cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Time-average equation revisited

Expressions that relate velocity to porosity and to pore-fluid compressibility are among the most important deliverables of rock physics. Such relations are used often as additional controls for inferring porosity from well logs, as well as in-situ indicators of pore fluid type. The oldest and most popular is the Wyllie et al. (1956) equation: τP=τS+τF,where τP is the measured traveltime of a P-wave, τS is the traveltime expected in the solid-phase material, and τF is the traveltime expected in the pore fluid. It follows from equation (1) that 1Vp=1-ϕVpS+ϕVpF,where ϕ is porosity, Vp is the measured P-wave velocity, and VpS and VpF are the P-wave velocities in the solid and in the pore-fluid phases, respectively.
The nectar alkaloid, gelsemine, does not affect offspring performance of a native solitary bee, Osmia lignaria (Megachilidae)

The ecology and evolution of foliar-feeding insects are thought to be closely tied to plant secondary compounds. Although secondary compounds are also abundant in floral nectar, their role in mediating pollinator preference and performance remains relatively unexplored. 2. This study tested the effects of an alkaloid, gelsemine, found in the nectar of Carolina jessamine ( Gelsemium sempervirens L., Loganiaceae), on the performance of a native solitary bee ( Osmia lignaria lignaria Say, Megachilidae). Nectar gelsemine reduces visits from pollinators, including O. lignaria lignaria , and gelsemine is toxic to vertebrates and possibly non-native honey bees ( Apis mellifera L., Apidae). To test the hypothesis that the deterrent effects of nectar gelsemine reflect negative consequences for pollinator performance, O. lignaria lignaria offspring provisions were supplemented with nectar containing different gelsemine concentrations. Effects on larval development time, prepupa cocoon mass, adult emergence, and adult mass were measured. 3. Nectar gelsemine had no effect on any measure of offspring performance. Thus, although gelsemine deters foraging by adult bees, this behaviour did not optimize offspring performance under the experimental conditions of this study. In contrast, sugar added to nectar treatments increased offspring mass. 4. While adult pollinators may avoid nectar with secondary compounds, this could hinder offspring performance by reducing sugar in provisions if nectar is limiting in the environment. Preference-performance trade-offs, which are studied extensively with foliar herbivores, have seldom been tested for pollinating plant consumers. Future studies of nectar secondary compounds and insect pollinator preference and performance may help to integrate studies of foliage-consuming insect herbivores with nectar- consuming insect pollinators.
Well test results and reservoir performance for a carbon dioxide injection test in the Bass Islands Dolomite in the Michigan Basin

Analysis of well test results and reservoir behavior is presented for a 10,241-t carbon dioxide (CO2) injection test in the Michigan Basin. The test site was located in Otsego County, Michigan, and was part of the Midwest Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership (MRCSP) program. The injection target was a deep saline rock formation, named the Bass Islands Dolomite, at a depth of 1049–1071 m (3442–3514 ft). Rock core tests on this formation suggested an average permeability of 22 md and porosity of 13% across 22 m (72 ft). Hydraulic monitoring included metering injection at the wellhead and downhole pressure and temperature logging in the injection well and a nearby deep monitoring well. Pressure response curves were analyzed for a step-rate injection and shut-in recovery tests. Downhole pressure in the injection well was approximately 13,800–13,930 kPa at injection rates of 400–600 t CO2 per day. Step-rate injection testing suggested that injection rates of several hundred thousand metric tons CO2 per year may be sustainable in a single well. Injection test pressure falloff analysis showed that the overall reservoir permeability may be more than twice as high as indicated from rock core tests. This successful test provides extremely valuable field information on all aspects of the CO2 storage feasibility for both the test region and the broader deployment of the technology.
Stimulated petroleum biodegradation.

Stimulated biodegradation has been considered as a method for removal of petroleum pollutants. Various methods have been proposed for increasing rates of petroleum biodegradation, including physical or chemical modification of petroleum polutants, modification of environmental parameters around polluting oil, and modification of microbial populations around petroleum pollutants. Physical or chemical means for stimulating petroleum biodegradation include removal of particular petroleum fractions by dissolution, burning, and emulsification. Modification of environmental parameters (such as concentrations of essential nutrients, especially nitrogen, phosphorus, and oxygen) has shown the greatest promise for stimulating petroleum biodegradation. Forced aeration and addition of commercial fertilizer combinations in contained systems, addition of fertilizer with tilling in soil, and addition of fertilizer that has been rendered oleophilic in open systems have all been shown to effectively stimulate petroleum biodegradation. Modification of microbial populations by seeding with oil-degrading microorganisms appears to be valuable in stimulating petroleum biodegradation only in limited situations where the naturally occuring numbers of hydrocarbon-degrading microorganisms are low.
Trading precision for stability in congestion control with probabilistic packet marking

