cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the Variational Foundations of Assumed Strain Methods

On montre que cette classe de methodes tombe dans la classe des methodes variationnelles basee sur le principe de Hu-Washizu
SEED PRODUCTION BY GILBERTIODENDRON DEWEVREI IN THE NOUABALE-NDOKI NATIONAL PARK, CONGO, AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR LARGE MAMMALS

A number of members of the family Caesalpiniaceae form single-speciesdominant forests in Africa (Hart 1995). Forests dominated by Gilbertiodendron dewevrei (DeWild.) Leonard cover extensive areas in the northeastern Congo basin moist forest zone (Gerard 1960, Lebrun & Gilbert 1954, Rollet 1964) and can comprise 79% of stems above 10 cm diameter at breast height and 88% of the basal area (Hart et al. 1989). In northern Republic of Congo, G. dewevrei-dominated forest is common in riparian zones (Rollet 1964). Landsat TM images, aerial videography and ground surveys of the Nouabale-Ndoki National Park reveal that G. dewevrei forest cover is extensive, particularly in uplands away from watercourses. Gilbertiodendron dewevrei exhibits synchronous, supra-annual seed crops or mast seed production (Silvertown, 1980, Hart et al. 1995). It is thought that mast fruiting may have evolved to combat seed predation through predator satiation (Augspurger 1981). In Zaire beetles may destroy over 90% of the G. dewevrei seed crop in a mast year (Hart 1995). G. dewevrei seeds are also preyed upon by a large array of mammals including rodents, duikers (Ceplhalophius spp.), pigs (Potamochoerus porcus and Hylochoerus meinertzhageni), buffalo (Syncerus caffer), elephants (Loxodonta africana cyclotis) and humans (Hart 1995). In the Central African Republic gorillas (Gorilla g. gorilla) feed heavily on G. dewevrei seeds during mast years (Fay 1989). The temporal and spatial distribution of food resources are major determinants of ranging patterns and habitat use in mammals (Leighton & Leighton 1983, MacArthur & Pianka 1966, Terborgh 1983). Fruiting phenology over a
Supersymmetric ground state wave functions

Abstract The construction of explicit supersymmetric ground states is considered in a variety of quantum mechanical systems. For broad classes of supersymmetric hamiltonians it is not difficult to find closed-form zero-energy ground-state wave functions.
A method for enhancing digital information displayed to computer users with visual refractive errors via spatial and spectral based processing

The ability to interact effectively with computers through typical graphic user interfaces (GUIs) is greatly affected by any refractive errors present in an individual's visual system. These errors can be mathematically modeled (as the wavefront aberration function) and a system for overcoming these aberrations is proposed which has the potential to increase the effective human-computer interaction for these individuals. This paper introduces a dissertation research plan that seeks to:1. further develop techniques realizing software pre-compensation2. test this method using human subjects with each subject's unique wavefront aberration.
Semiconductor mechanical sensors

The purpose of this paper is to briefly review the concepts proposed to explain the piezojunction effect and to describe the techniques employed in its application. Several experimental transducers which have been constructed and evaluated are described.
Optical and magnetic properties of uranium and neptunium borohydrides and tetrakismethylborohydrides

Abstract Magnetic susceptibilities of the compounds U(BH3CH3)4 and Np(BH3CH3)4 are reported in the temperature range 2 K-330 K. With this additional data, the optical spectrum of U(BD4)4 diluted in Hf(BD4)4 is reanalyzed. Preliminary results are also given for the analysis of the optical spectrum of Np(BD4)4 diluted in Zr(BD4)4. Electron paramagnetic resonance data are presented for single crystals of Np(BH3CH3)4 diluted in Zr(BH3CH3)4.
Why do American Indians vote Democratic

Abstract We examine the relationship between a relatively large population of American Indians in eastern Oklahoma and the slow pace of that region's partisan realignment. With a 2012 exit poll, we empirically examine whether American Indians’ cultural ties and their socio-economic characteristics affected their vote choices. Because of their greater poverty, American Indians are more economically progressive and vote more Democratic than their white counterparts. American Indians’ socio-economic circumstances play a greater role than their cultural ties in their vote decisions and significantly influence why they are slower to abandon the Democratic Party in eastern Oklahoma.
Quantum Mechanics/Molecular Mechanics Calculations of the Vanadium Dependent Chloroperoxidase

Large quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) calculations are used to probe the resting and initial protonated states of the vanadium dependent chloroperoxidase from the pathogenic fungus Curvularia inaequalis. QSite was used to model 433 residues and 24 structural waters with molecular mechanics, while 8 active-site residues and the vanadate cofactor (161 atoms) were represented at the B3LYP/lacvp* level of theory. Our previous study of small model systems implied that the resting state of the enzyme contains a trigonal bipyramidal vanadate with one hydroxyl group in the equatorial plane and another in the axial position. This study uses a much larger model of the biological system at a higher level of theory to identify the location of the equatorial hydroxo group with respect to the enzyme active site. We also identify a second resting-state configuration with an axial water and three equatorial oxo moieties that is nearly isoenergetic with the previously identified state. We propose that the resting state is a hybrid of these two configurations, stabilized by the long-range electrostatic field of the protein environment. The first step in catalysis is believed to be protonation of the vanadate. Our previous small models indicated that there were two protonated configurations, but this study shows that the configuration containing an axial water and one hydroxo group in the equatorial plane is significantly lower in energy than any other configuration. Additionally, we can now assign an important role for lysine 353 in the catalytic cycle. Based on our calculations and other model studies, we provide an updated catalytic cycle for vanadium dependent haloperoxidase activity. Further, we demonstrate the importance of system set up. In particular, maintaining the proper electrostatic field at the active site is crucial for identifying the correct minima in a truncated protein model.
The determination of surface properties of polymers from liquid drop stability on an inclined plane

