cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ezekiel At the Turn of the Century

Recent scholarship has helped illuminate historical circumstances sur rounding the Israelite Exile. As a result, the book of Ezekiel has gained renewed interest. As a prophet of the Exile, Ezekiel is recognized as an important and liminal figure in the evolution of Israelite theology. In the 1994 volume of Currents, Pfisterer Darr surveyed the state of the field of Ezekiel studies. The present article identifies and examines several emerg ing trends in Ezekiel scholarship since the publication of Pfisterer Darr's study, including literary relations in Ezekiel, the psychology of the prophet, Ezekiel's sign-acts, adulterous Jerusalem (Ezek. 16; 23), corporate and indi vidual responsibility (Ezek. 18), and recent scholarship on Ezek. 40-48.
The Comparative Method and the Study of Development, Diffusion, and Social Change

The research investigates substantive and methodological concerns in comparative research, particularly the confounding influences of within-system developmental or causal dynamics, across-time or within-system diffusion, and across-system or spatial diffusion. The article argues that extra-system influences represent a special case of the unmeasured relevant variable problem resulting in model specification error and that proper model specification can mitigate the problem. Structural equation modeling is advocated as a significant advance in such specifications. The argument is elaborated with time-series data on Argentina from 1908 to 1946 to test the developmental relationship between industrialization and political behavior.
MIM regulates vertebrate neural tube closure

Neural tube closure is a critical morphogenetic event that is regulated by dynamic changes in cell shape and behavior. Although previous studies have uncovered a central role for the non-canonical Wnt signaling pathway in neural tube closure, the underlying mechanism remains poorly resolved. Here, we show that the missing in metastasis (MIM; Mtss1) protein, previously identified as a Hedgehog response gene and actin and membrane remodeling protein, specifically binds to Daam1 and couples non-canonical Wnt signaling to neural tube closure. MIM binds to a conserved domain within Daam1, and this interaction is positively regulated by Wnt stimulation. Spatial expression of MIM is enriched in the anterior neural plate and neural folds, and depletion of MIM specifically inhibits anterior neural fold closure without affecting convergent extension movements or mesoderm cell fate specification. Particularly, we find that MIM is required for neural fold elevation and apical constriction along with cell polarization and elongation in both the superficial and deep layers of the anterior neural plate. The function of MIM during neural tube closure requires both its membrane-remodeling domain and its actin-binding domain. Finally, we show that the effect of MIM on neural tube closure is not due to modulation of Hedgehog signaling in the Xenopus embryo. Together, our studies define a morphogenetic pathway involving Daam1 and MIM that transduces non-canonical Wnt signaling for the cytoskeletal changes and membrane dynamics required for vertebrate neural tube closure.
Annual Summary of Vital Statistics: 2012–2013

The number of births in the United States declined by 1% between 2012 and 2013, to a total of 3 932 181. The general fertility rate also declined 1% to 62.5 births per 1000 women, the lowest rate ever reported. The total fertility rate was down by 1% in 2013 (to 1857.5 births per 1000 women). The teenage birth rate fell to another historic low in 2013, 26.5 births per 1000 women. Birth rates also declined for women 20 to 29 years, but the rates rose for women 30 to 39 and were unchanged for women 40 to 44. The percentage of all births that were to unmarried women declined slightly to 40.6% in 2013, from 40.7% in 2012. In 2013, the cesarean delivery rate declined to 32.7% from 32.8% for 2012. The preterm birth rate declined for the seventh straight year in 2013 to 11.39%; the low birth weight (LBW) rate was essentially unchanged at 8.02%. The infant mortality rate was 5.96 infant deaths per 1000 live births in 2013, down 13% from 2005 (6.86). The age-adjusted death rate for 2013 was 7.3 deaths per 1000 population, unchanged from 2012. Crude death rates for children aged 1 to 19 years declined to 24.0 per 100 000 population in 2013, from 24.8 in 2012. Unintentional injuries and suicide were, respectively, the first and second leading causes of death in this age group. These 2 causes of death jointly accounted for 45.7% of all deaths to children and adolescents in 2013.
Characterization of a mouse model of plague after aerosolization of Yersinia pestis CO92

Yersinia pestis is a Gram-negative bacterium, and the causative agent of bubonic plague and pneumonic plague. Because of its potential use as a biological warfare weapon, the plague bacterium has been placed on the list of category A select agents. The dynamics of pneumonic infection following aerosolization of the highly virulent Y. pestis CO92 strain have been poorly studied; therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the LD(50) dose, bacterial dissemination, cytokine/chemokine production and tissue damage in Swiss-Webster mice over a 72 h course of infection. We exposed mice in a whole-body Madison chamber to various doses of Y. pestis CO92 aerosolized by a Collison nebulizer, and determined that the LD(50) presented dose (Dp) of the bacterium in the lungs was 2.1 x 10(3) c.f.u. In a subsequent study, we infected mice at a Dp of 1.3 x 10(4) c.f.u., and harvested organs and blood at 1, 24, 48 and 72 h post-infection. Histopathological examination, in addition to measurement of bacterial dissemination and cytokine/chemokine analysis, indicated progressive tissue injury, and an increased number of animals succumbing to infection over the course of the experiment. Using these data, we were able to characterize the mouse plague model following aerosolization of Y. pestis CO92.
The development of dependable and survivable grids

