cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
RAPID RESPONSE TOOLS AND DATASETS FOR POST-FIRE MODELING: LINKING EARTH OBSERVATIONS AND PROCESS-BASED HYDROLOGICAL MODELS TO SUPPORT POST-FIRE REMEDIATION

Preparation is key to utilizing Earth Observations and process-based models to support post-wildfire mitigation. Post-fire flooding and erosion can pose a serious threat to life, property and municipal water supplies. Increased runoff and sediment delivery due to the loss of surface cover and fire-induced changes in soil properties are of great concern. Remediation plans and treatments must be developed and implemented before the first major storms in order to be effective. One of the primary sources of information for making remediation decisions is a soil burn severity map derived from Earth Observation data (typically Landsat) that reflects fire induced changes in vegetation and soil properties. Slope, soils, land cover and climate are also important parameters that need to be considered. Spatially-explicit process-based models can account for these parameters, but they are currently under-utilized relative to simpler, lumped models because they are difficult to set up and require spatially-explicit inputs (digital elevation models, soils, and land cover). Our goal is to make process-based models more accessible by preparing spatial inputs before a fire, so that datasets can be rapidly combined with soil burn severity maps and formatted for model use. We are building an online database (http://geodjango.mtri.org/geowepp /) for the continental United States that will allow users to upload soil burn severity maps. The soil burn severity map is combined with land cover and soil datasets to generate the spatial model inputs needed for hydrological modeling of burn scars. Datasets will be created to support hydrological models, post-fire debris flow models and a dry ravel model. Our overall vision for this project is that advanced GIS surface erosion and mass failure prediction tools will be readily available for post-fire analysis using spatial information from a single online site.
Forced Intercourse, Individual and Family Context, and Risky Sexual Behavior Among Adolescent Girls

Abstract Purpose This study tested the hypothesis that individual and family factors associated with adolescent risky sexual behavior (RSB) operate differently in their relationship to RSB among girls who have experienced forced sexual intercourse (FSI), as compared to those girls who have not. Methods Data were collected from 3,863 eighth-grade girls from a larger statewide sample. Different subgroups of participants received different sets of questions, so 655–2,548 students were included in each analysis. Multilevel modeling was used to examine relationships of individual (social negotiation skills, personal safety, depression, and sensation-seeking personality) and family factors (sibling deviance, parental monitoring, and quality of family relationships) to RSB. FSI was examined as a predictor of RSB and as a moderator of the relationship between individual and family variables and sexual risk. Results In the case of individual predictors, social negotiation skills were associated with lower RSB for all girls, but these skills had a stronger relationship to RSB among girls who had experienced FSI. Depression and sensation-seeking tendencies had small positive relationships to RSB for all girls. In the case of family predictors, for girls without a history of FSI, parental monitoring was associated with lower RSB. However, among girls who had experienced FSI, parental monitoring was not significantly related to RSB, but sibling deviance was associated with lower RSB. Conclusions Results suggest that social negotiation skills and parental monitoring may warrant further attention in research and intervention.
Future multimedia user interfaces

No matter how powerful or elegant the technologies underlying multimedia computing, it is the user interface that ultimately determines how these systems will be used. We provide an overview of two emerging areas of user-interface research that will play major roles in future multimedia systems: virtual environments and ubiquitous computing. We discuss what they are and why they are important, and describe their relationship to current multimedia systems. While mouse and window-based user interfaces provide access to 2D graphics, video, and sound, virtual environments not only involve interactive 3D graphics, but further address all our senses through the use of spatial audio, haptics, and other modalities. While it is still a research goal to provide high-throughput video on demand, ubiquitous computing will require that multimedia network infrastructure also support extremely low-latency interaction among large numbers of mobile wireless users. To arrive at an understanding of the needs, capabilities, and potential of these new paradigms, we introduce their terminology and technology, and explain the basic system architectures being explored, leading up to a discussion of key current research issues and future directions.
The DFRC Method for Lignin Analysis. Part 3. NMR Studies

Two key reactions in the DFRC method have been examined by NMR. Both acetyl bromide (AcBr) derivatization of lignin and Zn reductive elimination of the β-bromo derivatives from lignin were highly selective and essentially quantitative. Treatment with AcBr in acetic acid efficiently converted β-aryl ether substructures of lignins into β-bromo ethers while γ-hydroxy and phenol groups were acetylated; the following Zn step cleaved brominated β-aryl ethers forming the expected cinnamyl acetates. In view of the high selectivity of AcBr reactions with lignin units and the solubilization of lignocellulosic materials, AcBr derivatization of lignins can be used for NMR characterization of whole lignins.
Operational feasibility of neural-network-based radar rainfall estimation

