cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stress, predisposition and the onset of serious disease: implications about psychosomatic etiology.

Abstract Based on the author's own work and a review of the literature, the hypothesis is made that potentially lethal disease does not usually occur in healthy animals or people but does so when covert or overt disease exists or when a predisposition for disease exists. The author supports this hypothesis in his assessment of the human literature on sudden death. Further support for the hypothesis is presented from 2 animal models being studied in his laboratory—stress-induced heart failure in the cardiomyopathic hamster and stress-induced sensitization of digitalis-toxic ventricular arrhythmias. This analysis suggests a different view from the classical one of what a psychosomatic disease might be.
Co-Continuous Composite Materials for Stiffness, Strength, and Energy Dissipation

Two-component ordered structures in which both phases are solid and continuous (co-continuous solid structures) are un usual in nature and in commercial applications. Natural and synthetic co-continuous structures, comprised of hard and soft materials can provide outstanding combinations of properties including stiffness, strength, impact resistance, toughness, and energy dissipation. [ 1 , 2 ] The geometric and topological arrangement of the constituents provides avenues to engineer the macroscale properties. Various chemical processing routes and technologies now enable the precise production of ordered co-continuous microstructured materials over a wide range of length scales. For example, block copolymer chemistry can be tailored to provide periodic bi-continuous structures with feature size of sub-micrometer [ 3 ] while immiscible polymer blends can yield random bi-continuous structures. [ 4 ] Solid cocontinuous microstructures in other material systems have also been of recent interest, including metal-ceramic composites [ 5 ]
Discrete model for inner-sphere reorganization of anions

Abstract The energy of inner-sphere reoganization of univalent anions in photoionization in aqueous solution is calculated from a multipole expansion accounting for ion-solvent electrostatic interaction. Only terms pertaining to nuclear motion are retained to the exclusion of induced moments. London dispersion. Born repulsion, cavity formation and hydrogen bonding are also taken into account. Calculated and experimental energies agree very well for halide and hydroxide ions in aqueous solution.
Nanowire Crossbar Arrays as Address Decoders for Integrated Nanosystems

The development of strategies for addressing arrays of nanoscale devices is central to the implementation of integrated nanosystems such as biological sensor arrays and nanocomputers. We report a general approach for addressing based on molecular-level modification of crossed semiconductor nanowire field-effect transistor (cNW-FET) arrays, where selective chemical modification of cross points in the arrays enables NW inputs to turn specific FET array elements on and off. The chemically modified cNW-FET arrays function as decoder circuits, exhibit gain, and allow multiplexing and demultiplexing of information. These results provide a step toward the realization of addressable integrated nanosystems in which signals are restored at the nanoscale.
Two-year follow-up of wound complications associated with laparoendoscopic single-site adjustable gastric banding.

Abstract Background In an effort to provide better cosmesis for patients, there has been a surge recently in the use of laparoendoscopic single-site adjustable gastric banding. Few data, however, are available on the long-term wound complications resulting from this technique. We conducted a retrospective review of patients to identify the extent of wound complications found during a minimum follow-up period of 2 years after laparoendoscopic single-site adjustable gastric banding. The complications evaluated included infection, hernia rates, and port and tubing complications. All the laparoendoscopic single-site adjustable gastric banding cases were performed at University of Illinois Medical Center by a single surgeon. Methods Twenty-five patients underwent single-site laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding from March 2009 to January 2010, and the data were reviewed retrospectively. The single incision was made with multifascial trocar placement using conventional laparoscopic instruments. The patients were followed up during band adjustments and clinic visits and by telephone interview. Results Six months after surgery, 1 patient required port removal because of port site infection with internalization of the tubing. A second patient experienced a foul-smelling, clear discharge and was treated with antibiotics, with no additional consequences. No incisional hernias or flipped ports were noted. Conclusion In our experience, laparoendoscopic single-site adjustable gastric banding produced a low rate of port and wound site complications in patients during a minimum follow-up period of 2 years. We believe this is a valid alternative to the standard procedure, providing cosmetic advantages and a low wound complication rate in morbidly obese patients.
Correlates of emotional distress among HIV+ youths: Health status, stress, and personal resources.

The level of emotional distress and the impact of stress and personal resources on distress were examined among 149 youths aged 14–23 who tested seropositive for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV+). These HIV+ females and males (the males were predominantly gay and bisexual) were relatively healthy (M T cells=516; 17% T cells >200; 3.8 physical symptoms in the previous three months) and reported levels of emotional distress and self-esteem similar to uninfected adolescents. Youths experienced about three stressful life events in the previous three months, primarily death/illness of friends and violent crimes. Youths were less likely to utilize self destructive, avoidant, and depressed coping styles in contrast to taking positive actions. Social support from parents, friends, and romantic partners was high, but these support persons often engaged in sexual and substance use risk acts. Controlling for youths’ physical health status, increased emotional distress was associated with significantly lower self-esteem, higher stress, and negative coping styles. Social support did not mediate emotional distress among HIV+ youths.
A Review of Ovid in the Age of Cervantes.

