cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The strong maximum principle for the heat equation

The strong maximum principle for harmonic functions is usually arrived at by appealing to the mean value theorem (c.f. [2], p. 53). It is also of course possible simply to appeal to the Hopf maximum principle [2], but using sledge hammers to kill flies is generally viewed as aesthetically unpleasing. In contrast to the case of harmonic functions, the only proof of the strong maximum principle for the heat equation that is known to me is to invoke Nirenberg's strong maximum principle for parabolic equations [2]. As in the case of harmonic functions, it seems desirable to provide a direct proof of this result without having to go through the subtle comparison arguments that are employed in the more general case. The purpose of this note is to provide a proof of the strong maximum principle for the heat equation based on a mean value theorem for solutions of the heat equation which we derive below. Such an approach provides a straightforward and simple proof of the strong maximum principle which avoids most of the detailed estimates of the proof of the maximum principle for more general parabolic equations. Unfortunately the proof of the maximum principle for the heat equation using the mean value theorem is not as short as the proof in the corresponding case of harmonic functions. It nevertheless seems worthwhile to show that such an alternate proof is possible, and it is to this purpose that we address this paper.
Randomized trial of the addition of gram-positive prophylaxis to standard antimicrobial prophylaxis for patients undergoing autologous bone marrow transplantation.

The purpose of the study reported here was to investigate the impact of prophylaxis against gram-positive infections in patients undergoing high-dose chemotherapy and autologous bone marrow transplantation in a randomized trial. Forty-three patients undergoing high-dose chemotherapy with autologous bone marrow transplant were enrolled in a nonblinded randomized trial to receive or not to receive prophylaxis for gram-positive infections with 10(6) U of penicillin intravenously (i.v.) every 6 h (q6h) (if penicillin allergic, 750 mg of vancomycin i.v. q12h) in addition to standard antimicrobial prophylaxis with 400 mg of norfloxacin orally three times a day, 200 mg of fluconazole orally once a day, and 5 mg of acyclovir per kg of body weight i.v. q12h. The patients were being treated for germ cell cancer (n = 15), breast cancer (n = 16), Hodgkin's disease (n = 3), non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (n = 4), acute myeloid leukemia (n = 1), acute lymphoblastic leukemia (n = 1), and ovarian cancer (n = 3). The trial was stopped because of excess morbidity in the form of streptococcal septic shock in the group not receiving gram-positive prophylaxis. There were significantly fewer overall infections (10 versus 3; P = 0.016) and streptococcal infections (9 versus 1; P = 0.0078) in the group receiving gram-positive prophylaxis. There were no significant differences in the numbers of deaths, duration of broad-spectrum antibiotics, or incidence of neutropenic fever between the two groups. Prophylaxis for gram-positive infections with penicillin or vancomycin is effective in reducing the incidence of streptococcal infections in patients undergoing high-dose chemotherapy and autologous bone marrow transplant. However, this approach may carry a risk of fostering resistance among streptococci to penicillin or vancomycin.
Political Parties and Decision Making in Three Southern Counties.

Many modern theorists of political parties see the party system not only as an adjunct to democracy but as a necessary precondition of it. In an almost complete reversal of classical doctrine, these theorists argue that competition between parties, preferably two, is the very life blood of democracy.' This paper attempts an evaluation of this thesis, which may be called the "organizational theory" of democracy, as it applies to conditions in three counties in a southern state. Three cases do not warrant conclusions extrapolated beyond our data, for any truly rigorous evaluation would require more cases in more different types of situations. This limitation particularly holds for extrapolations to national governments, since we can not assume that parties operate similarly at all levels. However, the choice of three units of local government makes possible a more intensive coverage of the events, men and patterns of politics. Furthermore, they are sufficient for present purposes, for if the organizational theory is to be accepted as completely explanatory, it should apply to all cases. Otherwise it must be viewed as partial, limited to special cases, in need of further elaboration and refinement, or, at worst, incorrect. In this context my aim is to question the thesis as a general theory of democracy. In every respect the one county of the three which corresponds almost ideally to the model of two-party competition shows the least popular and electoral participation in decision making. The other two counties, both variants of the one-party southern system, consistently exhibit more. On the evidence here, the organizational theory of democracy over-emphasizes the importance of electoral competition among well organized political parties, to the neglect of other conditions. Among these neglected conditions are (a) the involvement of public discussion of current issues in electoral contests, (b) the
Gypsum material effects on peanut and soil calcium

Abstract Adequate availability of calcium (Ca) in the upper 7–10 cm of soil is extremely important for pod development and therefore for production of quality peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Supplemental Ca is usually applied as gypsum, however, availability of Ca may depend on the type of gypsum. The objective of a laboratory study was to evaluate recovery of Ca in Mehlich I, 0.01 M NaNO3 and deionized water extractants from seven gypsum materials which varied physically from fine and coarse powders to crystals, granules and pellets. Overall, recovery of Ca was much greater in Mehlich I (89.5–99.6% of total Ca) than in either 0.01 M NaNO3 (81.0–98.4%) or deionized water (78.7–97.5%). However, for 3 sources, recovery of Ca was very similar in NaNO3 solution and deionized water. Field experiments were conducted on Lakeland sand (Mehlich I Ca = 127 kg/ha, 0–15 cm) and Tifton loamy sand (Mehlich I Ca = 665 kg/ha) soils to study the effects of the gypsum materials on Florunner peanut grade and yield. Effects of...
Operation of a hydrogen maser with a state-mixed beam

