cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 3456: Nicotine and the alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in the regulation of response to radiotherapy

Purpose: Nicotine is a systemically available component of tobacco known to decrease the effectiveness of chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy (RT) however, the mechanisms of decreased RT response are not well characterized. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of nicotine and activation of the alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (a7-nAChR) on regulating cell survival following RT and to identify potential mechanisms of regulation. Methods: Human lung cancer (A549, H460) and oropharyngeal cancer (FaDu) cell lines were treated with nicotine alone or in combination with nAChR inhibitors, MEK inhibitors, PI3K inhibitors, or mTOR inhibitors followed by treatment with RT to evaluate cell survival using clonogenic assays. The effects of a7-nAChR agonists on RT were also evaluated. Western blots were performed to evaluate nAChR subunit expression profiles in a broad spectrum of cancer cell lines and to evaluate the effects of nicotine (alone or with inhibitors listed above) or agonists on downstream signal transduction. Results: Nicotine administration 2 hours prior to RT increased survival in all cell lines. nAChR expression was confirmed in several cell lines including A549 and H460 cells. Inhibition of specific nAChRs in A549 and H460 cells demonstrated that the a7-nAChR prevented the effects of nicotine on RT in both cell lines. Nicotine administration increased p-ERK 1/2, p-Akt (Ser-473), mTOR (S2448), activated matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), and hypoxia inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1a). Inhibition of MEK prevented ERK 1/2 phosphorylation, but did not prevent the effects of nicotine on RT. Inhibition of PI3K prevented Akt phosphorylation, MMP2 activation, and HIF-1a induction with concomitant inhibition of the effects of nicotine on RT. Administration of an mTOR inhibitor (rapamycin) significantly sensitized cells to RT, but did not prevent the pro-survival effects of nicotine. Administration of selective a7-nAChR agonists (LY 2087101, PHA 54613, PNU 282987, TC 1698) demonstrated that all increased p-ERK 1/2 and p-Akt; however, only LY 2087101 and PHA 54613 increased cell survival with RT. Further analysis demonstrates that only LY 2087101 and PHA 54613 increased mTOR (S2448) while there was no change in mTOR (S2448) with PNU 282987 or TC 1698. Conclusions: Data demonstrates that activation of the a7-nAChR can decrease the effectiveness of RT. Results suggest that PI3K and mTOR may play a central role in conferring resistance to radiation by nicotine or during a7-nAChR activation. Further analyses of critical mechanisms are required to understand the adverse systemic effects of tobacco on cancer treatment. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3456. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-3456
(1–3)- β -Glucan synthesis of Neurospora crassa

(1–3)-β-d-Glucan synthase activity ofNeurospora crassa was localized to the plasma membrane by autoradiography of colloidal gold-labeled plasma membranes. The active site of glucan synthase for substrate hydrolysis was determined to be cytoplasmic facing. However, glucan synthase activity present in intact protoplasts was partially sensitive to Novozym 234 and to glutaraldehyde treatments, suggestive that enzyme activity is transmembrane. Enzyme activity also directed the formation of microfibrils in vitro. Taken together, these and previous results support the following scheme for glucan synthesis: 1. The sequential addition of glucose residues from UDP-glucose to glucan chains occurs on the cytoplasmically facing portion of glucan synthase. 2. As each glucan chain is synthesized, it is extruded to the extracytoplasmic side of the plasma membrane. 3. As each chain is extruded, it forms interchain hydrogen bonds with adjacent chains, resulting in glucan microfibril assembly.
Glycopolymer induction of mouse sperm acrosomal exocytosis shows highly cooperative self-antagonism.

Identifying inducers of sperm acrosomal exocytosis (AE) to understand sperm functionality is important for both mechanistic and clinical studies in mammalian fertilization. Epifluorescence microscopy methods, while reproducible, are laborious and incompatible for high throughput screening. Flow cytometry methods are ideal for quantitative measurements on large numbers of samples, yet typically rely on the use of lectins that can interfere with physiologic AE-inducers. Here, we present an optimized triple stain flow cytometric method that is suitable for high-throughput screening of AE activation by glycopolymers. SYTO-17 and propidium iodide (PI) were used to differentiate cells based on their membrane integrity or viability, and membrane impermeable soybean trypsin inhibitor (SBTI) was used to monitor acrosome exocytosis. The SBTI/PI/SYTO-17 combination provides a positive screen for viability and AE of live sperm cells with minimal noise or false positives. A scattering gate enables the use of samples that may be contaminated with non-cellular aggregates, e.g., cryopreservation agents. This assay format enabled detailed analysis of glycopolymer dose response curves. We found that fucose polymer has a narrow effective dose range (EC50 = 1.6 μM; IC50 = 13.5 μM); whereas mannose polymer and β-N-acetylglucosamine polymer have broader effective dose ranges (EC50 = 1.2 μM and 3.4 μM, respectively). These results highlight the importance of testing inducers over a large concentration range in small increments for accurate comparison.
Effect of Relative Moving Speed on Microstructure and Properties of Brush Electroplating Nickel

