cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of porcine muscle tissue using ultrasound time-domain correlation techniques

The ultrasound time-domain correlation (UTDC) technique involves the determination of a similarity factor, the correlation coefficient. For this application, UTDC was used to calculate the maximum correlation coefficient between RF echo signals of porcine muscle tissue obtained at different times and for different echo spacings. The porcine muscle samples were procured from a slaughterhouse and data acquisition began within 1.5 h post mortem. The echo signals were obtained with a customized ultrasound data acquisition system and analyzed using a 486 PC. The results indicated that observed trends in the correlation coefficient could be used to determine muscle activity post mortem and to determine when this activity stopped, which was approximately 10 h post mortem. An explanation of the methods used and results obtained is presented. >
Electron Transfer of Carotenoids Imbedded in MCM-41 and Ti−MCM-41: EPR, ENDOR, and UV−Vis Studies

Electron transfer (ET) reactions of carotenoids (Car), β-carotene (I), canthaxanthin (II), and 7‘-apo-7‘,7‘-dicyano-β-carotene (III) imbedded in MCM-41 and Ti−MCM-41 were studied as a function of oxidation potential. The ET efficiency in MCM-41 was highest for the carotenoid with the lowest oxidation potential. The presence of Ti4+ in the framework of MCM-41 enhanced the ET efficiency of all carotenoids, but the enhancement did not depend on oxidation potential. The enhancement depends on whether complexes are formed between carotenoids and Ti4+. Complexes were formed with I and III but not with II. The presence of Ti4+ results in a large blue shift of the maximum absorption wavelength due to changes in the carotenoid conformation.
Classroom Interaction, Comprehension, and the Acquisition of L2 Word Meanings

There are substantial theoretical and empirical grounds for believing that opportunities to negotiate meaning through interaction facilitate comprehension. However, although there are theoretical grounds for believing that meaning negotiation aids second language acquisition, these are not supported by any empirical evidence. This article reports two classroom studies, based on the same design, which investigated the effects of modified interaction on comprehension and vocabulary acquisition among 79 and 127 high-school students of English in Japan. The main results were: (a) interactionally modified input resulted in better comprehension than premodified input, (b) interactiqnally modified input led to more new words being acquired than premodified input, (c) learners who actively participated in negotiating meaning did not understand any better than those simply exposed to modified interaction, and (d) the active participators did not learn more new words. These results are discussed in terms of the interaction hypothesis (Long, 1981). The dual-study method in classroom research is a useful way of establishing which results are generalizable and which are subject to situational variation.
CAN NATURE TRULY BE OUR FRIEND

. The question of whether nature can embody love or be considered in this sense as “friend” is a thorny problem for Christian theology. The doctrines of finitude and sin argue against nature as a realm of love, whereas the doctrine of creation out of nothing, which links God and the creation so forcefully, would seem to argue for such a view of nature. This paper explores the thesis that Western culture has not offered a concept of nature rich enough to allow for an understanding of it as a domain of gracious-ness. From pre-Socratic times through the Enlightenment and the rise of modern science, nature was conceived of as a realm of defect or lacking in creative possibilities. Christian theology has consistently spoken of nature in terms that defy the limitations of the authorized views proposed by the ambient Western cultures. The present times, under the influence of the sciences, have furnished for the first time an authorized concept of nature that is large enough and dynamic enough to entertain the dimension of grace. Consequently, ours is a time of great promise for developing a more adequate theology of nature.
SQUASH: Simple QoS-Aware High-Performance Memory Scheduler for Heterogeneous Systems with Hardware Accelerators

Modern SoCs integrate multiple CPU cores and Hardware Accelerators (HWAs) that share the same main memory system, causing interference among memory requests from different agents. The result of this interference, if not controlled well, is missed deadlines for HWAs and low CPU performance. State-of-the-art mechanisms designed for CPU-GPU systems strive to meet a target frame rate for GPUs by prioritizing the GPU close to the time when it has to complete a frame. We observe two major problems when such an approach is adapted to a heterogeneous CPU-HWA system. First, HWAs miss deadlines because they are prioritized only when they are too close to their deadlines. Second, such an approach does not consider the diverse memory access characteristics of different applications running on CPUs and HWAs, leading to low performance for latency-sensitive CPU applications and deadline misses for some HWAs, including GPUs. In this paper, we propose a Simple QUality of service Aware memory Scheduler for Heterogeneous systems (SQUASH), that overcomes these problems using three key ideas, with the goal of meeting HWAs’ deadlines while providing high CPU performance. First, SQUASH prioritizes a HWA when it is not on track to meet its deadline any time during a deadline period, instead of prioritizing it only when close to a deadline. Second, SQUASH prioritizes HWAs over memory-intensive CPU applications based on the observation that memory-intensive applications’ performance is not sensitive to memory latency. Third, SQUASH treats short-deadline HWAs differently as they are more likely to miss their deadlines and schedules their requests based on worst-case memory access time estimates. Extensive evaluations across a wide variety of different workloads and systems show that SQUASH achieves significantly better CPU performance than the best previous scheduler while always meeting the deadlines for all HWAs, including GPUs, thereby largely improving frame rates.
The influence of the testing machine on the buckling of cylindrical shells under axial compression.

