cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Electrical Resistivity Survey of a Small Private Cemetery, Lincoln County, Kansas

An electrical resistivity (ER) survey was conducted in a cemetery located on private ground in Lincoln County, Kansas. The purpose was to ascertain ER signatures of known, side-by-side graves as well as that of one suspect grave in the cemetery. No modern grave stone markers are present in the cemetery; only rectangular ‘Outlines’ made of local, cobble-size Dakota Sandstone lying on the surface of the ground express the graves. No historical records or documented grave maps exist; only word-of-mouth information is available. The ER measurements ranged from 10-ohm-meters to 200 ohm-meters. The ER anomaly map and selected 2D-depth ER cross sections show higher ER anomaly values and similar grave shape-anomaly patterns over the two closely-spaced known graves. Lower ER values with no anomalous patterns are observed over the suspect grave position. Electrical resistivity is useful for targeting the location of the known graves at the Lincoln County site but was not as exact for the suspect grave. Physical exc...
Power and energy consumption analysis on intel SCC many-core system

As semiconductor manufacturing technology continues to scale down, it is possible to integrate more transistors into a processor, which gives birth to many-core processor design. This paper introduces an approach to analyze the power and energy consumption of a many-core research platform. The investigation has been done by using the Intel SCC system as an experimental platform. The approach is to collect the time and power profiling of an executing parallel application on the Intel SCC system. And then, the total energy consumed by the entire execution is calculated as a consequence. We studied the effects of power and energy consumption in many-core systems by varying different hardware configuration parameters such as number of cores, clock frequency and voltage level. Thus, the many-core system can be explored for its scalability and fitness in operational cost and performance.
A comparative physical map reveals the pattern of chromosomal evolution between the turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) and chicken (Gallus gallus) genomes

A robust bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC)-based physical map is essential for many aspects of genomics research, including an understanding of chromosome evolution, high-resolution genome mapping, marker-assisted breeding, positional cloning of genes, and quantitative trait analysis. To facilitate turkey genetics research and better understand avian genome evolution, a BAC-based integrated physical, genetic, and comparative map was developed for this important agricultural species.
New Devices for Chronic Ventricular Support

Congestive heart failure affects 5 million people in the United States with 500,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Medical and surgical therapy have helped many patients but when these options fail, heart transplantation remains the only other treatment available to help improve their condition. Heart transplantation suffers from the lack of a sufficient number of suitable donor organs, the complications of chronic immunosuppression, and many patients die while on the waiting list. A number of pulsatile and nonpulsatile cardiac assist devices are being developed to provide chronic support for patients with heart failure and to be an alternative to heart transplantation. It is estimated that as many as 60,000 patients with heart failure could be helped by mechanical devices used for chronic support. For these devices to be effective they must provide sufficient cardiac output to allow patients to perform their daily activities, have a low risk of thromboemboli, be fully implantable thereby reducing the risk of infection, and have a low incidence of device malfunction requiring part or all of the device to be replaced. In this article, we will review several new devices which have been developed over the past 5 years or so and will be in human clinical trials in the United States soon, either as a bridge or as an alternative to heart transplantation.
Search Co-Ordination by Semantic Routed Network

Specialized search engines have potential to provide superior search precision, relevance and recall. A specialized P2P overlay network called Semantic Routed Network, which forwards search queries based on their meanings, can unify a large number of specialized search engines under a single internet wide search service. Providing fast and successful routing of search queries is a challenging task due to conflicting tradeoff requirements. We present P2P topology generation and semantic routing table compaction techniques to realize fast and successful query routing. Our simulation shows that a SRN coordinating 800 search engines can achieve a competitive 100% query routing success within 6 messaging delays, and have query delivery response of 1.89 messaging delays.
Could N-acetylcysteine slow progression of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis by inhibiting EMT?

the alveolar epithelium is deranged in the lungs of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). A prominent histopathological marker of this derangement is alveolar type II cell hyperplasia ([17][1]). One hypothesis explaining the type II cell hyperplasia is that it represents the lung
Systematic wireless network coding

We present a systematic network coding strategy for cooperative communication, in which some nodes may replicate-and-forward packets in addition to sending random linear combinations of the packets. We argue that if this strategy is used only at certain nodes in the network, the throughput will not be reduced relative to random linear network coding. Furthermore, if packets can traverse the entire network in their systematic (uncoded) form, per-packet delay can be reduced, decoding complexity can be reduced, and the potential to recover packets from incomplete coded blocks will be improved. We describe this approach and provide an analysis of the packet loss rate for fixed-rate coding on a multihop path.
Factory Work, Burdens, and Compensation

Definissant les tâches les plus insalubres ou les plus dangereuses de la societe actuelle en termes de charges distributives, l'A. compte parmi celles-ci le travail d'usine repetitif des ouvriers specialises et defend la these selon laquelle leur activite exige une compensation. Soulignant les implications politiques de sa position, l'A. designe par charges distributives les metiers les plus penibles mais qui sont egalement necessaires pour la societe, par opposition aux professions autonomes et exigeant un savoir-faire qui participent du bien-etre humain
Omega-3 fatty acid monotherapy for pediatric bipolar disorder: a prospective open-label trial.