An operational radar rainfall estimation system based on the adaptive radial basis function (RBF) neural network is developed. During the process of training and cross validation, the rainfall estimation was computed only at the gauge locations. Once the training is done, the radar rainfall estimation based on neural networks is applied to the full coverage area of the radar. Such large-scale application of the rainfall estimate poses several questions in the context of operational applications. This letter addresses two of those questions, namely: 1) the feasibility of adaptively updating RBF neural network models on a daily basis and 2) the ability of neural network radar rainfall estimation at high spatial resolution within reasonable and practical time frame for operational applications. Using the datasets collected by WSR-88D radar located in Melbourne, FL, it is demonstrated that radar-based rainfall estimation using an adaptive RBF neural network is feasible. The results show that 73% of overnight updating for the RBF neural network can be completed within 2 h, and the estimation over an area of 100 km/spl times/100 km can be generated within the time frame (a few tens of seconds-150 s), which is much smaller than the average radar volume scan time.
Optimal Impulsive Time-Fixed Direct-Ascent Interception

PTIMAL time-fixed impulsive intercept trajectories from a point at rest on the surface of a planet or moon to a target in circular orbit are obtained. Some of the results in this study are in Heckathorn1 and form a companion analysis to the related problem of optimal direct-ascent rendezvous treated previously by Gross and Prussing.2 Previous optimal intercept studies in the literature deal primarily with time-open disorbit problems.3 Applications of the results obtained include interception or reconnaissance of orbiting satellites and deployment of satellites at specified locations that are intercepted by the deploying vehicle. The idealized results obtained assuming impulsive thrust and absence of atmospheric effects can be applied to more realistic cases by adding gravity and drag losses to the velocity requirements obtained to account for finite burn times and atmospheric drag. In addition, the case of airborne launch rather than launch from the surface can be obtained by interpreting the launch conditions differently, e.g., the contact force of the planet prior to launch becomes the lift on the aircraft. The optimal time-fixed results obtained can be used to perform time vs fuel trade-offs for missions that have operational time constraints.
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome in a Young Athlete with Von Willebrand Disease

A 17-year-old female with type 1 Von Willebrand Disease (vWD) developed left medial calf pain while running track. Over the next 6 months, orthopedic surgery, sports medicine, vascular surgery, and neurology treated her under various working diagnoses; however, the pain, allodynia, coldness, and pale skin color worsened. She was admitted to a tertiary pediatric hospital for intractable pain where PMR from admission to inpatient rehabilitation to 2 months postdischarge, her weight-bearing tolerance progressed from nonweight-bearing to partial weight-bearing, and ambulation improved from 20 feet with a three-point crutch gait to unlimited distances with a four-point crutch gait. This is the first known case of a bleeding disorder as the likely underlying microvascular pathology associated with CRPS, a theory exposed in 2010.
Changes of fatty acids and sterols in apple buds during bud break induced by a plant bioregulator, thidiazuron

The effects of N-phenyl-N'-l,2,3,-thidiazol-5-ylurea (thidiazuron; Dropp; SN 49537) on fatty acids of membrane lipids and sterol content in apple (Malus domestica Borkh cv. Golden Delicious) buds associated with bud break and bud development were determined. The predominant fatty acids in the membrane lipids of apple buds were palmitic acid (C16:0), linoleic acid (C18:2) and linolenic acid (C18:3). β-Sitosterol and sitosteryl ester were the predominant sterols. An accumulation of unsaturated polar membrane fatty acids started after thidiazuron treatment. A decrease in the percentage of the sitosterol was accompanied by an increase in campesterol and stigmasterol at the beginning of rapid growth. An increase in the ratio of campesterol and stigmasterol to sitosterol and a decrease in the ratio of free sterols to membrane lipids upon breaking of dormancy also occurred in apple buds induced by thidiazuron.
The emission spectrum of ICl: Identification and analysis of the D′(2) → A′(2) transition

The emission spectrum of ICl is recorded and analyzed for the separated isotopomers 127I35Cl and 127I37Cl. The strongest peak near 4300 A is due mainly to D′ → A′, but with a significant contribution from β(1) → A(1). Several weaker band systems are analyzed to give information about two other bound valence states, not previously reported.
The Effect of Vitamin E Deficiency on Fertility of Coturnix Coturnix

Abstract Fertile eggs were obtained from vitamin E-deficient hens mated with normal males (Card et al., 1930). Mortality due to hemorrhages was observed for vitamin E-deficient embryos by fifth day of incubation (Adamstone, 1931). Preliminary studies indicated a decreased fertility but no depression in egg production of Coturnix coturnix (Japanese quail) and the results of one of the experiments is reported here. The composition of the vitamin E-deficient diet used in this study is given in Table 1. On addition of 4 I.U. of vitamin E (tocopheryl acetate) per 100 gm. of the above diet, the vitamin E-supplemented control diet was obtained. The diets contained 27.5% crude protein, 1.5% Ca, and 0.9% total phosphorus. Two groups of 15 females and 4 males each were housed in community cages in a room at 21.11 ± 2°C. and 55% humidity and fed each of the above diets. Before starting birds on experimental diets, . . .
The body build and composition of Samoan children: relationships to infant feeding patterns and infant weight-for-length status.

