cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Corpora of Non-Linguistic Symbol Systems

The popular press has promoted recent claims of statistical methods that can distinguish writing from non-linguistic symbols. One problem with such claims, though, is the dearth of non-linguistic symbol "texts" which could be compared with written language. This project fills that void by developing electronic corpora of known non-linguistic systems. To date we have developed corpora of several systems: heraldry; Totem poles; Mesopotamian deity symbols; Vinca symbols; Pictish symbols; mathematical equations; weather icons. Corpus sizes range from several hundred to several tens of thousands of symbols. All corpora are encoded in XML and will be released under an open-source license.
Synthesis−Structure–Function Relationships of Silica-Supported Niobium(V) Catalysts for Alkene Epoxidation with H2O2

Many industrially significant selective oxidation reactions are catalyzed by supported and bulk transition metal oxides. Catalysts for the synthesis of oxygenates, and especially for epoxidation, have predominantly focused on TiOx supported on or co-condensed with SiO2, whereas much of the rest of Groups 4 and 5 have been less studied. We have recently demonstrated through periodic trends using a uniform molecular precursor that niobium(V)-silica catalysts reveal the highest activity and selectivity for efficient utilization of H2O2 for epoxidation across all of Groups 4 and 5. In this work, we graft a wide range of Nb(V) precursors, spanning surface densities of 0.07–1.6 Nb groups nm–2 on mesoporous silica, and we characterize these materials with UV–visible spectroscopy and Nb K-edge XANES. Further, we apply in situ chemical titration with phenylphosphonic acid (PPA) in the epoxidation of cis-cyclooctene by H2O2 to probe the numbers and nature of the active sites across this series and in a set of relat...
The Case for Hate Crime Statutes-Putative Uniqueness of Injuries

Advocates of hate crime statutes suggest they are needed because hate crimes are fundamentally different than their ordinary crime counterparts. Hate crimes allegedly hurt more than comparable non-hate-motivated crimes on a number of levels. First, hate crimes have been found to be more physically injurious to primary victims. Second, advocates suggest hate crimes sustain multidimensional injuries including physical, emotional, psychological, and quality of life injuries. Third, hate crimes allegedly affect society at large by undermining democratic ideals of equality, intergroup trust and inclusion. Several scholars suggest hate crime uniquely perpetrate “in terrorum” effects on direct victims but also on proximal and distal victims who share group membership with the primary victim. Finally, proponents of hate crime statutes argue hate crimes are more likely to generate retaliatory victimizations that further polarize discrete groups within a heterogeneous society.
Kienböck Disease and Carpal Coalitions: A Potential Correlation

Kienbock disease, or lunate avascular necrosis, can lead to chronic wrist pain and instability. Its etiology appears to be multifactorial including variations in adjacent anatomical structures, interrupted blood supply, and trauma. Capitate-hamate fusion is the second most commonly diagnosed carpal coalition and not treated unless symptomatic. Coalitions may alter the wrist mechanics depending on their extent. No prior reports have associated Kienbock disease with capitate-hamate coalition. We present 2 cases with congenital capitate-hamate fusion and lunate AVN.
Resonant-phonon terahertz quantum-cascade laser operating at 2.1 THz (≃141 [micro sign]m)

The development of quantum-cascade lasers (QCLs) at 2.1 THz (/spl lambda//spl sime/141 /spl mu/m), which is the longest wavelength QCL to date without the assistance of magnetic fields, is reported. This laser uses a structure based on resonant-phonon depopulation, and a metal-metal waveguide to obtain high modal confinement with low waveguide losses. Lasing was observed up to a heatsink temperature of 72 K in pulsed mode and 40 K in continuous-wave (CW) mode, and 1.2 mW of power was obtained in CW mode at 17 K.
Elucidation of phosphorus interaction in dual component zeolite/matrix catalysts: Selectivity control in olefin oligomerization with MTW/Al2O3

Abstract Treatment of alumina bound MTW zeolite extrudates with H 3 PO 4 causes conversion of the binding matrix from Al 2 O 3 to tridymite AlPO 4 and we show the crystalline AlPO 4 coats the surface of the MTW zeolite crystals. In this transformation, the surface area and pore volume of the catalyst decrease precipitously, but the MTW crystallinity remains largely intact. Similar, but less specific behavior was observed when using NH 4 H 2 PO 4 as the phosphorus source. After phosphate treatment, the interaction of P with zeolite framework Al is a major effect reducing acidity of the zeolite. These two effects allow for selectivity control during oligomerization of propylene and butenes. Increasing the phosphorus content of the catalyst from 0 to 10 wt% causes a decrease in the amount of liquid product heavier than gasoline from 15 wt% to 3 wt%. Concomitantly, the selectivity to triisobutylenes increases to almost 50%. Thus we attain catalytic performance similar to traditional solid phosphoric acid catalyst, but with a significant yield of triisobutylenes.
Application of advanced biomechanical methods in studying low back pain – recent development in estimation of lower back loads and large-array surface electromyography and findings

