cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Models of Orientation and Ocular Dominance Columns in the Visual Cortex: A Critical Comparison

Orientation and ocular dominance maps in the primary visual cortex of mammals are among the most thoroughly investigated of the patterns in the cerebral cortex. A considerable amount of work has been dedicated to unraveling both their detailed structure and the neural mechanisms that underlie their formation and development. Many schemes have been proposed, some of which are in competition. Some models focus on development of receptive fields while others focus on the structure of cortical maps, i.e., the arrangement of receptive field properties across the cortex. Each model used different means to determine its success at reproducing experimental map patterns, often relying principally on visual comparison. Experimental data are becoming available that allow a more careful evaluation of models. In this contribution more than 10 of the most prominent models of cortical map formation and structure are critically evaluated and compared with the most recent experimental findings from macaque striate cortex....
Shifts in detail through temporal zooming

Spatio-temporal knowledge representation often requires shifting from one level of detail to another so that users can carry out a desired task. Geographic information systems typically treat such alterations in detail with respect to the geometric properties of objects. We extend the theories based on geometrical considerations only to an approach that focuses on shifts between levels of temporal detail. The approach is based on a model of change to identifiable objects and describes temporal zooming that involves expanding or collapsing the transitions between identity states of objects. This work offers promising new directions for spatio-temporal query languages.
Foreign Language Learning Anxiety in Upper‐Level Classes: Involving Students as Researchers

Abstract: While both the causes and effects of students' language learning anxiety have been a frequent focus of many investigations, few have explored anxiety in the context of upper-level language classrooms. Through a qualitative analysis of questionnaire data obtained from 21 advanced students of Spanish, this study found that, indeed, many of these students did report experiencing anxiety in upper-level courses, perhaps an unanticipated setting given students' relatively higher levels of proficiency. Students highlighted many issues related to their anxiety and confirmed findings of previous investigations; specifically, they pointed to the key role of the teacher in producing and relieving anxiety. In addition to considering anxiety in an unexplored context, this study serves as a model for involving students in research related to language learning.
One frog, two frog, red frog, blue frog: Factors affecting children's syntactic choices in production and comprehension

Two experiments are reported which examine children's ability to use referential context when making syntactic choices in language production and comprehension. In a recent on-line study of auditory comprehension, Trueswell, Sekerina, Hill, and Logrip (1999) examined children's and adults' abilities to resolve temporary syntactic ambiguities involving prepositional phrases (e.g., “Put the frog on the napkin into ¨”). Although adults and older children used the referential context to guide their initial analysis (pursuing a destination interpretation in a one-frog context and a modifier interpretation in a two-frog context), 4 to 5-year olds' initial and ultimate analysis was one of destination, regardless of context. The present studies examined whether these differences were attributable to the comprehension process itself or to other sources, such as possible differences in how children perceive the scene and referential situation. In both experiments, children were given a language generation task designed to elicit and test children's ability to refer to a member of a set through restrictive modification. This task was immediately followed by the “put” comprehension task. The findings showed that, in response to a question about a member of a set (e.g., “Which frog went to Mrs. Squid's house?”), 4- to 5-year-olds frequently produced a definite NP with a restrictive prepositional modifier (e.g., “The one on the napkin”). These same children, however, continued to misanalyze put instructions, showing a strong avoidance of restrictive modification during comprehension. Experiment 2 showed that an increase in the salience of the platforms that distinguished the two referents increased overall performance, but still showed the strong asymmetry between production and comprehension. Eye movements were also recorded in Experiment 2, revealing on-line parsing patterns similar to Trueswell et al.: an initial preference for a destination analysis and a failure to revise early referential commitments. These experiments indicate that child–adult differences in parsing preferences arise, in part, from developmental changes in the comprehension process itself and not from a general insensitivity to referential properties of the scene. The findings are consistent with a probabilistic model for uncovering the structure of the input during comprehension, in which more reliable linguistic and discourse-related cues are learned first, followed by a gradually developing ability to take into account other more uncertain (or more difficult to learn) cues to structure.
Rat liver 6‐phosphofructo 2‐kinase/ fructose 2,6‐bisphosphatase: A review of relationships between the two activities of the enzyme

