cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Receptivity to advertising messages and desired shopping values

Advertising designed around the ‘value’ notion represents a way to deal with widespread retail competition and knowledgeable, empowered consumers. This study empirically examines the influence of receptivity to advertising messages (RTAM) on desired shopping values and assesses whether this relationship is moderated by gender, age, and income. The structural model indicates that, compared to low‐RTAM shoppers, high‐RTAM shoppers tend to perceive each of the six value dimensions, (i.e. monetary cost saving, time cost saving, energy cost saving, post‐sale customer support, engaging store environment, and personal leisure experience) as more important in making a retail patronage decision. Further analysis shows that the links from RTAM to monetary cost saving and to post‐sale customer support are stronger for younger male shoppers. Another interesting finding is that the link from RTAM to monetary cost saving is stronger for high‐income shoppers whereas the link from RTAM to engaging store environment is st...
Non-drifting limb angle measurement relative to the gravitational vector during dynamic motions using accelerometers and rate gyros

A method for estimating limb orientation, during static, quasi-static, and dynamic motions, by using a combination of gyroscopes and accelerometers is presented. The method uses two tri-axis accelerometers and one single axis rate gyro to calculate an estimate of angle relative to the gravitational vector independently from the rotational accelerations. This unbiased inclination estimate is blended with the angular velocity and acceleration measurements using a Kalman filter to obtain the final estimated orientation. Initially developed for implementation in a feedback control loop for control of sit-to-stand transitions in felines during direct electrical stimulation of the sciatic nerve, the method can be directly applied to other limb angle measurement tasks such as human gait analysis. The algorithm and sensor is tested on a rotational linkage with a predefined trajectory and compared to an encoder measurement with good agreement.
Influence of earthworm-processed pig manure on the growth and yield of greenhouse tomatoes

The eAects of earthworm-processed pig manure (vermicompost) on germination, growth, and yields of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) plants were evaluated under glasshouse conditions. Tomatoes were germinated and grown in a standard commercial greenhouse container medium (Metro-Mix 360), substituted with 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, and 100% (by volume) pig manure vermicompost. The control consisted of Metro-Mix 360 alone without vermicompost. Plants were grown for 158 days and were frequently supplied with a complete mineral nutrient solution. The germination rates of tomato seeds increased significantly upon substitution of Metro-Mix 360 with 20%, 30%, and 40% vermicompost. Seedlings grown in 100% pig manure vermicompost were significantly shorter, had fewer leaves, and weighed less than those in Metro-Mix 360 controls. Incorporation of 10% or 50% vermicompost into Metro-Mix 360 increased the dry weights of tomato seedlings significantly compared to those grown in the Metro-Mix 360 controls. The largest marketable yield was in the substitution of Metro-Mix 360 with 20% vermicompost (5.1 kg/plant). The average weight of a tomato fruit in substitution of Metro-Mix 360 with 20% vermicompost was 12.4% greater than that in the Metro-Mix 360 control. Substitution of Metro-Mix 360 with 10%, 20%, and 40% vermicompost reduced the proportions of fruits that were non-marketable, and produced more large size (diameter > 6:4 cm) than small size (diameter < 5:8 cm) tomato fruits. There was no significant diAerence in overall tomato yields between Metro-Mix 360 and 100% pig manure vermicompost. Some of the growth and yield enhancement resulting from substitution of Metro-Mix 360 with pig manure vermicompost could be attributed to the high mineral N concentration of the pig manure vermicompost. However, other factors might have also been involved since all plants were frequently supplied with all required nutrients. These factors need to be investigated in future studies. ” 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Effect of Smoking on Spirometry of African American and White Subjects

Background Smoking is the single most important risk factor for COPD, yet there is still disagreement about the differences in the effect of smoking between white and African-American people. We hypothesized that the results of spirometry between smokers of the two races are equivalent if reference equations and lower limits of normal appropriate for each race are used. Methods We retrospectively analyzed all spirometry results in smokers over a 1-year period from the G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center and excluded those that did not meet American Thoracic Society standards, or those from patients with additional medical problems. The remaining patients were classified by race and then matched for age and smoking history; 108 patients in each group were included, which met the power analysis goal of 98. The two groups were similar in age (57.5 years vs 57.0 years), smoking history (46.1 pack-years vs 46.0 pack-years), and body mass index (27.0 kg/m2 vs 28.3 kg/m2) for African Americans and whites, respectively. Data were analyzed using the unpaired t test, and p values were adjusted for multiple comparisons using the Bonferroni factor. Results There were statistically significant differences between African American and white smokers in FVC (3.67 ± 0.07 L vs 4.26 ± 0.08 L, p = 0.001) and FEV1 (2.33 ± 0.07 L vs 2.72 ± 0.08 L, p = 0.002), as expected from the normal populations; however, there were no differences in FVC as percentage of predicted (89.1 ± 1.3% vs 86.7 ± 1.5%, p = 0.71) and FEV1 as percentage of predicted (71.9 ± 2.1% vs 72.2 ± 1.8%, p = 1.00) when the reference equations appropriate for race were used (third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey). There were also no differences between the number of subject with abnormal FEV1/FVC results (56 African Americans vs 58 whites, p = 1.00) when the appropriate lower limits of normal were used. Conclusions There are no differences in spirometry findings between African Americans and whites when abnormality is defined appropriately using reference equations and lower limits of normal for each race. By using either percentage cutoffs for abnormality, or by adjusting for African-American equations only appropriate for whites, we were able to mimic with our data conflicting results in the literature.
Compression architecture for bit-write reduction in non-volatile memory technologies

