cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dietary regulation of fatty acid synthetase and microsomal glycerophosphate acyltransferase activities in rat liver.

Investigations were carried out to determine the response of rat hepatic soluble fatty acid synthetase (FAS) and microsomal glycerophosphate acyltransferase (GPAT) to qualitative and quantitative differences in dietary fat. The effects on these enzymes of fasting and feeding after a fast were also studied. FAS activities of livers of rats consuming either fat-free (FF), 2.5% or 5.0% cocoa butter (CB) diet for 1 week were equal. However, 2.5% and 5.0% safflower oil ( SO ) diets reduced FAS activities by 25% and 40%, respectively, and stock diet or fasting for 3 days reduced it 20% and 5%, respectively. Refeeding FF, 5.0% SO or 5.0% CB for 2 days following a 3-day fast resulted in a 50- to 60-fold increase in FAS activity. Maximum activities of FAS were reached between days 2 and 3 of refeeding regardless of the type of diet. Fat in the diet, saturated or unsaturated, did not inhibit this adaptive increase in FAS activity during the first few days. However, at day 7 of refeeding there was a highly significant drop in FAS activities of rats fed 5.0% SO while that of those fed either FF or 5.0% CB remained high. Standard GPAT assay conditions were developed using microsomes from rats maintained on a stock diet. Under these conditions the average specific activity of GPAT was 5.2 nmoles phosphatidic acid synthesized per minute per milligram microsomal protein. GPAT was not significantly different after fasting for 3 days, ingestion of diets containing 2.5%, 5.0%, 10%, or 15% SO or CB, nor after stock or FF diets. However, refeeding the FF, 5.0% SO, or 5.0% CB diets for 2 days following a 3-day fast increased its activity by 40% over the prefasting or fasting levels. It returned to the prefasting level between days 3 and 5 of the refeeding period. These studies show that the hepatic GPAT activity is relatively constant while the FAS activity varies with qualitative and quantitative dietary fat differences. J. Nutr. 103: 1414-1424, 197.3.
Online anomaly detection with expert system feedback in social networks

In this paper, we propose examining the participants in various meetings or communications within a social network, and using sequential inference based on these participant lists to quickly and accurately predict anomalies in the content of those communications. The proposed approach consists of two main elements: (1) filtering, or assigning a belief or likelihood to each successive measurement based upon our ability to predict it from previous noisy observations, and (2) hedging, or flagging potential anomalies by comparing the current belief against a time-varying and data-adaptive threshold. The threshold is adjusted based on feedback requested from an expert system. In general, parsing communication data can require nontrivial computational resources, but since parsed data is only used sparingly for feedback, the overall computational complexity of the proposed approach is relatively low. Regret bounds quantify the performance of the proposed approach, and experiments on the Enron email database demonstrate its efficacy.
Cuba : compás de espera en La Habana

En los ultimos cuatro anos, la posicion de Cuba ha cambiado fundamentalmente. Al desmoronarse los estados comunistas en Europa del Este y la Union Sovietica, Cuba constituye actualmente un poco mas que un "anomalia" aislada. Todas las tropas cubanas han salido de Africa y Cuba ya no apoya los movimientos revolucionarios en los paises en desarrollo ni representa amenaza para ningun pais. Cabe preguntarse si aun tiene sentido que' Estados Unidos mantenga una politica de Guerra Fria contra Cuba en un mundo post Guerra Fria. Si el Presidente Bill Clinton sigue aplicando la estrategia de Reagan y Bush en cuanto a hacer mas estricto el embargo de los Estados Unidos, ?lograra acaso forzar la caida del gobierno de Castro? Mas aun, cuando finalmente el regimen de Castro llegue a su fin, ?habra sido el embargo de los Estados Unidos el mejor preludio para promover la democracia, la estabilidad politica, el crecimiento economico, los derechos humanos y el bienestar del pueblo cubano? La respuesta a todas esas preguntas es un rotundo "no". La actual politica de los Estados Unidos con respecto a Cuba -cuya maxima expresion es la guerra economica en escalada de la Cuban Democracy Act de 1992, avalada por los gobiernos de Bush y de Clintones anacronica, asistematica y contraproducente. Para formular una politica estadounidense constructiva hacia Cuba, es crucial ir mas alla del hecho de que Castro es un dictador. Los encargados de formular las politicas norteamericanas tienen que entender la dinamica politica que ha permitido a Castro sobrevivir los ultimos cuatro anos, a pesar de que durante ese periodo Cuba perdio a sus aliados politicos mas importantes y sus ingresos nacionales bajaron casi 50%. Nunca antes bajo la revolucion, la economia cubana habia experimentado una crisis tan profunda. Despues del vigoroso crecimiento economico registrado entre 1970 y 1985, la economia cubana se estanco entre 1985 y 1989, se deterioro en aproximadamente 4% en 1990, bajo 25% mas en 1991 y otro 15% en 1992. La causa
The effect of dimensional preference on reversal shift behavior of young children