A method for studying the surfaces of solid polymers is described. Drops of various sizes were deposited on a horizontal surface; then the plane was tilted and the angles of inclination at which the drops begin to slide were recorded. A theory was developed which indicated that a plot of sin αs against V2/3− on linear graph paper should give a straight line. From the slope of the line, a constant K was obtained which characterized the surface. This constant is a function of the interfacial forces and the density of the drop. The critical surface tension for wetting Teflon (TFE) resin was found to be 20.5 dynes/cm. This is in close agreement with the critical surface tension determined by contact angle measurements. Alathon 23A polyethylene film which had been treated by electric corona discharge was studied. It was shown that K is related to the printability level, and that treated and untreated surfaces may readily be distinguished from one another by their K values.
MANGANESE, TECHNETIUM AND RHENIUM ‐ ANNUAL SURVEY COVERING THE YEAR 1972

Darstellung, Eigenschaften und Reaktionen der Metallcarbonyle, Metall-Halogen-Komplexe, Hydrid- sowie Alkyl-Metall-Komplexe der drei Elemente werden beschrieben.
Anisotropic-rotational diffusion model calculation of T1 due to spin-rotation interaction in liquids

Abstract The spin-lattice relaxation time T 1 due to the spin-rotation interaction in liquids of symmetrical molecules was calculated in terms of a rotational diffusion model. The calculation supplements earlier ones by considering the effect of rotational diffusive motion on the molecular reorientation. Expressions for the spin-rotation contribution to T 1 were obtained explicitly for the resonant nuclei located on and off the symmetry axis of the spherical-top and symmetric-top molecules. New results and discussions were given for the case when the relaxing nucleus is off the symmetry axis.
Toward Methodological Inclusivism: The Case for Case Studies

The rise in case study research raises important philosophical and practical questions for the profession of agricultural economics. We make a case for embracing rigorous case studies as complementary research activities that may enrich the contribution of the agricultural economics profession. Types of case studies are reviewed and exemplary case studies identified.
A Saga of Industrial Pollution

In this detailed and balanced account, Fagin explores the complexities of links between industrial pollution and childhood cancers at Toms River, New Jersey.
Awareness of the Role of Atrial Fibrillation as a Cause of Ischemic Stroke

Atrial fibrillation (AF) in the presence of mitral stenosis, a consequence of rheumatic heart disease, was long recognized as the basis for cerebral infarction. Although it had long been acknowledged that atrial stasis resulting from mitral stenosis, often in the presence of AF, predisposed to thrombus formation, investigators questioned whether the AF played a role in the occurrence of systemic embolism, including stroke. As examples, in 1951, the esteemed Boston cardiologists Harris and Levine concluded, “…one wonders whether AF has much importance in influencing thrombus formation in mitral stenosis.”1 In his memoirs, Fisher2 recounts the events in 1949 soon after his arrival as a graduate fellow in neuropathology at the Boston City Hospital. He stated > One day, three months after I’d arrived, I had the opportunity to examine the cerebral arteries before slicing three brains that had large hemorrhagic infarcts. The basal vessels were empty of thrombus … People were signing out these cases as cerebral artery thrombosis—but pathologically there was no thrombus. Afterward, I looked up the records on these three cases and they had all been in AF and the general autopsy had shown infarcts in the spleen and kidneys. I speculated that they might be cases of embolism from the heart. The hemorrhagic change was from reperfusion of blocked vessels. This experience led Fisher to conclude AF was indeed frequently associated with stroke attributed to cerebral thrombosis, and the hemorrhagic infarction in such cases was related to lysis of cerebral emboli and reperfusion of the infarct. At about the same time, beginning in 1946, Wright and Foley3 at the New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center showed that anticoagulation could prevent strokes originating from fibrillating atria in patients with mitral stenosis. This work was later extended to those with nonvalvular AF and was discussed by Wright …
Biologic Roles of Estrogen Receptor-β and Insulin-Like Growth Factor-2 in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) occurs in 10-15% of patients yet accounts for almost half of all breast cancer deaths. TNBCs lack expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors and HER-2 overexpression and cannot be treated with current targeted therapies. TNBCs often occur in African American and younger women. Although initially responsive to some chemotherapies, TNBCs tend to relapse and metastasize. Thus, it is critical to find new therapeutic targets. A second ER gene product, termed ERβ, in the absence of ERα may be such a target. Using human TNBC specimens with known clinical outcomes to assess ERβ expression, we find that ERβ1 associates with significantly worse 5-year overall survival. Further, a panel of TNBC cell lines exhibit significant levels of ERβ protein. To assess ERβ effects on proliferation, ERβ expression in TNBC cells was silenced using shRNA, resulting in a significant reduction in TNBC proliferation. ERβ-specific antagonists similarly suppressed TNBC growth. Growth-stimulating effects of ERβ may be due in part to downstream actions that promote VEGF, amphiregulin, and Wnt-10b secretion, other factors associated with tumor promotion. In vivo, insulin-like growth factor-2 (IGF-2), along with ERβ1, is significantly expressed in TNBC and stimulates high ERβ mRNA in TNBC cells. This work may help elucidate the interplay of metabolic and growth factors in TNBC.
Impediments to and Methods for Evaluating Safety Management Systems