A novel bore brush electroplating technology was applied in remanufacturing for internal surface of failed engine cylinder body.The effect of relative moving speed on microstructure and properties of automatic brush electroplating nickel was investigated by SEM,XRD,TEM,microhardness tester and CETR friction and wear testing machine.The plating was compared with traditional Watts Ni plated.The results show that nickel plated coatings are face center cubic structure.Electroplated Ni has coarse surface and(200)preferential orientation from the Watts bath while brush electroplated nickel has compact and smooth microstructure,and(111)preferential orientation,without pinholes and nodules defects.With relative moving speed increasing from 0.25m/s to 1.00m/s,the degree of brush electroplated Ni(200)preferential orientation gradually decreases and that of(111)preferential orientation increases;the microhardness increases from HV420 to HV600,and mass loss decreases from 8.7mg to 6mg.
Effect of contact liner stress in high-performance FDSOI devices with ultra-thin silicon channels and 30 nm gate lengths

We have investigated for the first time the effect of stressed contact liners on the performance of fully depleted ultra-thin channel CMOS devices with a raised source/drain. Significant enhancement in mobility and drive current is observed in both nFETs and pFETs. The observed enhancement shows a strong dependence on the Si channel thickness and the height of the raised source/drain, consistent with stress simulations.
Understanding Vertical Scalability of I/O Virtualization for MapReduce Workloads: Challenges and Opportunities

As the explosion of data sizes continues to push the limits of our abilities to efficiently store and process big data, next generation big data systems face multiple challenges. One such important challenge relates to the limited scalability of I/O, a determining factor in the overall performance of big data applications. Although paradigms like MapReduce have long been used to take advantage of local disks and avoid data movements over the network as much as possible, with increasing core count per node, local storage comes under increasing I/O pressure itself and prompts the need to equip nodes with multiple disks. However, given the rising need to virtualize large datacenters in order to provide a more flexible allocation and consolidation of physical resources (transforming them into public or private/hybrid clouds), the following questions arise: is it possible to take advantage of multiple local disks at virtual machine (VM) level in order to speed up big data analytics? If so, what are the best practices to achieve a high virtualized aggregated I/O throughput? This paper aims to answer these questions in the context of I/O intensive MapReduce workloads: it analyzes and characterizes their behavior under different virtualization scenarios in order to propose best practices for current approaches and speculate on future areas of improvement.
A robust numerical framework for simulating localized failure and fracture propagation in frictional materials

A computationally robust framework for simulating geomaterial failure patterns is presented in this paper. Finite element simulations which feature the use of embedded discontinuities to track material failure are known to suffer from convergence issues due to a lack of robustness. Oftentimes, complex time step-cutting schemes or arc-length methods are required in order to achieve convergence. This may invariably limit the complexity of constitutive models available for use in tracking nonlinear material behavior. To this end, we use an implicit–explicit integration scheme [Impl–Ex (Oliver et al. in Comput Methods Appl Mech Eng 195(52):7093–7114, 2006)] coupled with a novel constitutive model which allows for combined opening and shearing displacement in tension, as well as frictional sliding in compression. We show that this framework is suitable for capturing complex fracture patterns in geomaterial structures without the need for elaborate continuance schemes.
Clinical Management of Wound Healing and Hypertrophic Scarring

In health, wound healing in adult humans results in the deposition of fibrotic tissue, known as scar. This process is similar throughout the body, and when it occurs in tissues such as the heart, lung, or liver, it can result in end-organ dysfunction. When normal homeostatic mechanisms fail and dysfunctional wound healing prevails, the result can range from nonhealing ulcers requiring amputation to large debilitating scars. This chapter provides an overview of the cellular and molecular processes underlying cutaneous wound healing. Mechanisms involved in dysfunctional wound healing are highlighted, ranging from nonhealing ulcers to fibroproliferative disease. Current therapies for dysfunctional healing are discussed, with an emphasis on emerging therapeutic concepts and opportunities for further research.
What’s in a Name? French Industrial Policy, 1950–1975

At the end of the Second World War, few people predicted that the French economy would grow rapidly for the next quarter-century. Those who anticipated economic stagnation did not rely on generic fears, common at the time, of inadequate aggregate demand. Rather, they believed that specific and durable features of French culture are incompatible with rapid growth.
Winds Aloft Forecast Accuracy in the Oceanic Domain

