cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
GCA:Global Congestion Awareness for Load Balance in Networks-on-Chip

As modern CMPs scale to ever increasing core counts, Networks-on-Chip (NoCs) are emerging as an interconnection fabric, enabling communication between components. While NoCs provide high and scalable bandwidth, current routing algorithms, such as dimension-ordered routing, suffer from poor load balance, leading to reduced throughput and high latencies. Improving load balance, hence, is critical in future CMP designs where increased latency leads to wasted power and energy waiting for outstanding requests to resolve. Adaptive routing is a known technique to improve load balance, however, prior adaptive routing techniques either use local or regionally-aggregated information to form their routing decisions. This paper proposes a new, light-weight, adaptive routing algorithm for on-chip routers based on global link state and congestion information, Global Congestion Awareness (GCA). GCA uses a simple, low-complexity route calculation unit, to calculate paths to their destination without the myopia of local decisions, nor the aggregation of unrelated status information, found in prior designs. In particular GCA outperforms local adaptive routing by 26 percent, Regional Congestion Awareness (RCA) by 15 percent, and a recent competing adaptive routing algorithm, DAR, by 8 percent on average on realistic workloads.
Context-dependent phone Markov models for speech recognition

In our automatic dictation system, which accepts sentences pronounced in Isolated syllable mode, the acoustic decoder is classically based on 40 phonetic Markov machines. These models obviously do not account for coarticulatory effects. In this paper, we deduce general principles about coarticulation and automatic phoneme recognition. This allows us to classify the right contexts of the consonants into relevant classes, and to keep the resulting number of models reasonable for training and robustness. The new contextual system achieves a significant improvement in phoneme recognition performance.
Mineral Grain Spatial Patterns and Reaction Rate Up-Scaling

Reactive transport models that describe mineral reactions in porous media rely on laboratory measurements of rate parameters that may fail to represent reactions defined at larger averaging scales. Laboratory experiments usually use crushed minerals in well-mixed systems that are designed to eliminate mass transport limitations. The resulting data provide valuable information on mineral reactivities but have questionable value for describing reaction rates in porous media in which mass transport may be rate-limiting. In recently completed work, we used pore-scale network models to investigate the effects of heterogeneities in pore structure and mineral distribution on geochemical reaction rates in porous media. Our findings revealed significant scaling effects from variations in reactive mineral distribution, especially for weathering reactions driven by highly acidic conditions such as those encountered in deep subsurface geological sequestration of carbon dioxide. In ongoing research, we are using electron microprobe analysis, a form of X- ray emission spectroscopy, to analyze spatial patterns of mineral grains in sedimentary rocks. Samples include sandstones and shales from the Viking formation in the Alberta basin in western Canada, at depths ranging from 2000 to 4000 m. Viking sandstones are calcareous litharentites, with porosities (mostly primary) ranging from 1% to 24% and permeabilities ranging from 0.01 to 1000 md. This presentation will include the findings quantifying mineral content and mapping mineral grain distributions of these rocks, and the results will be presented in the context of the pore-scale network modeling work and the broader question of up- scaling of geochemical reactions.
Self-Directed Learning in Teacher-Lead Minecraft Classrooms

Minecraft, an online multi-player sandbox video game, is now being used as a teaching tool for course subjects ranging from digital literature to computer science. To understand how Minecraft was being adopted as a classroom tool, we interviewed 16 teachers and 10 students who had used Minecraft inside a classroom setting. Analysis revealed three key ways in which Minecraft enables and motivates students to work towards their own learning goals: the ability to customize context, live through stories, and assume roles in the virtual world. Drawing from these themes we propose a set of design recommendations for online informal learning spaces.
Crafting Socially Responsible Corporations: Exploring Etsy and the Concept of the B-Corp

To address growing consumer demands regarding ethical practices some retailers, in the United States, Europe, and Africa, have adopted B-Corp certifications. The international growth of B-Corp certification signals that this is not simply a fad. Despite this growing trend, academic research on B-Corps is scant. Thus, the purpose of this study was to shed light on the use of B-Corps within the retail industry. To achieve this end, this study employed a combination of netnography and ethnography to investigate the business practices implemented to maintain the well-known B-Corp, Etsy. Etsy is an online retail site that provides consumers with a platform to buy and sell handmade products, craft goods, and vintage items. Implications and conclusions draw from this study sheds light on the strategies used to acquire and maintain a B-Corp certification, and provides more insight into the application of B-Corp certification within the retail industry.
Optimal uses of advanced technologies for water and wastewater treatment in urban environments