In pricing-based congestion control protocols it is common to assume that the rate of congestion feedback from the network is limited to a single bit per packet. To obtain a precise estimate of available bandwidth (as summarized by the congestion price) under the single-bit constraint, a session must consider feedback contained in a number of recently received packets. As more packets are considered, however, the estimate includes increasingly older information about the network state. We study this tradeoff between the quality and timeliness of feedback using control-theoretic approach, modeling the 'memory' incorporated into the price estimate as additional feedback delay. We show through analysis that obtaining arbitrary precision in the estimated price causes control instability, making it more difficult for a session to track its targeted optimal rate. Through continuous-time simulation of our model and packet-level simulations, we find that crude estimates of congestion price based on very few packets can yield good performance while allowing the session to operate far away from the boundary of instability. We also investigate the impact of estimation bias on protocol performance, showing that protocols use a form of integral control can compensate for biased price estimates.
Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency and Insufficiency in Children With Osteopenia or Osteoporosis Referred to a Pediatric Metabolic Bone Clinic

OBJECTIVES. The purpose of this work was to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in children with osteopenia or osteoporosis and to evaluate the relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and bone parameters, including bone mineral density. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D, parathyroid hormone, and other bone markers, as well as bone mineral density, were obtained for 85 pediatric patients with primary osteoporosis (caused by osteogenesis imperfecta or juvenile idiopathic osteoporosis) and secondary osteopenia or osteoporosis caused by various underlying chronic illnesses. Pearson's correlation was used to assess the relationship between vitamin D levels and different bone parameters. RESULTS. Vitamin D insufficiency (defined as serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D <30 ng/mL) was observed in 80.0% of patients. Overt vitamin D deficiency (defined as serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D <10 ng/mL) was present in 3.5% of patients. Using a more recent definition for vitamin D deficiency in adults (defined as serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D <20 ng/mL), 21.1% of the patients had vitamin D deficiency. There was a significant inverse correlation between 25-hydroxyvitamin D and parathyroid hormone levels. There was a positive correlation between 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D and parathyroid hormone, alkaline phosphatase, and urine markers for bone turnover. CONCLUSIONS. Vitamin D insufficiency was remarkably common in pediatric patients with primary and secondary osteopenia or osteoporosis. The inverse relationship between 25-hydroxyvitamin D and parathyroid hormone levels suggests a physiologic impact of insufficient vitamin D levels that may contribute to low bone mass or worsen the primary bone disease. We suggest that monitoring and supplementation of vitamin D should be a priority in the management of pediatric patients with osteopenia or osteoporosis.
Development of a Ground Data Messaging Infrastructure for the Mars Science Laboratory and Beyond

The Mission Data Processing and Control Subsystem (MPCS) under development for the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) incorporates a messaging-based architecture to support event-driven flight operations. MPCS (otherwise known as "Chill") applications communicate over a Java Messaging Service (JMS) compliant messaging bus using messages defined by common Extensible Markup Language (XML) data schemas. This communications approach provides a system-wide "information bus" that functions as a "blackboard" of flight and ground activity information available to interested clients. While messaging over JMS offers important connectivity benefits such as ease-of-integration, significant questions and challenges lie ahead. Primary concerns include the ability of clients to keep up with high rates of published messages during system tests as well as real-time operations and how to best mitigate information bus traffic problems through file system data storage and database management. This paper will discuss the issues and lessons learned by the Chill team from the development, integration and early stages of deployment of a ground data system (GDS) architecture built on a messaging infrastructure.
Suppression of GNAI2 message in ovarian cancer

Understanding the integration of hormone signaling and how it impacts oncogenesis is critical for improved cancer treatments. Here we elucidate GNAI2 message alterations in ovarian cancer (OvCa). GNAI2 is a heterotrimeric G protein which couples cell surface hormone receptors to intracellular enzymes, and is best characterized for its direct role in regulating cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) function by decreasing intracellular cAMP through inhibiting adenylyl cyclase. We probed the Origene human OvCa array for the presence of polymorphisms and gene expression alterations of GNAI2 using directing sequencing and qPCR. These data were supported by database mining of the [NCBI NIH GSE:6008, GSE:14764, GSE:29450, GDS:4066, GDS:3297, GSE:32474, and GSE:2003] datasets. No significant polymorphisms were found, including an absence of the gip 2 oncogene. However, 85.9% of (506 of 589) OvCa patients had decreased GNAI2 message. Further characterization demonstrated that the GNAI2 message was on average decreased 54% and maximally decreased by 2.8 fold in clear cell carcinoma. GNAI2 message decreased in early stage cancer while message was increased compared to normal in advanced cancers. The changes in GNAI2 also correlated to deregulation of CREB, Fos, Myc, cyclins, Arf, the transition from estrogen dependence to independence, and metastatic potential. These data strongly implicate GNAI2 as a critical regulator of oncogenesis and an upstream driver of cancer progression in OvCa.
Impact of 18F-FDG PET/CT on target volume delineation in recurrent or residual gynaecologic carcinoma