Low back pain (LBP) is a major public health problem and the leading disabling musculoskeletal disorder globally. A number of biomechanical methods using kinematic, kinetic and/or neuromuscular approaches have been used to study LBP. In this narrative review, we report recent developments in two biomechanical methods: estimation of lower back loads and large-array surface electromyography (LA-SEMG) and the findings associated with LBP. The ability to estimate lower back loads is very important for the prevention and the management of work-related low back injuries based on the mechanical loading model as one category of LBP classification. The methods used for estimation of lower back loads vary from simple rigid link-segment models to sophisticated, optimization-based finite element models. In general, reviewed reports of differences in mechanical loads experienced in lower back tissues between patients with LBP and asymptomatic individuals are not consistent. Such lack of consistency is primarily due to differences in activities under which lower back mechanical loads were investigated as well as heterogeneity of patient populations. The ability to examine trunk neuromuscular behavior is particularly relevant to the motor control model, another category of LBP classification. LA-SEMG not only is noninvasive but also provides spatial resolution within and across muscle groups. Studies using LA-SEMG showed that healthy individuals exhibit highly organized, symmetric back muscle activity patterns, suggesting an orderly recruitment of muscle fibers. In contrast, back muscle activity patterns in LBP patients are asymmetric or multifocal, suggesting lack of orderly muscle recruitment. LA-SEMG was also shown capable of capturing unique back muscle response to manual therapy. In conclusion, estimation of low back load and LA-SEMG techniques demonstrated promising potentials for understanding LBP and treatment effects. Future studies are warranted to fully establish clinical validity of these two biomechanical methods.
Location, variations, and predictors of epicardial fat mapping using multidetector computed tomography to assist epicardial ventricular tachycardia ablation.

Background A significant number of ventricular tachycardia circuits are located close to the epicardial surface and are amendable to epicardial ablation. Epicardial fat often interferes with substrate mapping and ablation, though little is known regarding the distribution of fat and its fluctuation with the cardiac cycle. Methods We studied 40 patients who underwent a 64-slice multidetector computed tomography in order to describe patterns of epicardial fat distribution, variation during cardiac cycle, and clinical predictors of epicardial fat. Multiplanar reconstructions were analyzed during systole and diastole in six cross-sections. Epicardial fat thickness was measured across multiple wall segments in each view. Results Epicardial fat was found to be thicker in areas overlying coronary vasculature (7.8 ± 2.6 mm vs 3.5 ± 0.9 mm, P = 0.001), along with the right ventricular wall (3.9 ± 0.8 mm vs 2.6 ± 0.6 mm, P = 0.001) and the ventricular base (6.1 ± 1.7 mm vs 4.6 ± 1.6 mm, P 50 years (P = 0.031) and coronary artery disease (P = 0.023) were statistically correlated with epicardial fat >5-mm thickness and body mass index > 33 (P = 0.052) nearly so. Conclusions Baseline epicardial fat thickness >5 mm is common in areas typically targeted during epicardial ablation and further increases during the cardiac cycle. Simple clinical characteristics can identify patients with >5 mm epicardial fat in which preprocedural computed tomography imaging and three-dimensional fat map reconstruction may facilitate epicardial ablation.
Abstract 5875: Schlafen 11 (SLFN11) induces lethal S-phase arrest in response to DNA damage: A novel mechanism of how cancer cells are killed by DNA damaging agents

The putative DNA/RNA helicase, Schlafen 11 (SLFN11), is a recently discovered determinant of sensitivity to DNA damaging agents such as platinums, topoisomerase I and II inhibitors (camptothecins, etoposide, doxorubicin), cisplatin, gemcitabine (1-3) and PARP inhibitors (olaparib, talazoparib) (4). Because SLFN11 expression is suppressed in ~45% cancer cell lines, SLFN11 inactivation is potentially one of the most prevalent mechanisms of resistance to DNA damaging agents. However, the molecular mechanisms of SLFN11 action in the DNA damage response have not been solved. Using isogenic cell lines of SLFN11-knockout and SLFN11-overexpression, we will show that SLFN11 binds to chromatin in response to camptothecin within 2 hours. ChIP-seq analysis reveals that SLFN11 preferentially binds to replication origins under camptothecin treatment. We identify two helicases DHX9 and MCM3, which are involved in replication and origin firing, as binding partners of SLFN11 by IP-MS analysis. Cell cycle analyses revealed that SLFN11 inhibits replication in response to camptothecin, which irreversibly lasts until apoptosis is exerted. Notably, the S-phase arrest by SLFN11 is independent of ATR-mediated S-phase checkpoint. Unscheduled origin firing by ATR inhibition under camptothecin treatment is suppressed in the presence of SLFN11. Hence, SLFN11 enforces irreversible S-phase arrest in damaged cells possibly by inhibiting dormant origin firing and inactivating the MCM helicase in conjunction with DXH9. We conclude that the irreversible S-phase arrest by SLFN11 leads to cell death in response to DNA damaging agents, which is a novel mechanism of how cancer cells are killed by DNA damaging agents. 1. Sousa FG, Matuo R, Tang SW, Rajapakse VN, Luna A, Sander C, et al. Alterations of DNA repair genes in the NCI-60 cell lines and their predictive value for anticancer drug activity. DNA Repair (Amst) 2015;28:107-15. 2. Zoppoli G, Regairaz M, Leo E, Reinhold WC, Varma S, Ballestrero A, et al. Putative DNA/RNA helicase Schlafen-11 (SLFN11) sensitizes cancer cells to DNA-damaging agents. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2012;109(37):15030-5. 3. Barretina J, Caponigro G, Stransky N, Venkatesan K, Margolin AA, Kim S, et al. The Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia enables predictive modelling of anticancer drug sensitivity. Nature 2012;483(7391):603-307. 4. Murai J, Feng Y, Yu GK, Ru Y, Tang SW, Shen Y, et al. Resistance to PARP inhibitors by SLFN11 inactivation can be overcome by ATR inhibition. Oncotarget 2016. Citation Format: Junko Murai, Yves Pommier. Schlafen 11 (SLFN11) induces lethal S-phase arrest in response to DNA damage: A novel mechanism of how cancer cells are killed by DNA damaging agents [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 5875. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-5875
Three-dimensional side-view endomicroscope for tracking individual cells in vivo

