cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Extraction of the Wideband Dielectric Properties of a Material Layer Using Measured Natural Frequencies

A new experimental technique for determining the complex permittivity of a dielectric material is introduced. A conductor-backed dielectric sheet is illuminated by a transient plane wave in a free-space measurement range and the temporal reflected field is analyzed as a natural mode series. By comparing the natural frequencies extracted from the response to those found theoretically using a simple dispersion model, the permittivity of the sheet may be determined over a broad band of frequencies. Since the natural frequencies are not affected by the waveform of the incident field, they remain a robust descriptor of the permittivity even after the requisite calibration steps. Examples of the low-loss dielectrics polyvinyl chloride, acrylic, and garolite are examined.
Efficient VLSI Architectures for Multiuser Channel Estimation in Wireless Base-Station Receivers

This paper presents a reduced-complexity, fixed-point algorithm and efficient real-time VLSI architectures for multiuser channel estimation, one of the core baseband processing operations in wireless base-station receivers for CDMA. Future wireless base-station receivers will need to use sophisticated algorithms to support extremely high data rates and multimedia. Current DSP implementations of these algorithms are unable to meet real-time requirements. However, there exists massive parallelism and bit level arithmetic present in these algorithms than can be revealed and efficiently implemented in a VLSI architecture. We re-design an existing channel estimation algorithm from an implementation perspective for a reduced complexity, fixed-point hardware implementation. Fixed point simulations are presented to evaluate the precision requirements of the algorithm. A dependence graph of the algorithm is presented and area-time trade-offs are developed. An area-constrained architecture achieves low data rates with minimum hardware, which may be used in pico-cell base-stations. A time-constrained solution exploits the entire available parallelism and determines the maximum theoretical data processing rates. An area-time efficient architecture meets real-time requirements with minimum area overhead.
Dirty Entanglements: Crime and Corruption behind the Mass Attacks

Terrorist attacks over the last two decades have been characterized by increasing violence, with ever larger numbers of victims and less specific human targets. Some of these attacks were directed and funded from overseas as the terrorists exploited the globalized world. This has been called the “new terrorism.” Since the turn of the millennium, the most fatal attacks have been distributed across the globe. Many, but not all, have links to jihadi movements. September 11 was the most dramatic and the most fatal, but unfortunately, it was only one of a group of increasingly lethal attacks. These most deadly acts of terrorism have certain important shared characteristics – all were facilitated and/or financed by crime and corruption. All the attacks, except the urban violence in Sao Paulo, Brazil, have international components, including money, personnel, or inspiration. The lethality of some of these attacks is explained, as in Brazil and Russia, by the deadly response of state security officials. This chapter shows how crime and corruption played a critical role in every major terror attack of the last decade. From drug trafficking to credit card fraud, terror groups have exploited black markets to advance their causes, blurring the line between criminal and political activity. They chose their points of attack to maximize economic harm and have greater political resonance.
The microbiome of the built environment and mental health

The microbiome of the built environment (MoBE) is a relatively new area of study. While some knowledge has been gained regarding impacts of the MoBE on the human microbiome and disease vulnerability, there is little knowledge of the impacts of the MoBE on mental health. Depending on the specific microbial species involved, the transfer of microorganisms from the built environment to occupant’s cutaneous or mucosal membranes has the potential to increase or disrupt immunoregulation and/or exaggerate or suppress inflammation. Preclinical evidence highlighting the influence of the microbiota on systemic inflammation supports the assertion that microorganisms, including those originating from the built environment, have the potential to either increase or decrease the risk of inflammation-induced psychiatric conditions and their symptom severity. With advanced understanding of both the ecology of the built environment, and its influence on the human microbiome, it may be possible to develop bioinformed strategies for management of the built environment to promote mental health. Here we present a brief summary of microbiome research in both areas and highlight two interdependencies including the following: (1) effects of the MoBE on the human microbiome and (2) potential opportunities for manipulation of the MoBE in order to improve mental health. In addition, we propose future research directions including strategies for assessment of changes in the microbiome of common areas of built environments shared by multiple human occupants, and associated cohort-level changes in the mental health of those who spend time in the buildings. Overall, our understanding of the fields of both the MoBE and influence of host-associated microorganisms on mental health are advancing at a rapid pace and, if linked, could offer considerable benefit to health and wellness.
From Genomic Diversity to Tumor Dependency in Human Cancer