Twenty-eight kindergarten children served as Ss in a discrimination reversal task. Each S was given a preference test to determine the probability of attending to a particular dimension. It was hypothesized that dimensional preference would affect original learning and the tendency to reverse. The results supported the first hypothesis but not the second. It was further found that the effect of preference was primarily due to the performance of reversers. The data were interpreted in favor of a mediational explanation of developmental differences in discrimination learning.
Permeability of Solutes through Hydrated Polymer Membranes Part I. Diffusion of Sodium Chloride

Based on an analysis by the free volume theory of diffusion, a study of the diffusion coefficients, D2, the distribution coefficients, κ2, and the permeability coefficients, P, of NaCl in various hydrophilic polymers was made with the assumptions that the free volume of a polymer/diluent system is linearly proportional to the volume fraction of diluent (H), and that NaCl permeates only through polymer/diluent systems in which the diluent of polymers is also a good solvent of the solute (NaCl). The values of D2 (over five orders of magnitude) were found to vary exponentially with changes in 1/H, as expected from the free volume theory of diffusion, in a wide range of H-values and converge to the value of the diffusion constant of NaCl in pure water. The values of κ2 defined by g NaCl per cm3 polymer/g NaCl per cm3 solution were found to be more characteristic to the type of polymers particularly at a lower range of H-values. At higher ranges of H-values, k2 is nearly equal to H, however, at lower H, k2 values deviate significantly from the value of H and its extent was found to be greatly dependent on the chemical nature of polymers, whereas the diffusion coefficient follows the normal pattern predicted by the free volume theory. The values of P which are given by the product of D2 and k2 also were found to vary exponentially with changes in 1/H at higher range of H, however, at lower range of H it deviates from the relationship due to the varying dependence of factor k2 on 1/H.
Cross-talk considerations for angular and phase-encoded multiplexing in volume holography

We compare the characteristics of cross talk for angular multiplexing and several phase-encoded multiplexing strategies for volume holography. We discuss the implications of these characteristics for holographic data storage and compare noise arising from cross talk with noise arising from scattering that is due to inhomogeneities within a holographic medium.
Background Risk and the Performance of Insurance Markets under Adverse Selection

Background risk can influence the performance of insurance markets that must deal with adverse selection when applicants are risk vulnerable, since they are more averse to bearing the insurable risk as a result of their exposures to background risk. We show that background risk always results in a lower deductible for the incentive constrained contract, and that a broader range of markets attains the stable sequential equilibrium cross-subsidized pair of separating contracts. We conclude that background risk always improves the performance of markets for coverage against (insurable) foreground risks that must deal with adverse selection. We also find, however, that these improvements are never sufficient to offset the cost to insureds of bearing the background risk.
Mexico's summer rainfall patterns: an analysis of regional modes and changes in their teleconnectivity

This study explores the interannual variability in Mexico's warm season rainfall. It is based on historical rainfall data (1927-1997) from a grid of 130 long-term stations. The grid provides reasonable spatial coverage over most of the country. Using Principal Components Analysis, this study delimits five relatively large sub-areas of the country. Within each of these regions, monthly station rainfall exhibits high levels of spatial coherence. The regional structures are distinct and physically plausible with respect to the climatology of Mexico. The regional time series are expressed as departures from normal. In most of these series the intraseasonal, that is, month to month, persistence is minimal; in fact, only a few of the series display significant tendencies toward nonrandom serial behavior. This study evaluates the teleconnectivity between the regional rainfall series and several different indices of large-scale ocean and atmosphere variability. These indices include an El Nine-Southern Oscillation index, indices that describe the strength and position of the subtropical anticyclone belt, as well as local SSTs in the Eastern Pacific and the Gulf of Mexico. All of the teleconnection analyses consider the quasi-decadal mode of variability that is commonly referred to as the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO). The study results generally agree with the findings of other researchers to the extent that they indicate differential teleconnectivity as a function of PDO phase. However, unlike other studies, we see no compelling evidence for non-linear behavior in the teleconnections within PDO phase. Instead, the more prominent feature of the teleconnections is simply that they tend to be both more spatially extensive and stronger in the positive PDO phase.
Consideraciones sobre la determinación del monto del daño por infracciones al derecho de autor en entornos digitales

