cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Technologies for mars on-orbit robotic sample capture and transfer concept

Potential Mars Sample Return (MSR) would need a robotic autonomous Orbital Sample (OS) capture and manipulation toward returning the samples to Earth. The OS would be in Martian orbit where a sample capture orbiter could find it and rendezvous with it. The orbiter would capture the OS, manipulate it to a preferential orientation for the samples, transition it through steps required to break-the-chain with Mars, stowing it in a containment vessel or an Earth Entry Vehicle and providing a redundant containment to the OS (e.g., by closing and sealing the lid of the EEV). In this paper, we discuss component technologies developed for in-laboratory evaluation and maturation of concepts toward the robotic capture and manipulation of an Orbital Sample. We discuss techniques for simulating 0-g dynamics of a spherical OS, including contact, in a laboratory setting. In this, we leverage a 5dof gantry system and, alternately, a 6dof KUKA robotic arm to simulate the OS motion. Both the gantry and robotic arm are mounted with a force-torque sensor that enable detection of contact and provide measurements to simulate, in hardware, the 0-g OS dynamics. We present results that demonstrate the validity of our approach and the extent to which we are able to simulate 0-g dynamics in a laboratory setting. We also discuss techniques for detecting and tracking the OS using optical sensors and LIDAR from near-capture distances. These are discussed in the context of individual sensors as well as fusion of multiple sensor readings. Results of hardware experiments with different sensors are presented. Further, we discuss an uncertainty quantification based physics modeling capability for quantitative evaluation of different concepts for OS capture and manipulation. The computational models are based on high-fidelity multibody dynamics simulations of the OS, robotic elements and their contact mechanics. We present results that demonstrate our effective use of computational simulations in a complementary manner to hardware experiments. Finally, we present a cyber-physical approach to concurrently fusing hardware elements, computational simulation elements and autonomy software to effectively and rapidly simulate end-to-end systems concepts for end-to-end orbital sample capture and manipulation system concepts.
Abstract 5284: Gastric cancer in Alaska Native people: A cancer health disparity

Gastric cancer in the Alaska Native (AN) people occurs at a 3-fold higher incidence and 4-fold higher mortality rate compared to Non-Hispanic Whites (NHW), representing one of the largest cancer disparities in the AN population. We aimed to review the AN gastric cancer burden and identify clinicopathological factors that are associated with cancer outcomes. Patient information was collected from 132 AN gastric cancer patients diagnosed between 2006-2015 at the Alaska Native Medical Center. The Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Result database 18 was used to collect comparison United States NHW gastric cancer patient data. Compared to NHW patients, AN gastric cancer patients have a higher incidence rate, are significantly younger, 60 versus 69 years, and have a poorer 5-year overall survival rate of 10% compared to 22%. AN patients differ from NHW patients in gastric cancer anatomic location, subtype, and higher presence of signet ring cell carcinomas. Forty-one percent of AN patients were positive at the time of diagnosis for Helicobacter pylori, 77% had chronic gastritis, 30% had a family history of a first-degree relative with gastrointestinal cancers, and 82% were current or former tobacco users. Using univariate analysis, diminished overall survival was observed with anatomic site, increasing stage, no treatment, the number of lymph nodes examined during resection, blood type, and chronic gastritis. Multivariable analysis revealed stage and treatment type were independently associated with improved overall survival. AN gastric cancer cases vary in their clinical and epidemiologic features, relative to NHW. Citation Format: Holly Martinson, Steven Alberts, Matthew Olnes. Gastric cancer in Alaska Native people: A cancer health disparity [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 5284. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-5284
The {110} reflection in X-ray diffraction of MXene films: Misinterpretation and measurement via non-standard orientation

It has been claimed that disappearance of the {110} reflection in powder x-ray diffraction of MXene is indicative of shearing or general disorder of restacking of MXene flakes, such as in films. We correct this oversight here and provide experimental justification. Further, our methods provide a simple way to estimate a unit cell parameters when the relevant reflections are not present in most reports of MXene films. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Exploring Resilience: in the Face of Trauma

What exactly is that quality of resilience that carries people, organizations, and communities through traumatic times? As a construct, resilience is built on the underlying assumption that an individual or organization has undergone a situation of ‘significant adversity’ and has adapted positively, returning to or increasing in performance and psychological wellbeing (Riolli and Savicki Omega, 31(3): 227–233, 2003; Sutcliffe and Vogus 2003). Definitions of resilience range on a continuum from survival to adaptation to competence to healing to hardiness to robustness to wellness (Werner American Psychological Society 81–85, 1995; Masten and Coatsworth American Psychologist, 53(2): 205–220, 1998; Luthar et al. Child Development, 71(3): 573–575, 2000; Coutu Harvard Business Review, 80(5): 46–52, 2002; Maddi 2002). Resilience is an important quality for leaders who are committed to the health of organizations. Organizational health is negatively impacted by organizational trauma; parallel to individuals’ experiences, group and organizational cultures and dynamics are wounded by trauma. While leaders cannot always protect organizations from trauma, leaders can strengthen resilience, recognize when trauma occurs, address the trauma effectively, and protect the system from spiraling into traumatization (Vivian and Hormann O.D. Practitioner, 34(4): 52–57, 2002). This paper offers recommendations for addressing organizational trauma as well as strengthening resilience, individually and collectively. Stories are shared from several organizations, demonstrating the importance of leadership and resilience in the face of trauma.
Spatial Fold Change of FGF Signaling Encodes Positional Information for Segmental Determination in Zebrafish

