cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prudential Regulation under CECL

This study investigates prudential regulation under the current expected credit losses (CECL) model in accounting for loan loss provisioning. We highlight the dual role (valuation role and regulatory role) of the CECL accounting in deriving the optimal regulatory leverage ratios, which integrate (1) the dual role of banks (liquidity provision to households and credit supply to the real sector); (2) the reward and risk attributes of loan portfolio composition; and (3) procyclicality and countercyclicality.
Representation of Women in Top Executive Positions in General Medical-Surgical Hospitals in the United States

Background: Earlier surveys have reported a lack of representation of women in hospital leadership positions. This study sought to investigate the proportion of women in senior hospital leadership positions and to investigate whether hospital and community factors are associated with the likelihood of having women in executive positions. Methods: The main data of 4397 hospitals were sourced from the American Hospital Association. The study calculated the proportion of women for each position, with county-level adjusted standard errors and logistic transformed confidence intervals to determine the variation of women in chief officer positions across hospitals. The study also used multilevel mixed-effects logistic regressions to estimate the probability of having a female chief officer. Results: Women executives generally were underrepresented in all positions except in chief human resources and chief nursing officer positions, 73% (95% confidence interval [CI] 7175) and 91% (95% CI 8694), respectively. Women accounted for 13% (95% CI 821) of system chief executive officers (CEOs) and only 27% (95% CI 2628) of hospital CEOs. System size (number of hospitals) and hospital size (beds capacity) variables were statistically significant in five of the eight positions investigated. Overall, women were less likely to hold chief positions in large hospitals (400 beds and over) compared to small hospitals (under 100 beds). Conclusion: Women were underrepresented in hospital top positions and were less likely to hold executive positions in large systems or hospitals. The results suggest structural barriers that hinder women from advancing to top hospital positions.
Ciencias naturales en primaria en los años setenta en México: ¿Una reforma entre revoluciones?

In the 1970s, a group led by Mexican scientists designed an important elementary science curriculum reform, in the context of then president Luis Echeverria’s larger education reform. This curriculum reform has been explained as a delayed replica of the so-called “first revolution” in science education that originated in the United States, which promoted teaching scientific disciplines “as they were”, through the scientific method and experimentation. This article goes beyond such explanation by analyzing the reform’s context, design process, and textbooks from a historical, philosophical and social lens on science and technology. It shows how the reform drew from long-standing western traditions, while also expressing local meanings about nature, agriculture, science, technology, and their role for children and society in 1970s Mexico.
2014 Fort Hood, Texas, mass casualty incident: reviews and perspectives

On April 2, 2014, in Fort Hood, Texas, an active shooter incident occurred where four active duty soldiers were tragically killed. Active shooter incidents are becoming alarmingly more frequent over the last decade in the USA. The authors provide a detailed account of the events that occurred within the hospital and an evaluation of the triage decisions made on that day. A detailed review of mass casualty preparedness and the general approach to triage processes are also described.
Effect of demand response on residential energy efficiency with direct load control and dynamic price control

A demand response program designed to mitigate peak load during hot summer days has been designed. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) developed taxonomy distribution feeder has been used to evaluate the effectiveness of the demand response program. The simulation includes direct load control, dynamic price control, residential PV penetration and their comparisons. The results will help guide companies that are using demand response for peak reduction, and should help increase consumer participation in such programs.
Information Literacy Instruction Assessment and Improvement through Evidence Based Practice: A Mixed Method Study

Objective— This study explored first-year students’ learning and satisfaction in a required information literacy course. The study asked how students understand connections between themselves and information literacy in terms of power, society, and personal relevance to assess if students’ understanding of information literacy increased after taking the course. Student satisfaction with the course also was measured. Methods—The study used pre- and post tests and focus group session transcripts which were coded and analyzed to determine student learning and satisfaction during the regular 2008-2009 academic year at California State University, East Bay. Results— Many students entered the course without any concept of information literacy; however, after taking the course they found information literacy to be personally relevant and were able to articulate connections among information, power, and society. The majority of students were satisfied with the course. The results from analyzing the pre- and post-tests were supported by the findings from the focus group sessions. Conclusion— The results of this study are supported by other studies that show the importance of personal relevancy to student learning. In order to fully assess information literacy instruction and student learning, librarians should consider incorporating ways of assessing student learning beyond testing content knowledge and levels of competency.
Aging and Health Care Costs: Narrative Versus Reality

This study documents the widespread belief among the public, “pundits,“ and policymakers that health care inflation in the United States is heavily influenced by longevity. It demonstrates the error of that belief. It points out that health care experts recognize that, although health care costs for the elderly are high, the aging of the population is an insignificant factor in health care cost inflation. Nevertheless, existing literature tends to ignore important influences on cost, such as poverty, lack of access, lifestyle issues, and matters of social justice. It also ignores the differences among numerous subgroups of patients. Ignoring these factors and concentrating on an aging society as a major cause of health care inflation distracts policymakers' attention from the true causes and leads to unjustified calls for benefit reductions in Medicare. As part of this study, the author includes analyses of hospital discharge data that have not been published previously.
The clinical determination of pelvic outlet capacity

