l'attenuation due a la profondeur, le spectre de frequence et la duree. La cavite repond en fonction du rapport des caracteristiques geometriques de la caverne a la longueur d'onde principale du tremblement de terre, des caracteristiques dynamiques des principaux joints et de la profondeur relative. L'analyse dynamique d'une masse rocheuse, elastique et homogene, par la methode des elements finis montre que la concentration des contraintes dynamiques n'excede pas celles due a l'excavation de plus de 20%. Beobachtungen von Schaeden an 71 Tunneln, die durch Erdbebenerschuetterungen entstanden, wurden verglichen mit der Modified-Mercalli (MM) Intensity an der Bodenoberflaeche. Man stellte fest, dass Tunnel weniger schadensanfaeilig sind as ueberirdische Anlagen. Einbeziehung dieser Erschuetterungen in Konstruktionen von unterirdischen Oeffnungen verlangt Beruecksichtigung von Spitzenwerten, Nachlassen der Schwingungen in der Tiefe und Frequenzgehalt. Die Reaktion der Aushoehlungen darauf erhaelt man durch den Vergleich der Hoehlenspanne oder der Hoehe der Waende mit der vorherrschenden Wellenlaenge des Erdbebens, dynamischen Eigenschaften groesserer Spalten und der ungefaehren Tiefe der Hoehlung. Elastische, dynamische Finite-Element-Analysen, die das Gestein als ein homogenes Medium behandeln, zeigen, dass dynamische Spannungskonzentrationen nicht mehr als 20% hoeher sind als solche, die durch Ausschachtung allein entstanden sind.
Conquest and transformation, the Oxford English literary history volume 1: 1000–1350

A quick glance at the table of contents of the Norton Anthology of English Literature reveals the immediate usefulness of Laura Ashe’s Conquest and Transformation. Between ‘Anglo-Saxon Literature’ ...
Bisphosphonate-induced orbital inflammation in a patient on chronic immunosuppressive therapy

To report a case of orbital inflammation after bisphosphonate infusion in a patient who was already receiving immunosuppressive therapy. A 56-year-old woman presented to the ophthalmology clinic with acute onset of right eye pain 24 h after receiving her first Zolendronic acid infusion. She has a past medical history of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, Sjogren’s syndrome, and systemic lupus erythematosus that have been controlled with immunosuppressive therapy for three years. Clinical ophthalmic exam and MRI studies were significant for right orbital inflammation. The patient was started on oral prednisone with rapid resolution of symptoms. This is the first case report of a patient receiving chronic immunosuppressive therapy to develop orbital inflammation after Zoledronic acid infusion. In addition, it demonstrates that corticosteroids can be an effective first line therapy in treating orbital inflammation in similar patients. Physicians should be aware of this rare but serious potential side effect of bisphosphonates, and have bisphosphonate-related orbital inflammation on their differential for proper initiation of treatment.
Imperial Politics, English Law, and the Strategic Foundations of Constitutional Review in America

In the colonial period of American history, the British Crown reviewed, and sometimes nullified, acts of colonial assemblies for “repugnancy to the laws of England.” In this way, Crown review established external, legal constraints on American legislatures. I present a formal model to argue that Crown legislative review counteracted political pressure on imperial governors from colonial assemblies, to approve laws contrary to the empire’s interests. Optimal review in the model combines both legal and substantive considerations. This gives governors the strongest incentive to avoid royal reprisal by vetoing laws the Crown considered undesirable. Thus, review of legislation for consistency with higher law helped the Crown to grapple with agency problems in imperial governance, and ultimately achieve more (but still incomplete) centralized control over policy. I discuss the legacy of imperial legislative review for early American thinking about constitutional review of legislation by courts.
The Role of Archaeal Chromatin in Transcription

Genomic organization impacts accessibility and movement of information processing systems along DNA. DNA-bound proteins dynamically dictate gene expression and provide regulatory potential to tune transcription rates to match ever-changing environmental conditions. Archaeal genomes are typically small, circular, gene dense, and organized either by histone proteins that are homologous to their eukaryotic counterparts, or small basic proteins that function analogously to bacterial nucleoid proteins. We review here how archaeal genomes are organized and how such organization impacts archaeal gene expression, focusing on conserved DNA-binding proteins within the clade and the factors that are known to impact transcription initiation and elongation within protein-bound genomes.
Methodology to evaluate the antimicrobial effectiveness of UV-activated TiO2 nanoparticle-embedded cellulose acetate film