The Winds Aloft Requirements Evaluation System (WARES) has been developed to determine winds aloft forecast accuracy in terms relevant for ATC applications. This paper provides the results of WARES...
Suspected Usurpation of Tree Swallow Nests by Eastern Bluebirds in West-Central Virginia

Abstract Researchers have reported that both Tachycineta bicolor (Tree Swallow) and Tachycineta thalassina (Violet-green Swallow) are more aggressive than Sialia sialis (Eastern Bluebird) and often outcompete bluebirds for nest sites. Therefore, we would not have expected that Tree Swallows would be victims of usurpation by Eastern Bluebirds. However, as part of a study on Tree Swallows, we found that although Tree Swallows occupied 68% of the nest boxes during May, there was also evidence of nest loss in Tree Swallows due to usurpation by Eastern Bluebirds. Suspected usurpation by Eastern Bluebirds resulted in the loss of 18% of Tree Swallow nests over 2 years. Almost all usurpation events coincided with the conclusion of the first nesting cycle in Eastern Bluebirds. Our data suggest that usurpation by Eastern Bluebirds is more common than reported in the literature.
Medicare Expenditures Associated With Hospital and Emergency Department Use Among Beneficiaries With Dementia

Understanding expenditure patterns for hospital and emergency department (ED) use among individuals with dementia is crucial to controlling Medicare spending. We analyzed Health and Retirement Stud...
In Tribute to Lyn Shulha: The Authentic Evaluator

With great honour, I offer a modest commentary on the articles in this special issue of the Canadian Journal of Program Evaluation, complemented by reflections on my decades of interactions with and memories of Lyn. My commentary underscores the enduring legacy of Lyn’s significant contributions to the field of evaluation. These contributions largely, though not exclusively, reside in three domains: collaborative approaches to evaluation, the field’s deep commitment to evaluation use, and the substance and contributions of meaningful standards for evaluation practice. My reflections honour Lyn’s kindness, practical scholarship, integrity, and joyful engagement with the full richness of life. C’est un grand honneur pour moi d’offrir un modeste commentaire sur les articles de ce numero special de la Revue canadienne d’evaluation de programme, complete par une reflexion sur mes decennies d’interactions avec Lyn et mes souvenirs d’elle. Mon commentaire souligne l’heritage durable de ses importantes contributions au domaine de l’evaluation. Ces contributions sont largement liees, quoique non exclusivement, a trois domaines : les approches collaboratives a l’evaluation, l’engagement profond de la communaute d’evaluateurs pour favoriser l’utilisation de l’evaluation et l’elaboration de normes pour la pratique evaluative. Mes reflexions rendent hommage a la bonte de Lyn, a son experience, a son integrite et a son engagement toujours enthousiaste.
Stigma Associated with Classical Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia in Women’s Sexual Lives

The risk of intersex-related stigma often serves as social indication for “corrective” genital surgery, but has not been comprehensively documented. In preparation for the development of an intersex-specific stigma assessment tool, this qualitative project aimed to explore stigma in girls and women with classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency. As part of a comprehensive follow-up project, 62 adult women with classical CAH (age range 18–51 years) took part in an open-ended retrospective interview focusing on the impact of CAH and its treatment on various aspects of girls’ and women’s lives. Deductive qualitative content analysis (Patton, 2014) of de-identified transcripts involved categorization of three types of stigma: experienced, anticipated, and internalized. Two-fifths of the participants reported CAH-related stigma in romantic/sexual situations. Stigma enactment by romantic partners occurred in reaction to both genital and non-genital sex-atypical features of CAH and sometimes included explicit questioning of the women’s true gender. Stigma anticipation by the women and their related avoidance of nudity, genital exposure, and romantic involvement altogether were frequent. Internalization of stigma occurred as well. In conclusion, the data suggest that many women with CAH experience, anticipate, and/or internalize intersex-related stigma in the context of their romantic/sexual lives.
EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FOR THE ARGUMENT

Part II includes four chapters focusing on the empirical implications of the theoretical argument developed in Part I. Chapter 6 discusses the issue of identifying causal effects. My empirical evidence does not allow me to estimate causal effects of anything at all, which leaves open a host of questions about what we should believe following the presentation of such evidence. I point out that a focus on identification issues can create unhelpful biases in how we do social science research. More importantly, I argue for a particular way to integrate theory with empirical research, one that can help us update our beliefs about causality even when we do not have direct empirical evidence of causal effects. Chapters 7 to 9 present the empirical evidence. The theoretical argument suggests that the relationship between income and the vote should be strongest when the conditions for class politics related to inequality and ethnic polarization are strongest. Chapter 7 explores this theoretical implications by estimating individual-level models of vote choice across a range of countries. The argument also suggests that we should see stronger ethnic bases of support when the conditions for class politics are weak. This is the focus of Chapter 8. After exploring patterns related to voting behavior in Chapters 7 and 8, Chapter 9 turns to macropolitical outcomes. The main focus of the chapter is on whether patterns of redistribution are consistent with the theory, where redistribution is highest when the conditions for class politics are strongest. In addition, I explore indirect implications of the model for understanding transitions to democracy.
iVR for the geosciences