Signal gradients encode instructive information for numerous decision-making processes during embryonic development. A striking example of precise, scalable tissue-level patterning is the segmentation of somites-the precursors of the vertebral column-during which the fibroblast growth factor (FGF), Wnt, and retinoic acid (RA) pathways establish spatial gradients. Despite decades of studies proposing roles for all three pathways, the dynamic feature of these gradients that encodes instructive information determining segment sizes remained elusive. We developed a non-elongating tail explant system, integrated quantitative measurements with computational modeling, and tested alternative models to show that positional information is encoded solely by spatial fold change (SFC) in FGF signal output. Neighboring cells measure SFC to accurately position the determination front and thus determine segment size. The SFC model successfully recapitulates results of spatiotemporal perturbation experiments on both explants and intact embryos, and it shows that Wnt signaling acts permissively upstream of FGF signaling and that RA gradient is dispensable.
The Fungal Cell Wall and Its Involvement in the Pathogenic Process in Insect Hosts

Representative species of all the major fungal groups have evolved the capability of infecting insect hosts (Samson et al., 1988). The general infection pathway, which includes attachment of propagules to the host cuticle, penetrant germ tube formation, vegetative growth, and production of progeny spores, requires the sequential development of unique fungal structures tailored to optimally utilize the insect as a nutritional substrate for the production of infectious spores. Deviations in the developmental sequence of a particular mycopathogen may expose the invasive fungal cell to the host defense reactions, aborting the infection process. The insect defense system is comprised of both passive mechanisms, such as the cuticular barrier, and active components, i.e., the humoral and cellular reactions. In the following discussion we will review the in vivo development of a “typical” insect pathogenic deuteromycete. It is important to realize that the fungal-insect interactions are as diverse as those found among vertebrate fungi. Emphasis will be placed on the composition of the fungal surfaces and with the interplay between the fungal cells and the host cell recognition mechanisms.
The P1 gene of Cauliflower mosaic virus is responsible for breaking resistance in Arabidopsis thaliana ecotype Enkheim (En-2)

Arabidopsis thaliana ecotype En-2 is resistant to several strains of Cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV), including strain W260, but is susceptible to strain NY8153. Resistance in En-2 is conditioned by a single, semi-dominant gene called CAR1. We constructed several recombinant infectious clones between W260 and NY8153 and evaluated their capability to infect En-2. This analysis showed that the capacity of NY8153 to break resistance in En-2 was conditioned by mutations within the CaMV gene 1, a gene that encodes a protein dedicated to cell-to-cell movement (P1), and conversely, that P1 of W260 is responsible for eliciting the plant defense response. A previous study had shown that P6 of W260 was responsible for overcoming resistance in Arabidopsis ecotype Tsu-0 and that P6 of CaMV strain CM1841 was responsible for triggering resistance. The present study now shows that a second gene of CaMV is targeted by Arabidopsis for plant immunity.
Suicide Attacks and Hard Targets: An Empirical Examination

ABSTRACTSuicide terrorist attacks are theorized to provide militants with various strategic advantages. Among these is the ability to successfully strike against well-defended or ‘hard’ targets. Sc...
Extended analysis of the spectrum of seven-times ionized yttrium (Y VIII)

Abstract The spectrum of seven-times ionized yttrium, Y VIII, was photographed with a sliding-spark discharge and a 10.7-m grazing-incidence spectrograph. The region of observation was 219–589 A. Previous results for the 4s24p2 ground configuration and excited configurations 4s4p3 and 4s24p5s were confirmed. Previous results for the 4s24p4d configuration were partially confirmed. New levels were found for the 4s24p4d and 4p4 configurations, bringing the total analysis to 70 lines and 32 energy levels. The observed configurations were interpreted with Hartree-Fock calculations and least-squares fits of the energy parameters to the observed levels. Transition probabilities for the observed lines were calculated with the fitted parameters. By using the observed 4s24p5s energy levels and a semi-empirical value for the effective quantum number n*(4s24p5s), a new value was determined for the ionization energy: 1,033,340 ± 1000 cm−1 (128.12 ± 0.12 eV).
Tutorial: An introduction to terahertz time domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS)

Terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) is a powerful technique for material’s characterization and process control. It has been used for contact-free conductivity measurements of metals, semiconductors, 2D materials, and superconductors. Furthermore, THz-TDS has been used to identify chemical components such as amino acids, peptides, pharmaceuticals, and explosives, which makes it particularly valuable for fundamental science, security, and medical applications. This tutorial is intended for a reader completely new to the field of THz-TDS and presents a basic understanding of THz-TDS. Hundreds of articles and many books can be consulted after reading this tutorial. We explore the basic concepts of TDS and discuss the relationship between temporal and frequency domain information. We illustrate how THz radiation can be generated and detected, and we discuss common noise sources and limitations for THz-TDS. This tutorial concludes by discussing some common experimental scenarios and explains how THz-TDS measurements can be used to identify materials, determine complex refractive indices (phase delay and absorption), and extract conductivity.
Objectively measuring social attention of thyroid neck scars and transoral surgery using eye tracking.