Abstract TiO2 nanoparticle (NP)-embedded cellulose acetate (CA) films were prepared using solution casting method and found that it can inactivate Escherichia coli O157: H7 under UV-A light illumination. This study investigated the microbial inactivation efficacy of this film under several practical application scenarios: (1) direct contact with bacteria which were located either above or beneath the film; (2) with or without contact with bacteria; (3) contact with dried bacterial inoculum; and (4) submerged in contaminated water. Results showed that antimicrobial performance of TiO2 NP-embedded CA film varied depending application scenarios. For Scenario 1, the reductions were 1.1 log CFU/ml above and 0.5 log CFU/ml beneath the film after 2 h illumination. For Scenario 2, the reductions were 1 log CFU/ml with direct contact and 0.6 log CFU/ml without direct contact after 6 h exposure. For Scenario 3, the reduction was 3.5 log CFU/ml after 6 h. For scenario 4, the reduction was 5.2 log CFU/ml after 6 h. This study demonstrated the crucial role of contact between the bacterial cells and NP-embedded surface to achieve microbial inactivation. Results of this study suggest that the most effective applications of TiO2 NP-embedded polymer film can be obtained when in direct contact with liquid inoculum or contaminated solutions.
Results of surgery on adults with functional single ventricle without prior cardiac surgery in childhood

OBJECTIVES Patients with unoperated functional single ventricle (FSV) rarely survive into adulthood with good functional status and there are few reports about surgical results of adult patients with FSV. This study retrospectively reviews our experience with surgery in adult patients with FSV. METHODS From January 2008 to September 2017, 65 adult patients with FSV underwent surgery in our hospital. Twenty underwent Blalock-Taussig shunt or bidirectional Glenn procedures in other hospitals prior, and four were lost to follow-up. Finally, 41 patients were included in this study. RESULTS The early postoperative mortality was 7.3% (3/41). Postoperative systemic arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2 , 83.7% ± 4.8%) was significantly higher than preoperative SpO2 (77.9% ± 10.1%, P < .01). The mean follow-up time was 3.9 ± 3.1 years (range 1-11 years). There was only one case of late mortality and massive hemoptysis was the cause of death. Right ventricular morphology and severe atrioventricular valve regurgitation (AVVR) were the risk factors of postoperative death for patients with pulmonary stenosis(PS). There was no death case in patients who received Fontan procedure. In a follow-up, we found the grade of AVVR was reduced and the grade of heart function (New York Heart Association) was improved. CONCLUSIONS Adult patients with FSV can also undergo surgery. The mortality was acceptable and late results were satisfactory. After surgery, oxygen saturations increased, grades of AVVR decreased and the heart functions improved. Right ventricular morphology and severe AVVR were risk factors for patients with PS.
The influence of elevated CO2 on phenology of Arabidopsis thaliana (Brassicaceae) is altered by common air pollutants (NO2 and O3) and soil nitrogen1,2

Anthropogenic activities have caused multiple simultaneous changes to the chemical composition of the atmosphere. While rising carbon dioxide (CO2) has been shown to accelerate plant growth and impact phenology, it is unclear how these outcomes may be modified by the simultaneous effects of co-occurring pollutants such as ozone (O3, a damaging oxidant), nitrogen dioxide (NO2, an oxidant or plant signal), or atmospheric nitrogen deposition. To test interactive effects of multiple pollutants on growth and phenology, Arabidopsis thaliana was grown in open-top chambers with a fully factorial combination of ambient or elevated pollutants: CO2, O3, and NO2 and soil nitrate. Previous observations of elevated CO2 effects on A. thaliana flowering time produced conflicting results, ranging from acceleration to delay or no change. This study suggests that some observed variability may arise from interactions with other pollutants; we find evidence for all three outcomes depending on treatment combination. When CO2 alone was elevated, accelerated phenology (1–3 days) was accompanied by increased early-season biomass. Interactions between elevated O3, NO2, and soil nitrate caused the strongest phenological delays but were damped when CO2 was also elevated. These findings caution against simple extrapolations that do not consider multiple coincident atmospheric changes with implications for design and interpretation of global change experiments.
Fusing Data Extracted from Bridge Inspection Reports for Enhanced Data-Driven Bridge Deterioration Prediction: A Hybrid Data Fusion Method

AbstractData buried in textual bridge inspection reports offer great promise for enhanced data-driven bridge deterioration prediction. However, learning from these reports is challenging because th...
Linking land use patterns and pest outbreaks in Bt maize.