We demonstrate a side-view endomicroscope using a monolithic 3-axis scanner placed in the post-objective position that performs either tilt or piston motion to achieve either optical scan angles >10° or large vertical displacements, respectively. This configuration allows for scaling down of instrument dimensions for high maneuverability and accurate positioning in vivo. Images exceeded either 700 × 600 μm2 in the horizontal plane or vertical depths of 200 μm. Resolution of 1.19 and 3.46 μm was obtained in the horizontal and oblique planes, respectively. Optical sections were collected from dysplastic colonic epithelium in vivo in mice that express tdTomato at 10 Hz to visualize individual cells.
Nondestructive Acoustic Emission Test to Evaluate Thermal Damage in Asphalt Concrete Materials

This study presents an acoustic emission (AE)-based approach to assess low-temperature cracking behavior of asphalt concrete materials, in which thermally induced damage within asphalt concrete is continuously monitored and evaluated when the material is exposed to decreasing temperatures from 20°C to approximately −50°C. Results of three different asphalt mixtures at three different aging levels (unaged [TANK], Short-term Aged [RTFO], Long-term Aged [PAV]) are presented. Two AE characteristic temperatures, i.e., the embrittlement temperature and the temperature corresponding to the maximum energy event, were sensitive to asphalt type as well as oxidative aging levels of the asphalt concrete materials. Low-temperature cracking performance of asphalt concrete materials was found to be better than what their low-temperature performance grades (PGLTs) suggest. X-ray microtomography (micro-CT) visualization of thermal damage within asphalt concrete showed the formation of microcracks in the mastic along with debondings at the interface of aggregates and mastic.
Mexican and Mexican American Student Reflections on Transfer: Institutional Agents and the Continued Role of the Community College

This qualitative analysis draws upon the experiences of six Mexican and Mexican American community college transfer students during the 2012-2013 academic year. Relying on literature regarding institutional agents, we examine students’ reflections regarding pre- and post-transfer support from both institutional agents and structured student programs. We provide descriptive information about participation in key student support programs such as CAMP and TRiO SSS, which provided many students with introductions to institutional agents. A combination of programmatic support and guidance from individuals who acted as institutional agents assisted students in this study throughout the transfer process. Overall, individuals employed by the community college played key roles in the lives of Mexican and Mexican American community college transfer students pre- and post-transfer.
Quantification of architectural variability and controls in an Upper Oligocene to Lower Miocene carbonate ramp, Browse Basin, Australia

Abstract Integration of seismic geomorphology and trajectory analysis of the Oligocene through Lower Miocene distally-steepened carbonate ramp system in the subsurface Browse Basin of the Northwest Shelf of Australia introduces a new way to parameterize carbonate slope channel systems and their stability, and sheds light on how basinward sediment transport is influenced by allogenic and autogenic controls. Seismic geomorphologic analysis identified large-scale prograding clinoforms with an extensive slope channel system and slope angles of up to 12°. Clinoforms have an average slope angle of 8°, a height of ∼500 m, and prograded 9 km during the Upper Oligocene through the Lower Miocene. Relative sea level changes overprinted the effect of intermediate-scale and small-scale antecedent topography, and determined progradation, aggradation and slope angles of the system. We introduce cumulative channel cross sectional area (CCCSA) as the product of number of slope channels, slope channel depth, and slope channel width. CCCSA quantifies the capability of the slope channel system to transport sediment basinward and highlights phases of autogenic slope system re-organization in response to changes in relative sea level. Abruptly increasing values of CCCSA correlate with slope sediment bypass through the incision of new slope channels during system re-organization phases at slope angles of 10°. Thus, we propose that CCCSA can be used as a proxy for slope system stability. Incision of new slope channels into the ramp margin created strike-parallel variability of the ramp margin trajectory. Our seismically-derived relative sea level curve and subsidence rates of 9–30 m/Myr indicate a good preservation of the subsidence and sea level signal in the data.
Effects of Error Messages on Students’ Ability to Understand and Fix Programming Errors