Field trips are an essential part in many disciplines taught in K12 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education inside and outside the US such as geography, geosciences, and architecture. Field trips foster embodied experiences of places where students can be situated into an informal learning environment. However, field trips are underutilized due to numerous constraints, a situation that current mass development in immersive technologies promises to eliminate. This paper presents an educational project that aims at creating and empirically evaluating virtual reality (VR) experiences for the geosciences: an interactive volcano experience based on LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) and image data of Iceland's Thrihnukar volcano. This work-in-progress prototype addresses the lack of content and tools for immersive virtual reality (iVR) in geoscientific education and research and how to make it easier to integrate iVR into classroom experiences. It makes use of environmentally sensed data such that interaction and linked content can be integrated into a single experience. We discuss our workflows as well as methods and authoring tools for iVR analysis and creation of virtual educational experiences. These methods and tools aim to enhance the utility of geospatial data from repositories such as OpenTopography.org through unlocking treasure-troves of geospatial data for VR applications. Their enhanced accessibility in education and research for the geosciences and beyond will benefit geoscientists and educators who cannot be expected to be VR and 3D application experts.
Effect of freshwater mussels on the vertical distribution of anaerobic ammonia oxidizers and other nitrogen-transforming microorganisms in upper Mississippi river sediment

Targeted qPCR and non-targeted amplicon sequencing of 16S rRNA genes within sediment layers identified the anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) niche and characterized microbial community changes attributable to freshwater mussels. Anammox bacteria were normally distributed (Shapiro-Wilk normality test, W-statistic =0.954, p = 0.773) between 1 and 15 cm depth and were increased by a factor of 2.2 (p < 0.001) at 3 cm below the water-sediment interface when mussels were present. Amplicon sequencing of sediment at depths relevant to mussel burrowing (3 and 5 cm) showed that mussel presence reduced observed species richness (p = 0.005), Chao1 diversity (p = 0.005), and Shannon diversity (p < 0.001), with more pronounced decreases at 5 cm depth. A non-metric, multidimensional scaling model showed that intersample microbial species diversity varied as a function of mussel presence, indicating that sediment below mussels harbored distinct microbial communities. Mussel presence corresponded with a 4-fold decrease in a majority of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) classified in the phyla Gemmatimonadetes, Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria, Plantomycetes, Chloroflexi, Firmicutes, Crenarcheota, and Verrucomicrobia. 38 OTUs in the phylum Nitrospirae were differentially abundant (p < 0.001) with mussels, resulting in an overall increase from 25% to 35%. Nitrogen (N)-cycle OTUs significantly impacted by mussels belonged to anammmox genus Candidatus Brocadia, ammonium oxidizing bacteria family Nitrosomonadaceae, ammonium oxidizing archaea genus Candidatus Nitrososphaera, nitrite oxidizing bacteria in genus Nitrospira, and nitrate- and nitrite-dependent anaerobic methane oxidizing organisms in the archaeal family "ANME-2d" and bacterial phylum "NC10", respectively. Nitrosomonadaceae (0.9-fold (p < 0.001)) increased with mussels, while NC10 (2.1-fold (p < 0.001)), ANME-2d (1.8-fold (p < 0.001)), and Candidatus Nitrososphaera (1.5-fold (p < 0.001)) decreased with mussels. Co-occurrence of 2-fold increases in Candidatus Brocadia and Nitrospira in shallow sediments suggests that mussels may enhance microbial niches at the interface of oxic-anoxic conditions, presumably through biodeposition and burrowing. Furthermore, it is likely that the niches of Candidatus Nitrososphaera and nitrite- and nitrate-dependent anaerobic methane oxidizers were suppressed by mussel biodeposition and sediment aeration, as these phylotypes require low ammonium concentrations and anoxic conditions, respectively. As far as we know, this is the first study to characterize freshwater mussel impacts on microbial diversity and the vertical distribution of N-cycle microorganisms in upper Mississippi river sediment. These findings advance our understanding of ecosystem services provided by mussels and their impact on aquatic biogeochemical N-cycling.
Protective Role of Mast Cells in Primary Systemic Vasculitis: A Perspective