Western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is a major pest of maize in the United States and is an invasive pest in Europe. Maize is the only agricultural crop on which western corn rootworm larvae can survive and this insect requires two consecutive years of maize cultivation to complete its life cycle. Transgenic maize producing insecticidal proteins derived from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is often used to manage rootworm populations. The first Bt trait, Cry3Bb1, was introduced in 2003, but larval resistance to this toxin appeared in northeastern Iowa in 2009. Rootworm management occurs on a field-by-field basis, but adult rootworm may disperse among fields. It is known that growing consecutive years of Cry3Bb1 maize within a field can lead to resistance, but the relationship of the surrounding landscape to the development of resistance is unknown. Using geospatial tools and publicly available land-use data, we examined circular areas (buffers) surrounding fields that had previously experienced high levels of rootworm injury to Cry3Bb1 maize and rootworm resistance to Cry3Bb1 maize (problem fields). We calculated the proportion of area inside each buffer planted to maize continuously for 1-9 yr, and compared these values to those for randomly selected control points throughout the state. We also calculated the proportion of the state planted to maize for at least three consecutive years for 2003 through 2018, and its relationship with the annual value of maize. We found that areas surrounding problem fields had significantly more continuous maize compared to controls, with the most continuous maize within 1.6 km of problem fields. We also found that the cultivation of continuous maize in Iowa increased significantly between 2003 and 2018, and this was correlated with average annual price of maize. We hypothesize a scenario in which continuous cultivation of Cry3Bb1 maize in local landscapes, driven in part by the increased value of maize, facilitated selection for Cry3Bb1 resistance. These results suggest that land use in areas surrounding problem fields affect the rate of resistance evolution and approaches for resistance management can be enhanced by taking a landscape-level perspective.
Regulating the Political Wild West: State Efforts to Disclose Sources of Online Political Advertising

The problem of disinformation in online political advertising is growing, with ongoing and potential threats to campaigns coming from both within and outside the United States. Most scholarship in this area has focused on either disclosures and disclaimers under the proposed Honest Ads Act or other fixes aimed at a gridlocked Federal Election Commission (FEC). With federal reform at a standstill, states have jumped into the void. Since 2016, eight states have passed legislation to expressly regulate online political advertising for state candidates and ballot measures, including Maryland, whose state law was declared unconstitutional as applied to a group of media plaintiffs by a federal appeals court. This article examines these state laws as well as the one federal appeals court opinion as a springboard for thinking about efforts at the national level to address the problem. We raise important considerations for future legislation in light of the appeals court decision. We propose that independent record-keeping bodies, similar to what the state of New York has established for independent expenditure committees, are more likely to pass First Amendment scrutiny than requiring record-keeping of platforms or websites.
Evaluation of a Treatment-Dose Enoxaparin Protocol for Patients With Obesity.

Background:Treatment-dose enoxaparin is not well studied in obese patients. Guidelines suggest that obese patients receiving enoxaparin therapy for acute venous thromboembolism (VTE) should receive...
Defect quantification in metal halide perovskites: the solid-state electrochemical alternative

Electrochemical methodologies are routinely used to determine energetics and defect density in semiconductor materials under operando conditions. For metal halide perovskites, electrochemical methods are restricted to a limited group of non-solvent electrolytes. This challenge is circumvented via a ”peel and stick” solid electrolyte that can contain redox active species, is transparent to visible and X-ray photons for simultaneous characterizations, and can be removed for quantification of near-surface composition and energetics using photoelectron spectroscopies. Defects are qualified for both near-stoichiometric and over-stoichiometric MAPbI3 films using controlled hole and electron injection, afforded through potential modulation with respect to a calibrated internal reference. Inclusion of mid-gap redox probes (ferrocene) allows for probing density of states, whereby electron transfer reversibility is shown to be dependent upon the number of ionized defects at the perovskite's band edges. A detailed Coulombic analysis is provided for determination of defect energetics and densities, with a near-stoichiometric film exhibiting a defect density of ∼2 × 1017 cm−3 at 0.1 eV above the valence band. We predict that this easily implemented three-electrode platform will be translatable to operando characterization of a range of semiconductor materials, including thin film perovskites, (in)organic semiconductors, quantum dots, and device stacks, where the removable solid electrolyte functions as the “top contact”.
The Justice System and Domestic Violence: Engaging the Case but Divorcing the Victim

This Article examines the development of an inverse relationship in the legal system between the concern accorded domestic violence cases and the concern accorded domestic violence victims. The Article analyzes both philosophical approaches and concrete mechanisms currently used by the justice system to address domestic violence. Concluding that the current system- though it signals a serious institutional attitude toward addressing domestic violence – has failed to increase victim safety, this Article advocates for a paradigm shift in the legal system’s approach to domestic violence. Specifically, the Article analyzes the viability of a paradigm shift in the philosophy behind current policies that emphasize intervention by system actors to a philosophy that focuses on victim safety. The Article demonstrates that an emphasis on victim safety would encourage system actors to tailor policies to the needs of specific cases and victims, would increase victim trust in the system, and result in better justice system outcomes.
The Healthy Neighborhood Project