Grids should not just be facilitating advances in science and engineering; rather they should also be making an impact on our daily lives by enabling sophisticated applications such as new consumer services and support for homeland defense. This is not possible today because the poor grid dependability—which is tolerated by scientific users—would be unacceptable in critical infrastructure applications. This project aims at correcting this problem by devel oping technology that will allow grids to be used to provide services upon which society can depend. Through the Grid Dependability and Survivability Architecture (GDSA) and the Dependability Exchange and Specification Language (DESL), Grids will be engineered both to achieve high dependability and to permit assurance that high dependability has been achieved.
Abdominal complications after severe burns.

Background Abdominal catastrophe in the severely burned patient without abdominal injury has been described. We perceived an alarming recent incidence of this complication in our burn center, both during acute resuscitation and later in the hospital course. We sought to define incidence, outcomes, and associated factors, such as excessive resuscitation volume and treatment issues. Study Design We examined all severely burned military and civilian patients with abdominal pathology between March 2003 and February 2008. Data included age, gender, total body surface area burn, inhalation injury, Injury Severity Score, disposition, resuscitation volume, time from injury to diagnosis, use of recombinant factor VIIa, vasopressors, and early tube feedings. We assembled a Delphi panel of surgeons experienced in abdominal catastrophes to review these data. Results Among 1,825 patients admitted to the US Army Institute of Surgical Research Burn Center, 120 (6.6%) were diagnosed with abdominal pathology (burn size 48% ± 19%), of which 51 (2.8%) had abdominal catastrophe. The majority of these occurred in the first days after injury with associated abdominal compartment syndrome (32 of 51) and increased linearly to burn size. We noted another group of patients who presented primarily with ischemic bowel later in the course, with the same clinical presentation. Resuscitation volume was 6.02 mL/kg/percent total body surface area burned. Vasopressors were used in 71% of patients and tube feedings in 57% before diagnosis. Conclusions Abdominal catastrophe without abdominal trauma occurs in 2.8% of our population. Associated mortality was 78% without obvious cause. Delphi panel experts recommended more aggressive monitoring of abdominal compartment pressures and earlier operative management to improve outcomes.
Synthesis and unusual NMR spectra of 4,4′‐dinitro‐3,3′‐bifurazanyl‐4,4′‐13C

The synthesis of 4,4′-dinitro-3,3′-bifurazanvl-4,4′-13C was accomplished starting with sodium cyanide-13C and dichloroglyoxime. The carbon-13 NMR spectrum of the product consists of a 1,1, l-triplet and the nitrogen-14 NMR spectrum contains a sharp doublet with the same coupling constant as the carbon-13 triplet.
Dynamics of ion binding to graphene nanostructures

We model the dynamics of ion binding to graphene nanostructures. In order to disclose the likely ion binding dynamics, we first perform scanned single-point DFT calculations of monovalent ions (Na+, Li+, Cl–, F–) at fixed distances above planar graphene-like H-passivated molecules of different shapes and sizes. The scans reveal intriguing details about the ion-nanostructure potential energy and charge transfer surfaces. We correlate these static results with our room-temperature quantum molecular dynamics simulations of the ion–molecule systems, performed in both vacuum and water. Our simulations show that anions either are physisorbed onto the nanostructures or covalently bind at their selected regions, depending on the initial conditions, while cations only physisorb onto them.
A method for describing resonance between generalized valence bond wavefunctions

Abstract In a valence bond (VB) description of wavefunctions there may be several distinct but energetically similar bonding structures. Examples include aromatic molecules (e.g. benzene) and excited states of molecules with equivalent chromophores (e.g. glyoxal). The variational generalization of VB theory, the generalized valence bond (GVB) method, has limitations for such systems since it can only describe one of the bonding structures, allowing no explicit mixing or “resonance” with the other structures. We present herein a method for evaluating the matrix elements necessary to optimize the mixing between the various distinct bonding structures. Evaluation of such matrix elements has heretofore been computationally difficult since the wavefunctions in general have nonzero overlap. Applications of the method are presented for the resonance in allyl radical and the splitting of the localized core hole states of N2+.
On isostasy at Atlantic‐type continental margins