OBJECTIVE Measure the social attention of thyroid neck scars and transoral surgery using eye tracking. METHODS Observers viewed images of patients with thyroid neck scars, control patients with no scars, and patients who underwent transoral thyroidectomy as an eye-tracking monitor recorded their eye movements. Hotelling's multivariate analysis, followed by planned posthypothesis testing, were used to compare fixation times for the central triangle (CT), peripheral face, and neck between the three groups. To assess if these gaze patterns would normalize with transoral surgery, a two-sample t test was done to assess for differences in neck fixations between control and transoral patients and between transoral and traditional thyroidectomy. RESULTS One hundred and thirty participants completed the eye-tracking experiment (mean age 24.3 years, 65 females). Observers directed the majority of their attention to the CT in both control and scar patients. Observers paid more attention to the neck (103.72 ms, P < .0001, 95% confidence interval [CI] [55, 152] ms) and less to the peripheral face (115.50 ms, P = .01, 95% CI [19, 211] ms) in patients with neck scars than in control patients. Furthermore, transoral surgery eliminated this attentional distraction wherein there was no difference in the fixation time to the neck (-39.198 ms P = .16, 95% CI [-93.978, 15.5816] ms) between controls and those who underwent transoral surgery. CONCLUSION Observers directed their gaze away from the face and toward the neck in patients with thyroid neck scars. Furthermore, this distraction was eliminated with tranoral surgery. These findings shed light onto the altered observer perceptions of patients with thyroid neck scars. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE NA Laryngoscope, 129:2789-2794, 2019.
Flame-retardant surface treatments

Flame retardants mitigate the threat of fire from inherently flammable materials responsible for sustaining a high standard of living. Although bulk flame retardants have proven effective for many years, there is now increased interest in the use of surface treatments to localize flame-retardant chemistry at the exterior of a material, where combustion occurs, in an effort to preserve desirable bulk properties and minimize the amount of additive needed. This Review provides a historical overview that leads to the most promising surface treatments that will help pave the way for developing more effective and non-intrusive flame retardants in the future. The way in which a fire transpires, and the various chemistries and mechanisms used to counteract fire propagation, are discussed. Challenges that remain to improve current flame-retardant surface treatments are also addressed, as the success of these treatments depends on the scalability, durability and ability to impart desired functionality without conferring environmental problems. Fire endangers lives and property worldwide. Significant efforts are underway to develop flame-retardant surface treatments that minimize the weight added to a given object and preserve its intrinsic mechanical properties. This review summarizes the history and latest developments in flame-retardant treatments, as well as outlining the challenges ahead.
Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis of Compressible Flow Through a Converging-Diverging Nozzle using the k-ε Turbulence Model

The thrust produced by a rocket motor is mainly dependent upon the expansion of the product gases through a nozzle. The nozzle is used to accelerate the gases produced in the combustion chamber and convert the chemical-potential energy into kinetic energy so that the gases exit the nozzle at very high velocity. It converts the high pressure, high temperature, and low-velocity gas in the combustion chamber into high-velocity gas of lower pressure and low temperature. The design of a nozzle has particular importance in determining the thrust and performance of a rocket. In recent years, it has received considerable attention as it directly impacts the overall performance of the rocket. This paper aims to analyze the variation of flow parameters like pressure, Mach number, and velocity using Finite Volume Method (FVM) solver with the standard k-e turbulence model in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The simulation of shockwave inside the divergent nozzle section through CFD is also investigated. In this regard, a nozzle has been designed using Design Modeler, and CFD analysis of flow through the nozzle has been carried out using ANSYS Fluent. The model results are compared with theoretically calculated results, and the difference is negligible.
The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Revisited: Law. Science, and the Pursuit of Ecosystem Management in an Iconic Landscape

Thirty years ago, the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) concept and ecosystem management surfaced as key to preserving this legally fragmented region’s public lands and wildlife in the face of mounting development pressures. Yellowstone’s grizzly bears were in sharp decline and wolves were absent from the landscape, while bison and elk management issues festered. The GYE’s national forest lands were subject to extensive logging, energy leasing, and other commercial activities that cumulatively threatened the region’s ecological integrity. In the face of extreme jurisdictional complexity and a strong commitment to agency discretion, a high-profile federal “Vision” effort to improve and better coordinate resource management practices cratered under intense political pressures. Since then, however, much has changed in the GYE.
Cracks in support for two Tanzanian rural primary schools with high performance on national exams