Testing machine effect on buckling load of electroformed cylindrical shells under axial compression
Inhibition of Capacitation-Associated Tyrosine Phosphorylation Signaling in Rat Sperm by Epididymal Protein Crisp-1

Ejaculated sperm are unable to fertilize an egg until they undergo capacitation. Capacitation results in the acquisition of hyperactivated motility, changes in the properties of the plasma membrane, including changes in proteins and glycoproteins, and acquisition of the ability to undergo the acrosome reaction. In all mammalian species examined, capacitation requires removal of cholesterol from the plasma membrane and the presence of extracellular Ca2+ and HCO3-. We designed experiments to elucidate the conditions required for in vitro capacitation of rat spermatozoa and the effects of Crisp-1, an epididymal secretory protein, on capacitation. Protein tyrosine phosphorylation, a hallmark of capacitation in sperm of other species, occurs during 5 h of in vitro incubation, and this phosphorylation is dependent upon HCO3-, Ca2+, and the removal of cholesterol from the membrane. Crisp-1, which is added to the sperm surface in the epididymis in vivo, is lost during capacitation, and addition of exogenous Crisp-1 to the incubation medium inhibits tyrosine phosphorylation in a dose-dependent manner, thus inhibiting capacitation and ultimately the acrosome reaction. Inhibition of capacitation by Crisp-1 occurs upstream of the production of cAMP by the sperm.
Therapy targeting β-cell survival and function in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract Type 2 diabetes is associated with both insulin resistance and impaired insulin secretion at diagnosis. As the disease progresses, insulin secretion is gradually decreased. Evidently, loss of insulin secretion per se, may cause diabetes, as in type 1 diabetes and LADA, but more importantly, the single gene defects associated with MODY are all related to the β-cell: for MODY 2 it is glucokinase, and for 1, 3, 4 and 5 it is transcription factors associated with proliferation and/or differentiation of β-cells. In contrast, severe insulin resistance, as in obesity, only causes diabetes in a minority of subjects, and in those developing diabetes, impaired insulin secretion is present. The loss of insulin secretion may be attributed to loss of function in individual cells, loss of β-cell mass, or a combination hereof. Therefore, it seems crucial to target the deterioration of insulin secretion, as a key factor to address diabetes progression.
A Reconfigurable Mixed-Signal VLSI Implementation of Distributed Arithmetic Used for Finite-Impulse Response Filtering

A reconfigurable implementation of distributed arithmetic (DA) for post-processing applications is described. The input of DA is received in digital form and its analog coefficients are set by using the floating-gate voltage references. The effect of the offset and gain errors on DA computational accuracy is analyzed, and theoretical results for the limitations of this design strategy are presented. This architecture is fabricated in a 0.5-mum CMOS process, and configured as a 16-tap finite impulse response (FIR) filter to demonstrate the reconfigurability and computational efficiency. The measurement results for comb, low-pass, and bandpass filters at 32/50-kHz sampling frequencies are presented. This implementation occupies around 1.125 mm2 of die area and consumes 16 mW of static power. The filter order can be increased at the cost of 0.011 mm2 of die area and 0.02 mW of power per tap.
New military qualification testing procedures for cleaning agent alternatives to CFCs

The joint industry/military/EPA (US Environmental Protection Agency) program to evaluate alternatives to CCs and CFCs (chlorocarbons and chlorofluorocarbons) for printed board assembly cleaning is described. Phase one was completed in 1989 and established three measures for determining circuit-board cleanliness; surface insulation resistance (SIR), ionic levels (for inorganics), and a novel rosin-residue extraction method (for organics). Phase two of this program is to test alternative cleaning agents and processes against the standard. The author presents results obtained from this protocol for several cleaning alternatives under consideration as replacements for CFC-based materials. >
Pressure Welding of Thin Sheet Metals: Experimental Investigations and Analytical Modeling