Mast cells are important cells of the immune system. Although, traditionally considered as key players in allergic and hypersensitivity reactions emerging evidence suggest that mast cells have many complex roles in vascular disease. These include regulation of vasodilation, angiogenesis, activation of matrix metalloproteinases, apoptosis of smooth muscle cells, and activation of the renin angiotensin system. Mast cells are also known to play an immunomodulatory role via modulation of regulatory T-cell (T-reg), macrophage and endothelial cell functions. This dual role of the mast cells is evident in myeloperoxidase anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (MPO-ANCA)-mouse model of glomerulonephritis in which mast cell deficiency worsens glomerulonephritis, whereas inhibition of mast cell degranulation is effective in abrogating the development of glomerulonephritis. Our previous work demonstrated that mast cell degranulation inhibits lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced interleukin 6 (IL-6) production in mice. This effect was not seen in histamine-1-receptor knockout (H1R-/-) mice suggesting a role for histamine in IL-6 homeostasis. In addition, mast cell degranulation-mediated decrease in IL-6 production was associated with an upregulation of suppressor of cytokine signaling-1 protein (SOCS-1) in the aorta. We propose that mast cells regulate large artery inflammation through T-cells, shifting a primarily Th1 and Th17 toward a Th2 response and leading to enhanced production IL-10, activation Treg cells and the inhibition of macrophage functions.
Ultrafilters and combinatorial number theory

Our concern is with two areas of mathematics and a, possibly surprising, intimate connection between them. One is the branch of combinatorial number theory which deals with the ability, given a finite partition of ℕ, to find sums or products of certain descriptions lying in one cell of that partition. The other is the branch of set theoretic topology dealing with the existence of ultrafilters on ℕ which have specified properties. We shall present and, to the extent feasible, prove those major results in the former area with which we are familiar and many of the related results in the latter area.
Accountability Reform and Responsive Assessment for Immigrant Youth.

Immigrant students, one of the fastest-growing populations in US public schools, have been linguistically and culturally disadvantaged by accountability policies that rely only on standardized test...
Supplemental fat source affects feedlot performance and carcass traits of finishing yearling steers and estimated diet net energy value.

Two trials that utilized 356 yearling steers were conducted to evaluate the effects of fat sources (3.5% of diet dry matter) in steam-flaked milo finishing diets. Fats differed in fatty acid composition and level of free fatty acids. In Trial 1, soybean oil, tallow and yellow grease were compared to a nonfat control. Feeding fat increased (P less than .05) daily gain, feed efficiency, estimated diet NE concentration, carcass weight and dressing percentage of steers. In Trial 2, fat treatments were control, acidulated soybean soapstock (SBSS), tallow, a blend of 70% SBSS:30% tallow, and yellow grease. Feeding tallow or the SBSS:tallow blend improved (P less than .05) feed efficiency and estimated dietary NE compared to control. Proportions of palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic and linolenic acid in longissimus muscle of steers were altered (P less than .05) by source of supplemental fat. Potential variability in animal response to fat blends was demonstrated by differences in animal response to yellow grease in the two trials. It was concluded that fats vary in feeding value and may alter carcass composition, contrary to putative thought. Further, potential associative effects of fat blends and interactions of fat with other dietary components in high-grain finishing diets require further investigation.
An apparatus-independent extinction strain rate in counterflow flames

Abstract Resistance to extinction by stretch is a key property of any flame, and recent work has shown that this property controls the overall structure of several important types of turbulent flames. Multiple definitions of the critical strain rate at extinction (ESR) have been presented in the literature. However, even if the same definition is used, different experiments report different extinction strain rates for flames burning the same fuel-air mixture at very similar temperatures using similarly constructed opposed-flow instruments. Here we show that at extinction, all these flames are essentially identical, so one would expect that each would be assigned the same value of a parameter representing its intrinsic resistance-to-stretch-induced-extinction, regardless of the specifics of the experimental apparatus. A similar situation arises in laminar flame speed measurements since different apparatuses could result in different strain rate distributions. In that instance, the community has agreed to report the unstretched laminar flame speed, and methods have been developed to translate the experimental (stretched) flame speed into a universal unstretched laminar flame speed. We propose an analogous method for translating experimental measurements for stretch-induced extinction into an unambiguous and apparatus-independent quantity (ESR∞) by extrapolating to infinite opposing burner separation distance. The uniqueness of the flame at extinction is shown numerically and supported experimentally for twin premixed, single premixed, and diffusion flames at Lewis numbers greater than and less than one. A method for deriving ESR∞ from finite-boundary experimental studies is proposed and demonstrated for methane and propane experimental diffusion and premixed single flame data. The two values agree within the range of ESR differences typically observed between experimental measurements and simulation results for the traditional ESR definition.
Action and representation – A comment on Batel and Castro ‘Re‐opening the dialogue between the theory of social representations and discursive psychology’