Steadily increasing requirements for recycle and reuse of water in urban societies present global challenges to our abilities to meet ongoing needs for water suitable for human consumption. Current practices of subjecting the total water demands of urban communities to the levels of treatment required for drinking water are not sustainable indefinitely, and viable alternative strategies for ensuring adequate supplies of potable water are essential. Given the inherent advantages of flexibility and responsiveness associated with decentralization of complex functions and operations, one logical alternative might be the strategic dispersal of flexible advanced treatment and control technologies throughout urban water transport and storage networks. Integration of multiple satellite systems of this type with the critical components of existing systems and infrastructures in densely populated urban environments would facilitate optimal cost-effective applications of highly sophisticated advanced technologies. It would, moreover, do so entirely within the context of water and waste treatment and distribution/collection systems and infrastructures already in place in most densely populated urban regions. Finally, it would provide markedly enhanced “personal water” quality and significant potential for energy recovery.
Designing Extraordinary Service Experiences

Services, particularly retail services, may also benefit from design thinking. This chapter provides several frameworks for designing service experiences. Then, the chapter introduces a “practice style” approach toward service design, which recognizes that consumers differ in their motivations for service engagement and how they like to perform services. Finally, the chapter will outline best practices to address disruptions in the everyday lives of consumers that may pose a threat to service continuity. Examples from consumer services (e.g. Disneyland), physical fitness (e.g. P90X), and crafting (e.g. Color Me Mine) industries abound.
The American Adult Male-Child Dyad

In contemporary American society, there can exist a triangulation of three sets of phenomena that describe any observable behavior pattern: (1) a symbolic or myth system referenced by the behavior, (2) a scientific paradigm, with variable levels of consensus, and (3) the actual behaviors themselves. The purpose of this chapter is to examine the correspondence among the symbolic image of the American male (as a father), the generalized paradigm of the United States father figure, and some available field data on how males actually interact with children. First a shift in paradigms will be examined which occurred in the mid-1970s and resulted in a change in the perspective of how fathers are viewed in our society. The initial perspective included an image of bumbling, irrelevance, and ineffectiveness when men were functioning in a paternal nurturing role and changed to an image of a mother substitute in which men were potentially effective and important in the social and emotional development of their children, but were not currently fulfilling that potential.
Childhood Bullying and Labor Market Outcomes in The United States

This paper contributes to a nascent economic literature on bullying. Using the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 data, I explored the relationship between childhood bullying and later earnings. Since males and females are usually subject to different kinds of bullying and coping strategies vary with age, I distinguished between pre-teen and teenage bullying by gender. After delineating the pathways by which being bullied could potentially lead to lower earnings, the analysis first considered the probability of being bullied either as a teenager or before the age of 12. Next, after a simple ordinary least squares analysis of a human capital earnings function, a detailed propensity score analysis with multiple matching schemes was undertaken separately for males and females, further subdivided by when bullying had occurred. Results indicated males bullied as teenagers had earnings 23% lower than their non-bullied counterparts. Females did not suffer this penalty, nor did children who were bullied only below the age of 12. However, being bullied in childhood increased significantly the probability of being bullied later. In terms of human capital formation and possible impact on later productivity, teen bullying may be affecting men the most. Current findings may also be useful in encouraging a targeted focus on those who may be in greater danger of being bullied. Children who have changed schools several times, males with a learning disability, or a vision, speech or hearing problem, and females with some kind of deformity would be targeted significantly more.
Validation of Antimicrobial Interventions for Reducing Shiga Toxin–Producing Escherichia coli Surrogate Populations during Goat Slaughter and Carcass Chilling

Demand and consumption of goat meat is increasing in the United States due to an increase in ethnic populations that prefer goat meat. As ruminant animals, goats are known reservoirs for Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and proper handling, especially during slaughter, is imperative to reduce the likelihood of carcass and meat contamination. However, the majority of antimicrobial intervention studies during the slaughter of ruminant species have focused on beef, highlighting the need for validation studies targeting small ruminants, such as goats, during slaughter and chilling procedures. The objective of this research was to evaluate 4.5% lactic acid (LA; pH 2.1), peroxyacetic acid (PAA; 400 ppm; pH 4.7), a hydrochloric and citric acid blend (Citrilow [CL]; pH 1.2), 5% levulinic acid plus 0.5% sodium dodecyl sulfate (LVA+SDS; pH 2.60), and a nontreated control (CON) for their efficacy in reducing STEC surrogates and their effect on carcass color from slaughter through 24-h chill. Fifteen goat carcasses across three replications were inoculated with a five-strain cocktail (ca. 5 log CFU/cm2 attachment), containing rifampin-resistant surrogate E. coli (BAA-1427, BAA-1428, BAA-1429, BAA-1430, and BAA-1431) and were randomly assigned to an antimicrobial treatment. Antimicrobials were applied prechill and 24 h postchill. Mean log reductions achieved after prechill treatment with LA, PAA, CL, and LVA+SDS were 2.00, 1.86, 2.26, and 1.90 log CFU/cm2, respectively. Antimicrobial treatment after the 24-h chilling, resulted in additional reductions of surrogate E. coli by 0.99, 1.03, 1.94, and 0.47 log CFU/cm2 for LA, PAA, CL, and LVA+SDS, respectively. Antimicrobial treatments did not impact goat carcass objective color (L* and a*), except for b*. The antimicrobials tested in this study were able to effectively reduce surrogate STEC populations during slaughter and subsequent chilling without compromising carcass color.
α-Amanitin resistant RNA polymerase II from Aedes albopictus cell mutants resistant to α-amanitin