This paper proposes a compression-based architecture for bit-write reduction in emerging non-volatile memories (NVMs). Bit-write reduction has many practical benefits, including lower write latency, lower dynamic energy, and enhanced endurance. The proposed architecture, which is integrated into the NVM module, relies on (i) a frequent pattern compression-decompression engine, (ii) a comparator to reduce bit-writes, and (iii) an opportunistic wear leveler to spread writes and enhance memory endurance by reducting the peak bit-writes/cell. Trace-based simulations of the SPEC CPU2006 benchmarks show a 20× reduction in raw bit-writes on average, which corresponds to a 2-3× improvement over state-of-the-art methods and a 27% reduction in peak cell bit-writes.
Linking Monitoring and Effects Research: EMAP's Intensive Site Network Program

The EMAP program has been organized into three primary elements: Multi-Tier Design, Indicators, and Index Sites. The Index Sites program (DISPro - Demonstration Intensive Site Project) is the primary activity within the Index Sites element of EMAP. This project represents an inter-agency effort between EPA/ORD and DOUNPS to develop a demonstration of an intensive site network of monitoring and research locations throughout the United States, utilizing the Nation’s parklands as “outdoor laboratories.” Twelve parks were selected to establish this demonstration. These 12 parks were selected because they are readily accessible, have a history of monitoring environmental information, and represent a broad spectrum of ecological communities. EMAP, through DISPro, is examining whether a “network” of sites existing within the parks can be used to address monitoring issues for global-scale environmental stressors (e.g., air pollution) as well as locale-specific stressors (e.g., air deposition, water-borne) and coordinated with cause-effect, issue-based research related to these environmental stressors. As a first activity, EPA will provide each of the sites with the instrumentation to monitor UV-B. The intent of the program is to initiate a consistent air monitoring program at each site to be followed by consistent monitoring within other media. The project will initiate research projects at all the sites (eventually) to examine the effects of environmental stressors of importance at each of the sites.
The influence of three-dimensional computed tomography reconstructions on the characterization and treatment of distal radial fractures

Background: Computed tomography identifies important characteristics of distal radial fractures better than plain radiographs do. Our hypothesis was that three-dimensional computed tomography images would further increase the reliability and accuracy of radiographic characterization of distal radial fractures. Methods: Four independent observers evaluated radiographic images of thirty intra-articular fractures of the distal part of the radius for the presence of a fracture line in the coronal plane, impacted central articular fragments, the presence of comminution (defined as more than three articular fragments), and the number of fracture fragments. A treatment was selected on the basis of the interpretation of the radiographic studies. Three rounds of evaluation were compared: (1) radiographs and two-dimensional computed tomography, (2) radiographs and three-dimensional computed tomography two weeks later, and (3) all three types of images two weeks after that. This cycle was then repeated to assess intraobserver reliability. Results: Three-dimensional computed tomography improved the intraobserver agreement, but not the interobserver agreement, regarding the presence of coronal plane fracture lines and central articular fragment depression. Three-dimensional computed tomography improved both the intraobserver and the interobserver agreement regarding the presence of articular comminution. Interobserver agreement increased when three-dimensional computed tomography was used to determine the exact number of articular fracture fragments. The sensitivity and accuracy of identifying specific fracture characteristics (as compared with intraoperative findings) improved when three-dimensional imaging was used in conjunction with two-dimensional imaging as compared with two-dimensional imaging alone. The addition of three-dimensional computed tomography to two-dimensional computed tomography influenced treatment recommendations, resulting in a significantly greater number of decisions for an open approach (p < 0.05) and combined dorsal and volar exposure (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Three-dimensional computed tomography improves both the reliability and the accuracy of radiographic characterization of articular fractures of the distal part of the radius and influences treatment decisions. Future studies will be required to determine the impact of these decisions on patient outcome.
Rectification of the EMG Signal Impairs the Identification of Oscillatory Input to the Muscle

