cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
New cavity-mode model for the dynamic Josephson tunneling states

A modified Fiske step model for Josephson tunneling states that includes a spatial variation of the dc Josephson current is studied. This spatial variation is due to the external current injected from the junction edges. The new model can explain both the Fiske step and zero-field current step (ZFCS) on an equal footing and can account for the symmetric mode recently obtained by one of the present authors (Chang) and his co-workers using computer simulation.
A Review and Analysis of Three Measures for Diagnosis of Mental Illness in Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities

Researchers and clinicians now recognize that adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) evince the full range of mental health concerns. Only recently, however, have attempts been made to develop evidence-based diagnostic and screening methods to identify these problems. Given that the way these people display symptoms of psychopathology may depart from symptom presentation in the general population, tests of this sort are essential both to enhance the reliability and validity of diagnosis as well as to educate professionals on symptom profiles for those people with ID. This article reviews 3 of the better established scales that have been developed primarily for diagnostic purposes and reviews key parameters and issues in scale development and use. The implications of these data for practice and potential future research trends are discussed.
Client Contact and Emotional Labor Upsetting the Balance and Evening the Field

This article examines the effect of client contact on the emotional labor performed by paralegals employed in both consumer- and commercial-oriented law firms. Consumer-oriented law refers to specialties that deal primarily with the interests of corporations. The consumer-oriented paralegals in this study identified three themes in their interactions with clients that increased their likelihood of engaging in emotional labor: the clients' emotional states, clients' lack of knowledge regarding legal proceedings, and their own roles as organizational buffers. Whereas consumer-oriented paralegals are held to a higher standard of emotional labor performed for the benefit of clients, their increased level of substantive involvement may, in fact, release them from the emotional labor that commercial-oriented paralegals are required to perform for the benefit of attorneys.
Prosumer-based smart grid architecture enables a flat, sustainable electricity industry

Managing distributed energy sources, energy storage, and consumer's active behavior coupled with sustainability objectives, requires significant changes in the architecture and technologies used to control the electricity infrastructure. Electricity consumers are evolving into economically motivated “prosumers” that not only consume, but can also produce and store electricity. Prosumers can become smart energy ecosystems if they are equipped with technology and intelligence that allow them to achieving their own objectives. This paper demonstrates that any electric power system, from large interconnections to homes and appliances can be modeled as a prosumer. It shows that the emerging interactions and transactions related to electrical energy can be implemented using a prosumer-based architecture, which would replace the traditional, one-way, generation-transmission-distribution-consumer model. We propose a prosumer-based, service-oriented architecture, that is remarkably flexible and scalable, and which would ultimately enable a “flat” business paradigm across the industry. We describe the major components and services of this architecture, present an application to the problem of demand response, and discus several innovative features enabled by the proposed paradigm.
Laboratory Estimation of the Nutritive Value of Soybean Oil Meals

Abstract IT HAS long been recognized that the nutritive value of soybean oil meal is markedly improved by heating. The kind and amount of heating necessary to obtain maximum nutritive value have been the subject of many investigations, with most reports indicating optimum nutritive value developed when meals were autoclaved from 20 to 30 minutes under 15 pounds steam pressure. Borchers et al. (1947) have reviewed the literature regarding the effects of heat treatment of soybean oil meal. More recently, Bouthilet et al. (1950) in studies with birds with colostomies reported that both total protein and methionine were relatively more indigestible in raw than in heated soybeans. Other investigators, among them Gerry, Carrick and Hauge (1948) and Liener and Fevold (1949) have demonstrated that a part of the improvement of nutritive value of soybean meal by heating could be ascribed to the increased availability of cystine and methionine, but that this …
Understanding Social Disparities in Hypertension Prevalence, Awareness, Treatment, and Control: The Role of Neighborhood Context

The spatial segregation of the US population by socioeconomic position and especially race/ethnicity suggests that the social contexts or "neighborhoods" in which people live may substantially contribute to social disparities in hypertension. The Chicago Community Adult Health Study did face-to-face interviews, including direct measurement of blood pressure, with a representative probability sample of adults in Chicago. These data were used to estimate socioeconomic and racial-ethnic disparities in the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension, and to analyze how these disparities are related to the areas in which people live. Hypertension was significantly negatively associated with neighborhood affluence/gentrification, and adjustments for context eliminated the highly significant disparity between blacks/African-Americans and whites, and reduced the significant educational disparity by 10-15% to borderline statistical significance. Awareness of hypertension was significantly higher in more disadvantaged neighborhoods and in places with higher concentrations of blacks (and lower concentrations of Hispanics and immigrants). Adjustment for context completely eliminated blacks' greater awareness, but slightly accentuated the lesser awareness of Hispanics and the greater levels of awareness among the less educated. There was no consistent evidence of either social disparities in or contextual associations with treatment of hypertension, given awareness. Among those on medication, blacks were only 40-50% as likely as whites to have their hypertension controlled, but context played little or no role in either the level of or disparities in control of hypertension. In sum, residential contexts potentially play a large role in accounting for racial/ethnic and, to a lesser degree, socioeconomic disparities in hypertension prevalence and, in a different way, awareness, but not in treatment or control of diagnosed hypertension.
The fine structure of rat liver sinusoids, space of Dissé and associated tissue space.

