cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The History of Ethnic Images in Film: The Search for a Methodology

Some fifteen years ago I began to be drawn into the arena of the visual media treatment of ethnic (including racial) groups. My early judgments were based on diffuse and fragmentary written evidence, the purposeful analysis of selected motion pictures and television shows, a variably trusty memory drawing upon decades of extensive but casual viewing, and a blend of logic and intuition. However, as I became increasingly serious about the topic and decided to make it a subject for serious scholarly investigation, not just a guaranteed titillating topic for public lectures and teacher workshops, I discovered the enormous conceptual and methodological challenges of trying to reconstruct a history of ethnic images in the visual media. Based on my experiences in giving multicultural education workshops and guest presentations in K-12 classrooms, I had become intrigued with the fictional visual media. I constantly met individuals who recounted their own vivid and lasting impressions of ethnic groups gleaned from fictional media, particularly films and television. In addition, they reported examples of how their students' personal perceptions and attitudes about different ethnic groups and foreign cultures had been affected by the fictional media. My survey of scholarly literature reconfirmed these personal impressions. Over the years, social and behavioral scientists have directly assessed the impact of ethnic portrayals in film and television and have demonstrated that films and television really do teach, although we cannot predict with certainty what any specific individual will learn. For example, in a pioneering study during the 1930s, Ruth C. Peterson and L. L. Thurstone discovered that the viewing of the classic silent film The Birth of a Nation (1915), which included derogatory depictions of Blacks, increased student prejudice toward Black Americans.1 Irwin C. Rosen found that the anti-anti-Semitism film, Gentleman's Agreement (1947), improved student attitudes toward Jews, even though most of the tested students stated that the film had not changed their attitudes.2 Unfortunately for those of us interested in the effect of ethnic-content
Investigation of the Effect of Exertion Length on Measured Isometric Strength

Isometric strength testing has been shown to be an effective method of matching employee strength capability to job strength requirements. Increased blood pressure and other cardiovascular effects produce undesirable stress in test subjects and could be reduced by using a shorter test if no additional information is gained by using a longer test. If several muscle groups are involved in an isometric strength test the “Ergonomics Guides for Assessment of Human Static Strength” suggests that pilot studies be performed to assure adequate time for a subject to seek and maintain a maximum voluntary effort for a period of at least three seconds. This study was designed to quantitatively investigate the effect of exertion length on measured strength for three strength tests simulating industrial activities. Twenty student volunteer subjects (10 M, 10 F) performed each test for both a five second and three second duration. The force measured during selected one to four second intervals or both the five second and...
USING THE DAY RECONSTRUCTION METHOD TO QUANTIFY TIME SPENT SUFFERING AMONG OLDER ADULTS WITH CHRONIC PAIN

The Day Reconstruction Method (DRM) is a structured diary designed to measure time use in a manner that is more valid than traditional written summary measures, but less burdensome than real-time electronic diary methods. The lower respondent burden and administration costs might make it feasible to utilize this method in large national surveys. Past studies using the DRM have generally focused on subjective mood states during different types of activities. In this study, we extended the DRM to also measure suffering from negative symptoms, such as pain and fatigue, in 122 older adults, most of whom suffer from chronic pain. Results indicated that the method was well tolerated in this population, with over 98% of the sample providing interpretable responses. Chronic pain respondents reported spending a considerable proportion of their day suffering from pain, fatigue, and depression; a much higher proportion than reported by healthy controls (p’s < .01). Time spent suffering was associated with lower income, negative mood, and lower life satisfaction and quality of life.
S3-1: The Serial Dependence of Visual Perception

In our moment-to-moment perceptual experience, visual scenes can change, but objects rarely spontaneously come into or out of existence. The visual system may therefore delicately balance the need to optimize sensitivity to image changes (e.g., by adapting to changes in color, orientation, object identity, etc) with the desire to represent the temporal continuity of objects—the likelihood that objects perceived at this moment tend to exist in subsequent moments. One way that the visual system may promote such stability is through the introduction of serial dependence to visual perception: by biasing the current percept toward what was seen at previous moments, the brain could compensate for variability in visual input that might otherwise disrupt perceptual continuity. Here, in two sets of experiments, we tested for serial dependence in visual perception of orientation and facial expression. We found that on a given trial, a subject's perception of the orientation of a grating reflected not only the curre...
A distributed LTL-based approach for intermittent communication in mobile robot networks

In this paper we develop an intermittent communication framework for mobile robot networks. Intermittent communication provides significantly more flexibility to the robots to accomplish their tasks compared to approaches that enforce communication constraints for all time. We consider robots that move along the edges of a mobility graph and communicate only when they meet at the nodes of that graph giving rise to a dynamic communication network. Assuming that the mobility graph is connected, we design distributed controllers for the robots that determine meeting times at the vertices of the mobility graph so that connectivity of the communication network is ensured over time, infinitely often. We show that this requirement can be captured by a global Linear Temporal Logic (LTL) formula that forces robots to meet infinitely often at the rendezvous points. To generate discrete high-level motion plans for all robots that satisfy the LTL expression, we propose a novel technique that performs an approximate decomposition of the global LTL expression into local LTL expressions and assigns them to the robots. Since the approximate decomposition of the global LTL formula can result in conflicting robot behaviors, we develop a distributed conflict resolution scheme that generates discrete motion plans for every robot, based on the assigned local LTL expressions, whose composition satisfies the global LTL formula. Computer simulations are provided that verify the efficacy of the proposed distributed control scheme.
Stokes paradox in electronic Fermi liquids