Just as the two-faced Roman god of thresholds, Janus, looks both to the past and the future, so too do Spanish humanists of Miguel de Cervantes's age look back to the ancient mysteries of antiquity...
Readability of skin cancer prevention brochures targeting parents of young children

Long-term exposure to UV radiation and severe sunburns increase one's risk of experiencing malignant melanoma later in life, so parents need to be informed about how to protect children from overexposure to the sun. We attempted to determine readability of skin cancer brochures targeted toward parents of young children. SMOG and FOG readability formulas were applied to 8 brochures published by the American Cancer Society, Skin Cancer Foundation, American Academy of Dermatology, and the Anti-Cancer Council. Readability levels of the brochures ranged between the 8th and 12th grade levels. To reduce the incidence of skin cancer, sun-safe knowledge and behavior should start in childhood. Pediatricians need access to brochures written at readability levels for the average parent. Skin cancer brochures written at the eighth or ninth grade comprehension levels may allow pediatricians to educate more parents about the importance of skin cancer prevention in childhood.
Conservation laws in linear piezoelectricity

Abstract We use Noether's theorem on variational principles invariant under a group of infinitesimal transformations to obtain a class of conservation laws for linear piezoelectric materials and linear elastic dielectrics.
Why don't ruminal bacteria digest cellulose faster?

The bacteria Fibrobacter succinogenes, Ruminococcus flavefaciens, and Ruminococcus albus generally are regarded as the predominant cellulolytic microbes in the rumen. Comparison of available data from the literature reveals that these bacteria are the most actively cellulolytic of all mesophilic organisms described to date from any habitat. In light of numerous proposals to improve microbial cellulose digestion in ruminants, it is instructive to examine the characteristics of these species that contribute to their superior cellulolytic capabilities and to identify the factors that prevent them from digesting cellulose even more rapidly. As a group, these species have extreme nutritional specialization. They are able to utilize cellulose (or in some cases xylan) and its hydrolytic products as their nearly sole energy sources for growth. Moreover, each species apparently has evolved to similar maximum rates of cellulose digestion (first-order rate constants of 0.05 to 0.08 h-1). Active cellulose digestion involves adherence of cells to the fibers via a glycoprotein glycocalyx, which protects cells from protozoal grazing and cellulolytic enzymes from degradation by ruminal proteases while it retains-at least temporarily-the cellodextrin products for use by the cellulolytic bacteria. These properties result in different ecological roles for the adherent and nonadherent populations of each species, but overall provide an enormous selective advantage to these cellulolytic bacteria in the ruminal environment. However, major constraints to cellulose digestion are caused by cell-wall structure of the plant (matrix interactions among wall biopolymers and low substrate surface area) and by limited penetration of the nonmotile cellulolytic microbes into the cell lumen. Because of these constraints and the highly adapted nature of cellulose digestion by the predominant cellulolytic bacteria in the rumen, transfer of cellulolytic capabilities to noncellulolytic ruminal bacteria (e.g., by genetic engineering) that display other desirable properties offers limited opportunities to improve ruminal digestion of cellulose.
Zaleplon: a pyrazolopyrimidine sedative-hypnotic agent for the treatment of insomnia

Abstract Background: Insomnia is the subjective complaint of poor sleep or an inadequate amount of sleep that adversely affects daily functioning. For the past 4 decades, treatment of insomnia has shifted away from the use of barbiturates toward the use of hypnotic agents of the benzodiazepine class. However, problems associated with the latter (eg, next-day sedation, rebound insomnia, dependence, and tolerance) have prompted development of other agents. Objective: This review describes the recently approved nonbenzodiazepine agent, zaleplon. Methods: Studies of zaleplon were identified through a search of English-language articles listed in MEDLINE® and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, with no limitation on year. These were supplemented by educational materials from conferences. Results: The efficacy and tolerability of zaleplon have been documented in the literature. Zaleplon has been shown to improve sleep variables in comparison with placebo. Like most hypnotic agents, zaleplon can be used for problems of sleep initiation at the beginning of the night, but its short duration of clinical effect may also allow patients to take it later in the night without residual effects the next morning. Zaleplon can be taken ≤2 hours before awakening without "hangover" effects. It is generally well tolerated, with headache being the most commonly reported adverse event in clinical trials (15%–18%). Compared with flurazepam, a long-acting benzodiazepine sedative-hypnotic agent, zaleplon causes significantly less psychomotor and cognitive impairment ( P Conclusions: Insomnia has a substantial impact on daily functioning. If pharmacologic treatment is indicated for insomnia, the choice of an agent should be guided by individual patient characteristics.
Electrical characterization of a carbon nanoelectrode instrumented nanopore sensor