Three structurally distinct zones are present in the liver sinusoid. The endothelium and basement (boundary) membrane of the portal vein extend uninterruptedly into the peripheral zone. The intermediate zone, comprising 90% or more of the length of the sinusoid, possesses a fenestrated lining and no basement membrane. The short central zone has unfenestrated endothelium and a basement membrane. Both are continuous with those of the central vein. The space of Disse encircles all three zones of the sinusoid. It contains fat storage cells, perisinusoidal cells, numerous microvillae of liver cells and reticular fibers. These fibers are bundles of unit collagen fibers enclosed by cytoplasm of nearby cells. The space of Disse is continuous with the tissue space at both ends of the sinusoid. The liver cells lack a basement membrane whether they abut on the space of Disse or on the tissue space proper. The unique feature of liver fine structure is the combination of fenestrations and lack of basement membranes in the intermediate zone of the sinusoid. Blood plasma is thereby afforded intimate contact with the parenchymal cells and has access to the tissue space at both ends of the sinusoid. This structural situation fits the known facts of liver function.
Idioms of distress revisited.

I am pleased to have this opportunity to offer some reflections on what I have foreseen as an idioms-of-distress research agendum, and some thoughts on what an idioms-of-distress assessment adds to anthropological research on human suffering and culturally informed therapy facilitation in clinical settings. The term idioms of distress has now been in circulation for 30 years and has clearly taken on a life of its own. It was used in DSM IV and is likely to be considered for use in DSM V. A point of discussion in psychiatry at the moment is whether idioms of distress and ‘‘culture syndromes’’ are redundant terms or whether they refer to different phenomena. I weigh in on this issue as well as address two critiques of the way the term idioms of distress has been conceptualized by some scholars. I suggest that a distinction among idioms of distress, cultural idioms of distress and cultural syndromes is warranted. And I suggest that the two critiques of idioms of distress reviewed are necessary correctives, returning us to the original intent of an idiomsof-distress agenda. Finally, I highlight a few of the unique contributions made by papers in this issue that push an idioms-of-distress assessment in new and productive directions. In 1977, I wrote a pair of papers laying out an idioms-of-distress research agenda and calling attention to the role practitioners (from diagnosticians to diviners) play in framing experiences and expressions of distress in ways that Obeyesekere (1985, 1990) later came to refer to as the work of culture. My papers were published a few
14,15-Epoxyeicosa-5(Z)-enoic Acid: A Selective Epoxyeicosatrienoic Acid Antagonist That Inhibits Endothelium-Dependent Hyperpolarization and Relaxation in Coronary Arteries

Endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization and relaxation of vascular smooth muscle are mediated by endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factors (EDHFs). EDHF candidates include cytochrome P-450 metabolites of arachidonic acid, K(+), hydrogen peroxide, or electrical coupling through gap junctions. In bovine coronary arteries, epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) appear to function as EDHFs. A 14,15-EET analogue, 14,15-epoxyeicosa-5(Z)-enoic acid (14,15-EEZE) was synthesized and identified as an EET-specific antagonist. In bovine coronary arterial rings preconstricted with U46619, 14,15-EET, 11,12-EET, 8,9-EET, and 5,6-EET induced concentration-related relaxations. Preincubation of the arterial rings with 14,15-EEZE (10 micromol/L) inhibited the relaxations to 14,15-EET, 11,12-EET, 8,9-EET, and 5,6-EET but was most effective in inhibiting 14,15-EET-induced relaxations. 14,15-EEZE also inhibited indomethacin-resistant relaxations to methacholine and arachidonic acid and indomethacin-resistant and L-nitroarginine-resistant relaxations to bradykinin. It did not alter relaxation responses to sodium nitroprusside, iloprost, or the K(+) channel activators (NS1619 and bimakalim). Additionally, in small bovine coronary arteries pretreated with indomethacin and L-nitroarginine and preconstricted with U46619, 14,15-EEZE (3 micromol/L) inhibited bradykinin (10 nmol/L)-induced smooth muscle hyperpolarizations and relaxations. In rat renal microsomes, 14,15-EEZE (10 micromol/L) did not decrease EET synthesis and did not alter 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid synthesis. This analogue acts as an EET antagonist by inhibiting the following: (1) EET-induced relaxations, (2) the EDHF component of methacholine-induced, bradykinin-induced, and arachidonic acid-induced relaxations, and (3) the smooth muscle hyperpolarization response to bradykinin. Thus, a distinct molecular structure is required for EET activity, and alteration of this structure modifies agonist and antagonist activity. These findings support a role of EETs as EDHFs.
Theism, Evolutionary Epistemology, and Two Theories of Truth