Abstract Background: To test the effectiveness and safety of omega-3 fatty acids (Omegabrite® brand) in the treatment of pediatric bipolar disorder (BPD). Method: Subjects ( N = 20) were outpatients of both sexes, 6 to 17 years of age, with a DSM-IV diagnosis of BPD and Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) score of > 15 treated over an 8-week period in open-label trial with omega-3 fatty acids 1290 mg–4300 mg combined EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). Results: Subjects experienced a statistically significant but modest 8.9 ± 2.9 point reduction in the YMRS scores (baseline YMRS = 28.9 ± 10.1; endpoint YMRS = 19.1 ± 2.6, p Conclusions: As only 35% of these subjects had a response by the usual accepted criteria of > 50% decrease on the YMRS, omega-3 fatty acids treatment was associated with a very modest improvement in manic symptoms in children with BPD.
Ultrasensitive spectroscopy, the ultrastable lasers, the ultrafast lasers, and the seriously nonlinear fiber: a new alliance for physics and metrology

We now appreciate the fruit of decades of development in the independent fields of ultrasensitive spectroscopy, ultrastable lasers, ultrafast lasers, and nonlinear optics. But a new feature of the past two or three years is the explosion of interconnectedness between these fields, opening remarkable and unexpected progress in each, due to advances in the other fields. For brevity, we here focus mainly on the new possibilities in the field of optical frequency measurement.
A convergent approach to substituted phenanthrenes via quinol ketals

Abstract Reaction of 2′-lithiostyrenes with p -benzoquinone monoketals gives p quinol ketals which undergo Lewis acid-catalyzed cyclization and aromatization, affording 2-methoxyphenanthrenes.
Electrochemical insertion of lithium into multi-walled carbon nanotubes prepared by catalytic decomposition

Various electrochemical techniques have been used to study the electrochemical insertion (extraction) of lithium into (from) multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) prepared by catalytic decomposition of ferrocene and xylene. The galvanostatic charge/discharge profiles display a small hysteretic loss and the cyclic voltammograms are quite symmetric in the shape of cathodic and anodic branches, implying that lithium insertion/extraction process is highly reversible. In addition, rate capability and cycleability of charge into the MWNTs are satisfactory. The excellent reversibility and small hysteretic loss of the MWNT are attributed to the extremely pure structural character of the MWNTs with moderate chemical diffusion coefficient of lithium through the structure.
Protocol aware shot-noise based radio frequency jamming method in 802.11 networks

Radio frequency (RF)jamming is considered as one of the most proficient technique to launch Denial of Service (DoS) attack in wireless networks. Majority of the jamming attacks to-date largely focus on jamming efficiency by transmitting colossal volume of data to obtain better jamming effectiveness. Consequently, as more and more data is transmitted the probability of detecting the presence of a jammer becomes high. In addition the energy expenditure by the jammer is markedly increased. However it is highly preferred to minimize the detection probability as well as the energy consumption for achieving better jamming efficiency during the course of jamming. In this paper we present a novel idea of shot-noise induced RF jamming which demonstrates a fairly good jamming efficiency as well as minimal detection probability. That has been achieved by transmitting very small noise pulses in an efficient way to distort fewer bits of the ongoing transmission rather than disrupting the whole packet. Moreover we also analyze the effect of packet size and data rate on jamming efficiency. Our results divulge a considerable improvement in energy efficiency by lowering data rate with lesser detection probability as compared to the previous work reported in the literature.
Origin of domain structure in hexagonal silicon carbide boules grown by the physical vapor transport method

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution X-ray di!raction, and KOH etching have been used to study the dislocation structure of 4H SiC crystals grown by the physical vapor transport method. Many of the etch pits on the Si(0 0 0 1) surface form arrays extending along the S11 100 T directions. Plan view conventional and high-resolution TEM show that the arrays consist of pure edge dislocations threading along the c-axis with identical Burgers vectors of the a/3S 112 1 0T type. The dislocation arrays constitute low angle [0 0 0 1] tilt boundaries, i.e., [0 0 0 1] is the common axis lying in the boundary. Typical values of the misorientation are in the 60}200 arcsec range. Evidence is presented that such boundaries can form by polygonization of the threading edge dislocations, which have been introduced into SiC crystals by prismatic slip. ( 2000 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.
The New Deal and the Modernization of Small Business: The McCreary Tire & Rubber Company, 1930–1940

By the onset of the Great Depression, the big four tire manufacturers had long become the dominant force in the American rubber industry; yet they did not have a monopoly. A substantial number of smaller firms had managed to survive, however tenuously, although their decline had continued through the hard times of the 1920s and their plight grew worse with the onset of the Depression. Like their giant rivals, however, the small, unintegrated firms serving limited markets sought to survive at least in part through the help of new federal agencies as well as with the aid of traditional institutions. In this article, which analyzes the story of the McCreary Tire & Rubber Company, Professor Fricke presents a view of the economic crisis from the perspective of small enterprise. If the experience of this manufacturer can be generalized, as Fricke suggests, small business not only had a different attitude toward the expanded role of government but also emerged from the Depression changed in the ways that it did business, a result of its experience with the new federal agencies and the economic crisis itself.
Quantifying EGFR alterations in the lung cancer genome with nanofluidic digital PCR arrays.