This is the first report of a transverse carbon nanoelectrode for sensing translation events through a solid state nanopore. This device has application to the study of molecular transport and DNA sequencing. The device is fabricated on a silicon nitride membrane using electron beam stimulated oxidation of carbon (EBSOC) to first create a carbon nanowire. The nanowire is then encapsulated in a top layer of silicon nitride. A nanopore is then milled through both the silicon nitride membrane and carbon nanowire using a high energy transmission electron microscope (TEM) or a focused ion beam (FIB). This creates a pair of electrodes that are self-aligned to the nanopore. With state-of-the-art FIB techniques pores and electrode gaps ≥ 10nm are achieved. In this report the results of electrical testing of a device with a 25nm pore are presented, including current-voltage characterization in air and the detection of a nanoparticle translocating the nanopore in solution.
A note on the relationship between the variability of the hedge ratio and hedging performance

This note provides an analysis to examine the conjecture about the monotonic relationship between hedge ratio variability and hedging performance. Specific conditions are characterized to sustain the conjecture. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark
Lethality of inducible, meristem-localized ectopic β-glucuronidase expression in plants

GUSA fromEscherichia coli, encoded by theuidA gene, has been successfully used as a plant reporter system for more than a decade with no reported deleterious effects. However, when expressed in coordination with a UDP-glucuronosyltransferase isolated from the root cap meristem ofPisum sativum (PsUGT1) at the onset of mitosis, GUSA expression was lethal in pea, alfalfa, andArabidopsis thaliana. These unexpected results indicate that, under some circumstances, using GUSA in plants is incompatible with life and suggest that the cell-specific lethal phenotype might be useful in selecting for genes specifically involved in regulating the G2-M phase of the cell cycle.
A Catch in the Reye

Twenty-six cases of Reye syndrome from The Children's Hospital, Camperdown, Australia, occurring between 1973 and 1982 were reviewed. Of these, 20 cases met the US Public Health Service Centers for Disease Control criteria for the diagnosis of Reye syndrome. Aspirin or salicylate ingestion had occurred in only one of the 20 cases (5%), and paracetamol (acetaminophen) had been administered in only six of the cases (30%). Pathologic confirmation of the diagnosis of Reye syndrome was accomplished in 90% of the cases. The incidence of Reye syndrome in New South Wales, Australia, is estimated from this study to be approximately nine cases per 1 million children compared with recent US data of ten to 20 cases per 1 million children and three to seven cases per 1 million children in Great Britain. The mortality for these Reye syndrome cases in Australia was 45% as compared with a 32% case-fatality rate in the United States. In Australia, the pediatric usage of aspirin has been extremely low for the past 25 years (less than 1% of total dosage units sold), with paracetamol (acetaminophen) dominating the pediatric analgesic and antipyretic market. Reye syndrome may be disappearing from Australia despite a total lack of association with salicylates or aspirin ingestion, since there were no cases found at The Children's Hospital in 1983, 1984, or 1985.
An efficient, scalable, and adaptable framework for solving generic systems of level-set PDEs

In the last decade, level-set methods have been actively developed for applications in image registration, segmentation, tracking, and reconstruction. However, the development of a wide variety of level-set PDEs and their numerical discretization schemes, coupled with hybrid combinations of PDE terms, stopping criteria, and reinitialization strategies, has created a software logistics problem. In the absence of an integrative design, current toolkits support only specific types of level-set implementations which restrict future algorithm development since extensions require significant code duplication and effort. In the new NIH/NLM Insight Toolkit (ITK) v4 architecture, we implemented a level-set software design that is flexible to different numerical (continuous, discrete, and sparse) and grid representations (point, mesh, and image-based). Given that a generic PDE is a summation of different terms, we used a set of linked containers to which level-set terms can be added or deleted at any point in the evolution process. This container-based approach allows the user to explore and customize terms in the level-set equation at compile-time in a flexible manner. The framework is optimized so that repeated computations of common intensity functions (e.g., gradient and Hessians) across multiple terms is eliminated. The framework further enables the evolution of multiple level-sets for multi-object segmentation and processing of large datasets. For doing so, we restrict level-set domains to subsets of the image domain and use multithreading strategies to process groups of subdomains or level-set functions. Users can also select from a variety of reinitialization policies and stopping criteria. Finally, we developed a visualization framework that shows the evolution of a level-set in real-time to help guide algorithm development and parameter optimization. We demonstrate the power of our new framework using confocal microscopy images of cells in a developing zebrafish embryo.
Increasing the accuracy and coverage of SQL progress indicators

