cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Role of local-phonon mode coupling in the nonradiative relaxation for designing more efficient impurity doped solid state laser crystals

Based on measurements of the dynamics of local and phonon modes in Cr:Mg2SiO4 during the nonradiative relaxation of Cr4+ laser ions, and on the phonon and local spectrum of the analog Cr4+:Ca2GeO4 laser crystal, we propose general criteria to design higher efficiency ion-doped laser crystals
ANALYSIS OF THERMAL CREAK INDUCED DYNAMICS OF SPACE STRUCTURES

A general framework for thermal creak modeling is presented. A model of a single degree of freedom system with thermal creak is first developed. The creak model captures the thermoelastic response and the nonlinear friction behavior. The nonlinear response of the creak element and the ensuing dynamic response are investigated. Key parameters that govern the responses are identified. The necessary condition for thermal creak, the profile of the creak response and the creak frequency are determined. The dynamic responses are parametrically studied to qualitatively understand the range of behaviors. Using the creak model, a procedure for thermal creak analysis of a space structure is established. To illustrate the procedure and the capabilities of the model, a deployable truss is analyzed. The data obtained from a thermal creak dynamics experiment on the deployable truss are correlated to the analysis results.
Trend and strategy of development of health medicine

Current medicine has entered the mode of biology-psychology-society, shifting the focus from passively resisting disease to initiatively promoting health. This article is based on the actual situations of health needs in current society, the service mode and the current situation of implementation of health medicine, to discuss the trend of development of health medicine, to analyze the primary questions and challenges, to propose the countermeasures and suggestions for development of health medicine suitable for Chinese conditions, in order to promote the theoretical and practical development of health medicine, and consummate the service connotation.
Evidence for a chloride conductance in secretory membrane of parietal cells

A fluorescence-quench method using acridine orange as the probe was employed to monitor acid formation in situ by detergent-permeabilized gastric glands. In KCl medium, the addition of ATP to the permeabilized glands resulted in a rapid decrease in fluorescence and addition of valinomycin resulted in a second phase of fluorescence quench. The fluorescence was restored by addition of the H+-K+-ATPase inhibitor, Sch 28080. An ATP-dependent fluorescence quench was observed also in K2SO4 or K+-isethionate medium; however, valinomycin was ineffective in the Cl-free media. The ATP-dependent quench could be reversed or prevented by the electrogenic protonophore, tetrachlorosalicylanilide (TCS), in KCl medium but not in Cl-free media. The results with TCS are interpreted as demonstrating a large Cl- conductance in the secretory membrane, whereas the results with valinomycin indicate that resting membranes lack a K+ conductance. The data suggest that a complex KCl pathway that may demonstrate a Cl- conductance is used to activate acid secretion.
Oscillatory Enzyme Dynamics Revealed by Two-Dimensional Infrared Spectroscopy.

Enzymes move on a variety of length and time scales. While much is known about large structural fluctuations that impact binding of the substrates and release of products, little is known about faster motions of enzymes and how these motions may influence enzyme-catalyzed reactions. This Letter reports frequency fluctuations of the azide anion bound to the active site of formate dehydrogenase measured via 2D IR spectroscopy. These measurements reveal an underdamped oscillatory component to the frequency–frequency correlation function when the azide is bound to the NAD+ ternary complex. This oscillation disappears when the reduced cofactor is added, indicating that the oscillating contributions most likely come from the charged nicotinamide ring. These oscillatory motions may be relevant to donor–acceptor distance sampling of the catalyzed hydride transfer and therefore may give future insights into the dynamic behavior involved in enzyme catalysis.
Implementing an in Situ Mock Code Quality Improvement Program

Background The high risk and low volume of medical emergencies, combined with long periods between training sessions, on 2 progressive care units at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, established the importance of transforming how nursing staff are trained to respond to medical emergencies. Objectives To increase confidence levels and improve nursing performance during medical emergencies via in situ simulation. Methods An in situ, mock code quality improvement program was developed and implemented to increase nurses' confidence while improving nursing performance when responding to medical emergencies. For 2 years, each unit conducted mock codes and collected data related to confidence levels and response times based on the recommendations in the 2010 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care. Results In those 2 years, nursing staff response times for calling for help improved 12%, time elapsed before initiating compressions improved 52%, and time to initial defibrillation improved 37%. Additionally, staff showed an increase in perceived confidence levels. Staff reported their appreciation of the opportunity for hands-on practice with the equipment, reinforcing their knowledge and refining their medical emergency skills. Conclusions In situ mock codes significantly improve response times and increase staff confidence levels. In situ mock codes are a quick and efficient way to provide hands-on practice and allow staff to work as a team.
Use of negative pressure wound therapy on malignant wounds - a case report and review of literature.