Operation of a hydrogen maser with a beam having equal populations of atoms in the (F=1, mF=1) and (F=1, mF=-1) hyperfine states is described. The elimination of the magnetic inhomogeneity shift by this means is confirmed. The effect of the state mixing on the frequency stability of the maser is investigated.
A flaw detection method based on morphological image processing

Mathematical morphology is used for image analysis for the purpose of flaw detection in materials that are represented by very poor-contrast digital images. In particular, an algorithm for flaw detection in the case of TV tube matte surfaces has been developed. The object skeletons within binary-valued images are obtained, and directional connectivity information in the skeletons is used to discriminate noise patterns from flaws according to a specified criteria. After the discriminating process, the skeletons that remain correspond to flaws and can be used to recover the actual shape of the flaws. An alarm flag may arise if the sizes of the detected flaws are found to exceed industrial standards. In the case of a gray-scale image, the image is first converted in a binary version using an adaptive threshold algorithm; then the flaw detection algorithm for binary images is applied. Experimental results are obtained for both binary and gray-scale digital image data obtained from imperfect glass samples. >
Redox modification of proteins as essential mediators of CNS autophagy and mitophagy

Production of cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) is typically associated with protein and DNA damage, toxicity, and death. However, ROS are also essential regulators of signaling and work in concert with redox-sensitive proteins to regulate cell homeostasis during stress. In this review, we focus on the redox regulation of mitophagy, a process that contributes to energetic tone as well as mitochondrial form and function. Mitophagy has been increasingly implicated in diseases including Parkinson's, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, and cancer. Although these disease states employ different genetic mutations, they share the common factors of redox dysregulation and autophagic signaling. This review highlights key redox sensitive signaling molecules which can enhance neuronal survival by promoting temporally and spatially controlled autophagic signaling and mitophagy.
FULMINANT NECROTISING ENTEROCOLITIS ASSOCIATED WITH CLOSTRIDIA

Abstract 5 infants with no growth of bacteria on cultures of blood and peritoneal fluid recovered from necrotising enterocolitis after medical treatment alone. 12 infants with positive cultures required surgery. 5 of these 12, who did not harbour clostridia, had a mild clinical course and all 5 survived segmental bowel resection. The 7 infants who harboured clostridia had a more severe clinical course and 4 died. In 3 of 4 infants with Clostridium perfringens, the necrotising enterocolitis was fulminant, characterised by severe pneumatosis intestinalis, extensive gangrene, early intestinal perforation, and a fatal outcome.
An exchange protocol for alternative currencies

Alternative currencies are currencies issued by individuals or entities other than national governments for the purpose of improving the economic well being of individuals by cultivating new trading relationships. We present a currency exchange protocol for use in alternative currency markets, such as those based on the lightweight currency protocol, local exchange transaction systems, and time dollar systems. In order to further enable the benefits derived from the use of alternative currencies, we propose the establishment of an exchange protocol that enables users to swap currencies. In this paper, we define the protocol we developed for this purpose, and describe the systems we prototyped to demonstrate the practicability of the currency exchange protocol.
Calculation and Thematic Mapping of Demographic Parameters for Homalodisca vitripennis (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) in California

ABSTRACT The reproductive and developmental biology, including life tables, for Homalodisca vitripennis (Germar) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), the glassy-winged sharpshooter, were quantiﬁed at four constant temperatures in the laboratory: 20, 25, 30, and 33°C. Mean time from egg oviposition to adult death and mean female adult longevity was greatest at 25°C. Mean total progeny production was greatest at 25°C at 214 eggs per individual. The percentage of females ovipositing at each experimental temperature was relatively low at 22, 46, and 56% at 20, 25, and 30°C, respectively. No oviposition occurred at 33°C. Upper, lower, and optimal developmental thresholds were calculated for all life stages, and for egg to adult emergence these were 35.95, 13.99, and 29.45°C, respectively. Key demographic parameters were calculated and intrinsic rate of increase and net reproductive rate were highest at 30 and 25°Cat 0.04 and 40.21 d, respectively.Meangeneration times and population doubling times were lowest at 25 (97.6...
Corneal Allograft Rejection: Immunopathogenesis to Therapeutics.