Emerging applications, such as fuel cell, fuel processor, heat exchanger, microreactors, etc., require joining of thin metallic plates in confined places with small dimensions and minimal damage to the surrounding areas. In this study, the feasibility and modeling of pressure welding (solid state bonding) process are investigated, specifically for bonding of thin sheet metals. The effects of material type (e.g., copper, nickel, and stainless steel) and initial plate thickness (51-254 μm) as well as process conditions (e.g., welding pressure and temperature, 25-300°C) on the minimum welding pressure and the final bond strength are experimentally studied. A pressure welding apparatus was developed for testing of different materials and process conditions. Based on the experimental results, the effects of material and process conditions on the final bond quality are characterized. At room temperature, copper and nickel blanks were successfully bonded, while stainless steel blanks could only be joined at elevated temperature levels (150°C and 300°C). The material type (i.e., strength) and thickness were shown to have significant impact on the welding pressure; in that more pressure is required to bond the blanks with higher strength or thinner. To reduce the required welding pressure, the process can be carried out at elevated temperature levels. In this study, the bond strength of the welded blanks was characterized with uniaxial testing. The tensile test results showed that the bond strength could be increased by increasing the welding pressure or temperature. However, the increase in bond strength by increasing the welding pressure was shown to have an optimal point, after which the bond strength would decrease with further increase in pressure. This critical pressure value was found to be dependent on the material and process conditions. In addition, bond formation mechanisms for different materials were studied through microscopic analyses. The microscopy images of the weld spots showed that for a successful bonding to take place, the contaminant layers at the surfaces must be removed or broken to allow the virgin metal underneath to be extruded through. The metallic bonds only form at these locations where both surfaces are free of contaminant layers. Finally, a model for bond strength prediction in pressure welding was developed and validated. This model includes the sheet thickness parameter, which is shown to be a critical factor in bonding thin sheet metals with the sheet thickness in the range of a few hundred micrometers.
Social constraints on animate vision

The challenge of interacting with humans constrains how robots appear, move, perceive and behave. The authors present a visual-motor system that negotiates between these constraints to facilitate robot functionality in a social environment.
Age-specific mortality costs of exposure to inbred Drosophila melanogaster in relation to longevity selection

Abstract This article address the hypotheses that selection for early- or late-life fitness changes patterns of reproductive behavior, that this behavior may be dependent on the genetic makeup of the females, and that patterns of male mortality are strongly dependent on the type of females to which they are exposed. Flies selected for late-life reproduction and their associated stocks selected for early reproduction were exposed to flies of the opposite sex from either the same stock or a highly inbred stock. Males of both long- and short-lived stocks showed an increase in early mortality when exposed to inbred females. In addition, when males were exposed to inbred females early in life they showed a lower age-specific mortality rate late in life than males exposed to females from their own stock. Interestingly, females exposed to inbred males showed a significant reduction in mean longevity. Analysis of age-specific mortality revealed that this reduction was brought about as a result of increased early mortality. Interpretation of the results from an analysis of mean longevity not only fails to identify important information-as shown from a demographic analysis of age-specific mortality-but also presents a misleading description of mortality costs.
Reading leaders' minds: in search of the canon of 21st century global capitalism

This paper explores the values and practices of capitalism and speculates about how they might evolve as twenty-first century global capitalism comes into being. The values embodied by the Westernized canon we have inherited might account for certain shortcomings of capitalism. As economic power shifts away from dominant markets of the recent past, our search for the canon of twenty-first century global capitalism can help shape the values we aspire for our capitalism of the future to embody and to enable.
Stress, Coping, and Well-Being in Military Spouses During Deployment Separation

This study examined the relationships between stress, coping, general well-being, and sociodemographic characteristics using Lazarus and Folkman's theory of stress and coping. A descriptive correlational design was used. The sample consisted of 105 female spouses of currently deployed active duty military members. Instruments included the Perceived Stress Scale, the Jalowiec Coping Scale, and the RAND-36. Perceived stress was the best predictor of both mental and physical well-being, accounting for 51.7% and 25.4% of the variance, respectively. Evasive and optimistic coping contributed an additional 1.9 % and 4.3%, respectively, to the variance in mental well-being. Differences in coping use were found among rank groups, those who grew up in a military family, and those with a previous deployment separation. Nurses are in an ideal position to identify military spouses at risk and provide education on effective coping behaviors shown to positively affect well-being during deployment separation.
Weed management and crop rotations influence populations of several broadleaf weeds.

Abstract In studies conducted from 1991 through 1994, researchers investigated the effects of several crop rotations and herbicide programs on crop yield and populations of common lambsquarters, common ragweed, Amaranthus spp., and jimsonweed at two sites. Crop rotations included continuous corn, continuous soybean, corn–soybean, and corn–tomato–soybean, and herbicide programs were the split-plots and included continuous use of acetolactate synthase (ALS)–inhibitor herbicides, continuous use of non–ALS-inhibitor herbicides, annual rotations between ALS- and non–ALS-inhibitor herbicides, combinations of ALS- and non–ALS-inhibitor herbicides in the same year, and no herbicide. Weed control and weed populations generally were affected by an interaction between crop rotations and herbicide programs. After 4 yr, common lambsquarters control was lowest, and populations were highest where fomesafen was used alone for four consecutive years or in rotation with other herbicides. Although common ragweed populations...
The Market for Criminality: Money, Muscle and Elections in India