The presence of malignancy is considered a contraindication to the use of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) because of concerns that it may promote tumourigenesis and expedite metastasis. This notion is extrapolated from studies evaluating NPWT in normal tissues. Despite the absence of direct evidence, the use of this technology in malignant wounds is widely considered a contraindication. We present the case of a patient with treatment-resistant metastatic colon cancer, who developed a chronic abdominal wound with positive margins. A staged reconstruction using NPWT was performed and wound closure allowed the patient to meet eligibility criteria and enrol in a clinical trial for treatment of his oncological disease. Skin closure remained intact until the patient expired 6 months after the wound closure. This case, as well as others in the literature, demonstrated that the use of NPWT should not be considered an absolute contraindication in malignancy. Individualised approaches taking into account the patient's clinical scenario, the available evidence, as well as the risks and benefits of this technology are recommended.
Oxidative Coupling in Complexity Building Transforms

Since many synthetic targets in organic chemistry are larger, more functionalized, and more oxidized than the starting inputs used, methods that unite fragments with an increase in oxidation state possess inherent efficiencies. Thus, the potential for complexity building transforms by union of activated or unactivated C–H, N–H, or O–H centers is considerable, and the challenge lies in how to obtain selective reactions from any two of these centers.
Tick Saliva: A Modulator of Host Defenses

During the course of blood feeding, ticks introduce into the host biologically active molecules essential for blood feeding and for successful transmission of infectious agents. Host defenses are stimulated. In turn, ticks suppress or modulate host hemostasis, immunity, wound healing, and remodeling of extracellular matrix. Research focuses upon identification of biologically active molecules introduced into the host in saliva of blood-feeding ticks. Immunological, molecular biological, genomic, and proteomic approaches are used to characterize tick-host-pathogen cellular and molecular interactions occurring at the host cutaneous interface. Biological roles of tick saliva molecules are studied in terms of receptor–ligand interactions, activities, structural basis of function, differential expression, and interactions with signal transduction pathways. In addition to fundamental immunological approaches, genomic and proteomic strategies, including next generation sequencing, are advancing understanding of these interactions at a rapid rate.
Technopopulism: The Emergence of a Discursive Formation

This article contends that technopopulism is a discursive formation that emerges from the convergence of two preexisting discourses: populism and technolibertarianism. Whereas these discourses are historically distinct the 2008 financial crisis and the 2011 wave of struggles have precipitated the political conditions for their intersection and hybridization. Such convergence produces both tensions and possibilities. On the one hand, technopopulism engenders a radically participatory model of democracy, which is ultimately anti-institutional as citizens cooperate and engage in sophisticated decision-making without the mediation of professional politicians. On the other hand, the more successful technopopulist parties—at least in the electoral arena—are all led by charismatic leaders who synthesize the positions that emerge from the netroots to mobilize them against the establishment. These two seemingly contradictory aspects precipitate in two variants of technopopulism: a leaderless-technocratic variant, which is derived from the open source mode of governance and from early experiments of the Global Justice Movement in networked self-government; and a leaderist-populist variant, which is more strictly focused on the electoral competition as an intrinsically reductive and thus hegemonic practice. The article concludes with a reflection on the discursive complementarity of these two variants and on the political tensions and challenges technopopulism faces in the current phase.
Statistical Learning and Spelling: Older Prephonological Spellers Produce More Wordlike Spellings Than Younger Prephonological Spellers.

The authors analyzed the spellings of 179 U.S. children (age = 3 years, 2 months–5 years, 6 months) who were prephonological spellers, in that they wrote using letters that did not reflect the phonemes in the target items. Supporting the idea that children use their statistical learning skills to learn about the outer form of writing before they begin to spell phonologically, older prephonological spellers showed more knowledge about English letter patterns than did younger prephonological spellers. The written productions of older prephonological spellers were rated by adults as more similar to English words than were the productions of younger prephonological spellers. The older children s spellings were also more wordlike on several objective measures, including length, variability of letters within words, and digram frequency.
A review of the Guadalupian (middle Permian) global tetrapod fossil record

Abstract Until recently, the Guadalupian (middle Permian) tetrapod fossil record was known almost exclusively from the Karoo Basin of South Africa and the Cis-Urals region of Russia, limiting progress towards understanding global middle Permian tetrapod biogeography. Recent work has shed light on several new or under-explored Guadalupian tetrapod-bearing basins, and we review and synthesize these findings here. We also review changes to the international and Russian Guadalupian time scales and present updated biostratigraphic correlations for all of the basins discussed. In general, there are few tetrapod genera or species shared between mid-Permian basins, a pattern starkly different from the generic cosmopolitanism seen during Lopingian (late Permian) times. The Parana Basin of Brazil has produced a unique fauna that combines typical South African and Russian clades, suggesting a pathway for faunal interchange between the northern and southern portions of Pangea. The Dashankou fauna of China yields basal therapsids that suggest a northern Pangean origin for this clade. The Sundyr Assemblage of Russia preserves a latest Guadalupian fauna that seems to illustrate patterns of faunal turnover across the Guadalupian-Lopingian boundary. Continued field work in the lesser-known mid-Permian strata will facilitate testing hypotheses about the transition between early and middle Permian faunas, the end-Guadalupian extinction event, Pangean tetrapod biogeography, and the origins of widespread late Permian clades.
Serum Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBBs) and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and Thyroid Function among Michigan Adults Several Decades after the 1973-1974 PBB Contamination of Livestock Feed.