The concept of isostasy describes the manner in which topographic features on the earth's surface are compensated at depth. The present investigation is concerned with the isostatic mechanism at Atlantic-type continental margins. Particular attention is given to the question whether the flexure model of isostasy, which has successfully been used at other geological features in oceans, is applicable at margins. Cross-spectral techniques are used to analyze the relationship between free air gravity and topography at Atlantic-type continental margins. The relatively old eastern North America is found to be associated with the highest value of the effective elastic thickness in the range 10-20 km, while the relatively young Coral Sea/Lord Howe rise is associated with the lowest value of less than 5 km. The differences in estimates of effective elastic thickness between margins can be explained by a simple model in which the flexural strength of the basement increases with age.
On the value functions of the optimal quadratic regulation problem for discrete-time switched linear systems

In this paper, we study the value functions associated with the discrete-time LQR problem for switched linear systems (DLQRS). Some important properties of the value functions and value iterations are derived. In particular, we will show that under some mild conditions, the family of the finite-horizon value functions of the DLQRS problem is homogeneous (of degree 2), uniformly bounded over the unit ball, and converges exponentially fast to the corresponding infinite-horizon value function. More importantly, the exponential convergence rate of the value iteration is characterized analytically in terms of the subsystem matrices. The properties derived in this paper are not only of theoretical importance, but also crucial in the analysis and design of various optimal and suboptimal control strategies for DLQRS problems.
Channel-reach morphology in mountain drainage basins

A classification of channel-reach morphology in mountain drainage basins synthesizes stream morphologies into seven distinct reach types: colluvial, bedrock, and five alluvial channel types (cascade, step pool , plane bed, pool rime, and dune ripple). Coupling reach-level channel processes with the spatial arrangement of reach morphologies, their links to hillslope processes, and external forcing by confinement, ripar­ ian vegetation, and woody debris defines a process-based framework within which to assess channel condition and response potential in mountain drainage basins. Field investigations demonstrate character­ istic slope, grain size, shear stress, and roughness ranges for different reach types, observations consistent with our hypothesis that alluvial channel morphologies reflect specific roughness configurations ad­ justed to the relative magnitudes of sediment supply and transport ca­ pacity. Steep alluvial channels (cascade and step pool) have high ratios of transport capacity to sediment supply and are resilient to changes in discharge and sediment supply, whereas low-gradient alluvial channels (pool rime and dune ripple) have lower transport capacity to supply ra­ tios and thus exhibit significant and prolonged response to changes in sediment supply and discharge. General differences in the ratio of transport capacity to supply between channel types allow aggregation of reaches into source, transport, and response segments, the spatial distribution of which provides a watershed-level conceptual model linking reach morphology and channel processes. These two scales of channel network classification define a framework within which to in­ vestigate spatial and temporal patterns of channel response in moun­ tain drainage basins.
Life-extending control of mechanical structures: experimental verification of the concept

The concept of life-extending control is built upon the two disciplines of Systems Science and Mechanics of Materials, and its goal is to achieve an optimized trade-off between dynamic performance and structural durability of the plant under control. Experimental and simulation results reported in recent publications show that a life extending control system can substantially reduce the structural damage accumulated in critical components with no significant loss of plant performance. This enhancement of structural durability is accomplished via nonlinear optimization to generate a sequence of open-loop commands that maneuver the plant from a known initial state, along a prescribed trajectory, close to the final desired-state subject to constraints on the damage rate and accumulation in critical components. This paper presents a methodology for analytical development of a robust feedforward-feedback control policy for life extension and high performance of mechanical structures. The concept of life-extending control is experimentally verified in a laboratory testbed which is a two-degree-of-freedom (2DOF) mechanical system excited by a computer-controlled shaker table. Test results demonstrate that the fatigue life of test specimens can be substantially extended with no appreciable degradation in the dynamic performance of the mechanical system.
Behavioural interventions to reduce sexual risk for HIV in heterosexual couples: a meta-analysis

Objectives The current study was conducted to synthesise evaluations of couple-based HIV prevention interventions, assess the efficacy of these interventions in reducing sexual risk, and identify moderators of intervention efficacy. Methods A comprehensive literature search identified 29 interventions (22 reports; N=5168 couples) that met the inclusion criteria, including enrolment of both members of a heterosexual couple, measurement of condom use at baseline and follow-up, and sufficient statistical information to calculate effect sizes. Effect sizes were analysed using fixed-effects and random-effects assumptions; factors related to intervention efficacy were identified using metaregression. Results Overall, there were significant increases in condom use from baseline to follow-up (d + =0.78, 95% CI 0.48 to 1.09) and significant decreases in partner concurrency (d + =0.37, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.60). Condom use increased to a greater extent when studies were conducted toward the beginning of the epidemic, were located in countries scoring lower on the Human Development Index, enrolled serodiscordant couples, and delivered intervention content in multiple contexts. Couples who had been together longer, reported higher incidence of sexually transmitted infection, were provided voluntary counselling and testing, and provided outcome measures during face-to-face interviews also reported larger increases in condom use. Conclusions Couple-based interventions are efficacious in reducing unprotected sex within the context of romantic relationships. Future research should continue to improve risk reduction for couples.
A model of task migration in partitionable parallel processing systems