BACKGROUND: The EGFR [epidermal growth factor receptor (erythroblastic leukemia viral (v-erb-b) oncogene homolog, avian)] gene is known to harbor mutations in advanced lung cancer involving gene amplification and kinase mutations that predict the clinical response to EGFR-targeted inhibitors. Methods for detecting such molecular changes in lung cancer tumors are desirable. METHODS: We used a nanofluidic digital PCR array platform and 16 cell lines and 20 samples of genomic DNA from resected tumors (stages I–III) to quantify the relative numbers of copies of theEGFRgene and to detect mutated EGFR alleles in lung cancer. We assessed the relative number of EGFR gene copies by calculating the ratio of the number of EGFR molecules (measured with a 6-carboxyfluorescein–labeled Scorpion™ assay) to the number of molecules of the single-copy gene RPP30 (ribonuclease P/MRP 30kDa subunit) (measured with a 6-carboxy-X-rhodamine– labeledTaqMan™assay)ineachpanel.Toassayforthe EGFRL858R(exon21)mutationandexon19in-frame deletions, we used the ARMS™ and Scorpion technologies in a DxS/Qiagen EGFR29 Mutation Test Kit for the digital PCR array. RESULTS: The digital array detected and quantified rare gefitinib/erlotinib-sensitizing EGFR mutations (0.02%–9.26% abundance) that were present in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples of earlystage resectable lung tumors without an associated increase in gene number. Our results also demonstrated thepresenceofintratumormolecularheterogeneityfor the clinically relevant EGFR mutated alleles in these early-stage lung tumors. CONCLUSIONS: The digital PCR array platform allows characterizationandquantificationofoncogenes,such
Dynamic Generation of a Table of Contents with Consumer-Friendly Labels

Consumers increasingly look to the Internet for health information, but available resources are too difficult for the majority to understand. Interactive tables of contents (TOC) can help consumers access health information by providing an easy to understand structure. Using natural language processing and the Unified Medical Language System (UMLS), we have automatically generated TOCs for consumer health information. The TOC are categorized according to consumer-friendly labels for the UMLS semantic types and semantic groups. Categorizing phrases by semantic types is significantly more correct and relevant. Greater correctness and relevance was achieved with documents that are difficult to read than with those at an easier reading level. Pruning TOCs to use categories that consumers favor further increases relevancy and correctness while reducing structural complexity.
The United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: Does It Make a Difference in Human Rights Behavior?

Formal acceptance of international agreements on human rights has progressed to the point where currently over three-quarters of the UN member states are parties to the International Covenant on Political and Civil Rights. In fact, becoming a party to this covenant seems to be concomitant with joining the UN. Of the newly independent states in Eastern Europe and in the region of the former Soviet Union, only Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Moldova, and Macedonia have not joined the treaty. This article tests empirically whether becoming a party to this international treaty (and its optional protocol) has an observable impact on the state party's actual behavior. The hypothesis is tested across 178 countries over an eighteen-year period (1976-93) and across four different measures of state human rights behavior. Initial bivariate analyses demonstrate some statistically significant differences between the behavior of states parties and the behavior of non-party states. However, this difference does not appear in th...
The Experiential Elephant and the Pursuit of Interdisciplinarity

Critiques of Religious Experience Reconsidered by Ann Taves have primarily focused on the book's tether to a category of "specialness," seen by some as its own problematic metaphysical pursuit. My own response will take up the issue that Taves suggests is one of her central aims; namely, that of interdisciplinary discourse. While many scholars find that pursuit a natural and necessary one, bringing voices into conversation around a single and stable object of discourse, I suggest that the implications of this notion are more complicated than often supposed.
Steerable Weighted Median Filters

A filter is steerable if transformed (i.e., rotated, scaled, etc.) versions of its impulse response can be expressed as linear combinations of a fixed set of basis functions. Steerability is important for numerous image processing applications. However, it is a property presently shared only by a specific class of linear filters. On the other hand, several classes of nonlinear filters, such as weighted median filters (WMFs), may offer certain advantages over linear filters such as robustness and edge preserving capabilities. In this paper, the concept of steerability is extended to encompass WMFs. It will be shown that, in general, a steerable WMF design technique needs to be capable of handling negative weights. Although methods that allow the design of WMFs admitting negative weights have already been proposed, such methods do not necessarily produce filters that are steerable, as opposed to the approach presented in this work. Experimental results illustrate the applicability of steerable WMFs in two applications, namely edge detection and orientation analysis.
Umbilical cord blood transplantation in adults using myeloablative and nonmyeloablative preparative regimens.