Corneal transplantation is among the most successful solid organ transplants. However, despite low rejection rates of grafts in the ‘low-risk’ setting, rejection can be as high as 70% when grafted into ‘high risk’ recipient beds. Under normal homeostatic conditions, the avascular cornea provides a unique environment that facilitates immune and angiogenic privilege. An imbalance in pro-inflammatory, angiogenic and lymphangiogenic mediators leads to a breakdown in corneal immune privilege with a consequent host response against the donor graft. Recent developments in lamellar and endothelial keratoplasties have reduced the rates of graft rejection even more, while providing improved visual outcomes. The corneal layer against which an immune response is initiated, largely determines reversibility of the acute episode. While epithelial and stromal graft rejection may be treated with topical corticosteroids with higher success, acute endothelial rejection mandates a more aggressive approach to therapy due to the lack of regenerative capacity of this layer. However, current immunosuppressive regimens come with the caveat of ocular and systemic side effects, making prolonged aggressive treatment undesirable. With the advent of biologics, efficacious therapies with a superior side effect profile are on the horizon. In our review we discuss the mediators of ocular immune privilege, the roles of cellular and molecular immune players in graft rejection, with a focus on human leukocyte antigen and antigen presenting cells. Furthermore, we discuss the clinical risk factors for graft rejection and compare rates of rejection in lamellar and endothelial keratoplasties to traditional penetrating keratoplasty. Lastly, we present the current and upcoming measures of therapeutic strategies to manage and treat graft rejection, including an overview of biologics and small molecule therapy.
Neurovascular Protection Reduces Early Brain Injury After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Background and Purpose—Cell death, especially apoptosis, occurred in brain tissues after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). We examined the relationships between apoptosis and the disruption of blood– brain barrier (BBB), brain edema, and mortality in an established endovascular perforation model in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Methods—A pan– caspase inhibitor (z-VAD-FMK) was administered intraperitoneally at 1 hour before and 6 hours after SAH. Expression of caspase-3 and positive TUNEL was examined as markers for apoptosis. Results—Apoptosis occurred mostly in cerebral endothelial cells, partially in neurons in the hippocampus, and to a lesser degree in the cerebral cortex. Accordingly, increased BBB permeability and brain water content were observed, accompanied by neurological deficit and a high mortality at 24 hours after SAH. z-VAD-FMK suppressed TUNEL and caspase-3 staining in endothelial cells, decreased caspase-3 activation, reduced BBB permeability, relieved vasospasm, abolished brain edema, and improved neurological outcome. Conclusions—The major effect of z-VAD-FMK on early brain injury after SAH was probably neurovascular protection of cerebral endothelial cells, which results in less damage on BBB. (Stroke. 2004;35:2412-2417.)
Computation of Fields in Electromagnetic Systems with Hysteresis

ABSTRACT A quasi-finite element method for calculation of static fields in media with hysteresis is presented in this paper. The proposed method utilizes vector Preisach hysteresis model to describe the material behavior. Time-stepping technique is employed in which the evolution of the electromagnetic system is traced to compute the field history as well as the current value of the field self-consistently. At every step in this technique a boundary value problem is solved by using coupled boundary-volume Galerkin's forms. In this formulation, the solution within the material medium is approximated in terms of finite element basis funtions, while the solution outside the material medium is approximated in terms of harmonic functions. An iterative technique for the solution of the resulting set of nonlinear equations is described. The proposed method is demonstrated on two dimensional electrostatic problems.
Electromyographic, mechanomyographic, and metabolic responses during cycle ergometry at a constant rating of perceived exertion.

Ten subjects performed four 8-min rides (65%–80% peak oxygen consumption) to determine the physical working capacity at the OMNI rating of perceived exertion (RPE) threshold (PWCOMNI). Polynomial r...
Left atrial thrombus mimicking a myxoma in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus

Atrial masses are uncommon, and mainly consist of tumors, vegetations and thrombi. Despite the availability of several imaging modalities, it may still be difficult to distinguish between them. Atrial thrombi seen in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) usually occur in the setting of anti-phospholipid antibody syndrome, which confers a hypercoagulable state. We report a case of left atrial thrombus mimicking a myxoma in a patient with SLE but negative anti-phospholipid antibodies.
Notes on crabs of the families Goneplacidae and Dorippidae (Decapoda: Brachyura> from the Dampier Archipelago, Western Australia

Nineteen specimens representing four species in the brachyuran f~milie.s Goneplacidae and Dorippidae were collected during a four year bIOlogIcal survey of the Dampier Archipelago, in northwest Western Australia, conducted by the Western Australia Museum. Two of the species are goneplacids, Eucrate affinis and E. dorsalis and the other two are dorippids, Dorippe quadridensand Paradorippeaustraliensis. Notes on range extensions, habitats, etc., are provided for these four species.
The efficiency of some placental tests in the course of multiple pregnancies.