In Michael Ruse's recent publications, such as Taking Darwin Seriously (1998) and Evolutionary Naturalism (1995), he has advocated a certain sort of evolutionary epistemology and has argued that it implies a rejection of metaphysical realism (MR) in favor of a position that he calls “internal realism” (IR). Additionally, he has maintained that, insofar as his evolutionary epistemology implies a rejection of MR in favor of IR, it escapes the kind of argument against naturalism that Alvin Plantinga makes in his Warrant and Proper Function (1993). In this article I explain the relevant views and arguments of Ruse and Plantinga, and I critically engage with Ruse's views, arguing that (1) his case for rejecting MR has no essential connection to evolutionary considerations; (2) his case for rejecting MR depends upon internalist assumptions about the nature of knowledge that are in need of some kind of defense; and (3) given his implicit internalism and his commitment to IR, his argument for rejecting MR can be used against his IR.
Effect of quadratic interactions on the resonance raman scattering of T × t2 jahn-teller systems

Abstract Raman excitation profiles and depolarization dispersion curves are calculated for T × t 2 Jahn-Teller systems that are subject to quadratic vibronic (Renner-Teller) coupling as well as frequency changes of the active vibrational mode.
Skin cancer detection by spectroscopic oblique-incidence reflectometry: classification and physiological origins

Data obtained from 102 skin lesions in vivo by spectroscopic oblique-incidence reflectometry were analyzed. The participating physicians initially divided the skin lesions into two visually distinguishable groups based on the lesions’ melanocytic conditions. Group 1 consisted of the following two cancerous and benign subgroups: (1) basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas and (2) benign actinic keratoses, seborrheic keratoses, and warts. Group 2 consisted of (1) dysplastic nevi and (2) benign common nevi. For each group, a bootstrap-based Bayes classifier was designed to separate the benign from the dysplastic or cancerous tissues. A genetic algorithm was then used to obtain the most effective combination of spatiospectral features for each classifier. The classifiers, tested with prospective blind studies, reached statistical accuracies of 100% and 95% for groups 1 and 2, respectively. Properties that related to cell-nuclear size, to the concentration of oxyhemoglobin, and to the concentration of deoxyhemoglobin as well as the derived concentration of total hemoglobin and oxygen saturation were defined to explain the origins of the classification outcomes.
Self-reproduction of chirality. Asymmetric synthesis of β-alkyl-β-amino acids from enantiomerically pure dihydropyrimidinones

Abstract Enantiomerically pure heterocycle 2 is deprotonated at C6 with tert-butyllithium at -78 °C. The resulting carbanion reacts with alkyl halides and aldehydes to give the corresponding alkylated products. Reduction of the double bond followed by hydrolysis affords enantiomerically pure β-alkyl-β-amino acids.
Decomposition of a Polynomial as a Sum-of-Squares of Polynomials and the S-Procedure

This paper investigates links between the problem of determining a decomposition of a polynomial as a sum-of-squares of polynomials and the S-Procedure. We first show that the S-Procedure can be used to check whether a given polynomial is non-negative. Then, using mostly linear algebra arguments, we show that this non-negativity test leads to an affirmative answer if and only if such polynomial admits a decomposition as a sum-of-squares of polynomials.
The Controversies of Diagnosing and Treating Hypertension among Hemodialysis Patients

This review discusses 10 current controversies regarding the dialysis patient with hypertension. The clinician is faced with a dilemma at the bedside on how to evaluate blood pressure and treat this condition in a patient on long-term hemodialysis. The evidence base to give firm recommendations is thin, but the epidemiological evidence tells us to do nothing. This appears to be an incorrect strategy, at least based on what we know today. Evaluating home BP in every dialysis patient, evaluating volume status on a regular basis, and treating hypertension predominantly with nonpharmacological strategies are worthwhile.
Signaling pathways and physiological functions of Drosophila melanogaster FMRFamide-related peptides.

▪ Abstract FMRFamide-related peptides (FaRPs) contain a C-terminal RFamide but unique N-terminal extensions. They are expressed throughout the animal kingdom and affect numerous biological activities. Like other animal species, Drosophila melanogaster contains multiple genes that encode different FaRPs. The ease of genetic manipulations, the availability of genomic sequence data, the existence of established bioassays, and its short lifespan make D. melanogaster a versatile experimental organism in which to investigate peptide processing, functions, and signal transduction pathways. Here, the structures, precursor organizations, distributions, and activities of FaRPs encoded by D. melanogaster FMRFamide (dFMRFamide), myosuppressin (Dms), and sulfakinin (Dsk) genes are reviewed, and predictions are made on their signaling pathways and biological functions.
Inconsistent Grain Roundness and Sphericity Trends and the Valley Wall Influx Factor: Between Alpine Source and Lake Shore, SE France