Rectification of EMG signals is a common processing step used when performing electroencephalographic-electromyographic (EEG-EMG) coherence and EMG-EMG coherence. It is well known, however, that EMG rectification alters the power spectrum of the recorded EMG signal (interference EMG). The purpose of this study was to determine whether rectification of the EMG signal influences the capability of capturing the oscillatory input to a single EMG signal and the common oscillations between two EMG signals. Several EMG signals were reconstructed from experimentally recorded EMG signals from the surface of the first dorsal interosseus muscle and were manipulated to have an oscillatory input or common input (for pairs of reconstructed EMG signals) at various frequency bands (in Hz: 0-12, 12-30, 30-50, 50-100, 100-150, 150-200, 200-250, 250-300, and 300-400), one at a time. The absolute integral and normalized integral of power, peak power, and peak coherence (for pairs of EMG signals) were quantified from each frequency band. The power spectrum of the interference EMG accurately detected the changes to the oscillatory input to the reconstructed EMG signal, whereas the power spectrum of the rectified EMG did not. Similarly, the EMG-EMG coherence between two interference EMG signals accurately detected the common input to the pairs of reconstructed EMG signals, whereas the EMG-EMG coherence between two rectified EMG signals did not. The frequency band from 12 to 30 Hz in the power spectrum of the rectified EMG and the EMG-EMG coherence between two rectified signals was influenced by the input from 100 to 150 Hz but not from the input from 12 to 30 Hz. The study concludes that the power spectrum of the EMG and EMG-EMG coherence should be performed on interference EMG signals and not on rectified EMG signals because rectification impairs the identification of the oscillatory input to a single EMG signal and the common oscillatory input between two EMG signals.
HAP1 can sequester a subset of TBP in cytoplasmic inclusions via specific interaction with the conserved TBP CORE

Huntington's disease, spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy, and spinocerebellar ataxia 17 (SCA17) are caused by expansions in the polyglutamine (polyQ) repeats in Huntingtin protein (Htt), androgen receptor protein (AR), and TATA-binding protein (TBP), respectively. Htt-associated protein 1 (HAP1), a component of neuronal cytoplasmic stigmoid bodies (STBs), can sequester polyQ-expanded Htt and AR in STBs, thereby antagonizing formation of the nuclear aggregates associated with apoptotic neuron loss and disease progression. Clones of HAP1 were isolated from unbiased two-hybrid screens for proteins that interact with TBP. Domain mapping showed that regions between amino acids 157 and 261 and between amino acids 473 and 582 of mouse HAP1 both bind specifically to the conserved C-terminal TBPCORE domain, away from the TBP N-terminal polyQ region. When fluorescently tagged versions of HAP1 or TBP were expressed independently in COS-7, 293, or Neuro-2a cells, all TBP localized to the nucleus and all HAP1 assembled into cytoplasmic stigmoid-like bodies (STLBs). When co-expressed, a portion of the TBP was assembled into the HAP1 STLBs while the remainder was localized to the nucleus. Although the TBP N terminus, including the polyQ region, was unnecessary for TBP-HAP1 interaction, in mammalian cells, removal of the TBP Qrepeat reduced the proportion of TBP that assembled into STLBs, whereas expansion of the Qrepeat had no significant affect on TBP subcellular localization. HAP1 can sequester a subset of TBP protein away from the nucleus; extranuclear TBP sequestration is quantitatively influenced by the TBP polyQ repeat. These results suggest HAP1 could provide protection from SCA17 neuropathology.
Blissus occiduus (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae): A Chinch Bug Pest New to Buffalograss Turf

Blissus occiduus Barber, a relatively small chinch bug characterized by conspicuous wing dimorphism, has emerged as an important insect pest of buffalograss, Buchloe dactylnides (Nuttall) Engelmann. It completes 2 generations a year on buffalograss in Nebraska. Overwintered adults become active as early as mid-March. Depending on the season, 1st-generation nymphs Can be present from early May through early August, with 1st-generation adults (up to 60% macropterous forms) appearing in mid to late June. Second generation nymphs can be present from early July through fall, with 2nd-generation adults appearing in late August to early September. These pre­ dominately brachypterous (>95%) adults overwinter in and around the turf area. Blissus occiduus was confirmed to be associated with natural buffalograss pastures, seeded and vegetatively propa­ gated buffalograss lawns, right-of-ways, cemeteries, and golf courses in 21 Nebraska counties. Chinch bugs were generally found feeding on the stolons and in the crown area of the buffalograss plant. Initial B. occiduus injury resulted in reddish discoloration of infested plant tissues. As feeding progressed, damage appeared as patchy areas in the turf that turned from yellow to straw-brown. At higher infestation levels, chinch bug feeding resulted in severe thinning or death of the buffa­ lograss stand. Field studies documented buffalograss as a reproductive host of B. occiduus, with Kentucky bluegrass and perennial ryegrass identified as potential hosts. Creeping bentgrass, tall fescue, and zoysiagrass did not appear to be suitable turfgrass hosts for B. occiduus.
Individual and collaborative behaviors in a team of homogeneous robotic soccer agents