Abstract National examinations are the principle method for tracking school quality and selecting students for successive educational levels in Tanzania. A qualitative approach is used to investigate the effects of high-stakes testing at two government primary schools with high passing rates in rural northern Tanzania. Extensive interviews and observations reveal that teachers’ interactions with students including their instruction and management strategies are compromised by national exam preparation. In follow-up interviews, the majority of participants desired changes in the content and structure of national exams and the teaching methods used to prepare students for exams.
An investigation of Cogmed working memory training for neurological surgery patients

Abstract Objective Cognitive dysfunction is prevalent amongst individuals who have undergone neurosurgical intervention, significantly impacting daily functioning and quality of life. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the impact of Cogmed Working Memory Training (CWMT), a five-week, home-based, computerized cognitive rehabilitation intervention, within a neurosurgical population. Method Thirty adult participants who underwent neurosurgical intervention, regardless of etiology, were included in this study. Participants were administered a neuropsychological battery at three time points post-neurosurgical intervention: (a) at baseline, prior to engaging in CWMT; (b) within two weeks of completing the training; and (c) after three months of completing the training. Results Following CWMT, participants demonstrated significant improvement on measures of attention, working memory, processing speed, verbal learning, and memory. In addition, participants reported significant improvement in quality of life (i.e., physical, social, emotional, and functional well-being), mood (i.e., anxiety and depression), and neurobehavioral functioning (i.e., apathy). Implications Results suggest that CWMT may improve aspects of cognitive and functional outcomes for neurosurgical patients.
On Crashing the Barrier of Meaning in Artificial Intelligence

In 1986, the mathematician and philosopher Gian-Carlo Rota wrote, “I wonder whether or when artificial intelligence will ever crash the barrier of meaning” (Rota 1986). Here, the phrase “barrier of meaning” refers to a belief about humans versus machines: Humans are able to actually understand the situations they encounter, whereas even the most advanced of today’s artificial intelligence systems do not yet have a humanlike understanding of the concepts that we are trying to teach them. This lack of understanding may underlie current limitations on the generality and reliability of modern artificial intelligence systems. In October 2018, the Santa Fe Institute held a three-day workshop, organized by Barbara Grosz, Dawn Song, and myself, called Artificial Intelligence and the Barrier of Meaning. Thirty participants from a diverse set of disciplines — artificial intelligence, robotics, cognitive and developmental psychology, animal behavior, information theory, and philosophy, among others — met to discuss questions related to the notion of understanding in living systems and the prospect for such understanding in machines. In the hope that the results of the workshop will be useful to the broader community, this article summarizes the main themes of discussion and highlights some of the ideas developed at the workshop.
Cases 66–90

A 72-year old gentleman presents with abnormal liver enzymes on routine testing. Two months ago his liver enzymes had been essentially normal. He had undergone orthotopic liver transplant 2 years ago for alcoholic liver disease that had been complicated by ascites and a 2-cm hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). He received a 63-year-old allograft with a duct-to-duct anastomosis. He was maintained on tacrolimus and prednisone immunosuppression. His posttransplant course has been unremarkable other than an episode of acute rejection several months after transplant that responded completely to a steroid recycle. He has remained abstinent of alcohol.
Acoustic-Based and Knowledge-Based Processing of Mandarin Tones by Native and Non-native Speakers

A fundamental issue in spoken language comprehension is how listeners process the acoustic signal to retrieve intended linguistic representations. This issue is discussed by reviewing selected studies on acoustic-based and knowledge-based processing of lexical tone in speech perception and spoken word recognition. Research on acoustic-based processing suggests that native listeners are able to use phonetic knowledge to compensate for compromised F0 information, whereas non-native listeners rely primarily on syllable-internal, canonical F0 information for tone identification. Research on knowledge-based processing shows that native listeners effectively track information, such as a syllable-tone’s lexical status, the probability of syllable–tone co-occurrences, morpheme and word frequency, and the density of homophonous syllable–tone neighborhoods. Non-native listeners also show evidence of knowledge-based tone processing, although the difference between native and non-native listeners remains to be explored.
m 6 A RNA methyltransferases METTL3/14 regulate immune responses to anti-PD-1 therapy.