La tecnologia ha transformado las dinamicas de creacion y adquisicion de obras en entornos digitales. Como consecuencia, hay nuevos casos de infracciones al derecho de autor que necesitan reglas claras sobre como debe determinarse el dano. Actualmente en Colombia la determinacion del monto del dano en infracciones al derecho de autor en entornos digitales se basa sobre la teoria de la propiedad material en sentido tradicional que difiere a la propiedad intelectual. El presente articulo analiza los conceptos basicos del dano y su determinacion en infracciones al derecho de autor en entornos digitales a la luz de la ley colombiana, en contraste con el sistema espanol y estadounidense, con la finalidad de abrir un debate sobre la importancia y dificultades que se presentan actualmente en el tema.
A Reconfigurable $2\times/2.5\times/3\times/4\times$ SC DC–DC Regulator With Fixed On-Time Control for Transcutaneous Power Transmission

A reconfigurable switched-capacitor dc–dc regulator for transcutaneous power transmission is presented in this paper. An area-efficient power stage that can be configured to four different conversion ratios $(2\times/2.5\times/3\times/4\times)$ under different input voltages, is proposed to maintain high power efficiencies and small output ripples of the regulator over a wide input voltage range caused by coupling variations. Instead of using a low-dropout regulator for post regulation, a fixed on-time regulation scheme is developed to provide output regulation and reduce the switching power loss under the light load condition. Implemented in a standard 0.35- $\mu{\rm m}$ n-well CMOS process, the proposed regulator delivers a maximum output current of 10 mA and achieves the peak power efficiency of 82%. When the input voltage varies by 1.6 V, the power efficiency of the proposed regulator can be improved by 40% compared with the regulator efficiency with a fixed-ratio $4\times$ power stage. The output ripple reaches 24 mV that is 0.5% of the output regulated voltage.
The Problem of the Intimidated Witness: The Need to Shore Up the Nance Doctrine Regarding the Admission of Prior Statements

Maryland's courts must not lose sight of the policy determinations faced squarely in Nance. Shoring up the Nance doctrine, by rejecting the distinction drawn by the court of special appeals in Corbett and retreating from the position taken in Tyler, is imperative. So, too, is an open mind to the appropriate use of Maryland Rule 5-804(b)(5)'s residual hearsay exception and the possible adoption of a rule like new Federal Rule of Evidence 804(b)(5) regarding wrongdoing that procures the unavailability of a witness. The problem of the recanting, intimidated witness will not go away; it threatens Maryland's criminal justice system and must be forcefully addressed.
Tender Offers and Short-Form Mergers by Controlling Shareholders Under Delaware Law: The '800-Pound Gorilla' Continues Unimpeded - In re Pure Resources, Inc., Shareholders Litigation

This comment analyzes the Delaware Court of Chancery's decision in In re Pure Resources, Inc., Shareholders Litigation. Specifically, the author examines whether the court's application of the Solomon standard of review, rather than entire fairness, to tender offers by controlling shareholders, along with its enhancements of the standard, adequately protect the minority shareholders. The author reviews both the Solomon standard of review and entire fairness, as well as the mechanics of tender offers, short-form mergers, and negotiated mergers. The author concludes that the court's decision effectively put an end to the idea that tender offers by controlling shareholders are examined under the entire fairness standard. Additionally, despite the court's enhancements of the Solomon standard, practically, the minority shareholders will receive no more protection. As a result, the court secured the position of the tender offer followed by a short-form merger as the most favorable transaction for controlling shareholders seeking to acquire the outstanding shares of its subsidiary.
Host suitability and diet mixing influence activities of detoxification enzymes in adult Japanese beetles