Robotic soccer is a new challenging multi-agent domain, in which agents need to collaborate in an adversarial environment to achieve specific objectives. We describe CMUnited-97, our team of robotic agents that we developed to enter the RoboCup-97 competition. We first discuss the challenges underlying the robotic soccer domain as a multi-agent system. We then introduce our team architecture, briefly describe the system's perception, and present the robots' actions ranging from low-level individual behaviors to coordinated, strategic team behaviors. The robots can organize themselves in formations, hold specific roles, and pursue their goals. In game situations, they extensively used their role-based behaviors, and demonstrated collaboration on multiple occasions. As homogeneous agents, the robots can also switch roles to maximize the overall performance of the team. CMUnited-97 won the RoboCup-97 small-robot competition at IJCAI in Nagoya, Japan.
Use of Alternative Therapies in Patients With Asthma in Central New Jersey: Data From a Pilot Survey

The objective was to investigate characteristics of patients using alternative therapies for asthma, reasons for its use and its association with conventional medicine use. Over a period of 14 mont...
Expression polymerase chain reaction: a sensitive method for analysis of gene expression in human tumours

To analyse the expression of individual genes in small tumour samples, we have used the method of RNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to develop a technique which we have termed expression PCR. With this technique, specific cDNA sequences of a target gene are amplified, analysed by gel electrophoresis, and semi-quantitated using laser densitometry. Alpha-actin is amplified as a reference gene to control for template RNA and each target gene is analysed at several cycle numbers to optimize PCR dynamics. In this study, we have demonstrated expression PCR by analysing the levels of expression of tyrosine kinase genes in a panel of human tumours. We have compared expression PCR with Northern analysis to show that these techniques provide equivalent information on relative levels of gene transcription, with expression PCR requiring 100-fold less RNA. This technique is sufficiently sensitive to detect and compare the levels of expression of genes not seen on Northern analysis and is ideally suited for analysing the expression of multiple genes within the same portion of a tumour.
Management of records in Nigerian universities : Problems and prospects

Purpose – This study aims to investigate the management of records in Nigerian universities, in line with the Management Information Systems (MIS) programme put in place in federal universities by the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the National University Commission to ensure effective and efficient decision making, based on available data.Design/methodology/approach – The study is based on the management of records in Nigerian universities.Findings – The study reveals that records management programmes or policy on records are not available in Nigerian universities; hence the administration of records is without recourse to the principles of records management. There is no University Records Manual, no records retention and disposition schedule, personnel handling the records are not trained in records management, inadequate facilities for the preservation, storage, and retrieval of records, no filing manual, inadequate computers to manage the volume of records generated and the attitude of admin...
Depression Among Rural Native American and European American Grandparents Rearing Their Grandchildren

Increasing numbers of grandparents are rearing their grandchildren because of their adult children's inability to parent. Researchers have begun to document the mental health outcomes of grandparent caregivers in general, yet none have examined the mental health of Native American and European American grandparent caregivers residing in rural communities. To shed light on this topic, the current study examined relationships between degree of rurality; economic, community, and social resources; grandparenting experiences; and depression among 55 rural Native American and European American custodial grandparents. Based on hierarchical regression analyses, the best predictors of depression were grand-parental stress, total time providing primary care to grandchildren, household income, and race. Grandparents experiencing more stress, less time in the role of primary grandparent caregiver, and lower household income reported more depressive symptoms. Moreover, Native American grandparent caregivers reported m...
Value of Information in Endogenously Asymmetric Dynamic Auction: An Empirical Analysis

In this paper, we formulate and estimate a dynamic auction game where asymmetry is endogenous. The seller sells multiple goods via a sequence of …rst price auctions. While bidders are ex-ante symmetric, the …rst period winner has an informational advantage in the second period bidding game and becomes a strong bidder. This creates an asymmetric informational "toehold" in the second stage. This endogenous toehold creation leads to overbidding in the …rst period relative to a one period game. We characterize the equilibrium in terms of the observed bid distribution and entry behavior. We suggest a two step estimation procedure to estimate such a dynamic game of toehold creation. The OCS oil tract auctions exhibit one such phenomenon. We apply our method to data on OCS oil tract auctions. We …nd that the federal government is only recovering 23% of the ‘strong’buyers’willingness to pay in the second period. Bidders perceive the value of information to be at most 12% of their …rst period’s informational rent. A new semiparametric structural test cannot reject the hypothesis of the strong bidder’s informational superiority in the second period and sets it at 18% relative to the weak bidder. We use the estimates to design alternate mechanisms and empirically show that government’s revenue increases when the asymmetry is taken into account in allocating the goods.
Speech, Truth, and the Free Market for Ideas

This article examines a thesis of interest to social epistemology and some articulations of First Amendment legal theory: that a free market in speech is an optimal institution for promoting true belief. Under our interpretation, the market-for-speech thesis claims that more total truth possession will be achieved if speech is regulated only by free market mechanisms; that is, both government regulation and private sector nonmarket regulation are held to have information-fostering properties that are inferior to the free market. After discussing possible counterexamples to the thesis, the article explores the actual implications of economic theory for the emergence of truth in a free market for speech. When confusions are removed about what is maximized by perfectly competitive markets, and when adequate attention is paid to market imperfections, the failure of the market-for-speech thesis becomes clear. The article closes by comparing the properties of a free market in speech with an adversarial system of discourse.
Duration of oral antibiotic therapy for the treatment of adult acne: A retrospective analysis investigating adherence to guideline recommendations and opportunities for cost-savings