PL04-04 Although tumor classification and patient stratification based on genomic criteria offers tremendous clinical potential, discerning critical effectors of tumor genetic alterations and identifying these alterations in situ remain significant bottlenecks to translational oncology. Our group has begun to address these bottlenecks through systematic genomic characterization of cultured human cancer cells, with an emphasis on melanoma. Unlike many solid tumors, cells from metastatic melanoma are readily cultured in vitro, thereby providing a diverse and experimentally tractable system for genomic and functional studies. Accordingly, we have performed a comprehensive genomic characterization of nearly 100 melanoma short-term cultures and cell lines. Analytical approaches designed to enrich for putative ‘driver’ events indicate that cultured melanoma cells encompass the spectrum of significant genomic alterations present in primary tumors. Moreover, integrative and functional studies of several prevalent but heretofore uncharacterized genomic alterations have yielded promising new insights into melanoma biology. In addition, our group has recently adapted mass-spectrometric genotyping for the high-throughput identification of critical cancer gene mutations in clinical tumor specimens. Recent results suggest that point mutations and small insertions/deletions involving over 100 known cancer genes can be profiled using genomic DNA from both frozen and paraffin-embedded tumor tissue. Together, these approaches may offer a rich framework for systematic functional studies in melanoma and other tumors, while also informing patient stratification in clinical trials of targeted cancer therapeutics.
Investigation of Fumed Silica/Aqueous NaCl Superdielectric Material

A constant current charge/discharge protocol which showed fumed silica filled to the point of incipient wetness with aqueous NaCl solution to have dielectric constants >108 over the full range of dielectric thicknesses of 0.38–3.9 mm and discharge times of 0.25–>100 s was studied, making this material another example of a superdielectric. The dielectric constant was impacted by both frequency and thickness. For time to discharge greater than 10 s the dielectric constant for all thicknesses needed to be fairly constant, always >109, although trending higher with increasing thickness. At shorter discharge times the dielectric constant consistently decreased, with decreasing time to discharge. Hence, it is reasonable to suggest that for time to discharge >10 s the dielectric constant at all thicknesses will be greater than 109. This in turn implies an energy density for a 5 micron thick dielectric layer in the order of 350 J/cm3 for discharge times greater than 10 s.
The Impact of Venture Capital on Funding Outcomes in the Alliance Market.

In this work, we examined the impact of venture capital involvement in the alliance markets by exploring two questions: does venture capital involvement tend to improve access to the alliance marke...
Metabolic Comparison of Particulate Components of Rat Liver Cytoplasm.

Summary1. The cytoplasm of liver has been fractionated by centrifugation in sucrose solution into microsomes, an upper pink mitochondrial layer and a lower normal, yellow mitochondrial layer. These fractions have been studied with respect to amino acid incorporation, cholesterol formation and the ratio of nucleic to protein radioactivity. The mitochondria-P differed sufficiently in these properties from the normal microsomes and mitochondria to be considered a distinct type of cytoplasmic particle. 2. The curve of the ratios of the lower, normal mitochondria to that of the top layer was found to parallel the weight curve of the rat upon aging. The total amount of mitochondria per unit weight of liver remained fairly constant, with the lower fraction increasing and the upper decreasing with age.
The Long, Lingering Shadow: Slavery, Race, and Law in the American Hemisphere. By Robert J. Cottrol. (Athens, GA: University of Georgia Press, 2013. Pp. xii, 370. $24.95.)

In this impressive synthesis, the author reminds historians of the value of asking big, comparative questions. How do we explain differences in race relations within the nations of Latin America an...
Minority Set-Aside Programs in the States After City of Richmond v. J. A. Croson Co.

In a series of decisions handed down during the 1988-1989 term, the U.S. Supreme Court sent clear signals that its equal protection analysis and affirmative action jurisprudence are undergoing reexamination. The most important affirmative action decision during the term was City of Richmond v. J. A. Croson Co. The Court ruled that Richmond's minority business enterprise program, which set aside 30 percent of the dollar amount of government construction contracts for minority-owned firms, violated the Fourteenth Amendment. In the wake of Croson, federal and state courts have considered other cases involving set-aside programs, while a number of other programs have been abandoned, placed under evaluation, or modified to meet the guidelines laid down by the Court.
Study on New Type of Automatic Tuning Method for Arc Suppressing Coil

According to actual situation of 10 kV distribution network, this paper carried out the system simulation calculation for the impact of post-set arc suppressing coil on safety operation of distribution network and evaluated its advantages and disadvantages. This paper raised a new type of tuning method of arc suppressing coil. 40% detuning degree was preset in normal operation of postset arc suppressing coil. Simulation result shows that the new type of tuning method has solved the low successful rate problem of existing system widely applied in post-set arc suppression coil fault line selection, which is favorable for safety and reliable operation of distribution network.
Further insight into BRUTUS domain composition and functionality