Abstract Spontaneous and EMS-induced α-amanitin-resistant Aedes albopictus cells have been isolated and characterized. Two mutant sublines, one of intermediate resistance (αA2) and the other highly resistant (Ama18) contained RNA polymerase II activity, the resistance of which in vitro to α-amanitin correlated well with the resistance of these cells in vitro . The resistance of these cells to α-amanitin can likely be attributed to the presence of an altered RNA polymerase II.
Freeze-Dryer Equipment Capability Limit: Comparison of Computational Modeling With Experiments at Laboratory Scale.

Abstract The equipment capability curve is one of the bounding elements of the freeze-drying design space, and understanding it is critical to process design, transfer, and scale-up. The second bounding element of the design space is the product temperature limit beyond which the product collapses. The high cost associated with freeze-drying any product renders it crucial to operate using the most efficient cycle within the limits of the equipment and the product. In this work, we present a computational model to generate the equipment capability curve for 2 laboratory scale freeze-dryers and compare the results to experimentally generated equipment capability curves. The average deviations of the modeling results from the experiments for the 2 lyophilizers modeled are −4.8% and −7.2%. In addition, we investigate the effect of various numerical and geometric parameters on the simulated equipment capability. Among the numerical parameters, the chamber wall thermal boundary conditions exert the largest influence with a maximum value of 12.3%. Among the geometric parameters, the inclusion of the isolation valve reduces the equipment capability by 23.7%. Larger isolation valves, required for controlled nucleation technology, choke the flow in the duct at lower sublimation rates, thereby lowering the equipment capability limit.
Neuropsychological Test Norms in Cognitively Intact Oldest-Old

Objectives: Individuals aged 90 or older (oldest-old), the fastest growing segment of the population, are at increased risk of developing cognitive impairment compared with younger old. Neuropsychological evaluation of the oldest-old is important yet challenging in part because of the scarcity of test norms for this group. We provide neuropsychological test norms for cognitively intact oldest-old. Methods: Test norms were derived from 403 cognitively intact participants of The 90+ Study, an ongoing study of aging and dementia in the oldest-old. Cognitive status of intact oldest-old was determined at baseline using cross-sectional approach. Individuals with cognitive impairment no dementia or dementia (according to DSM-IV criteria) were excluded. Participants ranged in age from 90 to 102 years (mean=94). The neuropsychological battery included 11 tests (Mini-Mental Status Examination, Modified Mini-Mental State Examination, Boston Naming Test – Short Form, Letter Fluency Test, Animal Fluency Test, California Verbal Learning Test-II Short Form, Trail Making Tests A/B/C, Digit Span Forward and Backwards Test, Clock Drawing Test, CERAD Construction Subtests), and the Geriatric Depression Scale. Results: Data show significantly lower scores with increasing age on most tests. Education level, sex, and symptoms of depression were associated with performance on several tests after accounting for age. Conclusions: Provided test norms will help to distinguish cognitively intact oldest-old from those with cognitive impairment. (JINS, 2019, 25, 530–545)
Enhanced Golic+: Gene targeting with 100% recovery in Drosophila male germ cells

The efficiency of gene targeting can vary drastically. Even utilizing CRISPR/Cas9 does not ensure rapid, successful gene targeting. In Drosophila, we previously established Golic+ to augment gene-targeting productivity simply through fly pushing. This transgene-based system elicits gene targeting in germ cells. It further implements lethality selection to enrich for progeny with accurate gene targeting. However, limitations still remain. Here we deliver an improved Golic+ technique that we name Enhanced Golic+ (E-Golic+). E-Golic+ incorporates genetic modifications to eliminate false positives while simultaneously boosting efficiency. Strikingly, male germ cells are exceptionally susceptible to gene targeting using E-Golic+. With male founders, we easily achieve 100% recovery of correct gene targeting. Given the superior efficiency/specificity and relatively effortless scalability, E-Golic+ promises to triumph in any challenging and otherwise unattainable gene targeting projects in Drosophila.
Modalities of the Fiscal State in Imperial China

In the past two decades, increasing attention has been paid to the significance of the fiscal capacity of the premodern state to promote or retard economic growth. In particular, scholarship on economic history has stressed the positive impact the emergence of the “fiscal state” had in enhancing economic growth in early modern Europe. Comparative studies have contrasted the administrative efficiency of the emerging European fiscal state with contemporary Asian empires (the Ottomans, Mughals, and the Ming and Qing empires in China). But the Ming-Qing state represents only one version of Chinese state formation under the Chinese empire. This article identifies four basic types of fiscal state that appeared between the Qin unification and the Ming-Qing era, analyzes their ideological foundations, and assesses their implications for economic growth.
Category-based routing in social networks: Membership dimension and the small-world phenomenon