Abstract 1. 1. Clinical methods of examination can be relied upon to furnish an estimation of pelvic outlet capacity and serve as an adjunct to the general x-ray survey of the pelvis. 2. 2. The anteroposterior diameter of the outlet, or in specific instances the available anteroposterior diameter, is the best single index to outlet capacity. 3. 3. An adequate general pelvimetric survey can be accomplished by the use of two films, one inlet view and one lateral view, plus clinical assessment of the pelvic outlet as here described.
A quarantine process for the resolution of duodenoscope-associated transmission of multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli

Background Because of their complex design, duodenoscopes have been long recognized to be difficult to fully disinfect and may play a role in transmission of bacteria between patients. Recent reports of duodenoscope-associated carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae transmission have confirmed these suspicions. An outbreak of a multidrug resistant strain of Escherichia coli was recently reported at our institution. Herein we report the results of our investigation and the process improvements that we deployed in an effort to contain the outbreak. Methods A full investigation into the environment, endoscopists, infection control practices, high-level disinfection process as well as endoscopes was undertaken in conjunction with the local county health authority and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Duodenoscopes were cultured and quarantined for 48 hours until negative cultures were obtained. Ergonomic changes were made to the endoscope reprocessing area, duodenoscopes were returned for routine maintenance, and surveillance cultures were obtained from all patients undergoing ERCP. Results Between November 2012 and August 2013, 32 patients were found to harbor 1 of 2 clonal strains of multidrug-resistant E coli , all of whom had undergone ERCP or duodenoscopy. A total of 1149 ERCPs were performed during this time period. Seven patients died within 31 days of the organism being identified in culture, 16 patients died overall by March 2015. The exact contribution of E coli to death is unclear because most patients had underlying late-stage malignancy or other severe medical comorbidities. No breach in high-level disinfection protocol or infection control practices was identified. The clonal strain of E coli was identified in culture on 4 of 8 duodenoscopes, 3 of which required critical repairs despite lack of obvious malfunction. The defect rate in high-level disinfection of duodenoscopes was 2% over a 1-year period. The implemented quality improvements, subsequent to which 1625 ERCPs have been performed, were successful in halting the outbreak. Conclusions The existing manufacturer-recommended high-level disinfection protocols for duodenoscopes are inadequate. Although the ultimate solution may be a design change to the instrument, the timeline for such a change appears long and potentially difficult to exact. In the interim, a reliable method to ensure that bacterial pathogens are not present on the duodenoscope after high-level disinfection is needed.
Thermally Modified Wood: Marketing Strategies of U.S. Producers

Thermally-modified wood (TMW) has enhanced properties and its production does not involve the use of chemicals. However, the adoption of TMW in the marketplace has been limited in the U.S. for reasons that have not yet been clearly established. In this study, the marketing practices of U.S. producers and distributors of TMW were investigated, by conducting semi-structured interviews. Topics included major products and species, markets, distribution channels, promotional strategies, perceived barriers to adoption, and the outlook for TMW markets. Results show that TMW producers in general export a significant percent of their production; that TMW is considered a high-end product; and that customers are not as sensitive to prices as in other mainstream markets. Common products sold include siding, decking, flooring, millwork, and components for musical instruments. Respondents believe that the low awareness of TMW among the American public is a major barrier to wider adoption of TMW. However, companies envision a bright future for TMW as sales and inquiries have increased at a fast rate during the last few years.
The Facebook effect: secondary markets and insider trading in today’s startup environment

The dismissal of a senior Facebook employee in connection with the purchase of Facebook shares on a private resale trading platform last year raised new concerns about secondary trading in the securities of private companies and insider trading. This practitioner-oriented essay explores these issues and suggests that startup companies consider adopting a variation on the standard insider trading policy widely adopted by public companies. The discussion is important in light of new attention being paid by regulators to insider trading as well as a debate in Congress about barriers to raising capital for smaller companies. This paper was included as a chapter in Research Handbook on Insider Trading edited by Stephen Bainbridge and published by Elgar.
Diluted formula for beginning the feeding of premature infants.