The Healthy Neighborhood project is a collaborative effort involving community residents and school personnel in the target community, the College of Human Sciences at Texas Tech University, a city-wide Neighborhood Association, St. Mary Hospital, the United Way, the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center, and from time to time, other community organizations. The project was inspired and initiated during 1994 by a steering committee composed of the Dean of the College of Human Sciences, the Vice President and Major Gifts Director of United Way, the Assistant Superintendent of the local school district, two representatives of the city’s United Neighborhood Association, and a Vice President of St. Mary Hospital. Later joining this original group were representatives from the Texas Tech Health Sciences Center, School of Nursing, and from the Texas Agricultural Extension Service.
Proteolytic Degradation of Topoisomerase II (Top2) Enables the Processing of Top2·DNA and Top2·RNA Covalent Complexes by Tyrosyl-DNA-Phosphodiesterase 2 (TDP2)

Eukaryotic type II topoisomerases (Top2α and Top2β) are homodimeric enzymes; they are essential for altering DNA topology by the formation of normally transient double strand DNA cleavage. Anticancer drugs (etoposide, doxorubicin, and mitoxantrone) and also Top2 oxidation and DNA helical alterations cause potentially irreversible Top2·DNA cleavage complexes (Top2cc), leading to Top2-linked DNA breaks. Top2cc are the therapeutic mechanism for killing cancer cells. Yet Top2cc can also generate recombination, translocations, and apoptosis in normal cells. The Top2 protein-DNA covalent complexes are excised (in part) by tyrosyl-DNA-phosphodiesterase 2 (TDP2/TTRAP/EAP2/VPg unlinkase). In this study, we show that irreversible Top2cc induced in suicidal substrates are not processed by TDP2 unless they first undergo proteolytic processing or denaturation. We also demonstrate that TDP2 is most efficient when the DNA attached to the tyrosyl is in a single-stranded configuration and that TDP2 can efficiently remove a tyrosine linked to a single misincorporated ribonucleotide or to polyribonucleotides, which expands the TDP2 catalytic profile with RNA substrates. The 1.6-Å resolution crystal structure of TDP2 bound to a substrate bearing a 5′-ribonucleotide defines a mechanism through which RNA can be accommodated in the TDP2 active site, albeit in a strained conformation.
Justice in Residency Placement

Bioethicist D. Michah Hester questions the current residency match program and suggests that residents be placed according to random assignments. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.
Antimetastatic gene expression profiles mediated by retinoic acid receptor beta 2 in MDA-MB-435 breast cancer cells

The retinoic acid receptor beta 2 (RARβ2) gene modulates proliferation and survival of cultured human breast cancer cells. Previously we showed that ectopic expression of RARβ2 in a mouse xenograft model prevented metastasis, even in the absence of the ligand, all-trans retinoic acid. We investigated both cultured cells and xenograft tumors in order to delineate the gene expression profiles responsible for an antimetastatic phenotype. RNA from MDA-MB-435 human breast cancer cells transduced with RARβ2 or empty retroviral vector (LXSN) was analyzed using Agilent Human 1A Oligo microarrays. The one hundred probes with the greatest differential intensity (p < 0.004, jointly) were determined by selecting the top median log ratios from eight-paired microarrays. Validation of differences in expression was done using Northern blot analysis and quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR). We determined expression of selected genes in xenograft tumors. RARβ2 cells exhibit gene profiles with overrepresentation of genes from Xq28 (p = 2 × 10-8), a cytogenetic region that contains a large portion of the cancer/testis antigen gene family. Other functions or factors impacted by the presence of exogenous RARβ2 include mediators of the immune response and transcriptional regulatory mechanisms. Thirteen of fifteen (87%) of the genes evaluated in xenograft tumors were consistent with differences we found in the cell cultures (p = 0.007). Antimetastatic RARβ2 signalling, direct or indirect, results in an elevation of expression for genes such as tumor-cell antigens (CTAG1 and CTAG2), those involved in innate immune response (e.g., RIG-I/DDX58), and tumor suppressor functions (e.g., TYRP1). Genes whose expression is diminished by RARβ2 signalling include cell adhesion functions (e.g, CD164) nutritional or metabolic processes (e.g., FABP6), and the transcription factor, JUN.
Logic programming with general clauses and defaults based on model elimination

The foundations of a class of logic programming systems with the expressive power of full first-order logic and a non-monotonic component is addressed. The underlying refutation method is an extended version of weak model elimination. The first question addressed is how to compute answers with weak model elimination when queries and programs are sets of arbitrary clauses, which is completely settled by a soundness and completeness result. The question of computing only definite answers is also settled. Then, the problem of computing answers is rediscussed when the logic programs also include a finite set of defaults.
A stochastic importance sampling methodology for the efficient simulation of digital communication systems with RLS adaptive equalisers

Obtaining a satisfactory precision on estimates of low bit error rates (BER's) in digital communication systems using the conventional Monte Carlo (MC) method can be a prohibitive task due to long run time. While maintaining the same precision, importance sampling (IS) techniques can substantially reduce this run time using MC simulation. To obtain these speed-up factors, the IS parameters specifying the simulation probability density function (pdf) must be carefully chosen. The authors present an IS technique for the efficient simulation of baseband communication systems characterized by a static channel and a recursive least square (RLS) linear adaptive equalizer in the presence of additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN). This IS technique is based on a stochastic gradient descent (SGD) optimisation algorithm. Speed-up factors of 6 to 9 orders of magnitude over conventional the MC method were attained for error probabilities in the range of 10/sup -6/ to 10/sup -9/. >
Oxytocin induction of labor with a mechanical infusion pump.