A classic experiment by Milgram shows that individuals can route messages along short paths in social networks, given only simple categorical information about recipients (such as “he is a prominent lawyer in Boston” or “she is a Freshman sociology major at Harvard”). That is, these networks have very short paths between pairs of nodes (the so-called small-world phenomenon); moreover, participants are able to route messages along these paths even though each person is only aware of a small part of the network topology. Some sociologists conjecture that participants in such scenarios use a greedy routing strategy in which they forward messages to acquaintances that have more categories in common with the recipient than they do, and similar strategies have recently been proposed for routing messages in dynamic ad-hoc networks of mobile devices. In this paper, we introduce a network property called membership dimension, which characterizes the cognitive load required to maintain relationships between participants and categories in a social network. We show that any connected network has a system of categories that will support greedy routing, but that these categories can be made to have small membership dimension if and only if the underlying network exhibits the small-world phenomenon.
An Augmented Reality-Based Word-Learning Mobile Application for Children with Autism to Support Learning Anywhere and Anytime: Object Recognition Based on Deep Learning

An abundant earlier controlled studies have underscored the importance of early diagnosis and intervention in autism. Over the past several years, thanks to technological advances, we have witnessed a large number of technology-based teaching and learning applications for children with autism. Among them, augmented reality-based ones have gained much attention recently due to its unique benefits of providing multiple learning stimulus for these children via accessing a kinesthetic moving simply using a mobile device. Despite it, few have been developed for these young children in China, which motivates our study. In particular, in this paper, we present a mobile vocabulary-learning application for Chinese autistic children especially for outdoor and home use. The core object recognition module is implemented within the deep learning platform, TensorFlow; unlike other sophisticated systems, the algorithm has to run in an offline fashion. We conducted two small-scale pilot studies to assess the system’s feasibility and usability with typically developing children, children with autism, their parents and special education teachers with very promising and satisfying results. Our studies did suggest that the downside of the application is the performance of the object-recognition module. Therefore, before we further examine the benefits of such AR-based learning tools in clinical settings, it is crucial to fine-tune the algorithm in order to improve its accuracy. Despite it, since the current literature of AR-technology on Chinese word-learning for children with special needs is still in its infancy, our studies offers early glimpse into the usefulness, usability and applicability of such AR-based mobile learning application, particularly to facilitate learning at anytime and anywhere.
Non-Enzymatic Electrochemical Detection Of Glutamate Using Templated Polymer-Based Target Receptors

We present a novel electrochemical biosensing platform for the detection of neurotransmitter glutamate using templated polymer-based target receptors. Our sensing approach demonstrates, for the first time, a nonenzymatic approach without the need of glutamate oxidase, leading to a more specific and rapid response. The proposed detection principle is based on the following two claims: (1) our templated polymer-based receptor results in specific molecular recognition of the target glutamate and, (2) upon target binding, the polymer undergoes a conformation change which can then be measured via electrochemical techniques. This sensing platform has the potential to provide direct monitoring of a variety of nonelectroactive species and to eliminate the incorporation of enzymes thereby providing a simpler and more robust alternative to enzyme-based sensors.
Fighting Words in an Angry Democracy: The Press in Revolutionary Buenos Aires, 1810–1820

This article explores the political press in Buenos Aires during the revolutionary decade of 1810–1820. Using texts from the most important newspapers of the era, it analyzes the evolution of discu...
Overstaying in patchy foraging can be explained by behavioral variability

ABSTRACT Foragers often systematically deviate from rate-maximizing choices in two ways: in accuracy and precision. That is, they both use suboptimal threshold values and show variability in their application of those thresholds. We hypothesized that these biases are related and, more specifically, that foragers’ widely known accuracy bias – over-staying – could be explained, at least in part, by their precision bias. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed choices made by three rhesus macaques in a computerized patch foraging task. Confirming previously observed findings, we find high levels of variability. We then show, through simulations, that this variability changes optimal thresholds, meaning that a forager aware of its own variability should increase its leaving threshold (i.e., over-stay) to increase performance. All subjects showed thresholds that were biased in the predicted direction. These results indicate that over-staying in patches may reflect, in part, an adaptation to behavioral variability.
Evaluating a DOE screen to reduce hyperhydricity in the threatened plant, Cycladenia humilis var. jonesii