The role of error messages in the context of teaching programming, specifically assembly language programming to students who have limited prior programming experience was investigated. Assemblers and compilers provide feedback to a programmer in the form of error messages, and these error messages influence the programmer’s mental model of computing. The current study investigated how an error message affects students’ approach to understanding the error and fixing the error. Three error message types were developed - Default, Link and Example, to better understand the effects of error messages. The Default type provides an assembler-centric single line error message, the Link type provides a program-centric detailed error description with a hyperlink for more information, and the Example type provides a program-centric detailed error description with a relevant example. A think aloud programming exercise was conducted to capture the student programmer’s knowledge model. Different codes were developed to analyze the data collected as part of think aloud exercise. After transcribing, coding, and analyzing the data, it was found that the Link type of error message helped to fix the error in less time and with fewer steps. Among the three types, the Link type of error message also resulted in a higher ratio of correct to incorrect hypotheses made by the participants, and a correspondingly higher ratio of correct to incorrect steps taken by them to fix the error.
Regulatory Mechanisms of Eukaryotic Tetrapyrrole Biosynthesis

C. SUMMARY : Control mechanisms can include negative and positive feed-forward and feedback mechanisms. Reflecting on the control of mammalian heme synthesis, it depends on whether the cells in bone marrow have to produce a permanently utilized end product, or as in nonerythroid cells, whether an adjustment of the heme synthesis rate is required in response to the fluctuations of the heme demands. The initial and the third enzyme of the pathway exhibit the lowest activities in hepatic cells. The last step catalyzed by Fe-chelatase is suggested to be additionally rate-limiting in erythroid cells. 6,11
The Ideal Type in Weber and Schutz

The development and use of the ideal type construct in the methodology of Max Weber and Alfred Schutz is considered in order to contrast the different purposes for which each of these sociologists made use of the construct. Weber’s focus on substantive empirical historical and comparative problems led him to select the ideal type as a methodology suited for making comparisons between the type and empirical reality.
The Neo-Fisherian hypothesis: empirical implications and evidence?

The Neo-Fisher hypothesis is the idea, first suggested by Jim Bullard (FRB St. Louis Rev 92(5):339–352, 2010) and then thrown into the public debate by John Cochrane on his blog (http://johnhcochrane.blogspot.com/), that trend inflation can be increased by increasing the nominal policy rate. The reasoning is that the Fisher relation must hold in the long run, so given a constant steady-state real rate of interest, raising the nominal interest rate will eventually lead to a higher inflation rate. Cochrane (Do Higher Interest Rates Raise or Lower Inflation? Hoover Institution, 2016) demonstrates that this Neo-Fisher result is consistent with virtually all dynamic general equilibrium macroeconomic models, like the new Keynesian and DGSE models employed by policymakers. The implication of the hypothesis is that an increase in expected (trend) inflation can be caused by an increase in nominal interest rates. An empirical analysis using US data reveals that, contrary to the Neo-Fisherian hypothesis, trend inflation causes nominal interest rates.
Profiles of academic, cognitive, and behavioral development from kindergarten to third grade

Abstract This study examined the associations between academic knowledge, executive functions, and behavioral skills in kindergarten and third grade among children in the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study – Kindergarten Class of 2010–2011. Cross-sectional latent profile analyses (LPAs) were estimated to examine profiles of academic (i.e., math and reading), cognitive (i.e., executive function), and behavioral (i.e., approaches to learning and externalizing behaviors) skills among children in kindergarten (N = 15,770) and third grade (N = 11,730). Multilevel, multinomial logistic regression models were estimated to examine predictors of profile membership at each time point, including examining how kindergarten profile membership predicted third grade profile membership. Academic, cognitive, and behavioral skills appeared to become increasingly related over time, such that profiles in third grade showed less variability across domains than profiles in kindergarten. Furthermore, children classified into more adaptive profiles were more likely to be classified into an adaptive profile again in third grade.
Analysis of cardiac chamber development during mouse embryogenesis using whole mount epifluorescence

The goal of this protocol is to describe a method for the dissection of mouse embryos and visualization of embryonic mouse ventricular chambers during heart development using ventricular specific fluorescent reporter knock-in mice (MLC-2v-tdTomato mice). Heart development involves a linear heart tube formation, the heart tube looping, and four chamber septation. These complex processes are highly conserved in all vertebrates. The mouse embryonic heart has been widely used for heart developmental studies. However, due to their extremely small size, dissecting mouse embryonic hearts is technically challenging. In addition, visualization of cardiac chamber formation often needs in situ hybridization, beta-galactosidase staining using LacZ reporter mice, or immunostaining of sectioned embryonic hearts. Here, we describe how to dissect mouse embryonic hearts and directly visualize ventricular chamber formation of MLC-2v-tdTomato mice using whole mount epifluorescent microscopy. With this method, it is possible to directly examine heart tube formation and looping, and four chamber formation without further experimental manipulation of mouse embryos. Although the MLC-2v-tdTomato reporter knock-in mouse line is used in this protocol as an example, this protocol can be applied to other heart-specific fluorescent reporter transgenic mouse lines.
Making inertial confinement fusion models more predictive