The Stokes paradox is the statement that in a viscous two-dimensional fluid, the ``linear response'' problem of fluid flow around an obstacle is ill posed. We present a simple consequence of this paradox in the hydrodynamic regime of a Fermi liquid of electrons in two-dimensional metals. Using hydrodynamics and kinetic theory, we estimate the contribution of a single cylindrical obstacle to the global electrical resistance of a material, within linear response. Momentum relaxation, present in any realistic electron liquid, resolves the classical paradox. Nonetheless, this paradox imprints itself in the resistance, which can be parametrically larger than predicted by Ohmic transport theory. We find a remarkably rich set of behaviors, depending on whether or not the quasiparticle dynamics in the Fermi liquid should be treated as diffusive, hydrodynamic, or ballistic on the length scale of the obstacle. We argue that all three types of behavior are observable in present day experiments.
Force and Stress Relations in a Deformable Magnetic Material

In the preceding sections, we developed separately the theory of a rigid magnetized body and the theory of a nonmagnetic elastic solid. In each case two methods were used. In the first method (§§2 and 3), field and stress concepts played a dominant role; energy considerations entered only toward the end (§§ 2.6 and 3.3) and only thru an elementary “conservation of energy” argument. In the second method (§§4.4 and 4.5), energy considerations were the basis of the treatment; the key principle was minimization of a thermodynamic potential. The concept of internal mutual forces, or stresses, entered only at the end and as a triviality of notation [Eq. (4.44)]; the concept of an internal self-field H1 entered only in the magnetostatic “self-energy” Wm, where it could in fact have been avoided by substituting for H1 the expression (with appropriate subscript changes) (2.35). The results by the two methods were equivalent, provided the conserved energy of the first treatment was, for isothermal changes, identified with the “free energy” (Helmholtz function) F of the second.
Inquiry-Based Laboratory for Teaching Students Design-of-Experiments

Engineering professionals must have the ability to solve experimental open ended problems. Whether they work on physical problems directly or in a leadership role, they must be adept at the analysis and development of process solutions. The ability to address problems that have unknown or multiple possible solutions is essential for the success of new graduates, both in industry and in graduate school. Indeed, the ability to design experiments is a required technical outcome for ABET accredited engineering programs. This paper describes a laboratory course that includes a true inquiry based project. The use of a rubric facilitates teaching students to design an experiment and prepare to execute it. The design of experiments rubric was published previously and will be provided to the attendees, and is available online. A separate rubric that facilitates preparation of and grading of student lab reports is presented in this paper. The project is included as part of a Biochemical Engineering Laboratory Course at San Jose State University.
Chemical modification of the superconducting β-(ET)2SF5CH2CF2SO3 structure through use of CF3CRR'SO3-anions

Discrete, organic anions provide an attractive alternative for the synthesis of molecular superconductors. We have previously prepared the first completely organic superconductor, β-(BEDT-TTF) 2 SF 5 CH 2 CF 2 SO 3 [BEDT-TTF, hereafter abbreviated ET is bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiofulvalene]. Molecular metals which contain organic anions are essentially free of the magnetic impurities (i.e. Cu +2 ) that often plague the physical property studies of organic superconductors such as κ-(ET) 2 Cu[N(CN) 2 ]Br. We have undertaken a research effort aimed at the crystallization of conducting charge transfer salts which possess fluorinated alkylsulfonate anions as the charge compensating entities. Herein we report the extension of this work to include the synthesis and characterization of ET salts of the trifluoromethylsulfonate anions, CF 3 CRR'SO 3 - (R, R' = F, H).
Tracking Bias in News Sources Using Social Media: the Russia-Ukraine Maidan Crisis of 2013-2014.

This paper addresses the task of identifying the bias in news articles published during a political or social conflict. We create a silver-standard corpus based on the actions of users in social media. Specifically, we reconceptualize bias in terms of how likely a given article is to be shared or liked by each of the opposing sides. We apply our methodology to a dataset of links collected in relation to the Russia-Ukraine Maidan crisis from 2013-2014. We show that on the task of predicting which side is likely to prefer a given article, a Naive Bayes classifier can record 90.3% accuracy looking only at domain names of the news sources. The best accuracy of 93.5% is achieved by a feed forward neural network. We also apply our methodology to gold-labeled set of articles annotated for bias, where the aforementioned Naive Bayes classifier records 82.6% accuracy and a feed-forward neural networks records 85.6% accuracy.
Professional Development and Research to Improve School Practices and LGBTQ Health in US Schools

An introduction is presented for a study in the issue on U.S. school practices that support LGBTQ students.
The Cerebellar GABAAR System as a Potential Target for Treating Alcohol Use Disorder.