The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) mandates that individual states develop six transportation infrastructure management systems. One of these systems, the safety management system (SMS), focuses on reducing the number of roadway traffic accidents, injuries, and fatalities by considering the safety needs of the driver, vehicle, and roadway. This necessitates cooperation among state, city, and county roadway agencies as well as diverse public and quasipublic agencies. States have made significant advances toward implementing SMSs. The safety community recognizes that it is time to coordinate safety activities and responsibilities. Even if it is not mandated by Congress, as recent actions indicate, a large number of states are expected to implement elements of their SMS work plan. With this implementation comes the need for the evaluation of SMS's effectiveness in increasing traffic safety and ultimately reducing the number and severity of accidents. The challenge in evaluating SMS ...
Effect of Temperature on Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Steel Bolts

AbstractWhen steel-framed structures are exposed to fire, connections play a crucial role in transferring forces from highly stressed members to less stressed members. The performance of bolted connections, under ambient and fire conditions, depends on the strength characteristics of bolts. At present, the fire resistance of bolts is evaluated by assuming the high-temperature properties to be same as those of conventional mild steel. This is due to lack of data on high-temperature properties specific to high-strength steel bolts. To overcome this drawback, high-temperature thermal and mechanical properties of Grade A325 and A490 high-strength steel bolts are evaluated. Thermal conductivity and specific heat of A325 and A490 were measured in the temperature range 20–735°C, whereas thermal expansion was measured in the range 20–1000°C in both the heating and cooling phases of fire. Steady-state single shear and tension tests were carried out on A325 and A490 bolts at 20–800°C. Results from these tests were ...
Injection-Extraction Treatment Well Pairs: An Alternative to Permeable Reactive Barriers

Two of the biggest drawbacks of using permeable reactive barriers (PRBs) to treat contaminated ground water are the high capital cost of installation, particularly when the contaminated ground water is deep below ground surface, and the uncertainty of whether or not PRBs remain effective for the long time scales (e.g., decades) needed for many contaminant plumes. The use of an injection-extraction treatment well pair (IETWP) for capture and treatment of contaminated ground water can circumvent these difficulties, while still providing many of the same advantages offered by PRBs. In this paper, the hydraulics of IETWPs and PRBs are compared, focusing primarily on the width of the captured plume. It is demonstrated that IETWPs act as hydraulic barriers in a manner similar to PRBs, and that IETWPs provide excellent plume capture. A mathematical expression is presented for the plume capture width of an IETWP oriented perpendicular to the ground water flow direction in a homogeneous aquifer. Also discussed are other practical considerations that might determine whether an IETWP is better suited than a PRB for a particular contaminated site; these considerations include operating and maintenance costs, and the conditions under which an IETWP system can be used for in situ remediation.
On Reducing Communication Energy Using Cross-Sensor Coding Technique

This paper addresses the uneven communication energy problem in data gathering sensor networks where the nodes closer to the sink tend to consume more energy than those of the farther nodes. Consequently, the lifetime of a network is significantly shortened. We propose a cross-sensor coding technique using On-Off keying which exploits (a) the tradeoff between delay and energy consumption and (b) the network topology in order to alleviate the problem of unequal energy consumption. We formulate our coding problem as an integer linear programming problem and show how to construct a number of codes based on different criteria. We show that the proposed technique can extend the lifetime of a small sensor network.
Eu(III) Complexes of Octadentate 1-Hydroxy-2-pyridinones: Stability and Improved Photophysical Performance[]

The luminescence properties of lanthanoid ions can be dramatically enhanced by coupling them to antenna ligands that absorb light in the UV-visible and then efficiently transfer the energy to the lanthanoid centre. The synthesis and the complexation of LnIII cations (Ln = Eu, Gd) for a ligand based on four 1-hydroxy-2-pyridinone (1,2-HOPO) chelators appended to a ligand backbone derived by linking two l-lysine units (3LI-bis-LYS) is described. This octadentate EuIII complex ([Eu(3LI-bis-LYS-1,2-HOPO)]–) has been evaluated in terms of its thermodynamic stability, UV-visible absorption and luminescence properties. For this complex, the conditional stability constant (pM) is 19.9, which is an order of magnitude higher than diethylenetriaminepentacetic acid at pH = 7.4. This EuIII complex also shows an almost two-fold increase in its luminescence quantum yield in aqueous solution (pH = 7.4) when compared with other octadentate ligands. Hence, despite a slight decrease of the molar absorption coefficient, a much higher brightness is obtained for [Eu(3LI-bis-LYS-1,2-HOPO)]–. This overall improvement was achieved by saturating the coordination sphere of the EuIII cation, yielding an increased metal-centred efficiency by excluding solvent water molecules from the metal’s inner sphere.
Magnetic Field Instruments for the Fast Auroral Snapshot Explorer

