cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A comparison of methods for the optimization of VGA colormaps

The results of a project investigating the creation of an optimum colormap for a color image are presented. Optimization methods are investigated to obtain not only the best method, but also alternate methods which provide high quality results in reasonable time. The colormap generation is presented as a two step process which includes an initial colormap selection followed by the optimization of the colormap. Three optimization techniques are investigated: the Linde-Buzo-Gray method, simulated annealing, and a new minimum variance method developed by the authors. Color images with an original 32,768 possible colors are coded using only 256 colors.
The Relationship of the Growth of All Bacteria and Coliform Bacteria in Pasteurized Milk Held at Refrigeration Temperatures

Summary The coliform bacteria in pasteurized market milk held at refrigeration temperatures increased more rapidly in numbers than the total count. In the freshly pasteurized milk less than 0.02 per cent of the total bacteria were coliform types. At 35–40° F. the percentage of the total bacteria which were coliform did not increase in October, but in July and August increased to 1.12 per cent in 4 days. After storage for 4 days at 45–50° F. and at 55–60° F. the coliform bacteria constituted about 5 per cent of the total count in October. During July and August the coliform count became 88 per cent of the total count after 4 days' storage at 45–50° F. and 50 per cent at 55–60° F. The coliform bacteria grew more rapidly in warm weather than in cool weather.
The news-democracy narrative and the unexpected benefits of limited news consumption: the case of news resisters

In the US, a dominant narrative about news and democracy claims that democracy depends on a knowledgeable citizenry and that knowledge stems from news consumption. News and politics are said to positively correlate; the political democracy’s vibrancy depends upon the strength of both. This qualitative examination of ‘news resisters,’ people who purposefully limit their news consumption, turns the news-democracy narrative on its head by arguing that decreased news consumption positions resisters to participate in public life. Informed by practice theory, evidence about news resistance sheds light on the specific ways news resisters relate to news and on the social norms around news consumption against which they conceptualize and forge their own practices. News resisters articulate the benefits of limited news consumption – greater calm and purpose, a constructive attitude toward the present and future, a willingness to work with others – qualities that enable news resisters to engage in meaningful politic...
Fine Needle Aspiration: Current Practice and Recent Developments

Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is a diagnostic technique that has become widely utilized by clinicians and pathologists. The procedure may be performed by clinicians, interventional radiologists, endoscopists, and pathologists, while diagnostic interpretation of FNAB samples is performed by pathologists and cytotechnologists. This article will provide an introduction to the technique and applications of FNAB with a review of current practice parameters, recent developments in the molecular application of FNAB, and the role of thin layer cytopreparatory technology.
Gaze aversion to stuttered speech: a pilot study investigating differential visual attention to stuttered and fluent speech

Background: People who stutter are often acutely aware that their speech disruptions, halted communication, and aberrant struggle behaviours evoke reactions in communication partners. Considering that eye gaze behaviours have emotional, cognitive, and pragmatic overtones for communicative interactions and that previous studies have indicated increased physiological arousal in listeners in response to stuttering, it was hypothesized that stuttered speech incurs increased gaze aversion relative to fluent speech. The possible importance in uncovering these visible reactions to stuttering is that they may contribute to the social penalty associated with stuttering.Aims: To compare the eye gaze responses of college students while observing and listening to fluent and severely stuttered speech samples produced by the same adult male who stutters.Methods & Procedures: Twelve normally fluent adult college students watched and listened to three 20-second audio–video clips of the face of an adult male stuttering an...
Parameter-Variation-Aware Analysis for Noise Robustness

This paper studies the impact of variability on the noise robustness of logic gates using noise rejection curves (NRCs). NRCs allow noise pulses to be modeled using magnitude-duration profiles, and can be used to derive a noise susceptibility metric for the noise robustness of logic gates. Analytical methods - based upon calibration runs in circuit simulators - to determine noise susceptibility in the presence of variations in process, design, and environmental parameters (Leff, VT, VDD, and W) are described. Such analytical methods can be used not only to accurately estimate the impact of variability on noise robustness, but also to optimize designs for noise robustness
Learning to Avoid Collisions: A Functional State Space Approach

Two experiments examined performance in collision avoidance situations. In both experiments participants were asked to initiate a discrete maneuver to avoid a collision at the last possible moment. The affordances of the situations were varied as a function of vehicle dynamics and the functional consequences associated with responding too late or too early. The results were examined in the context of a 2-dimensional functional state space with dimensions associated with optical angle and optical expansion rate. The patterns of performance showed that the actions were consistent with decision rules that could be specified in terms of linear functions of the two optical variables. In most cases, performance at early stages of learning suggested that people were using an Expansion Rate Criterion. With practice, people would tune to a decision rule that was appropriate for the specific vehicle dynamics tested. The results are discussed in relation to the role of three factors in shaping ultimate performance: ...
Beyond the Threshold Hypothesis Even Among the Gifted and Top Math/Science Graduate Students, Cognitive Abilities, Vocational Interests, and Lifestyle Preferences Matter for Career Choice, Performance, and Persistence