Abstract Unrelated umbilical cord blood (UCB) transplantation has recently been explored in an increasing number of adult patients. The relative ease of procurement and the lower-than-anticipated risk of severe acute graft-versus-host disease has made UCB transplantation an appealing alternative to bone marrow-derived hematopoietic stem cells. The use of reduced-intensity or nonmyeloablative preparative regimens to allow engraftment of UCB broadens the scope of patients who may benefit from allogeneic immunotherapy, including elderly and medically infirm patients with no matched sibling donor. This review summarizes the available data on the use of UCB as an alternative source of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in adult patients.
Lethrinus ravus, a new species of emperor fish (Perciformes: Lethrinidae) from the western Pacific and eastern Indian oceans

Lethrinus ravus is described from localities in the western Pacific. Photographic records also confirm its presence in Western Australia. It co-occurs with and is morphologically very similar to L. semicinctus but differs consistently in color pattern and average number of scales in the supratemporal patch of scales. Lethrinus semicinctus has a dark oblong blotch under the soft dorsal fin straddling the lateral line and a cluster of darkened scales in front of the base of the pectoral fin while L. ravus lacks these markings. Lethrinus ravus has black-lined scales that form rows above the lateral line and are scattered below the lateral line; this pattern is absent in L. semicinctus . Lethrinus ravus also frequently has more scales in the supratemporal patch than L. semicinctus . Both L. semicinctus and L. ravus have a cluster of scales with black lines above the base of the pectoral fin. This shared specialization is unique within Lethrinus and is evidence for a sister-species relationship.
Genomic Analysis of Metastatic Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Purpose: A rare 5% of cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (cSCC) metastasize, lack FDA-approved therapies, and carry a poor prognosis. Our aim was to identify recurrent genomic alterations in this little-studied population of metastatic cSCCs. Experimental Design: We performed targeted sequencing of 504 cancer-associated genes on lymph node metastases in 29 patients with cSCC and identified mutations and somatic copy-number alterations associated with metastatic cSCC. We determined significantly mutated, deleted, and amplified genes and associated genomic alterations with clinical variables. Results: The cSCC genome is heterogeneous with widely varying numbers of genomic alterations and does not appear to be associated with human papillomavirus. We found previously identified recurrently altered genes ( TP53 , CDKN2A , NOTCH1/2 ) but also a wide spectrum of oncogenic mutations affecting RAS/RTK/PI3K, squamous differentiation, cell cycle, and chromatin remodeling pathway genes. Specific mutations in known oncogenic drivers and pathways were correlated with inferior patient outcomes. Our results suggest potential therapeutic targets in metastatic cSCC, including PIK3CA, FGFR3, BRAF , and EGFR , similar to those reported in SCCs of the lung and head and neck, suggesting that clinical trials could be developed to accrue patients with SCCs from multiple sites of origin. Conclusions: We have genomically characterized a rare cohort of 29 metastatic cSCCs and identified a diverse array of oncogenic alterations that can guide future studies of this disease. Clin Cancer Res; 21(6); 1447–56. ©2015 AACR .
The Relation of Serum Xanthophyll in Chickens to the Pigmentation of Their Shanks

ABSTRACT POULTRY consumers in some areas prefer poultry having an abundance of yellow pigment in the skin and shanks. Palmer (1915) reported that xanthophyll supplied by the diet is the principal pigment in egg yolk, body fat, blood plasma and skin, especially of the shanks and claws. Several methods have been developed for the evaluation of the degree of pigmentation in the shanks of birds by comparing the color of the shanks with known standards. Brown (1930) used the Bradley color top to measure shank color. Differences in pigmentation were visible after one week in chicks hatched from eggs where the hen’s diet contained pimiento. Maw (1939) determined the color of the body fat, skin, and shanks by comparing them with carotene. Ringrose, Norris and Heuser (1939) compared the intensity of the shank color with a series of glass tubes colored with various shades of yellow which had been used in . . .
The Pebble Mine Dialogue: A case study in public engagement and the social license to operate

The Pebble gold–copper–molybdenum deposit is a controversial mining project in the headwaters of the Bristol Bay salmon fishery, Alaska. As a member of the Pebble Limited Partnership, the mining company Anglo American sponsored a public engagement exercise to help stakeholders decide whether and how the deposit should be mined. The independent Keystone Policy Center facilitated the dialogue, which positioned science as a means of enhancing public rationality. Stakeholders for and against the mine reviewed the mining partnership's environmental baseline study data but did not reach consensus on whether risks posed to the salmon fishery were too great. Anglo American left the partnership, and the Pebble Dialogue was not completed. The final planned phase of the dialogue involved collaborative community–company mine planning in what would have been a high-impact mechanism of CSR, but negotiations of the risks and benefits to stakeholders did not take place. The mining project has not achieved social license, although the Pebble Dialogue offers some components that should be considered in future public engagement exercises.
Treatment of Tropical and Travel Related Rickettsioses