Background: In 1973–1974, Michigan residents were exposed to polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) through an accidental contamination of the food supply. Residents were enrolled in a registry assembled ...
Carrying Forward a Legacy: A Tribute to Jerold F. Lucey, MD, Pediatrics Editor-in-Chief (1974-2008).

Creating a legacy is something few can accomplish. Former Editor-in-Chief of Pediatrics Dr Jerold F. (Jerry) Lucey, MD, FAAP, did so most admirably. Sadly, on December 10, 2017, Jerry Lucey died in Sarasota, Florida. With his passing, we lost a champion who led our journal for three-and-a-half decades. Jerry’s influence on all of us fortunate to know him and work with him is apparent in every issue we publish. Jerry Lucey grew up in Holyoke, Massachusetts, graduated from Dartmouth College in 1948, and received his doctor of medicine degree at New York University College of Medicine in 1952. He did his internship at Bellevue Hospital and residency at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, and conducted research in newborn jaundice there and then at Harvard Medical School, triggering the start of his career as a neonatologist before formal fellowships existed in the field. Jerry joined the faculty of the University of Vermont College of Medicine (now the University of Vermont Robert Larner, MD, College of Medicine) in 1956, rose to the rank of professor in 1967, and was named the Harry Wallace Professor of Neonatology in 1995. He was an active member of the department until his retirement in 2009, when he was named professor emeritus. His contributions … Address correspondence to Lewis R. First, MD, MS, University of Vermont Robert Larner, MD College of Medicine, 89 Beaumont Ave, Given Courtyard S250, Burlington, VT 05405-0068. E-mail: lewis.first{at}med.uvm.edu
Seasonal Influenza Vaccination in Health Care Workers. A Pre-Post Intervention Study in an Italian Paediatric Hospital.

Despite relevant recommendations and evidences on the efficacy of influenza vaccination in health care workers (HCWs), vaccination coverage rates in Europe and Italy currently do not exceed 25%. Aim of the study is to measure the variations in vaccination coverage rates in an Italian pediatric hospital after a promotion campaign performed in the period October–December 2017. The design is a pre-post intervention study. The intervention is based on a wide communication campaign and an expanded offer of easy vaccination on site. The study was carried out at Bambino Gesu Children’s hospital in Rome, Italy, on the whole population of HCWs. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were performed. Vaccination coverage rate increased in 2017/18 campaign compared with the 2016/17 one (+95 HCWs vaccinated; +4.4%). The highest increases were detected in males (+45.7%), youngest employees (+142.9%), mean age of employment (+175%), other HCWs (+209.1%), Emergency Area (+151.6%) and Imaging Diagnostic Department (+200.0%). At multivariate logistic regression, working in some departments and being nurses represents a higher risk of being unvaccinated. Although the vaccination coverage rate remained low, a continuous increase of the coverage rate and development of a different consciousness in HCWs was highlighted. The study significantly identified the target for future campaigns.
Japan and the international bill of rights

Points of conflict between the operative law and social practices of Japan, and key UN human rights documents are examined. Differences are found to be more frequent and fundamental in terms of economic than political rights. The general response of the Japanese government to these differences has been a defense of prevailing practices. The positions taken by the government are at times at odds with those of significant segments of the Japanese public. Many of the most disadvantaged of the government’s opponents have turned to the UN for assistance in gaining recognition of their basic rights.
Finite State Automata by DNA Self-assembly

Several models of finite state automata in biomolecular computing are already in literature and some of these models have been also implemented in vitro showing their possible feasibility. On the other side, DNA self assembly of two-dimensional arrays have been achieved by variety of DNA-like tiles, moreover, algorithmic self assembly simulations of the Sierpinski triangle and binary counters have also been recorded. With this talk we describe an implementation of couple of models by DNA and we concentrate on the recent implementation of a finite state transducer (finite state automaton with output) by Wang like DNA tiles simulated with triple cross-over DNA molecules.
A time domain characterization of the invariant factors of a system transfer function

Abstract : The numerator polynomials found in the Smith McMillan Form of the transfer function of a system are characterized.
What health professionals should know: core competencies for effective practice in youth violence prevention.