• To evaluate whether there Is a preferable mode of advancing feedings In premature infants, 50 infants with birth weights of less than 1500 g were randomized into two groups. Twenty-eight infants were begun on a regimen of full-strength (FS) formula (84 J/30 mL [20 cal/oz]), and the volume of formula was advanced on a daily basis. Twenty-two infants received half-strength formula (equal parts, 84 J/30 mL [20 cal/oz] formula and water) and were advanced at twice the volume per feeding as the FS group. The groups were compared with respect to the amount of time needed to reach an enteral energy intake of 420 J (100 cal)/kg. The half-strength feeding group had fewer residuals and reached the indicated energy intake level earlier than infants in the FS group. ( AJDC 1988;142:730-731)
Global Child Health: Burden of Disease, Achievements, and Future Challenges

Children in developing countries are disproportionately affected by the worlds diseases. Ninety percent of children under 5 years old live in the developing world. Over 10 million children under 5 die each year most from preventable or treatable causes and 90% of these deaths occur in only 42 of the worlds countries. While progress in reducing mortality has been made over the last several decades an enormous discrepancy persists between mortality in industrialized and in developing countries. (excerpt)
Islet Transplantation for Brittle Type 1 Diabetes: The UIC Protocol

This prospective phase 1/2 trial investigated the safety and reproducibility of allogeneic islet transplantation (Tx) in type I diabetic (T1DM) patients and tested a strategy to achieve insulin-independence with lower islet mass. Ten C-peptide negative T1DM subjects with hypoglycemic unawareness received 1-3 intraportal allogeneic islet Tx and were followed for 15 months. Four subjects (Group 1) received the Edmonton immunosuppression regimen (daclizumab, sirolimus, tacrolimus). Six subjects (Group 2) received the University of Illinois protocol (etanercept, exenatide and the Edmonton regimen). All subjects became insulin- independent. Group 1 received a mean total number of islets (EIN) of 1460 080 +/- 418 330 in 2 (n = 2) or 3 (n = 2) Tx, whereas Group 2 became insulin- independent after 1 Tx (537 495 +/- 190 968 EIN, p = 0.028). All Group 1 subjects remained insulin free through the follow-up. Two Group 2 subjects resumed insulin: one after immunosuppression reduction during an infectious complication, the other with exenatide intolerance. HbA1c reached normal range in both groups (6.5 +/- 0.6 at baseline to 5.6 +/- 0.5 after 2-3 Tx in Group 1 vs. 7.8 +/- 1.1 to 5.8 +/- 0.3 after 1 Tx in Group 2). HYPO scores markedly decreased in both groups. Combined treatment of etanercept and exenatide improves islet graft function and facilitates achievement of insulin-independence with less islets.
Environmental Pollution in an Open Economy

This paper attempts to analyze an interaction between international trade and domestic environmental pollution. A country engaging in international trade biases its domestic economic structure toward exportable sectors. The bias thus caused has a significant impact on the quality of the environment. It will be shown that a country can and should control international trade activities as a means of dealing with pollution problems. One of the paper's main purposes is to give a warning to a country which expands its international trade activities without taking serious consideration of its domestic environment.
Regulation of insulin gene transcription.

Recent studies of the insulin gene promoter and the transcription factors that regulate it have expanded our understanding of both how the production of insulin is restricted to the pancreatic beta -cell, and how that production is regulated by physiologic signals such as glucose. A picture is emerging in which an elaborate set of transcription factors binds to specific sequences along the promoter and recruits additional transcriptional co-activators to build a functional transcriptional activation complex that is unique to beta -cells. Surprisingly, however, genetic experiments in mice have demonstrated an unexpected degree of redundancy in the factors that control insulin gene expression, and have revealed the presence of a network of transcription factors that coordinate the expression of factors forming the insulin gene activation complex.
Vitellogenin synthesis in the lady beetle Coccinella septempunctata

Abstract To elucidate the hormonal mechanisms which regulate reproduction in a beneficial insect, we have begun to investigate the process of vitellogenesis in Coccinella septempunctata, the seven-spotted lady beetle. Vitellin (Vn) constitutes 60–70% of the total protein in C. septempunctata eggs and is composed of four polypeptides with molecular weights determined by electrophoresis in denaturing gels of 133,000, 130,000, 46,000 and 43,000. In the egg these polypeptides occur in a ratio of approx. 1:1:1:2. The two larger Vn polypeptides yielded similar peptide fragments upon partial proteolytic digestion which suggests that they are structurally related. The two smaller Vn polypeptides appear structurally distinct because they yielded unique proteolytic fragments. The Vn precursor, vitellogenin (Vg), was observed in the haemolymph of mature females, but was not detected in the haemolymph of immature females or males. The electrophoretic mobilities, antigenicity, and proteolytic fragmentation patterns of the Vg polypeptides were indistinguishable from those of their Vn counterparts. Thus the major processing of the Vn polypeptides appears to occur prior to their secretion into the haemolymph. The synthesis of Vg was examined in whole animals and in organ cultures. Vg synthesis was observed in the fat body and to a smaller extent in the ovaries of mature females. The newly synthesized Vg was rapidly secreted. Vg synthesis was not detectable in brain or thoracic muscle of mature females or in the fat body of males or immature females. Very little vitellogenin synthesis occurred in female insects reared on artificial diets. The topical application of a juvenile hormone analogue induced Vg synthesis in non-fecund females but not in males.
Studies on the progesterone receptor content and steroid metabolism in normal and pathological human breast tissues.