In vitro methods for propagation and preservation are critical when seed banking is not an option for the ex situ conservation of an endangered species. Such methods rely on the ability to maintain normal growth for the ultimate goal of producing plants. Previous studies revealed that the threatened Cycladenia humilis var. jonesii can exhibit extreme hyperhydricity when cultured in vitro, but that this phenotype can be largely normalized by venting of the cultures. A design of experiments (DOE) approach was used to investigate factors contributing to hyperhydricity in this species. Using a 6-factor fractional factorial design, the effects of nitrogen, CaCl2, BAP, gelling agent, and the presence of venting on the phenotype were tested. Venting was the strongest driver decreasing hyperhydricity, but gelling agent and other factors had significant effects, depending on the response measured. A revised medium was then designed and compared with the original maintenance medium through 2–3 subcultures. Venting was again the strongest driver decreasing hyperhydricity, but the revised medium also significantly affected some responses, even in the absence of venting. The revised medium was not optimal, as shoots became progressively smaller with each transfer, but despite their size, hyperhydricity decreased. These results demonstrate the usefulness of DOE for simultaneous testing of multiple factors, but also the need for follow-up optimization experiments. DOE can be particularly useful in working with rare species. By making efficient use of limited resources, it can facilitate the development of in vitro propagation protocols for such species and help ensure their conservation.
NUCLEAR POLARIZATION IN MUONIC ATOMS OF SPHERICAL NUCLEI.

The nuclear polarization effect in muonic atoms is calculated for $^{208}\mathrm{Pb}$ and $^{40}\mathrm{Ca}$. The nuclear intermediate states of $^{208}\mathrm{Pb}$ are collective particle-hole states calculated from realistic nucleon-nucleon forces. The total effect is an increase of binding of 6.0\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.6 keV for the $1s$ level, 1.9\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2 keV for the $2p$ level, and 1.2\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2 keV for the $2s$ level. We are able to set the uncertainties of the calculation at the relatively small values given above for the following reasons: The muonic intermediate states are treated exactly with the reference-spectrum method; the energies of nuclear intermediate states of $lg2$ turn out to be small compared with muonic intermediate state energies; the nuclear dipole states have been well studied experimentally and theoretically; and the nuclear monopole polarization calculated from the particle-hole states has been checked with a Thomas-Fermi theory which gives the observed surface thickness and the surface energy. Similar calculations for $^{40}\mathrm{Ca}$ give the correction to the $1s$ level as 0.2 keV. Henley and Cooper's closure approximation, which leads to a large correction of 58 keV to the $^{208}\mathrm{Pb}$ $1s$ level, is repeated with two of the following improvements: The intermediate muonic states in the continuum are treated properly, and the two-nucleon cross terms in the ground-state nucleus are included. The correction then comes down to 6 keV.
High-dose Botulinum Toxin Therapy: Safety, Benefit, and Endurance of Efficacy.

Background: Botulinum neurotoxin therapy (BoNT) is a powerful tool for treating many neurologic disorders. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved maximum onabotulinum toxin A (OnaA) dose is 400 units (U) per visit, but higher doses are commonly necessary, particularly when treating multiple body regions. Methods: We collected demographics, OnaA dose, body regions injected and indications, patient-reported efficacy via 7-point Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGIS), and duration of benefit. Results: Sixty-eight patients were identified receiving OnaA >400 U/session. Dystonia (n = 44) and spasticity (n = 24) were the most common indications for high-dose OnaA. Mean duration of benefit was 9 weeks (standard deviation [SD] 3). More than 70% of patients self-reported “very much improved” or “much improved” at 6 month, 1 year, and last visit. No serious adverse effects were reported. Discussion: The majority of patients tolerated >400 U OnaA with continued benefit. OnaA doses >400 U may be safe and effective in appropriate patients.
Evaluation of the Cancer Transition Theory in the US, Select European Nations, and Japan by Investigating Mortality of Infectious- and Noninfectious-Related Cancers, 1950-2018.

Importance Despite cancer being a leading cause of death worldwide, scant research has been carried out on the validity of the cancer transition theory, the idea that as nations develop, they move from a situation where infectious-related cancers are prominent to one where noninfectious-related cancers dominate. Objective To examine whether cancer transitions exist in the US, select European countries, and Japan. Design, setting, and participants In this cross-sectional study, annual cause-of-death data from the 1950s to 2018 for the US, England and Wales, France, Sweden, Norway, and Japan were extracted from the Human Mortality Database and the World Health Organization (WHO). Statistical analysis was performed from April 2020 to February 2021. Main outcomes and measures Age-standardized death rates for all ages and both sexes combined were estimated for cancers of the stomach, cervix, liver, lung, pancreas, esophagus, colorectum, breast, and prostate. Results The results of the analysis show that for all countries in this study except for Japan, mortality from infectious-related cancers has declined steadily throughout the period, so that by the end of the period, for Norway, England and Wales, Sweden, and the US, rates were approximately 20 deaths per 100 000 population. Regarding noninfectious-related cancers, at the beginning of the period, all countries exhibited an increasing trend in rates, with England and Wales having the greatest peak of 215.1 deaths per 100 000 population (95% CI 213.7-216.6 deaths per 100 000 population) in 1985 followed by a decline, with most of the other countries reaching a peak around 1990 and declining thereafter. Furthermore, there is a visible crossover in the trends for infectious-related and noninfectious-related cancers in Japan and Norway. This crossover occurred in 1988 in Japan, when the rates for both types of cancers stood at 116 per 100 000 population (95% CI, 115.0-116.5 per 100 000 population), and in 1955 in Norway, when they passed each other at 100 per 100 000 population (95% CI, 96.4-105.3 per 100 000 population). Conclusions and relevance In this cross-sectional study, the findings suggest that cancer mortality patterns parallel the epidemiological transition, which states that as nations develop, they move from a stage where infectious diseases are prominent to one where noninfectious diseases dominate. An implication is that the epidemiological transition theory as originally formulated continues to be relevant, despite some researchers arguing that there should be additional stages beyond the original 3.
Abstract P087: Goldberger's Electrocardiographic Criteria For Left Ventricular Dysfunction Associated With Increased Mortality