Recently, progress indicators have been proposed for long-running SQL queries in RDBMSs. Although the proposed techniques work well for a subset of SQL queries, they are preliminary in the sense that (1) they cannot provide non-trivial estimates for some SQL queries, and (2) the provided estimates can be rather imprecise in certain cases. In this paper, we consider the problem of supporting non-trivial progress indicators for a wider class of SQL queries with more precise estimates. We present a set of techniques in achieving this goal. We report an initial implementation of these techniques in PostgreSQL.
Using Very Small Population Sizes in Genetic Programming

This paper examines the use of very small (4-7) population sizes in genetic programming. When using exploitive operators, this results in hillclimbing; when using exploratory operators this results in genetic drift. The end result is a different way of searching the space which gives insight into the fitness landscape and the nature of the variation operators used. This study compares the use of very small population sizes with the use of population sizes up to 1000 for three genetic programming problems: 4-parity using parse trees, Tartarus using ISAc lists, and several versions of plus-one-recall-store (PORS) using parse trees. For 4-parity and Tartarus with 60 ISAc nodes, algorithms with very small population sizes found more solutions faster. For PORS, the effect was less pronounced: more solutions were found, but the algorithm was faster only than when using slightly larger populations. For Tartarus with 30 ISAc nodes, no effect was detected.
A systems biology approach to prediction of oncogenes and molecular perturbation targets in B-cell lymphomas

The computational identification of oncogenic lesions is still a key open problem in cancer biology. Although several methods have been proposed, they fail to model how such events are mediated by the network of molecular interactions in the cell. In this paper, we introduce a systems biology approach, based on the analysis of molecular interactions that become dysregulated in specific tumor phenotypes. Such a strategy provides important insights into tumorigenesis, effectively extending and complementing existing methods. Furthermore, we show that the same approach is highly effective in identifying the targets of molecular perturbations in a human cellular context, a task virtually unaddressed by existing computational methods. To identify interactions that are dysregulated in three distinct non-Hodgkin's lymphomas and in samples perturbed with CD40 ligand, we use the B-cell interactome (BCI), a genome-wide compendium of human B-cell molecular interactions, in combination with a large set of microarray expression profiles. The method consistently ranked the known gene in the top 20 (0.3%), outperforming conventional approaches in 3 of 4 cases.
Does a company has bright future? Predicting financial risk from revenue reports

This paper investigates predicting the financial risk of publicly-traded corporations using their revenue reports. Unlike many existing algorithms where a prediction model is learnt using real-valued ground truth risks, we propose to solve the prediction as a learning-to-rank problem with pairwise constraints (e.g., company A is financially more stable than company B). To further increase the flexibility of our approach, we solve the pairwise learning formulation in its dual format, which makes our model nonlinear and thereby can be applied to complex prediction tasks. The advantage of using pairwise supervision is not just limited to the easier acquisition of training data, it also motivates new problem settings. We explore one such setting - the prediction model can actively ask humans informative questions so as to improve the prediction accuracy. Our work aims to address three limitations of existing works: (i) Pointwise supervision - we adopt pairwise supervision which reduces the cost of collecting training samples; (ii) Linearity - we kernelize the formulation to make it nonlinear which would broaden its applicability; (iii) Training data bottleneck - the proposed model can actively involve humans into the learning loop, such that when the initial training samples does not carry enough knowledge, additional examples can be added to learn a better prediction model. Using the proposed efficient optimization method, we evaluate our approach on real text files (annual revenue reports) and compare with state-of-the-art methods. The superior empirical result demonstrates the performance of our proposed approach, and validates the effectiveness of our active knowledge injection in the context of human-machine interaction.
Twilight of the State Bourgeoisie

For many years the class category of the state bourgeoisie has had considerable currency in the analysis of states and societies in the Middle East and in the developing world in general. In part, resort to this category has been driven by the remarkable expansion of the economic roles of these states, an expansion that has required that we try to understand the managers of the process. In that respect what is undertaken here fits into a broader and older effort to make sense, in class terms, of the owners of intellectual or technical capital—white-collar workers, civil servants, public-sector managers, and those in the service sector. These are awkward strata in that they neither own (much) capital nor do they provide labor to the owners of capital in the same manner as peasants and the proletariat. They are frequently portrayed as “intermediate” and “in transition.” They are situated between capital and labor, and, in Marxist analysis, are seen as the witting or unwitting agents of the dominant class as it emerges or as it consolidates its grip on the economy and the state apparatus.
Locus of divalent cation inhibition of the bactericidal action of polymyxin B.

