cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genetic and Biochemical Analysis of Phosphatase Activity of Escherichia coli NRII (NtrB) and Its Regulation by the PII Signal Transduction Protein

Mutant forms of Escherichia coli NRII (NtrB) were isolated that retained wild-type NRII kinase activity but were defective in the PII-activated phosphatase activity of NRII. Mutant strains were selected as mimicking the phenotype of a strain (strain BK) that lacks both of the related PII and GlnK signal transduction proteins and thus has no mechanism for activation of the NRII phosphatase activity. The selection and screening procedure resulted in the isolation of numerous mutants that phenotypically resembled strain BK to various extents. Mutations mapped to the glnL (ntrB) gene encoding NRII and were obtained in all three domains of NRII. Two distinct regions of the C-terminal, ATP-binding domain were identified by clusters of mutations. One cluster, including the Y302N mutation, altered a lid that sits over the ATP-binding site of NRII. The other cluster, including the S227R mutation, defined a small surface on the "back" or opposite side of this domain. The S227R and Y302N proteins were purified, along with the A129T (NRII2302) protein, which has reduced phosphatase activity due to a mutation in the central domain of NRII, and the L16R protein, which has a mutation in the N-terminal domain of NRII. The S227R, Y302N, and L16R proteins were specifically defective in the PII-activated phosphatase activity of NRII. Wild-type NRII, Y302N, A129T, and L16R proteins bound to PII, while the S227R protein was defective in binding PII. This suggests that the PII-binding site maps to the "back" of the C-terminal domain and that mutation of the ATP-lid, central domain, and N-terminal domain altered functions necessary for the phosphatase activity after PII binding.
Impact of spatial intrachip gate length variability on the performance of high-speed digital circuits

In this paper we address both empirically and theoretically the impact of an advanced manufacturing phenomenon on the performance of high-speed digital circuits. Using data collected from an actual state-of-the-art fabrication facility, we conducted a comprehensive characterization of an advanced 0.18-/spl mu/m CMOS process. The measured data revealed a significant systematic, rather than random spatial intrachip variability of MOS gate length, leading to large circuit path delay variation. The delay of the critical path of a combinational logic block varies by as much as 17%, and the global skew is increased by 8%. Thus, a significant timing error and performance loss takes place if variability is not properly addressed. We derive a model, which allows estimating performance degradation for the given circuit and process parameters. We demonstrate explicitly that intrachip Lgate variation has a significant detrimental impact on the overall circuit performance, shifting the entire distribution of clock frequencies toward slower values. This is in striking contrast to the impact of interchip Lgate variation, traditionally considered in statistical circuit analysis, which leads to the variation of chip clock frequencies around the average value. Moreover, analysis shows that the spatial, rather than proximity-dependent systematic Lgate variability, is the main cause of large circuit speed degradation. The degradation is worse for the circuits with a larger number of critical paths and shorter average logic depth. We propose a location-dependent timing analysis methodology that allows mitigation of the detrimental effects of Lgate variability and have developed a tool linking the layout-dependent spatial information to circuit analysis. We discuss the details of practical implementation of the methodology, and provide guidelines for managing design complexity.
Functional programming on a stack-based embedded processor

This paper describes the implementation of a functional programming language interpreter. The interpreter is written in Forth and runs on any Forth system, including a novel processor called the Scalable Configurable Instrument Processor (SCIP), designed at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory. The combination of this novel processor, Forth, and functional programming provides a layering of simple technologies that yields a unique programming and execution environment. The SCIP processor also has a clear transition path to use in space-borne applications.
Death and gratitude: Death reflection enhances gratitude

Although gratitude is important to the good life, little is known about factors that enhance gratitude. Some have suggested that traumatic events such as near-death experiences and life-threatening illnesses might enhance gratitude. If reflecting on death causes one to appreciate life as a limited resource, this might enhance gratitude. This study investigated this theory. Participants were randomly assigned to a death reflection condition, a traditional mortality salience condition, or to a control condition. Participants in the death reflection and the mortality salience conditions showed enhanced gratitude compared to individuals in the control condition, supporting the theory that becoming aware of one’s mortal limitations enhances gratitude for the life that what one has.
Midsummer copper sprays have no effect on ‘delicious’ apple fruit color grade or typiness

Abstract Recent reports suggested that multiple midsummer copper (Cu) sprays could improve the proportion of apple fruit (Malus × domestica Borkh.) being packed in the reddest market color grades. We conducted a three‐year field experiment in a low‐Cu orchard with a history of poor fruit coloring. We applied multiple mid‐summer sprays of Cu sulfate and basic Cu sulfate in 1994 and 1995 to ‘Bisbee Delicious’ and ‘Oregon Spur II Delicious’ apple trees. Plant tissue nutrient levels, fruit color grade, and fruit typiness were evaluated in the years of application and the following year. The Cu sprays increased leaf Cu in the years of application; however, leaf Cu in the Cu‐sprayed plots returned to or very near to background concentrations in the year after sprays were terminated. The Cu treatments did not increase the proportion of fruit in the reddest market color grades or influence five fruit typiness indices of either apple cultivar. Although midsummer Cu sprays may not enhance apple fruit red color or t...
Interleaver design for turbo codes by distance spectrum shaping