Batel and Castro propose a reconciliation of social representation theory and discursive psychology. This comment highlights the continuing relevance of long-standing critiques of social representation theory from discursive psychologists as well as their central focus on both how representations are built to appear factual and the role of representations in practices. It suggests that the analytic approaches proposed by Batel and Castro (e.g., focus groups and thematic analysis) are not sufficient to the analytic task. The proposed 'Pragmatic Discourse Analysis' falls short on its central task of identifying pragmatics. The virtues of working with naturalistic data using methods that attend to the action orientation of talk and text are pressed.
Background knowledge: the assumptions of pattern cladistics

This paper reviews the ontogeny of pattern cladistics from the 1970s and 1980s, rebuts criticisms by contemporary anti-cladists, and endeavours to clarify persistent misunderstandings about the philosophical foundations of the approach.
The Masticatory Apparatus of Humans (Homo sapiens): Evolution and Comparative Functional Morphology

Feeding and diet played key roles in human evolution. It is well known that modern humans have a small masticatory apparatus for their body size among primates. However, identifying gracility does not necessarily tell us about the relative functional capacities of the human masticatory system beyond the obvious size-related consequences. We consider the functional consequences of gracilization and functional relationships within the human masticatory apparatus using nonhuman primates for comparison. Human jaws are short for their size, particularly the anterior portion, among primates. When considered relative to masticatory apparatus size, the shortened jaw compares more similarly to other apes. Because jaw length acts as a load arm, humans have improved leverage for biting, but smaller relative gapes. Human biting ability is not particularly improved by their favorable leverage because humans have relatively small muscles and because of a size-related decrease in bite force across primates. Humans have relatively reduced load resistance abilities in the jaw compared to other apes, but abilities that are still intermediate among primates. Human postcanine teeth are small for their size, but average-sized for their masticatory apparatus. Finally, an initial look at jaw-muscle activation patterns during chewing suggests that humans recruit their jaw muscles like similar-sized anthropoids. We conclude that any performance deficits in the human masticatory apparatus are primarily related to gracilization. Humans possess a relative masticatory apparatus configuration that compares similarly to many other primates suggesting the evolution of humans has not unraveled the basic functional relationships within the masticatory apparatus that characterize most primates.
Snap-through and stiffness adaptation of a multi-stable Kirigami composite module

Abstract Multi-stable composite laminates have been used to create adaptive and shape-morphing structures for many applications. However, it remains challenging to use these composites to obtain complicated shape changes and mechanical property adaptations. This study proposes a “Kirigami composite” concept to help address this challenge. By strategically placing slit cuts into the composite laminate with carefully designed fiber layout, one can release the internal constraints and significantly enrich the achievable shapes and adaptive functions. This study focuses on the elementary Kirigami composite module consisting of a single slit cut and two bistable patches. Experiments and finite element simulations show that this Kirigami module exhibits four different stable equilibria and its snap-through instability originates from a rapid “run-away” growth of surface curvature inversions due to connecting tab. This study also investigates a stiffness adaptation function. These results can be used for creating more sophisticated Kirigami composite structures with multiple patches and cuts.
Non-Gaussian Cold-Side Temperature Distribution Tails and Associated Synoptic Meteorology

AbstractNon-Gaussian cold side temperature distribution tails occur in spatially coherent patterns in winter and summer across the globe. Under such conditions, future changes in extreme cold tempe...
Teaching Thermodynamics with the Quantum Volume.

The author introduces the concept of the quantum volume into thermodynamics teaching. A new derivation of the basic part of the Sackur–Tetrode equation uses the microcanonical ensemble instead of t...
Hetero-site Double Core Ionization Energies with Sub-electronvolt Accuracy from Delta-Coupled-Cluster Calculations

Benchmark scalar-relativistic delta-coupled-cluster calculations of hetero-site double core ionization energies of small molecules containing second-row elements are reported. The present study has focused on the high-spin triplet components of two-site double core-ionized states, which are single reference in character and consistent with the use of standard coupled-cluster methods. Contributions to computed double core ionization energies from electron-correlation and basis-set effects as well as corrections to the core-valence separation approximation have been analyzed. On the basis of systematic convergence of computational results with respect to these effects, delta-coupled-cluster calculations have been shown to be capable of providing accurate double core ionization energies with remaining errors estimated to be below 0.3 eV, and thus they are recommended for use to facilitate experimental studies of two-site double core-ionized states that are involved in X-ray pump/X-ray probe studies of electronic and molecular dynamics following inner shell ionization or excitation.
California's paid family leave law improves maternal psychological health.