Background The duration of oral antibiotic acne therapy for adolescents compared with guidelines was recently investigated; however it was uncertain if duration of antibiotics for adult acne therapy differed. Objective This study aimed to evaluate duration of oral antibiotics for adult acne compared with guidelines and determine possible cost-savings. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters database that incorporated claims data to determine duration and costs of antibiotic treatment among adults ages 21 years and older. Results Of 17,448 courses, 84.5% (14,737) aligned with duration guidelines, although 12,040 (69.0%) courses did not include concomitant topical retinoid therapy. Mean savings of $592.26 per person could result if prolonged courses met guidelines. Mean (median) costs of generic and branded formulations for the most frequent course duration (90-179 days) were $103.77 ($54.27) and $1421.61 ($1462.25), respectively. Limitations Actual patient prescription adherence is uncertain and database lacks information regarding acne severity, patient physical characteristics, and clinical outcomes. Conclusions The majority of oral antibiotic course durations follow guidelines, although topical retinoids are underused. Costs of antibiotic therapy were lower for shorter courses and those using generic medications; the cost-effectiveness of these modifications has not been investigated.
The Rapidity with Which Virus-Specific CD8 + T Cells Initiate IFN-γ Synthesis Increases Markedly over the Course of Infection and Correlates with Immunodominance

Primary CD8 + T cell responses play a major role in controlling infection by many viruses, and CD8 + memory T cells can confer immunity to virus challenge. In this study we report that for many epitope-specific CD8 + T cell populations, the regulation of an important effector molecule, IFN-γ, changes dramatically over the course of infection. During the acute phase of infection, many CD8 + T cells exhibit a significant lag before producing IFN-γ in response to Ag contact; in contrast, the onset of IFN-γ production by memory cells of the same epitope specificity is markedly accelerated. The biological consequences of this improved responsiveness are manifold. Moreover, during the acute phase of the CD8 + T cell response when immunodominance is being established, there is a strong correlation ( p = 0.0002) between the abundance of each epitope-specific T cell population and the rapidity with which it initiates IFN-γ synthesis. Previous studies have indicated that IFN-γ plays a critical role in determining the immunodominance hierarchy of an on-going T cell response, and in this report we present evidence for an underlying mechanism: we propose that the CD8 + T cells that most rapidly initiate IFN-γ production may be at a selective advantage, permitting them to dominate the developing T cell response.
Prediction of Occupational Risk in the Shipbuilding Industry Using Multivariable Linear Regression and Genetic Algorithm Analysis

In this research, an effective approach based on Multivariable Linear Regression (MVLR) and Genetic Algorithm (GA) methods has been applied to study the effect of working conditions on occupational injury, using data of occupational accidents accumulated by ship repair yards. The work aims at the development of a calculating model that will use soft computing techniques to assess the occupational risk in the working place of shipyards using occupational accidents data. For each accident the following parameters have been considered as the model‘s input features: day and time, individual’s specialty, type of incident, dangerous situation and dangerous actions involved. Reported accident data were used as the training data for the MVLR model to map the relationship between the working conditions and occupational risk. With the fitness function based on this model, genetic algorithms were used for the prediction of occupational risk taking into consideration the severity and the frequency of occupational accidents data accumulated by ship repair yards. The working parameters’ values for minimum occupational risk were obtained using GAs. By comparing the predicted values with the reported data, it was demonstrated that the proposed model is a useful and efficient method for predicting the risk of occupational injury.
Workspace analysis and visualization for Santos'™ upper extremity

Workspace is an important function for human factors analysis and is widely applied in product design, manufacturing, and ergonomics evaluations. This paper presents the workspace analysis and visualization for Santos™ upper extremity, a new virtual human with over 100 DOFs that is highly realistic in terms of appearance, behavior, and movement. Jacobian Rank deficiency method is implemented to determine the singular surfaces. The joint limits are considered in this formulation; three types of singularities are analyzed. This closed-form formulation can be extended to numerous different scenarios such as different percentiles, age groups, or segments of body. A real-time scheme is used to build the workspace library for Santos™ that will study the boundary surfaces off-line and apply them to Santos™ in the virtual environment (Virtools®). To visualize the workspace, we develop a user interface to generate the cross section of the reach envelope with a plane. This is the first step in investigating the zone differentiation; the divided zones based on different human performance measures, and will be helpful in layout design and other human factors analysis.
Nicotinamide mononucleotide supplementation reverses vascular dysfunction and oxidative stress with aging in mice