ABSTRACT Breast tissues from 44 patients who had normal tissues (9) or pathologic tissues designated as fibrocystic disease (8), fibroadenoma (1), and carcinoma (26) were examined for receptor content and metabolism of progesterone. The last 7-consecutive cases of carcinoma were also examined for testosterone metabolism. When the dextran-coated charcoal assay technique was used to analyze the progesterone receptor content of the cytosols, 3 of 9 normal breast tissues (33%), 1 of 8 tissues with fibrocystic disease (12%), and 10 of 26 breast carcinomas (38%) had progesterone receptor levels greater than 10 fmol/mg protein. In the presence of 30% glycerol and 1 μM cortisol, the dissociation constant for the [3H]progesterone-receptor complex was 1.9 ± 1.1 (SE) nM. Although 4 of 5 cases analyzed by sucrose density gradient sedimentation showed only a 4S peak for the progesterone receptor complex, 1 of 5 cases studied with [3H]progesterone and the 2 cases studied with [3H]R5020 (3Hlabeled 17α,21-dimethyl-19-nor...
K. E. von Baer's beginning insights into causal-analytical relationships during development.

Abstract A number of comments scattered throughout the text of von Baer's Ueber Entwickelungsgeschichte der Thiere suggest that von Baer had considerable insight into the dynamics of epigenesis, and that he was aware of causal relationships in development. In postulating the manner in which development proceeds from the general to the special, he considered that there are three kinds of differentiation: differentiation into germ layers, and histological and morphological segregation. He emphasized the dichotomous nature of histological segregation, stating that it evokes contrasts, and for one example stated that, when a nerve is formed, there was not nothing there before but a common mass that separates itself into nerve and not-nerve. He speaks of histological segregation as plastic, and there is evidence that he envisaged differentiating tissues as modifiable in their development. He stated specifically that “each step in development is made possible by the immediately preceding state of the embryo.” He stated, for an example, that “the eye seems to be an outgrowth of the nerve tube that protrudes through the muscle layer as far as the skin layer, and the outer parts of the eye are changes in the skin evoked as a result.” By the outer parts of the eye he probably meant the eyelids and nictitating membrane, but it is interesting that he believed the optic rudiment to evoke the formation of other structures by the skin. Von Baer also attempted to explain selected embryological phenomena in physical terms (electromagnetism, galvanism) and believed that some of them might be open to exact physical investigation. It may well be that such passages exerted an influence on the development of the ideas of later nineteenth and early twentieth century investigators who, in Germany at least, must certainly have read them, and they may thus have played their part in leading toward our modern dynamic concepts of epigenesis.
Scene projection technology development for imaging sensor testing at AEDC

Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) is tasked with visible-to-LWIR imaging sensor calibration and characterization, as well as hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL) testing with high-fidelity complex scene projection to validate sensor mission performance. They are thus involved in the development of technologies and methodologies that are used in space simulation chambers for such testing. These activities support a variety of program needs such as space situational awareness (SSA). This paper provides an overview of pertinent technologies being investigated and implemented at AEDC.
Probing the reds and blues: Sectionalism and voter location in the 2000 and 2004 U. S. presidential elections

Abstract The election outcomes of a place hinge largely on what is within its political boundaries: economic, social, cultural, and other compositional factors facing voters. Yet, it is also important to investigate geographic context, both within and between places. This study presents renewed emphasis on two geographic factors that relate to electoral outcomes while controlling for compositional attributes: sectional distinctions and population density. Within different regions of the United States and across different locations (urban, suburban, and rural residents), there exist notable differences in presidential voting. Using survey and county-level data on the 2000 and 2004 U.S. presidential elections, this study evaluates the partisan preferences of voters from a regional perspective, and from a density perspective. The findings demonstrate independent relationships between section and voting, and location and voting. A major consequence of the distinctiveness of section and location in the face of migration effects (as noted by others) is the increased spatial polarization of the electorate's political preferences in these recent presidential contests.
H˦mangioma of the mandible

Summary 1.Eight cases of h˦mangioma of the mandible which have been recorded in the literature have been reviewed briefly. 2.The pathology of h˦mangioma of bone has been described along with the usual X-ray findings. 3.Two additional cases have been described.
Conversion of thyroxine to 3,3',5'-triiodothyronine (reverse-T3) by a soluble enzyme system of rat liver.