The FAST magnetic field investigation incorporates a tri-axial fluxgate magnetometer for DC and low-frequency (ULF) magnetic field measurements, and an orthogonal three-axis searchcoil system for measurement of structures and waves corresponding to ELF and VLF frequencies. One searchcoil sensor is sampled up to 2 MHz to capture the magnetic component of auroral kilomctric radiation (AKR). Because of budget, weight, power and telemetry considerations, the fluxgate was given a single gain state, with a 16-bit dynamic range of ±65536 nT and 2 nT resolution. With a wide variety of FAST fields instrument telemetry modes, the fluxgate output effective bandwidth is between 0.2 and 25 Hz, depending on the mode. The searchcoil telemetry products include burst waveform capture with 4- and 16-kHz bandwidth, continuous 512-point FFTs of the ELF/VLF band (16 kHz Nyquist) provided by a digital signal processing chip, and swept frequency analysis with a 1-MHz bandwidth. The instruments are operating nominally. Early results have shown that downward auroral field-aligned currents, well-observed over many years on earlier missions, are often carried by accelerated electrons at altitudes above roughly 2000 km in the winter auroral zone. The estimates of current from derivatives of the field data agree with those based on flux from the electrons. Searchcoil observations help constrain the degree to which, for example, ion cyclotron emissions are electrostatic.
An eye-tracking study of learned attention in Second Language Acquisition.

This paper investigates the limited attainment of adult compared to child language acquisition in terms of learned attention to morphological cues. It replicates Ellis and Sagarra in demonstrating short-term learned attention in the acquisition of temporal reference in Latin, and it extends the investigation using eye-tracking indicators to determine the extent to which these biases are overt or covert. English native speakers learned adverbial and morphological cues to temporal reference in a small set of Latin phrases under experimental conditions. Comprehension and production data demonstrated that early experience with adverbial cues enhanced subsequent use of this cue dimension and blocked the acquisition of verbal tense morphology. Effects of early experience of verbal morphology were less pronounced. Eye-tracking measures showed that early experience of particular cue dimensions affected what participants overtly focused upon during subsequent language processing and how this overt study resulted in turn in covert attentional biases in comprehension and in productive knowledge.
An approach to analyzing biped locomotion dynamics and designing robot locomotion controls

An approach to analyzing biped locomotion problems is presented. This approach applies the principles of Lagrangian dynamics to derive the equations of motion of locomotion gaits, state-variable techniques to analyze locomotion dynamics, and multivariable feedback to design locomotion controls. A robot model which has no knee joints or feet and is constrained to motion in the sagittal plane is chosen as a sufficiently simple model of a biped to illustrate the approach. A goal of the analysis is the design of a locomotion control for the robot which produces a walking gait having a velocity and stride length similar to those of a human walking gait. The principle feature of the approach is a much deeper understanding of the dynamics of biped locomotion than previous approaches have provided.
Metrics for mitigating cybersecurity threats to networks

To achieve their full potential, networks must be secure as well as functional. With this in mind, the author identifies metrics designed to mitigate vulnerabilities to cyberattacks in networks that are key to the critical infrastructure of the US. He discusses both growth metrics - based on data obtained from the US National Institute of Standards and Technology and Department of Homeland Security vulnerability database - and metrics designed to mitigate the risk of security vulnerabilities in networks. If used together, these two types of metrics can help make networks more secure.
Long-term antigen specific and non-specific T-cell lines and clones in uveitis.

T-cell lines, initially expanded with either mitogens or the uveitogenic S-antigen obtained from the eyes of three uveitis patients, were maintained in vitro for 4–8 weeks. S-antigen specific T-cell clones were derived from the peripheral blood of a fourth patient. The surface marker characteristics clearly demonstrate these cells to be T-cells. Both OKT4+ and OKT8+ clones and cell lines were found using immuno-fluorescence microscopy, an ELISA technique, or the laser cytoflurograph, but some could be only definitely identified as T-cells with the antibody to the IL-2 receptor, and not the OKT series of monoclonal anti-sera. These studies underscore how dynamic the expression of T-cell membrane markers can be, and that commercially available monoclonal antisera to T-cell membrane markers may not identify all T-cells in long term culture. This is the first report of the isolation of an antigen specific T-cell clone relevant to the eye, and the technique described will allow clonal expansion of ocular cells...
Diet-induced Obesity Alters AMP Kinase Activity in Hypothalamus and Skeletal Muscle *