We tested the hypothesis that supplementation of nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), a key NAD + intermediate, increases arterial SIRT1 activity and reverses age‐associated arterial dysfunction and oxidative stress. Old control mice (OC) had impaired carotid artery endothelium‐dependent dilation (EDD) (60 ± 5% vs. 84 ± 2%), a measure of endothelial function, and nitric oxide (NO)‐mediated EDD (37 ± 4% vs. 66 ± 6%), compared with young mice (YC). This age‐associated impairment in EDD was restored in OC by the superoxide (O2−) scavenger TEMPOL (82 ± 7%). OC also had increased aortic pulse wave velocity (aPWV, 464 ± 31 cm s−1 vs. 337 ± 3 cm s−1) and elastic modulus (EM, 6407 ± 876 kPa vs. 3119 ± 471 kPa), measures of large elastic artery stiffness, compared with YC. OC had greater aortic O2− production (2.0 ± 0.1 vs. 1.0 ± 0.1 AU), nitrotyrosine abundance (a marker of oxidative stress), and collagen‐I, and reduced elastin and vascular SIRT1 activity, measured by the acetylation status of the p65 subunit of NFκB, compared with YC. Supplementation with NMN in old mice restored EDD (86 ± 2%) and NO‐mediated EDD (61 ± 5%), reduced aPWV (359 ± 14 cm s−1) and EM (3694 ± 315 kPa), normalized O2− production (0.9 ± 0.1 AU), decreased nitrotyrosine, reversed collagen‐I, increased elastin, and restored vascular SIRT1 activity. Acute NMN incubation in isolated aortas increased NAD + threefold and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) by 50%. NMN supplementation may represent a novel therapy to restore SIRT1 activity and reverse age‐related arterial dysfunction by decreasing oxidative stress.
Correlation of dairy food intake with human antibody to bovine milk xanthine oxidase.

SummarySeventy-three out of 94 human subjects were found to have antibodies to BMXO. Individuals with no BMXO titer had the lowest dairy food consumption of the population tested and there appears to be an inverse relationship between increased dairy fat consumption and decrease in IgA and IgM concentrations in titer groups 1-4. When divided into arbitrary groups according to the geometric mean titer, BMXO titers were higher as the milkfat and whole milk consumption increased (Fig. 1). Multiple regression analysis of the data indicated highly significant correlations (P < 0.0001) between milkshake consumption, milk consumption in early life, abnormal lipoprotein patterns, low serum glucose level and the incidence of tonsillectomy at age 10 or later with the presence of antibodies to BMXO. These correlations and the observation that higher milkfat and whole milk consumption resulted in higher BMXO titers suggest the uptake of dietary BMXO from the gut.
Topotactic Transformation of Zeolite Supported Cobalt(II) Hydroxide to Oxide and Comparison of Photocatalytic Oxygen Evolution

A synthesis method that results in ∼180 nm plate-like crystallites of β-(Co(OH)2 anchored on the surface of zeolite Y particles is reported. These crystals of β-Co(OH)2 are transformed to Co3O4 by thermal treatment without a change in morphology. Characterization of the cobalt phases and the transformation was carried out by powder X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and electron microscopy. These cobalt-based materials provide an opportunity to contrast their photocatalytic activity. Using the Ru(bpy)32+−persulfate system, the oxidation of water to oxygen was measured. The most active catalyst was β-(Co(OH)2, and with transformation to Co3O4, the catalytic activity declined, suggesting that β-Co(OH)2 is a better photocatalyst than Co3O4. The photocatalytic activity of the β-(Co(OH)2/zeolite decreased during a second photocatalytic cycle, due to surface transformation to Co3O4, though the bulk of the catalyst still maintains the brucite-like β-Co(OH)2 structure. This i...
Pressure due to high-velocity impact of a water jet

A pressure-transducer technique was developed for determining the transient distribution of pressure on a surface caused by the impact of a high-velocity jet. Jet parameters known to be effective in producing ring craters were selected for the study. The average jet velocity was 2100 ft/s (640 m/s) and its approximate diameter was 0.26 in. (0.66 cm). A hardened, small-diameter (0.039 in., 0.099 cm) ‘pressure pin’ was used to transmit the pressure from the impact surface to the pressure transducer. The average pressure was thus found over an area of 0.001192 in.2 (0.007690 cm2) at several locations within the impact area. Results show the greatest pressure to occur at the center of the impact area. These results refute the idea that ring craters are produced by the existence of higher pressures near the jet edge.
Exploring Sfard's Commognitive Framework: A Review of Thinking as Communicating: Human Development, the Growth of Discourses, and Mathematizing