Abstract The reaction by which thyroxine (T 4 ) undergoes monodeiodination in the nonphenolic ring to form 3,3′,5′-triiodothyronine (reverse-T 3 ) has been studied in rat liver. In whole homogenate the conversion of T 4 to rT 3 is obscured by rapid degradation of the product, whereas in cytosol accumulation of rT 3 is linear for 60 min of incubation. In the cytosol system, the rate of rT 3 formation is maximal at pH 8.2, is thiol-dependent, is inactivated by heat, but is not inhibited by anaerobiosis or absence of light. Propylthiouracil is a potent inhibitor of the reaction. The higher pH-optimum of the rT 3 -forming system compared to that of T 4 -to-T 3 conversion indicates that the former reaction is mediated by an enzyme which is distinct from that controlling 3,5,3′-triiodothyronine (T 3 ) formation.
Strange and multi-strange particle ratios in p+p reactions at \sqrt{s} = 200 GeV at RHIC

Mid-rapidity anti-particle to particle ratios for strange and multi-strange baryons in inelastic p+p collisions at √s = 200 GeV have been determined using the STAR detector. The observed ratios are similar to those in heavy-ion collisions at the same energy and significantly higher than at SPS energies, indicating substantial pair production but not yet a baryon-free system. An increase with the strangeness content in the progression of the ratios is present in the data as well as in various model calculations. Though most string fragmentation models overpredict the measured ratios for multi-strange baryons at SPS, the discrepancies decrease at higher energies. At RHIC energies, data and model calculations are in good agreement.
CVD diamond photoconductive devices

Abstract X-ray (10 keV) induced photoconductivity in polycrystalline CVD diamond films is investigated. Two types of device structures were examined: metal/ i -diamond/metal and metal/ p -diamond/ p ++ -diamond/metal. The X-ray irradiation alters the film conductance of the Au/ i -diamond/Au structure. The time response of the photo-induced conductivity change is found to be rapid, on the order of hundreds of milliseconds. The p / p ++ diamond structure shows enhanced photoconductivity as well, but the time response of the structure is much slower than the i -diamond film. A theoretical model based on the current continuity equation is developed to explain the photoconductivity of these devices under X-ray irradiation.
Onchocerca volvulus: limited heterogeneity in the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes.

West African populations of Onchocerca volvulus endemic to the rain forest and savanna bioclimes of West Africa differ in their ability to induce ocular disease in infected individuals. In recent years, both clinical- and animal-model-based studies have implicated particular parasite antigens in the development of ocular onchocerciasis. To test the hypothesis that the difference in pathogenic potential of blinding and nonblinding parasites might be reflected in qualitative differences in antigens that have been implicated in the development of ocular onchocerciasis, we compared the sequences of two parasite antigens implicated in the development of ocular disease in blinding- and nonblinding-strain parasites. The results demonstrated a high level of homogeneity between the parasite strains in these genes. The study was extended to include additional nuclear genes encoding antigens that are commonly recognized by individuals infected with O. volvulus and to the mitochondrial genome of the parasite. The results demonstrate a high degree of homogeneity in both the nuclear and the mitochondrial genomes among O. volvulus isolates collected from several different sites in Africa and in the Americas. This high degree of genetic homogeneity may reflect the passage of the parasite through a recent genetic bottleneck.
In vitro comparison of the tensile bond strength of denture adhesives on denture bases

Statement of Problem With several denture adhesives available, it is important for dentists to make appropriate patient recommendations. Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the tensile bond strength of denture adhesives on denture base materials at time intervals of up to 24 hours. Material and Methods Fixodent, Super Poligrip, Effergrip, and SeaBond denture adhesives were tested with 3 denture base materials: 2 heat-polymerized (Lucitone 199 and SR Ivocap) and 1 visible-light-polymerized (shade-stable Eclipse). Artificial saliva with mucin was used as a control. Tensile bond strength was tested in accordance with American Dental Association specifications at 5 minutes, 3 hours, 6 hours, 12 hours, and 24 hours after applying the adhesive. Maximum forces before failure were recorded in megapascals (MPa), and the data were subjected to a 2-way analysis of variance (α=.05). Results All 4 adhesives had greater tensile bond strength than the control. Fixodent, Super Poligrip, and SeaBond had higher tensile bond strength values than Effergrip. All adhesives had the greatest tensile bond strength at 5 minutes and the least at 24 hours. The 3 denture bases produced significantly different results with each adhesive ( P Conclusions All 4 adhesives had greater tensile bond strength than the control, and all 4 adhesives were strongest at the 5-minute interval. On all 3 types of denture bases, Effergrip produced significantly lower tensile bond strength, and Fixodent, Super Poligrip, and SeaBond produced significantly higher tensile bond strength. At 24 hours, the adhesive-base combinations with the highest tensile bond strength were Fixodent on Lucitone 199, Fixodent on Eclipse, Fixodent on Ivocap, and Super Poligrip on Ivocap.
Equivalent Circuit Parameters Estimation for PEM Fuel Cell Using RBF Neural Network and Enhanced Particle Swarm Optimization

This paper proposes an equivalent circuit parameters measurement and estimation method for proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). The parameters measurement method is based on current loading technique; in current loading test a no load PEMFC is suddenly turned on to obtain the waveform of the transient terminal voltage. After the equivalent circuit parameters were measured, a hybrid method that combines a radial basis function (RBF) neural network and enhanced particle swarm optimization (EPSO) algorithm is further employed for the equivalent circuit parameters estimation. The RBF neural network is adopted such that the estimation problem can be effectively processed when the considered data have different features and ranges. In the hybrid method, EPSO algorithm is used to tune the connection weights, the centers, and the widths of RBF neural network. Together with the current loading technique, the proposed hybrid estimation method can effectively estimate the equivalent circuit parameters of PEMFC. To verify the proposed approach, experiments were conducted to demonstrate the equivalent circuit parameters estimation of PEMFC. A practical PEMFC stack was purposely created to produce the common current loading activities of PEMFC for the experiments. The practical results of the proposed method were studied in accordance with the conditions for different loading conditions.
Comparison of patient size-based methods for estimating quantum noise in CT images of the lung.