The assertion that ability differences no longer matter beyond a certain threshold is inaccurate. Among young adolescents in the top 1% of quantitative reasoning ability, individual differences in general cognitive ability level and in specific cognitive ability pattern (that is, the relationships among an individual’s math, verbal, and spatial abilities) lead to differences in educational, occupational, and creative outcomes decades later. Whereas ability level predicts the level of achievement, ability pattern predicts the realm of achievement. Adding information on vocational interests refines prediction of educational and career choices. Finally, lifestyle preferences relevant to career choice, performance, and persistence often change between ages 25 and 35. This change results in sex differences in preferences, which likely have relevance for understanding the underrepresentation of women in careers that demand more than full-time (40 hours per week) commitment.
Searching for a Solution: How to Punish, Restrain and Treat Sex Offenders

More than perhaps any other crime, sex offenses have caught the attention of American legislators, the media and the public. With accelerating speed, state legislatures and Congress in recent years have criminalized new sexually motivated behavior and passed legislation that allows for heightened sentences. They have also taken additional steps which increase the de facto, post-incarceration impact of a conviction for a sex offense by imposing prolonged incapacitation and increased social controls, which may lead to the perpetrator being ostracized by the community. Legislative proposals are often a reaction to the specific and explicit demand of victims' families. Sometimes, however, legislators act in response to the diffuse public fear of sexual offend ers, which is primarily based on the media description of particularly gruesome, sexually motivated murders, especially of young children. Two of our foreign contributors, Hans-J?rg Albrecht and David A. Thomas, indicate that sex offender sentencing is also a hot topic in Europe. Public hysteria about a few widely publicized sex crimes and highly articulate and vociferous victims' rights lobby groups have also driven the passage of new legislation abroad. Even though U.S. sentences continue to remain substantially longer than those in European countries, legislative changes there have also increased sentence lengths dramatically. In FSR's Canada issue earlier this year, Michael Jackson pointed to a similar development across our Northern border where widely publicized sex crimes fueled the demand for preventive detention, which is similar to our habitual offender laws, during the 1980s.1 On both continents, sexual offenses committed against children have triggered the most powerful public responses. A number of legislative proposals are even popularly referred to by the first names of child victims ? Megan's Law in the United States, Natalie's Law in Germany
Corporate Social Responsibility Performance Information and Information Asymmetry

Using Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) performance scores from KLD STAT, we investigate whether CSR performance affects information asymmetry. We find that both positive and negative CSR performance reduce information asymmetry. Moreover, we find that the influence of negative CSR performance is much stronger than that of positive CSR performance in reducing information asymmetry. We also investigate the effect of informed investors on the CSR performance-asymmetry relation. We find that the negative association between CSR performance and bid-ask spread decreases for firms with a high level of institutional investors compared to those with a low level of institutional investors. This finding suggests that informed investors may exploit their CSR information advantage. Overall, our results suggest that CSR performance plays a positive role for investors by reducing information asymmetry and that regulatory action may be appropriate to mitigate the adverse selection problem faced by less-informed investors.
A forest canopy research database and analysis system

Described is a prototype database and analysis system developed to support the specific domain of forest canopy research. This effort utilized a multidiscipline team comprised of information (database systems), statistical analysis and forest canopy scientists. Both large scale (Oracle) and smaller scale (Visual FoxPro) databases were prototyped. A Web based query interface to the Oracle system was also demonstrated. The paper addresses the FoxPro database and S-Plus statistical analysis interface developed to address the data analysis, data integration, and data distribution requirements of the originating forest canopy research team. The prototype system employs Visual FoxPro (VFP) as the database engine. Visualization and analytical functions are demonstrated by the use of VFP forms and custom designed S-Plus procedures. Finally, a Web database server facility is also demonstrated. The authors conclude that value added support centers could be created to develop and disseminate small scale database and analysis systems to a specific scientific community.
Nanoscale continuum calculation of basal dislocation core structures in graphite

In this work, we calculate the core structures of basal dislocations in graphite in a nanoscale continuum framework. The model consists of a stack of buffered Kirchhoff plates where the plates represent the covalent interactions within individual graphene sheets and the buffer layers represent the secondary interactions between them. In the mid-plane of the buffer layers, cohesive surfaces are introduced to account for the nonlinear deformations due to basal dislocations. The cohesive surface separation is governed by using an empirical 4-8 Lennard–Jones potential. Meanwhile, their relative shear sliding is governed by using a newly proposed empirical periodic stacking-fault potential. With these potentials, the core structures of full dislocations and partials are calculated and examined. It is shown that the full dislocations automatically split into partials that repel each other. The core sizes of individual partials, measured between peak stresses, are about 5 nm wide for the edge component and sligh...
Metabolic Studies on Trimethoxyamphetamines