The relationships between infant feeding patterns infant weight status and subsequent growth are not yet firmly established. This study attempts to address these topics among Samoan children. The study population consists of 1186 children born between October 1974 and September 1976 who were subsequently seen in the Well Baby Clinic in American Samoa. On the basis of the clinic records the children were categorized into feeding groups (breast vs. bottle) and weight-for-length groups (less than 25th percentile or greater than 75th percentile of National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) standards). A survey of 74 of these children was conducted in 1982. The average age of the children was 6.6 years. 20 anthropometric measurements were taken and divided into 3 groups: skeletal adipose and mixed. Multiple analysis of variance was used on each of the groups of measurements to assess effects of infant feeding and weight-for-length. This analysis demonstrated significant relationships between infant weight-for-length and childhood skeletal size (heavy infants are larger children); between infant feeding patterns and childhood adiposity (bottle-fed children are fatter); and between both infant patterns and the mixed measurements (heavy and bottle-fed infants are heavier children with larger circumferences). The relationship between infant weight-for-length and skeletal size may be a continuation of infant patterns of high musculoskeletal weight in heavy infants. The relationship between infant feeding and childhood fatness was not affected by family income. (authors modified)
Surface Forces and Adhesion Between Dissimilar Materials Measured in Various Environments

The Israelachvili surface force apparatus has been used extensively over the past decade to make detailed measurements of surface forces and adhesion between very smooth solids in various liquid and vapor environments. Most of those measurements have been made with mica surfaces, but we have recently developed a method of preparing smooth silica surfaces for use in place of the mica. The silica surfaces adhere in dry and humid atmospheres, but do not adhere when immersed in water. The use of a second material not only broadens the scope of the Israelachvili technique, but also enables studies of forces and adhesion between dissimilar materials. In this work, we present the results of measurements of adhesion in air and forces in aqueous solution between two silica surfaces; we also report preliminary results of the adhesion between a mica surface and a silica surface.
Television-viewing time and dietary quality among U.S. children and adults

Background Greater TV-viewing time is generally associated with unhealthy dietary behaviors; however, few studies have examined associations between TV-viewing time and composite measures of dietary quality. Most studies have focused on energy intake or intake of specific foods. But overall dietary quality is important to health and weight status. Purpose To examine the relationship between TV-viewing time and dietary quality using a nationally representative U.S. sample. Methods Participants in the 2003–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys were included (analyses conducted in Fall 2011). Dietary quality was determined by Healthy Eating Index (HEI)–2005 calculated from two 24-hour recalls. TV-viewing time was categorized as lower (≤1 hour/day); moderate (2–3 hours/day); and higher (≥4 hours/day; referent). Multivariate linear regression models were used to estimate the TV-viewing time and HEI-2005, adjusted for BMI (percentile for children aged 2–18 years); age; ethnicity; physical activity; and total energy intake. Analyses were conducted separately for gender–age groups (preschool=aged 2–5 years [ n =1423]; school-aged=6–11 years [ n =1749], adolescent=aged 12–18 years [ n =3343], and adult=aged ≥19 years [ n =8222]). Results Lower TV-viewing time was associated with higher HEI-2005 (i.e., healthier diet) for all gender and age groups. Compared with higher TV-viewing time, in each case, HEI-2005 was higher in groups with low TV-viewing time, ranging from 47.0–52.3 in ≤1 hour/day to 44.7–48.9 in ≥4 hours/day (all p Conclusions Less time spent watching TV was associated with better dietary quality in U.S. children and adults.
Biological Theory and the Metaphysics of Race: A Reply to Kaplan and Winther

In Kaplan and Winther’s recent article (Biol Theory. doi:10.1007/s13752-012-0048-0, 2012) they argue for three bold theses: first, that “it is illegitimate to read any ontology about ‘race’ off of biological theory or data”; second, that “using biological theory to ground race is a pernicious reification”; and, third, that “race is fundamentally a social rather than a biological category.” While Kaplan and Winther’s theses are thoughtful, I show that the arguments that their theses rest on are unconvincing. In order to be constructive, I go on to show exactly how one can use biological theory and data to legitimately infer an ontological view of race, to infer a biological view of race that is not a reification, and to argue that race is both socially constructed and biologically real.
Promoting School Success for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, and Questioning Students: Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Prevention and Intervention Strategies

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and questioning (LGBTQ) students are likely to be in every classroom in every secondary school in the United States; yet, their needs are often overlooked. LGBTQ students are at risk for developing academic, social, and emotional problems due to harassment and bullying experienced at school. Although schools have an ethical and legal duty to provide a safe educational experience for all students, few schools implement policies and programs to support LGBTQ students. School psychologists, with training in adolescent development, counseling, consultation, and systems change, are in a unique position to help schools be more responsive to the needs of LGBTQ students. By adopting a public health framework that focuses on primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of prevention and intervention for LGBTQ students, school psychologists can implement strategies and make recommendations for school-wide changes to promote positive development for all students. This article highlights challenges faced by LGBTQ students and presents methods for responding to the needs of this minority group using the public health framework.
Asymmetric Synthesis of Dihydroindanes by Convergent Alkoxide- Directed Metallacycle-Mediated Bond Formation