In the brain, fast inhibitory neurotransmission is mediated primarily by the ionotropic subtype of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor subtype A (GABAAR). It is well established that the brain’s GABAAR system mediates many aspects of neurobehavioral responses to alcohol (ethanol; EtOH). Accordingly, in both preclinical studies and some clinical scenarios, pharmacologically targeting the GABAAR system can alter neurobehavioral responses to acute and chronic EtOH consumption. However, many of the well-established interactions of EtOH and the GABAAR system have been identified at concentrations of EtOH ([EtOH]) that would only occur during abusive consumption of EtOH (≥40 mM), and there are still inadequate treatment options for prevention of or recovery from alcohol use disorder (AUD, including abuse and dependence). Accordingly, there is a general acknowledgement that more research is needed to identify and characterize: (1) neurobehavioral targets of lower [EtOH] and (2) associated brain structures that would involve such targets in a manner that may influence the development and maintenance of AUDs.
Dynamical Models for Cell Rearrangement During Morphogenesis

The spatial form of cells and tissues reflect their underlying physical and mechanical properties. These properties are regulated, primarily by the modification of cell cytoskeletal components, to produce a large repertoire of cell behaviors, including cell shape changes and directed motility. In a number of instances, these behaviors drive tissue morphogenesis during embryological development. Here we propose a mechanical model for studying tissue morphogenesis by cell rearrangement and cell shape change. Our model describes these processes by accounting for the balance of forces between neighboring cells that are junctionally coupled within a tissue. The model is applied to two embryological settings: epiboly in the teleost fish Fundulus, and notochord extension in Xenopus laevis.
Conflict and Fisheries in the Lake Victoria Basin: A Coupled Natural and Human Systems Approach

Conflict scholars are increasingly cognizant that both natural resource exploitation and food security are linked to conflict in complex, dynamic ways. However, extant research has typically ignored the importance of conflict location in determining whether armed conflict leads to increased or decreased resource exploitation, and how changes in resource exploitation feed back into conflict dynamics. We develop a theoretical model in which conflict and fisheries are linked through mechanisms such as population displacement, labor redeployment, and food prices that contain strong feedbacks. Food prices, demand, access to resources, and conflict location shape the process of fishing effort, while food-web interactions and environmental variables affect fish catch. We focus on the importance of conflict location. Conflict can either depress or amplify fishing effort depending on the proximity of conflict to fishing areas and its impacts on local food markets. In addition to these direct effects on human and livelihood security, our analysis demonstrates that conflicts in the region have been a significant driver of ecosystem change and have important implications for natural resource management.
Large Excited-State Conformational Displacements Expedite Triplet Formation in a Small Conjugated Oligomer

Intersystem crossing in conjugated organic molecules is most conveniently viewed from pure electronic perspectives; yet, vibrational displacements may often drive these transitions. We investigate an alkyl-substituted thienylene-vinylene dimer (dTV) displaying efficient triplet formation. Steady-state electronic and Raman spectra display large Stokes shifts (∼4000 cm-1) involving high-frequency skeletal symmetric stretching modes (∼900-1600 cm-1) in addition to large displacements of low-frequency torsional motions (∼300-340 cm-1). Transient absorption spectroscopy reveals the emergence of distorted singlet (S1) and triplet signatures following initial vibrational relaxation dynamics that dominate spectral dynamics on time scales > 100 ps, with the latter persisting on time scales up to ca. 7 μs. Potential energy surfaces calculated along the dominant displaced out-of-plane torsional mode reveal shallow energy barriers for entering the triplet manifold from S1. We propose that dTV is a good model system for understanding vibrational contributions to intersystem crossing events in related polymer systems.
NOVEL 24-HOUR BLOOD PRESSURE PROFILE IN PATIENTS WITH RESISTANT HYPERTENSION

Resistant hypertension (RHTN) is defined as uncontrolled blood pressure (BP) (automated office BP [AOBP] ≥ 130/80 mmHg, 24-hr ambulatory BP [ABPM] ≥ 125/75 mmHg) on 3 or more medications including a diuretic; BP controlled on 4 or more medications is defined as controlled RHTN. Controlled non-
Gang Call-Ins and Policy Transfer

The chapter utilises Kingdon’s Agendas, alternatives, and public policies to illustrate some of the different influences involved in policy making. An analysis of policy transfer is utilised to explain aspects of agenda setting resulting in gang call-ins. The chapter uses an ethnographic vignette from an observed gang call-into capture the moments when a policy developed in major US cities is applied to local interventions in South Borough, and the reasons why it fails. It is argued that the apparent failings of the call-in were due to a transfer of a “solution” which did not match with local problems. The need for a more democratic, local and holistic understanding of the gang problem emerges as key issues for future development.
Prototype Low-Current Superconducting Quadrupole Magnet for Fermilab’s High-Intensity Laboratory

A low-current saddle-type quadrupole magnet using very similar cable and design criteria as its companion dipole [1] has been built and tested in a vertical cryostat. The low current is achieved by taking the 15 film-insulated strands of a cable and connecting them in series. With currents of approximately 250 to 350 A, it becomes economically possible to use a separate power supply for each of the magnets in the beamline. Magnet parameters are given in Table I.
Micro-RNAs Are Related to Epicardial Adipose Tissue in Participants With Atrial Fibrillation: Data From the MiRhythm Study.