The effects of task migration (i.e. movement of a task from one partition to another) in systems with multistage cube or hypercube networks are studied. Direct overhead encompasses the cost of moving the task when no other tasks affect the migration, while indirect overhead is the additional time needed for migration that is due to influences of other tasks. The sum of direct and indirect overhead is the time needed to migrate a task. In addition, the migration can affect other tasks, and thus can incur a migration penalty. The indirect overhead and migration penalty represent the interference that can occur in the interconnection network between the migrating task and other tasks attempting to use the network simultaneously. A model for parameterizing migration costs is given. This research is part of the PASM parallel-processing project. >
Political Structure of Rural America

Historical rural American political behavior has revolved around the three themes of radicalism, conservatism, and apathy. Post-World War II research on urban-rural differ ences reveals little support either for contemporary rural radicalism or greater political apathy in rural areas. However, rural citizens, particularly farmers, exhibit more conservative political orientations than metropolitan populations. The reapportionment revolution of the 1960s, which proponents thought would reduce rural advantage in state and national government, has not noticeably altered social policy outputs of state legislatures or the Congress in a more liberal, urban- oriented direction. The Electoral College currently under- represents rural influence in electing the president, although various alternatives tend to discriminate in reverse. Future trends suggest a diminishing political difference between rural and urban populations. Exposure of rural residents to mass media and the interchange of populations between geogra...
Affinity screening by packed capillary high-performance liquid chromatography using molecular imprinted sorbents. I. Demonstration of feasibility.

Abstract Molecular imprint polymers (MIPs) are synthetic polymers capable of selectively binding a template molecule. In this work, the potential utility of MIP-based chromatographic sorbents for affinity screening of structurally similar compounds was investigated as alternatives to in vitro bioassays and biological targets bound to chromatographic supports. A group of structurally similar tricyclic antidepressant drugs and related compounds were used to simulate a combinatorial library. One of the antidepressants, nortriptyline (NOR), was selected as the template species. Using capillary HPLC columns packed with NOR-imprinted MIP particles, the simulated library was screened and the degree of selective interaction of each compound was determined. This correlated with each compound’s affinity for the NOR binding site in the polymer. The results of the study revealed that library species which possess the major structural features of the template, specifically the ring structure and pendant secondary amine, were best “recognized” by the MIP, while the most structurally dissimilar compounds exhibited the least selective interaction. An investigation of the retention mechanism on these MIPs provided evidence that hydrogen bonding between the pendant amine group on the antidepressants and a methacrylic acid moiety on the polymer surface was critical in the molecular recognition process.
Peer Relationships, Learning Forums, And Work Outcomes: An Empirical Analysis

The pace of organizational and environmental change seems to demand that such professional organizations as CPA firms become learning organizations in order to compete with other firms. The flattening or thinning out of traditional hierarchical structures within organizations argues that traditional mentoring and supervisory structures may be inadequate for fostering needed individual learning about (a) organizational goals and politics, and (b) personal learning about job context and skill development, thus the ability of individuals within CPA firms to master new skills may be impaired. One effect of the lack of such learning may be increased role stress, job burnout, loss of commitment to the organization, intention to leave, and diminished job satisfaction. Using a sample of 440 accounting professionals from major CPA firms in the southeastern, southwestern, and northeastern regions of the United States, this research studies the ability of peer developmental relationship functions foster the requisite personal and organizational learning, and also to directly and indirectly influence attitudinal outcomes. We further examine whether the impact of developmental peer relationships on attitudinal outcomes is mediated by personal and organizational learning. A hierarchical regression-based test was used to evaluate our hypotheses. The results partially supported our expectations that such peer developmental relationship functions were significantly related to attitudinal outcomes, to elements of organizational learning, and to the skill development aspect of personal learning. Elements of organizational socialization, personal learning, and team-source learning were significantly related to attitudinal outcomes as well.
Characterization of polymer/epoxy buried interfaces with silane adhesion promoters before and after hygrothermal aging for the elucidation of molecular level details relevant to adhesion

Buried interfacial structures containing epoxy underfills are incredibly important in the microelectronics industry and their structures determine the interfacial adhesion properties and ultimately their lifetime. Delamination at such interfaces leads to premature failure of microelectronic devices. In this work, the intrinsically surface sensitive technique, sum frequency generation (SFG) vibrational spectroscopy, was utilized to investigate the molecular structure of buried epoxy interfaces before and after accelerated stress testing in order to relate the molecular-level structural changes to the macroscopic adhesion strength and determine what effect silane adhesion promoters have on polymer/epoxy systems. Strongly hydrogen bonded water was detected at hydrophilic epoxy interfaces and this was correlated with a large decrease in adhesion strength. The addition of a small amount of adhesion promoters drastically improved the adhesion strength following accelerated stress testing at a relatively hydrophilic polymer/epoxy interface, and they were also capable of preventing interfacial water. A hydrophobic polymer/epoxy interface was also studied and silane adhesion promoters were found to improve the adhesion strength following stress testing of the hydrophobic interface as well. This research demonstrates that molecular structural studies of buried epoxy interfaces during hygrothermal aging using SFG vibrational spectroscopy can greatly contribute to the overall understanding of moisture-induced failure mechanisms of organic adhesives found in microelectronic packaging.
Blood Coagulation: Comparative Studies in Dogs, Cats, Horses and Cattle