Goldberger’s Electrocardiographic Criteria for Left Ventricular Dysfunction Associated with Increased Mortality Introduction: The ability of the Goldberger electrocardiographic (ECG) triad criteria...
Determination of the volumetric percentage of ivory content using 3D modeling: Assessment of composite objects and threshold exemption status

Abstract Measurement of the percentage volume of the ivory constituent of a composite object is necessary to ensure compliance with the ivory volume provision in California Fish and Game Code (FGC) section 2022. Assessment of the ivory percentage must be conducted as a percentage of the total volume of the composite object and be of a non-destructive nature. To meet these analytical requirements, optical three-dimensional (3D) scanning and imaging software algorithms were used to create 3D models of three composite objects and to measure the volumetric percentage of the ivory constituents. Volumetric percentage determination of the ivory constituents was conducted on the composite objects in both the assembled and the disassembled states to assess the percentage error (PE) for ivory volume measurements when destruction of an item is not permitted. For objects or carvings with clearly defined boundary lines, a PE of
Prediction of flexible pavement 3-D finite element responses using Bayesian neural networks

3-D finite element (FE) models have many advantages over traditional mechanistic tools. They allows modelling of tyre–pavement interactions, including complex viscoelastic or stress-dependent mater...
Influence of Lonicera maackii on leaf litter decomposition and macroinvertebrate communities in an urban stream.

ABSTRACT: Lonicera maackii (Amur honeysuckle) is an aggressive alien shrub that invades many habitat types in the eastern United States, including riparian zones. The effects of L. maackii have been well documented in terrestrial ecosystems and can range from alteration of plant and insect communities to changes in ecosystem processes; however, the effects on aquatic ecosystems are less well known. Research on other invasive species has shown that replacement of native trees with exotic species can have significant influences on decomposition rates in nearby streams. This study investigated the direct and indirect effects of L. maackii invasion and management (removal) on leaf litter decomposition in an urban stream by placing leaf litter packs of L. maackii and the native Acer saccharum (sugar maple) in stream segments invaded by or managed for L. maackii. We found that L. maackii litter decomposed two times faster than A. saccharum litter, and that A. saccharum leaf litter supported a higher abundance o...
Old and new constraints in foreign news coverage in post­communist Ukraine

In the 1970s, when intellectual debate in the rest of the world was preoccupied with the problem of an imbalanced, one-way information flow between Western industrialized countries and less-developed countries in South and East, people in the Soviet Union faced another problem — a problem of deficit of information from the West, which was a result of purposeful politics of the Soviet state. In 1989 the Iron Curtain fell, but it does not mean that nowadays there are no bounds and boundaries in the flow of information to and from the Former Soviet Republics. This paper deals with the issue of foreign news in contemporary Ukraine and explores constraints in making international news in the media. It analyses a set of determinants of international news production in the Ukrainian media and the way they influence the scope and quality of foreign news coverage. The re - search is based on interviews with about thirty media experts and news producers at major Ukrainian broadcasting organizations, as well as from print and online media. The interviewees — editors-in- chief, heads of international news' departments, foreign correspondents — were asked about the pro- cess of international news production in their editorial offices, the human and technical resources allocated for foreign news coverage, the professional standards of international journalism, as well as the main sources of foreign news and criteria of their selection involved in the news making process. Results of the study show that international news making in Ukraine is influenced by peculiar fac - tors rooted in the Soviet past, such as journalists' inclination to one-sided reporting and poor com- mand of foreign languages (except Russian), and by common factors determining tendencies in for- eign news coverage worldwide, such as the pressure of the market which induces cost-cutting in media organizations and tabloidization of media content. An important finding of the study is the conclusion about indirect, or circuitous movement of foreign news from international news agencies to the Ukrain- ian media. Because of the peculiarities of Ukrainian news production described in the paper, news from Reuters or Associated Press regularly reaches Ukrainian editorial offices after it has been pro - cessed by Russian newsmakers.
Modification of the 5′-Terminals of mRNAs by Viral and Cellular Enzymes