Background: To evaluate the impact of 18 F-FDG PET/CT on target volume delineation in gynaecological cancer. Methods: F-FDG PET/CT based RT treatment planning was performed in 10 patients with locally recurrent (n = 5) or post-surgical residual gynaecological cancer (n = 5). The gross tumor volume (GTV) was defined by 4 experienced radiation oncologists first using contrast enhanced CT (GTVCT) and secondly using the fused 18 F-FDG PET/CT datasets (GTVPET/CT). In addition, the GTV was delineated using the signal-to-background (SBR) ratio-based adaptive thresholding technique (GTVSBR). Overlap analysis were conducted to assess geographic mismatches between the GTVs delineated using the different techniques. Inter- and intra-observer variability were also assessed. Results: The mean GTVCT (43.65 cm 3 ) was larger than the mean GTVPET/CT (33.06 cm 3 ), p = 0.02. In 6 patients, GTVPET/CT added substantial tumor extension outside the GTVCT even though 90.4% of the GTVPET/CT was included in the GTVCT and 30.2% of the GTVCT was found outside the GTVPET/CT. The inter- and intra-observer variability was not significantly reduced with the inclusion of 18 F-FDG PET imaging (p = 0.23 and p = 0.18, respectively). The GTVSBR was smaller than GTVCT p ≤ 0.005 and GTVPET/CT p ≤ 0.005. Conclusions: The use of 18 F-FDG PET/CT images for target volume delineation of recurrent or post-surgical residual gynaecological cancer alters the GTV in the majority of patients compared to standard CT-definition. The use of SBR-based auto-delineation showed significantly smaller GTVs. The use of PET/CT based target volume delineation may improve the accuracy of RT treatment planning in gynaecologic cancer.
Resonance vibrational excitation in electron-energy-loss spectroscopy of adsorbed molecules.

A mechanism is suggested which could lead to enhanced excitation of the low-frequency vibrational modes associated with the bond between a solid surface and a molecule adsorbed upon it or of hindered rotational modes with displacement components normal to the surface, as observed in electron-energy-loss spectroscopy. If the incident electron becomes trapped in a negative-molecular-ion shape resonance, manifesting itself in significant intramolecular overtone excitation, the molecule-surface potential-energy curve is augmented by the image potential of the negative ion. This allows displacement of the molecule from its equilibrium neutral position which in turn appears as vibrational excitation of adsorbate-substrate relative motions, upon return to the neutral curve. A simple theory for this effect is presented and numerical estimates of its magnitude are given.
African Regime Types and International Humanitarian Non-Governmental Organizations: A Comparative Study of the Relationships of Friends and Enemies

This thesis explores the relationship between regime types and international humanitarian nongovernmental organizations. Investigating 12 African regimes, varying between the governing types of autocratic and democratic over the last 50 years, and three specific humanitarian INGOs, I search to see if there is one regime type that works the best with this type of INGO. Using INGO presence, amount of funding, and amount of volunteers from each INGO in each country, I measure the presence of INGOs in democracies and autocracies. Compiling both an aggregate view of all 12 countries, and a disaggregate view of 4 individual countries, with investigative case studies, I discover that democracies are not the regime type that works the best with these INGOs. Contrary to the assumption made by most, that democracies do work best with humanitarian INGOs and should have the greatest INGO presence, I find this not to be the case. Rather, by grouping these regimes cohesively into four categories (autocracy, democracy, interruption, and transition), I find that democracy has the least amount of INGO presence, and very low numbers regarding the amount of funding and number of volunteers. Autocracies, interruption, and transition countries have greater INGO presence. In addition, as this question evolved over the course of writing it, other questions had to be asked and other variables considered. Issues of access, demands and needs of a country, and the domestic political environment all had to be enveloped into this question.
Carotid Stiffness and Cerebrovascular Disease: The Physiology Beyond the Anatomy∗

Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity, mortality, and disability worldwide, and the disease burden has progressively increased over the past decades. A rising interest in identifying risk factors for cerebrovascular disease may finally shift the focus to prevention of future events [(1)][1].
Permeability of Rubber to Air. I—Effect of Temperature, Pressure, and Humidity

Abstract Apparatus and procedure are described for investigating the influence of temperature, pressure, and humidity upon the capacity of rubber membranes to retain air under pressure. The relation between total pressure and permeability has been found to be almost linear, the permeability being approximately proportional to pressure. The temperature coefficient of permeability is very high, thus indicating that the pressures of inner tubes should be checked much more frequently in summer than in winter. Moisture has been found to decrease the permeability of rubber to air slightly under certain circumstances. Prolonged immersion of the rubber in water, however, resulted in an appreciable increase in permeability.
Incidence of Atypical Femur Fractures in Cancer Patients: The MD Anderson Cancer Center Experience.