SummaryTMA-2 is a more potent psychotomimetic agent than TMA-3 but the latter is taken up by the rat brain to a greater extent than the former. These compounds are demethylated by the liver microsomal enzyme that does not respond to phenobarbital induction.
Studies on the Life History of Three Oribatoid Mites with Observations ON Other Species (Acarina, Oribatei)

Detailed knowledge of the development of the larvae and nymphs of the oribatoid mites is virtually non-existent. Dr. Edward W. Baker, of the Entomology Research Branch, U. S. Department of Agriculture has stated (personal communication) that there is no literature available by which the immature stages of this group of mites can be identified.
Tetrahedral Bond Length Variations in Anorthite

With data from a refinement of primitive anorthite (Wainwright and Starkey, 1971), stepwise multiple linear regression analyses were undertaken to determine the factors most highly correlated with individual Si-O and Al-O bond lengths. All 4 calciums were assumed to be 7-coordinated, and 10 independent parameters were considered in the analyses of the 32 Si-O and, 32 A1-O distances. Only two parameters >[l/(Ca-O)'] and -1/cos(Al-O-Si) were found to be statistically significant. These two parameters are positively correlated to Si-O and Al-O distances, yielding multiple correlation coefficients of A.94 and 0.89 for the Si-O and A1-O populations, respectively.
Major corrections are indicated for 'Comparative proteome analysis of the hippocampus implicates chromosome 6q in schizophrenia'.

Major corrections are indicated for ‘Comparative proteome analysis of the hippocampus implicates chromosome 6q in schizophrenia’
Lessons of Athenian Democracy: Editor's Introduction

First, the good news: 1992-93 is the 2500th anniversary of the birth of democracy. It was in 507-508 B.C. that the reforms of Cleisthenes took place in Athens. In a world seemingly devoid of much to cheer about, here's an excuse to celebrate.Now, for the quibbles. If Cleisthenes is so important, why have I never heard of him? Moreover, why should I celebrate Athenian democracy when I know from both Madison and Hamilton in the Federalist Papers that it was really mob rule, an example to be avoided at all costs in shaping a constitution for a republic in search of stability and good government? Hasn't Thucydides taught us that the fickleness of the Athenian populace led to repeated Athenian military disasters after the death of Pericles, the Athenian “first citizen” whom Thucydides sees as having ruled over Athens while permitting the masses the illusion that they were in control? Wasn't it an Athenian people's jury that forced the world's greatest philosopher to drink hemlock? Perhaps even more importantly, isn't it (politically) incorrect to call Athens a democracy? How can a militaristic society built on the backs of slaves and the revenues of imperialism, in which women couldn't own property or participate in politics, ever be something to celebrate?!
Melatonin: Multifaceted messenger to the masses

This is the third article in a five-part continuing education series on chronobiology. Other articles focus on chronobiology’s relation to the endocrine system, myocardial infarction, and chronopharmacology in cancer medicine. This article focuses on melatonin, the hormonal product of a small part of the brain called the pineal gland. The reader will learn how melatonin passes important time-of-day and seasonal information to all cells. This indoleamine is a highly conserved molecule that may exist in organisms ranging from algae to humans. Melatonin is produced and released from the pineal gland into the blood especially at night and is referred to as the chemical experience of darkness. Melatonin readily gains access to every fluid and cell in the organism. It also functions in the control of endocrine and reproductive physiology, and has been shown to be a potent free-radical scavenger.
In situ optical and structural studies on photoluminesence quenching in CdSe/CdS/Au heterostructures

We report here detailed in situ studies of nucleation and growth of Au on CdSe/CdS nanorods using synchrotron SAXS technique and time-resolved spectroscopy. We examine structural and optical properties of CdSe/CdS/Au heterostructures formed under UV illumination. We compare the results for CdSe/CdS/Au heterostructures with the results of control experiments on CdSe/CdS nanorods exposed to gold precursor under conditions when no such heterostructures are formed (no UV illumination). Our data indicate similar photoluminescence (PL) quenching and PL decay profiles in both types of samples. Via transient absorption and PL, we show that such behavior is consistent with rapid (faster than 3 ps) hole trapping by gold–sulfur sites at the surface of semiconductor nanoparticles. This dominant process was overlooked in previous end-point studies on semiconductor/metal heterostructures.
The collection of MicroED data for macromolecular crystallography