An impressive clinical success has been observed in treating a variety of cancers using immunotherapy with programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) checkpoint blockade. However, limited response in most patients treated with anti-PD-1 antibodies remains a challenge, requiring better understanding of molecular mechanisms limiting immunotherapy. In colorectal cancer (CRC) resistant to immunotherapy, mismatch-repair-proficient or microsatellite instability-low (pMMR-MSI-L) tumors have low mutation burden and constitute ~85% of patients. Here, we show that inhibition of N6 -methyladenosine (m6 A) mRNA modification by depletion of methyltransferases, Mettl3 and Mettl14, enhanced response to anti-PD-1 treatment in pMMR-MSI-L CRC and melanoma. Mettl3- or Mettl14-deficient tumors increased cytotoxic tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells and elevated secretion of IFN-γ, Cxcl9, and Cxcl10 in tumor microenvironment in vivo. Mechanistically, Mettl3 or Mettl14 loss promoted IFN-γ-Stat1-Irf1 signaling through stabilizing the Stat1 and Irf1 mRNA via Ythdf2. Finally, we found a negative correlation between METTL3 or METTL14 and STAT1 in 59 patients with pMMR-MSI-L CRC tumors. Altogether, our findings uncover a new awareness of the function of RNA methylation in adaptive immunity and provide METTL3 and METTL14 as potential therapeutic targets in anticancer immunotherapy.
Chronic nicotine, but not suramin or resveratrol, partially remediates the mania-like profile of dopamine transporter knockdown mice.

Abstract Bipolar disorder (BD) is a severe mental illness affecting 2% of the global population. Current pharmacotherapies provide incomplete symptom remediation, highlighting the need for novel therapeutics. BD is characterized by fluctuations between mania and depression, likely driven by shifts between hyperdopaminergia and hypercholinergia, respectively. Hyperdopaminergia may result from insufficient activity of the dopamine transporter (DAT), the primary mediator of synaptic dopamine clearance. The DAT knockdown (DAT KD) mouse recreates this mechanism and exhibits a highly reproducible hyperexploratory profile in the cross-species translatable Behavioral Pattern Monitor (BPM) that is: (a) consistent with that observed in BD mania patients; and (b) partially normalized by chronic lithium and valproate treatment. The DAT KD/BPM model of mania therefore exhibits high levels of face-, construct-, and predictive-validity for the pre-clinical assessment of putative anti-mania drugs. Three different drug regimens – chronic nicotine (nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonist; 40 mg/kg/d, 26 d), subchronic suramin (anti-purinergic; 20 mg/kg, 1 × /wk, 4 wks), and subchronic resveratrol (striatal DAT upregulator; 20 mg/kg/d, 4 d) – were administered to separate cohorts of male and female DAT KD- and wildtype (WT) littermate mice, and exploration was assessed in the BPM. Throughout, DAT KD mice exhibited robust hyperexploratory profiles relative to WTs. Nicotine partially normalized this behavior. Resveratrol modestly upregulated DAT expression but did not normalize DAT KD behavior. These results support the mania-like profile of DAT KD mice, which may be partially remediated by nAChR agonists via restoration of disrupted catecholaminergic/cholinergic equilibrium. Delineating the precise mechanism of action of nicotine could identify more selective therapeutic targets.
Successful treatment of "accelerated" chronic lymphocytic leukemia with single agent ibrutinib: A report of two cases.

Abstract “Accelerated” chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (A-CLL) is a rare histological variant of CLL/SLL, which tends to exhibit an aggressive clinical behavior compared to CLL. Due to the rarity of A-CLL (
School Desegregation and Resegregation in the Upper South: An Introduction and Overview:

Despite strong progress toward school desegregation in the late 20th century, many locations in the Upper South have recently experienced school resegregation. The articles in this issue investigat...
The Relation of Emotion Knowledge to Coping in European American and Chinese Immigrant Children

Emotion knowledge contributes to emotion regulation and coping among adults, but few studies have investigated its role in children’s coping development, especially in a cross-cultural context. We examine relations between children’s emotion knowledge and coping in European American and Chinese immigrant families. One hundred and three 7- to 10-year-old children and their mothers from European American and Chinese cultural background participated in this study. Children's emotion knowledge was assessed using emotion-situation knowledge production task. This task examines their understanding of situational antecedents o discrete emotions. Children’s use of coping strategies was reported by mothers using the Children’s Coping Strategies Checklist. Results showed that Chinese immigrant children had greater emotion knowledge of fear and pride but were reported using less variety of coping strategies than European American children. The relationship between children’s knowledge of self-conscious emotions and their use of distraction coping strategies was moderated by culture, whereby knowledge of self-conscious emotions was negatively associated with the parent-reported distraction strategies only for European American children but not for Chinese immigrant children. The importance of culture in both theory and practice related to emotion knowledge and coping is discussed. Findings in this study suggest that family intervention and children’s emotion training programs may need to consider children’s cultural background.
Special section on waveform diversity from the fifth international waveform diversity and design conference, Niagara Falls, Canada

It is our great pleasure and singular honor to introduce this Special Section of the IET Journal on Radar, Sonar & Navigation, dedicated to the Fifth International Waveform Diversity and Design Conference (WDD) that was held in Niagara Falls Canada from 3?10 August 2010. WDD is an international conference devoted to bringing together researchers and technologists from diverse backgrounds and specialties to facilitate the exchange of ideas, research, and technologies for dynamically adapting waveforms to their propagation environments. Specific objectives include developing analytical methodologies and new hardware technologies for system applications in sensors, communications, navigation, and countermeasures.
Air pollution and mortality: Estimating regional and national dose-response relationships