Introduction: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) has been linked to incidence and recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF), but the underlying mechanisms that mediate this association remain unclear. Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) contribute to the regulation of gene expression in cardiovascular diseases, including AF. Thus, we sought to test the hypothesis that circulating miRNAs relate to burden of EAT. Methods: We examined the plasma miRNA profiles of 91 participants from the miRhythm study, an ongoing study examining associations between miRNA and AF. We quantified plasma expression of 86 unique miRNAs commonly expressed in cardiomyocytes using quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). From computed tomography, we used validated methods to quantify the EAT area surrounding the left atrium (LA) and indexed it to body surface area (BSA) to calculate indexed LA EAT (iLAEAT). Participants were divided into tertiles of iLAEAT to identify associations with unique miRNAs. We performed logistic regression analyses adjusting for factors associated with AF to examine relations between iLAEAT and miRNA. We performed further bioinformatics analysis of miRNA predicted target genes to identify potential molecular pathways are regulated by the miRNAs. Results: The mean age of the participants was 59  9, 35% were women, and 97% were Caucasian. Participants in the highest tertile of iLAEAT were more likely to have hypertension, heart failure, and thick posterior walls. In regression analyses, we found that miRNAs 155-5p (p < 0.001) and 302a-3p (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with iLAEAT in patients with AF. The predicted targets of the miRNAs identified were implicated in the regulation of cardiac hypertrophy, adipogenesis, interleukin-8 (IL-8) and nerve growth factor (NGF) signaling. Conclusion: miRNA as well as EAT have previously been linked to AF. Our finding that iLAEAT and miRNAs 155-5p and 302a-3p are associated suggest a possible direct link to between these entities in the development and maintenance of AF. Further research is needed to study causal relationships between these biomarkers.
Fire effects on germination of seeds from Rhus and Rubus : competitors to pine during natural regeneration

Throughout the southeastern United States, Rhus and Rubus species are common associates of the southern pines on a wide array of upland site and stand conditions. Because of their ability to overrun disturbed sites, these species are categorized as competitors to pine during stand regeneration. Since prescribed burning is often used for site preparation in advance of pine regeneration, this study investigated the effect of fire on the germination of seeds from three pine competitors (Rubus argutus Link, Rhus copallina L. and Rhus glabra L.). During dormant-season burns, sumac seeds were located 45 cm above litter, within the F layer of a reconstructed forest floor, and at the interface of the forest floor and mineral soil. During growing-season burns, fresh blackberry fruits were placed at heights of 0, 15, 30, and 45 cm above the surface litter of a reconstructed forest floor. In subsequent germination tests, sumac seeds from within the F layer of burned litter had significantly higher germination rates for smooth sumac (31%) and shining sumac (42%) as compared to unburned control seeds (1–5%). In general, germination rates for sumac seeds placed in the air or on mineral soil during burning were no better than control seeds. Seeds from blackberry fruits that were located at heights of 15, 30, and 45 cm had germination rates that were comparable to unburned control seeds (18%), but seeds from fruits placed on the litter during burning had <1% germination. Results suggest that sumac seed germination may be enhanced by the heat from prescribed burning, whereas blackberry seeds showed more germination response to multiple germination cycles which indicated a potential for long-term storage in the soil seed bank.
Positive Cooperativity in Substrate Binding by Human Thymidylate Synthase.

Abstract Thymidylate synthase (TS) catalyzes the production of the nucleotide dTMP from deoxyuridine monophosphate (dUMP), making the enzyme necessary for DNA replication and consequently a target for cancer therapeutics. TSs are homodimers with active sites separated by ∼30 A. Reports of half-the-sites activity in TSs from multiple species demonstrate the presence of allosteric communication between the active sites of this enzyme. A simple explanation for the negative allosteric regulation occurring in half-the-sites activity would be that the two substrates bind with negative cooperativity. However, previous work on Escherichia coli TS revealed that dUMP substrate binds without cooperativity. To gain further insight into TS allosteric function, binding cooperativity in human TS is examined here. Isothermal titration calorimetry and two-dimensional lineshape analysis of NMR titration spectra are used to characterize the thermodynamics of dUMP binding, with a focus on quantification of cooperativity between the two substrate binding events. We find that human TS binds dUMP with ∼9-fold entropically driven positive cooperativity (ρITC = 9 ± 1, ρNMR = 7 ± 1), in contrast to the apparent strong negative cooperativity reported previously. Our work further demonstrates the necessity of globally fitting isotherms collected under various conditions, as well as accurate determination of binding competent protein concentration, for calorimetric characterization of homotropic cooperative binding. Notably, an initial curvature of the isotherm is found to be indicative of positively cooperative binding. Two-dimensional lineshape analysis NMR is also found to be an informative tool for quantifying binding cooperativity, particularly in cases in which bound intermediates yield unique resonances.
Springtime Onset of Isolated Convection Precipitation across the Southeastern United States: Framework and Regional Evolution