In many developing democracies, the prevalence of politicians with criminal records raises questions about why parties recruit such candidates to contest elections. Building on a strand of the political selection literature that emphasizes a party’s desire for “rents,” I argue that parties are attracted to candidates with criminal records because they have access to independent sources of wealth that allow them to function as self-financing candidates. Drawing on a unique dataset of Indian politicians that contains information on virtually the entire universe of candidates to state office between 2003 and 2009, this paper finds strong support for the proposition that money and “muscle” are complements. These findings are robust to a range of alternative explanations; additional covariates; alternate measures; and additional testing using data from national-level parliamentary candidates. The results of this study raise interesting questions about the connections between money politics, legislative malfeasance, and democratic accountability.
Slack-Based DEA Models

The input-oriented DEA models consider the possible (proportional) input reductions while maintaining the current levels of outputs. The output-oriented DEA models consider the possible (proportional) output augmentations while keeping the current levels of inputs. Charnes et al. develop an additive DEA model which considers possible input decreases as well as output increases simultaneously. The additive model is based upon input and output slacks.
Response of a water-filled spherical vessel to an internal explosion

Many problems of interest to the defense community involve fluid-structure interaction (FSI). To model such problems in two-dimensions the authors developed the FSI2D code by coupling MFICE2D, a Los Alamos finite volume computation fluid dynamics (CFD) code, with PRONTO2D, a SANDIA finite element solid dynamics code. Details on this coupling approach and current implementations are discussed in Section 3. In this report the authors use FSI2D to model the response of Jumbino, a water-filled spherical steel vessel (63.4 cm i.d., 6.1 cm wall thickness), to an internal explosion caused by detonating 30 grams of C-4 at the center of the vessel. Predictions from a fully coupled model were compared to experimental results in the form of strain gauge traces. Agreement was reasonably good. Additionally, the calculation was run in an uncoupled mode to understand the importance of fluid-structure interaction in this problem. The uncoupled model results in an accumulation of nonphysical energy in the vessel.
Stretch-activated ion channels and c-fos expression remain active after repeated eccentric bouts.

This study was undertaken to measure the response of stretch-activated ion channels (SAC) and transcript levels of the oncogene c-fos to separate bouts of eccentric contractions (EC). It was hypoth...
Decentralization and Civic Virtue in Tocqueville's “New Science of Politics”

The first volume of Tocqueville's Democracy in America derived much of its almost instant notoriety from its elaborate discussion of the complex American scheme of governmental institutions and administrative decentralization.' This discussion remains highly relevant for democratic theorists as can be seen by the fact that both the contemporary liberal argument for "participatory democracy" and the traditional conservative distrust of "big government" lead to some consideration of the decentralization of large modern nations. In fact this issue reveals a confusion in the contemporary debate between liberals and conservatives that Tocqueville's analysis could go far towards clarifying.
Low Nitrogen Combustion and Flue Gas Denitration Research Situation

The latest study on mechanism of nitrogen oxides produced in boiler combustion was briefly introduced,the application of various low nitrogen combustion technology in reducing emissions of nitrogen oxides,the flue gas denitration technology research,and the development at home and abroad,and the research status were introduced,which provided theoretical basis for subsequent research to reduce the emissions of nitrogen oxides.
Three interesting cases and small ruminant tips.

More and more people have goats as pets, and goat production is on the increase. Owners are often willing to invest in more extensive medical and surgical procedures. Three interesting cases are discussed below. Although the clinical signs are common (anemia, neurologic deficits, and an enlarged abdomen), the actual diagnoses are relatively rare.
Molecular biologic and pathogenetic analysis of hepatitis delta virus.

Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) consists of an envelope derived from hepatitis B virus (HBV) and a nucleocapsid consisting of hepatitis delta antigen and a circular RNA genome. Both the delta antigen and the RNA possess many unique properties which play crucial roles in the life cycle of HDV. They may also contribute indirectly to the mechanism of viral pathogenesis
Defending Europe’s Others

Like Storm Jameson, Phyllis Bottome (1882–1963) created a series of fictions that analyse Britain’s historic relationship to Europe. A prolific and popular author in her own day, Bottome combined her interest in the psychology of social responsibility and women’s self-determination in several novels, including the 1934 Private Worlds, whose central character is a woman psychologist torn between the professional pressures of forging a place in a male-dominated hospital, her work with patients, and her love for a male colleague. Bottome also lectured and wrote about international relations and political responsibility from the perspective of having lived in Vienna in the early twenties and then in Munich from 1931 to 1933. Her European fiction was based on her experiences there and the force of her social and political involvement led her to create plots that predict the fate of European civilization through the plight of its Jews. She and her husband, Ernan Forbes Dennis, a British passport officer, left Munich in May 1933, ‘when it was no longer possible to live there without witnessing the cruel persecution of our Jewish friends, or ourselves refusing to make terms, however passively, with the controlling gangsters’.1
Effect of solder joint geometry on the predicted fatigue life of BGA solder joints

A general computational approach to determine the effect of solder joint shape on the fatigue life is presented. Using the integrated matrix creep failure metric, a number of cases are considered wherein the solder volume, standoff height, or both, are varied and the joint life computed. Both volumetric and interface averaging of the matrix creep are considered. For non-mask defined pads, the greater the solder volume, the higher the life; for mask defined pads, the reverse trend was observed.
137 THE SPECTRUM OF DISEASE DUE TO CRYPTOCOCCUS: A 9-YEAR REVIEW.