We analyzed a national data base of air pollution and mortality for the 88 largest U.S. cities for the period 1987–1994, to estimate relative rates of mortality associated with airborne particulate matter smaller than 10 microns (PM10) and the form of the relationship between PM10 concentration and mortality. To estimate city-specific relative rates of mortality associated with PM10, we built log-linear models that included nonparametric adjustments for weather variables and longer term trends. To estimate PM10 mortality dose-response curves, we modeled the logarithm of the expected value of daily mortality as a function of PM10 using natural cubic splines with unknown numbers and locations of knots. We also developed spatial models to investigate the heterogeneity of relative mortality rates and of the shapes of PM10 mortality dose-response curves across cities and geographical regions. To determine whether variability in effect estimates can be explained by city-specific factors, we explored the depende...
The analysis and simulation of compressible turbulence

Compressible turbulent flows at low turbulent Mach numbers are considered. Contrary to the general belief that such flows are almost incompressible, (i.e., the divergence of the velocity field remains small for all times), it is shown that even if the divergence of the initial velocity field is negligibly small, it can grow rapidly on a non-dimensional time scale which is the inverse of the fluctuating Mach number. An asymptotic theory which enables one to obtain a description of the flow in terms of its divergence-free and vorticity-free components has been developed to solve the initial-value problem. As a result, the various types of low Mach number turbulent regimes have been classified with respect to the initial conditions. Formulae are derived that accurately predict the level of compressibility after the initial transients have disappeared. These results are verified by extensive direct numerical simulations of isotropic turbulence.
Active Learning for Multi-Task Adaptive Filtering

In this paper, we propose an Active Learning (AL) framework for the Multi-Task Adaptive Filtering (MTAF) problem. Specifically, we explore AL approaches to rapidly improve an MTAF system, based on Dirichlet Process priors, with minimal user/task-level feedback. The proposed AL approaches select instances for delivery with a two-fold objective: 1) Improve future task-specific system performance based on feedback received on delivered instances for that task, 2) Improve the future overall system performance, thereby benefiting other tasks in the system, based on feedback received on delivered instances for a particular task. Current AL approaches focus only on the first objective. For satisfying both goals, we define a new scoring function called Utility Gain to estimate the perceived improvements in task-specific and global models. In our experiments on standard benchmark datasets, we observed that global AL approaches that additionally take into account the potential benefit of feedback to other tasks in the system performed better than the task-specific approach that focused only the benefit of the current task.
Coherent, nonlinear, and active nanoplasmonics

This paper is devoted to the latest developments in nanoplasmonics, i.e., physics of optical fields localized at the nanoscale whose spatio-temporal dynamics is mediated by surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) and surface plasmons (SPs). While the free-propagating and guided electromagnetic waves cannot be localized to a region significantly smaller than the wavelength, the plasmonic waves can and do nanolocalize. We consider both the fundamentals, including some examples and illustrations, of the plasmonic energy nanolocalization, and their possible applications.
Visible and Ultraviolet Studies of Interstellar Molecules

The technique of optical absorption line spectroscopy, with improvements in sensitivity and extensions into the ultraviolet and infrared, has continued to yield valuable information about interstellar molecules and the clouds that contain them. Abundances in diffuse clouds provide useful tests of theories of molecule formation. Rotational population distributions can be measured directly and can be used as diagnostic probes of densities, temperatures, and radiation fields within interstellar clouds. Accurate molecular data as well as elaborate theoretical cloud models are needed for the interpretation of the observations.
Advances in the Theory of Atmospheric Fronts

Publisher Summary This chapter examines the advances in the theory of atmospheric fronts. The observation of convergence lines at boundaries among air masses has had profound implications for theoretical and applied meteorology. The primary breakthrough in the understanding of the relationship between surface frontogenesis and the evolution of planetary waves resulted from the primitive-equation numerical simulation. In the numerical solution, growing finite-amplitude baroclinic waves produced regions of more intense temperature gradients suggestive of frontal zones. The comparison of the theoretical model results with Williams's numerical solution showed that Hoskins's equation system with the semigeostrophic approximation produced most of the features that Williams's primitive-equation system provided but with the advantage that an analytic solution could be found for the frontogenesis problem. The presence of persistent vortex stretching near the surface in the semigeostrophic equations produces an unbounded growth of vorticity until the semigeostrophic approximation is no longer valid.
TWO-GRID STRATEGY FOR UNSTEADY STATE NONLINEAR SCHRODINGER EQUATIONS

Two-grid mixed finite element schemes are developed for solving nonlinear Schrodinger equations. The schemes use discretizations based on a mixed finite-element method. The two-grid approach yields iterative procedures for solving the nonlinear discrete equations. The idea is to relegate all of the Newton-like iterations to grids much coarser than the final one, with no loss in order of accuracy. Numerical tests are performed.
STAT1 Activation Causes Translocation of Bax to the Endoplasmic Reticulum during the Resolution of Airway Mucous Cell Hyperplasia by IFN-γ