Abstract The greatest change in particle roundness, sphericity, and size in most fluvial systems generally occurs in the initial first few kilometers of sediment transport. Observations in natural settings and laboratory experiments have shown that changes, such as increased grain rounding and decreased size due to particle breakage, wear, and attrition, tend to be progressive along the dispersal path. In marked contrast, this study records highly variable and poorly developed particle-texture trends downslope along short (<5 km) channels that extend directly from a high-relief carbonate source area down to the shore of Lake Annecy in the western Alps, SE France. The observed inconsistent patterns are measured in both a region-wide analysis using all collected samples and also in a more specific survey of samples in six different channels incised on the steep, topographically irregular mountain flanks that border the lake. The major factor responsible for the irregular downslope patterns of roundness, sph...
Preparation of Ultrapure Potassium Peroxydisulfate

Abstract Peroxydisulfate salts are effective oxidants for refractory organic material, including humic substances, but their usefulness in trace metal determinations is limited by the presence of impurities in commercial preparations. Peroxydisulfates were synthesized chemically and electrolytically, and assayed accurately in admixture with side products and starting materials. Even without elaborate environmental controls, the non-electrochemical route was adapted readily to the preparation of potassium Peroxydisulfate containing < 6ngg−1 of Zn, and < 3ngg−1 of Cu and Pb. A key step in the synthesis was the purification of H2O2 by fractional recrystallization.
Computing the channel capacity and rate-distortion function with two-sided state information

In this correspondence, we present iterative algorithms that numerically compute the capacity-power and rate-distortion functions for coding with two-sided state information. Numerical examples are provided to demonstrate efficiency of our algorithms.
MiGenes: a searchable interspecies database of mitochondrial proteins curated using gene ontology annotation

Motivation: There has been an explosion of interest in the role of mitochondria in programmed cell death and other fundamental pathological processes underlying the development of human diseases. Nevertheless, the inventory of mitochondrial proteins encoded in the nuclear genome remains incomplete, providing an impediment to mitochondrial research at the interface with systems biology. We created the MiGenes database to further define the scope of the mitochondrial proteome in humans and model organisms including mice, rats, flies and worms as well as budding and fission yeasts. MiGenes is intended to stimulate mitochondrial research using model organisms. Summary: MiGenes is a large-scale relational database that is automatically updated to keep pace with advances in mitochondrial proteomics and is curated to assure that the designation of proteins as mitochondrial reflects gene ontology (GO) annotations supported by high-quality evidence codes. A set of postulates is proposed to help define which proteins are authentic components of mitochondria. MiGenes incorporates >1160 new GO annotations to human, mouse and rat protein records, 370 of which represent the first GO annotation reflecting a mitochondrial localization. MiGenes employs a flexible search interface that permits batchwise accession number searches to support high-throughput proteomic studies. A web interface is provided to permit members of the mitochondrial research community to suggest modifications in protein annotations or mitochondrial status. Availability: MiGenes is available at http://www.pharm.stonybrook.edu/migenes Supplementary Information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinfo online. Contact: dan@pharm.sunysb.edu
Viral induction of AID is independent of the interferon and the Toll-like receptor signaling pathways but requires NF-κB

Activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) is expressed in germinal centers of lymphoid organs during immunoglobulin diversification, in bone marrow B cells after infection with Abelson murine leukemia retrovirus (Ab-MLV), and in human B cells after infection by hepatitis C virus. To understand how viruses signal AID induction in the host we asked whether the AID response was abrogated in cells deficient in the interferon pathway or in signaling via the Toll-like receptors. Here we show that AID is not an interferon responsive gene and abrogation of Toll-like receptor signaling does not diminish the AID response. However, we found that NF-κB was required for expression of virally induced AID. Since NF-κB binds and activates the AID promoter, these results mechanistically link viral infection with AID transcription. Thus, induction of AID by viruses could be the result of several signaling pathways that culminate in NF-κB activation, underscoring the versatility of this host defense program.
Integration of Hepadnavirus DNA in Infected Liver: Evidence for a Linear Precursor

DNA of the avian hepadnavirus, duck hepatitis B virus, was found to be integrated at low abundance into the cellular DNA extracted from the livers of infected ducklings. The frequency of integration was estimated to be at least one viral genome per 10(3) to 10(4) cells by 6 days postinfection. The structures of virus-cell junctions determined by sequencing were compared with those of virus-virus junctions formed by nonhomologous recombination between the ends of linear viral DNA forms. This comparison allowed us to conclude that linear viral DNA was the preferential form used as an integration substrate. Potential factors promoting viral DNA integration during chronic infection are discussed.
Anatomy of the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia in relation to the calcaneus in various age groups.