BRUTUS (BTS) is a hemerythrin (HHE) domain containing E3 ligase that facilitates the degradation of POPEYE-like (PYEL) proteins in a proteasomal-dependent manner. Deletion of BTS HHE domains enhances BTS stability in the presence of iron and also complements loss of BTS function, suggesting that the HHE domains are critical for protein stability but not for enzymatic function. The RING E3 domain plays an essential role in BTS' capacity to both interact with PYEL proteins and to act as an E3 ligase. Here we show that removal of the RING domain does not complement loss of BTS function. We conclude that enzymatic activity of BTS via the RING domain is essential for response to iron deficiency in plants. Further, we analyze possible BTS domain structure evolution and predict that the combination of domains found in BTS is specific to photosynthetic organisms, potentially indicative of a role for BTS and its orthologs in mitigating the iron-related challenges presented by photosynthesis.
Spectral analysis of body waves from the earthquake of February 18, 1956

abstract The earthquake which occurred south of Honshu, Japan, on February 18, 1956 is studied by means of Fourier analysis. The focal depth of the shock is about 450 km and the magnitude is 7 1 4 to 7 1 2 . Three theoretical models of the source mechanism, that is, Type Ia, Type Ib, and Type II, are examined by the observed amplitude spectra of S and ScS waves. It is found that the observed amplitude ratios of the Fourier components between two horizontal components of the S wave and of the ScS wave, respectively, agree well with the theoretical ratios for a Type II source. Under the assumption that spectral structures should be the same at all observing points, the scattering from the mean amplitude is calculated. The result shows that the Type II model is preferable to either of the Type I models. Assuming Honda9s volume model, whose radiation pattern corresponds to that of a Type II point source, the radius of the source region is estimated by making use of the amplitude ratio of the Fourier component of the S wave to that of the P wave. The radius of the source is found to be 11 km ± 2 km.
Narratives of Success: A Retrospective Trajectory Analysis of Men of Color Who Successfully Transferred from the Community College

With the use of a narrative approach to inquiry, this chapter seeks to reframe deficit-oriented research on men of color, which often focuses on patterns of failure and underachievement, by exploring the pathways of community college men of color who successfully transferred to 4-year institutions.
Comparable Consistency, Coherence, and Commonality of Measures of Cognitive Functioning Across Adulthood:

Increased age is associated with lower scores in many cognitive tests, but interpretation of those results is based on the assumption that the measurement at different ages is equivalent, such that the differences reflect quantitative rather than qualitative changes. The assumption of measurement equivalence was investigated by comparing adult age differences in the relations among alternative versions of the same tests, among different tests of the same ability, and among different cognitive abilities. Results from three independent data sets revealed that only modest age differences were apparent at each level, which implies that cognitive abilities have similar measurement properties at different ages in adulthood.
Self-Control: Knowledge or Perishable Resource?

Abstract The self-control literature suggests two main short-run models with contradictory predictions. By perceiving self-control as a knowledge or perishable resource, those models report a positive and negative impact, respectively, of an initial self-control act on subsequent self-control ability. Using biometric data to monitor compliance enabled us to develop a unified self-control model, reconciling the diverging results in the literature. We find evidence of a dual impact of an initial self-control act on subsequent impulse buying self-control ability. Specifically, while an initial moderate self-control act enhances subsequent self-control ability, exerting self-control beyond a certain threshold causes fatigue reducing subsequent self-control ability.
Basal chymotrypsin secretion and the bentiromide test in chronic pancreatitis

The bentiromide test appears to be useful in detecting chronic pancreatitis with measurements of urinary excretion of PABA after the oral administration of BT-PABA. Although the bentiromide test may reflect abnormal pancreatic chymotrypsin secretion, the test has not previously been correlated with basal pancreatic chymotrypsin secretion. Normal volunteers and patients with chronic pancreatitis underwent the bentiromide test (500 mg) and intubation with a multilumen duodenal catheter. Duodenal juice was analyzed for chymotrypsin, and the content, concentration, and output were determined. In addition, the ability of the duodenal juice to generate PABA from BT-PABA was measured and correlated with the other secretory studies. Normal subjects had a urinary PABA excretion of 81.4 ± 4.1 %. Two groups of subjects with chronic pancreatitis were identified, one with a normal mean PABA excretion, 73.9±9%, and the other with a decreased mean PABA excretion, 35.5 ±5%. The basal chymotrypsin output of 18.2±8 U/min and the duodenal juice generation of PABA, 0.1 ±.04 ug/mL in the subjects with chronic pancreatitis were both less than found in normals, 105.1 ±48.6 U/min and 0.4 ±.04 μg/mL (p<.05). The percent PABA excretion did not correlate significantly with the three basal secretory studies. Duodenal juice PABA generation correlated only with the basal concentration of chymotrypsin (r = 7, p<.01). It appears that the bentiromide test, although capable of detecting subjects with chronic pancreatitis, may not accurately reflect the amount of basal duodenal chymotrypsin.
Class Debates in Intermediate Microeconomics: Social Economics and Pluralist Perspectives

This paper proposes the use of class debates in an intermediate-level microeconomics course to introduce early to mid-career undergraduate students to socially embedded and pluralist perspectives, ...
Perinatal BPA exposure and reproductive axis function in CD-1 mice