Disruption of the normal resolution process of inflammation-induced mucous cell hyperplasia may lead to sustained mucous hypersecretion in chronic diseases. During prolonged exposure of mice to allergen, IFN-gamma reduces mucous cell hyperplasia, but the signaling responsible for the cell death is largely unknown. A brief phosphorylation of STAT1 by IFN-gamma was required for cell death in airway epithelial cells (AEC), and during prolonged exposure to allergen, mucous cell hyperplasia remained elevated in STAT1(-/-) but was resolved in STAT1(+/+) mice. Although IFN-gamma treatment of primary human AECs and other airway cell lines left Bax protein levels unchanged, it caused translocation of Bax from the cytosol to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) but not to the mitochondria. Localization of Bax to the ER was observed in IFN-gamma-treated primary AECs isolated from STAT1(+/+) mice but not in cells from STAT1(-/-) mice. In addition, ER Bax was detected in mucous cells of STAT1(+/+) but not STAT1(-/-) airways of mice exposed to allergen for prolonged periods. IFN-gamma did not release cytochrome c from mitochondria but reduced ER calcium stores and dilated the ER, confirming that the IFN-gamma-induced cell death is mediated through changes localized in the ER. Collectively, these observations suggest that STAT1-dependent translocation of Bax to the ER is crucial for IFN-gamma-induced cell death of AECs and the resolution of allergen-induced mucous cell hyperplasia.
Primary Lung and Large Airway Neoplasms in Children Current Imaging Evaluation with Multidetector Computed Tomography

Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) offers an important noninvasive imaging modality for confirmation and further characterization of primary lung and large airway neoplasms encountered in pediatric patients. Children represent a unique challenge in imaging, not only because of unique patient factors (eg, inability to follow instructions, motion, need for sedation) but because of the technical factors that must be optimized to reduce radiation dose. This article reviews an MDCT imaging algorithm, up-to-date imaging techniques, and clinical applications of MDCT for evaluating benign and malignant primary neoplasms of lung and large airway in infants and children.
A next-generation AUV energy system based on aluminum-seawater combustion

This paper describes a hypothetical seawater-breathing autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) energy system based on the reaction of powdered aluminum. The reaction of aluminum with seawater offers improvement in energy density that will revolutionize long duration underwater operation. Although the system is hypothetical, the critical components are currently undergoing active engineering research and development. Consequently, this paper also describes in more detail the critical components of the system. The technical maturity level of this component development suggests that the development of a next-generation aluminum-seawater combustion system for AUV applications is feasible.
Releasing the brakes on antitumor immune response.

AS is the case with firearms, the destructive capacity of the immune system must be carefully aimed and just as carefully regulated. A report by Leach et al. (1 ) in this issue is an encouraging example of how the receptors that regulate immune responsesin this case, CTLA-4, which was discussed in a recent Perspective (2)-can be directly targeted for immunotherapy. T cell activation is normally self-limited so that the immune system returns to a baseline state once the offending antigen has been cleared. Initiation of T cell activation requires two signals, a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigen-specific signal delivered through the T cell receptor (3) and a "constimulatory" signal, the best characterized of which is delivered through the CD28 receptor (4). Each of these receptors has a counterregulatory cousin that recognizes the same ligand but delivers an opposing negative signal. The counterregulatory receptor for the T cell receptor is from the natural killer (NK) receptor gene family [first discovered on NK cells but also expressed on T cells (5)] CTLA-4 is the counterregulatory receptor for CD28; it binds B7 with roughly 10-fold higher affinity than does CD28. Occupancy of CTLA-4 directly counters the effects of CD28 on T cell activation (6): CD28 cross-linking increases lymphokine secretion by activated T cells, whereas CTLA-4 cross-linking decreases lymphokine production. Neither the NK receptor nor CTLA-4 is expressed on resting T cells; rather, they become induced after T cell activation. These delayed kinetics of expression are responsible for the characteristic self-limited nature of T cell activation. The importance of CTLA-4 in T cell homeostasis in vivo is most dramatically exemplified in CTLA-4 knockout mice. These mice develop a severe lymphoproliferative disease with immunologically mediated organ destruction (7). Manipulation of these counterregulatory receptors in vivo has now entered the realm of cancer immunotherapy. Leach et al. have registered a success in this endeavor by injecting antibodies to CTLA-4 (anti-CTLA-4) into mice with tumors,
Development of an Echocardiographic Scoring System to Predict Biventricular Repair in Neonatal Hypoplastic Left Heart Complex