The formation of large, well-ordered crystals for crystallographic experiments remains a crucial bottleneck to the structural understanding of many important biological systems. To help alleviate this problem in crystallography, we have developed the MicroED method for the collection of electron diffraction data from 3D microcrystals and nanocrystals of radiation-sensitive biological material. In this approach, liquid solutions containing protein microcrystals are deposited on carbon-coated electron microscopy grids and are vitrified by plunging them into liquid ethane. MicroED data are collected for each selected crystal using cryo-electron microscopy, in which the crystal is diffracted using very few electrons as the stage is continuously rotated. This protocol gives advice on how to identify microcrystals by light microscopy or by negative-stain electron microscopy in samples obtained from standard protein crystallization experiments. The protocol also includes information about custom-designed equipment for controlling crystal rotation and software for recording experimental parameters in diffraction image metadata. Identifying microcrystals, preparing samples and setting up the microscope for diffraction data collection take approximately half an hour for each step. Screening microcrystals for quality diffraction takes roughly an hour, and the collection of a single data set is ∼10 min in duration. Complete data sets and resulting high-resolution structures can be obtained from a single crystal or by merging data from multiple crystals.
Design Parameter Selection of the Loading Towers of an UHV Transmission Tower Test Base

The loading structure (loading towers) of an UHV transmission tower test base is one of the main loading system for prototype tower test and the loading capacity of the loading towers need to satisfy the testing requirements of the prototype towers of 1 000 kV UHVAC double-circuit,±1 000 kV UHVDC single-circuit as well as ±800 kV UHVDC double-circuit.Selection of design parameters is thus very important for loading structures.According to the collected design information of UHV transmission towers,and with consideration of the future developments of UHV transmission lines,the design parameters,including height,width and number of loading points,were determined for the loading structures of the UHV testing towers ,which have been proved reasonable through prototype test of several UHV towers.
Abstract P4-10-02: Cancer team approach for implementing survivorship care plans in the breast cancer survivorship clinic

Background: Recommendations from the Institute of Medicine are that cancer patients receive individualized survivorship care plan (SCP) and treatment summary. SCP includes guidelines for monitoring and maintaining health and is a communication tool shared with families and health care providers. Offering SCP and treatment summary to cancer survivors remains challenging due to time and resource limitations, inadequate reimbursement and survivor access. Methods: Survivorship starts when completing the initial treatment (surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy). A team of medical oncologists, nurse practitioner and patient navigator created a process of pre-screening and identifying breast cancer (BC) survivors. SCP and treatment summary were pre-populated, individualized for each patient, then finalized and discussed with the patients during their medical oncology clinic visit. Pre intervention data was retrospectively collected, including all BC cases from March 2014 to March 2015. Post intervention data was prospectively collected over eight weeks. Pre and post intervention SCP completion rates were compared with chi square analysis. Results: A baseline one year review of 1124 encounters noted 23 of 90 (25%) BC survivors received SCP. Ninety-six encounters occurred during the 8 week pilot period. Sixteen (16.6%) cases met the definition of BC survivor. During the pilot period, 15 out of 16 (93.7%) survivors received the SCP and treatment summary (p Conclusions: We successfully piloted the implementation of SCP for BC survivors. Our team found that using clinic visit screening and pre-identifying patients that transition into the survivorship program resulted in improvement of compliance with survivorship measures. In BC survivorship clinic we address specific survivorship issues and review SCP and treatment summary. Citation Format: Danciu OC, Bharadwaj SN, Hoskins K. Cancer team approach for implementing survivorship care plans in the breast cancer survivorship clinic. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-10-02.
Quantitative Measurement of Selectin-Ligand Interactions

Soluble oligosaccharides and glycoproteins can inhibit leukocyte adhesion during a range of vascular ailments including inflammation, thrombosis, and cancer metastasis. The design of such molecules in many cases is based on the structure of naturally occurring selectin ligands. In this case, synthetic selectin-ligand mimetics act as competitive inhibitors of cell adhesion. In an alternate approach, cell-permeable, small-molecule oligosaccharides have been shown to alter the metabolic pathways that lead to the biosynthesis of functional selectin-ligands. The addition of such molecules results in glycoproteins that are defective in their ability to bind selectins. Quantitative in vitro testing of the efficacy of the above inhibition strategies ideally requires the application of assays that mimic the in vivo physiological milieu in terms of the valency of selectin and selectin-ligands, the physiological fluid-flow conditions, and the use of blood cells. Assays that are performed in small volumes are preferable when the quantity of available inhibitor is scarce. Finally, the measurements must account for the rapid on- and off-rates of selectin-mediated binding interactions. This chapter addresses these issues by presenting methods to measure selectin function in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and flow cytometry-based static assays, cell-adhesion assays performed under shear flow in cone-plate viscometers, and Biacore surface plasmon resonance measurements of molecular-binding kinetics. Examples are presented where such methods are applied to measure the ability of simple oligosaccharides based on sialyl Lewis-X and complex molecules with the core-2 structure to block selectin function. Such methods may be extended to identify potent selectin antagonists in a library of carbohydrates.
Eosinophilic Ureteritis Associated with Eosinophilic Cholangitis: A Case Report

AbstractEosinophilic infiltrate of the urinary tract is rare. We report on a patient with eosinophilic cholangitis who later had eosinophilic ureteritis. This case emphasizes the potential serious nature of eosinophilic ureteritis, which often presents with complete ureteral obstruction. The literature pertaining to eosinophilic ureteritis and eosinophilic biliary disease is reviewed.
Civil society advocacy in Nigeria: promoting democratic norms or donor demands?