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a key regulator of cellular energy balance and of the effects of leptin on food intake and fatty acid oxidation. Obesity is usually associated with resistance to the effects of leptin on food intake and body weight. To determine whether diet-induced obesity (DIO) impairs the AMPK response to leptin in muscle and/or hypothalamus, we fed FVB mice a high fat (55%) diet for 10–12 weeks. Leptin acutely decreased food intake by ∼30% in chow-fed mice. DIO mice tended to eat less, and leptin had no effect on food intake. Leptin decreased respiratory exchange ratio in chow-fed mice indicating increased fatty acid oxidation. Respiratory exchange ratio was low basally in high fat-fed mice, and leptin had no further effect. Leptin (3 mg/kg intraperitoneally) increased α2-AMPK activity 2-fold in muscle in chow-fed mice but not in DIO mice. Leptin decreased acetyl-CoA carboxylase activity 40% in muscle from chow-fed mice. In muscle from DIO mice, acetyl-CoA carboxylase activity was basally low, and leptin had no further effect. In paraventricular, arcuate, and medial hypothalamus of chow-fed mice, leptin inhibited α2-AMPK activity but not in DIO mice. In addition, leptin increased STAT3 phosphorylation 2-fold in arcuate of chow-fed mice, but this effect was attenuated because of elevated basal STAT3 phosphorylation in DIO mice. Thus, DIO in FVB mice alters α2-AMPK in muscle and hypothalamus and STAT3 in hypothalamus and impairs further effects of leptin on these signaling pathways. Defective responses of AMPK to leptin may contribute to resistance to leptin action on food intake and energy expenditure in obese states.
Changes in human erythrocyte membrane proteins during storage.

Abstract : Fresh and 21-day old human blood samples were used to prepare fresh and out-dated stromas. Pooled fresh and outdated samples were solubilized by butanol or pyridine. These two protein fractions (fresh and outdated) produced different patterns on disc electrophoresis and column chromatography. Charge differences between fresh and outdated proteins were shown to be independent of the sialic acid content of the proteins. Conformational changes between fresh and outdated proteins were seen using 1-anilino-8-naphthalene sulfonate (ANS) as a fluorescent probe. Fresh samples showed greater fluorescent enhancement but less total ANS binding, and lower protein-ANS dissociation constants. These changes may cause a reduction in the strength, or integrity, of the erythrocyte membrane and be a limiting factor in the viability of the human red cell during in vitro storage. (Author)
Children and Conduct in a Ladino Community of Chiapas, Mexico1

While running errands, children in a Ladino town of Chiapas, Mexico, perform roles that are integral to the system of community conduct. They obtain information for use by adults (spying) and enter encounters that might endanger an adult's self-respect (“face-work”). The adults' concern for secrecy and personal privacy provides the basis for these strategic uses of children. The relation between the maintenance of reputation and the protection of self in a small-town setting makes this role for children understandable.
Quantifying filamentous microorganisms in activated sludge before, during, and after an incident of foaming by oligonucleotide probe hybridizations and antibody staining.

Quantitative oligonucleotide probe hybridizations, immunostaining, and a simple foaming potential test were used to follow an incident of seasonal filamentous foaming at the Urbana-Champaign Sanitary District, Northeast Wastewater Treatment Plant. A positive correlation was observed between an increase in foaming potential and the appearance of foam on the surfaces of aeration basins and secondary clarifiers. In addition, during the occurrence of foaming, the mass and activity of Gordonia spp. increased as measured by fluorescence in situ hybridization, antibody staining, and quantitative membrane hybridization of RNA extracts. An increase in Gordonia spp. rRNA levels from 0.25 to 1.4% of total rRNA was observed using quantitative membrane hybridizations, whereas during the same period, the fraction of mixed liquor volatile suspended solids attributed to Gordonia spp. increased from 4% to more than 32% of the total mixed liquor volatile suspended solids. These results indicate that both the activity and biomass level of Gordonia spp. in activated sludge increased relative to the activity and the biomass level of the complete microbial community during a seasonal occurrence of filamentous foaming. Thus, Gordonia spp. may represent a numerically dominant but metabolically limited fraction of the total biomass, and the role of Gordonia spp. in filamentous foaming may be linked more tightly to the physical presence of filamentous microorganisms than to the metabolic activity of the cells. # 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved
Gold Nanocage Assemblies for Selective Second Harmonic Generation Imaging of Cancer Cell

Second harmonic generation (SHG) imaging using near infrared laser light is the key to improving penetration depths, leading to biological understanding. Unfortunately, currently SHG imaging techniques have limited capability due to the poor signal-to-noise ratio, resulting from the low SHG efficiency of available dyes. Targeted tumor imaging over nontargeted tissues is also a challenge that needs to be overcome. Driven by this need, in this study, the development of two-photon SHG imaging of live cancer cell lines selectively by enhancement of the nonlinear optical response of gold nanocage assemblies is reported. Experimental results show that two-photon scattering intensity can be increased by few orders of magnitude by just developing nanoparticle self-assembly. Theoretical modeling indicates that the field enhancement values for the nanocage assemblies can explain, in part, the enhanced nonlinear optical properties. Our experimental data also show that A9 RNA aptamer conjugated gold nanocage assemblies can be used for targeted SHG imaging of the LNCaP prostate cancer cell line. Experimental results with the HaCaT normal skin cell lines show that bioconjugated nanocage-based assemblies demonstrate SHG imaging that is highly selective and will be able to distinguish targeted cancer cell lines from other nontargeted cell types. After optimization, this reported SHG imaging assay could have considerable application for biology.
In SYNC: The Ins and Outs of Circadian Oscillations in Calcium

Many stimuli induce short-term increases in the cytosolic concentration of free calcium ions ([Ca(2+)](i)) that encode signaling information about diverse physiological and developmental events. Slow cytosolic Ca(2+) oscillations that span an entire day have also been discovered in both plants and animals; it is thought that these daily Ca(2+) oscillations may encode circadian clock signaling information. A recent study focusing on the characterization of the extracellular Ca(2+)-sensing receptor (CAS) has provided insight into the molecular mechanisms by which the daily Ca(2+) oscillation in plants is generated. We summarize the major findings regarding daily oscillations of cytosolic Ca(2+) concentrations in plants and animals, and discuss hypothetical biological roles for the circadian clock-regulated physiology in plants.
Evolution of duplicated alpha-tubulin genes in ciliates.