Total estrogens (E/day) pregnanediol (P/day) in diurnal urine and hemostable alkaline phosphatase (APt) were studied in the blood serum of 20 women with multiple pregnancy. Amnioscope examination was performed during the pregnancy and at the onset of labor. The outcome of pregnancy was also studied in relation to the placental test values. It was concluded that 1) the level of E/day in multiple pregnancies is of considerable value in diagnosing a threatened fetus 2) amnioscope examination is useful in diagnosing 1 endangered fetus in cases of multiple pregnancy with 2 or more amnia and 3) P/day and APt values vary where there is a threat to the fetus in multiple pregnancy.
USF: Chunking for Aspect-term Identification & Polarity Classification

This paper describes the systems submitted by the University of San Francisco (USF) to Semeval-2014 Task 4, Aspect Based Sentiment Analysis (ABSA), which provides labeled data in two domains, laptops and restaurants. For the constrained condition of both the aspect term extraction and aspect term polarity tasks, we take a supervised machine learning approach using a combination of lexical, syntactic, and baseline sentiment features. Our extraction approach is inspired by a chunking approach, based on its strong past results on related tasks. Our system performed slightly below average compared to other submissions, possibly because we use a simpler classification model than prior work. Our polarity labeling approach uses two baseline hand-built sentiment classifiers as features in addition to lexical and syntactic features, and performed in the top ten of other constrained systems on both domains.
Global Accreditation for a Knowledge-Oriented Community: Foundational Change breeds Global Access to Educational and Economic Opportunity

Faculty, administrators, businesses, accrediting agencies, and other institutions concerned with higher education quality must act to provide a framework for international higher learning standards, particularly concerning e-learning and access in developing countries. Higher education internationalization efforts will continue through the use of IT, increased mobility, the knowledge economy, and an integrated world economy (Altbach & Knight, 2007). Global accreditation will help to assure quality and increase options to improve access. A global accreditation model would provide the impetus for a knowledge-oriented global community that provides access to students in developing countries, as well as traditional and non-traditional learners. The chapter examines key forces shaping the transformation and globalization of higher education, international entities taking a global approach to quality assurance and accreditation, and key concepts in development and implementation of quality assurance at the global level. Finally, the chapter concludes with future implications in the ongoing development of global accreditation.
Circulating N-Linked Glycoprotein Acetyls and Longitudinal Mortality Risk

Rationale:Circulating glycoprotein N-acetyl glucosamine residues have recently been associated with incident cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus. Objective:Using a plasma glycan biosignature (GlycA) to identify circulating N-acetyl glycan groups, we examined the longitudinal association between GlycA and mortality among initially healthy individuals. Methods and Results:We quantified GlycA by 400 MHz 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy in 27 524 participants in the Women’s Health Study (NCT00000479). The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. We replicated the findings in an independent cohort of 12 527 individuals in the Justification for the Use of statins in Prevention: an Intervention Trial Evaluating Rosuvastatin (JUPITER) trial (NCT00239681). We also undertook secondary examination of cardiovascular disease and cancer mortality in the Women’s Health Study. In the Women’s Health Study, during 524 515 person-years of follow-up (median, 20.5 years), there were 3523 deaths. Risk factor...
DNA Bending through Roll Angles Is Independent of Adjacent Base Pairs

We have studied DNA bending for a wide range of DNA sequences by two-dimensional adaptive umbrella sampling simulations on adjacent roll angles. Calculated free energy surfaces are largely additive and can be well approximated by the sum of the one-dimensional free energy surfaces. Cooperativity between adjacent roll angles was found to be negligible: less than 1.0 kcal/mol and a small fraction of the overall bending energy. Our calculations validate the assumptions underlying many popular coarse-grained models for DNA bending, and demonstrate their theoretical validity for investigating DNA bending.
APPLIED LOW COST "REAL TIME" FLIGHT SIMULATION CODE GENERATION IN AN AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING CURRICULUM

The synergistic learning potential of hands-on experience with flight-controls simulation' complementing the classical and modern classroom theories is now affordable for resource limited universities. Aeronautical engineering programs now have low-cost and powerful computing capabilities that provide the opportunity for a thorough exploration of flight simulation with flight control laws by real-time simulation on the desktop Personal Computer (PC) or on an easily reconfigurable fixed-based simulator driven by PCs. The student is now capable of quickly building the simulation model of a bare-airframe, designing the control laws to tailor the response types and flying qualities, then flight testing the resulting augmented aircraft via joy-stick inceptor on the desktop PC or electronic force feedback inceptor in a fixed-based simulator. Using Matlab/Simulink on a PC, consistent and verifiable real-time simulation code is auto-coded from block diagrams representing the direction of the simulation and architecture of the control laws. Work is in progress to simplify and facilitate the connectivity between hardware, such as inceptors and displays, to the real-time simulation.
Methods for Determining Pink Bollworm Populations in Blooms

Daily bloom inspections for pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders), during the first 21 days of blooming showed that a count of the number of infested blooms per acre was a better index of the spring population developing in squares than one based on the percent of blooms infested. The most reliable time for making this count was from about the 8th through the 17th day after blooming had started. A survey method for estimating the larval population per acre is described.
Goddes Pryvetee and a Wyf: Curiositas and the triadic sins in the Miller's and Reeve's Tales