Interleavers play a critical role in the performance of turbo codes. They can be best designed given the structure of the code. In this paper a new methodology for systematically designing the interleaver for a parallel-concatenated convolutional code (PCCC) is presented that exploits the structure of the code. Some novel approaches that result from this methodology are introduced. This methodology can be a basis for constructing algorithms to design very good interleavers for turbo-like codes. This algorithm tries to maximize the minimum distance of the code. The performance of the interleavers designed with this methodology is compared with previous methods and its superiority is illustrated by simulation results.
An adaptive bandwidth reservation algorithm for QoS sensitive multimedia cellular networks

Bandwidth is an extremely valuable and scarce resource in a wireless network. Therefore, efficient bandwidth management is necessary in order to provide high quality service to users with different requirements in a multimedia wireless/mobile network. In this paper, we propose an on-line bandwidth reservation algorithm that adjusts bandwidth reservations adaptively based on existing network conditions. The most important contribution of our work is an adaptive algorithm that is able to resolve conflicting performance criteria - bandwidth utilization, call dropping and call blocking probabilities. Our algorithm is quite flexible, is responsive to current traffic conditions in cellular networks, and tries to strike the appropriate performance balance between contradictory requirements for QoS sensitive multimedia services.
Spectrum management policy options

As market-based reform sweeps telecommunications industries around the world, it is a good time to reevaluate the spectrum management policies which govern wireless industries ranging from broadcast television to satellite communications. Most countries have been using a central planning approach to spectrum management, but there are many alternatives with varying degrees of flexibility and market-based incentives. This paper provides a survey of spectrum management approaches, addressing methods of determining how spectrum can be used, which commercial entities can use it, and how governments can manage their own spectrum. It identifies some of the crucial choices to be made, and summarizes advantages and disadvantages of each.
The 503-nm Pigment of Escherichia coli B: Characterization and Nutritional Conditions Affecting Its Accumulation

Escherichia coli B was shown to contain a pigment with a single symmetrical absorption band at 503 nm, which cannot be attributed to a cytochrome. The absorption of tetrahydroporphyrin in vitro closely resembled that of P-503 in intact cells. The compounds which rendered P-503 colorless, such as cyanide, azide, hydrazine, thiocyanate, hydroxylamine, dithionite, sulfite, and methylcyanide, also rendered tetrahydroporphyrin colorless. The pigment was present when the cells were grown aerobically or anaerobically in glucose minimal medium, or aerobically in either lactate or succinate minimal medium, but the pigment was not found in cells grown in complex media or in minimal media supplemented with methionine. A model is presented to suggest the involvement of methionine in the conversion of coproporphyrinogen to protoporphyrin. A variety of evidence suggesting that the 503-nm chromophore is in kinetic equilibrium with flavoprotein is discussed. However, it is not a participant in main line respiration, as its rate of reduction upon exhaustion of oxygen was too slow, and the rate of respiration in resting-cell suspensions was independent of P-503 concentration.
Integrative, Multimodal Analysis of Glioblastoma Using TCGA Molecular Data, Pathology Images, and Clinical Outcomes

Multimodal, multiscale data synthesis is becoming increasingly critical for successful translational biomedical research. In this letter, we present a large-scale investigative initiative on glioblastoma, a high-grade brain tumor, with complementary data types using in silico approaches. We integrate and analyze data from The Cancer Genome Atlas Project on glioblastoma that includes novel nuclear phenotypic data derived from microscopic slides, genotypic signatures described by transcriptional class and genetic alterations, and clinical outcomes defined by response to therapy and patient survival. Our preliminary results demonstrate numerous clinically and biologically significant correlations across multiple data types, revealing the power of in silico multimodal data integration for cancer research.
Different Genetic Functions for the Rpd3(L) and Rpd3(S) Complexes Suggest Competition between NuA4 and Rpd3(S)