Computer models of inertial confinement fusion (ICF) implosions play an essential role in experimental design and interpretation as well as our understanding of fundamental physics under the most extreme conditions that can be reached in the laboratory. Building truly predictive models is a significant challenge, with the potential to greatly accelerate progress to high yield and ignition. One path to more predictive models is to use experimental data to update the underlying physics in a way that can be extrapolated to new experiments and regimes. We describe a statistical framework for the calibration of ICF simulations using data collected at the National Ignition Facility (NIF). We perform Bayesian inferences for a series of laser shots using an approach that is designed to respect the physics simulation as much as possible and then build a second model that links the individual-shot inferences together. We show that this approach is able to match multiple X-ray and neutron diagnostics for a whole series of NIF “BigFoot” shots. Within the context of 2D radiation hydrodynamic simulations, our inference strongly favors a significant reduction in fuel compression over other known degradation mechanisms (namely, hohlraum issues and engineering perturbations). This analysis is expanded using a multifidelity technique to pick fuel-ablator mix from several candidate causes of the degraded fuel compression (including X-ray preheat and shock timing errors). Finally, we use our globally calibrated model to investigate the extra laser drive energy that would be required to overcome the inferred fuel compression issues in NIF BigFoot implosions.
Articulation contact pressures scaled to the physiologic range of the tongue in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A pilot study.

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to compare the percentage of the maximum isometric lingual strength range at which lingual-alveolar consonants are produced (%Pmax) by people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (PALS) compared to people without the disease measured at study entry, and then 3 and 6 months later. Design Prospective cohort comparison study over time. Methods Ten people with ALS and nine without produced the consonants /t, d, s, z, l, n/ in real words within sentences as the articulatory contact pressure (ACP) between the tongue tip and palate was sensed by a miniature transducer. Maximum isometric tongue pressing values also were obtained to allow calculation of %Pmax. Data were analyzed to compare PALS with bulbar symptoms, PALS with spinal-only symptoms, and people without ALS. Results %Pmax did not differ between any of the three participant groups at any of the three measurement times. Maximum isometric pressure did decrease significantly in both ALS groups when comparing baseline to 3- and 6-months later. Maximum pressures remained stable for the non-ALS group at the three measurement times. Conclusion The results suggest that speech motor activity of the tongue in people with ALS may be scaled relative to their overall tongue strength, such that the %Pmax does not change as the tongue gets progressively weaker.
Optimizing Dryland Crop Management to Regional Climate via Simulation. Part I: U.S. Southern High Plains Cotton Production

Over semi-arid agricultural regions such as the U.S. Southern High Plains (SHP) producers of dryland crops need to know which management practices increase yields and decrease production risk. Here, a modelling approach is used to explore management options (MO) that increase dryland cotton yields and estimate those practice’s yield risk effects under current SHP climate conditions. To simulate current dryland yield variability, dense distributions of lint yield outcomes were generated using the CROPGRO-Cotton crop model driven by weather inputs from 21 SHP weather stations during 2005-2016. Management effects were explored by repeating simulations over 32 MOs defined by 4 planting dates, 4 planting densities, and applying or not applying nitrogen. Both earlier planting date and decreased plant density increased median simulated yields, with earlier planting having the greatest positive yield effects. The MO that produced the highest median lint yields planted on the earliest planting date (May 15), at the lowest density (3 plants m-1), and applied no nitrogen. Recent SHP field studies generally confirm the earlier planting date effect, but suggest insignificant yield effects for different seeding rates. Even so, negligible yield effects and lower input costs favor lower seeding densities from a profit standpoint. These crop simulations demonstrate a modelling-based method for climate-related agricultural risk management, and suggest mid-May planting dates and low plant densities as part of management practices that increase yields and profits in dryland SHP cotton production.
Stabilization of highly expansive soils containing sulfate using metakaolin and fly ash based geopolymer modified with lime and gypsum

Abstract High sulfate expansive soils present special challenges during stabilization. Traditional stabilizers such as lime and cement which are rich in calcium are ineffective in controlling shrink/swell behavior of these soils due to formation of the expansive mineral, ettringite. In this study, two geopolymers synthesized from aluminosilicate sources, fly ash and metakaolin, were investigated to determine their effectiveness in stabilizing shrink-swell behavior of high sulfate expansive soil. Geopolymers were modified with lime and gypsum to improve their efficacy as stabilization agents for sulfate bearing soil. Modifier contents were optimized to achieve maximum reduction in swell potential and at the same time prevent ettringite formation. Microstructural analyses were performed on lime and gypsum added geopolymer to determine the mechanism of modification. Swell tests were conducted on high sulfate soil treated with modified geopolymer at different concentrations and optimum concentration of modified geopolymer required to achieve minimum swell was established.
9.12 – Biological Adhesion

This chapter describes strategies used in the biological world for adhesion to surfaces under a variety of environmental conditions. The fibrillar attachment systems of geckos and other organisms are representative of strategies operative in dry environments, whereas the adhesive glues secreted by mussels, barnacles, algae, and sandcastle worms are characteristic of wet biological adhesives. Biomimetic polymer strategies motivated by biological adhesives are illustrated, including novel polymer systems that mimic both dry and wet types of biological adhesives. The goal of these efforts is to capture the salient properties of the native systems in synthetic versions intended for consumer, industrial, military, and medical use.
Near Zero Index Perfect Metasurface Absorber using Inverted Conformal Mapping.