Civil society organizations (CSOs) are often assumed to be institutions that facilitate communication between citizens and policymakers. However, CSO advocacy is only as effective as the space allowed by government, the resources available from funders, and their own internal capacity. This article presents findings from a study in Nigeria that explores the advocacy and service delivery roles of CSOs working in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) prevention and mitigation. We will argue that donor and government treatment of civil society as service delivery organizations, rather than as organizations that participate in democratic norms, have shaped how civil society organizations work to mitigate and prevent HIV. From February to April 2012, a team of Health Systems 20/20 staff and one consultant conducted 48 in-depth interviews with civil society organizations, State AIDS Control Agencies (SACAs), donors, international organizations, and networks of people living with HIV to examine a wide range of advocacy efforts by CSOs. For quantitative data collection, sampling frames were assembled from lists of HIV-oriented or involved CSOs. This sampling frame consisted of 2548 CSOs from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. A random sample was then taken from the sampling frame, and we contacted 665 CSOs to arrange interviews. With a response rate of 80.2 %, the project conducted 533 surveys in February 2012. These surveys showed that CSOs advocacy efforts focused on community mobilization related to behavior change, such as peer education (54.9 % of CSOs) and rallies (58.2 % of CSOs), and not on changing government policies. In-depth interviews highlighted the role of donors and government in shaping a purely apolitical role for most CSOs through funding constraints, regulations, and capacity development choices. In light of these findings, we present key points for considering the influence of donors and government on civil society advocacy for HIV services and rights. We present evidence that donors, and international organizations, conceive of civil society as apolitical, and not as independent actors that compete for political space. More democratic and rights-based views of civil society’s role, such as holding government accountable for providing services or promoting policy change, are not emphasized.
Instructional Practices and Motivation during Middle School (with Special Attention to Science).

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses instructional practices and motivation during middle school. This chapter says that researchers begin finding and reporting that the transition to middle grades schools is associated with declines in academic motivation and performance. In middle grades, students perceive their middle grades teachers as more remote and impersonal than their elementary teachers and are less certain that their middle school teachers care about them and know them well. Furthermore, state departments of education and local districts have often implemented assessment programs designed “to hold school systems, schools, administrators, and teachers accountable for students performing at standard.” This chapter states that both the middle grades reform movement and the standards-based reform movement share the goal of increasing student achievement and resolving student motivational problems by encouraging “research-based” instructional practices. This chapter identifies some of these research-based instructional practices, which may promote positive changes in middle school students' motivational beliefs and orientations—both generally and in science. In identifying changes in practice that can help students flourish in middle school and in science, this chapter reviews the research of others and presents data from ongoing program of research.
THE ROLE OF PENALTIES IN CRIMINAL LAW

Around the concept "criminal intent," as used in the criminal law, some of the most intensive battles of legalistic dialectics have been waged.' Sometimes the term connotes "purposive" human activity;2 at other times, it connotes the idea of "anticipation," not necessarily "desire." 3 Again it is said that something other than subjective anticipation comes within the ample bosom of "intent." Even though it may be demonstrated beyond the slightest possibility of doubt that the particular individual whose "mind" is being probed by the mental fluoroscope of court and jury did not anticipate the consequences for which society is now seeking to charge him, he will nevertheless be held to have "intended" them if a reasonable person in his position would have anticipated them. In other words, the courts and juries are supposed to project themselves, being reasonable men, into the position of the defendant and then determine whether they would have anticipated the consequences that did in fact occur.4
Abstract B55: Health disparities among African Americans: The role of zinc in the pathogenesis of prostate cancer