Both the synthesis and the degradation of Fru-2,6-P2 are catalyzed by a single enzyme protein; ie, the enzyme is bifunctional. This protein, which we have designated 6-phosphofructo 2-kinase/fructose 2,6-bisphosphatase is an important enzyme in the regulation of hepatic carbohydrate metabolism since its activity determines the steady-state concentration of fructose 2,6-P2, an activator of 6-phosphofructo 1-kinase and an inhibitor of fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase. Regulation of the bifunctional enzyme in intact cells is a complex function of both covalent modification via phosphorylation/dephosphorylation and the influence of substrates and low molecular weight effectors. Recent evidence suggests that both reactions may proceed by two-step transfer mechanisms with different phosphoenzyme intermediates. The enzyme catalyzes exchange reactions between ADP and ATP and between fructose 6-P and fructose 2,6-P2. A labeled phosphoenzyme is formed rapidly during incubation with [2-32P]Fru-2,6-P2. The labeled residue has been identified as 3-phosphohistidine. However, it was not possible to demonstrate significant labeling of the enzyme directly from [gamma-32P]ATP. These results can be most readily explained in terms of two catalytic sites, a kinase site whose phosphorylation by ATP is negligible (or whose E-P is labile) and a fructose 2,6-bisphosphatase site which is readily phosphorylated by fructose 2,6-P2. Additional evidence in support of two active sites include: limited proteolysis with thermolysin results in loss of 6-phosphofructo 2-kinase activity and activation of fructose 2,6-bisphosphatase, mixed function oxidation results in inactivation of the 6-phosphofructo 2-kinase but no affect on the fructose 2,6-bisphosphatase, N-ethylmaleimide treatment also inactivates the kinase but does not affect the bisphosphatase, and p-chloromercuribenzoate immediately inactivates the fructose 2,6-bisphosphatase but not the 6-phosphofructo 2-kinase. Our findings indicate that the bifunctional enzyme is a rather complicated enzyme; a dimer, probably with two catalytic sites reacting with sugar phosphate, and with an unknown number of regulatory sites for most of its substrates and products. Three enzymes from Escherichia coli, isocitric dehydrogenase kinase/phosphatase, glutamine-synthetase adenylyltransferase, and the uridylyltransferase for the regulatory protein PII in the glutamine synthetase cascade system also catalyze opposing reactions probably at two discrete sites. All four enzymes are important in the regulation of metabolism and may represent a distinct class of regulatory enzymes.
Expedited RPE-derivation from human embryonic stem cells by partial PARP-1 inhibition (LB55)

The death of the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) induces the leading cause of blindness in the elderly, a disease called age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) have the potential to generate a limitless source of RPE for cellular therapies, but spontaneous differentiation methods require several months to produce mature cells. In 2013, a novel directed-differentiation protocol described efficient derivation of RPE in 14 days using nicotinamide as a key-inducing agent in the chemical cocktail. This study investigates the hypothesis that nicotinamide expedites RPE-derivation by inhibiting poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) during the neuralization component of differentiation. 3-aminobenzamide (3-ABA), a non-hydrolyzable nicotinamide analogue and PARP-1 inhibitor, was tested in place of nicotinamide. Gene expression analysis by qPCR, morphological assessment, and pigment quantification demonstrate that 3-ABA affects differentiation during the first 4 days of differ...
Planar Translational Cable-Direct-Driven Robots: Hardware Implementation

We present hardware results of a planar, translational cable-direct-driven robot (CDDR). The motivation behind this work was to present kinematics and statics modeling of the CDDR along with the method to maintain positive cable tension and implement them on CDDR hardware for experimental verification. Only translational CDDR is considered in this article; we attempt to keep zero orientation by control. We ignore gravity here because the end-effector is supported on a base plate with negligible friction. Results are presented and analyzed for two linear profiles and one circular profile.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Understanding the Diversity Of Atlanta's Latino Population: Intersections of Race, Ethnicity, and Class

The authors investigate how race is socially constructed among Latino immigrants. Drawing upon Omi and Winant's theory of "racialization," they call for a highly contextualized analysis that takes into account specific Latino groups and geographic locations. They develop their argument by investigating how Guatemalan and Dominican immigrants in Atlanta must negotiate their unique understandings of race with forces of racial homogenization that erase distinctions and characterize "all" Latinos as undocumented Mexican laborers. The authors explain how Guatemalans and Dominicans rely on different resources to challenge this racial construction and assert a distinct racial and ethnic identity.
End-face preparation methods for high-intensity fiber applications

High laser intensities are being transmitted through optical fibers in a growing number of applications. Our interest in laser initiation of explosives has led us to examine the transmission of Q-switched, Nd:YAG laser pulses through step-index, multimode, fused-silica fibers for a number of years. A common limiting process is a plasma-forming breakdown occurring at the fiber entrance face. The breakdown threshold at this face depends on the surface characteristics that result from the particular method of end-face preparation. In previous studies we examined entrance-face breakdown thresholds for several different mechanical polishing schedules, and also for several schedules of CO 2 -laser conditioning following mechanical polishing. In the present study we examined three end-face preparation methods that were base on the recent availability of exceptionally good cleaved surfaces for our fibers of interest. Using test procedures similar to those in past studies, we examined the cleaved fibers directly, fibers with cleaved surfaces that were subsequently flame polished, and fibers with cleaved surfaces that were subsequently conditioned with a CO 2 laser. All of these preparation methods resulted in fibers that showed a broader range of entrance-face breakdown conditions than found in past studies, together with a susceptibility to subsurface exit-face damage. By introducing additional cleaning steps with the cleaved surfaces, we were able to reduce the variability in breakdown thresholds observed after subsequent CO 2 - laser conditioning. A consistent location of exit-face damage sites indicates that subsurface fracturing occurs during the cleaving process, and that the subsequent end-face processing steps were not effective in mitigating damage at these sites. Threshold energies for entrance- face breakdown are also affected by the relation between incident laser energy and the resulting peak local fluence at this surface. Laser characteristics and the design of the laser-to- fiber injection optics determine this relation. The present study utilized an improved injection system consisting of a custom diffractive optical element combined with a lens having a very short focal length. This system produced the lowest value for the ratio of peak-to-average fluence at the entrance face that we have observed, and was very successful in inhibiting internal damage mechanisms along the fiber path.
Appendix B—Lake and ground‐water levels