SUMMARY Blood coagulation procedures were performed on healthy mature animals of both sexes. Thirty-three dogs, twenty-six cats, twenty-nine horses and nineteen cattle were studied. Wide species variations were observed. Although no animal suffered an in-vivo coagulation defect, the species variation probably resulted from different plasma concentrations of the various factors. Comparison of the Hicks-Pitney and thromboplastin-generation test clotting times showed that increasing the concentration of factors XI and XII markedly decreased the clotting time of the thromboplastin generation mixture in all species. Sodium citrate, 3 · 8 per cent, was found the most suitable anticoagulant for animal blood as it maintained the integrity of clotting factors for the longest period.
The Trauma Bay Environment

The purpose of the trauma resuscitation area is to receive, triage, assess, stabilize, and if necessary transfer critically injured patients. The design of the trauma resuscitation area should maximize efficient patient inflow, treatment, and outflow. Communication between members of the trauma team, at all levels of patient triage and resuscitation, is critical. This chapter will discuss the overall trauma resuscitation environment, including the general physical design of the area and the layout of the individual trauma bay. The chapter will discuss the importance of preparedness and the need to consider the daily expected patient load as well as additional surge capacity in case of mass casualty events.
Evaluating the Validity of Post-Hoc Subgroup Inferences: A Case Study

In randomized experiments, the random assignment of units to treatment groups justifies many of the widely used traditional analysis methods for evaluating causal effects. Specifying subgroups of units for further examination after observing outcomes, however, may partially nullify any advantages of randomized assignment when data are analyzed naively. Some previous statistical literature has treated all post-hoc subgroup analyses homogeneously as entirely invalid and thus uninterpretable. The extent of the validity of such analyses and the factors that affect the degree of validity remain largely unstudied. Here, we describe a recent pharmaceutical case with First Amendment legal implications, in which post-hoc subgroup analyses played a pivotal and controversial role. Through Monte Carlo simulation, we show that post-hoc results that seem highly significant make dramatic movements toward insignificance after accounting for the subgrouping procedure presumably used. Finally, we propose a novel, randomiza...
Influence of Aldehydes on Transplanted Tumors

SummaryUnder the conditions of these experiments, the growth rates of the transplanted Marsch Buffalo Adenocarcinoma, of the transplanted A carcinoma were not significantly altered when: (1) heptaldehyde and n-heptaldoxime were dissolved in the ethyl esters of lard and injected intraperitoneally; (2) the bisulfite addition compound of heptaldehyde was injected subcutaneously. The oral administration of heptaldehyde and of pelargonic aldehyde was also without influence on the progress of the transplanted Marsch Buffalo Adenocarcinoma.
Structural Characterization of Ion Beam Enhanced Solid Phase Epitaxial Regrowth by Raman, RBS, and X-Ray Analysis

Epitaxial regrowth of deposited amorphous silicon has been previously described utilizing ion implantation amorphization, ion mixing and thermal anneal. This paper evaluates the effects of these process steps on crystalline quality utilizing Rutherford Backscattering (RBS), x-ray diffraction rocking curves and Raman scattering. In situ (during implantation) regrowth results in defective crystallinity. In contrast, when there is no in situ regrowth, the post anneal crystallinity is equivalent by RBS and x-ray evaluation to virgin single crystal wafers. In situ regrowth is most pronounced during the high beam current ion mixing type implants which produce wafer temperatures of about 250°C. The final crystalline quality which results from different sequences of amorphization and ion mixing implants, is strongly dependent upon the amount of in situ regrowth which has occurred. The greater the in situ regrowth the poorer the final crystalline quality.
A Review on the Development of Re-Os Isotopic Dating Methods and Techniques

A review on the development of Re-Os isotopic dating methods and techniques are presented in this paper. The authors briefly introduce the development history of the Re-Os isotope dating system and the focuses are put on the principles of Re-Os dating and isotope tracing techniques,basic chemical properties,distribution in nature,geochemical behaviors,modes of occurrence of Re and Os,as well as the problems in geological sampling. Combined with the over 10 year experience in the research on Re-Os isotopic dating system in author's laboratory,sample digestion methods,separation and enrichment techniques for Re and Os,along with the principles of Re-Os isotope ratio measurement by N-TIMS and ICP-MS instruments are also systematically described. Furthermore,the recent progress in research on standard isotope tracers and Re-Os standard reference materials are also introduced.
Commuter Adaptation in Response to Hurricane Sandy’s Damage