The geometry of the characteristic element forming the artificial structure of an electromagnetic metamaterial defines the way the metamaterial will interact with electromagnetic waves, and accordingly, how it will transmit, reflect, and absorb electromagnetic energy. Metamaterials have been discovered that can manipulate electromagnetic waves to create perfect absorption of incident electromagnetic energy using relatively simple elemental geometries. But the phenomenon is confined to very narrow frequency bandwidths owing to the mono-resonance characteristics of simple cellular structures. Complex cellular geometries based on the combination of many different fundamental building blocks may be able to constructively couple many more resonances and broaden the perfect absorption bandwidth. We describe here a metasurface based upon geometric inversion of a set of conformal mapping contours. The resulting geometry forms a nearly continuous series of perfect absorption resonances within an ultrathin (λ/165) metasurface to develop broadband absorption in a frequency range of interest for downhole chemical spectroscopy. The metasurface is derived from a geometric inversion of the Rhodonea, or more commonly called four-leaf roses, conformal mapping contours and was found to exhibit a near zero index metamaterial (NZIM) behavior. An uncooled microbolometer design is described that uses the metasurface geometry on a single VO2 thermometric substrate leading to an infrared detector with predicted maximum absorption of 99.94% at 4.3 μm and an absorption bandwidth of 170% FWHM on 15.8 μm center wavelength, coincident with important chemical spectra of downhole hydrocarbons. The infrared detector design has a predicted maximum detectivity D* = 1.5 × 109 cm$$\sqrt{\text{Hz}}$$/W and noise equivalent difference temperature NEDT of 70 mK at a frame rate of 60 Hz. These levels of detector performance conventionally would be achievable only with cryogenically cooled technologies and could represent a significant step in the effort towards deploying an in situ infrared chemical spectroscopy sensor into downhole logging applications.
Emancipating Education: Primary Education in the New Italian State

This chapter examines the primary educational institutions established by Mary Chambers, Sara Nathan, and Julia Salis Schwabe in Sardinia, Rome, and Naples respectively. The chapter shows how these women, like many others from Europe and the United States, took advantage of the perceived connections between motherhood and education to become active outside of the private sphere and promote the education, advancement, and professionalization of women and girls. While acknowledging that their projects were part of a transnational movement to avoid socialist revolution and create a more orderly generation of workers, it emphasizes that these educational philanthropists also sought to provide genuine support for lower-class Italians. The penultimate section discusses their controversial decision to provide secular or nondenominational education in Italy. To conclude, the chapter highlights how their work formed part of the Risorgimento’s ongoing campaign of uplift and how many of its proponents supported their projects.
Better living through chemistry: CRISPR/Cas engineered T cells for cancer immunotherapy

T cells engineered to express transgenes such as chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) or modified T cell receptors (TCR) represent a new pillar of cancer therapy. Use of CRISPR/Cas gene-editing tools now allows even stronger and more precise control over the fate and function of engineered T cell therapies, including multiplex genome editing to facilitate use of off-the-shelf allogeneic T cells and novel approaches which have the potential to overcome some of the limitations of canonical Cas9-mediated DNA cleavage. This review summarizes the CRISPR/Cas techniques that have been used in preclinical research and outlines those that currently being tested in clinical trials.
Re-Mapping the Occult: Witchcraft Reports in the East African Press, 1960-2010

Some 600 press reports on witchcraft and witchcraft-based violence were collected between 1960-2010, from a dozen East African newspapers. Each report was summarized in three to six sentences, coded for date, location, and newspaper source and entered into a data base. The entries were analyzed for trends over time, patterns in terms of the rise and fall of witchcraft practices, including forms of violence, particularly gender violence. A special study was made of witchcraft victims and found, particularly the female-male victim ratios, (approximately 56% female, 44% male, over time). Other findings are presented in six categories: witchcraft and law, economy, government/political issues, witch-hunting, witchcraft and healing, witchcraft and society. The study includes an analysis of the methods used such as content analysis and the changing realities of collecting the press reports over time. The 600 reports served as background data for the author's book Encounters with Witchcraft: Field Notes from Africa, (SUNY Press, 2012)
Variation in the Nutritional Value of Primate Foods: Among Trees, Time Periods, and Areas

The study of nutritional ecology has proven to be useful for understanding many aspects of primate behavior and ecology and is a valuable tool in primate conservation. However, to date this approach has had limited application since chemical analyses of food items is very time-consuming and collections of perishable food material are often made in remote field locations. Such logistic difficulties have led to plant material being collected in a variety of fashions, and it is not known how variation in collection method might influence our understanding of the chemical basis of dietary selection. A standardization of collection methods is greatly needed to allow for direct comparison among studies. To develop an appropriate standardized method and to evaluate past research, it is necessary to understand along what dimensions plant chemistry varies. We evaluated variation in nutritional value—protein, fiber, digestibility, alkaloids, saponins, cyanogenic glycocides, and minerals—of leaf material from species eaten by red colobus ( Piliocolobus tephrosceles) and blackand-white colobus (Colobus guereza) of Kibale National Park, Uganda. We consider variation at 3-levels: among trees, time periods, and areas. While there was considerable variation among species with respect to protein, digestibility, and saponins, there was also variation among individuals of the same species; in fact, individuals may vary by as much as 20%. The average coefficients of variation (CV) among individuals of the same species are 13.4 for protein, 12 for digestibility, and 43 for saponins, while the average CV among species are 35, 31.3, and 82.4, respectively. No species showed a variable response
Abstract 15995: Role of Kir Channels in Flow-Induced Vasodilatation