An outstanding achievement of the Section of Hydrology has been the work of the Committee on Glaciers in assembling the existing records of the advance and retreat of the glaciers in the Western States and in Alaska, encouraging various agencies in making periodic observations, systematizing and standardizing the work, and providing for the compilation and preservation of the data obtained from year to year. The fluctuation of lake levels is a closely related subject that is equally fundamental in the study of hydrology. In 1922 I published a map giving the distribution of 68 Pleistocene lakes in the Basin and Range province and showed that the desiccation of these lakes could have been caused by change in temperature as well as change in precipitation (Geol. Soc. Amer. Bull., v. 33. pp. 541–552. 1922). Abundant and convincing evidences of changes in climate in the Pleistocene epoch or at its end are afforded both by the ancient drift-sheets and by the ancient lake features, but the question as to the relative importance of changes in temperature and changes in precipitation is still very obscure.
Diagnosing the Relative Impact of “Sneaks,” “Phantoms,” and Volatility in Sequences of Lagged Ensemble Probability Forecasts with a Simple Dynamic Decision Model

Abstract Monte Carlo simulation of sequences of lagged ensemble probability forecasts is undertaken using Markov transition law estimated from a reforecast ensemble. A simple three-state, three-action dynamic decision model is then applied to the Monte Carlo sequence realizations using a basket of cost functions, and the resulting expense incurred by the decision model is conditioned upon the structure of the sequence realizations. Findings show that the greatest average expense is incurred by “sneak” and “volatile” sequence structures, which are structures characterized by large and rapid increases in event probability at short lag times. These findings are simple quantitative illustration of the adage that large run-to-run variability of forecasts can be troublesome to a decision maker. The experiments also demonstrate how even small improvements in the amount of advance warning of an event can translate into a substantial reduction in decision expense. In general, the conditioned decision expense is fo...
Laser fluorescence analysis of phytoplankton across a frontal zone in the California Current ecosystem

Spatial variability of chlorophyll, phycobiliproteins, chromophoric dissolved organic matter and variable fluorescence (Fv/Fm) was analyzed across a deepwater density front in the Southern California Current Ecosystem using an Advanced Laser Fluorometer (ALF) calibrated to assess chlorophyll concentration (Cchl), total autotrophic carbon (AC) and Synechococcus carbon biomass (SYN). Three distinct autotrophic assemblages were identified. Fluorescence was found to be three to four times higher in cooler mesotrophic waters north of the front than in warm oligotrophic waters to the south. Northern waters were distinguished by a shallow pigment maximum dominated by a blue-water type of Synechococcus and by the presence of green-water Synechococcus and cryptophytes; only blue-water Synechococcus were detected at lower concentration south of the front. The highest Cchl and AC values, accompanied by elevated Fv/Fm and chlorophyll fluorescence per unit of Cchl, and minimal Synechococcus abundance, were found directly at the front in a 20–40 m deep layer dominated by diatoms. The covariation of Fv/Fm with nitrate concentration in this layer, along with the structural changes in the phytoplankton community, suggest that it had been generated by in situ processes rather than advection. Strong structural responses to the local hydrography were also revealed by high-frequency underway ALF surface sampling, which detected an abrupt transition from low to high SYN on the northern side of a sharp salinity gradient at the front. Synechococcus-specific phycoerythrin fluorescence (FPE12) and SYN were highly correlated in surface waters (R1⁄4 0.95), while FPE12:SYN gradually increased with depth. Strong relationships were found for chlorophyll fluorescence versus Cchl (R 1⁄4 0.95) and AC (R1⁄4 0.79).
Rhetorical mindfulness and eco-criticism: inhabiting the space of first-year composition