AbstractUsing survey data from nearly 400 commuters, this paper identifies factors associated with commuter changes after Hurricane Sandy. Adaptations included changing transportation modes, routes...
Pedro’s Donkey and Oedipus’s Mother

In this chapter I undertake to look closer at parochial processing, at distribution, and at the interaction of the two.
Titanium oxide contact passivation layer for thin film crystalline silicon solar cells

Thin film crystalline silicon (c-Si) solar cells have been a hot topic of photovoltaic research recently because its lower material consumption could potentially lead to lower capital expenditure. However, contact recombination is more prominent in thin-film c-Si solar cells compared with it in traditional c-Si solar cells due to higher carrier concentration. To address such a challenge, this work presents a design of metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) contact, based on thin TiOx layer that is grown by atomic layer deposition (ALD). Transmission line measurement (TLM) was conducted to study the conducting behavior of the TiOx MIS contact structure. Experimental results demonstrate that with the same doping density in silicon, the TiOx MIS contact forms an Ohmic contact to n-type silicon with good conductivity while cannot form Ohmic contact with p-silicon. This result demonstrates that the ALD TiOx layer can conduct electrons while blocking holes, thereby potentially reduce the contact recombination for thin-film c-Si solar cells, leading to an improvement of cell efficiency.
International suicide rates versus adequate treatments

Thornicroft and colleagues recently reported on the undertreatment of people with major depressive disorder (MDD) in 21 countries.[1][1] Their conclusions suggest that better diagnosis and treatment of major depression worldwide, particularly in low-income countries, should improve health outcomes.
Measuring the level of interstellar inheritance in the solar protoplanetary disk

The timing and extent to which the initial interstellar material was thermally processed provide fundamental constraints for models of the formation and early evolution of the solar protoplanetary disk. We argue that the nonsolar (solar Δ17O ≈ −29‰) and near-terrestrial (Δ17O ≈ 0‰) O-isotopic compositions of the Earth and most extraterrestrial materials (Moon, Mars, asteroids, and comet dust) were established very early by heating of regions of the disk that were modestly enriched (dust/gas ≥ 5–10 times solar) in primordial silicates (Δ17O ≈ −29‰) and water-dominated ice (Δ17O ≈ 24‰) relative to the gas. Such modest enrichments could be achieved by grain growth and settling of dust to the midplane in regions where the levels of turbulence were modest. The episodic heating of the disk associated with FU Orionis outbursts were the likely causes of this early thermal processing of dust. We also estimate that at the time of accretion the CI chondrite and interplanetary dust particle parent bodies were composed of ~5–10% of pristine interstellar material. The matrices of all chondrites included roughly similar interstellar fractions. Whether this interstellar material avoided the thermal processing experienced by most dust during FU Orionis outbursts or was accreted by the disk after the outbursts ceased to be important remains to be established.
A Hierarchical MdMC Approach to 2D Video Game Map Generation.

In this paper we describe a hierarchical method for procedurally generating 2D game maps using multi-dimensional Markov chains (MdMCs). Our method takes a collection of 2D game maps, breaks them into small chunks and performs clustering to find a set of chunks that correspond to high-level structures (high-level tiles) in the training maps. This set of high-level tiles is then used to re-represent the training maps, and to fit two sets of MdMC models: a high-level model captures the distribution of high-level tiles in the map, and a set of low-level models capture the internal structure of each highlevel tile. These two sets of models can then be used to hierarchically generate new maps. We test our approach using two classic games, Super Mario Bros. and Loderunner, and compare the results against other existing map generators.
Porous double network gels with high toughness, high stretchability and fast solvent-absorption

Using the freeze-drying method, we fabricated porous double network gels with high toughness, high stretchability and fast solvent-absorption. When the freezing temperature was −20 °C and the freezing time was 24 hours, pores with diameters around 300 μm could form in the gel. When the freezing temperature was lowered to −196 °C and the freezing time was reduced to 10 minutes, monodisperse pores with diameters around 15 μm could form in the gel. We found out that both porous gels fabricated under different conditions could absorb solvent much more and much faster than a nonporous gel. Furthermore, we found that the rupturing strain, stiffness and strength of the porous double network gels were all comparable to the nonporous double network gel when containing the same amount of solvent. The unique combination of the mechanical properties of the porous double network gels might motivate new explorations of gels in practical applications.
Photon scanning-tunneling microscopy

Photons can be totally internally reflected at the base of a prism just as free electrons in a metal are reflected at the surface barrier. In an electron scanning-tunneling microscope (ESTM), the electrons can be made to tunnel to a metal probe tip placed near the surface. Similarly, if an optical fiber tip is placed near a prism base, photons which would otherwise be totally internally reflected can tunnel to the tip. A target sample placed on the base modulates the transmission coefficient. As the tip is scanned, the tunneling photons are converted to real photons in the fiber, and the flux can be read by a photomultiplier tube. This is the basis for a new instrument we have developed called a photon scanning–tunneling microscope (PSTM). In both the ESTM and PSTM, the current from the probe tip can be held constant while topographical imaging data are obtained.
Balancing the Individual and Society in Law and Politics