Atypical femoral fractures (AFFs) are rare adverse events attributed to bisphosphonate (BP) use. Few cases of AFF in cancer have been described; the aim of this study is to identify the incidence and risk factors for AFF in a large cancer center. This retrospective study was conducted at the MD Anderson Cancer Center. The incidence rate of AFF among BP users was calculated from January 1, 2004 through December 31, 2013. The control group (n = 51) included 2 or 3 patients on BPs matched for age (≤1 year) and gender. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between clinical characteristics and AFF. Twenty-three AFF cases were identified radiographically among 10,587 BP users, the total BP exposure was 53,789 months (4482 years), and the incidence of AFF in BP users was 0.05 cases per 100,000 person-years. Meanwhile, among 300,553 patients who did not receive BPs there were 2 cases of AFF as compared with the 23 cases noted above. The odds ratio (OR) of having AFF in BP users was 355.58 times higher (95% CI, 84.1 to 1501.4, p < 0.0001) than the risk in non-BP users. The OR of having AFF in alendronate users was 5.54 times greater (OR 5.54 [95% CI, 1.60 to 19.112, p = 0.007]) than the odds of having AFF among other BP users. Patients who were on zoledronic acid (ZOL) had smaller odds of developing AFF compared with other BP users in this matched case control sample. AFFs are rare, serious adverse events that occur in patients with cancer who receive BP therapy. Patients with cancer who receive BPs for prior osteoporosis therapy or for metastatic cancer are at higher risk of AFF. © 2016 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
A Numerical Method for Vortex Confinement in Compressible Flow

It is well known that modern CFD codes do not adequately handle flows involving the convection of thin vertical layers. These layers often remain very thin and persist long distances without significant dissipation. Traditional methods based upon a Lagrangian description successfully calculate some aspects of the flowfields but lack generality of being able to handle complex geometries. Steinhoff and co-workers, over the past decade, have introduced a class of methods, generally known as "vorticity confinement", which have been used successfully to predict complex flows, particularly involving helicopter rotors. Steinhoff's contributions have generally involved an incompressible finite-difference formulation. In this paper, we extend the vorticity confinement to compressible flows by noting that the confinement term added to . ., momentum equation in Steinhoff's formulation may be interpreted as a body force. We can then extend the approach to compressible conservation laws by adding this body force to the integral momentum equation and the rate of work done by the body force to the energy conservation law. The development of a finite-volume compressible vorticity confinement scheme then follows directly. We have been able to produce grid independent solutions on non-uniform grids by implementing a suitably scaled matrix artificial dissipation and a new matrix confinement term. Results are presented for supersonic shear layers, vortices moving in a uniform stream and vortex separation on the leeward surface of a flat plate delta wing at supersonic speed. The results for the shear layer and the moving vortices show very significant improvements due to the confinement term and the supersonic delta wing calculation compares very favorably with experimental data and with calculations performed on a dense, locally-refined grid.
Estimated Maximal Safe Dosages of Tumescent Lidocaine.

BACKGROUND: Tumescent lidocaine anesthesia consists of subcutaneous injection of relatively large volumes (up to 4 L or more) of dilute lidocaine (≤1 g/L) and epinephrine (≤1 mg/L). Although tumescent lidocaine anesthesia is used for an increasing variety of surgical procedures, the maximum safe dosage is unknown. Our primary aim in this study was to measure serum lidocaine concentrations after subcutaneous administration of tumescent lidocaine with and without liposuction. Our hypotheses were that even with large doses (i.e., >30 mg/kg), serum lidocaine concentrations would be below levels associated with mild toxicity and that the concentration-time profile would be lower after liposuction than without liposuction.
Ligand Selection and Trafficking for MHC II

The intracellular pathways and biochemical events involved in generation of complexes between class II major histocompatibility complex molecules (MHC II) and peptides in antigen-presenting cells (APCs) have been extensively investigated, and the results of those efforts are summarized in this article. A central finding is that there are multiple pathways for forming MHC II/peptide complexes, even within one APC cell type. The pathway most commonly used by nascent MHC II begins in the endoplasmic reticulum, involves trafficking to late endosomal/lysosomal compartments for peptide loading, followed by export to the cell surface. Mature MHC II may undergo peptide exchange by recycling through early endosomal compartments. In addition to these pathways, there are other pathways that broaden the spectrum of MHC II/peptide complexes, thereby widening the repertoire of T cells recruited to an immune response. These were previously thought of as side pathways, but emerging evidence suggests their biological importance.
Review of Proceedings: Directions for Future Research

In reviewing the proceedings of this meeting, I would prefer not to touch upon the individual papers but rather to confine my remarks to two separate areas of concern and interest. First, I would like to mention the things I believe were scientifically exciting. Second, I will want to touch upon aspects of the aging brain that I felt were omitted from this excellent program.
Multicolor and white lasers from semiconductor nanomaterials