The bactericidal effect of polymyxin B upon two Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains and two Escherichia coli strains was studied as a function of the concentration of the divalent cations Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ . Lipid spherules in aqueous suspension (liposomes) were prepared from the bacterial phospholipids and were examined for the release of trapped glucose induced by polymyxin B under similar conditions of divalent cation concentration. In contrast to the bacteria, which were protected markedly from the bactericidal action of polymyxin B by Ca 2+ or Mg 2+ at concentrations of 2 × 10 −3 m or less, neither cation had any protective effect on bacterial liposomes at concentrations up to 2 × 10 −2 m. These observations suggest that divalent cations antagonize the bactericidal effect of polymyxin B indirectly through interaction with the cell wall rather than at the primary membrane locus of action. The interaction of the divalent cations with the cell wall prevents access of the antibiotic to the cytoplasmic membrane by mechanisms that remain unclear.
Reading the Qur'an in Bangladesh: The Politics of ‘Belief’ Among Islamist Women

While much has been written about resurgent Islamic movements in recent decades, the proliferation of religious reading circles has received little attention. Few studies delineate the specifics of audience engagement with authoritative Islamic texts on the ground. This paper is a small attempt at such an inquiry in the context of Bangladesh. It investigates a particular Islamist Qur'anic study session conducted in Dhaka in 2003. Such reading sessions are routinely conducted within Bangladesh Islamic Chatri Sangstha (BICSa), the leading Islamic organization of women students in Bangladesh. I suggest that BICSa reading sessions embody spaces of both deliberation and discipline. In analysing a group discussion of a set of Qur'anic verses widely assigned for study within BICSa, particularly in relation to the central Islamist notion of ‘belief’, this paper argues that reading circles play a primary role in the production of a uniquely disciplined and devout, yet modern Islamist subjectivity in Bangladesh. A study circle familiarizes a lay Bangladeshi with specific kinds of religious literature and teaches them to understand and shape contemporary realities via scriptural injunctions. However, this inculcation process is not linear: The mastery of the Qur'anic literature enables both devotion to and contestation of BICSa precepts.
Views, objects, and persistence for accessing a high volume global data set

Efficient access methods are reviewed and explored in relation to the global surface hourly data set and several of its derivative products. Typical access paradigms are compared for object persistence using streamed output files, key/value databases, and object and relational databases (ODBMS/RDBMS). An overview of Java Data Objects (JDO), Enterprise Java Beans (EJB), and other alternatives to persist objects are given. Efficiencies gained by implementing RDBMS views or aggregates are also investigated. Given spatial, temporal, and analytical factors, a conservative estimate for the number of data objects from global hourly data approaches 2 billion.
A Domain Segmentation Approach to Modeling Distributed Parameter Systems

Existing modeling methods in distributed parameter systems are directed to field problems for which a single equation gives an adequate representation. As a result, the techniques are severely taxed when coefficients of the governing partial differential equation (PDE) have relatively complex functional forms. The field is postulated to consist of contiguous regions that are easily modeled. During the modeling process itself, the regional boundaries are identified using a method based on pattern recognition (PR) techniques. The method was tested on computer simulations of a water quality resource system. Quantitative measures are developed and used to demonstrate the feasibility of applying the methodology to realistic distributed parameter systems (DPS's).
A Combined Distributed Amplifier/True-Time-Delay Phase Shifter for Broadband Self-Steering Arrays

This paper describes the first combined distributed amplifier/true-time-delay phase shifter. The design reduces the cost and size of broadband self-steering array systems. A proof-of-concept prototype is designed and fabricated using discrete components. The result is a measured gain of 9.5 ± 3 dB from 0.5 to 3.5 GHz with a maximum phase shift of 35° at 3.5 GHz.
Anterolateral thigh adipofascial flap in mucosal reconstruction.

ImportanceThis study describes a reliable technique for mucosal reconstruction of large defects using components of a common free flap technique. ObjectiveTo review the harvest technique and the va...
Sexual Size Dimorphism and Ecomorphology of Spotfin Shiner (Cyprinella spiloptera) from the Wabash River Watershed

ABSTRACT We quantified body morphology in individuals from 49 collections of spotfin shiner (Cyprinella spiloptera) in the Wabash River watershed. Ten morphological measurements were used to produce principal component (PC) axes that were examined for relationships with watershed area. Analyses of males and females resulted in sexual dimorphism for one PC axis that represented caudal fin length and head depth; both have increased size in males. An analysis of body shape with watershed area resulted in different relationships for males and females. Caudal peduncle length increased with stream size for males and decreased with stream size for females. No significant relationships were found for sexual size dimorphism (SSD) with stream size. Allometry for SSD supported Rensch's rule—male body size increased more rapidly than female body size with increased SSD. Morphology in spotfin shiners is constrained by a combination of sexual selection and the hydrologic regime of the watershed.
Constructing global justice: a critique