Publisher Summary This chapter explores three enzyme activities—namely, an RNA guanylyltransferase, an RNA (guanine-7-)-methyltransferase, and an RNA (ribonucleoside-2'-)- methyltransferase that have been isolated from vaccinia virus cores and extensively characterized with respect to donor and acceptor specificities. Acting sequentially, the enzymes are capable of completely modifying the 5' terminals of homologous or heterologous RNAs or of synthetic polyribonucleotides containing a 5'-terminal diphosphate. Two of the activities, the guanylyltransferase and guanine-7-methyltransferase, were isolated as a complex with a molecular weight of 127,000. After dodecyl sulfate/polyaciylamide gel electrophoresis, two putative subunits with molecular weights of 95,000 and 31,400 were detected. The chapter also discusses a scheme for the synthesis and modification of early vaccinia virus mRNA. It proposes that, prior to completion of the RNA chain, the γ-phosphate is removed from the 5' terminal and a GMP residue is added. Methylation follows sequentially, first at the 7-position of the terminal guanosine and then at the 2'-position of the penultimate ribonucleoside. It concludes that progress in this area will further help in understanding of the sequence of events in the transcription and processing of eukaryotic mRNA.
Normal Child Development

Disorders of behavior, learning, and physical growth must be studied in relation to normal child development. Historically, interest in the exceptional child predated studies in normal development, but the invention of objective measures of growth and change for normal children has sharpened our understanding of abnormality. A knowledge of the mechanisms through which children learn, for example, helps the psychiatrist in his quest to understand why a particular child is not learning. Similarly, a grasp of the process through which children are socialized to control aggression broadens our understanding of the delinquent child.
Facilitating “Gem Moments” of Learning: Reading Research as Teacher Professional Development

This purpose of this paper is to deepen our understanding of a relational model of professional development that nurtures teachers’ interest in learning and professional growth through reading. This case study documents the impact of a teacher reading group that was created for the purposes of a larger study between 2005 and 2007 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Louisa, one of the six participants of this larger study, is the focus of this paper. Louisa’s practice of reading, interpreting, evaluating, and utilizing the on-line research she read individually and collectively with the other five participants of the study became a way for her to identify and critique important issues, reframe her experiences as a teacher, question her professional assumptions and beliefs, and begin to develop a new unit of study for her English as a Second Language students.
On American Federalism: Opposite and Rival Interests

Our system of government is no longer one of a federal republic, but, rather, a mixed political system of opposing party interests. Elected officials put party interests before those of the people and the good of the country. Government no longer serves the people, the people are the subjects of an administrative bureaucracy largely unknown to the public and detached from its attitudes and values. The federal system of checks and balances has been left behind and the branches of federal government have been brought under the guidance of members of political parties. The states, that gave life to the national government, no longer constitute a check on the federal government and have, in fact, lost most of their sovereignty.
An Economic Model of the Medieval Church: Usury as a Form of Rent Seeking

One of the oldest institutions of Western Christendom is the medieval church.' This article treats the institutional Roman Catholic church of the Middle Ages as an economic organization and utilizes certain tools of modern economics-specifically the theories of monopoly, rent seeking, and industrial organization-to explain the economic behavior of the medieval church. Proceeding from the general to the specific, we attempt to test the usefulness of this analytical framework by examining church policy on usury in the context of a static, monopoly model. Certain obiter dicta are required by a study of this sort. Great variation
The Market for Facility Programming: A Study of Client Preferences and Decision-Making

Dieser Beitrag veranschaulicht die Anwendung von qualitativen Forschungsmethoden – deren methodologische Implikationen und Gehalt fur die Untersuchung von Struktur, Logik und Format von Erzahlungen – fur das Marketing. Dabei geht es insbesondere auch um das forscherische Potenzial qualitativer Methodologien fur das Verstandnis von unbekannten und unerforschten Situationen. Die vorgestellten Forschungsresultate zielen auf die Marketing-Strategien, -Plane und -Handlungen von Architektur-Programmierer(inne)n. Die verwandte Methodik basiert auf Prinzipien der Grounded Theory, des symbolischen Interaktionismus und auf dem methodologischen Paradigma des "naturalistic inquiry". Inhaltlich gehort der Artikel dem Bereich des Marketings von Einrichtungs-Programmier-Serviceangeboten zu. Einrichtungsprogrammierung (oder Architektur-Programmierung) ist eine Phase im Gebaudeplanungsprozess. Die Programmierung liefert Architekt(inn))n Informationen uber Bedurfnisse und Muster der Gebaude-Nutzer(innen)/-Kund(inn)en. Diese Informationen werden bei der architektonischen Entscheidungsfindung uber das Design verwendet. Ziel des Artikels ist es, Bewertungs- und Entscheidungsprozesse der Nutzer(innen) der Programme zu verstehen. Der Artikel ist in funf Abschnitte eingeteilt. Zunachst geht es im ersten Teil um die Forschungsphilosophie und Methodologie. Im zweiten Teil wird besprochen, in welcher Weise kontextuelle Faktoren auf Vorstellungen und Interessen von Kund(inn)en einwirken. Der dritte Teil liefert "dichte Beschreibungen" uber Denk- und Verhaltenmuster der Klient(inn)en. Im vierten Teil werden die Bedurfnisse und Wunsche der Kund(inn)en bzw. Besonderheiten der Nachfrage auf dem Programmmarkt diskutiert. Im funften Teil folgen einige abschliesende Anmerkungen und methodologische Reflexionen. Der Artikel richtet sich sowohl an Forschende, die an der Anwendung qualitativer Methodologien im Marketing interessiert sind, als auch an Design- und Programmierunternehmen, denen es um eine Verbesserung ihrer Marktposition geht. URN: urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs0402375
Effects of ammonium chloride, salicylate, and carnitine on palmitic acid oxidation in rat liver slices.