We report on our recent research on demonstrating the simultaneous lasing in red, green and blue from a single monolithic nanosheet. The careful adjustment of relative output intensities of these elemental colors leads to an overall white appearance from a single laser structure. Larger tolerance to mismatch at nanoscale offers unique opportunity of growing monolithic semiconductor alloy structures of very dissimilar lattice constants and bandgaps. The wide range of available bandgaps from a single high quality nanostructure allow for simultaneous lasing in multiple colors such as red and green [1.2], or in all three elemental colors [3]. The flexibility of the materials and the structures allow the control of relative intensities of each individual colors, such that the overall color can appear as any visible colors in the triangular color gamut, especially as white. Such a monolithic multi-color or white laser can be potentially useful for many applications. In this talk, our recent efforts in growth and characterization of such unique nanostructures of alloy semiconductors to achieve lasing in white and multiple colors will be presented, together with demonstration of various lasing configurations. Some possible applications will be also discussed.
Transcatheter Valve Underexpansion Limits Leaflet Durability: Implications for Valve-in-Valve Procedures

Transcatheter aortic valve (TAV) implantation within a failed bioprosthetic valve is a growing trend for high-risk patients. The non-compliant stent of the previous prosthesis may prevent full expansion of the TAV, which has been shown to distort the leaflet configuration, and has been hypothesized to adversely affect durability. In this study, TAV leaflet fatigue damage under cyclic pressurization in the setting of stent underexpansion by 0 (fully expanded), 1, 2 and 3 mm was simulated using finite element analysis to test this hypothesis. In the 2 and 3 mm underexpanded devices, the TAV leaflets exhibited severe pin-wheeling during valve closure, which increased leaflet stresses dramatically, and resulted in accelerated fatigue damage of the leaflets. The leaflet fatigue damage in the 1 mm underexpanded case was similar to that in the fully expanded case. Clinically a range of 10-15% underexpansion is generally considered acceptable; however, it was observed in this study that ≥2 mm (≥9.1%) underexpansion, will significantly impact device durability. Further study is necessary to determine the impact of various deployment conditions, i.e. non-uniform and non-circular deployments and different implantation heights, on differing TAV devices, but it is clear that the normal TAV leaflet configuration must be preserved in order to preserve durability.
Biological Causes of Delinquency

The study of juvenile delinquency is ultimately as complex as the study of human behavior generally. Not only can we delineate somewhat distinct social, familial, psychological, and biological roots of delinquent behavior, we must then be prepared to examine the interactions of all of these factors with the others and the degree to which each aggravates or mitigates the others. It quickly becomes clear that any attempt to look for an ultimate cause for delinquency exclusively in any one realm is futile.
A multi-atoms space-time modeled by exchange of mass and energy density

Abstract LIGO dedicated Feb. 11, 2016 to the discovery that atoms distanced billion of years away from the Earth have communicated with those on the Earth. No longer valid is the myth that a single particle could be the originator of all others. Equally inapplicable is the mathematical abstraction of the singularity models that render more questions than answers. To answer the unanswerables could be problematic. The multi-atoms (MAs) model predicates communication of the connected atoms as the means of exchanging mass and energy density. Forgetting not the structure of the atoms as referred to have yet to be discovered. The process of naming and renaming will continue.
Competing for Foreign Direct Investment: The Case of Local Governments in China

This article explores the effects of locally adopted economic development zones and government spending promoting foreign affairs on foreign direct investment (FDI)–related employment in Chinese pr...
From inverse design to implementation of robust photonics

We have recently developed a computational approach to inverse-design photonics based on desired performance, with fabrication constraints and structure robustness incorporated in design process. Resulting device designs are non-intuitive, but are fabricable using standard techniques, and exhibit superior performance.
La Llorona: Infanticide, Insanity, and Symbiosis

La Llorona (Weeping Woman) is one of a series of infanticidal maternal archetypes that appear in mythology and folk legend. Like Demeter in Greek mythology, La Llorona possesses great powers, both to create life, and to destroy life.1
Purification and properties of trans-N-deoxyribosylase.

MacNutt (I) was the first to demonstrate the presence of an enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of the deosyribosyl radical of deoxyribonucleosides to purines and pyrimidines in extracts of three bacterial species that require deoxyribonucleosides for growth. In addition, the presence of a deoxyribonucleoside hydrolase was noted in Lactobacillus helveticus extracts. The reaction products were identified by chromatographic methods and microbiological assays; Kalckar et al. (2) verified the transfer nature of the reaction with the aid of U4-adenine. Hoffmann (3) and Lampen (4) have reported briefly on similar enzymes in Escherichia coli. The present paper describes some of the properties of a partly purified enzyme from L. helveticus extracts which we call “transN-deoxyribosylase” (MacNutt (I) named the enzyme “transN-glycosidase”). Auxiliary enzymes have been used to detect and determine the products of the reaction.
A 3-D-Printed W -Band Slotted Waveguide Array Antenna Optimized Using Machine Learning