Background Youth violence has been identified as a critical health concern in the United States; however, few training resources are available for preparing health professionals to contribute to prevention efforts in their professional practices. Identification of core competencies for health professionals in youth violence prevention can be used to support the development of training resources in this area of professional practice. Methods In 2001, experts in youth violence, health care, and health professional education from eight of the ten Academic Centers of Excellence on Youth Violence Prevention met to develop a list of core competencies that health professionals need for effective practice in youth violence prevention. Experts participated in a 2-day facilitated session to identify these competencies. Results The group identified 40 core competencies that health professionals should acquire for effective practice in youth violence prevention. The competencies were organized across seven domains of practice and at three levels of expertise. Conclusions Training is needed to prepare health and public health professionals to contribute to efforts in youth violence prevention in the United States. The core competencies identified by the Academic Centers of Excellence Working Group can support the development of curricula in this area.
The Maximum Weight Independent Set Problem for Data Association in Multiple Hypothesis Tracking

Multitarget tracking (MTT) hinges upon the solution of a data association problem in which observations across scans are partitioned into tracks and false alarms so that accurate estimates of true targets can be recovered. In this chapter, we describe a methodology for solving this data association problem as a maximum weight independent set problem (MWISP). This MWISP approach has been used successfully for almost a decade in fielded sensor systems using a multiple hypothesis tracking (MHT) framework, but has received virtually no attention in the tracking literature, nor has it been recognized as an application in the clique/independent set literature. The primary aim of this chapter is to simultaneously fill these two voids. Second, we show that the MWISP formulation is equivalent to the multidimensional assignment (MAP) formulation, one of the most widely documented approaches for solving the data association problem in MTT. Finally, we offer a qualitative comparison between the MWISP and MAP formulations, while highlighting other important practical issues in data association algorithms that are commonly overlooked by the optimization community.
Linguistic Performance of Dual Language Immersion Students

The assessment of dual language immersion (DLI) students’ proficiency in the partner language plays a key role in program evaluation. This article reports findings from a large‐scale study, drawing on cross‐sectional assessment data from 73 schools and longitudinal data from 25 schools. Students were tested in the interpretive (listening and reading) and interpersonal (listening/speaking) modes of communication, using the ACTFL Assessment of Proficiency Towards Performance in Languages. The cross‐sectional analysis shows that French and Spanish students performed at Intermediate Low across skills in fourth or fifth grade and Intermediate Mid in sixth grade. Sixth‐grade Chinese DLI students attained near Intermediate Mid in listening and Novice High to Intermediate Low in reading and speaking. Across languages, students achieved the highest ratings in listening and, overall, performed more strongly in listening and reading than speaking. A regression analysis of students’ change scores over time revealed significant progress in nearly all tested skills and languages. Baseline scores and partner language (Chinese, French, or Spanish) accounted for significant variation in growth rates; between‐school differences were found not to be significant. The article discusses implications for assessment instruments and DLI policy and also addresses some instructional implications.
The Challenges of Translating Research into Action for Lead and Other Environmental Contaminants in Low and Middle-Income Countries

The toxic effects of lead were first described many centuries ago, yet to this day, lead continues to be a public health problem and appears as subject of scientific papers. The renewed notoriety o...
Study for Temperature Coefficient of Frequency of Surface Acoustic Wave Devices with SiOxNy Film Using LiTa03 Substrate

The dielectric film formed as a passivation film on the Interdigital Transducer (IDT)electrode of the Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW)device affects the frequency and the Temperature Coefficient of Frequency (TCF) of the SAW device. Since it is known that the sound velocity and Temperature Coefficient of Velocity (TCV) of the siO x , N y film have a correlation with its own refractive index, we fabricated a one-port resonator with dielectric films with different refractive indexes deposited respectively on IDT electrodes and we investigated whether it is possible to control the frequency and TCF of the one-port resonator by manipulating the refractive index of the dielectric film. This study uncovered that the TCF of the one-port resonator, as well as the resonant frequency, correlates with the refractive index of the dielectric film deposited on the IDT electrode. Here, it is considered that the behavior of the resonant frequency and TCF of the one-port resonator are influenced by the sound velocity and TCV of the dielectric film deposited on the IDT electrode and the SAW energy distribution.
Roy Schafer, 1922–2018

Psychoanalysis lost one of its giants when Roy Schafer died on 5 August 2018 at the age of 95.Roy was educated at the City College of New York (B.A.), the University of Kansas (M.A.) and Clark Univ...
Microfluidic platform to study pressure-induced changes in neurons