Perinatal Bisphenol-A (BPA) exposure reduces fertility and fecundity in mice. This study examined effects of early BPA exposure on activation of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons in conjunction with a steroid-induced luteinizing hormone (LH) surge, characterized patterns of estrous cyclicity and fertility over time, and assessed the ovarian follicular reserve to further explore factors responsible for the reduced fertility we previously described in this model. The percent activated GnRH neurons was reduced in BPA-exposed females at 3-6 months, and periods of persistent proestrus were increased. These data suggest that perinatal exposure to BPA reduces GnRH neuronal activation required for the generation of the LH surge and estrous cyclicity. Assessments of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels failed to suggest a decline in the follicular reserve at the BPA exposure levels examined.
Chemical cross-linking in the structural analysis of protein assemblies

For decades, chemical cross-linking of proteins has been an established method to study protein interaction partners. The chemical cross-linking approach has recently been revived by mass spectrometric analysis of the cross-linking reaction products. Chemical cross-linking and mass spectrometric analysis (CXMS) enables the identification of residues that are close in three-dimensional (3D) space but not necessarily close in primary sequence. Therefore, this approach provides medium resolution information to guide de novo structure prediction, protein interface mapping and protein complex model building. The robustness and compatibility of the CXMS approach with multiple biochemical methods have made it especially appealing for challenging systems with multiple biochemical compositions and conformation states. This review provides an overview of the CXMS approach, describing general procedures in sample processing, data acquisition and analysis. Selection of proper chemical cross-linking reagents, strategies for cross-linked peptide identification, and successful application of CXMS in structural characterization of proteins and protein complexes are discussed.
Expression of Peptide and Other Markers in Lung Cancer Cell Lines

Lung cancer is occurring in near-epidemic proportions in many parts of the world. In the United States of America it is the leading cause of cancer deaths, being diagnosed in about 135000 patients every year, nearly 90% of whom will die of their disease (Minna et al. 1982).
No Longer Just Company Men: The Flexible Workforce and Employment Discrimination

In her new book, From Widgets to Digits, Professor Katherine V.W. Stone1 reviews and analyzes the dramatic changes, both technological and demographic, that have transformed work in America during the last thirty years.2 The book broadly documents the shift from an economy that relied primarily on the production and consumption of goods to one in which learning and the transmittal of knowledge is central to the creation of wealth. Professor Stone describes how in the past, workers may have expected job security and long-term employment, but that recent economic, social, and technological change have led to a more temporary and transitory relationship between employers and workers. Today, workers face the challenges and risks of a "boundaryless career" in which they advance by moving laterally from employer to employer, acquiring skills
Imaging and Intervention in Acute Non-traumatic Arterial Condition

The importance of radiological imaging and intervention in diagnosis and treatment of the acute, non-traumatic arterial conditions increases continuously. Development of new diagnostic and interventional techniques and therapeutic modalities opens new possibilities for a less traumatic, safer, and efficient treatment of the patients with a acute, non-traumatic arterial diseases.
A NOVEL VIP SIGNALING PATHWAY IN T CELLS cAMP→ Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase (SHP-2?)→JAK2/STAT4→Th1 differentiation

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is a potent anti-inflammatory agent. In addition to the deactivation of macrophages, dendritic cells, and microglia, VIP shifts the Th1/Th2 balance, promoting the preferential differentiation and survival of Th2 cells, to the detriment of the proinflammatory Th1 effectors. Several mechanisms operate in the Th1/Th2 shift induced by VIP. Here we report on a novel mechanism for the effect of VIP on T cell differentiation, and show that VIP inhibits Th1 differentiation by interfering directly with the IL-12 Jak2/STAT-4 signaling pathway in T cells. The effect of VIP is cAMP-dependent, and appears to be mediated through the activation of protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTP), with SHP-2 as a potential target. The activation of PTPs represents a novel cAMP-downstream target for the immunomodulatory effects of VIP.
Immunoglobulins on the surface of hamster lymphocytes.

Cell surface immunoglobulin (Ig) is important as an antigen specific receptor on B lymphocytes. It is distributed in a clonotypic fashion and may also function in the antigen-dependent triggering of B lymphocytes. In most species, the predominant isotypes of cell surface Ig are 7–8S membrane IgM (mIgM) and IgD (mIgD). Evidence from experiments with mouse lymphoid cells indicates that the class of Ig present on the B cell can determine whether a cell is triggered or tolerized after exposure to specific antigen (reviewed in 1,2). Ontogenic development of cell surface Ig in the murine system begins with the appearance of mIgM-bearing cells and is followed by cells expressing both mIgM and mIgD. Immature murine B lymphocytes display predominantly mIgM at the cell surface and constitute a population of lymphocytes that are readily tolerized. In contrast, mature B cells express both mIgM and mIgD on their surface. Exposure of these mature cells to antigen leads to subsequent proliferation and differentiation to antibody secretion. Furthermore, removal of mIgD from the surface of these mature lymphocytes (by treatment with papain or capping by specific antisera) results in a population of cells that becomes preferentially tolerized by antigen (2). Thus, the two classes of surface Ig, mIgM and mIgD, appear to regulate the response of B lymphocytes to antigen presentation.
A Brief History of International Education Policy: From Breton-Woods to the Paris Declaration