AbstractThis study examines the geographic and temporal characteristics of the springtime transition to the summer precipitation regime of isolated convection in the southeastern (SE) United States...
Continued Increases in the Intensity of Strong Tropical Cyclones

Capsule Summary:The strongest tropical cyclones have continued to get stronger consistent with theory and with the findings published in Elsner et al. (2008).
The impact of fetal cardiac bypass on the placental rennin-angiotensin system

Objective To evaluate the response of placental rennin-angiotensin system(RAS)to fetal cardiac bypass.Methods Nine ovine fetuses of gestational age 120 to140 days were randomized into control group(n=4)and bypass group(n=5).The control group underwent fetal sternotomy.The bypass group underwent fetal cardiac bypass.The hemodynamic and blood gas data of the ewes and the fetuses were recorded before,during,1 and 2 hour after the bypass.The umbilical flow was measured with ultrasonic flowmeter and the placental vascular resistance was calculated.The level of angiotensin-Ⅱ(Ang-Ⅱ)and angiotensin converse enzyme(ACE)mRNA in placenta were assayed.Resuits The fetal mean blood pressure and heart rate of the two groups showed no significant change during the study period.The fetuses in bypass group developed hypercarbia and acidosis after the cessation of hypass(P＜0.05).The fetal arterial oxygen tension of both groups remained normal,but fetal BE value of the bypass group rose significantly compared with control group(P＜0.05).Placenta vascular resistance of bypass group increased significantly(P＜0.05).The levels of ACE mRNA and Ang-Ⅱ also increased simultaneously(P＜0.05)in bypass group(P＜0.05).Conclusions Fetal cardiac bypass activates the placental RAS and adversely affect the fetal-placental circulation. Key words: Extracorporeal circulation; Renin-angiotensin system; Placenta
Progress with development of global gridded super-collated SST products from low Earth orbiting satellites (L3S-LEO) at NOAA

In response to users’ needs, NOAA SST team is developing a multi-sensor gridded “super-collated” (L3S) SST product that consolidates “uncollated” L3U data from multiple polar sensors into reduced-volume high spatial resolution product, without adding modeled data. The algorithm uses VIIRS data from multiple NPP and N20 overpasses, to create a satellite-based reference, and use it to bias-correct individual overpasses, suppress the noise, and mitigate residual cloud leakages present in individual L3U data. We present the current status of VIIRS L3S product and results of its monitoring in the NOAA global and regional systems, and validation against in-situ data.
Thinking, Acting, Flourishing: The Audacious Modesty of Pierre Manent’s Practical Natural Law

Pierre Manent's Natural Law and Human Rights is a brilliant contribution to the critique of the contemporary ideology of universal and ever-expanding “human rights” and of its foundations in the mo...
Prediction of the 4D Chromosome Structure From Time-Series Hi-C Data

Abstract Chromatin conformation plays an important role in a variety of genomic processes. Hi-C Data is frequently used to analyse structural features of chromatin such as AB compartments, topologically associated domains, and 3D structural models. Recently the genomics community has displayed growing interest in chromatin dynamics over time. Here we present 4DMax, a novel method which uses time-series Hi-C data to predict dynamic chromosome conformation. Using both synthetic data and real time-series Hi-C data from processes such as induced pluripotent stem cell reprogramming and cardiomyocyte differentiation, we construct fluid four dimensional models of individual chromosomes. These predicted 4D models effectively interpolate chromatin position across time, permitting prediction of unknown Hi-C contact maps at intermittent time points. Our results demonstrate that 4DMax correctly recovers higher order features of chromatin such as AB compartments and topologically associated domains, even at time points where Hi-C data is not made available to the algorithm. Use of 4DMax may alleviate the cost of expensive Hi-C experiments by interpolating intermediary timepoints while also providing valuable visualization of dynamic chromatin changes.
Women Between Worlds: A Psychoanalysis of Sex in Blade Runner 2049

This essay argues, against traditional feminist critiques, that the primary question Blade Runner 2049 poses is not: are women being portrayed equally to men? But rather: how does sex and in particular the feminine reveal something about the ontological impasse of being itself? The film’s dystopic future presents a world where appearance itself is disappearing, and where the loss of the gap of the symbolic threatens the very category of the subject. The essay argues that the overly-sexualized imageries of women must be read alongside each woman’s singular act, revealing how the women of the film play a much more crucial role than the male “heroes” in sustaining the opening for a world wherein subjectivation (and sex itself, in its radical ambiguity) is possible.
Onlay Patellofemoral Arthroplasty in Patients With Isolated Patellofemoral Arthritis: A Systematic Review.