Discourse as a medium of learning and instruction has gained tremendous ground among educational researchers and cognitive scientists. Yet earlier notions of cognition as computation have not been reconciled with views of knowing and learning as socially mediated processes. In Thinking as Communicating: Human Development, the Growth of Discourses, and Mathematizing, Anna Sfard asks us to re-imagine thinking as communication, with the hopes that this will resolve many of the current dilemmas facing research on thinking in general, and in mathematics education in particular. In doing so, she argues that we should move beyond the metaphor of learning as acquiring knowledge—for example, treating knowledge of something like counting as an object that is “held” by the mind and applied when needed—to conceptualizing learning as participating in discourse—for instance, participating in a discourse that engages in counting when asked “which box has more?” Sfard begins with five quandaries facing paradigms that treat learning metaphorically as acquisition—such as, if a child “possesses” counting, then why would he or she not count when asked “which box has more?” Sfard then provides a thorough yet accessible review of previous learning paradigms, and lands finally on a redefinition of thinking as internalized communication. To break out of older modes of talking about thinking, she coins the term commognition as a mix of cognition and communication. By the end of the book, the new perspective of commognition is offered as a way to avoid the quandaries facing paradigms that treat learning as acquisition. In proposing commognition as a new paradigm for thinking about thinking, Sfard accomplishes two tasks. First, she addresses topics that have traditionally been central to cognition and mathematics education, such as concerns about transfer, the development of numerical thinking, and the process of abstracting from arithmetic to algebra. We found this part of her work highly satisfying because she illustrates the usefulness of the commognitive paradigm in understanding these topics. For example, as stated above, Sfard tackles the question of why a child who can easily count would not do so when asked to compare two sets of objects. She
Epidemiological characteristics of viral hepatitis in Fuzhou in 2007-2011

Objective To assess the epidemiological characteristics of viral hepatitis in Fuzhou in 2007-2011,in order to provide scientific evidence for the control and prevention.Methods A descriptive epidemiological method was used to analyze the data of viral hepatitis epidemic in Fuzhou in 2007-2011.Results A total of 87 887 cases of viral hepatitis were reported in Fuzhou from 2007 to 2011 with the annual incidence of 261.44/100 000 per population.Most were hepatitis B cases which accounted for 83.88%.In general,the incidences of hepatitis A and B were going down,while the incidences of hepatitis C and E were going up.Unlike hepatitis A which could occur at any time of the year,hepatitis B,C and E usually appeared during winter and spring.There was a significant difference of incidence among regions with the highest found in.Lianjiang,Yongtai and Cangsan(χ2=521.909,P=0.000).Males were more vunerable to hepatitis virus than females(χ2=67.203,P=0.001).Meanwhile,the incidences of hepatitis B,C and E varied significantly among age groups(χ2=487.743,15.052,18.582,P=0.000,0.020,0.005)with the highest in age 20-30 for hepatitis B,30-40 for C and over 60 for E.Most patients were unemployed or farmers.Conclusions Hepatitis B is still the one needed to be focused on for prevention,therefore it is critical to enforce and broaden the vaccination.
Analysis on the Serological and Epidemic Characteristics of Japanese B Encephalitis in Shaoguan City from 2003 to 2011

Objective To analyze the epidemic characteristics of Japanese B encephalitis (JE) in Shaoguan from 2003 to2011 and to provide evidence for the prevention and control of JE. Methods Descriptive epidemiological method wasadopted to analyze the epidemiologic features of JE between 2003 and 2011.Serum or cerebrospinal fluid of the suspectedviral encephalitis patients was collected and analyzed for JEV-IgM by the ELISA method. Results Most of the infectedpatients were the male subjects with an age of 1 to 5 years old.The peak period of the epidemic was between June andJuly,and a minor peak was in October. 37 out of 138 patients (23%)were found to be positive for JEV-IgM. ConclusionA typical seasonal occurrence of epidemic encephalitis B in Shaoguan city was observed.Therefore ,the relevant diseasecontrol and prevention units are obliged to follow the national immunization plan.
BIOTURBATION BY THE COMMON ANTARCTIC SCALLOP (ADAMUSSIUM COLBECKI) AND OPHIUROID (OPHIONOTUS VICTORIAE) UNDER MULTI-YEAR SEA ICE: ECOLOGIC AND STRATIGRAPHIC IMPLICATIONS

The abundant epifaunal scallop Adamussium colbecki and ophiuroid Ophionotus victoriae bioturbate the seafloor under the multi-year sea ice in Explorers Cove, western McMurdo Sound, Antarctica by churning the upper few centimeters of the sandy substrate. Laboratory investigation of these animals' activities demonstrates that the scallops on average resuspend 45 cm3 d−1 ind−1 via water jets ejected during swimming and clapping movement and that the ophiuroids on average disrupt 861 cm3 d−1 ind−1 via rowing motion and self-burial in the upper centimeters of the substrate. At observed densities in Explorers Cove, bioturbation rates greatly exceed sediment accumulation rates and physical reworking processes, resulting in homogenized sediment lacking both lamination and discrete traces that would signal its biogenic modification. Adamussium colbecki employs water jets to resuspend the limited phytodetritus needed by the suspension-feeding scallop in the quiet sub-sea ice conditions and produces depressions ∼ 3 cm deep that increase substrate surface area and microtopography in Explorers Cove. The scallop thus acts as an ecosystem engineer, modifying the sediment and controlling the flux of materials between the substrate and water as it claps for food gathering rather than for predator evasion like other scallops. The resulting rapid, shallow diffuse bioturbation differs from the more commonly reported vertical bioturbation by infaunal animals recorded in cores, yet it exerts strong control on the sedimentary record and may be characteristic of low-energy, oligotrophic environments beneath multi-year sea ice around Antarctica where a lack of fast predators and low sedimentation rate allow proliferation of epifaunal animals.
Non-local Gravity