Introduction: Flow-induced vasodilation (FIV) is an important physiological stimulus for regulating vascular tone. A loss of endothelial-dependent FIV is an early indication of endothelial dysfunction. Earlier studies proposed that endothelial inwardly-rectifying K + channels (Kir) are putative flow sensors, but the role of Kir in the regulation of vascular tone is not known. Hypothesis: Kir channels play a key role in FIV. Methods: FIV was assessed in mouse mesenteric arteries isolated from wild type (WT) and Kir2.1 +/- heterozygous mice. Briefly, resistance arteries were isolated, cannulated and pressurized in an organ chamber with glass micropipettes. Preparations were visualized in real time and the inner diameter of the vessels was measured using acquired images. Kir channels in arteries isolated from WT mice were downregulated by a dominant-negative subunit of Kir2.1 or blocked by Ba 2+ . The role of Kir channels in flow-induced release of NO was tested by Diaminorhodamine-4M, NO specific fluorescence dye. Results: Our results show that FIV is significantly inhibited in mesenteric arteries isolated from Kir2.1 +/- mice that have reduced Kir2.1 expression as compared with WT mice (42%±3% relaxation in Kir2.1 +/- vs 94.06%±2.2% in WT mice, n=11, p 2+ or downregulating its activity with a dominant-negative subunit of Kir2.1 also resulted in significant inhibition of FIV in arteries isolated from WT mice (47%±3% relaxation in the presence of Ba 2+ , 43%±5% in arteries infected with dnKir2.1 vs 94.06%±2.2% in WT n=3, p +/- mice. Furthermore, flow-induced release of NO was significantly reduced (1.5-fold decreased, p 2+ -dependent K + channels (SK/IK) had an additive effect to Kir suppression suggesting that SK/IK and Kir channels regulate FIV by parallel pathways. In conclusion, our results indicate that Kir channels contribute significantly to FIV by regulating NO release.
Polar Sets and Their Applications

A polar of ℝ N is a set to each point of which corresponds an open neighborhood of the point that carries a superharmonic function equal to + ∞ at each point of the set in the neighborhood. An inner polar set is a set whose compact subsets are polar. It will be shown in Section VI.2 that an analytic inner polar set is polar. If a set is (inner) polar its Kelvin transforms are also.
The personal and social context of planning for end-of-life care.

Objectives: To examine the potential facilitators of or deterrents to end-of-life planning for community-dwelling older adults, including personal (health-related and sociodemographic) and social (physician and family) influences. Design: In-person interviews with older adults, telephone interviews with physicians and family members. Setting: Cleveland, Ohio. Participants: Two hundred thirty-one adults aged 65 to 99 who were aging in place, 99 of their primary care physicians, and 127 of their family members. Measurements: Questions assessing older adults' discussions with others about end-of-life plans, implementation of advance directives, and physical (Older American Resources and Services) illness index and mental (Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire) health status. Results: Just fewer than half of older adults had executed an advance directive and discussed their wishes with others. Only personal characteristics of elderly individuals were related to end-of-life plans, with whites, unmarried individuals, and younger adults more likely to have made preparations. Older adults' health status, as evaluated by the patient, physician, and caregiver, did not relate to the tendency to have made advance care plans. Older adults' family members were much more likely to report knowledge of advance care plans than were physicians. Conclusion: These findings suggest that many physicians are not talking with their patients about their end-of-life wishes. Furthermore, the propensity to have such discussions may relate more to the personal preferences and level of comfort of patients, physicians, and family members than on the health status of the older adult.
Fashioning Jewish Identity in Medieval Western Christendom

Foreword Short titles for frequently cited texts Introduction Part I. Backdrop: 1. Jesus and the Jews: the gospel accounts 2. Post-Gospel Christian argumentation: continuities and expansions 3. Pre-twelfth-century Jewish argumentation Part II. Data and Foundations: 4. The Jewish polemicists of southern France and northern Spain 5. Scriptural and alternative lines of argumentation Part III. Jesus as Messiah: 6. Biblical prophecy: messianic advent 7. Biblical prophecy: the Messiah reviled and vindicated Part IV. Rejection of the Messiah and Rejection of the Jews: 8. Biblical prophecy and empirical observation: displacement of the Jews 9. Biblical prophecy: redemption of the Jews 10. Biblical prophecy and empirical observation: Christian failures Part V. The Messiah Human and Divine: 11. Biblical prophecy: the Messiah human and divine 12. Human reason: the Messiah human and divine Part VI. Jewish Polemicists on the Attack: 13. Christian Scripture and Jesus 14. Comparative behaviors: Jewish achievement and Christian shortcoming Part VII. Underlying Issues: 15. Techniques of persuasion 16. Fashioning identities: other and self Bibliography Index of subjects and proper names Scripture index.
AlInAs/GaInAs on InP HEMT low noise MMIC amplifiers