Infections with organisms of the genera Rickettsia and Orientia are undifferentiated in regard to their manifesting signs and symptoms. Hence, a high degree of suspicion is required when a patient has a compatible illness coupled with exposure to potential vectors. Confirmatory diagnosis is usually retrospective, as it is obtained through serologic methods to determine seroconversion or a fourfold increase in antibody titers from acute to convalescent phase sera. Since many of these infections are associated with considerable morbidity and mortality, empiric treatment is imperative when illness is suspected. Antibiotics in the tetracycline class are highly active in vitro and have an excellent track record in the treatment of these diseases. Of the antibiotics in this class, doxycycline is the drug of choice, as it has excellent bioavailability, ease of twice daily dosing, and more favorable gastrointestinal tolerability. The usual duration of treatment is 7 days. In the most severe rickettsiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, use of the usual alternative, chloramphenicol, is associated with a higher case fatality rate. Therefore, doxycycline is recommended in children <8 years of age—short courses do not cause appreciable staining of developing permanent teeth. Chloramphenicol is not available in its oral form in the USA, and the parenteral formulation is becoming difficult to acquire. In countries where available, it should be used with careful consideration of the risk-benefit ratio when weighed against the pathogenicity of the suspected agent. For infection with less pathogenic spotted fever group and typhus group rickettsiae (e.g., R. conorii and R. typhi), fluoroquinolones are an alternative. The agent that causes scrub typhus, Orientia tsutsugamushi, is intrinsically resistant to fluoroquinolones. Azithromycin can be used for scrub typhus in areas where there is reported failure of doxycycline or when a safer agent is required (i.e., pregnancy).
Enhancing Engagement by Blending Rigor and Relevance

A framework for developing computing courses is presented, that has the potential to increase student engagement by enhancing student perception of relevance. The framework employs established andragogical approaches, course design methodologies, and measurement tools. A preliminary report on the application of this framework is presented. The results are encouraging, and the framework can be easily adapted to a variety of environments.
The Influence of the Media upon Immigration Politics in the UK

The question as to what drives immigration policy is much-debated. The conventional wisdom holds that in Western Europe, since labor migration policy constitutes such a major component of overall immigration policy, special interests are able to influence policy largely beyond the scrutiny of public opinion. Recent scholarship has questioned this depiction, making the claim that in the UK, it is government elites who have the power to develop policy in relative autonomy from both the public and organized civil society. This paper challenges both viewpoints by examining the role that the media plays in mobilizing public opinion toward more restrictive policy. In particular, it demonstrates that heightened media focus on issues such as the number of new immigrants entering the UK, unemployment, rising public service costs, and agency scandal has impacted the way policy can now be debated and that this has actually helped produce concrete policy reform in some areas.
Culturally Responsive Pyramid Model Practices: Program-Wide Positive Behavior Support for Young Children

This conceptual article reviews current research on racial disparities in disciplinary practices in early childhood education and work to address these issues within a positive behavior support (PB...
The effect of P53 gene status on the interaction of vorinostat (Suberoylanilide Hydroxamic Acid-SAHA) with carboplatin in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines

10567 Background: Vorinostat, a Histone Deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor is a novel targeted antineoplastic agent with promising activity when combined with carboplatin-paclitaxel against NSCLC. The exact molecular mechanism underlying its growth inhibitory and apoptotic effects is not well understood. We investigated the influence of p53 gene status on the interaction of vorinostat and carboplatin (a DNA targeting agent) in various NSCLC cell lines. Methods: NSCLC cells with wild type p53 (A549, 128.88T), mutant p53 (201T) and p53 null phenotype (Calu-1) were used. Cytotoxicity induced by serial dilution of carboplatin in the presence and absence of a fixed dose (1μM) of vorinostat was assessed by MTT [3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay. In a separate experiment, cells were also transiently transfected with a p21 promoter-luciferase reporter construct to assess p53 activation following a 24 h exposure to vorinostat, carboplatin, or vorinostat/Carboplatin combination. Lucife...
Prenatal cannabis exposure - The “first hit” to the endocannabinoid system