We are now ready to consider generally-covariant extensions of the non-local field theories introduced in the second chapter.
Long-Term Economic Realism

VORTEXES OF DANGER World issues are best viewed from the perspective of vortexes of national rivalries, rather than the conventional method focusing on country by country relationships. Conventional analysis and interpretations of international relations are of little use. Nations have interests and rivalries of long standing. Human events are the result of great currents of interest, irrationality, and the will to power. There will always be a struggle among nations and people for power; alliances are temporary and today's friend can be tomorrow's foe; and power politics among the nation's of Europe and Asia are a fact of our world. Applying an objective approach to a framework identifying vortexes where national interests are in conflict best equips a president to lead A useful example of a long-standing rivalry among nations that are allies has been provided by David Pryce-Jones in his description of French efforts to ally themselves closely with Arab leaders as a counterweight to Anglo-American influence elsewhere in the world. This French policy has its roots in the late eighteenth century and is a continuing theme of French foreign policy which explains much of French opposition to American-led responses to Saddam Hussein's activities, quite independent of any of the controversies of the time, 2003, about Iraqi weapons of mass destruction. As the French pursue this objective in the changing atmosphere of international politics, its fate is determined by economic developments and the quality of their leadership.
An Online Appendix to 'Descending Price Optimally Coordinates Search'

This online appendix accompanies the paper “Descending Price Optimally Coordinates Search” by the same authors. The main paper is available at http://ssrn.com/abstract=2753858.
Effusive-constrictive pericarditis, hepatitis, and pancreatitis in a patient with possible coxsackievirus B infection: a case report

Coxsackie B is a viral pathogen that presents with various invasive diseases in adults. Historically, the majority of adult cases with pericarditis or myocarditis have been attributed to coxsackievirus B. The presentation of this viral infection causing effusive-constrictive pericarditis, hepatitis or pancreatitis is rare. This case report is the first to describe a patient with concomitant effusive-constrictive pericarditis, hepatitis and pancreatitis from possible coxsackievirus B infection. A 26-year old female was admitted to our hospital with the diagnosis of effusive-constrictive pericarditis complicated by tamponade and cardiac arrest. An emergent pericardiocentesis was performed successfully. Hepatitis and pancreatitis were also identified in our patient. After an extensive workup, coxsackievirus B infection was suspected by positive serum complement fixation antibody titers. Our patient made a full recovery and was discharged from the hospital. Clinical suspicion of effusive-constrictive pericarditis with tamponade from coxsackievirus B should be considered in patients presenting with chest pain, dyspnea, jugular venous distention, hypotension, ST segment elevation on electrocardiogram, and ventricular interdependence with septal shift during diastole on transthoracic echocardiogram. Initial diagnoses of effusive-constrictive pericarditis resembling cardiac tamponade, hepatitis and pancreatitis can be challenging, and this case highlights the need for healthcare professionals to be cognizant of the association between these unusual clinical presentations and coxsackievirus B infection.
Uniqueness of Orthogonal Connect-the-Dots

It is proven that a collection of non-intersecting simple orthogonal polygons is uniquely determined by its vertex set, and reconstructible from this set in O (n logn) time. The theorem is also extended to three dimensions: a collection of orthogonal polyhedra is uniquely determined by its set of edges.
Acute calming effects of alcohol are associated with disruption of the salience network.

The mood-altering properties of alcohol are a key motivation for drinking, and people commonly report that they drink alcohol to alleviate stress or to relax. To date, the neural processes associated with the self-reported calming effects of alcohol are not well understood. Existing data imply that alcohol may target and disrupt activity within anterior insula (aINS) and amygdala-based neural networks, which are regions implicated in threat detection and anxious responding. The aims of the current study were (1) to examine the acute effect of alcohol upon functional connectivity within aINS and amygdala circuits and (2) to assess relationships between alcohol effects on functional connectivity and self-reported subjective mood. Healthy men and women (N = 39) who reported regular binge drinking completed a within-subjects, double-blind, placebo-controlled pharmacological functional magnetic resonance imaging experiment with i.v. infusions of either alcohol or placebo. Infusion profiles were personalized for each participant and raised breath alcohol concentration to 80 mg percent. Before, during and after infusions, participants rated their subjective mood (stimulation, sedation and calm). Results showed that alcohol dampened functional connectivity between bilateral aINS seed-regions-of-interest and the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC), key nodes of the salience network. Additionally, the more that alcohol reduced right aINS-dACC functional connectivity, the calmer participants felt during alcohol administration. Alcohol had no effect on amygdala functional connectivity. These findings suggest that alcohol disrupts aINS-dACC functional connectivity, which may impair detection and appraisal of emotionally salient information and relate to acute relaxing effects of the drug.