Ten adult cadaver feet, three neonatal feet, and the feet of two fetuses were dissected to investigate whether an anatomical continuity exists between the fibers of the Achilles tendon and the plantar fascia. Histologic sections of the feet were done in three age groups: neonate, persons in their mid-20s, and the elderly.As the foot ages, there appears to be continued diminution of the number of fibers connecting the Achilles tendon and plantar fascia. The neonate has a thick continuation of fibers, while the middle-aged foot has only superficial periosteal fibers that continue from tendon to fascia. The elderly feet show simply an insertion of fibers of both structures into the calcaneus with periosteum in between.
A signal-driven discrete relaxation technique for architectural level test generation

A novel architectural level test generation methodology is proposed to solve both data flow path conflicts and data flow value conflicts. For each pattern to be justified at a high level, an instruction sequence and the underdetermined system of nonlinear equations are derived based on preprocessing information. The solution of the system of equations is calculated by a signal-driven discrete relaxation algorithm without making any high-level decisions. The test generation is performed by recursively assembling the instruction sequence and solving the system of equations. This test generation approach has been implemented, and the tests of several microprocessors have been generated successfully. The results show that this approach is effective and promising. >
Development and Application of Detection Indices for Measuring Guessing Behaviors and Test-Taking Effort in Computerized Adaptive Testing.

This study examined the amount of time that different ability-level examinees spend on questions they answer correctly or incorrectly across different pretest item blocks presented on a fixed-length, time-restricted computerized adaptive testing (CAT). Results indicate that different ability-level examinees require different amounts of time to answer pretest items, that is, field-test items, embedded in different item locations. Also, guessing behaviors and test-taking effort (TTE), measured using detection indices developed from this study, varied across the pretest items embedded in different locations. With these indices, unique response time patterns (RTP) and guessing patterns (GP) were identified for six ability groups. These indices could also be used to monitor the amount of effort and the guessing behaviors of examinees taking a CAT. The degree of the detection consistency among these indices could be used as reliability evidence to evaluate how reliable the indices are in detecting unusual test-...
Genetic programming approach to the construction of a neural network for control of a walking robot

The authors describe the staged evolution of a complex motor pattern generator (MPG) for the control of a walking robot. The experiments were carried out on a six-legged, Brooks-style insect robot. The MPG was composed of a network of neurons with weights determined by genetic algorithm optimization. Staged evolution was used to improve the convergence rate of the algorithm. First, an oscillator for the individual leg movements was evolved. Then, a network of these oscillators was evolved to coordinate the movements of the different legs. By introducing a staged set of manageable challenges, the algorithm's performance was improved. >
Strategic Outsourcing between Rivals

By outsourcing key intermediate goods to a downstream competitor, a firm can credibly reveals its future quantity of the final good to its competitor, therefore force the latter to act as a Stackelberg follower in the downstream market. As a result, whether outsourcing occurs or not depends on the nature of the downstream competition. If firms compete in quantities, outsourcing occurs only if it generates a sufficiently large efficiency gain. Instead, if firms compete in prices, outsourcing always occurs whenever there is potential efficiency gain.
Thermophiles: Anaerobic Alkalithermophiles

Definition of “Extreme” Mesophilic and Thermophilic Alkaliphiles have been Studied Only Recently Alkalithermophiles Thermophilic “Superbugs” Among Validly Described Species of Extremophiles Biogeography and Biogeochemistry Some Comments on Methods for Studying Anaerobic Alkalithermophiles Anaerobic Alkalithermophilic Bacteria and their Habitats Known Thus Far Archaeal Species and their Known Habitats Possible Correlation between the Shortest Observed Doubling Times for a Species and the Type of Habitat from Which the Alkalithermophiles were Isolated Keywords: alkalithermophiles (anaerobic); extreme environments; thermophiles; thermophilic alkaliphiles
STRESSFUL EVENTS, DYSPHORIC MOOD, AND IMMUNE RESPONSIVENESS

This study measured depressive symptoms in 98 men of whom 49 had and 49 had not had a recent experience of family death or serious family illness. The relationships of depression and occurrence of the stressful event to immune function was explored. Persons with higher scores on depression in both groups showed less responsiveness of their lymphocytes to phytohemagglutinin and to allogeneic cells. Data indicate that not all persons react the same way to stressful events and that those with high and low depressive features can be differentiated by their immune responses.
Digital phase control for resonant inverters

This letter presents an approach for direct digital phase control of resonant inverters that is based on inductor current or voltage sensing. Compared to frequency control, phase control provides the advantages of self-tuning to the tank resonant frequency, reduced sensitivity for improved control near resonance, and inherent protection against operation below resonance to avoid hard switching. The digital control algorithm suitable for implementation using standard CMOS logic is derived. The design details of an experimental test platform based on a Xilinx field programmable gate array (FPGA) and experimental results for a typical resonant inverter are provided.
The Function of Sympathy

“Doing evil” has probably always received more attention than “doing good,” so skepticism comes easily with regard to humanity’s capacity for sympathy. Still, there are enough examples of beneficent behavior—past and present—to rebut any arguments against it. As we have already said, sympathy is like headaches in that we have overwhelming prima facie evidence to support their existence. Whatever the fate of the term sympathy may be, it must always refer to something in sentient beings that makes them feel an anguished urge to help when they are exposed to the sights and sounds of suffering in others. What I call sympathy may be paradoxical and difficult to explain, but that is not sufficient reason to doubt its existence.
Investigation of the SMSI catalyst PtTiO2 by small-angle X-ray scattering