Abstract Before the marketing of synthetic oxytocin without animal protein or significant pressor fraction contamination, and prior to the availability for clinical use of constant-rate mechanical infusion pumps which could be easily and accurately controlled, difficulties in attempted induction of labor supported expectant therapy or cesarean section in such problems as toxemia, intrauterine fetal death, diabetes mellitus, Rh isoimmunization, premature rupture of membranes near term, hydatidiform mole, and therapeutic abortion (approximately 18 weeks or more). With necessary safeguards, the technique described encourages the vaginal delivery of many difficult obstetric cases hitherto prone to be resolved only by prolonged expectancy or by cesarean section with such recorded contributory indications as “unfavorable for induction” or “failed induction.” The status of the cervix (e.g., “favorable” or “unfavorable”) plays only a small role in the outcome of induction if it is recognized that some additional hours of uterine contractions may be necessary if a cervix is “long and closed,” and that higher rates of oxytocin administration may be required.
A Review of: “Indian Popular Arts”

Gods in the Bazaar is a book about the production and consumption of mass-produced bazaar arts—mainly calendars and framing pictures—in India. Although subtitled “The Economies of Indian Calendar A...
THE MODULATION TRANSFER FUNCTION AND PHASE STRUCTURE FUNCTION OF AN OPTICAL WAVE IN A TURBULENT MEDIUM

Abstract : Expressions are derived for the dependence of the modulation transfer function (MTF) and the phase structure function (D sub phi) on the Kolmogorov turbulence parameters. In particular, it is demonstrated that certain measurements of the MTF and D sub phi can be interpreted in terms of an outer scale of turbulence being of the order 10-50 cm, values which typically can be expected under inversion conditions. (Author)
The Performance of Software Multicast-Reflector Implementations for Multi-player Online Games

Massive multi-player online games are large distributed applications where thousands of participants exchange data. Existing solutions based on central servers face scalability problems. We study a hybrid solution between the peer-to-peer and central server models that divides a large game into several federated small games. The central component of this architecture is a multicast reflector. We present two efficient software implementations that have been developed as Linux kernel extensions and compare them with our user-space implementation. The comparison is based on performance measurements done on actual implementations.
Estimation of Values of Energy Expenditure Rate from Observed Values of Heart Rate

Different bases upon which linear regression equations can be constructed for estimating values of energy expenditure rate from observed values of heart rate are examined. Approximately 100 different regression equations corresponding to different bases were developed from 510 observations made of 11 different tasks. The regression equations constructed on the various bases are compared with one another and with respiratory calorimetry in terms of the experimental error which each introduces into the estimation of energy expenditure. The results suggest that for certain kinds of investigations the regression method can be substituted fruitfully for respiratory calorimetry.
Palliative Care in Cirrhosis

The families and patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD) confront physical and emotional challenges that are not frequently addressed by health-care providers. Palliative care emphasizes the assessment, anticipation, and alleviation of suffering in patients dying from the complications of cirrhosis in a holistic, patient-centered and family-focused manner. This chapter reviews the application of palliative care principles to patients with ESLD and the management of specific complications in the terminally ill patient.
Effect of losses on the performance of very thin artificial magnetic conductors

Artificial magnetic conductors (AMCs) are utilized as in-phase reflectors (unlike ground planes made of good conductors) for improving the radiation performance of thin antennas. Periodically patterned resonant conductor geometries on top of grounded dielectric substrates, namely metasurfaces, is a suitable way to achieve the zero-degrees reflection phase on their surfaces upon plane-wave incidence. However, for extremely subwavelength AMC, losses play a significant role, and may completely destroy the required zero-degree reflection phase performance. For example, in millimeter-wave applications, the losses in conductors becomes important when the AMC is implemented on-chip and thus in a very subwavelength thickness. Under the effect of these losses, the zero-degree reflection phase is not guaranteed and the metasurface may not act as an AMC at the resonance frequency. In this study, we employ the transmission line formalism for plane waves impinging on a metasurface, which is modelled by a lumped circuit that accounts also for the losses. Then we determine a general threshold condition to quantify the emergence of AMC property for a resonant metasurface in terms of the lumped circuit model parameters. Finally we establish a couple of practical cases where we emphasize the impact of losses by reporting relevant circuit model parameters.
Essential Amino Acids Regulate Fatty Acid Synthase Expression through an Uncharged Transfer RNA-dependent Mechanism