Purpose : Explore a model for glaucoma by developing methods to image Caenorhabditis elegans neuronal function in response to controlled pressure modulation. Methods : Microfluidic devices have been developed for imaging behavior and cellular processes in C. elegans. These devices are fabricated using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), an inert polymer. External pressure is adjusted to immobilize the animal as well as to control flow of solutions in the devices (Figure 1a). Here we developed and tested modified versions of microfluidic devices (Hulme et al 2007, Cho et al 2014, Figure 1). These devices use pressure to hold the animals and allow for fluorescent imaging (Figure 2). The chips were designed in AutoCAD (Autodesk). Previously published protocols were used to make the PDMS replicas. Devices were controlled using an external valve system to regulate pressure in these channels. External components were built according to published protocols to automate the valve system (Rafael Gomez-Sjoberg, Microfluidics Lab, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory). Animals were imaged on a Zeiss 710 or Zeiss Axioscope inverted microscope. GCamP3 signals was used to confirm the function of the sensory neurons and prab-3 driven mcherry was used to visualize vesicles in axons. Results : Animals were successfully immobilized and intermittently imaged up to 6 hours in tapered microfluidic devices (n=15). All animal survived and there was no significant change in the function of the sensory neurons following immobilization at 5 psi in the tapered channels. Pressures of 20psi were tested in these devices without malfunction of the devices. Vesicular markers were visualized these devices, which is promising for the further characterization of dynamics of axonal transport in the model. Conclusions : Glaucoma is associated with high intraocular pressures and characterized by accelerated loss of retinal ganglion cells and their axons. Impaired axonal transport has been implicated as a pathogenic mechanism in glaucoma and impaired axonal transport along retinal ganglion cells has been demonstrated in animal and human glaucoma studies (Knox et. Al 2007). Here we show that external pressure can be modulated in these devices while allowing for simultaneous neuronal imaging. Caenorhabditis elegans provides a tractable nervous system with accessible genetic tools that can be used to study real-time neuronal and axonal response to direct pressure modulation.
Abstract 248: β2 Adrenergic Receptor Deletion Alters Leukocyte Subtype Inter Organ Localization and Survival Following Myocardial Infarction

Leukocytes are rapidly recruited to the heart following myocardial ischemia (MI) where they regulate a wide variety of cardiac remodeling responses including cardiomyocytes survival and infarct sta...
Disparate Catalytic Scaffolds for Atroposelective Cyclodehydration.

Catalysts that control stereochemistry are prized tools in chemical synthesis. When an effective catalyst is found, it is often explored for other types of reactions, frequently under the auspices ...
Discerning the Environmental Drivers of Annual Migrations in an Endangered Amphibian

The prevalence of studies that discern the drivers of animal migrations is increasing exponentially, in line with raised concerns over climate-driven shifts in phenological patterns. Amphibians that breed in ephemeral wetlands are particularly vulnerable owing to the stochastic nature of their breeding habitat and high survival and reproductive costs associated with untimely migrations. Knowledge of the effects of climatic cues on the timing of amphibian migration and breeding phenologies is required to understand the potential consequences of climate change and to inform conservation plans for at-risk species. Here we use six years of count data from Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, U.S., collected between 2010 and 2016, to model the phenology of migrations of Ambystoma bishopi. Models were fit with a negative binomial error distribution, with daily values of temperature and precipitation as covariates. Models were compared in an AIC framework. We found that salamander movement was strongly tied to environmental cues. A proclivity to move over a medial range of temperatures and precipitation resulted in a ‘Goldilocks’ set of conditions that facilitate migration. We also discovered a role for endogenous drivers of movement, with day of year predicting above-ground activity regardless of environmental conditions. These results contribute to our basic knowledge of the behavior of A. bishopi and provide managers with useful metrics to maximize the efficacy of conservation actions. More broadly, the methods employed within have utility to amphibian researchers to help predict the effects of climate change and tailor management strategies accordingly.
Application of RAPD-PCR Markers for Identification and Genetic Analysis of American Elm (Ulmus americana L.) Selections

Abstract We used randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers from DNA polymerase chain reactions to differentiate selected American elms. DNA profiles made from leaf DNAs of parental trees were identical to profiles produced by DNA from leaves, roots, vascular tissues, callus or suspension-cultured cells from the same trees or their ramets. In addition, several variations in the technique did not appear to alter the genotype-specific DNA profiles from a given elm selection. RAPD polymorphisms were inherited as dominant Mendelian factors in the progeny of a cross between two American elm selections. We conclude that the construction of RAPD DNA profiles is a reliable and easy method for selection identification, genetic analysis, and the assembly of linkage maps in American elms.
Towards a Professionalising of Communication for Development: A Strategy for Improving Aid Effectiveness:

Communication for development is an emerging academy and professionalism whose presence in development practice is more likely to increase aid effectiveness and improve the success rate of developm...
Endometriosis of the Bowel.