The authors explored four methods for estimating quantum noise in CTimages of the lung, each based on a different definition of patient size (water-equivalent diameter) and the relationship between noise and diameter determined in water phantoms. The accuracies of the four methods were evaluated using an image-subtraction method as a gold standard. Noise estimates based on patient sizes derived from chest area, water-equivalent area, non-lung area, and water-equivalent path length had maximum errors of 229%, 93%, 34%, and 57%, respectively. Considering the magnitude of noise variation across the lung volume ( ∼ 30 % ) , noise estimate based on non-lung area was reasonably accurate.
Diffusion tensor imaging correlates of hippocampal sclerosis and anterior temporal lobe T2 signal changes in pharmacoresistant epilepsy

Abstract Background and purpose Our goal was to determine fiber tract integrity in hippocampal sclerosis (HS) using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and to correlate white matter damage with other pathology in this disease. Methods Twenty-six patients and eight controls were studied with DTI tractography for 8 pairs of white matter fiber tracts and 2 commissural tracts. Fractional anisotropy (FA) of the fiber tracts was compared with controls. The FA of select fiber tracts was also compared with change in T2 signal in the anterior temporal lobe (ATC), and the performance on neuropsychological tests. Results In comparison with controls, subjects with left sided hippocampal sclerosis (L-HS) had 3 ipsilateral fiber tracts with decreased FA. The FA of fiber tracts was similar in right sided HS (R-HS) to controls. The ipsilateral inferior longitudinal fasciculus had a decrease in FA that correlated with the ATC (T2 signal change). The right superior longitudinal fasciculus had a decrease in FA proportional to lower performance on tests of memory and language. Conclusion The subjects with L-HS had more extensive structural abnormalities involving white matter tracts, both ipsilateral and contralateral. In contrast, subjects with R-HS had limited changes in white matter integrity. Pathology of white matter appears to be involved in deficits associated with HS, including ATC and cognitive performance.
Resistance to AFN-1252 Arises from Missense Mutations in Staphylococcus aureus Enoyl-acyl Carrier Protein Reductase (FabI)

AFN-1252 is a potent antibiotic against Staphylococcus aureus that targets the enoyl-acyl carrier protein reductase (FabI). A thorough screen for AFN-1252-resistant strains was undertaken to identify the spectrum of mechanisms for acquired resistance. A missense mutation in fabI predicted to encode FabI(M99T) was isolated 49 times, and a single isolate was predicted to encode FabI(Y147H). AFN-1252 only bound to the NADPH form of FabI, and the close interactions between the drug and Met-99 and Tyr-147 explained how the mutations would result in resistant enzymes. The clone expressing FabI(Y147H) had a pronounced growth defect that was rescued by exogenous fatty acid supplementation, and the purified protein had less than 5% of the enzymatic activity of FabI. FabI(Y147F) was also catalytically defective but retained its sensitivity to AFN-1252, illustrating the importance of the conserved Tyr-147 hydroxyl group in FabI function. The strains expressing FabI(M99T) exhibited normal growth, and the biochemical properties of the purified protein were indistinguishable from those of FabI. The AFN-1252 Ki(app) increased from 4 nm in FabI to 69 nm in FabI(M99T), accounting for the increased resistance of the corresponding mutant strain. The low activity of FabI(Y147H) precluded an accurate Ki measurement. The strain expressing FabI(Y147H) was also resistant to triclosan; however, the strain expressing FabI(M99T) was more susceptible. Strains with higher levels of AFN-1252 resistance were not obtained. The AFN-1252-resistant strains remained sensitive to submicromolar concentrations of AFN-1252, which blocked growth through inhibition of fatty acid biosynthesis at the FabI step.
Wideband Waveform Design Principles for Solid-State Weather Radars