A yet unobserved theme linking the Miller’s and Reeve’s Tales is curiositas, a vice medieval theologians often identified with the second of the triadic sins of 1 John 2:16, the lust of the eyes, and aligned with the other two triadic sins, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. In the two tales, Chaucer modifies the conception of curiositas by democratizing the usually highbrow, clerkly vice. Particularly through punning, Chaucer shows that all, including the readers of the Tales, are susceptible to the vice by virtue of its likeness to the two other triadic sins.
Impacts of Electric Vehicles Charging on Distribution Grid

Large-scale development of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles(PHEVs) will have direct impacts on the distribution grid.PHEV charging impacts on the distribution grid are analyzed through a residential 10 kV feeder in a city from aspects such as impacts on load profile,power loss and voltage quality.Several scenarios of different penetration levels are discussed.The results indicate that under high penetration scenario,uncontrolled charging will pose great pressure on the grid and reasonable PHEV penetration may be helpful to the grid's economic operation.Smart charging method is explored which can optimize the chargeable power in each period according to the short-term load trend,in order to meet the charging requirements,achieve smoother load profile,less power loss and better voltage quality.
Development of an Integrative Rotary Test Instrument for AC/DC Hybrid Electric Field

An integrative rotary test instrumment for DC electric field,AC electric field and AC/DC hybrid electric field is developed.Firstly,the relations between the output current of the developed integrative rotary test instrumment and the DC electric field strength,the AC electric field strength and the AC/DC hybrid electric field strength are derived;on this basis,a subsequent processing circuit for the induced signal is designed by narrow band-pass filtering to separate the DC component from AC component in the induced signal.The developed electric field tester is calibrated and field performance tests of the developed electric field tester are performed.The developed electric field tester possesses following advantages of high measuremnt accuracy and high linearity,and can be used to measure the AC electric field,DC electric field and AC/DC hybrid electric field at the same site simultaneously,so it is available to the research on bybrid electric filed in the environment of EHV/UHV transmisssion lines using the same corridor and to the research on bybrid electric filed in the environment of multi-circuit EHV/UHV transmission lines on the same tower as well as for the monitoring of electromagnetic environment.
An evolutionary study of culture that is actually evolutionary

For most of its history, the attempt to subject culture to evolutionary principles has been based on a Spencerian rather than a Darwinian framework. Herbert Spencer had argued that societies (consi...
A role for IgM in the in vitro opsonisation of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli by bovine polymorphonuclear leucocytes.

The phagocytosis and killing of Escherichia coli (strain P4) and Staphylococcus aureus (strain M60) by bovine polymorphonuclear lymphocytes (PMN) suspended in phosphate buffered saline, requires the presence of calcium ions and opsonins. The highest dilution of normal decomplemented adult sera in which the opsonins are still active is approximately 1/1000 for S aureus and 1/200 for E coli. In fetal and precolostral sera heat labile factors are also required for opsonising E coli but these are not required for S aureus. IgG, and IgG2 from adult sera did not opsonise the bacteria even though receptors for IgG2 anti-erythrocyte antibodies have been reported on bovine and ovine PMN. A systematic separation of adult serum proteins was carried out by salt fractionation, anion exchange and gel filtration chromatography. The results suggest strongly that the opsonin in adult bovine sera is IgM.
Anomalous Resistive Behavior in Er1Ba2Cu3O9-δ at 2290 K

Interest in high Tc superconductivity has increased on a par with the reports of higher transition temperatures. These reports range from Tc’s near 30 K in the La-Ba-Cu-O system [1], to 90 K in the Y-Ba-Cu-O system [2] and rare earth substituted compounds of the form R1 Ba2Cu3O9-δ where R = Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Ho, Er, and Lu. [3–5] Recently an indication of superconductivity was observed at 240 K in Y1Ba2Cu3O9-δ by the reverse AC Josephson effect, [6] and zero resistances as high as 155 K were reported in the system Y1Ba2Cu3O9-δ :F. [7]
A Study of the Impact of Project Lead the Way on Achievement Outcomes in Iowa

Iowa has implemented the secondary engineering curriculum Project Lead The Way (PLTW) in an effort to create a more seamless transition for students from secondary school into science, technology, engineering, and mathematics post-secondary programs. PLTW has been implemented in all fifty states; however, there has been sparse research to-date that has rigorously measured the impact of PLTW on mathematics and science achievement. We used Iowa’s statewide longitudinal data system to follow multiple cohorts of PLTW participants and nonparticipants from 8th grade into secondary education. We derived a comparable treatment and control group by matching students based on their propensity to enter PLTW, permitting a stronger interpretation of the program’s impact than prior studies. The findings indicate PLTW participants are more likely to be white, male, and perform in the upper quartile in mathematics and science prior to PLTW enrollment. Further, we found statistically significant evidence that PLTW increases mathematics or science scores on the Iowa Test of Educational Development by 5 points after controlling for selection bias. The 5 point increase in mathematics score corresponds to roughly a half of a grade level. The effect size (f 2 ) for mathematics was 0.15 and 0.05 for science—a moderate and small effect size, respectively. Further studies will also need to properly account for pre-existing ability in mathematics and science when determining achievement outcomes to ensure results are not being driven by pre-existing ability. This study has implications for researchers, practitioners, and policy makers regarding the comprehensive evaluation design and the critical role that PLTW can play to increase the participation, both generally and within non-traditional groups, in postsecondary STEM education in the U.S.
Direct Evaluation of Protein–Lipid Contacts Reveals Protein Membrane Immersion and Isotropic Bicelle Structure