Virtually all human diseases are the result of the interaction of genetic susceptibility factors and modifiable environmental factors, broadly defined to include infectious, chemical, nutritional and behavioral factors. Many people tend to classify the cause of a disease as either genetic or environmental. Common diseases, such as cancer are a result of the complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors. Prostate cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer observed within the population of American men. It is the second most common cancer diagnosed. According to the Center for Disease Control, 189, 075 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2004 in the U.S., and out of that astounding quantity 29,002 men died from prostate cancer. Despite the evident decrease in the fatalities due to prostate cancer over the years, prostate cancer is still silently eradicating the population of men within America. African Americans disproportionately suffer from prostate cancer. On average, AAs are twice as likely to develop prostate cancer as compared to European Americans of similar age. The content of zinc in the prostate glandular cells is among the highest in the body, serving as an essential trace element responsible for key biological processes including growth, development, and reproduction. I hypothesize that zinc and the transportation of zinc is believed to be a vital component in the pathogenesis of prostate cancer. Through a series of experiments (Color Shift Assay, Histological and Differential Zinc Staining, and Intracellular Zinc Determination), the role of zinc in the development of prostate cancer was determined. It is and has been clearly confirmed that African Americans experience down-regulation of zinc accumulation than European Americans. This down-regulation of zinc appears to play a role in the development of diabetes, breast cancer, hypertension and that of the aforementioned, all of which disproportionally affects African Americans verses any other racial groups. Based on genetic and environmental factors through the run of evolution and time, the studies clearly established that zinc is being depleted in areas where zinc is of high importance for proper cell function and survival. The results suggest and show that the accumulation of zinc is significantly reduced in African Americans in contrast to European Americans in the prostate. Observations obtained and coupled with numerous reports of the loss of zinc accumulation, individuals of African origin have a lower capacity to absorb zinc and transport zinc by way a specialized transporting protein to the appropriate areas compared to that of individuals of European descent.
A succinct presentation of the quantized Klein–Gordon field, and a similar quantum presentation of the classical Klein–Gordon random field

Abstract A succinct presentation of the algebraic structure of the quantized Klein–Gordon field can be given in terms of a Lorentz invariant inner product. A presentation of a classical Klein–Gordon random field at non-zero temperature can be given in the same non-commutative algebraic style, allowing a detailed comparison of the quantized Klein–Gordon field with a classical Klein–Gordon random field.
Characterization of Human α4β2 Neuronal Nicotinic Receptors Stably Expressed in SH-EP1 Cells

These studies characterized human α4β2 neuronal nicotinic receptors stably expressed in a human epithelial cell line (SH-EP1). Receptors in transfected SH-EP1-hα4β2 cells were functional, as determined by increases in intracellular Ca2+ in response to a nicotine stimulus. Nicotine increased Fura-2 fluorescence in a concentration-dependent manner with an apparent EC50 of 2.4 μM, a response that was blocked by the specific antagonist mecamylamine. When cells were incubated in 50 nM nicotine for 24 hours, the Ca2+ response inactivated by 44%, an effect that recovered within 24 hours. SH-EP1-hα4β2 cells expressed a single class of high affinity binding sites for [3H]cytisine with a Kd of 0.63 ± 0.08 nM and a Bmax of 6797 ± 732 femtomoles/mg protein. Incubation of cells with 50 nM nicotine for 24 hours increased the Bmax by 45% without changing affinity, a concentration-dependent effect with an EC50 of 58.6 nM. The nicotine-induced up regulation was reversible, and control values were achieved within 24 hours. Results indicate that SH-EP1-hα4β2 cells may be a good model system to study regulation of human α4β2 receptors, the most abundant nicotinic receptor subtype in brain.
Secondary Motion for Performed 2D Animation

When bringing animated characters to life, artists often augment the primary motion of a figure by adding secondary animation -- subtle movement of parts like hair, foliage or cloth that complements and emphasizes the primary motion. Traditionally, artists add secondary motion to animated illustrations only through arduous manual effort, and often eschew it entirely. Emerging ``live' performance applications allow both novices and experts to perform the primary motion of a character, but only a virtuoso performer could manage the degrees of freedom needed to specify both primary and secondary motion together. This paper introduces physically-inspired rigs that propagate the primary motion of layered, illustrated characters to produce plausible secondary motion. These composable elements are rigged and controlled via a small number of parameters to produce an expressive range of effects. Our approach supports a variety of the most common secondary effects, which we demonstrate with an assortment of characters of varying complexity.
Applied axial magnetic field effects on laboratory plasma jets: Density hollowing, field compression, and azimuthal rotation

We experimentally measure the effects of an applied axial magnetic field (Bz) on laboratory plasma jets and compare the experimental results with numerical simulations using an extended magnetohydrodynamics code. A 1 MA peak current, 100 ns rise time pulse power machine is used to generate the plasma jet. On application of the axial field, we observe on-axis density hollowing and a conical formation of the jet using interferometry, compression of the applied Bz using magnetic B-dot probes, and azimuthal rotation of the jet using Thomson scattering. Experimentally, we find densities ≲5 × 1017 cm−3 on-axis relative to jet densities of ≳3 × 1018 cm−3. For aluminum jets, 6.5 ± 0.5 mm above the foil, we find on-axis compression of the applied 1.0 ± 0.1 T Bz to a total 2.4 ± 0.3 T, while simulations predict a peak compression to a total 3.4 T at the same location. On the aluminum jet boundary, we find ion azimuthal rotation velocities of 15–20 km/s, while simulations predict 14 km/s at the density peak. We discuss possible sources of discrepancy between the experiments and simulations, including surface plasma on B-dot probes, optical fiber spatial resolution, simulation density floors, and 2D vs. 3D simulation effects. This quantitative comparison between experiments and numerical simulations helps elucidate the underlying physics that determines the plasma dynamics of magnetized plasma jets.
The Relationship Between Preresidency Peer-Reviewed Publications and Subsequent Citation-Based Scholarly Activity of United States Radiation Oncology Residents.