A convergent synthesis of highly substituted and stereodefined dihydroindanes is described from alkoxide-directed Ti-mediated cross-coupling of internal alkynes with substituted 4-hydroxy-1,6-enynes (substrates that derive from 2-directional functionalization of readily available epoxy alcohol derivatives). In addition to describing a new and highly stereoselective approach to bimolecular [2 + 2 + 2] annulation that delivers products not available with other methods in this area of chemical reactivity, evidence is provided to support annulation by way of regioselective alkyne–alkyne coupling, followed by metal-centered [4 + 2] rather than stepwise alkene insertion and reductive elimination. Overall, the reaction proceeds with exquisite stereochemical control and defines a convenient, convergent, and enantiospecific entry to fused carbocycles of great potential value in target-oriented synthesis and medicinal chemistry.
Innate immune control and regulation of influenza virus infections.

Adaptive immune responses are critical for the control and clearance of influenza A virus (IAV) infection. However, in recent years, it has become increasingly apparent that innate immune cells, including natural killer cells, alveolar macrophages (aMφ), and dendritic cells (DC) are essential following IAV infection in the direct control of viral replication or in the induction and regulation of virus-specific adaptive immune responses. This review will discuss the role of these innate immune cells following IAV infection, with a particular focus on DC and their ability to induce and regulate the adaptive IAV-specific immune response.
Xenobiotic Exposure and Autoimmune Hepatitis

Although genetics contributes to the development of autoimmune diseases, it is clear that “environmental” factors are also required. These factors are thought to encompass exposure to certain drugs and environmental pollutants. This paper examines the mechanisms that normally maintain immune unresponsiveness in the liver and discusses how exposure to certain xenobiotics such as trichloroethylene may disrupt those mechanisms and promote autoimmune hepatitis.
Precision Ethylene/Vinyl Bromide Polymers

Here we report the synthesis of precision ethylene/vinyl bromide (EV/B) polymers via metathesis chemistry followed by exhaustive hydrogenation. The polymer primary structures are supported by 1 H NMR, 13 C NMR, elemental analysis, TGA, and IR. Thermal analysis by DSC shows that a linear trend exists between increasing bromine content and decreasing melting temperature as bromine is incorporated (as a defect) in the crystalline lattice. In reference to the defect-free chain, a change in phase structure causes a dramatic decrease in the observed heat of fusion and a smooth decrease within the Br series. This study describes the first family of precise EV/B polymers reported in the literature.
Judging a Book by Its Cover: An Investigation of Peritextual Features in Caldecott Award Books.

While scholars have recognized the meaning making potential offered by the peritext of picturebooks, there has previously been only limited research on the nature of peritextual features. This content analysis focused on the ways in which various peritextual features (dust jackets, beginning endpapers, illustrations before title page, title pages, half title pages, dedication/copyright pages, final endpapers, and notes) contribute to the development of narratives in Caldecott award winning books published between 1938 and 2013. We found that in these quality picturebooks, peritextual features (particularly those appearing before the text of the story) contain rich character and setting information, as well as clues that often point to the genre of a story. In more recently published books especially, important plot elements may unfold only in the peritext. This analysis suggests that peritextual features frequently offer critical information that readers can use to build a framework for stepping into story worlds. Educators attuned to the potentially abundant information in the peritext may guide young readers in exploring these features, and thus foster in their students a richer understanding and fuller engagement with the narrative.
Drinking Motives and Willingness to Drink Alcohol in Peer Drinking Contexts

Drinking motives are important proximal predictors of alcohol consumption in adolescents and emerging adults (EAs). Despite the importance of peer context on alcohol use decision-making, research o...
A comparison of erythropoietin bioassays.

SummaryThe transfused plethoric mouse is sensitive to quantities of erythropoietin as small as 0.05 unit as measured by radioiron administered 2 1/2 days after challenge with the hormone. A sigmoidal curve describes the relationship between incremental log-doses of purified erythropoietin and incorporation of radioiron into circulating red blood cells.
Properties of human epididymal sperm obtained from an alloplastic spermatocele: motility assessment and penetration of zona-free hamster oocytes in the presence and absence of caffeine

Sperm were collected over a period of months from a human alloplastic spermatocele implanted at the corpus/caudal epididymal junction and were evaluated for their maturity, motility, and ability to capacitate and acrosome react, as assessed by the hamster zona-free oocyte sperm penetration assay (SPA). A mean of 11×10 6 sperm were obtained with each aspiration, with 34% to 40% being mature, normal forms. Motility was poor; 15%±5% showing nonprogressive movement. SPA results were 22%±3% oocyte penetration. Addition of 7.5mM caffeine markedly enhanced motility and improved the SPA results. After 30 minutes' exposure, the motility was 45%±5%, with all spermatozoa exhibiting progressive movement. This stimulation was maintained over a 24-hour period. When caffeine was present during the 2-hour preincubation for the SPA, penetration rates increased to 50%±10% ( P
Dimensions of fiduciary loyalty