To better understand the regulation of gene expression by amino acids, we studied the effects of these macronutrients on fatty acid synthase (FAS), an enzyme crucial for energy storage. When HepG2 cells were fed serum-free media selectively deficient in each amino acid, the omission of any single classic essential amino acid as well as Arg or His (essential in some rapidly growing cells) resulted in FAS mRNA levels that were about half of those in complete medium. Control message levels were unaffected and omission of nonessential amino acids did not alter FAS expression. FAS mRNA levels peaked 12-16 h after feeding complete and Ser (nonessential)-deficient media but did not increase in cells fed Lys (essential)-deficient medium. With Lys, FAS mRNA increased over the physiologic concentration range of 15-150 μM, and low concentrations of lysine decreased FAS but not apoB protein mass. Transcription inhibitors mimicked treatment with Lys-deficient media, and nuclear run-off assays showed that Lys-deficient media abolished FAS but not apoB transcription. After treatment with Lys-deficient media, the intracellular Lys pool was rapidly depleted in association with an increase of uncharged (deacylated) tRNALys from
Aflibercept for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration.

Aflibercept is a novel, recombinant, fusion protein that consists of portions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor (R) 1 and VEGFR2 extracellular domains fused to the Fc portion of human immunoglobulin G1. It exhibits higher affinity for VEGF-A/-B and binds all the VEGF isoforms (VEGF-B and -C, placental growth factor). The efficacy of aflibercept was assessed in two randomized, double-masked, multicenter, active-controlled, clinical trials in patients with choroidal neovascularization due to exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and compared it’s efficacy to ranibizumab, which is already Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved for patients with wet AMD. In the two trials known as VIEW 1 and VIEW 2, aflibercept was as effective when dosed as 2 mg every 8 weeks after 3 monthly loading doses compared to monthly ranibizumab. Aflibercept was well tolerated with very rare systemic adverse events, including arterial thromboembolic events (ATEs). The incidence of ATEs was 1.8% during the first year of the clinical trials and included non-fatal strokes, non-fatal myocardial infarction, or death from vascular events or an unknown cause. In November 2011, aflibercept received FDA approval and is currently used in clinical practice for patients with wet AMD.
Probabilistic Analysis of Simpson's Quadrature

We study probabilistic properties of Simpson?s quadrature, assuming that the class of integrands is equipped with a variant of the r-fold Wiener measure. In the average case setting, we show that the error of Simpson?s quadrature is minimal (modulo a multiplicative constant) when equally spaced points are used. Furthermore, composite Simpson?s quadrature with equally spaced points is almost optimal among all algorithms iff the regularity degree r does not exceed 3. We are also interested in computing a posteriori bounds on the error of Simpson?s quadrature. The error bounds as well as the approximation to ?10 ?(x) dx are computed based on a (fixed) finite number of function values. We derive a new a posteriori error bound for Simpson?s quadrature and show that, from a probabilistic point of view, it is significantly better than a bound that is commonly used in practice.
Modeling of Very Long Infrared Wavelength InAs/GaInSb Strained Layer Superlattice Detectors

The optimal performance of VLWIR (15 μm cutoff wavelength) photovoltaic detectors is assessed theoretically. The electronic band structures are computed with a fourteen-band restricted-basis envelope function Hamiltonian that includes terms copuling heavy and light holes at the superlattice interfaces. These terms describe the type of bonding at the interfaces (InSb or GaAs-like) and result in approximately 25 meV energy gap corrections in thin superlattices in comparison with conventional envelope-function approaches that neglect these terms. Auger lifetimes and upper bounds to detector detectivities are computed with these accurate band structures. The Auger transition rate calculations include Umklapp terms in the transition amplitude.
The reliability of test scores for the pervasive developmental disorders rating scale

The Pervasive Developmental Disorders Rating Scale (PDDRS; Eaves, 1993) is a screening instrument used in the assessment of autistic disorder. In this study, the reliability of test scores for the PDDRS was examined with three samples. The first sample consisted of 456 participants ranging in age from 1 to 12 years old and the second sample consisted of 111 participants in the 13 to 24 year-old range. Additionally, the test-retest reliability of scores for the PDDRS was examined with a sample of 40 participants. The results indicated that coefficient alpha for the PDDRS Total Score was adequate for screening purposes (r = .89) for both age groups. The results of the test-retest study also suggested that PDDRS had adequate test-retest reliability (r = .92) for the PDDRS Total Score. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 39: 605–611, 2002.
Global uniqueness and stability in determining the damping coefficient of an inverse hyperbolic problem with non-homogeneous Dirichlet B.C. through an additional localized Neumann boundary trace