This chapter overviews a history of international education policy, beginning with the establishment of the UN and Bretton Woods architectures up to recent efforts to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of donor funding with the Paris Declaration and the Accra Agenda for Action. Education is increasingly viewed as a human right and a core responsibility of governments and is understood as a core component of individual and national development, a requirement for economic growth, and a key factor enabling human capabilities. Participation in schooling has increased everywhere, though rates are lower in low-income countries, especially among girls and marginal populations. International organizations mobilized the global education community to target Education for All by 2015. Though not all countries will reach the goal, participation has increased dramatically. A distinguishing feature of the last half of the twentieth century up to the present has been the development relationship between industrialized nations and developing countries. Though targeted to economic and social development, development assistance including that in education, became embroiled both in the international relations of the times and in the fits and starts of understanding how development occurs and can best be fostered.
Pollen competition is the mechanism underlying a variety of evolutionary phenomena in dioecious plants

It has long been known that more pollen grains often arrive on stigmas than there are ovules to fertilize, resulting in pollen competition. Moreover, this competition among pollen grains (gametophytes) depends, in part, on their extensive haploid gene expression. Here I review how this leads to a variety of phenomena in dioecious plants of interest to evolutionary biologists. For example, pollen competition can lead to extreme female-biased sex ratios. In addition, gene expression by individual pollen grains can slow mutation accumulation and degeneration of the Y chromosome. Lastly, I review work on how the haploid selection resulting from pollen competition has been proposed to influence which alleles are linked to the Y chromosome, and some recent empirical evidence in support of this theory.
Resistance to Quinone Outside Inhibitor Fungicides Conferred by the G143A Mutation in Cercospora sojina (Causal Agent of Frogeye Leaf Spot) Isolates from South Dakota Soybean Fields

Resistance to quinone outside inhibitor (QoI) fungicides was detected in Cercospora sojina (causal agent of frogeye leaf spot) isolates collected from soybean (Glycine max) fields in four South Dak...
A randomized phase II study of pembrolizumab with or without radiation in patients with recurrent or metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma.

6082Background: Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a salivary gland malignancy characterized by a high rate of distant recurrence. Systemic therapy has generally failed to produce durable benefit. R...
Longitudinal Changes in Measures of Body Fat and Diet Among Adult Tsimane' Forager-Horticulturalists of Bolivia, 2002-2010.

OBJECTIVE This study examined changes in body fat and diet among Tsimane' forager-horticulturalists and assessed how dietary shifts relate to increases in adiposity between 2002 and 2010. METHODS Longitudinal anthropometric and household-level dietary recall data from 365 men and 339 women aged ≥20 years in the Tsimane' Amazonian Panel Study were used. Multilevel mixed-effects models estimated how BMI, body fat percentage, waist circumference, skinfolds, and fat-free mass relate to household consumption of crops, hunted or fished foods, domesticated animal products, cooking oil, and refined grains and sugar. RESULTS Women's prevalence of overweight and obesity increased from 22.6% and 2.4% in 2002 to 28.8% and 8.9% in 2010, respectively, and BMI increased by 0.60% ± 0.12% per year (P < 0.001). Increases in fat-free mass accounted for some of this observed weight gain among women. Men's prevalence of overweight and obesity increased from 16.2% and 0.7% to 25.0% and 2.2%, respectively, and BMI increased by 0.22% ± 0.09% per year (P = 0.009). Household use of cooking oil increased and was positively associated with female BMI. Consumption of domesticated animal products did not change significantly but was positively associated with female BMI and male waist circumference. CONCLUSIONS Even small increases in energy-dense market-based foods can contribute to adiposity gains among a moderately active, subsistence-based population.
The interaction between RUNX2 and core binding factor beta as a potential therapeutic target in canine osteosarcoma.

Osteosarcoma remains the most common primary bone tumour in dogs with half of affected dogs unable to survive 1 year beyond diagnosis. New therapeutic options are needed to improve outcomes for this disease. Recent investigations into potential therapeutic targets have focused on cell surface molecules with little clear therapeutic benefit. Transcription factors and protein interactions represent underdeveloped areas of therapeutic drug development. We have utilized allosteric inhibitors of the core binding factor transcriptional complex, comprised of core binding factor beta (CBFβ) and RUNX2, in four canine osteosarcoma cell lines Active inhibitor compounds demonstrate anti-tumour activities with concentrations demonstrated to be achievable in vivo while an inactive, structural analogue has no activity. We show that CBFβ inhibitors are capable of inducing apoptosis, inhibiting clonogenic cell growth, altering cell cycle progression and impeding migration and invasion in a cell line-dependent manner. These effects coincide with a reduced interaction between RUNX2 and CBFβ and alterations in expression of RUNX2 target genes. We also show that addition of CBFβ inhibitors to the commonly used cytotoxic chemotherapeutic drugs doxorubicin and carboplatin leads to additive and/or synergistic anti-proliferative effects in canine osteosarcoma cell lines. Taken together, we have identified the interaction between components of the core binding factor transcriptional complex, RUNX2 and CBFβ, as a potential novel therapeutic target in canine osteosarcoma and provide justification for further investigations into the anti-tumour activities we describe here.
Including Nonlinguistic Processing Tasks in the Identification of Developmental Language Disorder.