This essay discusses the concept of loyalty in fiduciary law. It contrasts fiduciary loyalty with moral conceptions of loyalty, and argues that the distinctiveness of fiduciary loyalty is best appreciated in light of characteristic features of fiduciary relationships. The essay establishes the distinctiveness of fiduciary loyalty by examining: (a) the objects of loyalty in fiduciary relationships; (b) the standards of loyalty that constrain the behavior of fiduciaries in fiduciary relationships; and (c) the functions served by the fiduciary duty of loyalty.
Intelligence in MAS-Based Distributed Learning Environments

This chapter first addresses the issue of the importance of intelligence in MAS-based DLEs. Then, it stresses that there are three main intelligent competencies in MAS-based DLEs: intelligent decision-making support, coordination and collaboration of the agents in MAS, and student modeling for personalization and adaptation in learning systems. It also describes in detail how to apply relevant AI techniques, including the introduction of AI techniques and their state-of-the-art application in the e-learning domain. Finally, future trends in the research and development of intelligence for MAS-based DLEs are discussed. This chapter appears in the book, Designing Distributed Learning Environments with Intelligent Software Agents, edited by Fuhua Oscar Lin . Copyright © 2005, Idea Group I c. Copying or dist ibuting in print or elect onic forms without written permissi n of Idea Group Inc. is prohibited. 701 E. Chocolate Avenue, Suite 200, Hershey PA 17033-1240, USA Tel: 717/533-8845; Fax 717/533-8661; URL-http://www.idea-group.com IDEA GROUP PUBLISHING
United States Technology Use and Public Participation Survey

This dataset represents a large, nationally representative sample of United States residents (N = 1180) about their technology use behaviors and how they participate in social, civic, and political activities. The survey was conducted in 2012 on the Amazon Mechanical Turk platform. Question categories include the degree to which respondents use various technologies, how they use technologies for various purposes, and what kinds of activities they participate in regularly outside of the home. This dataset represents a lens into the daily technological lives of U.S. residents and how technology may influence various public activities, such as social, civic, and political participation.
High-risk Autism Spectrum Disorder Utah pedigrees: a novel Shared Genomic Segments analysis

Progress in gene discovery for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has been rapid over the past decade, with major successes in validation of risk of predominantly rare, penetrant, de novo and inherited mutations in over 100 genes (de Rubies et al., 2015; Sanders et al., 2015). However, the majority of individuals with ASD diagnoses do not carry a rare, penetrant genetic risk factor. In fact, recent estimates suggest that most of the genetic liability of ASD is due to as yet undiscovered common, less penetrant inherited variation (Gaugler et al., 2014) which is much more difficult to detect. The study of extended, high-risk families adds significant information in our search for these common inherited risk factors. Here, we present results of a new, powerful pedigree analysis method (Shared Genomic Segments--SGS) on three large families from the Utah Autism Research Program. The method improves upon previous methods by allowing for within-family heterogeneity, and identifying exact region boundaries and subsets of cases who share for targeted follow-up analyses. Our SGS analyses identified one genome-wide significant shared segment on chromosome 17 (q21.32, p=1.47x10-8). Additional regions with suggestive evidence were identified on chromosomes 3, 4, 6, 8, 11, 13, 14, 15, and 18. Several of these segments showed evidence of sharing across families. Genes of interest in these regions include ATP8A1, DOCK3, CACNA2D2, ITGB3, AMBRA1, FOLH1, DGKZ, MTHFS, ARNT2, BTN2A2, BTN3A1, BTN3A3, BTN2A1, and BTN1A1. We are exploring multiple other lines of evidence to follow up these implicated regions and genes.
The Brief Case: Scopulariopsis Endocarditis-a Case of Mistaken Takayasu's Arteritis.

A 37-year-old Japanese woman with a past medical history of aortic valve replacement secondary to a congenital aortic aneurysm and presumed Takayasu's arteritis treated with prednisone (60 mg daily) presented to the inpatient service with shortness of breath, abdominal pain, and leg and foot pain.
The issue of genital mutilation in the care of immigrants from the perspective of midwives

Abstract At present, the number of migrants is globally increasing. Although the foreigners in the Czech Republic are pleading asylum less than in other countries of the EU (foreigners in the Czech Republic make up less than 5% of the whole population), there were 2,015,467,562 legally registered foreigners at the end of the last year, which was 15,639 more than in 2014. Migration is also associated with the presented issue of female genital mutilation. This article informs of female genital mutilation (FGM). The research was carried out in 2016. The goal was to find the specifics of the care of women with genital mutilation during pregnancy, delivery and puerperium, from the perspective of midwives. The research used a qualitative method of in-depth interviews with midwives who had experience with nursing women with genital mutilation during pregnancy, delivery and puerperium. The data were analyzed using the method of open coding and then categorized. We found that the interviewed midwives had a negative approach to the practices of genital mutilation. The results showed that midwives met obstacles in nursing women with FGM. The complications during pregnancy, delivery and puerperium, which appear in women after the genital mutilation procedure, depend on the extent of the procedure and the later individual periods. Growing migration suggests the number of women with genital mutilation is increasing. For this reason, it is important that midwives are informed of this issue and that they have knowledge in nursing women with FGM during pregnancy, delivery and puerperium.
Prenatal exposure to di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate disrupts ovarian function in a transgenerational manner in female mice

Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a plasticizer found in polyvinyl chloride products such as vinyl flooring, plastic food containers, medical devices, and children's toys. DEHP is a ubiquitous environmental contaminant and is a known endocrine disrupting chemical. Little is known about the effects of prenatal DEHP exposure on the ovary and whether effects occur in subsequent generations. Thus, we tested the hypothesis that prenatal exposure to DEHP disrupts ovarian functions in the F1, F2, and F3 generations of female mice. To test this hypothesis, pregnant CD-1 mice were orally dosed with corn oil (vehicle control) or DEHP (20 and 200 μg/kg/day and 200, 500, and 750 mg/kg/day) daily from gestation day 10.5 until birth (7-28 dams/treatment group). F1 females were mated with untreated males to obtain the F2 generation, and F2 females were mated with untreated males to produce the F3 generation. On postnatal days 1, 8, 21, and 60, ovaries were collected and used for histological evaluation of follicle numbers and sera were used to measure progesterone, testosterone, 17β-estradiol, luteinizing hormone, and follicle stimulating hormone levels. In the F1 generation, prenatal exposure to DEHP disrupted body and organ weights, decreased folliculogenesis, and increased serum 17β-estradiol levels. In the F2 generation, exposure to DEHP decreased body and organ weights, dysregulated folliculogenesis, and disrupted serum progesterone levels. In the F3 generation, DEHP exposure accelerated folliculogenesis. These data suggest that prenatal exposure to DEHP leads to adverse multigenerational and transgenerational effects on ovarian function.
Populism, the Courts and Civil Society

The paper considers why apex Courts are attacked by all populist governments. It argues that we must distinguish between populism as movement, as a leader, as a government and as a regime. It concludes with an argument that only an alliance between civil society initiatives and courts can stop the movement to establish populist-authoritarian regimes.
Progerin phosphorylation in interphase is lower and less mechanosensitive than lamin-A,C in iPS-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

Interphase phosphorylation of lamin-A,C depends dynamically on a cell's microenvironment, including the stiffness of extracellular matrix. However, phosphorylation dynamics is poorly understood for...
Consumer Aspirations and Subjective Well-Being

The purpose of this paper is to analyze how consumerism aspirations affect consumers' subjective well-being. We used Consumer Aspirations Theory because it focuses on the consequences of divergence...
Women Empowerment Through Learning and Livelihood Project (LLP) in Southern Philippines

The predominance of men in socioeconomic and political spheres of patriarchal societies creates inertia in the achievement of one of the third Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that relates to the promotion of gender equality and women empowerment. In the Philippines, gender inequality has been a stumbling block in development work involving women and also aggravates transparency. Theory on the vicious circle of poverty posits that individuals and households may fall into the deprivation trap and remain there due to the interweaving operations of isolation (spatial or informational), vulnerability, physical weakness, powerlessness, and poverty itself. Learning and livelihood project (LLP) chose to use informational isolation and powerlessness as entry points for development intervention to help women and to lessen gender inequality. With the idea that women could be empowered via literacy and numeracy trainings, LLP promotes women in project planning and implementation for better transparency in community development works. This chapter examines this empowerment experience of the women involved in the LLP project. In addition, this chapter also argues for encouraging the activities that promote social capital among the women and can be made the launching pad of a cooperative.
Clinical Pedagogy and Pathways of Clinical Pedagogical Practice: A Conceptual Framework for Teaching About Teaching in Clinical Experiences

As the field of teacher education evolves to more clinically based educator preparation, understanding how to develop preservice teachers’ professional vision and pedagogy through reflection in and...
Solution to the 1 +1 dimensional gauged chiral Fermion problem

We show that the 3450 U(1) chiral fermion theory can appear as the low energy effective field theory of a $1+1\mathrm{D}$ local lattice model of fermions, with an on-site U(1) symmetry and finite-range interactions. The on-site U(1) symmetry means that the U(1) symmetry can be gauged (gaugeable for both background probe and dynamical fields), which leads to a nonperturbative definition of chiral gauge theory---a chiral fermion theory coupled to U(1) gauge theory. Our construction can be generalized to regularize any U(1)-anomaly-free $1+1\mathrm{D}$ gauged chiral fermion theory with a zero chiral central charge (thus no gravitational anomaly) by a lattice, thanks to the recently proven ``Poincar\'e dual'' equivalence between the U(1) 't Hooft anomaly-free condition and the U(1) symmetric interaction gapping rule, via a bosonization-fermionization technique.
Surface Modification of Polyethersulfone (PES) with Ozone