We consider a second-order hyperbolic equation on an open bounded domain Ω in ℝ n for n ≥ 2, with C 2-boundary , Γ0 ∩ Γ1 = ∅, subject to non-homogeneous Dirichlet boundary conditions on the entire boundary Γ. We then study the inverse problem of determining the interior damping coefficient of the equation by means of an additional measurement of the Neumann boundary trace of the solution, in a suitable, explicit sub-portion Γ1 of the boundary Γ, and over a computable time interval T > 0. Under sharp conditions on the complementary part Γ0 = Γ\Γ1, T > 0, and under sharp regularity requirements on the data, we establish the two canonical results in inverse problems: (i) uniqueness and Lipschitz stability (at the H θ-level, 0 < θ ≤ 1, ). The latter (ii) is the main result of this article. Our proof relies on three main ingredients: (a) sharp Carleman estimates at the H 1 × L 2-level for second-order hyperbolic equations [I. Lasiecka, R. Triggiani, and X. Zhang, Nonconservative wave equations with unobserved ...
Design of radio repeater system using a near-field cancellation technique

A new concept for implementation of a miniaturized high-gain and low-power radio repeater is presented in this paper. The proposed micro repeater has a simple RF architecture and can route multiple channels simultaneously. The repeater is composed of low-profile planar miniaturized antennas with vertically polarized radiation pattern, low-power high-gain amplifier chain, and a ring hybrid coupler as a feed network for the transmit antenna pair. By designing the radio repeater structure in symmetric manner and feeding the transmit antenna pair out-of-phase, a null-plane is created in which the receive antenna feed is placed. This way the mutual coupling between the transmit and receive antennas can be suppressed down to −86 dB. It is shown that 54 dB gain of RF amplifier can be inserted into the proposed radio repeater within very small physical dimensions (0.22 λ 0 2 × 0.03 λ 0 ). The operation principle and design guide are presented in this paper.
Effect of pharmacotherapy for anxiety disorders on quality of life: a meta-analysis.

Purpose Pharmacotherapy is an effective treatment for anxiety disorders, but its effects on quality of life (QOL) have not been examined systematically. Our objective was to conduct an effect size analysis of pharmacological interventions on QOL outcomes in patients with DSM-IV anxiety disorders.
Photography and the “natives”: Examining the hidden curriculum of photographs in introductory anthropology texts

Although most introductory anthropology textbooks are filled with photographic images, a reflexive discussion of the purpose of placing photographs within the books is lacking. Since texts’ images are a powerful and pervasive means of communication, anthropologists and students alike need to critically examine messages that the photographs and their captions may convey. In this article, I examine two genres of textbook photographs that can elucidate the use of photographs in general within introductory anthropology texts. Both sets of images depict processes and uses of photography that are of interest to anthropologists. One set shows “natives” looking at Polaroid photographs of themselves; the other set depicts “natives” using photographic equipment for their own purposes. While both image genres can be deconstructed for specific details about image‐making and anthropological subjects, they also constitute part of a “hidden curriculum” of placing photographs in introductory texts. Beneath the ostensibly...
Self-consistent electronic structure of the chlorine-adsorbed silicon (111) surface

A first-principles self-consistent-field calculation of the electronic structure of the Si(111) surface with a layer of chemisorbed Cl atoms has been performed by means of the method of linear combinations of atomic orbitals. A thin-film crystal consisting of twelve infinite (111) Si layers plus one layer of Cl on each side is considered. The crystal potential is expressed as a superposition of localized function at each site, and the basis functions consist of two-dimensional Bloch sums of the $1s$,$2s$,$2p$,$3s$,$3p$ atomiclike functions and of contracted-Gaussian orbitals for each layer of the film. By means of the Gaussian techique, all the multicenter integrals are evaluated exactly and the Hamiltonian matrix elements are computed by summing these integrals over all the lattice points to convergence. The solution of the one-electron Hamiltonian is carried to self-consistency. Application of Mulliken's method of population analysis enables us to determine the fraction of electron charge allocated to each layer for a given wave function and quantitatively characterize the localization of the surface states. At the $\overline{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}$ point of the two-dimensional Brillouin zone, we find a surfacelike $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ state at -13.4 eV (relative to the vacuum level) and a $\ensuremath{\pi}$ surface state at -10.7 eV. The localized behavior of the latter persists at ${\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}}}_{\ensuremath{\parallel}}$ points on the $\overline{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}\overline{M}$ line. The calculated local density of states (LDS) for the valence band agrees well with the experimental photoemission data. In the lower conduction band we find one LDS peak due to surface states at -3.4 eV which corresponds closely to the electron-energy-loss data. Estimates of the LDS for the upper conduction band have been made and the results are in reasonable accord with experiment. A population-analysis calculation indicates a net charge of -0.35 $e$/ atom ($e$ being proton charge) for the Cl layer and 0.27 $e$/ atom for the adjacent Si layer with some residual ionicity in the next few layers.
Development of optimal bicistronic lentiviral vectors facilitates high-level TCR gene expression and robust tumor cell recognition