Small-angle X-ray scattering measurements have been performed on TiO2 supports and PtTiO2 catalysts reduced at low and high temperatures, the latter exhibiting a strong metal-support interaction. For the supports the small-angle scattering yielded specific surface areas in good agreement with those from gas adsorption measurements, although with smaller error. To extract surface areas for the multiphase (support, metal, void) catalysts requires additional theory, developed here. In addition to scattering intensities for the catalyst, one uses the scattering intensities of a support which has undergone similar treatment (acidification, reduction, etc.). Metal surface areas considerably smaller than those deduced from electron micrographs of model catalysts are then calculated from the small-angle X-ray scattering. The free metal surface decreases by about 14 in going from “normal” to SMSI catalyst, and this agrees well with electron microscopic observations. Temperature-programmed reduction, undertaken to gain information on the state of the metal, suggested the possible existence of PtO and PtO2. If electron densities appropriate to these bulk phases are assumed in interpreting the X-ray scattering results, we find a much larger difference between “normal” and SMSI catalyst surfaces, however, than is suggested by electron micrographs.
Nitrogen fixation during decomposition of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) is an important contribution to nutrient supply in traditional dryland agricultural systems of Hawai'i

Nitrogen (N) is unique among essential elements required for life, in that it must be fixed from the vast atmospheric reservoir before most organisms can use it. Prior to industrial nitrogen fixation, many agricultural systems were limited in their productivity by N. What sustained N in the ancient Hawaiian dryland (rain-fed) agricultural systems that lacked legumes or other known significant N inputs? N-fixation during sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) growth and litter decomposition was examined in settings representing pre-European Hawaiian agriculture. We did not detect associative N-fixation during the growth of five Hawaiian sugarcane cultivars. In contrast, N-fixation during the decomposition of leaf and stalk material was important. We found that the depth of the mulch layer significantly affected N-fixation levels during decomposition; values of N-fixation in different depths of senesced leaf litter ranged from 0.69 to 1.36 gN/kg of litter integrated over the lifetime of decomposition. Compared t...
Animal Models of Meniscal Injury in Post-Traumatic Arthritis

The meniscus plays a significant role in maintenance of joint stability and congruence. Injuries to the meniscus often lead to post-traumatic arthritis and joint degeneration. To investigate development of post-traumatic OA and evaluate the chondroprotective effects of the meniscus, various animal models of meniscal injury have been developed. However, selection of an appropriate animal model is crucial in designing a study with translational relevance due to the diverse range of possible m eniscal injury patterns, and anatomical differences between animals and humans. This chapter outlines considerations for selection of a meniscal injury model, describes the injury models that have been investigated, and discusses confounding variables and outcome measures for evaluation of structural and functional changes in the joint following meniscal injury.
The Effect of Arvin on Plasma Lipids of the Rabbit

SummaryArvin administered intravenously in a dose of 1 unit/kg of body weight to rabbits prevented blood coagulation without any marked effects on plasma free fatty acids, triglycerides, or total cholesterol. Hypovolemic animals pretreated with Arvin showed an increase in blood glucose without any apparent changes in plasma free fatty acids; in hypovolemic rabbits pretreated with heparin, both the blood glucose and plasma free fatty acids were elevated.
On-line sample cleanup in the liquid chromatographic analysis of pharmaceuticals for citrate content.

Abstract Matrix interferents are removed from pharmaceutical samples via an on-line, automated column switching process in which the difference in hydrophobicity between the analyte and the interferents allows these species to be isolated in different parts of the chromatographic system. In this case, the interferents are trapped on a cleanup column and are flushed to waste as the analyte undergoes additional separation on an analytical column. The utility of this approach is demonstrated by the quantitation of citrate in pharmaceutical samples by ion suppression, reversed-phase liquid chromatography. The performance of this system is statistically equivalent to that of a manual pretreatment method employing disposable, solid-phase extraction cartridges.
Regulation of Abscisic Acid Formation in Mycosphaerella (Cercospora) Rosicola by Phosphate