This essay criticizes a prominent strand of theorizing about global justice, Rawlsian global constructivism. It argues that the constructivist method employed by cosmopolitan and social liberal theorists cannot grapple with the complexities of interdependence, deep pluralism, and socio-cultural diversity that arise in the global context. These flaws impugn the persuasiveness and plausibility of the substantive conclusions reached by Rawlsian global constructivists and highlight serious epistemological problems in their approach. This critique also sheds light on some broader problems with ideal theory in the global context, showing how it leads to distortions in our thinking about justice and again raising doubts about the epistemological and normative conclusions of global constructivist approaches. Keywords: global justice; constructivism; cosmopolitanism; social liberal theory; ideal theory; Rawls (Published: 27 February 2012) Citation: Ethics & Global Politics, Vol. 5 , No. 1, 2012, pp. 1-26. DOI: 10.3402/egp.v5i1.8406
Constructing 3D city models by merging aerial and ground views

We describe an approach to register and merge detailed facade models with a complementary airborne model. The airborne modeling process provides a half-meter resolution model with a bird's-eye view of the entire area, containing terrain profile and building tops. The ground-based modeling process results in a detailed model of the building facades. Using the DSM obtained from airborne laser scans, we localize the acquisition vehicle and register the ground-based facades to the airborne model by means of Monte Carlo localization (MCL). We merge the two models with different resolutions to obtain a 3D model.
Alkaloids of Thalictrum angustifolium

Fractionation and chromatography of the ethanolic extract of the roots of Thalictrum angustifolium L. (Ranunculaceae) afforded five alkaloids: noroxyhydrastinine (1), O-methylthalicberine (2), berberine iodide (3), jatrorrhizine iodide (4), magnoflorine iodide (5). In addition, one simple aromatic compound, methyl-4-hydroxybenzoate (6), was also isolated. These compounds were identified via comparison of their spectral data with authentic compounds or spectra available within our laboratory. This is the first reported isolation of these compounds from this species.
Nucleation of Flocs in Dilute Colloidal Suspensions

In contrast to earlier theories which assume that coagulation of particles in dilute colloidal suspensions occurs by random collisions, the authors present evidence that coagulation is limited by a nucleation and growth phenomenon, typical of a phase transformation. They show that suspensions of well-dispersed particles, which are almost indefinitely stable, flocculate rapidly when seeded with pregrown flocs. The nucleation argument is supported further by the observation that flocs which are grown at low {zeta} potential, where the particles strongly attract, do not peptize when the pH is changed to high {zeta} potential, where the attraction is weak. The experiments were carried out with aqueous dispersions of alumina particles. The timedependent change in cluster sizes was measured by in situ photon correlation spectroscopy. The observations raise the question of agglomeration as a phase transformation, involving a change in entropy, when the system moves from a dispersed to a flocculated state.
Perioperative Outcomes and Complications of Pedicle Subtraction Osteotomy in Cases With Single Versus Two Attending Surgeons

Abstract Study Design Retrospective case series. Objective To assess the perioperative morbidity of pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) based on the presence of 1 versus 2 attending surgeons. Background Summary Pedicle subtraction osteotomies are challenging cases with high complication rates and substantial physiological burden on patients. The literature supports the benefits of 2-surgeon strategies in complex cases in other specialties. Methods We reviewed a single institution database of all pedicle subtraction osteotomies (78 cases) from 2005–2010 and divided the cohort into single versus 2-surgeon groups (42 vs. 36 cases, respectively). We performed subset analysis after excluding cases before 2007 and excluding patients with staged anterior and posterior procedures. We analyzed cases for estimated blood loss, length of surgery, length of stay, radiographic analysis, rate of return to the operating room within 30 days, and medical and neurological complications. Results The groups were similar when comparing mean number of posterior levels fused, levels decompressed and revision rates, however, the average age of the single surgeon and 2 surgeon groups was 57.6 and 64.3 years, respectively (p = .02). The 2 groups had comparable correction of radiographic parameters. Mean percent estimated blood loss for single versus 2 surgeons was 109% versus 35% (p Conclusions The use of 2 surgeons at an experienced spine deformity center decreases the operative time and estimated blood loss, and may be a key factor in witnessed decreased major complication prevalence. This approach also may decrease the rate of premature case termination and return to operating room in 30 days.
Benzotriazole-Mediated Synthesis of Nitrogen-Containing Heterocycles

Application of benzotriazole methodology for the preparation of nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds is summarized in this review. The characteristic advantages of benzotriazole are first briefly considered followed by an overview of its use in the synthesis of heterocycles organized by the ring size. Finally, the use of benzotriazole in the synthesis of bicyclic systems is showcased in only selected examples.
PARA-Typing Informing Form and the Making of Difference

This paper presents design research and instruction into the use of constraint based digital and analogue modelling techniques and the development of associative parametric models to simulate highly differentiated fabricated form. One set of these design research projects were conceived as manual analogue generative processes for prototyping modularity and serial differentiation. Then through parametric design techniques, modular aggregations were design explored and developed in concert with material properties and constraints. Utilizing digital fabrication full-scale installations were designed, manufactured, and for site-specific configurations. A second set of projects provides an extension of the design instruction that includes the integration of performance criteria into these design objectives. The objectives of the research are to present benefits and limitations of the incorporation of parametric design, performance analysis, and prototyping techniques in comprehensive studio instruction. The pa...
Islam, Transnationalism and the Integration of Senegalese Muslims in America