CASE SUMMARY A 31-year-old woman with a history of endometriosis was referred to the outpatient colorectal surgery office for evaluation of rectal bleeding. Colonoscopy was recommended because of the ongoing symptoms, and a polyp was discovered in the colon (). Pathology was consistent with endometriosis (). The patient was previously scheduled for laparoscopic endometriosis resection and underwent laparoscopic colon resection at the same time. She recovered and continued to do well postoperatively with no additional signs of rectal bleeding.
A Prototype Geospatial Knowledge Graph for National Topographic Mapping

Abstract. Knowledge graphs (KG) are a virtual layer connecting disparate databases into an interoperable framework. Though the application of KGs for enterprises are increasing, geospatial KG design is not common. This presentation describes U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) research to build KGs for integrating geospatial and non-spatial attribute semantics of topographic data. Those geographic information system databases are composed of various feature types and metadata attributes organized various themes and stored in different data formats, such as geodatabases, flat-file spreadsheets, and raster images. The system being created tests two research objectives: 1) the feasibility of semantic technology approaches for geospatial data within the context of national topographic data and 2) the contribution to building a body of knowledge about system architecture for geospatial ontologies and linked open data. This presentation discusses the context of topographic data semantics, the problem and aims of building the system, and the integrated KG framework. The basic workflow and operations of the system architecture consisting of open-source software are described. The architecture modifies existing software with unique solutions such as performing GeoSPAQL queries with Postgres, a relational table datastore, and a map interface with extensions to support linked data queries as browseable graphs. As public spatial data infrastructure, the system is made available as a Docker Container on GitHub.
Three Tensions in the Theory of Racial Capitalism

In this essay the author assesses the relevance of scholarship on racial capitalism for sociological theory. The author highlights three tensions within the existing literature: (1) whether “race” ...
Examining commonly used perceived and objective measures of fruit and vegetable access in low-income populations and their association with consumption

Perception-based and objective food access measures are often examined as factors influencing individuals' shopping decisions and dietary habits, but the relative influence of these two factors on behaviors needs further examination. This study sought to (a) determine if perception-based and objective measures of fruit and vegetable (F&V) access were related and (b) examine perception-based and objective access measures as predictors of F&V consumption. Participants were recruited as part of a larger intervention study from 12 sites across three urban North Carolina counties. Perception-based food access measured included self-reported perceptions of convenience, variety, and quality of F&V within a neighborhood. Food outlet density was used as the objective measure. This was derived by summing the total number of geocoded convenience stores, grocery stores, supermarkets, and supercenters located within 1 road network mile of participants' home address. Associations between perception-based and objective measures were examined using Pearson's correlations, and associations of F&V access and intake were examined using linear regression models. Pearson correlations between perception-based and objective measures revealed that F&V variety was associated with supermarkets. Regression results show that perception-based barriers to F&V access were not significantly associated with intake, but supercenter density within 1 mile was significantly associated with decreased F&V intake. Common measures of perception-based and objective measures of food access may not be the best predictor of F&V intake. Understanding the relationships of these factors for lower-income populations can offer guidance for future policies and programs.
Forces and conservation laws for motion on our spheroidal Earth

10.1119/10.0004801.1We explore the forces and conservation laws that govern the motion of a hockey puck that slides without friction on a smooth, rotating, self-gravitating spheroid. The earth's oblate spheroidal shape (apart from small-scale surface features) is determined by balancing the gravitational forces that hold it together against the centrifugal forces that try to tear it apart. The earth achieves this shape when the apparent gravitational force on the puck, defined as the vector sum of the gravitational and centrifugal forces, is perpendicular to the earth's surface at every point on the surface. Thus, the earth's spheroidal deformations neutralize the centrifugal and gravitational forces on the puck, leaving only the Coriolis force to govern its motion. Motion on the spheroid therefore differs profoundly from motion on a rotating sphere, for which the centrifugal force plays a key role. Kinetic energy conservation reflects this difference: On a stably rotating spheroid, the kinetic energy is conserved in the rotating frame, whereas on a rotating sphere, it is conserved in the inertial frame. We derive these results and illustrate them using CorioVis software for visualizing the motion of a puck on the earth's spheroidal surface.
Discharge Ignition and Lifetime Optimization in Micro-Cathode Vacuum Arc Thruster

Micro-cathode vacuum arc thrusters (μCATs) are simple and reliable propulsion engines for small satellites such as CubeSats1, 2. This type of thrusters produce thrust as a result of quasi-neutral plasma jet expansion formed at the cathode. in this work, we analyzed the discharge ignition mechanism and lifetime optimization approaches, for the pulsed micro-cathode triggerless vacuum arc thruster model. To this end, a simplified model3 of the thruster consisting of two rectangular electrodes on alumina ceramic plate with interelectrode gap covered by carbon paint is considered. It is shown that after optimizing the inter-electrode gap, electrical power and the value of magnetic field, such “idealized” thruster model can provide up to 1.2-1.3 million pulses with the high degree of stability of ignition and amplitude of arc current. These findings may be used in designing of micro-cathode thrusters with the rigidly fixed, unmovable electrodes. Our results allow one to conclude that in order to provide sufficient thruster lifetime for long space missions, special attention should be given to the insulator selection and cathodic jet interaction with the insulator surface.
Rheological Shear Experiments in Micron Scale Geometries