The regulation by phosphate of abscisic acid (ABA) production by Mycosphaerella (Cercospora) rosicola was examined in defined media, submerged shake cultures. Phosphate concentrations below 0.5 mM were suboptimal for growth and caused ABA synthesis to begin earlier than at 0.5 mM, the optimal concentration for maximal yield of ABA. Higher concentrations of phosphate gave progressively greater suppression of ABA formation while dry weight yield was essentially constant from 0.5 mM to 10 mM. Addition of 5 mM phosphate to phosphate-limited cultures at various times showed that there was a critical period during the first 3-5 da of incubation during logarithmic growth and before ABA synthesis had begun when the fungus was sensitive to phosphate suppression. Mycosphaerella rosicola B. H. Davis, a member of the Loculoascomycetidae (Cercospora rosicola Pass., imperfect state), was shown to produce the plant growth regulator abscisic acid (ABA) by Assante et al. (1977). Norman et al. (1981a, b) have designed a defined medium for growth and ABA formation by this fungus. We examined the role of phosphate limitation in regulating ABA because this nutrient is an important regulator of secondary metabolism in other fungi (Weinberg, 1974), and because in a preliminary survey of growth limitation by various nutrients, phosphate limitation was the only one that caused earlier synthesis of ABA (Griffin and Walton, unpublished).
Research and fabrication of an integrated pH sensor

In order to solve problems of traditional on-line pH monitoring instrument such as short transmission distance,measuring signal is susceptible to interference and reliability of temperature compensation is poor,a new integrated and packaged pH sensor is designed and measuring principle,structure design and measurement and control design circuit are introduced.According to relevant standard,several experiments have been conducted to verify performance of sensor,which response time is 10 s,maximum drift is 0.04 pH and precision of temperature compensation is 0.03 pH.Experimental results show that the sensor has quick response,good measurement stability,high temperature compensation reliability,especially suit for pH value measurement in the fields of water environment monitoring and water pollution control.
Investigation of osteoporosis related knowledge awareness and its related behaviors among middle and elderly residents in Jiangsu province

Objective To investigate current situation of osteoporosis related knowledge awareness and behaviors among middle and elderly residents;to provide basis for promoting comprehensive health education for osteoporosis in local communities.Methods Multi-stage stratified random sampling method was used to conduct a self-designed questionnaire-based survey involving 5 537middle and elderly residents in local communities.Results Residentsosteoporosis related knowledge awareness rate was low.Awareness rate of clinical manifestations of osteoporosis,high risk populations,helpful diet to prevent osteoporosis,recommended acceptable daily intake of calcium for postmenopausal women and the elderly was 6.23%,1.61%, 3.16%and 2.98%,respectively.Knowledge score of subjects aged 40~49was higher than that aged 50~59and 60~69,with significant difference;male scored slightly higher than female;score increased with education level;mental workers had higher scores than manual workers(all P0.01).Ratio of middle and elderly community residents associated with poor diet patterns and lack of physical exercises was high.Conclusion Osteoporosis related knowledge awareness rate of middle and elderly residents in local communities should be strengthened.Elderly residents,females,low educated residents and manual workers should be designated as target populations.
Leveraging Lexical Resources for the Detection of Event Relations.

This paper discusses the benefits and limitations of drawing conceptual inferences based on entries in a rich verb lexicon, VerbNet. Automatic sense tagging and semantic role labeling can be used to match predicate arguments structures in a sentence with specific syntactic and semantic frames from the lexicon, allowing conceptual inferences to be drawn. However, as with any hand-crafted resource, the entries do not always contain the desired inferences. Links to an ontology are suggested as a means of broadening the range of possible inferences.
Using a mystery-caller approach to examine access to prostate cancer care in Philadelphia

Purpose Prior work suggests that access to health care may influence the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. Mystery-caller methods have been used previously to measure access to care for health services such as primary care, where patients’ self-initiate requests for care. We used a mystery-caller survey for specialized prostate cancer care to assess dimensions of access to prostate cancer care. Materials and Methods We created an inventory of urology and radiation oncology practices in southeastern Pennsylvania. Using a ‘mystery caller’ approach, a research assistant posing as a medical office scheduler in a primary care office, attempted to make a new patient appointment on behalf of a referred patient. Linear regression was used to determine the association between time to next available appointment with practice and census tract characteristics. Results We successfully obtained information on new patient appointments from 198 practices out of the 223 in the region (88.8%). Radiation oncology practices were more likely to accept Medicaid compared to urology practices (91.3% vs 36.4%) and had shorter mean wait times for new patient appointments (9.0 vs 12.8 days). We did not observe significant differences in wait times according to census tract characteristics including neighborhood socioeconomic status and the proportion of male African American residents. Conclusions Mystery-caller methods that reflect real-world referral processes from primary care offices can be used to measure access to specialized cancer care. We observed significant differences in wait times and insurance acceptance between radiation oncology and urology practices.
Single-station automated detection of transient deformation in GPS time series with the relative strength index: A case study of Cascadian slow slip