Rpd3(L) and Rpd3(S) are distinct multisubunit complexes containing the Rpd3 histone deacetylase. Disruption of the GCN5 histone acetyltransferase gene shows a strong synthetic phenotype when combined with either an sds3 mutation affecting only the Rpd3(L) complex or an rco1 mutation affecting only Rpd3(S). However, these synthetic growth defects are not seen in a gcn5 sds3 rco1 triple mutant, suggesting that the balance between Rpd3(L) and Rpd3(S) is critical in cells lacking Gcn5. Different genetic interactions are seen with mutations affecting the FACT chromatin reorganizing complex. An sds3 mutation affecting only Rpd3(L) has a synthetic defect with FACT mutants, while rco1 and eaf3 mutations affecting Rpd3(S) suppress FACT mutant phenotypes. Rpd3(L) therefore acts in concert with FACT, but Rpd3(S) opposes it. Combining FACT mutations with mutations in the Esa1 subunit of the NuA4 histone acetyltransferase results in synthetic growth defects, and these can be suppressed by an rco1 or set2 mutation. An rco1 mutation suppresses phenotypes caused by mutations in the ESA1 and ARP4 subunits of NuA4, while Rco1 overexpression exacerbates these defects. These results suggest a model in which NuA4 and Rpd3(S) compete. Chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments show that eliminating Rpd3(S) increases the amount of NuA4 binding to the ARG3 promoter during transcriptional activation and to the sites of DNA repair induced by a double-strand break. Our results suggest that the Rpd3(L) and Rpd3(S) complexes have distinct functions in vivo and that the relative amounts of the two forms alter the effectiveness of other chromatin-altering complexes, such as FACT and NuA4.
Programmable shape-shifting micelles.

Nanoscale particles that undergo reversible and defined changes in morphology in response to stimuli are expected to have broad utility in a range of applications, including targeted drug delivery, detection strategies, soft templates, and self-healing materials. To date, programmable materials with these properties have not been reported, despite the many elegant examples of stimuli-responsive soft nanoparticles and micelles.[1–11] Inspired by the utility of DNA as an informational molecule in nanotechnology,[12–20] we report herein DNA-encoded polymeric materials that are capable of in situ controlled, selective, reversible, and user-defined shifts in morphology. The design is based on polymeric micelles formed from a novel set of amphiphilic DNA-brush copolymers (Figure 1).[16,21] By utilizing the sequence-selective recognition properties of DNA,[22] and its performance as a substrate for selective enzymatic cleavage,[23,24] information stored in the micelle shell may be read and manipulated in several modes, causing dramatic changes in morphology and particle size.
Health Care In The Upcoming 2000 Election

Health care will be one of the top issues in the year 2000 election, but voters' interest in health care is not as great as it was in 1992. There is no single unifying theme to the health care issue. Rather, there are multiple concerns: making Medicare financially sound, providing coverage for prescription medicines for seniors, covering the uninsured, and addressing patients' rights. Voters favor an incremental approach to expanding health insurance coverage rather than a major program. They express about equal levels of support for plans similar in concept to those proposed by presidential candidates Al Gore and George W. Bush.
INCREASING VARIABILITY IN CALIFORNIA PRECIPITATION

ABSTRACT Most of California experienced the severest dry spell on record in 1976–77; 1978 was one of its wettest rainy seasons. The economic and environmental impacts of the drought were significant. Comparisons of nonoverlapping, twenty-year periods between 1921 and 1977 produced few statistically significant differences in either means or variances. The probability of occurrence of extreme seasonal precipitation increased in the northern two-thirds of the state in the period 1961–77 relative to the period 1921–60, but decreased in the south. The chance of getting a total seasonal precipitation less than forty-three percent of the mean in any one year in the Sacramento Valley and the North and Central Coast regions since 1961 has increased to 1 in 15 from 1 in 20 in the period 1921–40 and 1 in 21 or 25 over the whole period of record. The period 1961–77 is statistically more similar to 1860–80 than to either 1921–40 or 1941–60. No relationships could be established between hemispheric warming and cooling...
Biology and Energetics of Tropisternus lateralis nimbatus (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae) in a Playa on the Southern High Plains of Texas

A study of the biology of Tropisternus lateralis nimbatus (Say), a hydrophilid beetle, was conducted in a playa on the southern high plains of Texas from early June 1995 through early September 1995. Mechanism of colonization, tolerance/avoidance to drought, larval density, and secondary production were analyzed. T. lateralis colonized playas from surrounding aquatic habitats and avoided drought through aerial dispersion. Colonization of the playa was immediate. Once in the playa, larval density increased over time. Estimated secondary production for T. lateralis in the playa was 1.86 g/m 2 /0.25 yr with a mean standing stock biomass of 0.0819 g/m 2 . The cohort production interval was 14 d, resulting in an estimate of 7 discrete generations during playa fill.
Effect of low-fat corn distillers grains fed at 40 and 70% inclusion on growth performance and meat quality of steers1