The use of solid-state transmitters is becoming increasingly viable for atmospheric radars and is a key part of the strategy to realize any dense network of low-powered radars. However, solid-state transmitters have low peak powers and this necessitates the use of pulse compression waveforms. In this paper frequency diversity in a wideband waveform design is proposed to mitigate the low sensitivity of solid-state transmitters. In addition, the waveforms mitigate the range-eclipsing problem associated with long pulse compression. An analysis of the performance of pulse compression using mismatched compression filters designed to minimize sidelobe levels is presented. The impact of the range sidelobe level on the retrieval of Doppler moments is discussed. Realistic simulations are performed based on both the Colorado State University‐University of Chicago‐Illinois State Water Survey (CSU‐CHILL) and the Center for Collaborative Adaptive Sensing of the Atmosphere (CASA) Integrated Project I (IP1) radar data.
New approach for the study of mite reproduction: The first transcriptome analysis of a mite, Phytoseiulus persimilis (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Many species of mites and ticks are of agricultural and medical importance. Much can be learned from the study of transcriptomes of acarines which can generate DNA-sequence information of potential target genes for the control of acarine pests. High throughput transcriptome sequencing can also yield sequences of genes critical during physiological processes poorly understood in acarines, i.e., the regulation of female reproduction in mites. The predatory mite, Phytoseiulus persimilis, was selected to conduct a transcriptome analysis using 454 pyrosequencing. The objective of this project was to obtain DNA-sequence information of expressed genes from P. persimilis with special interest in sequences corresponding to vitellogenin (Vg) and the vitellogenin receptor (VgR). These genes are critical to the understanding of vitellogenesis, and they will facilitate the study of the regulation of mite female reproduction. A total of 12,556 contiguous sequences (contigs) were assembled with an average size of 935bp. From these sequences, the putative translated peptides of 11 contigs were similar in amino acid sequences to other arthropod Vgs, while 6 were similar to VgRs. We selected some of these sequences to conduct stage-specific expression studies to further determine their function.
Magnetic characterization of the linear chain polymer bis hydrazine ferrous chloride Fe(N2H4)2Cl2

Abstract Cryomagnetic studies of the linear chain polymer bis hydrazine ferrous chloride, Fe(N2H4)2Cl2, indicate little if any magnetic interaction between Fe(II) centers. The exchange pathways, two N-N bridge groups are apparently too long. Significant zero field splitting of the single ion ground spin quintet is however evident in the low temperature moment data.
Nationalism and the idea of Europe: How nationalists betray the nation state

‘Nationalism has never produced its own grand thinkers’, says Benedict Anderson, whose work, Imagined Communities: Reflections on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism, has become itself a minor contemporary classic.’ Hegel is not, however, an implausible candidate for philosopher of nationalism. Through him we can trace the source idea. True, Hegel’s presentation of the rationally organised state as the carrier of political liberty would seem to be several degrees too cool for the affections of a national philosopher. It is not, however, the state, but the ‘spirit’ upon which the state confers legal identity, that provides the philosophical underpinning to nationalism. History is, Hegel says, uninterested in individuals. Instead ‘what it has to record is the activity of the spirit of peoples’. Hegel (as well as Herder before him) borrowed this idea from Mo?tesquieu, to whom he even gave fulsome credit.2 This genealogy is, of course, outrageous. How can the seminal ideal of nationalism be traced to Montesquieu, that urbane sceptic and liberal advocate of moderation? It was the peculiar fate of this philosopher of international commercial exchange and of a constitutional separation of powers that his thought about esprit, the ethos or spirit of a people, should have ended up the vehicle of the nationalist understanding of the nation. Montesquieu said:
A Complex Analytic Solution for the Attitude Motion of a Near-Symmetric Rigid Body under Body-Fixed Torques

Although analytic solutions for the attitude motion of a rigid body are available for several special cases, a comprehensive theory does not exist in the literature for the more complicated problems found in spacecraft dynamics. In the present paper, analytic solutions in complex form are derived for the attitude motion of a near-symmetric rigid body under the influence of constant body-fixed torques. The solution is very compact, which enables efficient and rapid machine computation. Numerical simulations reveal that the solution is very accurate when applied to typical spinning spacecraft problems.
THE FEDERAL MEAT INSPECTION SERVICE AND SANITATION OF PACKING HOUSES UNDER ITS SUPERVISION.

With the increase in urban population and the growth of specialization in the various industries, have come new problems. Not the least important of these is the problem of properly protecting and safeguarding the meat supply of the country. In the early days before the present concentration of the packing house industry in a few large centers, the individual usually raised and slaughtered the meat for his family and was thus inde-' pendent of outside sources, but with modern business methods he has become dependent for his supply on the large packing house centers, and must, therefore, rely upon Government, State or Municipal inspection to determine whether the meats prepared at these centers are wholesome and fit for human food. It is the purpose of this paper to describe briefly that part of the work of inspection performed by the Federal Government, as well as the sanitary conditions in the packing houses which prepare meat food products under Government supervision. The first meat-inspection laws passed by Congress were not sufficiently broad to give the Department of Agriculture adequate control over the interstate meat industry. The original law, that of August, 1890, provided only for the inspection of meats for export. This was followed by the law of March, 1891, which provided for the inspection of live cattle, hogs,-and the carcasses and products thereof, but gave no control over the sanitary conditions in packing houses or authority to prevent the transportation from one State or Territory to another or to any foreign countries of condemned carcasses or parts of carcasses. The amendment of 1895, although it corrected this latter deficiency, failed to provide other needed legislation. It will be seen, therefore, that the Department of Agriculture had but limited supervision -over the meat industry during the period previous to the passage of the law of 1906, and was without authority to make regulations that were considered necessary. The Meat Inspection Law of June 30, 1906. now in force, corrected many of the deficiencies of previous laws. This enactment was largely brought about by the agitation of 1906, which directed public attention to the inadequacy of existing meat inspection legislation. The criticisms, given
Geomorphological impacts of a tornado disturbance in a subtropical forest