The discovery of slow-slip events over the past decades has changed our understanding of tectonic hazards and the earthquake cycle. Proper geodetic characterization of slow-slip events is necessary for studies of regional interseismic, coseismic and postseismic deformation, and miscalculations can affect our understanding of the regional stress field and tectonic hazard. Because of the proliferation of GPS data over the last two decades, an automated algorithm is required to analyze the signals and model the deformation on a station by station basis. Using the relative strength index (RSI), a financial momentum oscillator, we test the ability to detect events of various sizes and durations. We first determine the statistics of the RSI under different noise conditions and then use this information as the basis for the automated transient detection algorithm by testing different synthetic signals. We then apply the technique to daily GPS displacement time series from 213 stations along the Cascadia subduction zone to form a record of transient deformation between 2005 and 2016. Our estimates of the spatial extent, duration, and propagation of major episodic tremor and slip (ETS) events are consistent with previous studies. We use the automated detections to remodel the displacement time series and obtain transient deformation rates over the past decade and discuss the tectonic implications. Finally, we analyze the correlation between transient detections and tremor showing good agreement between the two at slab depths commonly associated with ETS events.
276. PAX4 Gene Transfer Induces α-to-β Cell Transdifferentiation and Ameliorates Hyperglycemia

The transcription factor Pax4 plays a critical role in the determination of the lineage of insulin-producing β-cells versus glucagon-producing α-cells during endocrine pancreas development. In this study, we explored whether Pax4 gene transfer into α-cells could convert them into functional β-cells, and thus provide therapeutic benefits for insulin-deficient diabetes. To accomplish that, we developed an adenoviral vector encoding CMV promoter driven human Pax4, Ad5.Pax4, and examined its functionality in the clonal α-cell line, aTC1.9. Our results showed that Pax4 induced insulin expression and reduced glucagon expression in aTC1.9 cells. More importantly, these cells exhibited functional glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, a key feature of functional β-cells. When injected into streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice, the Pax4-treated aTC1.9 cells significantly reduced blood glucose within 24 hours, and the mice showed better glucose tolerance, supporting that Pax4 gene transfer into aTC1.9 cells resulted in the formation of functional β-cells. Furthermore, treatment of primary human islets with Ad5. Pax4 resulted in significantly improved β-cell function. Although in the experimental setting, we were not able to distinguish pre-existing β-cells from converted β-cells, detection of triple positive cells (glucagon+/Pax4+/Insulin+) argued for the presence of α-to-β cell transitioning. This was further supported by quantification of glucagon and insulin double positive (bi-hormonal) cells, of which the number of bi-hormonal cells in Pax4-treated human islets was significantly higher than that in control groups. Finally, we found that direct administration of Ad5. Pax4 into the pancreas of insulin-deficient mice had therapeutic benefits. The significantly improved β-cell function in both human islets and mouse pancreas was consistent with Pax4-induced α-to-β cell conversion, although Pax4-mediated β-cell protection could have contributed as well. Taken together, our data demonstrate that manipulating Pax4 gene expression in α-cells represents a novel and viable therapeutic strategy for the treatment of insulin deficient diabetes.
Working to Improve the Quality of Care for Young Children in One Community Organization

This study examines a partnership effort between researchers and one community organization to improve child care. The results of the study indicate that facility changes were made that improved the quality of the physical environment, but that little or no changes were observed in the areas of personal care, adult-child interactions, or peer interactions. Based on the results, the researchers and childcare director extended their partnership in order to continue working together toward making improvements.
An RNA Aptamer Capable of Forming a Hydrogel by Self-Assembly.

Hydrogels are supramolecular assemblies with both solute transport properties like liquids and mechanical properties like elastomers. To date, every type of biomolecules except ribonucleic acid (RNA), is capable of forming a hydrogel. Here, we report an RNA that forms a hydrogel by self-assembly. This RNA is originally identified by systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) to enhance the activity of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors as a potential RNA drug for the treatment of cognitive disorders. The RNA hydrogel exhibits an elastic modulus plateau on the order of 102 Pa and shows dynamic RNA chain interactions with relaxation behaviors similar to living wormlike micellar solutions. Small-angle X-ray scattering and cryogenic electron microscopy characterization support the RNA network structures. By sequence mutation and rheological measurements, we reveal two key sequence motifs in the RNA responsible for intermolecular recognition and the for...
Beware the Evil Eye: The Evil Eye in the Bible and the Ancient World. Postbiblical Israel and Early Christianity through Late Antiquity. Volume 4

Beware the Evil Eye: The Evil Eye in the Bible and the Ancient World. Postbiblical Israel and Early Christianity through Late Antiquity. Volume 4 by Elliot, John H 2017, Eugene, Oregon: Cascade Books.
Painless Mini-Wellens Sign 5 Minutes After Exercise in a Man With Previously Undiagnosed Total Occlusion of the Left Anterior Descending and Right Coronary Arteries

A 60-year-old man with no coronary artery history and a normal resting electrocardiogram came to the hospital with his second stroke and underwent a treadmill exercise test before carotid endarterectomy. He had no chest pain and stopped because of leg pain. Five minutes after exercise he developed terminal T-wave inversion in leads V3 and V4 that lasted 7 minutes. The T-wave pattern resembled the Wellens pattern that has usually been seen after intense preinfarction rest pain and has usually lasted hours, days, or even weeks. Coronary arteriography showed complete occlusion of the left anterior descending and right coronary arteries.