Abstract Objective To study the effect of California's first in the nation paid family leave policy on maternal postpartum psychological distress for women overall and for disadvantaged groups. Methods We use restricted data from 11 waves of the National Health Interview Survey, from 2000 to 2010, to examine mothers with children under the age of 12 months (n = 7379). Outcomes included three measures obtained from the six-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale: an aggregated score and thresholds for mild and moderate psychological distress. For inference, we used synthetic control models, comparing mothers with infants in California to mothers with infants in the control group, pre-law and post-law. Results Access to paid family leave was associated with a 0.636-point decrease (95% CI = −1.202, −0.070) in postpartum psychological distress symptoms among mothers with infants, representing a 27.6% decrease from the pre-treatment mean. It was also associated with a 9.1 percentage point reduction (95% CI = −17.8, −0.4) in mild postpartum distress, a 38.4% reduction from the pre-treatment mean. Populations that typically lack access to paid family leave, particularly single and younger mothers, may have seen even larger effects. Conclusions Paid family leave was associated with improved mental health for California mothers, suggesting that expansions of state or federal paid family leave policies have the potential to improve maternal postpartum health.
A novel three-dimensional printed vacuum bell for pectus excavatum treatment: a preliminary study

Conservative treatment with a vacuum bell (VB) for pectus excavatum (PE) has now been gradually popularized as an alternative to surgery. We describe our initial experience with a novel three dimensional (3D) printed VB device. Prospectively collected data of all patients who started using a 3D printed VB in 2018 at our institution were analyzed. Linear and logistic regressions were used to identify factors associated with effectiveness of device usage. In total, forty-two patients with a median age of 3.6 years were treated with the device. The median follow-up duration was 11.1 months and the mean initial Depth Ratio (DR) was 0.129. There were no permanent sequelae from side effects. Thirty patients with at least one follow-up body scan data showed varying improvement (z = − 4.569, p = 0.0000). Linear regression suggested that longer usage improved outcomes (R2 = 0.235, p = 0.014). By logistic regression there was a trend of younger ages and less initial DR for better improvement though neither was statistically significant (p = 0.086, 0.078, respectively). Our initial experience has shown the 3D printed VB may be as effective as other conventional VBs and could be used as an alternative to surgical treatment for selected patients with PE. More experience and studies with this type of VB are needed to demonstrate its superiority with regard to the 3D printing design and optimal timing and indication for use.
Improved Chain Diagnosis Methodology for Clock and Control Signal Defect Identification

The main goal of existing scan chain diagnosis approaches is to identify a point (or range of points) in the scan chain(s) at which values are directly corrupted due to a defect. A common assumption made in these techniques is the defect causing failure is in the scan chain/path itself. Based on the real silicon failure analysis over years, this assumption is often found to be correct, but not always. Specifically, in cases where a single defect is expected (stress fails and field returns), yet multiple chains fail, this assumption is more often incorrect. In these cases, the defect was found to be in the clock and control signal logic. This paper proposes an improved approach to diagnose defects on clock and control signal lines to enhance accuracy of scan chain diagnosis. Experimental results on injected clock and control signal defects demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed technique. Physical Failure Analysis (PFA) on selected silicon devices confirmed the results of proposed technique.
Labor versus capital in the provision of public services: Estimating the marginal products of inputs in the production of student outcomes✰

Abstract This paper uses data on Ohio school districts to estimate the short and long term impact of different types of school expenditures on student outcomes. Our identification strategy employs a dynamic regression discontinuity design that relies upon the exogenous variation in public school funding created by marginally approved or failed local referenda to fund Ohio schools. We find that additional school expenditures on operating, minor capital, and major capital expenditure categories do not have a statistically significant effect on the student test scores of the average public school. Importantly, however, operating expenditures have a large and statistically significant impact on student performance in higher poverty school districts. We also examine possible channels (e.g., class size, attendance, discipline, and teachers’ compensation) through which each type of expenditure may affect outcomes, and we find that teachers’ compensation is the only channel that is affected by additional operating and minor capital expenditures.
The Protection of Celebrity Name in China: After the ‘乔丹’ Case by the SPC of China

The Supreme People’s Court (SPC) case of ‘乔丹’, brought by Michael Jordan against Qiaodan Sports, is a landmark case over the protection of the right to the personal name in the People’s Republic of China (PRC). In the retrial proceeding, the SPC gave eight exhaustive explanations to the disputed questions and eventually reversed the lower court’s decision. After studying the judgment, this article finds that a famous foreign name can be protected by Chinese Trademark law only when it satisfies three conditions: First, the specified name enjoys a certain popularity in China and is well-known to the concerned public; second, the concerned public uses the specified name to refer to the original person of that name; and third, there has already been a stable match between the specific name and the original person of that name. Although China mainly adopts the “right to name” for the legal protection of celebrity names, the right to name is a kind of personal right, difficult to protect economic benefits derived from celebrities’ names fully. Comparing Germany’s extended protection model of personality rights and the United States model of “right of publicity,” this article suggested that China tries to introduce the United States model to protect the celebrity name’s right.
The Ties that Bind: Social Networks, Person-Organization Value Fit, and Turnover Intention