First-year composition (FYC) holds a peculiar place in the realm of higher education. Frequently, it is the only universally mandated course that students must pass implying the presupposed value of the class. However, while FYC is generally valued highly, it is highly misunderstood. Much of this misunderstanding stems from various fallacious, problematic, or limited views of what writing is, how it is produced, and how it is best taught. This paper seeks to find a place for FYC by discussing what the course can and cannot accomplish. Post-structuralist work in semiotics, like that of Roland Barthes, Jean Baudrillard, and others, provides a foundational discussion on and problematizes the ways language represents the world. Ecocritical theory proposed by Lawrence Buell and Dana Phillips addresses these problems by allowing representation to be reconnected to the space it represents. Beyond the role that space plays, Discourse theory outlined by Barbara Johnstone, among others, demonstrates the relationship between space and Discourse. This paper then moves to genre theory, which stems from the works of Amy Devitt and Anis Bawarshi, among others, providing a focus on the particular genres that individuals must inhabit to emerge into rhetorical situations. This genre becomes a nexus in which the external and internal latent matrices clash and are linked. Genre-awareness, which allows individuals to understand how specific genres respond to the rhetorical situation, plays a critical role in providing choice, and thus agency to the individuals. For this reason, genre-awareness is a key component to a successful FYC course. This paper links ecocriticism with genre theory to suggest that, beyond genre-awareness, rhetorical mindfulness, or a mindfulness of all of the forces within the latent matrices, is another crucial component of FYC. Genre-awareness and rhetorical mindfulness are easily integrated into and central components to an FYC course. These tools allow students to become conscious of their ways of existing rhetorically and gain some degree of choice, and thus, agency, as they move through future rhetorical situations they encounter in their lives. iv
An Integrated Approach to Addressing Chronic Disease Risk Factors in Financially Disadvantaged Women in South Carolina.

Abstract Purpose. We combined data from the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection (NBCCEDP) and Well-Integrated Screening and Evaluation for Women Across the Nation (WISEWOMAN) programs in South Carolina to assess whether cancer screening outcomes in NBCCEDP impacted participation in WISEWOMAN lifestyle interventions, and whether the status of WISEWOMAN baseline risk factors (obesity, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, and smoking) determined subsequent completion of lifestyle interventions. Design. Case-control. Setting. Three WISEWOMAN implementation sites in South Carolina. Subjects. The study comprised 7841 NBCCDEP participants in three WISEWOMAN program sites. The two programs serve financially disadvantaged women. Measures. Outcome measures were participation in WISEWOMAN lifestyle interventions and completion of lifestyle interventions. The main predictor measures were cancer screening outcomes and baseline chronic disease risk factors. Covariate measures included age, race...
Fabrication of three-dimensional tissues

The goal of tissue engineering is to restore or replace the lost functions of diseased or damaged organs. Ideally, engineered tissues should provide nutrient transport, mechanical stability, coordination of multicellular processes, and a cellular microenvironment that promotes phenotypic stability. To achieve this goal, many engineered tissues require both macro- (∼cm) and micro- (∼ 100μm) scale architectural features. In recent years, techniques from the manufacturing world have been adapted to create scaffolds for tissue engineering with defined three-dimensional architectures at physiologically relevant length scales. This chapter reviews three-dimensional fabrication techniques for tissue engineering, including: acellular scaffolds, cellular assembly, and hybrid scaffold/cell constructs.
Focused Ion Beam Microfabrication

The features of the ion-solid interaction most often used in microfabrication are implantation, sputtering (ion milling), and induced chemical reaction. The novelty of focused ion beam fabrication is that most of these processes can now be carried out with better than 0.1 μm resolution without the use of mask or resist. For implantation the species available include the dopants of Si and GaAs (such as B, As, Be, and Si). Energies up to 300 keV are achieved if doubly ionized species are used. The focused ion beam systems can deliver a desired dose with 0.1 μm accuracy aligned to existing features on the wafer. So far, a number of applications of this unique maskless resistless patterning capability have been reported, including: threshold adjust of transistors, transistors fabricated with graded doping profiles and tunable Gunn diodes. In addition, focused ion beams promise to be competitive with e-beams for pattern writing in resist.
A User-Friendly Security Technology Model

This chapter details the elements that are crucial to developing a technical security strategy. It discusses security planning and security design, and engineering planning from a systems-level perspective. It addresses the purpose and benefit of conducting a technical security analysis. It outlines the ramifications of the technical security planning process, highlighting a concept of technology application; the development of system performance factors; the importance of having quality maintenance, inspection, and testing programs; the need to establish and maintain the capability to respond to system failures; and the importance of implementing security compensatory measures. Actual case histories highlighting system deficiencies and ineffective technology applications and poor maintenance practices are presented.
Measurement of Myocardial T1ρ with a Motion Corrected, Parametric Mapping Sequence in Humans.