This chapter examines the decline in respect for the individual in society in politics and law. Starting with an overview of the treatment of the individual in the moral philosophies of utilitarianism and deontology, this chapter surveys recent Supreme Court decisions that deny the importance of the individual in the face of collective goals. The legal philosophy of Ronald Dworkin helps to discuss the importance of affirming individual rights while pursuing these goals and the difficulty in finding the right balance between them. This chapter concludes with some recommendations regarding the treatment of business and government in a framework that values the individual alongside society as a whole.
Dimensions of Ethnic Identity as Protective Factors for Substance Use and Sexual Risk Behaviors in African American College Students.

Objective: To examine ethnic identity and ethnic socialization as potential protective factors for risk behaviors among US college students. Participants: Participants were 398 African American and...
The Legal Violence in the 2017 Executive Orders: The Expansion of Immigrant Criminalization in Kansas:

In the past two decades, the trend toward immigrant criminalization has increased dramatically. Drawing on analysis of recent immigration-related Executive Orders as well as interviews with Latino ...
Can multiphase CT scan distinguish between papillary renal cell carcinoma type 1 and type 2

Objective To investigate the utility of multiphase computed tomography (CT) and percutaneous renal mass biopsy (PRMB) in differentiating between papillary renal cell carcinoma (pRCC)-Type 1 and -Type 2, as emerging data have suggested differential enhancement patterns in different renal tumor histologies. Material and methods Retrospective analysis of 51 patients (23 pRCC-Type 1/28 pRCC-Type 2) who underwent multiphase CT followed by surgery from July 2011 to April 2016 was performed. Data were analyzed between subgroups based on histology. Multiphase CT was analyzed for tumor size, and attenuation [Hounsfield Units (HU)]. Change in HU (ΔHU) was calculated between noncontrast (NC), corticomedullary (CM), nephrographic (N), and delayed (D) phases. Subset analysis was carried out on patients who underwent PRMB prior to surgery. Results There was no difference in median tumor size (pRCC-Type 1 2.8 vs. pRCC-Type 2 2.6 cm, p=0.832). In addition to tumor size being similar between groups, distribution of tumor stages between groups was also similar (p=0.651). Greater proportion of high-grade tumors (III/IV) was noted in pRCC-Type 2 (42.9% vs. 8.7%) (p=0.011). There was no difference in HU values for NC (p=0.961), CM (p=0.118), N (p=0.277), and D (p=0.256) phases, and in ΔHU between CM-NC (p=0.278), N-NC (p=0.316), and D-NC (p=0.103). Thirteen patients underwent percutaneous biopsy, 11 of whom had diagnostic samples. Examination of 10/11 (90.9%) samples accurately predicted correct histology, and of 6/11 (54.5%) samples correctly identified high-vs. low-grade histology. Conclusion Our findings suggest substantial overlap of CT findings, despite pRCC-Type 2 having greater proportion of high-grade tumors. Utility of CT is limited in the differentiation between pRCC subtypes. Patients with suggested pRCC on CT imaging being considered for a non-extirpative strategy should undergo PRMB for risk stratification.
Optimizing the Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism: Recent Quality Initiatives and Strategies to Drive Improvement

Article-at-a-Glance Background Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is associated with a substantial health care and economic burden, yet many VTE events are preventable. Despite the availability of evidence-based guidelines detailing effective thromboprophylaxis strategies, the underuse and inappropriate prescribing of VTE prophylaxis are common. Current national quality initiatives were reviewed to identify strategies that may help hospitals and health care professionals optimize current VTE prophylaxis practices. Methods A computerized literature search was performed using PubMed and MEDLINE, and this was complemented by hand searches of relevant journals and Web sites to identify additional literature related to VTE prevention and QI. Findings Many organizations, including the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the National Quality Forum, the Joint Commission, and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality have developed performance measures, quality indicators, public reporting initiatives, incentive programs, and "negative reimbursement" that are designed to help improve VTE prevention. Conclusions It remains the responsibility of individual hospitals to identify specific areas in which they can improve their VTE prophylaxis rates to obtain positive results from the reporting initiatives and incentive programs. If performance measures are to be met, all hospital departments will need to implement effective VTE prevention policies, including early risk assessment, appropriate prophylaxis prescribing, monitoring, and follow-up. Multifaceted, integrated initiatives involving risk assessment tools, decision support, electronic alert systems, and hospitalwide education, with a mechanism for audit and feedback, may help ensure that all health care professionals comply with VTE–prevention policies and initiatives.
The A-Design approach to managing automated design synthesis