Background Although Cryptococcus rarely infects patients who are immunocompetent, it remains among the most common causes of CNS infection in patients with AIDS. We reviewed all cases of Cryptococcus infection during a 9-year period to determine characteristics of admitted patients, estimated incidence, treatment agent and course, relapse, and patient outcome. Methods A retrospective analysis of infections due to Cryptococcus occurring between January 1, 1997, and March 31, 2006. Results Sixty-six patients were admitted 110 times during the study period. Sixty-eight percent had only one admission, 11% had ≥ three admissions, and two patients accounted for 16% of admissions. The most common reason for relapse was nonadherence with treatment or prophylaxis. Ninety-four percent were HIV infected. The mean age at initial presentation was 41.3 years, with a range of 19 to 82 years, and 77% were men. Seventy-seven percent had a positive culture at initial presentation, and CSF (59%) and blood (12%) were the most common sources. Among the 15 patients with negative cultures, diagnosis was made based on a positive India ink smear and positive antigen titers in 6 (40%). Of the 66 patients, mortality could be determined for 59 (89%). The overall mortality rate was 76%. Conclusions In our patient population, Cryptococcus meningitis is a common diagnosis among HIV-infected patients. Relapses are common, and nonadherence with treatment or prophylaxis is the most frequent cause. Mortality remains high in HIV-infected populations.
Structural properties of oxygen-deficient YBa2Cu3O7- delta.

The structural properties of oxygen-deficient ${\mathrm{YBa}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}$${\mathrm{O}}_{7\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\delta}}}$ have been determined by neutron powder diffraction for 0.07l\ensuremath{\delta}l0.91. The samples were produced by quenching into liquid nitrogen from controlled oxygen partial pressures at 520 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C, and they exhibit a clearly defined ``plateau'' behavior of ${T}_{c}$ versus \ensuremath{\delta}. Superconductivity disappears at the orthorhombic-to-tetragonal transition that occurs near \ensuremath{\delta}=0.65. Structural parameters, including the copper-oxygen bond lengths, vary smoothly with \ensuremath{\delta} within each phase but exhibit different behavior in the superconducting and nonsuperconducting phases. These observations are consistent with a model in which superconducting behavior is controlled by charge transfer between the conducting two-dimensional ${\mathrm{CuO}}_{2}$ planes and the ${\mathrm{CuO}}_{\mathrm{x}}$ chains, which act as reservoirs of charge.
Characterizing hyporheic exchange processes using high‐frequency electrical conductivity‐discharge relationships on subhourly to interannual timescales

Concentration-discharge (C-Q) relationships are often used to quantify source water contributions and biogeochemical processes occurring within catchments, especially during discrete hydrological events. Yet, the interpretation of C-Q hysteresis is often confounded by complexity of the critical zone, such as numerous source waters and hydrochemical non-stationarity. Consequently, researchers must often ignore important runoff pathways and geochemical sources/sinks, especially the hyporheic zone because it lacks a distinct hydrochemical signature. Such simplifications limit efforts to identify processes responsible for the transience of C-Q hysteresis over time. To address these limitations, we leverage the hydrologic simplicity and long-term, high-frequency Q and electrical conductivity (EC) data from streams in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica. In this two end-member system, EC can serve as a proxy for the concentration of solutes derived from the hyporheic zone. We utilize a novel approach to decompose loops into sub-hysteretic EC-Q dynamics to identify individual mechanisms governing hysteresis across a wide range of timescales. We find that hydrologic and hydraulic processes govern EC response to diel and seasonal Q variability and that the effects of hyporheic mixing processes on C-Q transience differ in short and long streams. We also observe that variable hyporheic turnover rates govern EC-Q patterns at daily to interannual timescales. Lastly, sub-hysteretic analysis reveals a period of interannual freshening of glacial meltwater streams related to the effects of unsteady flow on hyporheic exchange. The sub-hysteretic analysis framework we introduce may be applied more broadly to constrain the processes controlling C-Q transience and advance understanding of catchment evolution.
Sin Tax, Forgiveness and Public Health Governance