Purpose To develop a robust T1ρ magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequence for assessment of myocardial disease in humans. Materials and Methods We developed a breath-held T1ρ mapping method using a single-shot, T1ρ-prepared balanced steady-state free-precession (bSSFP) sequence. The magnetization trajectory was simulated to identify sources of T1ρ error. To limit motion artifacts, an optical flow-based image registration method was used to align T1ρ images. The reproducibility and accuracy of these methods was assessed in phantoms and 10 healthy subjects. Results are shown in 1 patient with pre-ventricular contractions (PVCs), 1 patient with chronic myocardial infarction (MI) and 2 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Results In phantoms, the mean bias was 1.0 ± 2.7 msec (100 msec phantom) and 0.9 ± 0.9 msec (60 msec phantom) at 60 bpm and 2.2 ± 3.2 msec (100 msec) and 1.4 ± 0.9 msec (60 msec) at 80 bpm. The coefficient of variation (COV) was 2.2 (100 msec) and 1.3 (60 msec) at 60 bpm and 2.6 (100 msec) and 1.4 (60 msec) at 80 bpm. Motion correction improved the alignment of T1ρ images in subjects, as determined by the increase in Dice Score Coefficient (DSC) from 0.76 to 0.88. T1ρ reproducibility was high (COV < 0.05, intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.85–0.97). Mean myocardial T1ρ value in healthy subjects was 63.5 ± 4.6 msec. There was good correspondence between late-gadolinium enhanced (LGE) MRI and increased T1ρ relaxation times in patients. Conclusion Single-shot, motion corrected, spin echo, spin lock MRI permits 2D T1ρ mapping in a breath-hold with good accuracy and precision.
Survival, Frost Susceptibility, Growth, and Disease Resistance of Corkbark and Subalpine Fir Grown for Landscape and Christmas Trees

ADDITIONAL INDEX WORDS. Abies lasiocarpa var. arizonica, A. lasiocarpa var. lasiocarpa, provenance, seed source SUMMARY. Trees from six corkbark fir (Abies lasiocarpa var. arizonica )a nd 10 subalpine fir (A. lasiocarpa var. lasiocarpa) seed sources were grown at the University of IdahoSandpointResearchand ExtensionCenter(SREC),Sandpoint,ID, andtwo commercial nurseries in Idaho and Oregon. Posttransplant mortality was highest during the first two years. After six growing seasons, survival averaged 76% and 80% for corkbark and subalpine fir, respectively. In SREC irrigated plots, survival averaged 96% and 99% for corkbark and subalpine fir, respectively. Spring frost damage occurred annually on 66% to 100% of trees during 2002‐06. In SREC plots, damage was minor and did not adversely affect appearance. Tree heights and growth rates varied significantly between seed sources. In general, corkbark fir grew faster than subalpine fir. After nine years in the field, mean heights of SREC-grown corkbark trees ranged from 2.1 to 2.9 m and that of subalpine trees ranged from 1.3 to 2.3 m, depending on seed source. Corkbark fir proved moderately resistant to resistant to a phoma-type fungal blight. Three corkbark seed sources appeared suitable for Christmas tree production. Subalpine trees were more susceptible to the blight. Some trees within both botanical varieties proved resistant to or highly tolerant of the blight, but the use of seedlings for landscapes may be unacceptably risky because of disease potential. Two fungicide programs (three applications of pyraclostrobin plus boscalid or one application of pyraclostrobin plus boscalid followed by one application of chlorothalonil) controlled the blight. Eight subalpine fir and 23 corkbark fir at SREC were selected for further testing as possible cultivars. Neither crop is recommended for sites with frequent or severe spring frosts.
Reexamining the Double Jeopardy to Health Thesis

The purposes of this article are twofold: (a) to clarify the evaluation of the double jeopardy thesis and (b) to evaluate two apparently contradictory sets of results on the double jeopardy to health derived from the same data (National Council on the Aging, 1975). The results offer no support for the double jeopardy thesis based on a subjective assessment of health problems. Both logistic regression analysis and multiple discriminant analysis were used to estimate the relationships among the variables considered.
Effects of Verbal Aggression and Party Identification Bias on Perceptions of Political Speakers

Two experiments investigated the effects of verbal aggression, specifically character and competence attacks, on perceptions of political speakers. Verbally aggressive political speakers were perceived as less communicatively appropriate and credible than nonaggressive speakers, and were less likely to win agreement with their messages. Some evidence was found that perceptions were biased in favor of those who share a political party identification with the message recipient, and that more strongly Republican Party–identified participants perceived more verbal aggression in messages with no character and competence attacks and considered verbally aggressive Republicans more tactful.
Analysis of Iodized Salt Surveillance in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in 2005

Objective To investigate the quality of iodized salt assembly factories,wholesale enterprises and the situation of consuming iodized salt by residents in Ningxia.Methods Edible iodized salt from the assembly factories,wholesale enterprises and residents' households was detected with direct titrimetric method according to the national standard GB/T 13025.7-1999.Results The qualified rate of iodized salt was 95.35% from assembly factories,wholesale enterprises and 96.0% from residents' households.Conclusions The consuming situation of iodized salt in Ningxia has achieved the national aim of eliminating the iodine deficiency disorder in 2005.
The Idea of Authorship, 1794–1800