This article examines the influence of social networks and value congruence on turnover intention among public and nonprofit employees. We argue that employees exist in social networks inside and outside their organization, and these networks shape employee attitudes and behavior. To illustrate this theory, we use turnover intention. A strong and positive intraorganizational social network characterized by good relations with and a sense of obligation toward other staff is hypothesized to make it more likely that employees will stay. A strong social network external to the organization is hypothesized to increase the opportunities that employees have to leave. Our findings offer strong support for the role of intraorganizational networks, but relatively weak support for the effect of external networks. We also propose that person-organization (P-O) fit shape turnover intention. Our results suggest that employees who experience a strong P-O fit in terms of value congruence are more likely to offer a long-term commitment.
Perturbations of a Synchronous Satellite Due to Triaxiality of the Earth

Abstract : An investigation was made of the behavior of a synchronous (24-hour) satellite as affected by the triaxiality of the earth. This includes not only the effect of the equatorial bulge but also the ellipticity of the earth's equatorial section. The results indicate that there are only two positions on the equator (123 degrees 9 min. West Longitude and 56 degrees 51 min. East longitude) at which a truly synchronous satellite can exist in a stable condition. To establish a synchronous satellite at any other longitude, station-keeping propulsion of the order of 51 fps for each year of operation would be required. If no station-keeping propulsion is provided, the satellite will execute long period (greater than 1.3 yeas) oscillations about the closest of the two stable positions mentioned above.
The role of time in heterogeneous freezing nucleation

[1] A small fraction of particles in the atmosphere can catalyze ice formation in cloud water drops through heterogeneous freezing nucleation at temperatures warmer than the homogeneous freezing temperature of approximately −38°C. The rate for heterogeneous freezing nucleation is dependent on several factors, including the type and surface area of dust that is immersed inside the drop. Although nucleation is an inherently stochastic process resulting from size fluctuations of the incipient ice germ, there is a growing body of literature that suggests that quasi-deterministic models of ice nucleation can describe laboratory experiments. Here we present new experiments and simulations that aim to better constrain theoretical models fitted to laboratory data. We collected ice nucleation data for Arizona Test Dust aerosol immersed in water using a droplet freezing assay setup that allows for the cooling rates to be changed between 10 and 0.01 K min−1. Discrete event simulations based on a variant of the multiple-component stochastic model of heterogeneous freezing nucleation were used to simulate different experimental procedures. The nucleation properties of the dust are specified by four material-dependent parameters that accurately describe the time dependence of the freezing process. We anticipate that the combination of discrete event simulations and a spectrum of experimental procedures described here can be used to design more meaningful laboratory experiments probing ice nucleation and will aid the development of better parameterizations for use in models.
Middle Schoolers and Magazines: What Teachers Can Learn from Students’ Leisure Reading Habits

Abstract Teachers, parents, and librarians are constantly looking for methods and materials that engage students as readers and motivate them to increase the time they spend reading. In this article we describe findings from a study of middle schoolers’ magazine reading habits that gave us a close look at the power of magazines as supplemental supports for struggling and reluctant readers as well as the specific reasons students gravitate toward magazines for leisure reading. We provide suggestions for the ways in which classroom teachers can leverage student interest in magazine reading to increase independent reading in school, and validate students’ out of school literacies.
Studies with Purple Adenine Mutants in Neurospora Crassa. II. Tetrad Analyses from a Cross of an Ad-3a Mutant with an Ad-3b Mutant.

REVIOUS studies (DE SERRES 1956a) with a series of purple-adenine mutants in Piv eurospora crassa have demonstrated that these mutants can be divided into two groups on the basis of physiological (heterokaryon) and genetic (crossing) analyses. These studies indicated that the two groups arose from independent mutations a t two closely linked loci in the ad-3 region. The genetical analyses were based on random ascospore platings from intergroup crosses of adenine mutants carrying closely linked markers on both sides of the ad-3 region. In most instances, adenine-independent segregants were associated with a regular recombination of markers, suggesting that orthodox crossing over was taking place. However, in a few instances, exceptional adenine-independent segregants (with parental combinations of markers) were obtained. Because of these results, and in view of recent evidence for unorthodox segregation in tetrads of certain crosses in Neurospora (MITCHELL 1955a) and Saccharomyces (LINDEGREN 1955), it seemed desirable to perform a tetrad analysis on an intergroup cross of purple adenine mutants to determine whether the expected double mutant could be obtained, and whether tetrad segregations would prove to be regular in other respects.