As more states and countries legalize medical and/or adult recreational marijuana use, the incidences of prenatal cannabis exposure (PCE) will likely increase. While young people increasingly view marijuana as innocuous, marijuana preparations have been growing in potency in recent years, potentially creating global clinical, public health, and workforce concerns. Unlike fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, there is no phenotypic syndrome associated with PCE. There is also no preponderance of evidence that PCE causes lifelong cognitive, behavioral, or functional abnormalities, and/or susceptibility to subsequent addiction. However, there is compelling circumstantial evidence, based on the principles of teratology and fetal malprogramming, suggesting that pregnant women should refrain from smoking marijuana. The usage of marijuana during pregnancy perturbs the fetal endogenous cannabinoid signaling system (ECSS), which is present and active from the early embryonic stage, modulating neurodevelopment and continuing this role into adulthood. The ECSS is present in virtually every brain structure and organ system, and there is also evidence that this system is important in the regulation of cardiovascular processes. Endocannabinoids (eCBs) undergird a broad spectrum of processes, including the early stages of fetal neurodevelopment and uterine implantation. Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive chemical in cannabis, enters maternal circulation, and readily crosses the placental membrane. THC binds to CB receptors of the fetal ECSS, altering neurodevelopment and possibly rewiring ECSS circuitry. In this review, we discuss the Double-Hit Hypothesis as it relates to PCE. We contend that PCE, similar to a neurodevelopmental teratogen, delivers the first hit to the ECSS, which is compromised in such a way that a second hit (i.e., postnatal stressors) will precipitate the emergence of a specific phenotype. In summary, we conclude that perturbations of the intrauterine milieu via the introduction of exogenous CBs alter the fetal ECSS, predisposing the offspring to abnormalities in cognition and altered emotionality. Based on recent experimental evidence that we will review here, we argue that young women who become pregnant should immediately take a "pregnant pause" from using marijuana.
Sub-nanometer-gap tip-enhanced nanoimaging of few-layer MoS2(Conference Presentation)

Two-dimensional (2D) materials beyond graphene such as transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have unique mechanical, optical and electronic properties with promising applications in flexible devices, catalysis and sensing. Optical imaging of TMDs using photoluminescence and Raman spectroscopy can reveal the effects of structure, strain, doping, defects, edge states, grain boundaries and surface functionalization. However, Raman signals are inherently weak and so far have been limited in spatial resolution in TMDs to a few hundred nanometres which is much larger than the intrinsic scale of these effects. Here we overcome the diffraction limit by using resonant tip-enhanced Raman scattering (TERS) of few-layer MoS2, and obtain nanoscale optical images with ~ 20 nm spatial resolution. This becomes possible due to electric field enhancement in an optimized subnanometre-gap resonant tip-substrate configuration. We investigate the limits of signal enhancement by varying the tip-sample gap with sub-Angstrom precision and observe a quantum quenching behavior, as well as a Schottky-Ohmic transition, for subnanometre gaps, which enable surface mapping based on this new contrast mechanism. This quantum regime of plasmonic gap-mode enhancement with a few nanometre thick MoS2 junction may be used for designing new quantum optoelectronic devices and sensors.
Fostering wireless spectrum sharing via subsidization

Allowing an improved and ubiquitous sharing of the precious radio spectrum among providers has been identified as a key goal by many governmental agencies. In this paper, we propose a novel approach to foster more sharing of the radio spectrum via the use of regulatory power. We develop a spectrum subsidization scheme in which providers are incentivized by cheaper spectrum allocation fees from the regulators in return for “proof-of-sharing”. The providers are offered discounted spectrum bands, potentially at different locations, but will be asked to provide coverage to users that are not subscribed to them so as to maintain their subsidy incentives from the government. We introduce a game-theoretic framework to analyze the advantages and drawbacks of such a subsidy scheme and explore potential regulatory guidelines.
Narratives of de-secularization in international relations

This article explores how a particular narrative of de-secularisation, the ‘restorative narrative,’ is shaping US foreign religious policy and practice. It develops two arguments about efforts to s...
Feasibility of Identity Vectors for use as subject verification and cohort retrieval of electroencephalograms

The success of Identity Vectors in speech recognition as a tool for subject verification, language detection, word recognition, and accent/dialect classification suggests the technique is a robust method of unsupervised learning on high dimensional data, such as electroencephalograms. Tests run on the PhysioNet EEG Motor Movement/Imagery corpus concerning the matching of subject specific trials showed an average verification of 99% for the 109 subject-trial tests. Further tests on the ability to cluster repeated subject-trials produced at least one matching subject-trial for 60% of the subjects. The driving component of the Identity Vector process is the creation of Universal Background Models derived from single dimension Gaussian mixtures of user defined sizes operating on cepstrum feature coefficients. Taken as a whole, the results of this work indicate that Identity Vectors can be effective at distinguishing between subjects and show promise when asked to generate cohorts of related data.
Growth-mediated plant movements: hidden in plain sight