Abstract Background Patellofemoral arthroplasty (PFA) for isolated patellofemoral osteoarthritis (OA) remains controversial due to variable postoperative outcomes and high failure rates. Second-generation (2G) onlay prostheses have been associated with improved postoperative outcomes. This systematic review was performed to assess the current overall survivorship and functional outcomes of 2G PFA. Methods A search was performed using PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Google Scholar. Thirty-three studies published in the last 15 years (2005-2020) were included; of these 22 studies reported patient-reported outcome measures. Operative and nonoperative complications were analyzed. Pooled statistical analysis was performed for survivorship and functional scores using Excel 2016 and Stata 13. Results The mean age of the patients was 59.7. When analyzing all studies, weighted survival at mean follow-up of 5.52 was 87.72%. Subanalysis of studies with minimum 5 years of follow up showed a survival of 94.24%. Fifteen studies reported Oxford Knee Score with a weighted mean postoperative Oxford Knee Score of 33.59. Mean American Knee Society Score pain was 79.7 while mean American Knee Society Score function was 79.3. The most common operative complication was OA progression for all implants. The percentage of revisions and conversions reported after analyzing all studies was 1.37% and 7.82% respectively. Conclusion Safe and acceptable results of functional outcomes and PFA survivorship can result from 2G PFAs at both short and mid-term follow-up for patients with isolated patellofemoral OA. However, long-term follow-up outcomes are still pending for the newer implants. More extensive studies using standardized functional outcomes and long-term cost benefits should be evaluated.
Double ridged waveguide phase shifters for broadband applications

An electromagnetic mode matching analysis of dual ridged waveguide phase shifters is presented. The waveguide is loaded with a high dielectric material between the ridges and the troughs are filled with ferrite toroids. This structure offers nearly twice the bandwidth and less variation in nonreciprocity versus frequency compared to the conventional dual toroidal phase shifter. >
SPARK: A Transcriptional Assay for Recording Protein-Protein Interactions in a Defined Time Window

Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) are ubiquitously involved in cellular processes such as gene expression, enzymatic catalysis, and signal transduction. To study dynamic PPIs, real-time methods such as Forster resonance energy transfer and bioluminescence resonance energy transfer can provide high temporal resolution, but they only allow PPI detection in a limited area at a time and do not permit post-PPI analysis or manipulation of the cells. Integration methods such as the yeast two-hybrid system and split protein systems integrate PPI signals over time and allow subsequent analysis, but they lose information on dynamics. To address some of these limitations, an assay named SPARK (Specific Protein Association tool giving transcriptional Readout with rapid Kinetics) has recently been published. Similar to many existing integrators, SPARK converts PPIs into a transcriptional signal. SPARK, however, also adds blue light as a co-stimulus to achieve temporal gating; SPARK only records PPIs during light stimulation. Here, we describe the procedures for using SPARK assays to study a dynamic PPI of interest, including designing DNA constructs and optimization in HEK293T/17 cell cultures. These protocols are generally applicable to various PPI partners and can be used in different biological contexts. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Designing DNA constructs for SPARK Basic Protocol 2: Performing the SPARK assay in HEK293T/17 cell cultures Support Protocol 1: Lentivirus preparation Support Protocol 2: Immunostaining of SPARK components.
A Surprising Message from Murines

Rat relaxin had been known for about 18 years and had been thoroughly characterized mainly through by Sherwood et al.1–4 The relaxin used in those studies had been isolated by the method of Walsh et al in which homogenized ovaries were extracted with a mixture of trifluoroacetic acid (15%), formic acid (5%), sodium chloride (1%) and hydrochloric acid (1M).5,6 The conditions seemed rather rough but an active hormone was obtained which was used for all subsequent studies until very recently. Rat relaxin (Fig.13.1), always considered to be a relaxin of low potency, made a natural connection to our structure function studies, in particular the beneficial effect of replacement of histidine B10 in insulaxin for a glutamic acid. In the rat this position was occupied by glycine and based on a central dogma in protein chemistry, this was an unfavorable situation. Glycine is considered a helix-breaking residue and its presence in the major B chain helix right at the receptor interaction site seemed a clear indication that glycine B14 was compromising the bioactivity of rat relaxin. The opportunity was irresistible to test one’s ability to predict how certain features in a molecule would influence its bioactivity and subsequently to improve on a natural product. First rat relaxin was needed to establish a baseline and consequently a few milligrams were synthesized by the new method.7
LATITUDINAL VARIATION IN PROTANDRY AND PROTOGYNY IN POLISTINE WASPS