In human gene therapy applications, lentiviral vectors may have advantages over γ-retroviral vectors in several areas, including the ability to transduce nondividing cells, resistance to gene silencing and a potentially safer integration site profile. However, unlike γ-retroviral vectors it has been problematic to drive the expression of multiple genes efficiently and coordinately with approaches such as internal ribosome entry sites or dual promoters. Using different 2A peptides, lentiviral vectors expressing two-gene T-cell receptors directed against the melanoma differentiation antigens gp100 and MART-1 were constructed. We demonstrated that addition of amino-acid spacer sequences (GSG or SGSG) before the 2A sequence is a prerequisite for efficient synthesis of biologically active T-cell receptors and that addition of a furin cleavage site followed by a V5 peptide tag yielded optimal T-cell receptor gene expression. Furthermore, we determined that the furin cleavage site was recognized in lymphocytes and accounted for removal of residual 2A peptides at the post-translational level with an efficiency of 20–30%, which could not be increased by addition of multiple furin cleavage sites. The novel bicistronic lentiviral vector developed herein afforded robust anti-melanoma activities to engineered peripheral blood lymphocytes, including cytokine secretion, cell proliferation and lytic activity. Such optimal vectors may have immediate applications in cancer gene therapy.
On the Unique Psychological Import of the Human Awareness of Mortality: Theme and Variations

We are gratified that after 20 years, terror management theory (TMT; Greenberg, Pyszczynski, & Solomon, 1986), a formalization of Becker's (1971, 1973, 1975) integrative interdisciplinary analysis ...
Abstract 1177: Pharmacological stimulation of DLL1-Notch signaling as an effective cancer immunotherapy

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Our data demonstrated that in cancer, expression of Notch ligands is selectively altered and Notch signaling in the hematopoietic compartment is attenuated and associated with impaired anti-tumor immunity caused by the aberrant T cell differentiation and function. Our important and therapeutically relevant finding is that stimulation of DLL1-mediated Notch signaling by systemic administration of soluble multivalent (clustered) DLL1 efficiently restores Notch signaling in the hematopoietic compartment. Such therapy strongly activates Notch downstream signaling and variably modulates expression of Notch receptors and ligands. Clustered DLL1 treatment results in significant enhancement of tumor antigen-specific T cell immune responses and memory, decreased proportion of regulatory T cells, remarkably increased tumor infiltration by T cells, attenuated tumor vascularization, and suppression of tumor growth. In an inducible model of lung tumor expressing L858R mutant EGFR in lung epithelium, clustered DLL1 elicited robust anti-tumor immune responses in concert with EGFR inhibition by erlotinib and produced remarkably improved progression-free survival. It is also likely that more efficient tumor killing and induction of T cell memory would significantly delay tumor progression/recurrence. Activation of Notch signaling by multivalent DLL1 in a panel of lung cancer cells in vitro did not stimulate cells proliferative of colony-forming potential, but rather demonstrated inhibitory effect in several cases. Pharmacological stimulation of Notch by multivalent DLL1 might represent an efficient strategy for enhancement of anti-tumor immunity and targeting multiple mechanisms of tumor growth. Reagents based on the multivalent forms of Notch ligands can be efficiently utilized for the therapeutic modulation of Notch signaling. Citation Format: Asel K. Biktasova, Fred D. Dudimah, Roman Uzhachenko, Rajeswara Rao Arasada, Elena E. Tchekneva, David P. Carbone, Anil Shanker, Mikhail M. Dikov. Pharmacological stimulation of DLL1-Notch signaling as an effective cancer immunotherapy. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 1177. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-1177
Pancreatic cancer mortality and organochlorine pesticide exposure in California, 1989-1996.

Background Occupational studies have suggested a possible link between organochlorine pesticides and the occurrence of pancreatic cancers. California maintains a death file and a pesticide reporting system that allows examination of this relationship for residents of high use areas. Methods We employed a mortality odds ratio design to compare deaths from pancreatic cancer (1989–1996) with a random sample of non-cancer deaths. Using pesticide data for three agricultural counties, we classified 102 ZIP codes in quartiles of pesticide usage for 1972–1989. Using logistic regression we estimated the effect of pesticide applications by ZIP code controlling for possible confounders. Results Among long-term residents, pancreatic cancer mortality was elevated for those living in ZIP codes with the highest use of four pesticides: 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-d), captafol, pentachloronitrobenzene (PCNB), and dieldrin. No dose-response relationship was observed. Conclusions Our study suggests increased pancreatic cancer mortality among long-term residents in areas of high application rates of 1,3-d (an EPA-classified probable human carcinogen), captafol, pentacholoronitrobenzene (PCNB), and dieldrin. Am. J. Ind. Med. 43:306–313, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.