While fast plant movements are spectacular but rare, almost all plants exhibit relatively slow, growth-mediated tropic movements that are key to their survival in the natural world. In this brief review, we discuss recent insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying phototropism, gravitropism, hydrotropism, and autostraightening. Careful molecular genetic and physiological studies have helped confirm the importance of lateral auxin gradients in gravitropic and phototropic responses. However, auxin signaling does not explain all tropisms: recent work has shown that abscisic acid signaling mediates root hydrotropism and has implicated mechanosensing in autostraightening, the organ straightening process recently modeled as a proprioceptive response. The interactions between distinct tropic signaling pathways and other internal and external sensory processes are also now being untangled.
Glucocorticoid-Induced Myopathy in a Patient with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE): A Case Report and Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND Chronic intake of high-dose corticosteroids is associated with multiple adverse clinical effects, including hypertension, insulin resistance, impaired wound healing, immunosuppression, myopathy, and osteoporosis. In cases of autoimmune disease, use of steroid-sparing treatment modalities is preferred over chronic steroid therapy to limit these side effects. Glucocorticoid-induced myopathy is a less common side effect of chronic steroid use in patients treated with <10 mg/day of prednisone. However, doses exceeding 40-60 mg/day can induce clinically significant myopathy and weakness. CASE REPORT A 35-year-old woman with a past medical history of hypothyroidism, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and end-stage renal disease secondary to lupus nephritis, on hemodialysis, presented to the local emergency department with progressive bilateral proximal lower extremity weakness. Three months before admission, when her insurance company prematurely discontinued her monthly cyclophosphamide injections, at which time, she was treated with prednisone 60 mg daily. Two months before hospital admission, she reported increasing fatigue, weight gain, difficulty in standing from a seated position and climbing stairs. CONCLUSIONS Elucidating the etiology of progressive neuromotor deficit in immunosuppressed patients can be difficult. The management of SLE and other autoimmune diseases with chronic high-dose steroids is associated with recognized side effects. Differentiating natural disease progression from iatrogenic etiologies is important in this subset of patients, particularly to reduce prolonged clinical management and hospital admissions.
Understanding how foster families use humor within the resiliency process

Humor serves as a protective factor in the resiliency process for many, reducing stress and helping children and adults cope with difficult circumstances. Humor can lighten a situation and relieve tension but can also be misinterpreted in response to serious circumstances. Providing foster care can be a challenging process as families open up their homes to care for children who have experienced maltreatment. Despite challenges, many foster families are able to sustain fostering. The importance of humor was highlighted as a protective factor for foster families in the current study. Understanding the use of humor offers important implications.
Introduction: A Movable Armenia

The inclusion of Armenian subjects in Mediterranean Studies has rarely contributed to a more dynamic, cross-culturally integrated vision of the Mediterranean or its adjacent regions. This volume offers an entwined approach to the study of Armenians and the Mediterranean world, broadly defined. Our contributors seek to open the field of Armenian Studies to the broader vista of Mediterranean Studies, but also to the fields of world history, world literature, and world cinema. An Armenian Mediterranean therefore aims to provide a blueprint for an omnivorously comparative, deeply interconnected, vision of Armenian Studies: one that might serve as a model for other area specialists who must necessarily grapple with questions of “inclusion” and “exclusion” within comparative frameworks of their own.
New Physics and Models for Compressible Turbulent Flows

This paper reports on recent advances in modeling and direct numerical simulations (DNS) of compressible turbulent flows. In the second-order equations, two principal compressibility terms have been identified: the dilatation dissipation (∈ d ) and the pressure-dilatation correlation (II d ). The dilatation dissipation arising from the occurence of shock-like events is treated by the theory of Zeman. A first order approximation to II d in homogeneous turbulence is shown to be \(I{I_d}\alpha - D\overline {{p^2}} /Dt.\) The rate of change of the pressure variance \(\overline {{p^2}}\) is proposed to be governed by nonlinear relaxation (on the acoustic time scale) to its equipartition value. The effect of dilatation dissipation is illustrated by comparing experiments and results of a second-order closure model (SOC) for compressible shear layers. DNS data in decaying, and shear-driven homogeneous turbulence are utilized to illustrate the initial-value dependence of turbulence evolution and to verify the proposed model for pressure-dilatation correlation.
Introduction to Rates

Chapter 8 introduces the environment surrounding utility prices (or rates, in utility jargon) by outlining the viewpoints brought to bear on the subject by customers, utility managements, and the public. The chapter also includes some pertinent definitions.
Temporal Changes in the Impact of HLA Mismatching Among Pediatric Kidney Transplant Recipients.

BACKGROUND Allocation for pediatric deceased-donor kidney transplantation (pDDKT) in the United States now de-emphasizes HLA matching to improve equality in access to transplantation, but other national systems still consider HLA matching due to concerns about graft survival. We hypothesized that the impact of HLA mismatching has decreased over time due to advances including improved immunosuppression. METHODS Using Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipient data, we analyzed whether the association between the number of HLA mismatches and outcomes of first-time pDDKTs changed between 2 eras: 1995 to 2004 (N = 2854) and 2005 to 2014 (N = 4643). RESULTS Between eras, the median number of mismatches increased from 4 to 5 (P < 0.001). Overall graft failure risk was higher among HLA-mismatched versus HLA-matched transplants (adjusted hazard ratio 1.211.431.69 for 3-6 versus 0-2 mismatches; P < 0.001), and this association was similar pre-2005 and post-2005 (Pinteraction = 0.5). Median panel-reactive antibody change at relisting increased from 79 to 85 (P = 0.01), but the association between number of HLA mismatches and panel-reactive antibody change was similar between eras (Pinteraction = 0.6). CONCLUSIONS Our finding that increased HLA mismatching continues to impact graft survival, with 43% higher risk of graft failure, highlights the tradeoff between transplant access equity and outcomes and calls into question the deemphasis on HLA matching in pDDKT allocation in the United States.
A 4-Year Analysis of the Incidence of Injuries Among CrossFit-Trained Participants.