PURPOSE Preresidency peer-reviewed publications (PRP) have been associated with resident choice of academic versus private practice careers in both neurosurgery and radiation oncology. The relationship between PRP and subsequent citation-based scholarly activity of radiation oncology residents has not been previously examined. METHODS AND MATERIALS A list of 2016 radiation oncology resident graduates (163 residents from 76 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-certified programs) and their PRP were compiled. The Scopus bibliometric citation database was then searched to collect Hirsch index (h-index) data for each resident, as well as manuscripts limited to first-author only and first- or second-author only for each resident. Analyses were stratified based on the absence or presence of (at least 1) PRP for each resident. RESULTS The mean h-index score for all resident graduates was 4.15. Residents with at least 1 PRP had significantly higher h-index scores (5.93 vs 2.12; P < .01) than those with no PRP. PRP was also associated with significantly higher first-author only (2.84 vs 1.17; P < .01) and second-author only (3.90 vs 1.47; P < .01) scores. CONCLUSIONS Radiation oncology residents with at least 1 PRP are significantly more likely than those with no PRP to have higher h-index scores, as well as higher scores when stratified by first and/or second authorship. The average radiation oncology resident graduate with at least 1 PRP has published approximately 6 manuscripts cited at least 6 times, been first or second author on nearly 4 manuscripts cited at least 4 times, and been first author on nearly 3 manuscripts cited at least 3 times. More than 30% of graduates without PRP did not publish any cited manuscripts. These results allow for potential predictive evaluation of resident productivity during the radiation oncology residency applicant process and have potential utility in predicting career choices postresidency.
Addressing Nutrition and Growth in Children with Congenital Heart Disease

Adequate nutrition is required for infants and children to grow and develop normally. Children with congenital heart disease commonly experience growth failure early in life with major potential consequences. This is especially true for those children who require surgery during the first several weeks of life. The etiology of this growth failure poorly understood but often results in both short and long term adverse outcomes. Careful attention to growth monitoring and appropriate intervention when needed can alleviate some growth problems in children with congenital heart disease. This can be accomplished by standardization of monitoring and nutrition practices. Feeding infants with congenital heart disease also poses some risks including a higher risk of necrotizing enterocolitis and risks associated with enteral feeding via nasogastric tube. While there has been considerable improvement in our understanding of feeding problems in congenital heart disease, there is much work to be done to help understand and alleviate this problem.
A semiquotational solution to substitution puzzles

L'A. apporte une solution semi-citationnelle aux problemes de la substitution des expressions linguistiques dans le contexte des positions rapportees (discours indirect) du type Dorthee croit que la temperance est une vertu. Examinant la fonction semantique des citations simples et complexes, ainsi que le contenu et le contexte des expressions non-citees, l'A. compare son approche des attitudes propositionnelles aux differentes theories de la phrase, de la forme logique interpretee, de la croyance developpees par M. Cresswell et R. Stalnaker
Privatization and school practices: Evidence from Seoul’s high school choice policy

Abstract In Korea, private schools are publicly operated due to a high level of governmental control and subsidy over them. However, with the start of a high school choice program in 2010, the Seoul Local Education Authority privatized a significant proportion of publicly-run private schools by granting them greater autonomy over school operations and curriculum and by making their budget depend on their student enrollments. This study examines how private high schools changed their practices in expenditures, curriculum, and personnel after they became privatized. Evidence suggests that privatization significantly increases schools’ per-pupil expenditures, especially for academic activities. In addition, findings indicate that privatization increases schools’ instructional time for Korean and math while reducing time for social studies. Finally, findings suggest that, on average, schools hire teachers with fewer years of teaching experience after they became privatized.
Exploring the Relational Leadership Potential of Appreciative Inquiry: A Case Study:

This case explores the potential of Appreciative inquiry (AI) as a process for leadership development. As a relational approach, AI is poised to develop new leadership by encouraging upcoming gener...
The role of advanced glycation end-products in the development of coronary artery disease in patients with and without diabetes mellitus: a review.