Purpose Accurate identification of developmental language disorder (DLD) remains challenging, particularly for children who speak different dialects, languages, or more than 1 language. Children wi...
Nutritional evaluation of seal by-products as an alternative protein source for use in monogastric animals

Seal by-products (grey seal with the bone in, grey seal with the bone removed, and harp seal) were subjected to five different processing methods: high (100 °C) and low (45 °C) temperature oven-dry...
Spin-orbit coupling and vibronic transitions of Ce(C3H4) and Ce(C3H6) formed by the Ce reaction with propene: Mass-analyzed threshold ionization and relativistic quantum computation.

A Ce atom reaction with propene is carried out in a pulsed laser vaporization molecule beam source. Several Ce–hydrocarbon species formed by the C—H and C—C bond activation of propene are observed by time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and Ce(C3Hn) (n = 4 and 6) are characterized by mass-analyzed threshold ionization (MATI) spectroscopy and density functional theory, multiconfiguration, and relativistic quantum chemical calculations. The MATI spectrum of each species consists of two vibronic band systems, each with several vibronic bands. Ce(C3H6) is identified as an inserted species with Ce inserting into an allylic C—H bond of propene and Ce(C3H4) as a metallocycle through 1,2-vinylic dehydrogenation. Both species have a Cs structure with the Ce 4f16s1 ground valence electron configuration in the neutral molecule and the Ce 4f1 configuration in the singly charged ion. The two vibronic band systems observed for each species are attributed to the ionization of two pairs of the lowest spin–orbit coupled states with each pair being nearly degenerate.
Individual differences in white and grey matter structure associated with verbal habits of thought.

Abstract Modality specific encoding habits account for a significant portion of individual differences reflected in functional activation during cognitive processing. Yet, little is known about how these habits of thought influence long-term structural changes in the brain. Traditionally, habits of thought have been assessed using self-report questionnaires such as the visualizer-verbalizer questionnaire. Here, rather than relying on subjective reports, we measured habits of thought using a novel behavioral task assessing attentional biases toward picture and word stimuli. Hypothesizing that verbal habits of thought are reflected in the structural integrity of white matter tracts and cortical regions of interest, we used diffusion tensor imaging and volumetric analyses to assess this prediction. Using a whole-brain approach, we show that word bias is associated with increased volume in several bilateral language regions, in both white and grey matter parcels. Additionally, connectivity within white matter tracts within an a priori speech production network increased as a function of word bias. These results demonstrate long-term structural and morphological differences associated with verbal habits of thought.
Professionalism Revealed: Rethinking Quality Improvement in the Wake of a Pandemic

The response of clinicians to the Covid-19 pandemic has been remarkable but unsurprising. As the hard work of improving health care delivery resumes, their performance should serve as a reminder th...
Estudio de percepción de pescadores artesanales sobre aspectos de conservación marina y áreas marinas protegidas en la región de Magallanes

Marine conservation is a complex challenge and its success is generally determined by social factors. Consequently, before promoting the creation of marine protected areas (MPAs), it is necessary to consider the stakeholder’s vision upon them, their perceptions, interests and expectations, in order to minimize conflicts and achieve the necessary support for their implementation and effective management. In this context, and considering the project to propose the creation of a Multiple-Use Coastal Marine Protected Area (AMCP-MU) in the Almirantazgo Sound, we evaluated the perception of artisanal fishermen from the Magallanes region on the topics of biodiversity conservation, MPAs and the project to create a new AMCP-MU. Thirty-five fishermen were interviewed in different coves from Porvenir, Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales cities. In general, the interviewees demonstrated basic knowledge about the aforementioned topics, which, in general, was obtained through different means. Forty three percent of the fishermen interviewed, perceived MPAs as closed areas, intended to protect species and were human activities represent a threat to them, while 23% indicated that MPAs are not necessarily closed areas, allowing the development of some activities. Regarding the creation of an AMCP-MU in the Almirantazgo Sound, 68% of the fishermen stated that it should not generate restrictions for the development of their activities, nor for those of other sectors (e.g. tourism sector). In regards of the fishermen’s perception upon the stakeholders linked to biodiversity conservation in the region, 54% of the fishermen showed some apprehension towards public services, due to their regulating and supervising role, while the tourism sector and Non-governmental organization were viewed more positively. The results of this work contribute to the understanding of the human dimension of marine conservation in Magallanes, highlight the importance of communication to find a common ground between diverse actors with different cultural interests and experiences, and provide contextual background for the process of creation and implementation of MPAs.
An Ultra-Wideband Dually Polarized Transmitarray