Background:High-intensity functional training (HIFT) is a new training modality that merges high-intensity exercise with functional (multijoint) movements. Even though others exist, CrossFit traini...
The Origins of the American Environmental Movement: Hudson River School Naturalism in the 19th Century

The stage is set. The great Enlightenment experiment of the United States has begun. The turn of the nineteenth century has come and gone, and the past colonists of America were ripe to become future pioneers of not only an exorbitant westward landscape but new ways of seeing their world. While aboard the ship Arbella en route to the 'New World', John Winthrop preached that the settlement to be built would be 'as a city upon a hill. The eyes of all people are upon us.' (Banas, "John Winthrop, A Modell of Christian Charity) Winthrop's original manuscript was printed in old English, and the single quotations around this quote indicate a modernized transliteration of the original text. From the very beginning of their quest for settlement, these Puritans saw themselves as the privileged few traveling to the new lands of Canaan. The origins of American exceptionalism today can be traced back to this small moment in the experiences of the first Europeans to plant roots in America. Religion motivated the move to America and allowed for the expansion of the metaphor that America was the new promised land. Its mountains and valleys were the lands of Eden, lost so long ago to the curiosity and greed of humans. In the nineteenth century, the folktale heroism of Daniel Boone resounded in the heart of a youthful America, which sought to conquer the width of a continent and cast the light of its 'shining city' from coast to coast. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
Hepatitis C virus therapy in advanced liver disease: Outcomes and challenges.

While for many years investigators had worked on highly effective direct-acting antiviral agent (DAA) therapy, we are now encountering challenges on the appropriate timing of DAA therapy in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. Improvement in hepatic function and quality of life can be achieved following successful therapy but not in all patients. Predictors of improvement or failure to improve have been noted but these are currently not robust enough to ubiquitously apply them to clinical practice. The lowest probability of improvement in hepatic function and avoidance of Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) "purgatory" appears to be in those with MELD >20 while the more likely scenario of improvements is in those with MELD 20 should be transplanted first and treated for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection after liver transplantation (LT). Those with MELD score <15 should be considered readily for treatment while in those with MELD of 15-20, treatment has to be individualized with full discussion of the pros and cons of treating them pre- or post-LT. However, it is to be appreciated that the majority of patients with decompensated cirrhosis across the world may not be eligible for liver transplant or may not have access to LT; thus, these patients should be considered for HCV therapy with the hope and expectation that they still gain variable degrees of benefit from successful DAA therapy.
Diffraction simulation from wedges to finite-sized plates based on the physical theory of diffraction

Efficient predictions of sound diffraction around objects are of critical significance in room-acoustic simulations. An advanced diffraction theory has recently been investigated for potential applications in room acoustics for some semi-infinite, canonical wedges and for finite-sized rectangular plates [Rozynova and Xiang, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 144 (to be published)]. The physical theory of diffraction (PTD) still relies on both geometrical and physical principles, yet emphasizes the physical one. Important features of the PTD approach are its computational efficiency and the high degree of accuracy for the diffracted sound field. This paper reviews the fringe field predictions of canonical semi-infinite wedges and further discusses solutions of diffraction problems on finite, rigid rectangular plates. The PTD is applied to approximate the solutions of a finite-sized, rigid rectangular plate that achieves high numerical efficiency. The PTD simulation allows sound diffraction contributions to be determined independently from two pairs of edges of the rigid plate, while ignoring the edge waves around the corner in far-field. This paper uses numerical implementations of the PTD predictions to demonstrate the simulation efficiency of the PTD in finite-sized objects. The numerical simulations are also validated by some preliminary experimental results carried out using an acoustic goniometer.
Changing Ordering Practice for Inhaled Pulmonary Hypertension Treatment in the Icu

Intro: Inhaled nitric oxide is commonly utilized in pediatric hospitals for treatment of severe pulmonary hypertension in the ICU setting. Inhaled epoprostenol has been shown to be equally effective in reduction of pulmonary arterial pressures as inhaled nitric oxide and is significant less expensive. There is also data on potential deleterious side effects of long-term use of inhaled nitric oxide, including peroxynitrite and nitrogen dioxide formation. Barriers to utilizing inhaled epoprostenol include cultural norms and the lack of a refined delivery system. Aim: To decrease inhaled nitric oxide …
Barriers to behavioral health service utilization among first-generation immigrant emerging adults

ABSTRACTCompared to other adult age groups, emerging adults experience more behavioral health problems yet use less supportive services. First-generation immigrant emerging adults may experience ad...