An experimental procedure designed for rheological testing of shear-dependent viscosities using small sample volumes is described. Excellent results are obtained with simple (Newtonian) fluids at flow rates smaller than 1 nl/s using a channel with 0.9 µm gap height. However, anomalous behavior is observed with aqueous (ionic) solutions, stressing the importance of chemical and/or electrokinetical surface effects.
A VHF tunable lumped-element filter with mixed electric-magnetic couplings

A lumped-element varactor-tuned bandpass filter (BPF) with variable center frequency and constant absolute bandwidth (BW) is presented in this paper. Mixed electric/magnetic inter-resonator coupling schemes—implemented with parallel LC resonators—facilitate the actualization of an almost constant BW passband over a wide frequency tuning range (1.6∶1). The linearity performance of the varactor-tuned BPF is studied and an investigation to reduce the RF swing on the filters' tuning elements is presented. A third-order lumped-element BPF was designed, built and measured. It exhibited a tunable center frequency between 230–370 MHz with constant 3-dB bandwidth of 56.3 ± 0.2 MHz across the entire frequency band. Within this band, the insertion loss was measured between 0.9–1.4 dB and the third-order intermodulation intercept point (IIP3) was measured between 28.1–41.4 dBm.
Transforming toric digraphs

A digraph embedded on a torus can be flattened out into the plane to form a 2-dimensional partially ordered set (poset) by cutting a pair of orthogonal fundamental cycles. The family of 2-dimensional posets arising from a single toric digraph is called the web of the digraph. In 1994 Halitsky noted that tree families important in linguistics had additional symmetry if embedded on a torus and then transformed into another member of the web. Halitsky has attempted to use this “hidden symmetry” idea to predict tertiary structure of proteins from their primary structure.
Detection of tropical cyclone track changes from the ECMWF ensemble prediction system

[1] A cluster analysis of the 51 member European Center for Medium-range Weather Forecasts ensemble forecast tracks of existing tropical storms from the THORPEX Interactive Grand Global Ensemble archive is utilized to detect multiple track solutions, and weighted-mean vector motion (WMVM) tracks are calculated for the ensemble tracks and for the individual track clusters. When three track clusters were present, larger errors occurred in the corresponding deterministic model forecast. Reliability of the European Center for Medium-range Weather Forecasts ensemble forecast tracks when two distinct clusters exist is examined in terms of the hit rates when the cluster with the larger number of members is selected. A larger hit rate is achieved if track clusters with at least 70%, 80%, or 90% of the members are selected. In these situations, the forecaster can select the WMVM tracks for those clusters and have confidence that a more accurate track than the overall WMVM track will generally be predicted.
- EF2K: Elongation factor-2 kinase (vertebrates) (CaM-dependent PK III)

The elongation factor-2 (EF-2) kinase phosphorylates and inactivates elongation factor-2, an essential factor necessary for the extension of the polypeptide chain on the ribosome. EF-2 kinase is transiently activated, and EF-2 phosphorylated, in cells treated with hormones, mitogens, and growth factors that increase intracellular calcium. The exact function of Ca2+-dependent inhibition of protein synthesis is unclear, but it is likely that it is involved in Ca2+- dependent regulation of cell proliferation. EF2K is a monomer. It requires Ca 2+ and calmodulin (16.5 kDa) for activity. The differences in subunit size probably reflect minor differences in the SDS-PAGE (sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) systems used rather than different isoforms. Degradation products of 85 or 95 kDa are observed in some preparations. EF-2 kinase has been purified from rabbit reticulocytes and rat pancreas. The reticulocyte enzyme phosphorylates mammalian and yeast EF-2 at similar rates and with the same affinity. An EF-2 kinase with properties similar to the mammalian enzyme has been detected in yeast.
Congress, Content Regulation, and Child Protection: The Expanding Legislative Agenda

Though not yet complete, the 110th session of Congress has already witnessed an explosion of legislative proposals dealing with online child safety, or which seek to regulate media content or Internet communications in some fashion. More than 30 of these legislative proposals are cataloged in a new joint legislative index that was released today by the Center for Democracy and Technology and the Progress & Freedom Foundation, compiled to help keep track of the growing volume of legislative activity on these fronts. Many of the measures highlighted in the index raise serious free speech concerns. The proposals can be grouped into Analog Era (pre-Internet) versus Digital Era (post-Net) platforms or forms of content that they would affect. Meanwhile for bills introducing education initiatives, while it would probably be more sensible for the Department of Education or the FTC to be awarding appropriate grants, the focus on education and empowerment is commendable. Finally, a significant number of the measures introduced this session call for stepped up enforcement efforts aimed at combating online child predation or child pornography, for which the provisions are relatively uncontroversial, but can run into dangerous territory when they call for sweeping data collection mandates on Internet Service Providers.While Congress is right to take steps to protect children against actual harms - namely, child predation and child pornography - it would be unwise for lawmakers to expand the censorial schemes of the past. The better approach for potentially objectionable, but legal, content is to use education and empowerment-based strategies. Parents already have a multitude of tools, controls, and information at their disposal to establish their own household standards regarding acceptable media content. In the face of a growing legislative agenda, it is important for those concerned about speech and privacy rights to remain vigilant.
Measurement of parenchymal extravascular R2* and tissue oxygen extraction fraction using multi-echo vascular space occupancy MRI at 7 T.