Traditional risk factors are insufficient to explain all cases of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) and their receptors may play important roles in the development and progression of CAD. Hyperglycemia is the hallmark feature of DM. An increase in the incidence of both micro-and macrovascular complications of diabetes has been observed with increased duration of hyperglycemia. This association persists even after glycemic control has been achieved, suggesting an innate mechanism of “metabolic memory.” AGEs are glycated proteins that may serve as mediators of metabolic memory due to their increased production in the setting of hyperglycemia and generally slow turnover. Elevated AGE levels can lead to abnormal cross linking of extracellular and intracellular proteins disrupting their normal structure and function. Furthermore, activation of AGE receptors can induce complex signaling pathways leading to increased inflammation, oxidative stress, enhanced calcium deposition, and increased vascular smooth muscle apoptosis, contributing to the development of atherosclerosis. Through these mechanisms, AGEs may be important mediators of the development of CAD. However, clinical studies regarding the role of AGEs and their receptors in advancing CAD are limited, with contradictory results. AGEs and their receptors may be useful biomarkers for the presence and severity of CAD. Further studies are needed to evaluate the utility of circulating and tissue AGE levels in identifying asymptomatic patients at risk for CAD or to identify patients who may benefit from invasive intervention.
Palliative care physicians' beliefs toward hematology and the care of patients with hematologic diseases: Results of a nationwide survey.

95Background: Palliative care (PC) specialists provide supportive care for patients with hematologic diseases (HD). However, the degree of engagement by PC physicians may be limited by the views of both PC physicians & hematologists. Prior studies have surveyed hematologists to identify barriers to delivery of PC, however PC physician views are unclear. This study aimed to examine views of PC physicians toward hematology. Methods: A survey was mailed to a random sample of the AAHPM physician contact list in 2017. Items focused on perceptions of their understanding of HD, comfort providing care, opinions regarding PC & hospice involvement, & beliefs about hematologists. Anonymized responses were assessed on a Likert scale. Statistical testing was based on logistic regression models with generalized estimating equations to account for correlated data within respondents. Results: 538 of 1000 surveys were completed. 51.9% of respondents were male. Community (37.2%), academic (36.7%) & hospice (26.2%) physicia...
Stability and Monotonicity Requirements

This chapter examines how gain and the anticipation level of commitment-based policies affect the stability and monotonicity of homogeneous supply chains; i.e., chains where suppliers use the same policy: F j ≡ F,H j ≡ H. Stability and monotonicity are desirable properties, but separate issues. Instability can lead to the bullwhip effect, and lack of monotonicity to order cancellations. Therefore, they are studied separately. Section 4.1 defines the two forms of stability considered in these notes, “stability in the small” and “stability in the large”, and their connection with the bullwhip effect. Sec. 4.2 develops a stability test, which is illustrated with several examples in Sec. 4.3. A monotonicity test for order-based policies is then presented in Sec. 4.4. Together, Sections 4.1-4 show that historical policies (without commitments) and positive gains are problematic, both, from the standpoint of stability and monotonicity. Since as a rule, suppliers prefer policies with positive gain, this explains the prevalence of the bullwhip effect. The last section of the chapter (Sec. 4.5) extends the results to queuing systems.
Separation of Variables for a flux tube with an end

Abstract We consider a partial light-cone limit of a correlation function of the stress-tensor multiplet and identify an integrable structure emerging at one loop order of perturbation theory. It corresponds to a noncompact open spin chain with one boundary being recoil-less while the other one fully dynamical. We solve the system by means of techniques of the Baxter operator and Separation of Variables. The eigenvalues of the separated variables define rapidities of excitations propagating on the color flux tube and encode their factorizable dynamics in the presence of a dynamical boundary.
Limit cycle characterization of an aeroelastic wing in a bluff body wake

Abstract This paper presents an experimental investigation aimed at characterizing the kinematics of a pitching-heaving aeroelastic wing placed downstream of a rectangular bluff body. The influence of the bluff body wake on the wing is twofold: a viscous wake which produces a velocity deficit downstream and an oscillating induced velocity field due to periodic vortex shedding. The latter effect is the focus of this paper, specifically, the interaction between the wake frequency and the wing limit cycle oscillation (LCO) frequency. Wind tunnel experiments showed that the presence of the upstream bluff body causes modulation of the LCO amplitude. The modulation resembles a beat phenomenon, however the modulation frequency is related to the third harmonic of f L C O rather than the fundamental frequency. The modulation behavior also differs from that of a beat in that the spectral content contains sideband frequencies, characteristic of a multiplication between a carrier wave and a modulation wave rather than a simple sinusoidal superposition. Additionally, the streamwise spacing between the bluff body and the wing significantly influences the wing kinematics, with a closer spacing between the two bodies increasing the intensity of the amplitude modulation. For shedding frequencies sufficiently close to the LCO third harmonic, reducing this streamwise distance was shown to induce an alternation between two distinct modes of amplitude modulation, each with its own intensity and frequency.