This paper presents an approach to managing the complexities of design synthesis techniques. Often computational approaches model design as a search process or as an optimization problem. The nature of such techniques, however, does not allow the user to interact with the search process once it has begun. Furthermore, traditional computational search lacks the ability to learn from experience. While computational search techniques have the ability to search many design alternatives quickly, the human engineer can often arrive at a more elegant and robust solution by applying heuristics learned from past experiences. The method introduced here improves the capabilities of design synthesis methods by allowing for user input and by making decisions based on previous experience. In studying past candidate designs the process learns to be more effective in searching for solutions. Results show how such a technique improves the quality of designs and efficiency of an existing search process.
The Effects of Fluctuations in the Economy or Technology on Cohort Careers

We have examined the effects on the careers of cohorts in response to the interaction between goal levels of manpower corresponding to a period of contraction followed by a period of expansion, and (1) the effectiveness versus salary relationship, (2) the initial size of the workforce, and (3) the rate of change in the goal levels of manpower. The mathematical model that we have employed in this paper is the normative, longitudinal (or cohort), ‘pull’ formulation presented by Gaimon and Thompson in [4] that is solved using optimal control theory.
Biological Field Phenomena: Facts and Concepts

At the turn of the century biologists faced both unprecedented success in the application of mechanistic concepts to certain parts of biology and the apparent failure in the mechanistic interpretation of other aspects of life. This dilemma was particularly evident in the field of embryology with its mechanistic interpretations of development by Roux and the vitalism of Driesch’s concept of entelechy as the two opposite poles. The history of these trends has been interestingly described by J. M. Oppenheimer (1955).
Not you: Frank O’Hara and the poetics of ‘Personism’

This article reads Frank O’Hara’s ‘Personism: a Manifesto’ alongside his college journal and art writing, in order to argue for an understanding of ‘Personism’ as a poetics of persistent personhood...
Effects of Building a Stock of Bicycling Experience in Youth

Travel is difficult without the supportive attitudes, norms, and skills that make up “motility,” the capacity for travel. Travel experiences are critical to developing motility. This study identifi...
How low-income smokers in New York access cheaper cigarettes

PURPOSE To understand the tobacco acquisition practices of low-income smokers in New York State in light of high cigarette prices due to high cigarette taxes. DESIGN Eight focus groups with low-income smokers were conducted in spring 2015 and 2016 (n = 74). SETTING New York City (NYC) and Buffalo, New York. PARTICIPANTS Low-income adults aged 18 to 65 who smoke cigarettes regularly. METHOD Qualitative analysis of focus group transcripts that explored differences and similarities by region. We used the interview guide-which covered the process of acquiring cigarettes and the impact of cigarette prices-as a framework for analysis to generate themes and subthemes (deductive coding). We also generated themes and subthemes that emerged during focus group discussions (inductive coding). RESULTS Some smokers in Western New York have switched to untaxed cigarettes from Native American reservations, whereas low-income smokers in NYC described convenient sources of bootlegged cigarettes (packs or loosies) in their local neighborhood stores, through acquaintances, or on the street. Familiarity with the retailer was key to accessing bootlegged cigarettes from retailers. CONCLUSIONS Smokers in this study could access cheaper cigarettes, which discouraged quit attempts and allowed them to continue smoking. The availability of lower priced cigarettes may attenuate public health efforts aimed at reducing smoking prevalence through price and tax increases.
LCAT Enzyme Replacement Therapy Reduces LpX and Improves Kidney Function in a Mouse Model of Familial LCAT Deficiency

Familial LCAT deficiency (FLD) is due to mutations in lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT), a plasma enzyme that esterifies cholesterol on lipoproteins. FLD is associated with markedly reduced levels of plasma high-density lipoprotein and cholesteryl ester and the formation of a nephrotoxic lipoprotein called LpX. We used a mouse model in which the LCAT gene is deleted and a truncated version of the SREBP1a gene is expressed in the liver under the control of a protein-rich/carbohydrate-low (PRCL) diet-regulated PEPCK promoter. This mouse was found to form abundant amounts of LpX in the plasma and was used to determine whether treatment with recombinant human LCAT (rhLCAT) could prevent LpX formation and renal injury. After 9 days on the PRCL diet, plasma total and free cholesterol, as well as phospholipids, increased 6.1 ± 0.6-, 9.6 ± 0.9-, and 6.7 ± 0.7-fold, respectively, and liver cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations increased 1.7 ± 0.4- and 2.8 ±0.9-fold, respectively, compared with chow-fed animals. Transmission electron microscopy revealed robust accumulation of lipid droplets in hepatocytes and the appearance of multilamellar LpX particles in liver sinusoids and bile canaliculi. In the kidney, LpX was found in glomerular endothelial cells, podocytes, the glomerular basement membrane, and the mesangium. The urine albumin/creatinine ratio increased 30-fold on the PRCL diet compared with chow-fed controls. Treatment of these mice with intravenous rhLCAT restored the normal lipoprotein profile, eliminated LpX in plasma and kidneys, and markedly decreased proteinuria. The combined results suggest that rhLCAT infusion could be an effective therapy for the prevention of renal disease in patients with FLD.