This essay will explore sin taxes at a foundational level examining the explicit and implicit ramifications of this public policy. The primary purposes of sin taxes can be found in the underlying (albeit contradictory) elements of revenue generation and public health and these two factors serve as core points of analysis, that underscore a growing disconnect between these elements, calling into question the viability of such a public health governance structure. A lesser explored approach to sin taxes is to analyze the implicit message of this taxing strategy as a type of license to engage in the very conduct such an instrument is directed to prevent. Pushing the implicit inquiry, it can be argued that sin taxes extend beyond a mere gesture of acquiescence and constitute a deliberate form of public forgiveness. Unlike most forms of forgiveness that have been identified in the literature, sin tax seen as a modern day indulgence may ,in fact ,promote a public health policy that is both irresponsible and counterproductive. This essay will examine the link between forgiveness and sin taxes in three parts. First the nature and purposes of sin taxes will be explored. Second, the piece will consider the link between forgiveness and sin tax, and lastly it will explore whether sin taxes can be reformed in ways that are more consistent with improved public health governance.
Response of Periwinkle to Composted Sewage Sludge Used as a Soil Amendment

Abstract An experiment was conducted in the greenhouse to investigate the effects of composted sewage sludge as a soil amendment on growth and mineral composition of ‘Bright Eyes’ periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Dn.). Three desert soils (loamy sand, sandy loam, clay) were amended with two different composted sewage sludges (city and county) at rates of 0, 7.5, 15, 30 and 60% by volume. Plants were grown in the amended soils for four months. Composted city sludge had a positive effect on size, growth rate and number of flowers per plant in all three soils. Plants grown in soils amended with the county sludge grew poorly and developed an interveinal chlorosis. Tissue analysis suggested chlorosis was due to a calcium-induced manganese deficiency. Whole plant tissue Mn declined to as low as 23 mg/kg when the calcium in the soil extract exceeded 25 meq/liter.
Clinical evaluation of combined azacitidine and entinostat on the induction of fetal hemoglobin in patients with acute myeloid leukemias and myelodysplastic syndromes.

Hemoglobinopathies are inherited disorders of globin chains leading to decreased production of hemoglobin (Hb), the most significant being sickle cell disease (SCD) and β-thalassemia. Expression of...
Leading Faculty Through a Paradigm Shift: Creating and Sustaining a Needs-Based Approach to e-Learning Faculty Development Programs

e-Learning leaders have a responsibility to train faculty to produce quality online and blended courses. To foster this mandate, this chapter provides e-learning leaders with a framework for faculty development. Specifically, this chapter includes material that reinforces the importance of recruiting qualified e-learning instructors and supporting e-learning faculty in an effort to produce courses that resound with sound pedagogy and high-quality instructional strategy. This chapter also explores e-learning issues and concerns as indicated by faculty and provides answers to common faculty questions. Finally, this chapter will provide a roadmap for the entire e-learning faculty development process: from recruiting faculty participants to designing e-learning faculty development curricula and, finally, assessing the effectiveness of e-learning faculty development initiatives.
Connecting Inquiry and Values in Science Education: An Approach Based on John Dewey's Philosophy.

Conducting scientific inquiry is expected to help students make informed decisions; however, how exactly it can help is rarely explained in science education standards. According to classroom studies, inquiry that students conduct in science classes seems to have little effect on their decision-making. Predetermined values play a large role in students’ decision-making, but students do not explore these values or evaluate whether they are appropriate to the particular issue they are deciding, and they often ignore relevant scientific information. We explore how to connect inquiry and values, and how this connection can contribute to informed decision-making based on John Dewey’s philosophy. Dewey argues that scientific inquiry should include value judgments and that conducting inquiry can improve the ability to make good value judgments. Value judgment is essential to informed, rational decision-making, and Dewey’s ideas can explain how conducting inquiry can contribute to make an informed decision through value judgment. According to Dewey, each value judgment during inquiry is a practical judgment guiding action, and students can improve their value judgments by evaluating their actions during scientific inquiry. Thus, we suggest that students need an opportunity to explore values through scientific inquiry and that practicing value judgment will help informed decision-makings.
A “Lattice Point” Proof of the Infinitude of Primes

(1965). A “Lattice Point” Proof of the Infinitude of Primes. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 38, No. 4, pp. 208-208.
Mammalian and Reptilian Carnivore Effects on Bone

This chapter provides an overview of the effects of mammalian carnivores on vertebrate bodies, including human gnawing and reduction of skeletal elements, plus research on bone modifications by crocodiles. It offers summaries of systematic patterns of carcass and bone consumption by mammalian carnivores in general and by specific taxa – canids, felids, hyenids, ursids – and how these may be modulated by regional ecology. Building upon actualistic research on regularities in carcass and skeletal element consumption sequences, it details common modifications to bones inflicted by the teeth of gnawing carnivores and typical patterns of destruction of different elements and discusses whether tooth marks can be used to infer the taxon of the gnawing mammal. Modifications are well illustrated to facilitate identification. It reviews bone modifications inflicted by human gnawing and summarizes what is known of bone modification by crocodiles. Succeeding chapters on the effects of various actors and processes follow the same general format.
Case Report of Isoniazid-Related Acute Liver Failure Requiring Liver Transplantation

The prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in the United States in 2011 and 2012 was estimated at 4.4–4.8%. As of 2015, 12.4 million people still possessed LTBI. Isoniazid, or isonicotinic acid hydrazine (INH), is the most commonly used medication among varying regimens that exist in the treatment of tuberculosis and LTBI. INH-related hepatotoxicity is a well-known adverse effect of its use, often causing asymptomatic elevations in serum aminotransferase levels. These elevations are typically transient and reversible, but can cause acute, clinically-significant liver injury in rare cases. We report a case of a 67-year old male who developed subacute hepatic injury secondary to INH treatment for LTBI, and ultimately underwent liver transplantation due to the progression to hepatic decompensation, despite withdrawal of the medication. Because symptoms of INH hepatotoxicity are nonspecific and prognosis can be variable, clinicians must maintain a high index of suspicion for this adverse effect. As exemplified by this case, early recognition may be life-saving.
Cyanoaquochromium(III) Complexes: Isolation, Spectra, Aquation Reactions and Kinetics

The mechanisms of solvent substitution reactions of octahedral complex ions have been the subject of considerable study in recent years.1-5 In these studies, chromium compounds have played an important role because the d 3electronic configuration of the Cr+3 ion imparts properties to its compounds which make them especially valuable for studies involving kinetics, mechanisms, and the dependence of reaction rates on geometrical and electronic factors. In particular, chromium(III) compounds are sufficiently nonlabile so that intermediates can often be isolated and characterized, and there can be a stepwise replacement of one set of ligands by another set, with widely differing ligand field strength, without incurring a disruptive spin change.
Amphiphilic, Peptide-Modified Core/Shell Microgels

Thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAm) core/shell particles bearing primary amine groups in either core or shell were prepared via two-stage, free radical precipitation polymerization, using 2-aminoethyl methacrylate (AEMA) as a comonomer. The amine groups were then used to initiate ring-opening polymerization of γ-benzyl L-glutamate N-carboxyanhydride (BLG-NCA), producing poly(γ-benzyl L-glutamate) (PBLG) side chains covalently anchored to the particles. Photon Correlation Spectroscopy (PCS) and 1H NMR were employed to characterize these particles. A shift of phase transition to a lower temperature and an increase in particle des welling volume ratios were observed as a result of grafting hydrophobic PBLG chains to the particles. Further studies by 1H NMR in different solvents indicate that the PBLG chains grafted from the particle shell phase separate on the pNIPAm networks in aqueous media but remain well solvated in DMSO. Together, these results suggest that both core- and shell-grafted architectures can be synthesized with equal ease, and that the particle structure and colloidal behavior can be manipulated by tuning the relative solubility of the network and graft portions of the particle.
Phase 1 study of EGFR-antisense DNA, cetuximab, and radiotherapy in head and neck cancer with preclinical correlatives

Background Cetuximab combined with radiation therapy (RT) is an evidence-based treatment for locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC); however, locoregional failure remains the primary cause of cancer-related death in this disease. Intratumoral injection of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-antisense plasmid DNA (EGFR-AS) is safe and has been associated with promising lesional responses in patients who have recurrent/metastatic HNSCC. For the current study, the authors investigated the antitumor effects of cetuximab and EGFR-AS in preclinical HNSCC models and reported their phase 1 experience adding intratumoral EGFR-AS to cetuximab RT. Methods Antitumor mechanisms were investigated in cell line and xenograft models. Phase 1 trial eligibility required stage IVA through IVC HNSCC and a measurable lesion accessible for repeat injections. Patients received standard cetuximab was for 9 weeks. EGFR-AS was injected weekly until they achieved a lesional complete response. RT was delivered by conventional fractionation for 7 weeks, starting at week 3. Research biopsies were obtained at baseline and week 2. Results When added to cetuximab, EGFR-AS decreased cell viability and xenograft growth compared with EGFR-sense control, partially mediated by reduced EGFR expression. Six patients were enrolled in the phase 1 cohort. No grade 2 or greater EGFR-AS-related adverse events occurred. The best lesional response was a complete response (4 patients), and 1 patient each had a partial response and disease progression. EGFR expression decreased in 4 patients who had available paired specimens. Conclusions In preclinical models, dual EGFR inhibition with cetuximab and EGFR-AS enhanced antitumor effects. In a phase 1 cohort, intratumoral EGFR-AS injections, cetuximab, and RT were well tolerated. A phase 2 trial is needed to conduct an extended evaluation of safety and to establish efficacy.
The Role of Reduced Graphene Oxide toward the Self-Assembly of Lignin-Based Biocomposites Fabricated from Ionic Liquids.