Effects of Ammonium Chloride, Salicylate, and Carnitine on Palmitic Acid Oxidation in Rat Liver Slices
Determination and analysis of the excess molar volumes of some amide-water systems

Abstract Densities have been measured and e −1 ess molar volumes calculated for the systems water + N -methylformamide, + N , N -dimethylformamide, + 2-pyrrolidinone and + N -methyl-2-pyrrolidinone. These and some excess molar volume data, for related systems, which were extracted from the literature have been analysed using the segmented-composition model. Some tentative suggestions are offered to explain the results of those analyses in terms of prevalent patterns of molecular aggregation.
Suppression of mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis development in rats by inhibitors of cAMP phosphodiesterase isozymes types III and IV.

Excessive mesangial cell (MC) proliferation is a hallmark of many glomerulopathies. In our recent study on cultured rat MC (Matousovic, K., J.P. Grande, C.C.S. Chini, E.N. Chini, and T.P. Dousa. 1995. J. Clin. Invest. 96:401-410) we found that inhibition of isozyme cyclic-3',5'-nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) type III (PDE-III) suppressed MC mitogenesis by activating cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) and by decreasing activity of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). We also found that inhibition of another PDE isozyme, PDE-IV, suppresses superoxide generation in glomeruli (Chini, C.C.S., E.N. Chini, J.M. Williams, K. Matousovic, and T.P. Dousa. 1994. Kidney Int. 46:28-36). We thus explored whether administration in vivo of the selective PDE-III antagonist, lixazinone (LX), together with the specific PDE-IV antagonist, rolipram (RP), can attenuate development of mesangioproliferative glomerulonephritis (MSGN) induced in rats by anti-rat thymocyte serum (ATS). Unlike the vehicle-treated MSGN rats, rats with MSGN treated with LX and RP did not develop proteinuria and maintained normal renal function when examined 5 d after injection of ATS. In PAS-stained kidneys from PDE-antagonists-treated MSGN-rats the morphology of glomeruli showed a reduction in cellularity compared with control rats with ATS. Compared with MSGN rats receiving vehicle, the MSGN rats receiving PDE-antagonists had less glomerular cell proliferation (PCNA delta -65%), a significantly lesser macrophage infiltration (delta -36% ED-1) and a significant reduction of alpha-smooth muscle actin expression by activated MC; in contrast, immunostaining for platelet antigens and laminin were not different. The beneficial effect of PDE inhibitors was not due to a moderate decrease (approximately -20%) in systolic blood pressure (SBP); as a similar decrease in SBP due to administration of hydralazine, a drug devoid of PDE inhibitory effect, did not reduce severity of MSGN in ATS-injected rats. We conclude that antagonists of PDE-III and PDE-IV administered in submicromolar concentrations in vivo to ATS-injected rats can decrease the activation and proliferation of MC, inhibit the macrophage accumulation, and prevent proteinuria in the acute phase of MSGN. We propose that PDE isozyme inhibitors act to block (negative "crosstalk") the mitogen-stimulated intracellular signaling pathway which controls MC proliferation due to activating of the cAMP-PKA pathway. These results suggest that antagonists of PDE-111 and IV may have a suppressive effect in acute phases or relapses of glomerulopathies associated with MC proliferations.
How common is prostatitis? A national survey of physician visits.

AbstractPurpose: We used a national data base to explore the epidemiology of physician visits for genitourinary symptoms or a diagnosis of prostatitis.Materials and Methods: We analyzed 58,955 visits by men 18 years old or older to office based physicians of all specialties, as included in the National Ambulatory Medical Care Surveys from 1990 to 1994. Physicians selected by random sampling completed visit forms that included information on patient reasons for visits and physician diagnoses.Results: From 1990 to 1994, 5% of all ambulatory visits by men 18 years old or older included genitourinary symptoms as a reason for the visit. In almost 2 million visits annually prostatitis was listed as a diagnosis, including 0.7 million by men 18 to 50 years old and 0.9 million by those older than 50 years. Of the prostatitis visits 46 and 47% were to urologists and primary care physicians, respectively. A prostatitis diagnosis was assigned at 8 and 1% of all urologist and primary care physician visits, respectivel...