SUMMARY Polistes wasps (Hymenoptera Vespidae) are protogynous in the south (30°N) and protandrous in the north (42°N) of America. Sexual selection is unlikely to account for protandry because females do not mate soon after emergence, and sometimes mate multiply. North-south differences in both emergence order and relatedness of workers to brood fit the hypothesis that protandry is the result of worker conflict with the queen over the sex ratio. Protandry allows the queen to determine the sex ratio. Protogyny could be the result of greater male than female mortality prior to mating. It could also be the result of a variable and unpredictable number of days for brood production, if females can become either workers or reproductives until late in their development. In this case protogyny would allow the decision to produce reproductives rather than workers to be delayed for a few more weeks. Texas populations of P. metricus Say, P. bellicosus Cresson, P. dorsalis (Fabr.) and P. exclamam Vierek all produce ma...
Total Knee Replacement & Rehabilitation: The Knee Owner's Manual, by Daniel J. Brugioni and Jeff Falkel

As the title implies, Total Knee Replacement & Rehabilitation: The Knee Owner's Manual is written for those who will undergo knee replacement surgery. Brugioni and Falkel provide accurate and relia...
Output control of discrete-time nonlinear systems

Output tracking control of a general class of nonlinear sampled-data systems is considered. A novel block input-output realization of the plant is first introduced that transforms the system into one with equal number of inputs and states. This realization is subsequently used to formulate an output feedback controller for regulation or tracking. The proposed controller only requires measurement of the system's outputs, and is applicable to both minimum and nonminimum phase plants of arbitrary relative degree. For applications involving a finite-duration or periodic desired outputs, an iterative algorithm is proposed to learn the feedforward input. Finally, a simulation example is presented to further illustrate and evaluate the performance of the proposed control scheme.
Does the timing of attainment of maturity influence sexual size dimorphism and adult sex ratio in turtles

The attainment of sexual maturity has been shown to affect measures of sexual size dimorphism (SSD) and adult sex ratios in several groups of vertebrates. Using data for turtles, we tested the model that sex ratios are expected to be male-biased when females are larger than males and female-biased when males are larger than females because of the relationship of each with the attainment of maturity. Our model is based on the premise that the earlier-maturing sex remains smaller, on average throughout life, and predominates numerically unless the sexes are strongly affected by differential mortality, differential emigration, and immigration, or biased primary sex ratios. Based on data for 24 species in seven families, SSD and sex ratios were significantly negatively correlated for most analyses, even after the effect of phylogenetic bias was removed. The analyses provide support for the model that SSD and adult sex ratios are correlated in turtles as a result of simultaneous correlation of each with sexual differences in attainment of maturity (bimaturism). Environmental sex determination provides a possible mechanism for the phenomenon in turtles and some other organisms. © 2014 The Authors. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2014, 112, 142–149.
Legalized gambling an industry of the future

Abstract Gambling is business—big business. In the fiscal year 1972 the state of Nevada had a total “take” of $54 million from the gambling industry. Other states—specifically New York, California, Florida, and Illinois—take in even more tax and gaming revenues. There are several reasons for legalizing gambling in states where it is now illegal. One is that taxation could provide large revenues. Legalized gambling draws tourists and conventions, and generates jobs—in hotels, in the casinos, and in construction. What forms of gambling should be legalized? For several reasons, the authors suggest casinos rather than lotteries or off-track betting; the latter tend to attract patrons from lower income levels, and a tax on these forms would be regressive.
Cellular Bulkheads and Cofferdams

Results of field and laboratory research on cellular sheetpile structures are summarized. Design for both internal stability and overall stability is considered. It is proposed that for cellular bulkheads embedded in sands, neither sliding nor overturning can occur before a cell fails by tilting in the vertical shear mode. Guides for interlock force analysis and selection of lateral earth pressure coefficients for a newly proposed vertical shear model are given.
Stories of MDM: Helping Patients and Clinicians Manage Uncertainty during Clinical Care

Ionce counseled a patient who was struggling to understand her breast surgeon’s words: ‘‘Studies show some benefit in some women.’’ The surgeon’s statement was accurate. But they didn’t answer the kinds of questions that my patient had. Questions like the following: Would she be one of the women who benefited from the proposed treatment plan? What does ‘‘some’’ benefit even mean? Those questions are difficult because they are grounded in uncertainty. Although we can estimate odds overall in the population, we cannot know what will happen to any individual patient. It is always hard to sit with uncertainty. The challenge for my patient, and for every patient, was moving forward, despite the unknowns about one’s health.
Dentistry's future at the University of Southern California

Participation in the National Dental Education Program has been a most important activity. It has had great impact on the future well-being of the USC School of Dentistry. Success in Phases 1 and 2 was, of course, important. However, the involvement in training sessions, where ideas were exchanged and new skills learned, was probably of more importance. Communication with university officials suddenly became easier--we now spoke a common language and could respond more effectively than before. While the outcomes will be important in changing the school9s course, the process leading to the outcomes will also produce significant change. Planning took on new meaning at USC. We are now able to respond to opportunities that come knocking at our door. We are able to see relationships previously invisible. We are beginning to recognize that what each does, in whatever activity, matters a great deal. We--faculty, students, staff, and alumni--are interdependent to a larger degree than previously thought. Challenging years are in store for the USC School of Dentistry. Much needs to be done to ensure dentistry9s future at USC into the 21st century. The school is located at the right place at the right time. The external environment beckons for increased involvement by the School of Dentistry. If the school can address the challenges posed by the changed internal environment, it is well positioned to become the most important resource in dental education, in dental care, and in dental information in the Southwest.
Using Categorial Grammar to Label Translation Rules