Lignin’s immiscibility with most polymers along with its unknown association behaviors are major factors that contribute to its disposal and processability for the production of materials. To fully utilize lignin, an improved understanding of its interaction with other materials is needed. In this study, we investigate the morphological and physicochemical properties upon the addition of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) as a function of material composition in a tertiary system comprised of lignin, cellulose and xylan. The main motivation for this work is to understand how the lignin molecule associates and behaves in the presence of other natural macromolecules, as well as with the addition of reduced graphene oxide. The fabricated biocomposites with and without rGO were investigated using Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) techniques, Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). The results demonstrated that the regenerated films’ structural, morphological and thermal character changed as a function of lignin-xylan concentration and upon the addition of rGO. We also observed a dramatic change in the glass transition temperature and topography. Final analysis showed that the addition of rGO prevented the macromolecules to self-assemble through a reduction of π-π aggregations and changes in the cellulose crystallinity.
“Yabba-GABA-Doo”: Meet the microbiome

The microbiome is an important regulator of GABA, which has implications for major depressive disorder.
Connections to Place in the Memorialization Practices of Older Adults and Their Families

Research suggests that one way to encourage healthy aging is to construct one’s environment in a manner that helps maintain one’s identity. Specifically, studies in environmental gerontology posit ...
Platelet Counts in Uncomplicated Pregnancies at Term.

Objective This study aimed to evaluate platelet counts at delivery in uncomplicated pregnancies between 37 and 41 weeks of gestation. Study Design Platelet counts in women 16 to 45 years of age from August 1, 2011, through May 15, 2018, with a singleton pregnancy that delivered from 370/7 to 416/7 weeks of gestation. Women with pregnancy-related complications, preexisting disorders, or on medications that could affect platelet counts were excluded. Results A total of 18,526 women had uncomplicated pregnancies with mean platelet count from 370/7 to 416/7 weeks of gestation of 220 × 109/L. The lower limit 95th percentile (2.5% quantile) was 120 × 109/L. Platelet counts decreased weekly from 37 to 41 weeks of gestation, becoming significant at 39 weeks of gestation and beyond, compared with 37 weeks (p Conclusion Platelet counts in uncomplicated pregnancies decrease weekly from 37 to 41 weeks of gestation. This will be important to consider when serial platelet values are monitored for other indications.
Alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone increases the activity of melanocortin-3 receptor-expressing neurons in the ventral tegmental area.

Key points Alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) is an anorexigenic peptide. Injection of the α-MSH analog MTII into the ventral tegmental area (VTA) decreases food and sucrose intake and food reward. Melanocortin-3 receptors (MC3R) are highly expressed in the VTA, suggesting that the effects of intra-VTA α-MSH may be mediated by α-MSH changing the activity of MC3R-expressing VTA neurons. α-MSH increased the firing rate of MC3R VTA neurons in acute brain slices from mice, although it did not affect the firing rate of non-MC3R VTA neurons. The α-MSH induced increase in MC3R neuron firing rate is probably activity-dependent, and was independent of fast synaptic transmission and intracellular Ca2+ levels. These results help us to better understand how α-MSH acts in the VTA to affect feeding and other dopamine-dependent behaviours. Abstract The mesocorticolimbic dopamine system, the brain's reward system, regulates multiple behaviours, including food intake and food reward. There is substantial evidence that the melanocortin system of the hypothalamus, an important neural circuit controlling feeding and body weight, interacts with the mesocorticolimbic dopamine system to affect feeding, food reward and body weight. For example, melanocortin-3 receptors (MC3Rs) are expressed in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and our laboratory previously showed that intra-VTA injection of the MC3R agonist, MTII, decreases home-cage food intake and operant responding for sucrose pellets. However, the cellular mechanisms underlying the effects of intra-VTA alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) on feeding and food reward are unknown. To determine how α-MSH acts in the VTA to affect feeding, we performed electrophysiological recordings in acute brain slices from mice expressing enhanced yellow fluorescent protein in MC3R neurons to test how α-MSH affects the activity of VTA MC3R neurons. α-MSH significantly increased the firing rate of VTA MC3R neurons without altering the activity of non-MC3R expressing VTA neurons. In addition, the α-MSH-induced increase in MC3R neuron activity was independent of fast synaptic transmission and intracellular Ca2+ levels. Finally, we show that the effect of α-MSH on MC3R neuron firing rate is probably activity-dependent. Overall, these studies provide an important advancement in the understanding of how α-MSH acts in the VTA to affect feeding and food reward.
Fugitivity in African American Women's Migration Narratives

"If you assume black women’s life writings locate a free subjectivity within white patriarchal imperialist spaces, rather than in a self-conscious and choreographed fugitivity, then you will not read the texts they write. For even before Phillis Wheatley engaged in eighteenth-century transatlantic migrations, black women’s life narratives have inscribed, and continue to document, our fugitive disidentifications. To disregard black women’s fugitivity is to risk misreading black women’s lives and life writings. Anti-blackness everywhere has always required black women to construct a fugitive selfhood that exploits and subverts the very invisibility that white patriarchal imperialism imposes on them."