ABSTRACTPolyethersulfone (PES) is a thermoplastic polymer able to maintain its toughness and stability at high temperatures with applications, such as, in water ultrafiltration. This research focus...
Gathering to Save a Nation: Lincoln and the Union's War Governors

Review of: "Gathering to Save a Nation: Lincoln and the Union's War Governors," by Stephen D. Engle.
Dielectrophoretic-Assisted Biosensor for Single-Cell Characterization at Mmwave Frequencies in CMOS 28nm Technology

In this work an on-chip solution for integrating Dielectrophoretic (DEP) single cell manipulation and mmWave permittivity sensing in a low-voltage (0.9V/1.8V) 28 nm bulk CMOS technology is presented. A novel driver circuit is introduced for the generation of highvoltages (up to 6V) across the DEP electrodes to create strong electric fields (~105 V/m) for single cell manipulation. Successful integration of high voltage operation DEP electrodes with mmWave sensors, operating at 110 GHz is demonstrated. A packaging technique for integrating microfluidics with positive DEP (pDEP) on the chip for precise sample positioning and therefore optimal sensing is presented.
Recent progress in the development of nanocomposite membranes

Abstract The membrane, which is a permselective barrier that allows some species to pass through it while retaining others, is the crucial component in a membrane separation process. Thus, the separation performances of the developed technology are significantly affected by the improvement of membrane materials and membrane design. Recent advances in membrane synthesis and fabrication techniques have led to the development of a novel membrane design with enhanced physical and chemical properties and improved separation efficiency. Moreover, coupling the membrane processes with advanced nanotechnology promises to resolve the challenges accompanying conventional separation and purification techniques. Nanoenabled composite membranes offer enhanced performance in terms of both permeability and selectivity and will lead to the development of commercially feasible stable, modular structures. The growth in the world's population and the expansion in the industry worldwide necessitate the development of new and efficient technologies with a minimum carbon footprint and the least impact on the environment. The newly developed nanoenabled membranes are gaining wide appreciation as a green technology for major separation processes, able to resolve the “tradeoff” dispute observed in traditional membrane separation processes. This chapter focuses on recent development in novel nanocomposite membranes and their potential applications in different fields, including air and water purification, desalination, energy sector, food, and biomedical fields.
Characterization of two MHC II genes (DOB, DRB) in white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus )

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is responsible for detecting and addressing foreign pathogens inside the body. While the general structure of MHC genes is relatively well conserved among mammalian species, it is notably different among ruminants due to a chromosomal inversion that splits MHC type II genes into two subregions (IIa, IIb). Recombination rates are reportedly high between these subregions, and a lack of linkage has been documented in domestic ruminants. However, no study has yet examined the degree of linkage between these subregions in a wild ruminant. The white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), a popular ruminant of the Cervidae family, is habitually plagued by pathogens in its natural environment (e.g. Haemonchus contortus, Elaeophora). Due to the association between MHC haplotypes and disease susceptibility, a deeper understanding of MHC polymorphism and linkage between MHC genes can further aid in this species’ successful management. We sequenced MHC-DRB exon 2 (IIa) and MHC-DOB exon 2 (IIb) on the MiSeq platform from an enclosed white-tailed deer population located in Alabama. We identified 12 new MHC-DRB alleles, and resampled 7 alleles, which along with other published alleles brings the total number of documented alleles in white-tailed deer to 30 for MHC-DRB exon 2. The first examination of MHC-DOB in white-tailed deer found significantly less polymorphism (11 alleles), as was expected of a non-classical MHC gene. While MHC-DRB was found to be under positive, diversifying selection, MHC-DOB was found to be under purifying selection for white-tailed deer. We found no significant linkage disequilibrium between MHC-DRB and MHC-DOB, suggesting that these loci are unlikely to be closely linked. Overall, this study identified 12 new MHC-DRB exon 2 alleles and characterized a new, non-classical, MHC II gene (MHC-DOB) for white-tailed deer. We also found a lack of significant linkage between these two loci, which supports previous findings of a chromosomal inversion within the MHC type II gene region in ruminants, and suggests that white-tailed deer may have a recombination hotspot between these MHC regions similar to that found for Bos taurus.
Out of Many: Prophecy and Sovereign Authority in Maimonides’ and Spinoza’s Politics

This chapter argues that Maimonides and Spinoza are quite similar in arguing for a naturalistic account of sovereign authority derived from the need of every virtuous leader to address the material and imaginative conditions of their citizens in order to develop a unified, stable political association. Rather than being naturally disposed to reason, political subjects have primarily unrestrained affects and imaginations that must be coordinated effectively by a wise sovereign. To do this, Maimonides and Spinoza argue that the prophet law-giver or sovereign must have a singular authority that is always inviolate. The status of a prophet law-giver or sovereign as a uniquely authorized individual among the mass of chaotic individuals and opinions is fundamental to political success. However, for both, universal reason cannot be the ground and adequate means to achieve political unity. Instead, a sovereign must have unique experiences and wisdom by which to rule themselves and others so that a living tradition forms and transmits a civic and intellectual good.
Production and Characterization of Antioxidative Hydrolysates and Peptides from Corn Gluten Meal Using Papain, Ficin, and Bromelain.