AlInAs/GaInAs on InP HEMT (high electron mobility transistor) single-stage low-noise MMIC (monolithic microwave integrated circuit) amplifiers have been developed for operation at 12 GHz, 35 GHz and 60 GHz. A noise figure of 0.78 dB with an associated gain of 15 dB was achieved at 12 GHz. This is the lowest noise figure yet reported for a monolithic amplifier at 12 GHz. A noise figure of 1.2 dB with gain greater than 12 dB was obtained from 10 to 14 GHz. At 35.5 GHz, 13 dB gain with 17 dB input return loss was obtained. At 55 GHz, 8 dB gain with more than 12 dB input return loss was obtained. >
Application of Mie theory to assess structure of spheroidal scattering in backscattering geometries

Inverse light scattering analysis seeks to associate measured scattering properties with the most probable theoretical scattering distribution. Although Mie theory is a spherical scattering model, it has been used successfully for discerning the geometry of spheroidal scatterers. The goal of this study was an in-depth evaluation of the consequences of analyzing the structure of spheroidal geometries, which are relevant to cell and tissue studies in biology, by employing Mie-theory-based inverse light scattering analysis. As a basis for this study, the scattering from spheroidal geometries was modeled using T-matrix theory and used as test data. In a previous study, we used this technique to investigate the case of spheroidal scatterers aligned with the optical axis. In the present study, we look at a broader scope which includes the effects of aspect ratio, orientation, refractive index, and incident light polarization. Over this wide range of parameters, our results indicate that this method provides a good estimate of spheroidal structure.
Gross Placental Morphology and Pregnancy Outcome in Macaca nemestrina

Various measures have been suggested to estimate placental functional efficiency. Gruenwald and Minh (1961) used placental weight as one index of placental function in humans. They found that variation in placental weight is not significant and concluded that fetal size is not determined by the placenta in normal pregnancy. Placental weight is a poor predictor of birth weight (Gruenwald and Mihn, 1961; Thomson, Billewicz, and Hytten, 1969). Thomson et al. (1969), reviewing the relation between placental weight and birth weight in normal and abnormal pregnancies, concluded that placental insufficiency due to small size is rare. Fetal-placental weight ratios may correlate with placental efficiency. Lubchenco (1976) indicated that this measure is based on the assumption that the growth-retarded fetus is limited by small placental size and may have a greater fetal-placental weight ratio. Another functional measure, probably correlated with placental weight, is trophoblastic surface or mean villous area (Aherne and Dunnill, 1966). During gestation the trophoblastic surface increases and the membrane becomes thinner, suggesting greater placental efficiency near term. In a study of the relation between placental insufficiency and the small-for-date baby, Scott and Jordan (1972) incorporated general placental appearance, cord and membrane characteristics, abnormalities, histologic assessment, and weight into a scoring system. The weighted scores discriminated somewhat between cases of placental insufficiency and controls. The present study describes the gross morphology of 59 pigtail macaque (Macaca nemestrina) placentas and, in a smaller sample of term-gestation placentas, examines the relation between placental characteristics and pregnancy outcome.
A Model for an Integrated Emergency Medicine/Trauma Service

Objective: To describe a model for an integrated multidisciplinary trauma service and to compare survival outcomes for patients resuscitated by either emergency medicine (EM) or surgical housestaff assigned to the trauma service. Methods: A prospective observational study was performed using injured patients evaluated in the trauma room at Hartford Hospital from July 1 through December 31, 1995. Inclusion criteria included an ICD-9-CM code of 800 through 959.9 and any of the following: transfer from another hospital, admission to the intensive care unit, hospitalization for ±23 hours, survival probability of ±90%, or Abbreviated Injury Score of ±3. Patients were excluded for burns necessitating transfer to a burn unit for definitive care, and for missing data elements that prevented a patient from being analyzed by the TRISS method. Data elements included mechanism of injury, Injury Severity Score, Revised Trauma Score, probability of survival, age, gender, and whether an EM resident was team leader. Patients in the EM cohort (group 1) were compared with patients for whom a surgical resident was team leader (group 2) for all data elements and for hospital survival. TRISS analysis was performed to evaluate outcomes in comparison with national norms. Results: After exclusions, 609 patients were left for analysis. There were 141 (30%) resuscitated with an EM resident as team leader. No significant difference was found for matched variables between the groups. Both groups had good comparability with the Major Trauma Outcome Study (MTOS) database baseline, with M scores of 0.949 and 0.942, respectively. Outcomes for both groups also compared favorably with the MTOS norm for survival, with Z scores of 2.38 and 2.35 for groups 1 and 2. Conclusions: These results suggest that in this model of integrated EW trauma service, equivalent survival outcomes occur whether EM or surgery housestaff act as team leaders.