Parenchymal extravascular R2* is an important parameter for quantitative blood-oxygenation-level-dependent (BOLD) studies. Total and intravascular R2* values and changes in R2* values during functional stimulations have been reported in a number of studies. The purpose of this study was to measure absolute extravascular R2* values in human visual cortex and estimate the intra- and extravascular contributions in the BOLD effect at 7T. Vascular-space-occupancy (VASO) MRI was employed to separate out the extravascular tissue signal. Multi-echo VASO and BOLD fMRI with visual stimulation were performed at 7T for R2* measurement at a spatial resolution of 2.5×2.5×2.5 mm3 in healthy volunteers (n = 6). The ratio of changes in extravascular and total R2* (ΔR2*) was used to estimate the extravascular fraction of the BOLD effect. Extravascular R2* were found to be 44.66 ± 1.55 s−1 and 43.38 ± 1.51 s−1 (mean ± SEM, n = 6) at rest and activation, respectively, in human visual cortex at 7T. The extravascular BOLD fraction was estimated to be 91 ± 3%. Parenchymal oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) during activation was estimated to be 0.24 ± 0.01 based on the R2*measurements, indicating an approximately 37% decrease compared to OEF at rest.
Tornadoes without NWS Warning

Abstract During a 5-yr period of study from 2000 to 2004, slightly more than 26% of all reported tornadoes across the United States occurred without an NWS warning being issued. This study examines some of the reasons behind why no warnings were issued with these tornadoes, and what climatological, storm classification, and sociological factors may have played a role in the lack of warnings. This dataset of tornado records was sorted by F scale, geographically by region and weather forecast office (WFO), hour of the day, month of the year, tornado pathlength, tornado-to-radar distance, county population density, and number of tornadoes by day and order of occurrence. Results show that the tornadoes most likely to strike when the public is least likely to be aware were also those tornadoes with the greatest chance of not being warned. Singular tornado events (one tornado report per day within a WFO county warning area) and the first tornado report of the day were the most difficult scenarios on which to wa...
¿DERECHOS HUMANOS PARA QUIÉNES? REFLEXIONES SOBRE ALGUNAS CUESTIONES EMBARAZOSAS

Este articulo examina algunos de los problemas a los que nos enfrentamos cuando intentamos conceptualizar apropiadamente el termino derechos humanos. En primer lugar, expone las paradojas que se siguen de las dos formas tradicionales de definir el conjunto de los titulares de tales derechos: la personalidad moral y la pertenencia a la especie humana. Luego, examina el problema de la titularidad de los derechos en el caso de los ninos. Y, para terminar, analiza la clase de derechos subjetivos que son los derechos humanos.
MOSFET Detector Evaluation

Metal-oxide-semiconductor devices have been evaluated as low-energy (250 eV to 50 keV) x-ray dosimeters. They can be used to measure dosages as low as 1 rad (SiO2) to as high as 105 rad (SiO2). Their small size and basic simplicity make it possible to form arrays of dosimeters for x-ray imaging. When compared to thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD's), photographic film, and thermopiles, MOSFET dosimeters offer distinct advantages in terms of their small size, their sensitivity to photon energies below 10 keV, and their adaptability to an electrical readout system.
Free radicals in cutaneous biology.

During the past 25 years, the field of free radical biology has germinated sprouted, and flowered. Free radicals derived from molecular oxygen, formerly of interest only to radiation chemists, are now known to play multiple roles in living systems. We will here consider the generalities of this held with some special focus on skin as a site of oxygen radical production and as a target upon which the damaging propensities of these radicals are exerted.
Columnar Discotic Liquid-Crystalline Oxadiazoles as Electron-Transport Materials

A range of discoid species with benzene or triazine cores and three (trialkoxyaryl)oxadiazole arms have been synthesized. 1,3,5-tris{5-[3,4,5-tris(octyloxy)phenyl]-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl}benzene has been studied in detail; it exhibits a columnar discotic liquid-crystalline mesophase between 38 and about 210 °C. The time-of-flight electron mobility at room-temperature varies from about 10^(-3) to 10^(-4) cm^2 V^(-1) s^(-1), indicating these materials may find applications in organic electronics.