There has been a growing interest in developing natural antioxidants with high efficiency and low cost. Bioactive protein hydrolysates could be a potential source of natural and safer antioxidants. The objectives of this study were to hydrolyze corn gluten meal using three plant-derived proteases, namely papain, ficin, and bromelain, to produce antioxidative hydrolysates and peptides and to characterize the antioxidant performances using both chemical assays and a ground meat model. The optimum hydrolysis time for papain was 3 h, and for ficin and bromelain was 4 h. The hydrolysates were further separated by sequential ultrafiltration to 5 hydrolysate fractions named F1 to F5 from low molecular weight (MW) ( 10 kDa), which were further characterized for TPC, free radical scavenging capacity against DPPH and ABTS, and metal chelating activity. The fraction F4 produced by papain (CH-P4), F1 produced by ficin (CH-F1), and F3 produced by bromelain (CH-B3) showed the strongest antioxidant activity and yield, respectively. These three fractions were incorporated into ground pork to determine their inhibition effects on lipid oxidation during a 16-day storage period. The inhibition effect was enhanced with the addition of higher amount of hydrolysate (e.g., 1000 vs. 500 mg/kg). The CH-P4 reduced lipid oxidation in ground meat by as much as 30.45%, and CH-B3 reduced oxidation by 27.2% at the same level, but the inhibition was only 13.83% with 1000 mg/kg of CH-F1. The study demonstrated that CGM protein hydrolysates and peptides could be used as naturally derived antioxidant in retarding lipid oxidation and improving product storage stability.
Can a Computer Intercept Your Email

In recent years it has become feasible for computers to rapidly scan the contents of large amounts of communications traffic to identify certain characteristics of those messages: that they are spam, contain malware, discuss various products or services, are written in a particular dialect, contain copyright-infringing files, or discuss symptoms of particular diseases. There is a wide variety of potential uses for this technology, such as research, filtering, or advertising. But the legal status of automated processing, if it is done without advance consent, is unclear. Where it results in the disclosure of the contents of a message to others, that clearly violates the federal law governing communications privacy, the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA). But what if no record of the contents of the communication is ever made? Does it violate communications privacy simply to have a computer scan emails? I argue that automated processing that leaves no record of the contents of a communication does not violate the ECPA, because it does not “intercept” that communication within the meaning of the Act. The history, purpose, and judicial interpretation of the ECPA all support this reading: interception requires at least the potential for human awareness of the contents. Furthermore, this is not simply an accident of drafting, an omission due to the limited foresight of legislators. Under most theories of privacy, automated processing does not harm privacy. Automated processing may in some cases lead to harm, but those harms are not, in fact, privacy harms, and should be analyzed instead under other legal regimes better adapted to dealing with such issues.
Multivariate distributions of correlated binary variables generated by pair-copulas

Correlated binary data are prevalent in a wide range of scientific disciplines, including healthcare and medicine. The generalized estimating equations (GEEs) and the multivariate probit (MP) model are two of the popular methods for analyzing such data. However, both methods have some significant drawbacks. The GEEs may not have an underlying likelihood and the MP model may fail to generate a multivariate binary distribution with specified marginals and bivariate correlations. In this paper, we study multivariate binary distributions that are based on D-vine pair-copula models as a superior alternative to these methods. We elucidate the construction of these binary distributions in two and three dimensions with numerical examples. For higher dimensions, we provide a method of constructing a multidimensional binary distribution with specified marginals and equicorrelated correlation matrix. We present a real-life data analysis to illustrate the application of our results.
46 at 100: Live by Faith and Lead with Science

Depending on which side of the chasm they inhabit, many Americans view the so-called conflict thesis as either the nation’s Genesis account or in its DNA. This thesis pits religion versus science in all matters personal and political. The conflict persists because America is at once “the greatest scientific nation in the world” and a fundamentally religious country where four in five citizens profess to believe in God. As an antitheses-of-Trump candidate and incumbent president during his first 100 days, Joe Biden has sought to bridge the gap and unify America through living by faith while leading with science. A telling example of how Biden balances religion and science appeared in his cover letter for the administration’s signature report, National Strategy for the Covid-19 Response and Pandemic Preparedness, issued one day after he took office. In the letter, Biden began by reminding readers that, in his inaugural address, “I offered a prayer for the 400,000 Americans and counting who have lost their lives this past year from the once-in-a-century pandemic in our midst.” He went on to state that, “For the past year, we could not turn to the federal government for a national plan to answer prayers with action – until today.” That action, he noted, that answer to prayer, “will be driven by scientists and public health experts who will regularly speak directly to you, free from political interference as they make decisions strictly on science and public health alone.” Live by faith, lead with science. With this balance, President Biden hopes to unite a divided nation.