ABSTRACT Two trials were conducted to examine the effects of 40 and 70% inclusion rate of either dry or wet low-fat (6 to 8%) distillers grains on growth performance and meat quality. Trial 1 used dry distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) and 96 Angus steers. Trial 2 used wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS) and 216 Angus steers. Steers were stratified by BW to pens, and pens were randomly assigned to 1 of 6 treatments formulated on a DM basis: 1) whole shelled corn, soybean meal, 15% corn silage, fed as a control (CON); 2) 40% DDGS or WDGS, whole shelled corn, 15% corn silage (C40); 3) C40 switched mid-trial to 70% DDGS or WDGS, whole shelled corn, 15% corn silage (40/70); 4) 70% DDGS or WDGS, whole shelled corn, 15% corn silage switched mid-trial to C40 (70/40); 5) CON + soybean meal, isonitrogenous to C40 (N40); 6) CON + corn oil, iso-fat to C40 (E40). In trial 1 DMI was greater (P = 0.02) for N40 and DDGS steers compared with CON for the first 84 d; DMI was lower (P = 0.01) for CON and 40/70 on 168 d. No significant DMI differences (P ≥ 0.32) were observed on d 213. In trial 2 no significant differences in DMI, BW, ADG, or G:F were observed across treatment diets at 142 d except N40-fed steers had reduced (P = 0.01) DMI compared with other treatments. Average daily gain, BW, and G:F at 56 d and 112 d were greatest (P = 0.001) for CON, N40, and E40 steers compared with steers receiving WDGS. Carcass characteristics were not negatively affected (P ≥ 0.06) by level of DDGS in either trial. Neither level of DDGS or WDGS nor CP or fat concentrations had a significant effect on meat quality, fatty acid composition, or lipogenic activity. According to this study, it is possible to increase the inclusion of low-fat DDGS and WDGS in feedlot rations as a percentage of dietary DM above 40%.
De-Escalation of Antibiotics Does Not Increase Mortality in Critically Ill Surgical Patients.

Abstract Background: Overuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics results in microbial resistance and financially is a healthcare burden. Antibiotic de-escalation refers to starting treatment of a presumed infection with broad-spectrum antibiotics and narrowing drug spectrum based on culture sensitivities. A study was designed to evaluate antibiotic de-escalation at a tertiary care center. We hypothesized that antibiotic de-escalation would not be associated with increased patient mortality rates or worsening of the primary infection. Methods: All infections treated in a single, tertiary care Surgical ICU between August 2009 and December 2011 were reviewed. Antibiotic treatment was classified by skilled reviewers as being either de-escalated or not. Outcomes were evaluated. Univariate statistics were performed (Fisher exact test, Chi-square for categorical data; student t-test for continuous variables). Multivariable logistic regression was completed. Results: A total of 2,658 infections were identified. De-esca...
Generalized multi-stream hidden markov models

For complex classification systems, data is usually gathered from multiple sources of information that have varying degree of reliability. In fact, assuming that the different sources have the same relevance in describing all the data might lead to an erroneous behavior. The classification error accumulates and can be more severe for temporal data where each sample is represented by a sequence of observations. Thus, there is a compelling evidence that learning algorithms should include a relevance weight for each source of information (stream) as a parameter that needs to be learned. In this dissertation, we assumed that the multi-stream temporal data is generated by independent and synchronous streams. Using this assumption, we develop, implement, and test multi-stream continuous and discrete hidden Markov model (HMM) algorithms. For the discrete case, we propose two new approaches to generalize the baseline discrete HMM. The first one combines unsupervised learning, feature discrimination, standard discrete HMMs and weighted distances to learn the codebook with feature-dependent weights for each symbol. The second approach consists of modifying the HMM structure to include stream relevance weights, generalizing the standard discrete Baum-Welch learning algorithm, and deriving the necessary conditions to optimize all model parameters simultaneously. We also generalize the minimum classification error (MCE) discriminative training algorithm to include stream relevance weights. For the continuous HMM, we introduce a new approach that integrates the stream relevance weights in the objective function. Our approach is based on the linearization of the probability density function. Two variations are proposed: the mixture and state level variations. As in the discrete case, we generalize the continuous Baum-Welch learning algorithm to accommodate these changes, and we derive the necessary conditions for updating the model parameters. We also generalize the MCE learning algorithm to derive the necessary conditions for the model parameters' update. The proposed discrete and continuous HMM are tested on synthetic data sets. They are also validated on various applications including Australian Sign Language, audio classification, face classification, and more extensively on the problem of landmine detection using ground penetrating radar data. For all applications, we show that considerable improvement can be achieved compared to the baseline HMM and the existing multi-stream HMM algorithms.
Mimicking Photosynthetic Electron Transfer

The photosynthetic reaction centers of plants and bacteria are photovoltaic devices on the molecular scale which convert light energy into chemical potential energy in the form of long-lived, energetic charge separated states. It is now possible to prepare synthetic multicomponent molecules which mimic important aspects of this process. For example, one of the keys to reaction center function is a multistep electron transfer strategy. In this paper, two general types of multistep electron transfer, sequential and parallel, are described and illustrated with several synthetic triad and pentad molecules.
Monitoring the fetal environment. 3. Selective application during labor.