The solvation of membrane proteins by both lipids and water makes their membrane immersion difficult to predict and the choice of a membrane mimic challenging. To characterize protein–lipid contacts and bicelle membrane mimics, we examined protein–lipid cross-relaxation of integrin αIIb and β3(A711P) transmembrane helices in isotropic phospholipid bicelles (q = 0.5 and 0.7). Long-chain bicelle lipids dominated contacts with central helix segments, whereas both short- and long-chain lipids contacted the terminal turns of each helix in corroboration of the mixed bicelle model. The saturation transfer profiles from long-chain lipids directly established helix midpoints in the lipid bilayer. Lipid headgroups and water molecules engaged the side chains of buried serine and threonine in competition with intrahelical hydrogen bonding, illustrating that polar side chains seek the most favorable electrostatic contacts.
Optimization of beams with nonspherical extended depths of focus for reconfigurable 2D arrays

The flexibility of reconfigurable 2D arrays allows us to utilize various beamforming techniques with a limited number of channels. We investigated a different beamforming technique incorporating spherical and axicon focusing to attain an extended range of focus in the transmit beam. In this paper, we develop and optimize this hybrid beamforming technique for balance between range and image quality. A local minimization technique is discussed and four apertures chosen to cover a 4.5 cm depth for breast imaging were compared to pure spherical beams via PSF and CNR calculations. Improvements were statistically significant at focal depth extremes.
Pleasures and Perils of Socialist Modernity: New Scholarship on Post-War Eastern Europe

What role did consumption, the mass media and popular culture play in post-war Eastern Europe? Did they help ‘normalise’ state socialism or rather inspire outlooks and desires incongruent with communist regimes’ goals? These questions are central to recent scholarship which has departed from conventional Cold War studies centred on narrowly-conceived political elites and modes of Soviet domination. Instead, using the lens of social and cultural history, scholars have turned to exploring Eastern European societies as independent subjects in their own right. Looking at workers, middle classes, women, tourists, hippies, shoppers, television audiences and other groups, this new body of work has questioned the impenetrability of the Iron Curtain and has highlighted Eastern European participation in broader European and global trends. Instead of enumerating failures of the socialist system from ‘economics of shortage’ to the depressing ‘greyness’ of apartment blocks, scholars now explore ‘pleasures in socialism’, including leisure, fashion and consumer culture. In place of preponderant societal resistance against the controlling state, they expose complex ways of appropriation, accommodation and identification with elements of state socialism by individuals and groups.
Proof and Other Dilemmas: Mathematics and Philosophy

Acknowledgments Introduction Part I. Proof and How it is Changing: 1. Proof: its nature and significance Michael Detlefsen 2. Implications of experimental mathematics for the philosophy of mathematics Jonathan Borwein 3. On the roles of proof in mathematics Joseph Auslander Part II. Social Constructivist Views of Mathematics: 4. When is a problem solved? Philip J. Davis 5. Mathematical practice as a scientific problem Reuben Hersh 6. Mathematical domains: social constructs? Julian Cole Part III. The Nature of Mathematical Objects and Mathematical Knowledge: 7. The existence of mathematical objects Charles Chihara 8. Mathematical objects Stewart Shapiro 9. Mathematical Platonism Mark Balaguer 10. The nature of mathematical objects Oystein Linnebo 11. When is one thing equal to some other thing? Barry Mazur Part IV. The Nature of Mathematics and its Applications: 12. Extreme science: mathematics as the science of relations as such R. S. D. Thomas 13. What is mathematics? A pedagogical answer to a philosophical question Guershon Harel 14. What will count as mathematics in 2100? Keith Devlin 15. Mathematics applied: the case of addition Mark Steiner 16. Probability - a philosophical overview Alan Hajek Glossary of common philosophical terms About the editors.
Mapping the Universe

The varieties of astronomical mapping are presented, starting with maps of the celestial sphere. Important map projections are considered, including gnomonic projections which are particularly good for star charts. When telescopes arrived, astronomers began to make maps of other worlds, including influential maps of Mars by Schiaparelli and maps of the Moon made during the Apollo era. I discuss map projections specifically designed for Mars and the Moon. Map distortions are examined: area, local shape, flexion, lopsidedness, distances, and boundary cuts. Spacetime maps include Martin Kruskal’s map of the interior of the black hole. Our map of the Sloan Great Wall of Galaxies , 1.37 billion light-years long, and the famous WMAP satellite map of the cosmic microwave background are described. Finally, my “Map of the Universe” displays everything in the universe on a logarithmic map: from the Earth to manmade satellites; to the Moon, Sun, and planets; to nearby stars; to our Milky Way, and other galaxies in the Local Group and Virgo supercluster; to the distant galaxies in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey; and finally, to the Cosmic Microwave Background, the most distant thing we can see.
Predictors of enrollment into a familial cancer registry.