Neonates born with borderline left heart hypoplasia, or hypoplastic left heart complex, can undergo biventricular repair while those with severe left heart hypoplasia require single ventricle palliation. Deciding which patients are candidates for biventricular repair may be very difficult since there are no scoring systems to predict biventricular repair in these patients. The purpose of this study is to develop an echocardiographic scoring system capable of predicting successful biventricular repair in neonatal hypoplastic left heart complex. The study cohort consisted of twenty consecutive neonates with hypoplastic left heart complex presenting between 9/2008 and 5/2013. Multiple retrospective echocardiographic measurements of the right and left heart were performed. Six patients with significant LH hypoplasia (patent mitral and aortic valves, small left ventricle) who had undergone single ventricle repair were used to validate the scoring system. Seventeen patients underwent biventricular repair and three underwent single ventricle repair. A scoring system (2V-Score) was developed using the equation {[(MV4C/AVPSLA) ÷ (LV4C/RV4C)] + MPA}/BSA. Using a cutoff value of ≤ 16.2, a biventricular repair would have been predicted with a sensitivity of 1.0, specificity 1.0, positive predictive value 1.0, negative predictive value 1.0, area under the ROC curve 1.0, and the p value was 0.0004. The 2V-Score was more accurate than the Rhodes, CHSS, or Discriminant scores in retrospectively predicting biventricular repair in this cohort. The 2V-Score shows promise in being able to predict a successful biventricular repair in patients with hypoplastic left heart complex but requires prospective validation prior to widespread clinical application.
Characterization of natural killer and natural killer-like T cells derived from ex vivo expanded and activated cord blood mononuclear cells: implications for adoptive cellular immunotherapy

Objective Cord blood (CB) is limited by the absence of available donor effector cells for post–unrelated CB transplantation adoptive cellular immunotherapy. We reported the ability to ex vivo expand (EvE) CB mononuclear cells (MNC) after short-term incubation with anti-CD3, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-7, and IL-12 (antibody/cytokine [AB/CY]) into subpopulations of CD3 − /56 + natural killer (NK) cells with enhanced in vitro and in vivo tumor cytotoxicity. Materials and Methods We compared 2- vs 7-day EvE of rethawed CB MNCs in AB/CY and activation of NK and NK-like T (NKT) cell (CD3 + /56 + ) subsets expressing specific NK-cell receptors along with IL-15, IL-18, and interferon-γ production. Results Nonadherent total cell number were significantly increased at day 7 ( p dim subset; yet the NKT bright and NKT KIR3DL1 dim subsets were significantly increased ( p p p p p p p >0.01, respectively), which correlated with the significant increase in NK, LAK, and tumor cytotoxicity of the EvE cells. Conclusion This study demonstrates that previously cryopreserved and rethawed CB MNCs can be EvE up to 7 days to yield viable and activated NK and NKT-like subsets that appear to be cytolytic based on the cell repertoire and could be utilized in the future as adoptive cellular immunotherapy post–unrelated CB transplantation.
The sedimentary record of glacial retreat, Marinelli Fjord, Patagonia: Regional correlations and climate ties

Abstract The Inland Passage of Chile comprises the most continuous latitudinal transect of ice fields, ice caps, and alpine glaciers in the Southern Hemisphere, providing an excellent natural laboratory for the study of glacial response to climate change during the Holocene. Here we report results from a marine geological investigation of Marinelli Fjord, Tierra del Fuego (54°25 S, 69°35 W) and Ainsworth Fjord, which merges with Marinelli Fjord. Data acquired during July 2005 onboard the RV/IB Nathaniel B. Palmer include high-resolution seismic data, multibeam swath bathymetry data and sediment cores. Post-cruise analyses include detailed seismic facies and lithofacies analysis and radiocarbon dating. The results indicate that a major transition in the glacimarine record from ice-proximal facies to ice-distal facies occurred in the outer basins of the fjord at 15.5 kyr to 12.5 kyr. The ice-proximal facies consists of pebbly mud with abundant laminations and is characterized by high average sedimentation rates (28 mm/yr). In contrast, an ice-distal facies is dominantly bioturbated mud with low average sedimentation rates (0.56 mm/yr). This transition marks the retreat of Marinelli Glacier from the outer basins with no evidence for glacial re-advance. Subsequently, during the mid to late-Holocene, Ainsworth Glacier retreated and exposed Ainsworth Fjord. Our results are consistent with the climatic trends for southern South America where the final deglaciation of the region ended at ~ 12.5 ka. During the Holocene, stable ice conditions persisted until the mid-1960s when Marinelli Glacier began rapidly retreating to its modern day position.
Repeated acquisition of response sequences: the analysis of behavior in transition.

Abstract Repeated acquisition (RA) procedures are behavioral preparations in which subjects are required to learn new response sequences within each experimental session. Such procedures avoid problems inherent in nonRA learning procedures. For example, as the subject masters nonRA tasks, one begins to measure performance of a learned response rather than learning itself. Advantages to using RA procedures include (a) the strength of the within-subjects design, including the ability to establish dose effect curves within individual subjects; (b) the ability to assess learning phenomena over extended periods of time; (c) the ability to use chronic dosing regimens; and 9d) the ability to assess treatments with permanent or long-lasting effects. In addition, analysis of the response patterns committed during acquisition allows for a description of how behavioral strategies may change in response to experimental manipulation. Difficulties include the relatively long training period often preceding attainment of a stable baseline of acquisition. This review examines the history of RA paradigms, with an emphasis on procedural comparisons.