Three tests of a single specimen of amniotic fluid plus ultrasonic measurement of fetal size are a combination that can be of great help in determining fetal maturity. Fetal monitoring during labor has yielded important information about the response of the fetal heart rate to uterine contractions and about fetal acidosis.
Etiological surveillance and analysis of influenza in Tanggu,Binhai New Area of Tianjin from 2011 to 2014

Objective To summarize and analyze the surveillance results of influenza in Tanggu Binhai New Area of Tianjin from 2011 to 2014,to investigate the endemic characteristics of influenza so as to provide the scientific supports for the prevention of influenza. Methods Throat swab specimens were collected from the regional sentinel hospitals,the influenza virus was detected with RT-PCR and isolated with MDCK cells,identified and typed by hemagglutination test( HA) and hemagglutination inhibition test( HI). Results A total of 1 446 throat swab specimens were collected for detection,from which 195 strains of influenza virus were isolated,with a virus isolation rate of 13. 49%. Among them,39 strains( 20. 00%) were seasonal H3N2,48( 24. 62%) were new influenza A virus subtype H1N1,51( 26. 15%) were influenza B virus Victoria groups and 57( 29. 23%) were influenza B virus Yamagata groups. Seasonal H1N1 was not isolated throughout three surveillance periods.Conclusion The trend of influenza virus changed from the traditional alternation between type A and type B to the coexistence of type A and type B. The surveillance of influenza virus should be valued in the north area in summer.
Political Change and Public Enterprise Performance: Argentina as a Case-Study

One of the major areas of public enterprise in several Latin American countries is the defence industry. Argentina’s military industrial complex, Fabricaciones Militares, has an annual turnover of $2.2 billion, making it the largest firm in Argentina and one of the largest companies in Latin America.1 Depending on the source one uses, Brazil ranks as sixth or seventh among world arms producers and exporters.
Extraocular Muscle Compartments in Superior Oblique Palsy.

Purpose To investigate changes in volumes of extraocular muscle (EOM) compartments in unilateral superior oblique (SO) palsy using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods High-resolution, surface-coil MRI was obtained in 19 patients with unilateral SO palsy and 19 age-matched orthotropic control subjects. Rectus EOMs and the SO were divided into two anatomic compartments for volume analysis in patients with unilateral SO palsy, allowing comparison of total compartmental volumes versus controls. Medial and lateral compartmental volumes of the SO muscle were compared in patients with isotropic (round shape) versus anisotropic (elongated shape) SO atrophy. Results The medial and lateral compartments of the ipsilesional SO muscles were equally atrophic in isotropic SO palsy, whereas the lateral compartment was significantly smaller than the medial in anisotropic SO palsy (P = 0.01). In contrast to the SO, there were no differential compartmental volume changes in rectus EOMs; however, there was significant total muscle hypertrophy in the ipsilesional inferior rectus (IR) and lateral rectus (LR) muscles and contralesional superior rectus (SR) muscles. Medial rectus (MR) volume was normal both ipsi- and contralesionally. Conclusions A subset of patients with SO palsy exhibit selective atrophy of the lateral, predominantly vertically acting SO compartment. Superior oblique atrophy is associated with whole-muscle volume changes in the ipsilesional IR, ipsilesional LR, and contralesional SR; however, SO muscle atrophy is not associated with compartmentally selective volume changes in the rectus EOMs. Selective compartmental SO pathology may provide an anatomic mechanism that explains some of the variability in clinical presentations of SO palsy.
Comparison of the Rudnicki-Rice and Vermeer Bifurcation Criteria

AbstractStrain localization refers to the formation of narrow zones of intense deformation in materials as a result of bifurcation in the stress-strain response during loading. Bifurcation occurs b...
Sovereign Debt and Austerity in the Euro Area: A View from North America

A major issue that has arisen in the Euro area has been the appropriate policy response to a fiscal/sovereign debt crisis in a Euro zone member country. The debate has been particularly heated with respect to the responses of the troika—the International Monetary Fund, the European Union, and the European Central Bank—to the difficulties encountered by Greece in 2010 and subsequently. In this paper, I explore the relationship between “austerity” and other policies required by the troika, and the extension of financial support for a heavily indebted country. The essential argument is that, unless measures are taken to make sovereign debt sustainable over the medium or longer term, financial support for a country within a currency union cannot enable a resumption of growth. The necessary measures normally include fiscal adjustments which are politically unpopular. But the necessary “austerity” is less painful for a country than the abrupt adjustment that would be forced upon the country in the absence of external financial support. For those providing financial support, fiscal and other adjustments are a prerequisite for enabling the debtor to resume growth.
Mack Center on Nonprofit and Public Sector Management in Human Service Organizations

This invited set of reflections upon the research carried out under the auspices of a school of social work is part of a series featuring research centers. It reflects 25 years of scholarly work re...
Sensitivity Studies on the Impact of Dust and Aerosol Pollution Acting as Cloud Nucleating Aerosol on Orographic Precipitation in the Colorado River Basin