A35 Cancer registries are an invaluable resource for cancer research as they provide a sample for study that might otherwise be difficult to gather. We sought to identify patient factors that characterize those who enroll versus those who decline participation in a Familial Cancer Registry (FCR). Individuals at risk for hereditary breast or ovarian cancer were actively recruited for the FCR by a genetic counselor at the beginning of a genetic counseling education session. Prior to this genetic counseling session, participants completed a baseline interview that included assessment of demographic, clinical, and psychosocial variables. A total of 567 participants (Mean age = 48.6 years; range 19 - 86 years; 88% women, 12% men) completed the baseline telephone interview and were invited to enroll in the FCR. Of the 567 participants 81% (n=460) enrolled in the FCR and 19% (n=107) declined participation. Bivariate analysis showed that FCR participation was related to lower levels of general distress, a greater number of first-degree relatives affected with breast or ovarian cancer, a personal history of breast cancer, and being non-Jewish. To identify independent predictors of participation, we included these variables in a logistic regression model with backward elimination of nonsignificant variables. Variables independently associated with FCR participation were: personal history of breast cancer (OR = 1.97, 95% CI = 1.24 to 3.13), lower general distress (OR = 0.84, 95% CI = 0.76 to 0.93), and not being of Jewish descent (OR = 0.64, 95% CI = 0.40 to 0.97). These findings have implications for the generalizability of results from studies using registry samples. Moreover, results indicate that cancer registry enrollment strategies could be improved through use of tailored approaches to increase the possibility of enrollment of individuals less likely to agree to registry participation.
A convenient, bio-inspired approach to the synthesis of multi-functional, stable fluorescent silica nanoparticles using poly(ethylene-imine).

Branched poly(ethylene-imine) can be tagged with luminescent dyes (e.g., fluorescein isothiocyanate and tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate) and used to precipitate spherical silica particles from 10s-to-100s of nm diameter size under mild conditions. These dye–PEI/SiO2 nanoparticles are highly compatible with polar solvents to give bright fluorescent suspensions, and detailed photophysical characterization reveals well-separated dye moieties with an approximately homogeneous dispersion of dye–PEI conjugate throughout the SiO2 matrix. Reaction of PEI amine groups incorporated at the particle surface affords a simple method for post-synthesis functionalization of these materials, and the formation of FITC/Eosin-Y fluorescence resonance energy transfer pair-tagged particles and SiO2@Au core–shell nanocomposites using this strategy is demonstrated. This bio-inspired approach to multi-functional SiO2 nanoparticles provides a range of potential advantages over traditional “inorganic” syntheses of similar materials, as it proceeds through a scalable, single-step reaction using inexpensive reagents, enables efficient incorporation of luminescent species into the resulting particles with very limited dye aggregation, and provides nanoparticles that do not require post-synthesis modification for further conjugation with species of interest. The method offers a simple means to generate complex nanocomposites, whereby a host of desired species can be incorporated both inside and on the surface of biocompatible SiO2 nanoparticles.
Anthocyanins as Apoptotic Regulators

Bioactive compounds have been used traditionally in different cultures to promote human health. Anthocyanins (ACNs) are one of the most abundant dietary bioactive compounds and are responsible for the bright red, blue and purple colors of fruits and vegetables. There are over 600 different types of ACNs in nature, featuring six common aglycone structures, with different side chains attached. Although ACN bioavailability is low, ACNs and their gut metabolites possess biological activities that positively impact a variety of chronic diseases including cancer. This book chapter provides a brief summary of the synthesis and the bioavailability of ACNs and discusses the molecular mechanisms involved in ACN-induced apoptosis in cell culture, animal models and human clinical studies. Furthermore, ACN metabolism in vivo is also discussed, as the evidence indicates that the ACN meta­bolites are important pro-apoptotic agents. We hope that the presented evidence will help influence future research in the direction of furthering the scientific understanding of ACN pro-apoptotic properties in cancer.
ENTERING OR EXITING GRANDCHILD CARE DURING THE ECONOMIC CRISIS IN THE U.S.