Adding syntactic labels to synchronous context-free translation rules can improve performance, but labeling with phrase structure constituents, as in GHKM (Galley et al., 2004), excludes potentially useful translation rules. SAMT (Zollmann and Venugopal, 2006) introduces heuristics to create new non-constituent labels, but these heuristics introduce many complex labels and tend to add rarely-applicable rules to the translation grammar. We introduce a labeling scheme based on categorial grammar, which allows syntactic labeling of many rules with a minimal, well-motivated label set. We show that our labeling scheme performs comparably to SAMT on an Urdu--English translation task, yet the label set is an order of magnitude smaller, and translation is twice as fast.
Integrated photonic devices by selective-area MOCVD

Progress towards integrated photonic devices by three-step selective-area MOCVD is reviewed. Using the selective growth process, the quantum well thickness and, hence, the emission wavelength of buried heterostructure devices can be defined anywhere on a wafer surface by using an appropriate mask geometry for the active region regrowth. This in-plane bandgap energy control allows the designer to fabricate devices with different wavelengths on the same wafer for integrated photonic applications. Since no growth occurs on the oxide mask, the spacing between stripes defines the width of the lateral waveguide, and the width of the stripes defines the amount of growth rate and composition enhancement in the quantum well. As a result, a very wide range of emission wavelengths (960 - 1060 nm) can be obtained over the wafer surface in a single growth. This paper reviews a few of the high performance photonic devices fabricated using this method.
HIGH TEMPERATURE FRACTURE TOUGHNESS OF SINGLE CRYSTAL YTTRIUM-ALUMINIUM GARNET

Abstract Y3Al5O12 (YAG) is the most creep-resistant single crystal oxide known and is therefore an attractive candidate for very high temperature applications. The fracture toughness, K1c, was measured as a function of temperature using the single edge precracked beam (SEPB) method and was compared to notched beam method results in the literature. The fracture toughness of annealed SEPB specimens was found to be independent of both temperature from 20°C to at least 1700°C and loading rate over two orders of magnitude. Thus the brittle-to-ductile transition does not occur before 1700°C. Previous reports of remarkable increases in the fracture toughness below 1700°C using notched beam methods are considered erroneous due to microcrack healing and crack blunting effects. The SEPB fracture toughness method avoids these problems since a long, sharp crack exists in the specimen prior to testing and can be effectively preserved at high temperatures using a preloading procedure. © 1997 Acta Metallurgica Inc.
Alpha2-adrenergic antagonists effect on amphetamine-induced behaviors

Abstract The effects of alpha2-adrenergic antagonists on amphetamine- induced locomotion and stereotypy were studied in mice. Six alpha2-antagonists (i.e., yohimbine, rauwolscine, piperoxan, tolazoline, RX781094, and RS21361) selectively attenuated amphetamine-induced increases in locomotion at doses which did not effect amphetamine-induced stereotypies. Higher doses of the antagonists which attenuated baseline sterotyopies also attenuated amphetamine-induced increases in stereotypies. The effect of the alpha2-antagonists was qualitatively similar to that observed with the atypical antipsychotic clozapine. Furthermore, the in vivo relative potency of the alpha2-antagonists in the present study was comparable to that reported in other studies. These results suggest that alpha2-adrenergic receptors may modulate the effects of amphetamine on locomotion in mice.
Recent improvements in radiometric accuracy based on new detector technology

Abstract Until recently, the best accuracy achievable in the measurement of radiometric properties was limited by the accuracy of the ultimate radiometric standard to which the measurement could be traced. Since about 1980, however, there have been such dramatic improvements in the accuracy of detector-based standards that this is no longer the case. These new radiometric standards are briefly reviewed in this paper, with emphasis on the intercomparisons that demonstrate their accuracy.
Comparative grain topology

Abstract Space-filling polyhedral networks are commonly studied in biological, physical, and mathematical disciplines. The constraints governing the construction of each network varies considerably under each context, affecting the topological properties of the constituents. A method for mapping the topological symmetry of a space-filling population of polyhedra is presented, relative to all possible polyhedra. This method is applied to the topological comparison of populations generated by seven different processes: (i) natural grain growth in polycrystalline metal, ideal grain growth simulated by (ii) interface-tracking and (iii) phase-field methods, (iv) Poisson–Voronoi and (v) ellipsoid tessellations, and (vi) graph-theoretic and (vii) Monte Carlo enumerations of individual polyhedra. Evidence for topological bias in these populations is discussed.