article i nfo We studied tree uprooting associated with an EF2 tornado that touched down in portions of the Ouachita Moun- tains in western Arkansas in 2009. In the severe blowdown areas all trees in the mixed shortleaf pine-hardwood forest were uprooted or broken, with no relationship between tree species or size and whether uprooting or breakage occurred. There was also no significant relationship between tree species and amount of soil displaced, and only a weak relationship between tree size and rootwad size. Uprooting resulted in a meanbioturbation rate of 205 m 3 ha −1 (about 240 t ha −1 ). Direct transfer of wind energy via tree uprooting to geomorphic work of soil displacement was about 75 to 190 J m −2 . Given the infrequency of tornadoes, this energy subsidy is minor with respect to the long-term energetics of pedogenesis and landscape evolution. However, it does represent a highly significant pulse of geomorphically-significant energy relative to other mechanical processes. Tornadoes such as thatof April,2009—notatypicalfortheregion—aredisturbancescausing severe,non-selective impactswithinthe affected area. At a broader, landscape scale, tornadoes are highly localized disturbances, and occur infrequently within any given landform element or forest stand. Only about a third of the uproots revealed root penetration of bedrock, compared to about 90% in other areas of the Ouachita Mountains. This is attributable to the thicker colluvial soils at the study site, and is consistent with the idea that root-bedrock interaction is more likely in thinner regolith covers.
Risk Factors for Learning-Related Behavior Problems at 24 Months of Age: Population-Based Estimates.

We used a large sample of singleton children to estimate the effects of socioeconomic status (SES), race/ethnicity, gender, additional socio-demographics, gestational and birth factors, and parenting on children’s risk for learning-related behavior problems at 24 months of age. We investigated to what extent these factors increased a child’s risk of displaying inattention, a lack of task persistence, disinterest, non-cooperation, or frustration as he or she completed a series of cognitive and physical tasks with a non-caregiver. Results indicated that boys are about twice as likely as girls to display learning-related behavior problems. Children from lower SES households are about twice as likely as those from high SES households to display such behavior problems, which is largely attributable to the effects of having a mother with a low educational level. Statistically controlling for these factors, we found consistently significant patterns of elevated learning-related behavior problems for some Asian and Native American children. Results for African-American children were mixed. Hispanic children did not have consistently elevated risks of problem behaviors. Only small portions of these effects are explained by variation in the children’s gestational or birth characteristics. A significant portion, but still less than half of the socio-demographic effects are attributable to measured features of the children’s parenting. This study helps provide population-based estimates of children’s risk for learning-related behavior problems while at an age when early interventions are most effective.
Lipid changes in tobacco cell suspensions following treatment with cellulase elicitor

Tobacco (Nicotians tabacum) KY14 cell cultures have previously been reported to produce capsidiol and other stress metabolites when treated with fungal elicitor or cellulase. Using a new high performance liquid chromatographic technique, we have measured the changes in sesquiterpene phytoalexins and membrane lipid classes thai occur upon elicitation of tobacco cell cultures with cellulase. Measurable levels of capsidiol and debneyol were found in the tobacco cells and in the culture medium after 8 h of elicitor treatment, with levels continuing to increase for up to 24 h. For the duration of the experiments, the levels of most of the galactolipids and phospholipids were found to decrease in elicited cells and increase in control cells. The most striking change was a rapid decrease in the level of digalactosyldiacylglycerol in elicited cells, to less than 10% of the level in control cells. Among the sterol lipid classes, the most notable changes occurred in the levels of sterol esters and acylated sterol glycosides, which increased significantly in elicited cells within 2 to 4 h after addition of cellulase, but remained unchanged in control cells. Free sterols and sterol glycosides declined slightly, while free fatty acids dropped to low levels 24 h after treatment of cells with cellulase. The present results and those of previous studies indicate that esterification of phytosterols may be a widespread response to environmental or chemical stress.
Magnetic field dependence of two-dimensional static shielding in the hydrodynamic model.

The hydrodynamic description of two-dimensional plasma nonlocality in a magnetic field [as represented by the dynamic nonlocal longitudinal dielectric function of interacting two-dimensional (2D) electrons] is seen to be inappropriate for direct application in the determination of the magnetic-field dependence of shielding in the static limit. We find that this shortcoming is remedied by inversion of the full 2D hydrodynamic dielectric tensor in magnetic field and selection of its longitudinal element for static shielding.