In this study, we examine the cumulative effect of pollution aerosol and dust acting as cloud nucleating aerosol;cloud condensation nuclei (CCN), giant cloud condensation nuclei, and ice nuclei (IN), on orographic precipitation in the Rocky Mountains. We analyze the results of sensitivity studies for specific cases in 2004-2005 winter season to analyze the relative impact of aerosol pollution and dust acting as CCN and IN on precipitation in the Colorado River Basin. Dust is varied from 3 to 10 times in the experiments, and the response is found to be nonmonotonic and depends on various environmental factors. The sensitivity studies show that adding dust in a wet system increases precipitation when IN effects are dominant. For a relatively dry system high concentrations of dust can result in overseeding the clouds and reductions in precipitation. However, when adding dust to a system with warmer cloud bases where drizzle formation is active, the response is nonmonotonic.
Writing the Self: Slam Poetry, Youth Identity, and Critical Poetic Inquiry

The purpose of this study was to describe the slam poetry classroom space and its meaningfulness as a tool for the construction of the perceived and embodied identities of urban American middle school students. The aim of this article is to explain how critical poetic inquiry can participate in the activist tradition of amplifying the voices of the oppressed when exploring the slam poetry classroom space and co-creating its meaning with student-participants. This research questioned: How does the slam poetry space enable middle school students to break through social barriers? How does the slam poetry space engage middle school students in the process of identity construction? Themes that emerged from this study include that slam poetry class provided a place to negotiate prescribed identities and the slam poetry class was a location for youth to create ideal self-narratives. This research contributes a pedagogy that empowers teachers and students to engage in collaborative agency and change-making through dialogue via slam poetry and critical poetic inquiry. The organizing structure of this article uses poems authored by the researcher and subtitles to introduce each section.
Time-resolved dehydration-induced structural changes in an intact bovine cortical bone revealed by solid-state NMR spectroscopy.

Understanding the structure and structural changes of bone, a highly heterogeneous material with a complex hierarchical architecture, continues to be a significant challenge even for high-resolution solid-state NMR spectroscopy. While it is known that dehydration affects mechanical properties of bone by decreasing its strength and toughness, the underlying structural mechanism at atomic-level is unknown. Solid-state NMR spectroscopy, controlled dehydration, and H/D exchange are used for the first time to reveal the structural changes of an intact piece of bovine cortical bone. Proton spectra are used to monitor the dehydration of bone inside the rotor and high-resolution 13C chemical shift spectra obtained under magic angle spinning are used evaluate the dehydration-induced conformational changes in bone. Experiments reveal the slow denaturation of collagen while the trans-Xaa-Pro conformation in collagen is unchanged due to dehydration. Our results suggest that GAGs in the collagen fiber and mineral interface may chelate with a Ca2+ ion present on the surface of the mineral through sulfate or carboxylate groups. These results provide insights into the role of water molecules in the bone structure and shed light on the relationship between the structure and mechanics of bone.
Designing for privacy in interactive systems

Current models for privacy-aware design were examined and compared to priorities and needs of end-users as determined from a number of studies presented. Based on these studies, we predicted these frameworks to be sub-optimal because of either a lack of structure in the analysis task, or too high a cost. To examine this point a new design framework combining the advantages of previous frameworks with a lightweight goal-oriented analysis technique. This new framework, STRAP (Structured Analysis of Privacy), was predicted to out-perform existing frameworks in terms of effectiveness (overall detection of privacy issues) and efficiency (number of privacy issues discovered over time on task or number of independent analysts). Three design experiments were designed to study the relative effectiveness and efficiency of these design frameworks. A total of eighty-five subjects took part, analyzing systems from three different application domains in order to demonstrate the flexibility and adaptability of these frameworks. These experiments confirmed that though existing frameworks were generally effective they were not generally efficient. STRAP on the other hand was shown to be both efficient and effective, validating our earlier analysis. Overall, these findings show that privacy can effectively and efficiently be considered as part of the system design process. Further findings and implications as well as limitations and future work are discussed.
THE STOCHASTIC NATURE OF PENSION COSTS

Given that expected pension costs are used as a basis for funding a pension plan, two questions immediately arise. First, what is the probability that the expected cost will be at least as great as the actual cost? Second, given that the probability of this occurrance is not satisfactory, what additional funds are required to bring the probability to a satisfactory level? An approach to these two problems is discussed in this paper.
Shakespeare’s Cleopatra as Meta-Theatrical Monarch