A three-dimensional (3-D) printed W -band slotted waveguide array antenna (SWAA) is proposed. The proposed SWAA consists of three different sections (two horizontal ones and a vertical one) such as a radiating waveguide array with 10 × 10 slots array with an aperture size of 31 mm × 31.4 mm, a coupling waveguide to feed the radiating waveguide array, and a vertical waveguide to feed the coupling waveguide. Machine learning technique based on artificial neural network algorithm is used to optimize the design. The optimized SWAA is fabricated using stereolithography apparatus (SLA) 3-D printing and then is metallized with silver on the inner and outer surfaces by jet metal spraying method. To metallize the inner and outer surfaces of the monolithic structure, nonradiating slots are added on the surface of the designed SWAA. The surface roughness is taken into account by employing the Huray-model methodology in simulation. The SWAA has a 22.5 dBi far-field gain, a −13.5 dB sidelobe level, and 10° half-power beamwidth (HPBW) at 78.7 GHz in measurement.
Measures of Acculturation and Relations to zBMI among Mexican-Origin Youth

Risk for obesity increases for Mexican-origin immigrants and their children upon arrival in the USA. Acculturative factors have been shown to play a role, but the significance and directionality of this relation may differ based on the method used to measure acculturation. This study examines the cross-sectional relations between several measures of acculturation and child zBMI, as well as the 12-month longitudinal relations between these measures and child BMI (adjusted for age and gender), in a sample of 102 6- to 11-year-old, Mexican-origin youth. Cross-sectional results indicated that two measures, greater preference for English and higher Anglo Orientation, were positively associated cross-sectionally with higher zBMI (p = 0.002 and p = 0.011, respectively). Only English language preference remained significant in longitudinal analyses (p = 0.047). Parental duration of residence and the child’s number of immigrant parents were not significantly associated with zBMI cross-sectionally or BMI longitudinally. These findings suggest that language proxy measures of acculturation present similar findings to multidimensional measures when assessing child weight and support the idea that behavioral or emotional changes that accompany integration into US culture may contribute to obesity development.
Symmetry-driven phonon chirality and transport in one-dimensional and bulk B a 3 N -derived materials

Symmetry and dimensionality are essential factors defining lattice dynamics and conductivity (\ensuremath{\kappa}). Here, we critically examine these via ab initio Boltzmann transport applied to single chain and bulk electride $\mathrm{B}{\mathrm{a}}_{3}\mathrm{N}$ and $\mathrm{B}{\mathrm{a}}_{3}\mathrm{N}X$ ($X=\mathrm{Sb}$,Bi). Chiral phonons in one-dimensional chains obey new symmetry-based scattering rules that limit thermal resistance. Weak chain coupling breaks these in the bulk, giving lower \ensuremath{\kappa} and large \ensuremath{\kappa} anisotropy. Curiously, intercalation of large X atoms binds chains more strongly, reducing the volume, yet gives lower \ensuremath{\kappa} and transforms the electronic behavior. Insights developed here can be more generally applied to other materials and provide avenues for predictive materials design.
SELF-DETERMINATION AND NATIONALISM IN THE BORDER RE-ARRANGEMENTS IN THE HORN OF AFRICA

Purpose : The study sought to understand self-determination and the challenges posed to the borders in the Horn of Africa through a precise analysis of the notion and its application in the Horn of Africa. Methodology : The research used qualitative methodology via primary and secondary data. Primary data engaged historiography through archival materials, documents and field interviews while secondary data was from published journals and books. The study also used magazines, newspapers and internet materials, and films to synthesize the data for validation of the outcome. Result : Self-determination affects state borders and therefore confirms that borders are arbitrary constant formations. Borders include social-cultural norms which entail ethnic identities and state norms. The latter involves inviolability of borders, fixed territory, exclusive citizenship rights and sovereign rights. Therefore, challenges of the state borders in the Horn appears as a clash between the social-cultural norms and state norms. Whereas the first calls for accommodation and negotiated legal spaces, the latter retains a rigid notion of borders which resists a shift of the same. However, successful self-determination referendum by a group within a state followed by consent of the state and recognition by the United Nation (UN) legitimizes international border shifts through the formation of new unique states. A unique contribution to theory, practice, and policy: Self-determination is concomitant with border constructions. Therefore a need in the understanding that natural borders do not exist. States should appreciate a shift in any border as an attempt to self-govern where the hosting regime fails to uphold the same. Self-determination implies retaining a cultural identity and a norm unique from the existing states where annihilation threat towards a group is present. States should not necessarily interpret self-determination as a danger but a mode of negotiation as engrained in pre-colonial African borders. Furthermore, self-determination does not encourage the use of force against other states but promotes the idea of negotiated spaces through plebiscites the acceptance of which results in redrawn borders and the opposite retains status quo.
Role of echocardiography in the assessment of right ventricular function in the pediatric population

This review article summarizes the use of echocardiography in the evaluation of the right ventricle with special emphasis on pediatric patients. After reading this article, anesthesiologists will develop a better understanding of the anatomy and echocardiographic parameters for hemodynamic and functional assessment of the right ventricle. This knowledge will assist with the perioperative management of patients with cardiopulmonary disorder.
Therapy for acute nerve agent poisoning: An update.