An ultra-wideband dually polarized transmitarray of tightly coupled dipoles is presented. The array exhibits an operational bandwidth of 6.2:1 for broadside, maintaining active $\text{VSWR} . Tightly coupled dipoles are used both as receiving and transmitting elements. To introduce the required phase shift at the transmitarray's elements, delay lines are used connecting the receiving and transmitting elements. The delay lines cut through a common perforated ground plane placed between the receive and transmit elements.
A curricular view of communication course offerings of National Communication Association department members

The purpose of this study was to continue the trend of identifying the course offerings of National Communication Association (NCA) department members started by Wardrope (1999). A curricular profi...
Introduction to the Special Issue: “The Emerging Critical Religious Studies Lens in Higher Education”

The editors of the special issue on critical religious studies frame the articles, discussing examples of new critical religious theories and scholarship and setting the agenda for how research and...
X-Ray Computed Tomography Analysis of Magnetically Oriented Short Steel Fibers and their Effect on Uniaxial Tensile Strength of Cement Mortar

AbstractThe main objective of this study is to quantitatively determine the magnetic field capability of a Helmholtz coil in orienting steel fibers and show the correlation between the fiber orient...
Election Law and Civil Discourse: The Promise of ADR

This Essay, stemming from a Symposium put on by the Ohio State Journal on Dispute Resolution on election law and alternative dispute resolution, contrasts negative language in election law court decisions with ADR's collaborative and cooperative approach. I first demonstrate how election law court decisions often include highly caustic language, which, when repeated in the media, can contribute to our overall negative public discourse. I then explain how systems of alternative dispute resolution start with a foundation of cooperation and are less adversarial than traditional litigation. Finally, I combine these concepts to discuss how, by using the collaborative spirit underlying ADR, we can resolve election law challenges in a less adversarial manner and thereby improve our civil discourse. My goal is not to advocate for the use of ADR in all election law cases. Instead, I hope to issue a “call to arms” for election litigants to think about how they can resolve their disputes with greater civility. This, in turn, will produce fewer court opinions with negative language and less opportunity for the media to exploit election controversies. The upshot will be an improvement in our public discourse surrounding elections.
Experimental Asset Markets

Experimental asset markets are multiple-period laboratory double-auction markets utilizing human subjects who trade asset units with fundamental values determined by well-defined (perhaps stochastic) dividend streams. Keywords: experimental asset markets
The “Production” of Corruption in China's Courts: Judicial Politics and Decision Making in a One‐Party State

Despite its rampant presence, judicial corruption in China has often been regarded as the idiosyncratically deviant behavior of a few black sheep eluding prescribed judicial conduct. This entrenched assumption has both discouraged in-depth investigation of the phenomenon of judicial corruption and inhibited proper understanding of the functioning of China's courts. This article, based on an empirically grounded examination of the processing of court rulings tainted by corruption, showed that judicial corruption in China is an institutionalized activity systemically inherent in the particular decision-making mechanism guided by the Chinese Communist Party's instrumental rule-by-law ideal. In investigating what has contributed to the institutionalization of judicial corruption, the interplay between law and party politics in China's courts was also examined. The findings, therefore, also shed light on behind-the-courtroom judicial activities and on the enduring perplexity of the gap between the law in the book and the law in action.
Achieving quality, excellence, and consistency in a global academy

Webster University, a multi-campus, multinational university, recently obtained specialized business accreditation from the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) as well as institutional re-accreditation from The Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The journey towards these successes centered on ensuring the quality and consistency of curricula, an especially monumental task given Webster's global profile. With multiple campuses throughout the world, over 1500 practitioner faculty, and a variety of commonly-used delivery formats, the challenges initially appeared daunting. The Consistency Project was initiated to address the issues faced in ensuring that curricula are communicated clearly to instructors world-wide. While actively celebrating the academic freedom of faculty, comparable coverage in courses regardless of location had to be fostered. The journey leading to the implementation of the Consistency Project, and towards accreditation, uncovered many obstacles. Our journey has of course not ended, but has resulted in a highly consistent, quality set of programs being delivered throughout the world of Webster. We have identified several key benefits including: improved communication, progress towards a cohesive university, more consistent programs, repositories and analysis mechanisms for assessment data. Moreover, the Webster culture among both faculty and staff is now more pro-assessment and accepting of the benefits of accreditation.
Protein synthesis in the cotyledons of Pisum sativum L. Messenger RNA-independent formation of a methionyl-tRNA initiation complex.