As Senegal has celebrated fifty years of independence from French colonial rule, academic and policy circles are engaged in a vigorous debate about its experience in nation building. An important aspect of this debate is the impact of globalization on Senegal, particularly the massive labor migration that began directly after independence. From Tokyo to Melbourne, from Turin to Buenos Aires, from to Paris to New York, 300,000 Senegalese immigrants are simultaneously negotiating their integration into their host society and seriously impacting the development of their homeland. This presentation addresses the modes of organization of transnational societies in the globalized context, and specifically the role of religion in the experience of Senegalese migrant communities in America. By pulling together numerous aspects (religious, ethnic, occupational, gender, generational, socio-economic, and political) of the experience of the Senegalese migrant community into an integrated analysis, linking discussion of both the homeland and host community, I hope to contribute to the debate about the role of migration in postcolonial state building. The presentation will be based on my book titled: The Homeland is the Arena: Religion, Transnationalism, and the Integration of Senegalese Immigrants in America, New York, Oxford University Press, 2011.
Changes in vegetation persistence across global savanna landscapes, 1982–2010

We present a global analysis of the changing face of vegetation persistence in savanna ecosystems by boreal seasons. We utilized nearly 30 years of monthly normalized difference vegetation index data in an innovative time-series approach and developed associated statistical significance tests, making the application of continuous vegetation metrics both more rigorous and more useful to research. We found that 8,000,000–11,000,000 km2 of savanna have experienced significant vegetation decline during each season, while 20,000,000–23,000,000 km2 have experienced an increase in vegetation persistence during each season, relative to the baseline period (1982–1985). In addition, with the exception of the March–April–May season, which is mixed, the pattern of significant vegetation persistence in the Northern Hemisphere is almost exclusively positive, while it is negative in the Southern Hemisphere. This finding highlights the increasing vulnerability of the Southern Hemisphere savanna landscapes; either resulti...
Emittance and lifetime measurement with damping wigglers

National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II) is a new third-generation storage ring light source at Brookhaven National Laboratory. The storage ring design calls for small horizontal emittance (<1 nm-rad) and diffraction-limited vertical emittance at 12 keV (8 pm-rad). Achieving low value of the beam size will enable novel user experiments with nm-range spatial and meV-energy resolution. The high-brightness NSLS-II lattice has been realized by implementing 30-cell double bend achromatic cells producing the horizontal emittance of 2 nm rad and then halving it further by using several Damping Wigglers (DWs). This paper is focused on characterization of the DW effects in the storage ring performance, namely, on reduction of the beam emittance, and corresponding changes in the energy spread and beam lifetime. The relevant beam parameters have been measured by the X-ray pinhole camera, beam position monitors, beam filling pattern monitor, and current transformers. In this paper, we compare the measured results of the beam performance with analytic estimates for the complement of the 3 DWs installed at the NSLS-II.
Smoke and Mirrors (a)

The CEO of Exhaust Tech, the worldwide leader in exhaust systems, has directed the newly appointed head of marketing to advertise and market a new product that is less expensive to manufacture but has no real consumer benefits other than the lifetime guarantee that no longer offers any competitive differentiation. The head of marketing prefers another product and feels he is being pressured into inventing something out of nothing to launch this new product.
Electron Beam Irradiated Effects of SiO2 in Stem

Electron beam irradiation effects in SiO{sub 2} have been studied by STEM (Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy). Oxygen loss and the corresponding transformation from SiO{sub 2} to Si in SiO{sub 2} are confirmed and consistent with previous reports. A ``flower-like`` Si rich area, which might not be observed in STEM BF (Bright Field) or ADF (Annular Dark Field) images, was found in Si plasmon energy filtered images. Quantification of the observations and the formation mechanisms leading to the Si-rich area are discussed.
Antibody-mediated perinatal diseases.