During the period that Austen drafted Lady Susan and early versions of Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice and Northanger Abbey, she was also engaged in the public courtship rituals of her world — attending local balls as well as more distant ones when she visited relatives in Bath and Kent. She was writing about courtship while to some degree taking part in it herself and observing it in her brothers Henry and James (after his wife’s death in 1795), in Cassandra and her fiance Tom Fowle, and among friends like Elizabeth Bigg and William Heathcote.
Postoperative Shoulder Imaging: Rotator Cuff, Labrum, and Biceps Tendon

This article reviews normal and abnormal imaging findings of the shoulder after surgery for subacromial impingement, rotator cuff tears, labral and instability lesions, and long head of the biceps tendon disorders.
Elevated temperature performance of high voltage Li1+yMn1.5Ni0.5O4−xFx spinel in window-shifted Li-ion cells

Abstract Although the LiMn1.5Ni0.5O4 spinel operating at 4.7 V presents some beneficial characteristics over more traditional positive electrode materials, instability issues at elevated temperature have limited its practical use so far. While we previously proposed Li1+yMn1.5Ni0.5O4−xFx (LMNOF) spinel that is intrinsically stable at elevated temperatures in Li-excess half-cell configuration, we investigate herein fixed, non-excess Li-content window-shifted Li-ion systems. By utilizing Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) or TiS2 negative electrodes stable in broad electrolyte compositions instead of carbonaceous electrodes, we aim at limiting the Li-consuming side reactions such as the formation of solid-electrolyte interphase and enable a focus on the exploration of electrolyte compositions including additives. Utilizing such an approach, excellent fundamental stability of LMNOF in a fixed Li-content Li-ion environment is demonstrated at 55 °C with the use of relatively common electrolyte components.
From Orlando to Russia: Cross-Cultural Communication through Gamemaking

While physical study abroad and exchange programs are proven methods for building cross-cultural communication, there are many limitations on the number of people who get to participate and how accessible such programs are to diverse populations. To address such inequities of access and consider virtual alternatives and supplements to traditional study abroad programs, a team of faculty and students collaborated on making a game designed to facilitate both English-language learning and cross-cultural communication through providing a virtual version of a trip to the United States. This paper discusses the historical context enabling such a project to occur and then discusses the process of building and deploying a game designed by US students for a Russian audience of visually-impaired students at the Grot School in St. Petersburg, Russia. The resulting text- and audio-based game demonstrates the potential of situated user-centered game design as a pedagogical practice with learning outcomes both for the student creators and the audience of student players. The resulting game was requested by 11 other institutions. The results reported here highlight the ability of game based learning to facilitate cross cultural communication, develop mutual understandings, and build relationships between culturally diverse students on an interpersonal level. It further reveals how the use of open source game creating tools provide a customizable game platform for the development of ideas to improve intercultural competence in the context of language learning (such as EFL) when other resources are not readily available. The impact of this type of initiative is thus far greater than the created object (the game): it illustrates the strong potential of games and game-making as a method for advancing cultural discourse, an important prerequisite for effective intercultural communication and documentation.
Abstract 154: Generation of Purified Cardiomyocytes from Pluripotent Stem Cells Using Molecular Beacons

Background: While various methods for generating cardiomyocytes (CMs) from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) including both embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have been reported, all available methods are only allowed to produce heterogeneous population of CM mixed with non-CM cells. Therefore, strategies to enrich pure CMs for scientific and clinical applications have been highly required. Hence, we developed a novel system in which CMs can be purified by cardiac specific molecular beacons (MBs). MBs are dual-labeled antisense nano-scale probes that emit a fluorescence signal when hybridized to target mRNAs. We hypothesized that MBs targeted to CM specific mRNAs can identify CMs and allow isolation of purified CMs by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Methods and results: Five MBs targeting distinct sites on either cardiac troponin T (cTNT) or α/β myosin heavy chain (α/βMHC) were designed and characterized in various cell types. To find the optimal MB that can selectively identifying CMs, each MB was delivered into HL-1 CMs, an immortalized mouse CM cell line, smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells, mouse ESCs and fibroblasts and its specificity was determined by flow cytometry. As a result, two MBs identified MB+ cells up to 98% from HL-1 CMs but lower than 10% of the non-CM cells suggesting these MBs are CM specific. Subsequently, the selected MBs were delivered into both mouse and human PSCs derived CMs and 41 to 49% of the cells were identified as an MB+ population. Interestingly, the rate of MB+ cells was similar to CM quantification determined by cTNT intracellular flow cytometry. Finally, we determined whether cell sorting with cardiac-specific MBs can enrich CMs from the heterogeneous mouse and human PSC cultures and found that ∼97% of MB-based sorted CMs expressed cTNT. These enriched cells were further cultured and their CM identity was verified by immunocytochemistry and qRT-PCR analysis. Ca2+ transient analysis further confirmed that these purified CMs displayed functional CM characteristics Conclusion: Using cardiac specific MBs, we were able to obtain highly purified CMs. These purified CMs and the system can be highly useful for clinical applications as well as drug discovery.
From Nothing to Something: The Appearance and Context of the Earliest Archaeological Record