Abstract Ribosomal protein factors obtained from 0.5 m KCl extracts of ribosomes from pea cotyledons support the stepwise assembly of a functional 80S initiation complex. The initiation sequence proceeds by the formation of successive complexes dependent on ribosomal proteinaceous factors, Met-tRNAiMet, GTP and 40 and 60S ribosomal subunits but independent of messenger ribonucleic acid. Step 1 involves the formation of a ternary initiation complex (ribosomal proteinaceous factors-Met-tRNAiMet-GTP). Ternary complex assembly is optimal at 100 m m KCl and 0.2 m m MgCl2 and independent of ribosomal subunits. Step 2, at 1.5 m m MgCl2 and 80 m m KCl: The ternary complex binds to 40S subunits to form a 40S-Met-tRNAiMet complex. Step 3, at 3.0 m m MgCl2 and 50 m m KCl: the 60S ribosomal subunit associates with the (40S-Met-tRNAiMet) complex to form the (80S-Met-tRNAiMet) initiation complex. 5′-Guanylylmethylene diphosphonate will replace the GTP requirement for formation of the ternary and 40S complex but not formation of the 80S complex.
Mutations in the Fas antigen in patients with multiple myeloma

Programmed cell death, or apoptosis, is well documented as a physiological means of eliminating activated lymphocytes and maintaining immune homeostasis. Apoptosis has also been implicated in the targeting of tumor cells by cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer cells. One of the two primary mechanisms used in cell-mediated cytotoxicity is the Fas/FasLigand system. Activated or transformed cells expressing the Fas antigen on their surface are susceptible to killing by immune effector cells that express the Fas ligand. Many neoplastic cells, including those derived from patients with multiple myeloma, express Fas antigen on their surface, but do not undergo apoptosis in response to antigen crosslinking. One possibility for the lack of Fas-mediated apoptosis includes mutations in the Fas antigen. Loss of function mutations in the Fas antigen have been associated with congenital autoimmune disease in humans, and have been defined as the genetic defect the in lpr mice. Mutations in the Fas antigen have not been previously described in cancer patients. In this study, we show that mutations occur in the Fas antigen which may cause loss of function and contribute to the pathogenesis of the neoplastic disease, multiple myeloma. Using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), single-stranded conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis, and DNA sequencing, we examined the cDNA structure of the Fas antigen in 54 bone marrow (BM) specimens obtained from myeloma patients. Six patient specimens (11%) did not express detectable levels of Fas antigen mRNA. Of the 48 BM specimens which did express Fas antigen, 5 (10%) displayed point mutations. All of the mutations identified were located in the cytoplasmic region of the Fas antigen known to be involved in transduction of an apoptotic signal. Two separate individuals demonstrated an identical mutation at a site previously shown to be mutated in the congenital autoimmune syndrome, ALPS. One patient exhibited a point mutation at a site only two amino acids removed from the documented lesion of the lprcg mouse. Although the functional status of these point mutations remains to be determined, we propose that Fas antigen mutations may contribute to the pathogenesis and progression of myeloma in some patients.
Conflict of interest in oncology publications: a survey of disclosure policies and statements.

BACKGROUND: Disclosure of conflicts of interest in biomedical research is receiving increased attention. The authors sought to define current disclosure policies and how they relate to disclosure statements provided by authors in major oncology journals. METHODS: The authors identified all oncology journals listed in the Thomson Institute for Scientific Information and sought their policies on conflict-of-interest disclosure. For a subset of journals with an Impact Factor >2.0, they catalogued the number and type of articles and the details of the published disclosures in all papers from the 2 most recent issues. RESULTS: Disclosure policies were provided by 112 of 131 journals (85%); 99 (88%) of these requested that authors disclose conflicts of interest (mean Impact Factor for these journals: 4.6), whereas the remaining 13 (12%) did not (mean Impact Factor: 2.9). Ninety-three journals (94%) required financial disclosure, and 42 (42%) also sought nonfinancial disclosures. For a subset of 52 higher-impact journals (Impact Factor >2.0), we reviewed 1734 articles and identified published disclosures in 51 journals (98%). Many of these journals (31 of 51, 61%) included some disclosure statement in >90% of their articles. Among 27 journals that published editorials/commentaries, only 14 (52%) included disclosures with such articles. There was no publication of any nonfinancial conflicts of interest in any article reviewed. CONCLUSIONS: Disclosure policies and the very definition of conflict of interest varied considerably among journals. Although most journals had some policy in this area, a substantial proportion did not publish disclosure statements consistently, with deficiencies particularly among editorials and commentaries. Cancer 2012;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Ultrasonic signal processing of adhesive bonding data employing Chirp-Z transform and adaptive filtering techniques

Adhesive bonding has found extensive application in the aircraft and defense industries where the failure of a bond in any of the critical load-bearing components, for example the rotor-blade of an helicopter, can bring about a catastrophic failure. Nondestructive evaluation of adhesively bonded structures attempt to assess the key factors of bond strength and quality. The bond strength [1] is primarily determined by the thickness of the bondline, as this greatly affects the stored energy in the bond. Three factors, if determined, provide a good measure of bond quality. They are bond thickness, contact angle of adhesive to substrate, and substrate surface-free energy.