Antony and Cleopatra constantly emphasizes the protagonists’ performativity. Cleopatra’s theatrical virtuosity and mutability are mediated by critical spectators, whose desires and prejudices affect how they view her performances. Simultaneously “Egypt’s Queen,” “gypsy,” and “strumpet,” she is reflexively aware of her performative power and its limitations, deploying the one while seeking to navigate the other. This play, as Linda Charnes argues (Notorious Identity: Materializing the Subject in Shakespeare), uses “Cleopatra and her multiplicitous and marginal domain as representatives of the place and players of the Renaissance stage.” It also, inevitably, analogizes Cleopatra to Queen Elizabeth I—and arguably any queen who experienced early modern patriarchy. Shakespeare’s Cleopatra, as individual character and theatrical construct, meta-theatrically illustrates the fascinating—and ever-troubling—power of the actor and the queen.
Personality and the Psychology of Time

The purpose of this paper is to discuss several methods which we have evolved for the study of individual differences in viewing and accommodating oneself to time. As such, this paper ought to be considered an exploration of individual personality differences. But before reporting on these studies, I should like to comment on the problem of time itself as a phenomenological dimension of man’s experience.
Toddler risk and protective characteristics: Common and unique genetic and environmental influences

The goal of this study was to disentangle the common and unique genetic and environmental influences on social-emotional competence, problem behavior, physiological dysregulation, and negative emotionality (NE) in toddlers. The sample consisted of 243 twin pairs (mean age = 31.94 months) rated by primary caregivers (>95% mothers) on the Children's Behavior Questionnaire and the Infant-Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment. A multivariate Cholesky Decomposition revealed three shared environmental factors, with one set of environmental influences common to competence, problem behavior, and physiological dysregulation, a second common to problem behavior and physiological dysregulation, and a third common to physiological dysregulation and NE. Also, there were two additive genetic factors, with one explaining variance in competence, NE, and a small amount of variance in problem behavior, and a second explaining variance in problem behavior and NE. Given the common shared environmental factors across outcomes, these results suggest that toddlerhood could be a particularly important time to intervene, as interventions could simultaneously improve competencies and reduce problem behaviors. This study also highlights the need for genetically informed research to examine the etiology of multiple outcomes and address overlap.
The Random Quantity Mechanism: Laboratory and Field Tests of a Novel Cost-Revealing Procurement Mechanism

Information on private costs can improve the efficiency of programs that provide payment for environmental services in contexts involving information asymmetries and heterogeneous private costs. Using data from laboratory and field experiments, this paper presents and evaluates a novel private cost revealing mechanism, termed the random quantity mechanism (RQM), that can advance research in conservation contracting, payments for environmental services, and other similar settings. We examine the RQM’s performance in a laboratory setting using induced costs and report results obtained from the first field implementation of this mechanism, with smallholder farmers in Zambia. We show that the RQM is incentive-compatible, that participant decision-making maximizes expected payoffs, and that the mechanism provides non-parametric estimates of private costs. The paper contributes to economic field studies by introducing a new incentive-compatible mechanism that elicits individuals’ minimum willingness to accept across intensive margins, enabling researchers to estimate the supply of a service or commodity, and provides for exogenous variation in contract terms, which can aid in separately identifying the impacts of incentives and of participants’ willingness to accept on contract outcomes.
Antioxidant Properties of Pecan Shell Bioactive Components of Different Cultivars and Extraction Methods.

Pecan shells are a rich source of various bioactive compounds with potential antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. This study investigated the effect of pecan variety and method extraction on the antioxidant property of shell extracts. Twenty different varieties of pecan shells were subjected to either aqueous or ethanolic extraction and were examined for total phenolics and antiradical activity. The phenolic content and antiradical activity of shell extracts were significantly (p < 0.05) varied with different pecan cultivars. The total phenolic content of ethanol extracts ranged from 304.2 (Caddo) to 153.54 (Cherokee) mg GAE g−1 of dry extract and was significantly greater (p < 0.05) than those obtained by aqueous extraction. The antiradical activity of ethanol extracts ranged from 840.6 (Maramec) to 526.74 (Caper Fear) mg TE g−1, while aqueous extracts ranged from 934.9 (Curtis) to 468.3 (Elliot) mg TE g−1. Chemical profiling of the crude and acid hydrolyzed extracts was performed by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography and flow injection electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Lignin degradation products such as lignols, dilignols, trilignols, and oligolignols were found to be the major components of tested extracts. Phenolic content and antiradical activity of pecan shell extracts are significantly varied with cultivars and methods of extraction.
Physician Burnout among Members of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine.