Ciliates provide a powerful system to analyze the evolution of duplicated α-tubulin genes in the context of single-celled organisms. Genealogical analyses of ciliate α-tubulin sequences reveal five apparently recent gene duplications. Comparisons of paralogs in different ciliates implicate differing patterns of substitutions (e.g., ratios of replacement/synonymous nucleotides and radical/conservative amino acids) following duplication. Most substitutions between paralogs in Euplotes crassus, Halteria grandinella and Paramecium tetraurelia are synonymous. In contrast, α-tubulin paralogs within Stylonychia lemnae and Chilodonella uncinata are evolving at significantly different rates and have higher ratios of both replacement substitutions to synonymous substitutions and radical amino acid changes to conservative amino acid changes. Moreover, the amino acid substitutions in C. uncinata and S. lemnae paralogs are limited to short stretches that correspond to functionally important regions of the α-tubulin protein. The topology of ciliate α-tubulin genealogies are inconsistent with taxonomy based on morphology and other molecular markers, which may be due to taxonomic sampling, gene conversion, unequal rates of evolution, or asymmetric patterns of gene duplication and loss.
Broadband Absorption Engineering to Enhance Light Absorption in Monolayer MoS2

Here we take a first step toward tackling the challenge of incomplete optical absorption in monolayers of transition metal dichalcogenides for conversion of photon energy, including solar, into other forms of energy. We present a monolayer MoS2-based photoelectrode architecture that exploits nanophotonic light management strategies to enhance absorption within the monolayer of MoS2, while simultaneously integrating an efficient charge carrier separation mechanism facilitated by a MoS2/NiOx heterojunction. Specifically, we demonstrate two extremely thin photoelectrode architectures for solar-fuel generation: (i) a planar optical cavity architecture, MoS2/NiOx/Al, that improves optical impedance matching and (ii) an architecture employing plasmonic silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs), MoS2/Ag NPs/NiOx/Al, that further improves light absorption within the monolayer. We used a combination of numerical simulations, analytical models, and experimental optical characterizations to gain insights into the contributions ...
The Application of Failure Modes in PDA Mobile Nursing System Construction

The paper utilizes Failure Modes and Effects Analysis(FMEA) as a tool for mobile nursing system quality improvement,introduces the concrete implementation method and puts forward improving strategies.It could reduce the incidence of faults and errors,ensure the daily healthy functioning,promote the nursing quality and improve the informatization level.
Searching algorithm for initial exploring circle radius in NLMG

Node-based Local Mesh Generation(NLMG) algorithm that is free of grid inconsistency is one of core algorithms in the Node-based Local Finite Element Method(NLFEM) to achieve the seamless connection between mesh generation and stiffness matrix computing.Besides,evaluating the radius of initial exploring circle of each current central node quickly and reasonably is a decisive step to reduce the computing cost and to ensure the reliability of the NLMG algorithm.This paper develops the Uniform Bucket-based Fast Local Search Method(UBFLSM) used in NLMG algorithm,and then applies it successfully to find the appropriate initial exploring circle radius and to prepare the candidate nodes set as well.Comparing with the other two methods such as the Global search method and the Uniform Bucket-based Local Search Method,the UBFLSM save computing cost remarkably.About the optimal bucket density,the paper advises to make the number of uniform buckets to be about half of the number of the nodes used in the solving domain for the two dimensional problem.Both parallel and sequential numerical experiment results,given in Tab.1 and 2 and Fig.5 through 7 in the full paper,show that UBFLSM can be implemented in NLMG algorithms effectively and reliably.
Perspectives on gods and men

The preceding discussions of human origins and the human condition as inscribed in the two versions of the Prometheus story have demonstrated how the two Hesiodic poems simultaneously oppose, complement, and mutually illuminate each other. A similar strategy underpins the present chapter, which examines the role of human beings in the Theogony and the role of the gods in the Works and Days . Here we are dealing not with explanatory accounts of origins, but with the present relations of gods and men that inform the consequences of those originary events. Once again, Hesiod insists that we combine these two perspectives in order to grasp his cosmos. MEN IN THE THEOGONY Human beings are mentioned sporadically throughout the text of the Theogony , for the most part merely in passing references such as the formula describing Zeus as “father of gods and men.” In addition, right from the beginning, Hesiod mentions Eros’ power over both gods and mortals; and, as we have seen, many of the descendants of Night are singled out as having a special – usually negative – impact on the lives of human beings. The winds that blast the sea and destroy the fields, which arise from Typhoeus’ defeat, likewise constitute a “bane to mankind” (872–80). Despite the relative scarcity of such explicit references, it is nevertheless appropriate to claim that “Hesiod's plan covers not only the divine and the physical cosmos, but also the human cosmos”.
Shouting into the Wind: District Court Judges and Federal Sentencing Policy