The production of alloantibodies or autoantibodies by the mother, against antigens on fetal tissues, exposes the fetus to the risk of antibody-mediated perinatal disease. The biologic properties of immunoglobulins and the diseases that they produce are discussed. The use of laboratory tests to diagnose these diseases in high-risk women can minimize morbidity and mortality.
Evolution of Carbon Clusters in the Detonation Products of the Triaminotrinitrobenzene (TATB)-Based Explosive PBX 9502

The detonation of carbon-rich high explosives yields solid carbon as a major constituent of the product mixture, and depending on the thermodynamic conditions behind the shock front, a variety of carbon allotropes and morphologies may form and evolve. We applied time-resolved small-angle X-ray scattering (TR-SAXS) to investigate the dynamics of carbon clustering during detonation of PBX 9502, an explosive composed of 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TATB) and 5 wt % fluoropolymer binder. Solid carbon formation was probed from 0.1 to 2.0 μs behind the detonation front and revealed rapid carbon cluster growth which reached a maximum after ∼200 ns. The late-time carbon clusters had a radius of gyration of 3.3 nm which is consistent with 8.4 nm diameter spherical particles and matched particle sizes of recovered products. Simulations using a clustering kinetics model were found to be in good agreement with the experimental measurements of cluster growth when invoking a freeze-out temperature, and tempora...
Comment on Bloomgarden et al. Is HbA 1c 65 Years Old? Diabetes Care 2017;40:526-528

Bloomgarden et al. (1) make four claims in their counterpoint to our proposal (2): 1 ) we confounded hypoglycemia with “good” glycemic control; 2 ) “good” glycemic control benefits all older adults, even those with serious comorbidities, making our measure harmful; 3 ) effects of anemia and kidney disease on HbA1c invalidate the measure; 4 ) newer drugs make this issue moot. We disagree. First, serious hypoglycemia is a limiting factor in diabetes treatment, especially with insulin. Its prevention has been identified as a public health issue by the Department of Health and Human Services (3). It has been recommended that the current HbA1c <8% performance measure applicable to older adults be “revisited” to stratify by medication, include comorbid conditions, and incorporate a balancing measure of <7%. Our measure is …
Reorienting the nation: spatio-corporeal imaginaries and Turkey’s father of modern obstetrics, Dr Besim Ömer

In this study, I use a queer theoretical framework to critically assess narratives of reproductive reorientation in the early Turkish republic. I focus on the writings of one of the central medical...
Nonreciprocal modal conversion via strongly coupled nonlinear dynamics in multimode fibers

Strong coupling between a phase-matched parametric process and a nonlinear mode coupling results in a non-reciprocal mode conversion in a multimode fiber. The novel experimental features can be used for greater modal control in fibers.
Nuclear option prevents hyperinfection in the Strongyloides worm war

Humans are fighting a grinding war against parasitic nematodes. More than 100 species of nematode parasites are known to infect humans. Additionally, 1.5 billion people are infected by soil-transmitted helminths worldwide that cause an annual disease burden of 5 million years lost due to disability (YLD) (1). This disease burden is greater than the annual disease burdens of malaria (4 million YLD) and HIV/AIDS (4.5 million YLD). The soil-transmitted parasite infections crush human health, productivity, and educational development (2). Currently, there are no fully effective vaccines against nematode parasites, and in the absence of adequate sanitation, drug treatment is the main method of control. Despite the numerous soil-transmitted parasitic infections, there are only a few drugs to treat them. Treatment is based on three main classes of drug (anthelmintic): the benzimidazoles (albendazole and mebendazole), the macrocyclic lactones (ivermectin), and the nicotinic compounds (pyrantel). There are concerns about the regular use of these three classes of compounds for mass dose administration because of the potential for development of drug resistance (3). There is a real and urgent need for novel therapeutic approaches to be developed to control these parasites. An innovative model and original therapeutic approach is described in PNAS by Patton et al. (4), who show that the nematode parasite, Strongyloides stercoralis (5), which causes a deadly hyperinfection in immunocompromised humans, can be accurately modeled in NOD.Cg- PrkdcscidIl2rgtm1Wjl /SzJ (NSG) mice, and wonderfully, can be controlled by a DAF-12 nuclear receptor agonist, Δ7-dafachronic acid. This approach provides a novel strategy for treating these lethal hyperinfections and perhaps other parasitic nematodes. Strongyloides stercoralis is a soil-transmitted nematode, currently infecting some 30–100 million people in countries like Vietnam, Central America, and Africa in rural … [↵][1]1Email: rjmartin{at}iastate.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Frequency scaled segmented (FSS) scan architecture for optimized scan-shift power and faster test application time

Scan shift power consumption is one of the major concerns in low power circuits. While there are multiple design for testability (DFT) techniques proposed in the literature for addressing both peak and average shift power optimization, most of the solutions impose additional design overhead which may impact functional performance of the device. In this paper, we propose a novel frequency scaled segmented scan architecture which adopts a custom test method based on scan shift frequency scaling and shifting of scan data using multi-phase clock latching mechanism. Unlike the conventional segmented scan based methods, the proposed solution is non-intrusive to functional mode of operation and it significantly helps alleviate the impact of both peak and average shift power on large designs without any impact to overall test-application time. Alternatively, the proposed method can also be used to enable faster test-application time to optimize the overall test-time and test cost without any impact on scan shift power consumed. The various implementation/integration aspects of the proposed method are discussed in the context of a 45nm low power SoC, along with various experimental and silicon results.