Before 2.6 million years ago (Ma), no archaeological record has been securely documented, and therefore there is no evidence of hominin tool use. Then, at 2.6–2.58 Ma, there is widespread evidence for tool manufacture and use at several archaeological sites, with undisputed stone tools and fossil fauna at Gona, Ethiopia. Additionally, the evidence from the earliest archaeological sites at Gona shows that the earliest stone tool makers were skilled flintknappers and were able to select high quality stone raw materials. The possible reasons behind this seeming abrupt transition from the absence of stone tools to the presence thereof include sampling biases, paleogeographic influences, gaps in the geological record, paleoenvironmental change, and changes in the record of hominin evolution.
Multifunctional triphenylamine polymers synthesized via direct (hetero) arylation polymerization

The design rules for creating multifunctional organic electronic materials are currently limited. By copolymerizing twisted triphenylamine (TPA) and electron rich dioxythiophene (XDOT) monomers via Direct (Hetero) Arylation Polymerization (DHAP), a set of polymers are obtained that perform as yellow to transmissive electrochromic (EC) films with up to 45% contrast, as well as in electroluminescent (EL) applications, achieving a luminance of ∼450 cd/m2 in yellow-green polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs). In addition, polymerizing TPA with a donor-acceptor-donor monomer results in a low-bandgap polymer that achieves power conversion efficiencies up to 2.5% when blended with PC71BM in conventional organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices. Incorporation of TPA units into the polymer backbone largely breaks any aggregation and ordering in the solid-state, leading to highly soluble materials that form smooth, reproducible thin films. The TPA unit also serves to break conjugation throughout the polymer backbone, providing precise control over optical and electronic properties through choice of comonomer. These results suggest that TPA copolymers can be useful for achieving multi-functionality without sacrificing facile solution processability, making them promising candidates for multifunctional devices like dual EC/EL displays. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 147–153
Mechanical Validation of a High Power Density External Cantilevered Rotor

High specific power electric machines are crucial to enable electric and hybrid-electric aircraft. In order to meet this need, a high specific power electric machine with an unconventional topology is being developed. The topology creates mechanical challenges including expansion due to high speed, and thin radial builds that affect rotordynamics. Similarly, the design creates thermal challenges, one of which is difficulty in estimating the windage losses because of the high speed and large diameter. These challenges have been addressed through analytical design and a hardware prototype has been validated through testing. Through these analysis and tests, it has been determined that this high specific power electric machine will not fly apart or burn up under the expected operating conditions.
Phosphatidylserine Is Not Just a Cleanup Crew but Also a Well-Meaning Teacher

Phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure during apoptosis leads to silent clearance of cells without adverse immune reactions to self-proteins. Given the biological functions of PS in cellular cleanup and global immunosuppression, we hypothesized that administration of PS-protein complexes would reduce immunogenicity. Here, we report that exposing Pompe disease mice to acid alpha glucosidase (rhGAA) with PS or immunosuppressant dexamethasone resulted in lower anti-rhGAA antibodies than in animals receiving rhGAA alone. However, upon rechallenge with rhGAA, only PS-rhGAA pre-exposed mice displayed a durable hyporesponsiveness even after PS administration was ceased. Thus, pre-exposure of antigens administered together with PS were not silently cleared, but the immune system acquired memory about the antigen that averted mounting of a response during rechallenge. In hemophilia A mice, PS hyporesponsiveness toward Factor VIII was reversed by administration of function-blocking antibody against the PS receptor T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin 4, implicating this receptor in PS's effect. Moreover, pre-exposure of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein peptide with PS delayed the onset and reduced the severity of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. These observations suggest that PS's function in apoptosis is not limited to silent antigen clearance without immune responses toward self-proteins but shows that PS reduces immune response during rechallenge to several antigens that also involves initiation of antigen tolerance.
Abstract 1: Derivation of a Novel Hypothermic to Ischemic Ratio as an Indicator for Predicting and Improving Survival from Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest

Objectives: Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is recommended by the 2010 AHA guidelines but there is little evidence to guide the duration of therapy required to realize benefit after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OOH-CA). We sought to evaluate a novel Hypothermic to Ischemic Ratio (H/I Ratio = total hypothermic time / total ischemic time (TIT)) as a predictor of survival. Methods: Adult, non-traumatic, OOH-CA patients surviving to hospital admission between January 2008 and January 2011 were included, and structured data including Utstein variables were collected retrospectively. Total hypothermic time was composed of 1) induction interval from ROSC to target temperature (T2T), 2) TH interval, from target temperature until rewarming, and 3) rewarming interval. TIT was measured from pulselessness to ROSC. Backwards stepwise logistic regression was used to fit the most parsimonious models, and odds ratios (OR) were obtained to examine the effects of the predictor variables on survival. The final models were evaluated by Hosmer-Lemeshow and Receiver-Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves. Results: Overall, 84 patients (49.7%) survived to hospital discharge. The odds of survival for VF were 6.53 times greater than PEA (95% CI 3.28 to 13.01), so separate models were constructed. For VF, longer T2T, shorter TIT, and lower initial patient temperature were significant for predicting survival (R² = 0.41, area under curve = 0.89). H/I Ratio was the most powerful predictor and attained 100% sensitivity at 25:1. For PEA, longer T2T, shorter TIT, and higher initial temperature were significant predictors (R² = 0.45, AUC= 0.91). H/I Ratio was a significant predictor and reached 100% sensitivity at 37:1. Conclusions: The novel H/I Ratio predicts survival to hospital discharge significantly and suggests that OOH-CA patients may directly benefit from a simple, individualized approach, tailoring total hypothermic time according to presenting rhythm and TIT.
A Detailed Characterization of Aspectualizers — I: Begin and Start Compared

There is a great temptation when studying an isolated segment of English grammar to consider independently the syntactic and semantic characteristics of the items under investigation. However, when the goal is to correlate syntactic and semantic properties of particular linguistic elements (here related to aspectualizers and their complement structures), these two types of information must be analyzed side by side. The theme of the next several chapters is a description of the nature and use of various aspectualizers with emphasis on the presupposition and consequence relations associated with the sentences in which the verbs appear. In addition, the interaction of these verbs with the event analysis presented in Chapter II is considered. These are essentially SEMANTIC questions. Yet, since all analysis presented herein assumes the existence of a context in which a given form can be analyzed, it is obvious that the SYNTACTIC shape of the various sentences studied will be an important part of the description. The characteristic structures in which each verb is found will thus be identified. As different forms occur in different contexts, we will be able to conclude that particular syntactic forms can be correlated with specific semantic features and further that particular verbs, because of their associated presupposition and consequence relations, occur in certain syntactic structures and not in others.
Narrative-Centered Learning Environments: A Story-Centric Approach to Educational Games

Narrative-centered learning environments hold significant promise for K-12 STEM education. Much of the appeal of narrative-centered learning arises from the capability of narrative to provide a meaningful structure for integrating pedagogical objectives into a unifying, coherent form that serves as a powerful motivating force for students. This chapter explores the relationship between narrative-centered learning and student motivation. Connections are drawn between motivational factors and narrative context through an examination of the crystal island narrative-centered learning environment. Drawing on the results from studies of middle school students interacting with crystal island we consider the hypothesis that narrative can simultaneously promote learning and increase students’ motivation.
Optimal Intermittent Deployment and Sensor Selection for Environmental Sensing with Multi-Robot Teams

In this paper, we formulate an environmental sensing problem for multi-robot teams that couples intermittent deployments with the selection of team composition and sensor type over time. We suppose that a multi-robot team needs to autonomously sense an environmental process and find the optimal policy for deploying heterogeneous robots. In addition, heterogeneous robot teams can be composed in various ways by selecting different mobility and sensor types which have varying accuracies and costs, resulting in a more complex problem. The question is then how to find an optimal intermittent deployment and sensor selection policy that captures both cost and estimation accuracy based on partial environmental information. By utilizing structural results from partially observable Markov decision processes (POMDP) and exploiting submodularity, an optimal policy, which minimizes cost while maintaining a high accuracy, can be achieved in this paper. The effectiveness of this method is demonstrated by simulation results and comparisons with naive policies.
Education and Health Conditions Among the Currently Incarcerated and the Non-incarcerated Populations

Previous research has found a strong link between educational attainment and health, where the highly educated live longer and healthier lives than those with lower levels of education. Because such research has relied on samples of the non-institutionalized population, previous research has not explored the association between education and specific chronic and infectious health conditions among the currently incarcerated. Analyzing the relationship between education and health conditions among the incarcerated, who tend to be less healthy and for whom many of the intermediate mechanisms between education and health are held relatively constant in prison, may yield new insights. Using the 2002–2004 National Health Interview Study (N = 74,881), the 2004 Survey of Inmates in State and Federal Correctional Facilities (N = 17,553), and interaction terms from logistic regression models, I compared the strength of the association between educational attainment and the presence of chronic and infectious health conditions among the incarcerated and non-incarcerated populations. These models indicated generally stronger negative associations between educational attainment and chronic conditions among the non-incarcerated, while the negative relationship between education and hepatitis was stronger for the incarcerated. These results suggest that while education may play a lesser role for chronic conditions for the incarcerated, it can still important for avoiding risky health behaviors.