There is a long tradition of American judges using the bench as a bully pulpit to declare laws, enacted by Congress and upheld by the Supreme Court, morally wrong. Today, the issue is not slavery or segregation but sentencing. In the last two decades, Congress has dramatically increased the penalties for drug and gun offenses, while simultaneously restricting judicial sentencing discretion, thereby depriving judges of the ability to ameliorate the results of these higher penalties in sympathetic cases. In courtrooms all over the country, federal district court judges have decried these results, sometimes with eloquent orations, other times with steely civics lectures, and occasionally with angry tirades against Congress or the prosecution. This Article discusses the kinds of cases that most distress the judges including sympathetic, low-level offenders as well as relatively serious, but nonviolent, drug dealers who received extremely long terms, including life, based largely on drug quantity. The Article also looks at cases involving gross and unwarranted sentencing disparity caused by the exercise of prosecutorial and police discretion. For judges, these cases illustrate how the claimed congressional cure has both failed to remedy the disease of disparity and created its own oppressive harms.
Infection With Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 3 Is an Independent Risk Factor for End-Stage Liver Disease, Hepatocellular Carcinoma, and Liver-Related Death.

Background & Aims Few studies have examined factors associated with disease progression in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We examined the association of 11 risk factors with adverse outcomes in a population-based prospective cohort observational study of Alaska Native/American Indian persons with chronic HCV infection. Methods We collected data from a population-based cohort study of liver-related adverse outcomes of infection in American Indian/Alaska Native persons with chronic HCV living in Alaska, recruited from 1995 through 2012. We calculated adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for end-stage liver disease (ESLD; presence of ascites, esophageal varices, hepatic encephalopathy, or coagulopathy), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and liver-related death using a Cox proportional hazards model. Results We enrolled 1080 participants followed up for 11,171 person-years (mean, 10.3 person-years); 66%, 19%, and 14% were infected with HCV genotypes 1, 2, and 3, respectively. On multivariate analysis, persons infected with HCV genotype 3 had a significantly increased risk of developing all 3 adverse outcomes. Their aHR for ESLD was 2.1 (95% CI, 1.5–3.0), their aHR for HCC was 3.1 (95% CI, 1.4–6.6), and their aHR for liver-related death was 2.4 (95% CI, 1.5–4.0) compared with genotype 1. Heavy alcohol use was an age-adjusted risk factor for ESLD (aHR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.6–3.2), and liver-related death (aHR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.8–4.6). Obesity was a risk factor for ESLD (aHR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.0–1.9), and diabetes was a risk factor for ESLD (aHR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.1–2.2). Male sex was a risk factor for HCC (aHR, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.6–8.2). Conclusions In a population-based cohort study of American Indian/Alaska Native persons with chronic HCV infection, we found those infected with HCV genotype 3 to be at high risk for ESLD, HCC, and liver-related death.
Quantifying angular dependence of spin-orbit torques in Ta/CoFeB/MgO trilayers with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy

The spin-orbit interactions in heavy-metal/ferromagnet heterostructures have attracted considerable attention because they provide an efficient way to manipulate the magnetization with strong current-driven spin-orbit torques (SOTs) via the spin Hall effect in the heavy metal or Rashba effect due to the symmetry breaking at the interface. Theoretical calculations predict no dependence of the SOTs on the out-of-plane angle of magnetization due to spin Hall effect, but Rashba effect induces a nontrivial angular dependence of SOTs. Quantitative measurements with adiabatic harmonic Hall technique have observed the angular dependence in Ta/CoFeB/MgO or $\mathrm{Pt}/\mathrm{Co}/\mathrm{Al}{\mathrm{O}}_{\mathrm{x}}$ with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. However, this method is complicated because the signal consists of both anomalous and planar Hall contributions. In addition, the fitting of the measurement data is sensitive to the fitting parameters, particularly to the perpendicular anisotropy, in a certain angle region (40--70\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}). To avoid this uncertainty, we have developed a scheme to quantify the angular dependence of SOTs based on the magneto-optic Kerr effect with field calibration. Without fitting procedures, we precisely determine the SOTs and their angle dependence on the magnetization orientation. We observe a strong angular dependence that is different from the previous experimental observations. Based on this strong dependence, we conclude that a Rashba effect at the same interface, that is responsible for the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, is the dominant mechanism for the current-driven SOTs in this system.
The Item Characteristic Curve

In many educational and psychological measurement situations there is an underlying variable of interest. This variable is often something that is intuitively understood, such as “intelligence.” People can be described as being bright or average and the listener has some idea as to what the speaker is conveying about the object of the discussion.
The regulation and role of L-glutamine in B-lymphocyte activation (LYM7P.618)