Purpose of review Acute nerve agent poisoning was last reviewed in the neurology literature in 2004. As neurologists may expect to be called upon by non-neurologist colleagues as local experts, it is timely to update the 2004 review. Recent findings Acute antidotal therapy for nerve agent poisoning has been rendered simpler and faster by the FDA approval and introduction of the dual-dose autoinjector. Although there are no truly new fielded antidotes, midazolam recently received FDA approval for treatment against seizures, and will replace diazepam in most acute situations when the FDA approves it in the autoinjector form. Information on acute therapy is much more easily accessed in real time now than in 2004, thanks to efforts by the National Library of Medicine and the American College of Medical Toxicology. Summary Since 2004, there have been changes in antidotal therapy and a robust expansion in familiarity with nerve agent management principles in the civilian sector. These advances are somewhat offset by the increased use of nerve agents for nefarious purposes.
Ultra Low-Power OTA for Biomedical Applications

This paper presents a design of an ultra low-power operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) intended for biomedical applications and realized in a $0.18 {\mu } \mathrm {m}$ CMOS technology. The proposed OTA take advantages of bulk-driven (OTA) scheme to reduce power consumption. The OTA uses a single 0.8 V supply and dissipates 5.5 pW of power and provides 70 dB gain which makes it suitable for use as a main block of many biomedical applications including implantable and wearable sensors. The simulation results are compared with conventional OTA structures and some recent works and indicate significant increase in gain while indicating a reduction in power consumption.
Characterizing the Skin and Gut Microbiome of Alopecia Areata Patients

Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is caused by autoimmune attack of the hair follicle. The exact pathogenesis is unknown, but hypotheses include innate immunity imbalance, environmental exposures, genetic predisposition, and possibly the microbiome. The objective of this study was to characterize the skin and gut microbiome of AA patients, and compare microbial composition to healthy individuals. Methods: This was a pilot, case-control study. Scalp and fecal microbiome samples were collected from 25 AA patients, and 25 age, gender, and race-matched healthy controls in Southern California with no significant difference in demographic characteristics. After library preparation and identification of bacterial and fungal taxonomy, multivariant analysis was performed to compare AA and healthy microbiomes. Results: The AA scalp microbiome was significant for decreased Clostridia and Malasseziomycetes, and the gut microbiome was significant for decreased Bacteroidia and increased Bacilli (p<0.05) compared to healthy controls. Conclusions: The composition of the AA bacterial and fungal, scalp and gut microbiome is significantly different than healthy individuals. Future directions include using this data to characterize microbial changes associated with AA patient diet, relating to disease severity, and predicting disease progression, prognosis and/or therapeutic response.
Abstract TMP66: Eight-year Trends in Ambulance Use in a National Sample of Medicare Beneficiaries With Stroke

Thrombolysis for acute stroke must be administered within a short time after stroke onset. Since ambulance use has been shown to ensure timely arrival leading to higher use of thrombolysis, we eval...
El surgimiento de la teología cristiana y la separación de los caminos entre judaismo y cristianismo (II)

With this article in two parts I hope to open up an examination of the role played by the fourth-century Trinitarian controversies in the late ancient estrangement between Jews and Christians. The article proposes that new partitions emerged in Judaeo-Christiani- ty thanks to the novel practices that during the Trinitarian controversies Christians de- veloped to express their ideas about God. From the viewpoint of theological content, the Trinitarian disputes persisted within a lasting Christian-Jewish continuun: none of the theological options explored by Christians would have caused particular scandal to a contemporaneous Jew on account of its particular articulation of divine reality. Nevertheless, by disengaging from earlier modes of argumentation functioning as bridges between proto-rabbinic and proto-Christian discourses, the production of a theological field on the part of believers in Jesus was largely responsible for the sepa- rate constitution of Christianity and Judaism as intellectual traditions.
Pharmacokinetic, behavioral, and brain activity effects of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol in adolescent male and female rats.

Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the intoxicating constituent of cannabis and is responsible for the drug’s reinforcing effects. Retrospective human studies suggest that cannabis use during adolescence is linked to long-term negative psychological outcomes, but in such studies it is difficult to distinguish the effects of THC from those of coexisting factors. Therefore, translationally relevant animal models are required to properly investigate THC effects in adolescents. However, though the relevance of these studies depends upon human-relevant dosing, surprisingly little is known about THC pharmacology and its effects on behavior and brain activity in adolescent rodents—especially in females. Here, we conducted a systematic investigation of THC pharmacokinetics, metabolism and distribution in blood and brain, and of THC effects upon behavior and neural activity in adolescent Long Evans rats of both sexes. We administered THC during an early-middle adolescent window (postnatal days 27–45) in which the brain may be particularly sensitive to developmental perturbation by THC. We determined the pharmacokinetic profile of THC and its main first-pass metabolites (11-hydroxy-THC and 11-nor-9-carboxy-THC) in blood and brain following acute injection (0.5 or 5 mg/kg, intraperitoneal). We also evaluated THC effects on behavioral assays of anxiety, locomotion, and place conditioning, as well as c-Fos expression in 14 brain regions. Confirming previous work, we find marked sex differences in THC metabolism, including a female-specific elevation in the bioactive metabolite 11-hydroxy-THC. Furthermore, we find dose-dependent and sex-dependent effects on behavior, neural activity, and functional connectivity across multiple nodes of brain stress and reward networks. Our findings are relevant for interpreting results of rat adolescent THC exposure studies, and may lend new insights into how THC impacts the brain in a sex-dependent manner.
Meaning to multiply: Electrophysiological evidence that children and adults treat multiplication facts differently.