Objective This study aimed to determine the rate of physician burnout among maternal-fetal medicine subspecialists and identify associated factors. Study Design Noninternational members of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) were surveyed regarding burnout using a validated tool specifically designed for health professionals (Maslach Burnout Inventory—Human Services Survey). Burnout was defined as exceeding established cutoffs for emotional exhaustion or depersonalization. Demographic information and potential contributors associated with the presence of burnout were also examined. Results The survey was sent to 1,220 members and 44.1% of members completed the entire survey. The physician burnout rate was 56.5%. Factors associated with burnout included female gender, being 5 to 20 years in practice, self-perceived burnout, being somewhat or very dissatisfied with career or supervisor and charting for more than 4 hours per day. Factors associated with less burnout were being male, having some protected time for education and regular exercise. Women scored higher on emotional exhaustion and depersonalization and lower personal accomplishment compared with men. Conclusion Physician burnout among the SMFM members is higher than has been reported in other specialties. While some of these factors are modifiable, further study into why women have higher rates of burnout needs to be performed.
Exponential Concentration of a Density Functional Estimator

We analyze a plug-in estimator for a large class of integral functionals of one or more continuous probability densities. This class includes important families of entropy, divergence, mutual information, and their conditional versions. For densities on the d-dimensional unit cube [0,1]d that lie in a β-Holder smoothness class, we prove our estimator converges at the rate O(n-β/ β+d). Furthermore, we prove the estimator is exponentially concentrated about its mean, whereas most previous related results have proven only expected error bounds on estimators.
Robotic-assisted lobectomy for locally advanced N2 non-small cell lung cancer.

In their surgical technique article, “ Three-arm robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for locally advanced N2 non-small cell lung cancer ”, Cheng et al. describe their approach to robotic lobectomy (RATS) in a patient with a clinical T1N2M0 adenocarcinoma (1). They underscore several advantages of a robotic approach and provide an excellent illustrative video. Minimally invasive approaches to pulmonary resection, including robotic approaches, are generally preferred due to decreased morbidity, length of stay (LOS), and quicker recovery. While initially there were concerns regarding oncologic outcomes, several studies have reported equivalent outcomes to open lobectomy with decreased chest tube duration, pain, postoperative complications, and LOS (2-4). However, the use of minimally-invasive approaches for locally-advanced disease, especially after induction therapy, is more controversial and the data more limited.
Importance of permeability and deep channel network on the distribution of melt, fractionation of REE in abyssal peridotites, and U-series disequilibria in basalts beneath mid-ocean ridges: A numerical study using a 2D double-porosity model

Abstract A plethora of observations have been made at mid-ocean ridges and mantle sections of ophiolites: presence of tabular replacive dunites, highly depleted LREE in residual abyssal peridotites, U-series disequilibria in fresh basalts, crustal thickness, and highly attenuated seismic and magnetotelluric structures beneath spreading centers. These independent observations can become more powerful if they are jointly analyzed in a self-consistent model. The difficulty for such a model is to resolve and evaluate the effect of fine scale petrologic feature such as dunite channels in a tectonic scale geodynamic model. Here we present a two-dimensional double-porosity ridge model that consists of low-porosity residual lherzolite and harzburgite matrix and high-porosity interconnected channel network. The geodynamic simulation features a spatially distributed channel network and anisotropic permeability that gradually develops as the upwelling mantle is deformed. We compute the porosity, melt and solid flow fields for several choices of channel distribution and permeability model. We use the calculated porosity distribution and velocity fields to model the variations of REE in residual mantle and U-series disequilibria in melts. The present study underscores the importance of deep channel networks and permeability model to the interpretation of first order geophysical and geochemical observations at mid-ocean ridge spreading centers. The anisotropic permeability of channels can enhance melt focusing by 60%, resulting in thicker crust. The attenuated seismic and magnetotelluric structures require a channel network starting from 60 km depth beneath the ridge axis. The depleted REE patterns in clinopyroxenes in residual abyssal peridotites are also consistent with melt extraction into channels starting from 60 km depth. Although deep channels are conducive to producing U-series disequilibria in eruptible melts, the present model still cannot explain the full ranges of the observed U series disequilibria data in MORB samples. Additional factors, processes, and models are discussed. And finally, we found that, within the uncertainty of the permeability, the porosity varies by three folds and the excess of 230Th varies by up to two folds.
Invitational Rhetoric between Parents and Adolescents: Strategies for Successful Communication

Successful parent-adolescent communication is crucial to a young person’s well-being and development, but family communication during adolescence is particularly challenging. One type of conversati...
Study of Effectiveness of Prior Knowledge for Smart Home Kit Installation.

Smart-Home in a Box (SHiB) is a ubiquitous system that intends to improve older adults’ life quality. SHiB requires self-installation before use. Our previous study found that it is not easy for seniors to install SHiB correctly. SHiB CBLE is a computer-based learning environment that is designed to help individuals install a SHiB kit. This article presents an experiment examining how smart home sensor installation was affected by knowledge gained from two methods, SHiB CBLE, and a written document. Results show that participants who were trained by the CBLE took significantly (p<0.05) less time in the installation session than those in the control group. The accuracy rate of SHiB kit installation is 78% for the group trained by the CBLE and 77% for the control group. Participants trained by the CBLE showed significantly (p<0.01) higher confidence in the actual installation than those in the control group. These results suggest that having a training before the actual installation will help installers avoid unnecessary work, shorten the installation time, and increase installers’ confidence.