B lymphocyte activation is a highly energetic event that promotes cell survival and growth. Aberrant activation of B lymphocytes can lead to disease states such as lymphomas or autoimmune diseases. To meet the metabolic demands of activation, B cells increase nutrient uptake to provide energy and intermediates for macromolecule synthesis. We have investigated the role of L-glutamine, which is emerging as a critical immunomodulatory nutrient; however, the precise role of L-glutamine in B cell growth responses is poorly understood. Depletion of extracellular L-glutamine results in impaired cell growth and proliferation in response to B-cell antigen receptor (BCR) ligation, although, early activation events such as induction of CD86 are unaffected. We show that L-glutamine uptake is induced in response to BCR ligation. This corresponds to an increase in the surface expression of the high affinity L-glutamine transporter, ASCT2, indicating its involvement in L-glutamine uptake. Further, inhibition of ASCT2 by the small molecule N-glutaryl-L-phenylalanine p-nitroanilide (GPNA) caused impaired B lymphocyte activation similar to that observed in response to L-glutamine depletion. The addition of L-leucine abated some of the effects of GPNA treatment on B lymphocyte growth responses, indicating mTORC involvement. These data provide new insight on the requirement of L-glutamine in B lymphocyte activation and suggest a possible underlying mechanism of growth regulation by mTORC.
Cytochrome P450 inhibition by three licorice species and fourteen licorice constituents

The potential of licorice dietary supplements to interact with drug metabolism was evaluated by testing extracts of three botanically identified licorice species (Glycyrrhiza glabra L., Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fish. ex DC. and Glycyrrhiza inflata Batalin) and 14 isolated licorice compounds for inhibition of 9 cytochrome P450 enzymes using a UHPLC-MS/MS cocktail assay. G. glabra showed moderate inhibitory effects against CYP2B6, CYP2C8, CYP2C9, and CYP2C19, and weak inhibition against CYP3A4 (testosterone). In contrast, G. uralensis strongly inhibited CYP2B6 and moderately inhibited CYP2C8, CYP2C9 and CYP2C19, and G. inflata strongly inhibited CYP2C enzymes and moderately inhibited CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4 (midazolam). The licorice compounds isoliquiritigenin, licoricidin, licochalcone A, 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid, and glycycoumarin inhibited one or more members of the CYP2C family of enzymes. Glycycoumarin and licochalcone A inhibited CYP1A2, but only glycycoumarin inhibited CYP2B6. Isoliquiritigenin, glabridin and licoricidin competitively inhibited CYP3A4, while licochalcone A (specific to G. inflata roots) was a mechanism-based inhibitor. The three licorice species commonly used in botanical dietary supplements have varying potential for drug-botanical interactions as inhibitors of cytochrome P450 isoforms. Each species of licorice displays a unique profile of constituents with potential for drug interactions.
Downdraft outflows: climatological potential to influence fire behaviour

Sudden wind shifts caused by atmospheric gust fronts can lead to firefighter entrapments and fatalities. In this study, we describe the physical processes involved in the related phenomena of convective downdrafts, gust fronts and downbursts. We focus on the dominant process, evaporative cooling in a dry surface layer, as characterised by the measure known as downdraft maximum available potential energy (DMAPE). We present a climatological analysis of DMAPE for the coterminous United States, developed from the Climate Forecast System Reanalysis data for the period 1979–2008. Diurnal and seasonal patterns are described. We conclude with a discussion of the implications and limitations of the analysis and DMAPE as an indicator of gust front strength or downburst occurrence.
Musculotendinous Disorders of the Abdomen and Pelvis.

Musculotendinous disorders of the abdomen and pelvis are common causes of pain in both athletes and nonathletes. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the modality of choice in the work-up of these patients. This article focuses on the MRI appearance of normal anatomy and spectrum of musculotendinous disorders in the abdomen and pelvis including muscle strains and tears, avulsions and apophysitis, muscular contusions, athletic groin pain, and gluteal aponeurotic/proximal iliotibial band injuries. Normal biomechanics and injury mechanisms are discussed.
Dynamic Characterization and Stress-Strain Symmetry of Vascomax® C250 Maraging Steel in Compression and Tension

Abstract Low carbon, high strength steel alloys such as Vascomax steels are used in a wide variety of extreme environments due to their high strength, high fracture toughness, and stability over a wide range of temperatures. In this study, Vascomax ® C250 steel was dynamically characterized in compression using Kolsky compression bar techniques at two strain rates of 1000 and 3000 s -1 . A pair of impedance-matched tungsten carbide platens were implemented to protect damage to the bar ends. The tungsten carbide platens were experimentally calibrated as system compliance which was then properly corrected for actual specimen strain measurements. In addition, elastic indentation of the high-strength compression sample into the platens was also evaluated and showed negligible effect on the specimen strain measurements. The Vascomax ® C250 steel exhibited strain-rate effects on the compressive stress-strain curves. The dynamic yield strength was approximately 18% higher than quasi-static yield strength obtained from hardness tests. The dynamic true stress-strain curves of the Vascomax ® C250 steel in compression were also computed and then compared with the previously obtained true tensile stress-strain curves at the same strain rates. The Vascomax ® C250 steel exhibited a reasonable symmetry in dynamic compression and tensile stress-strain response. However, the fracture strains in dynamic compression were smaller than those in dynamic tension probably due to different fracture mechanisms in the different loading modes.