AbstractFamily members experience role-based household relationships as sets of resources and demands, including time, money, skills, and attention. Grandparents have resources; and family members have demands. Balance between resources and demands affect the care they are able to provide and the care that adult children and their grandchildren would need. However, less is known about the predictors of transitions entering into and exiting the roles as grandchild care during the economic downturns such as the Great Recession. Using the three waves from the Health and Retirement Study 2006~2010, data is drawn from 12,753 respondents in 2008 (Wave 9) with at least one living grandchild with a parent. Using the logistic regression, total 33,802 grandparent-parent relationships clustered within multigenerational families were examined in this study. Findings show that entering childcare occurs in hard times especially when adult-children’s demands exceed grandparents’ resources. At the economic recession, grandparents are most likely to enter the roles as grandchild caregivers because of adult children and their families’ needs arise. Grandparents are valued resources for adult children who are in needs of childcare services and economic assistance.
Situating American Girl: Tools of Socialization in a Changing Culture

Zaslow begins by briefly reviewing scholarly studies on children’s literature as a tool of political dissent and on dolls as cultural texts that not only serve as loving playthings, but as objects that embody and shape meaning about what it means to be an American girl and woman. The chapter concludes by historically situating the popularity of American Girl within an era characterized by neoliberal girl power media culture, a backlash against feminism, and a burgeoning conservativism. As concern grew into a moral panic about the ways in which sexual power was becoming a synecdoche for female power, the neo-historical, pre-sexual, kind, and fair characters of American Girl became sought after by parents who wanted to teach a particular kind of innocent, educated, and empowered girlhood.
Strivin’ Day to Day: Economic Reality and Religious Experience

This chapter explores the questions of how church praxis and theological beliefs have shaped African American identity and economic activity and how black economic experience has shaped Black Church praxis. It illustrates how theological and ethical beliefs not only reflect, but also shape the identity and economic behavior of individuals by providing normative bases for just relations in the market and by influencing expectations of and offering criticism of economic, social, and political structures. Through the lens of the works of sociologists of religion, it examines the implications of religion for individual and communal identity, yet rather than essentialize the identity of Black, rural, southern Christian African Americans, it allows for fluidity.
Levinas and the Prophetic Current

In the following article, I identify some instances in which Rene Girard invokes the work of Emmanuel Levinas and read some exchanges in Battling to the End in which Girard aligns the author of Totality and Infinity with some of his own insights regarding Hegel, Clausewitz, and totalitarian thinking. Subsequently, I comment briefly upon the Jewish prophetic tradition and outline prospects for a new and robust amplification of mimetic theory, one that presumes a complementarity between these two powerful contemporary thinkers along ethical and prophetic lines.
Leo Cabranes-Grant, From Scenarios to Networks: Performing the Intercultural in Colonial Mexico

From Scenarios to Networks explores how Actor Network Theory reframes colonial Mexican intercultural performances as relationships between objects, spaces, and persons rather than as representations of already existing identities in conflict. This book reframes notions of hybridity through close readings of dances, festivals, plays, religious performances, and secular celebrations.
Manufacturing and contract service networks: Composition, optimization and tradeoff analysis based on a reusable repository of performance models

In this paper we report on the development of a software framework and system for composition, optimization and trade-off analysis of manufacturing and contract service networks based on a reusable repository of performance models. Performance models formally describe process feasibility constraints and metrics of interest, such as cost, throughput and CO 2 emissions, as a function of fixed and control parameters, such as equipment and contract properties and settings. The repository contains performance models for (1) unit manufacturing processes, (2) base contract services, and (3) a composite steady-state service network. The proposed framework allows process engineers to (1) hierarchically compose model instances of service networks, which can represent production cells, lines, factory facilities and supply chains, and (2) perform deterministic optimization based on mathematical programming and Pareto-optimal trade-off analysis. We case study the framework on a service network for a heat sink product which involves contract vendors and manufacturers, unit manufacturing process services including cutting/shearing and Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining with milling and drilling steps, quality inspection, finishing and assembly.
Inverse design in search of materials with target functionalities

Solid-state chemists have been consistently successful in envisioning and making new compounds, often enlisting the tools of theoretical solid-state physics to explain some of the observed properties of the new materials. Here, a new style of collaboration between theory and experiment is discussed, whereby the desired functionality of the new material is declared first and theoretical calculations are then used to predict which stable and synthesizable compounds exhibit the required functionality. Subsequent iterative feedback cycles of prediction–synthesis–characterization result in improved predictions and promise not only to accelerate the discovery of new materials but also to enable the targeted design of materials with desired functionalities via such inverse design. The conventional theoretical approach to the study of materials typically involves explaining the properties of known materials. This approach is compared with the inverse design of materials, in which the desired properties are set as inputs and the material that exhibits them as the output.
The Problem with Too Much Fidelity to the Modern Synthesis When Explaining the Origins and Evolution of the Social Universe

Religion emerged as a cognitive capacity and behavioral propensity by virtue of Darwinian natural selection on hominins and then humans to become more social and group oriented. The capacity to be religious is only a modest extension of the Darwinian selection on cognitive, emotional, and interpersonal propensities of all great apes and, hence, early hominins. However, other forms of natural selection need to be added to the explanation of why religion became institutionalized in early human societies, why religious organizations arise and die from competition, and why violence is so often a part of religious revolution. These additional types of natural selection do not obviate Darwinian selection on the human brain, but they become a necessary supplement to Darwinian analysis if the early institutionalization and subsequent evolution of religion are to be more fully explained.