Abstract Multiplication tables are typically memorized verbally, with fluent retrieval leading to better performance in advanced math. Arithmetic development is characterized by strategy shifts from procedural operations to direct fact retrieval, which would not necessitate access to the facts’ conceptual meaning. This study tested this hypothesis using a combination of event related brain potentials (ERP) and behavioral measures with 3rd-5th grade children and young adults. Participants verified the solutions to simple multiplication problems (2 × 3 = 6 or = 7) and the semantic fit of word-picture pairs, separately. Children showed an N400 effect to multiplication solutions with larger (more negative) amplitude for incorrect than correct solutions, reflecting meaning-level processing. A similar ERP response was observed in the word-picture verification task, with larger negative amplitude for word-picture pairs that were semantically mismatched compared to matched. In contrast, adults showed a P300 response for correct solutions, suggesting that they treated these solutions as potential targets in over-rehearsed mathematical expressions. This P300 response was specific to math fact processing, as the word-picture verification task elicited a classic N400 in adults. These ERP findings reveal an overlooked developmental transition that occurs after fifth grade, and speak to theories of arithmetic that have been based primarily on adult data.
Ford Foundation–India Relations in the 1950s: A Recipient Country Perspective

This paper investigates the development of a close relationship between the Ford Foundation—the world’s richest and most internationally oriented philanthropic organisation in the Cold War era—and ...
Big landscapes meet big data: Informing grazing management in a variable and changing world

On the Ground • Rangeland-based livestock raising is the only agricultural production system that maintains native plant communities, providing ecosystem services in the same space as food and fiber production. • Annual aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) underlies forage production and multiple ecosystem services. ANPP is highly variable in rangelands in the western United States, across the landscape, from year to year, and within a growing season. Variability is also increasing as the climate changes. • Grazing management decisions that determine when, where, and how much of ANPP is consumed by livestock, including stocking rate decisions, can ultimately determine rangeland health and the future sustainability of livestock production and provision of ecosystem services. • Yet managers' access to data on available forage and its variability is limited, and existing field methods to quantify forage production accurately require extensive sampling and are prone to errors or bias. • A variety of remotely sensed data sources exist to help characterize forage availability and how it has varied spatially and temporally over the last 30 or more years, as well as other datasets that can estimate available forage and inaccessible terrain for livestock. • We discuss the need for a state-of-the-art decision support tool that integrates available remote-sensing data on forage availability with land managers’ knowledge of local needs and information for managers to access to the depth and breadth of information they need to sustainably manage grazing under variable and changing conditions. • Such a decision support tool could help land managers better manage rangeland ecosystems with flexible stocking rates and adaptive grazing management opportunities that adjust to variations in ANPP, leading to increased regional and site-specific rangeland resilience.
The Vast Gulf Between Attempted Mass Shooting and Attempted Material Support

Attempt law is inherently fraught with difficulty – predicting who is going to commit a crime or become a terrorist is almost impossible. Therefore, the law generally requires the individual to come as close to committing the act as possible, “a substantial step” in addition to intent before prosecuting them. However, in the terrorism realm, material support laws were enacted to catch terrorists before they have acted and even if they have not engaged in or attempted a terror act at all. Rather, ‘material support’ encompasses giving money or aid that could help a designated terror group more generally. Therefore, with the concepts combined, we have the murkiest of laws – attempted material support. Many of the cases follow a similar pattern: an individual tweets or writes something positive about ISIS on social media, they are then contacted by an undercover FBI informant, and they discuss plans to join ISIS. When the individual then buys a ticket to a country that can be a conduit to Syria or goes to an airport, they are arrested, charged with attempted material support, and can go to prison for up to twenty years. There are themes of young, misguided, or mentally ill individuals who do not fit the terrorist label at all. In sharp contrast, similarly young, misguided, or mentally ill individuals can plan a mass shooting, discuss it on-line, buy handguns, rounds and rounds of ammunition and often law enforcement cannot do anything. They have done nothing illegal. This article questions why is there this divide? Do we accept mass shooters in a way we do not accept ‘terrorists’? Is this potential bias because of race or religion? In an era where gun reform seems unlikely, should the laws be changed so that there is an attempted mass shooting law to bridge this divide especially when in many of the ‘terror’ cases the targets are not really terrorists at all.