Induction of cytochrome P450, glutathione S transferase (GST), and carboxylesterase (CoE) activity was measured in guts of the scarab Popillia japonica Newman, after consumption of single or mixed plant diets of previously ranked preferred (rose, Virginia creeper, crape myrtle and sassafras) or non-preferred hosts (boxelder, riverbirch and red oak). The goal of this study was to quantify activities of P450, GST and CoE enzymes in the midgut of adult P. japonica using multiple substrates in response to host plant suitability (preferred host vs non-preferred hosts), and single and mixed diets. Non-preferred hosts were only sparingly fed upon, and as a group induced higher activities of P450, GST and CoE than did preferred hosts. However, enzyme activities for some individual plant species were similar across categories of host suitability. Similarly, beetles tended to have greater enzyme activities after feeding on a mixture of plants compared to a single plant type, but mixing per se does not seem as important as the species represented in the mix. Induction of detoxification enzymes on non-preferred hosts, or when switching between hosts, may explain, in part, the perceived feeding preferences of this polyphagous insect. The potential consequences of induced enzyme activities on the ecology of adult Japanese beetles are discussed.
A Synopsis of the Biologies of Three Imported Parasites of the Spotted Alfalfa Aphid

General observations are reported on the biologies of three imported spotted alfalfa aphid parasites (Hymenoptera: Braconidae and Eulophidae): Praon palitans Muesebeck, Trioxys utilis Muesebeck, and Aphelinus semiflavus Howard. Comparative life histories and such factors as mating, reproduction, oviposition, host preferences, adult longevities, sex ratios, hosts, and hyperparasites are discussed. Facultative diapause occurs in P. palitans, a condition believed to be previously unknown along the Aphidiinae. Uniparental and biparental reproduction was noted in A. semiflavus.
Progressive damage state evolution and quantification in composites

Precursor damage state quantification can be helpful for safety and operation of aircraft and defense equipment’s. Damage develops in the composite material in the form of matrix cracking, fiber breakages and deboning, etc. However, detection and quantification of the damage modes at their very early stage is not possible unless modifications of the existing indispensable techniques are conceived, particularly for the quantification of multiscale damages at their early stage. Here, we present a novel nonlocal mechanics based damage detection technique for precursor damage state quantification. Micro-continuum physics is used by modifying the Christoffel equation. American society of testing and materials (ASTM) standard woven carbon fiber (CFRP) specimens were tested under Tension-Tension fatigue loading at the interval of 25,000 cycles until 500,000 cycles. Scanning Acoustic Microcopy (SAM) and Optical Microscopy (OM) were used to examine the damage development at the same interval. Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) velocity profile on a representative volume element (RVE) of the specimen were calculated at the regular interval of 50,000 cycles. Nonlocal parameters were calculated form the micromorphic wave dispersion curve at a particular frequency of 50 MHz. We used a previously formulated parameter called “Damage entropy” which is a measure of the damage growth in the material calculated with the loading cycle. Damage entropy (DE) was calculated at every pixel on the RVE and the mean of DE was plotted at the loading interval of 25,000 cycle. Growth of DE with fatigue loading cycles was observed. Optical Imaging also performed at the interval of 25,000 cycles to investigate the development of damage inside the materials. We also calculated the mean value of the Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) velocity and plotted with fatigue cycle which is correlated further with Damage Entropy (DE). Statistical analysis of the Surface Acoustic Wave profile (SAW) obtained at different fatigue cycles was performed to extract the useful information about the damage state. This study has potential to investigate progressive damage evolution and to quantify at different fatigue cycles.
Confirmation that abscisic acid accumulation is required for maize primary root elongation at low water potentials

Previous work showed that primary root elongation in maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings at low water potentials was severely inhibited when accumulation of abscisic acid (ABA) was decreased using either fluridone or the vp5 mutant to inhibit carotenoid (and ABA) biosynthesis. The objective of this study was to confirm that the inhibition of root elongation resulting from these treatments was indeed attributable to the decrease in ABA levels. Seedlings were transplanted after germination to vermiculite at water potentials of −1.6 or −0.3 MPa. ABA was mixed at various concentrations with the vermiculite to test whether the effects of fluridone and the vp5 mutation on root elongation could be overcome
Workload impact on gender-based differences in delta blood lactate concentrations from supramaximal exercise

BACKGROUND: Gender-based delta blood lactate concentration (Δ[BLa−]) differences may be impacted by the volume of work performed during exercise. Thus workload can act as a confounding influence when data from men and women are compared. OBJECTIVE: To examine workload’s impact on gender-based disparities in delta blood lactate concentration (Δ[BLa−]) values from supramaximal exercise. METHODS: Subjects (49 women, 31 men) did two workouts on an exercise device (Impulse Technologies; Newnan, GA) comprised solely of either tonic or phasic repetitions. Total work (TW) and Δ[BLa−] were quantified from each workout. TW and rawΔ[BLa−] values were each examined with 2× 2 ANOVAs, with repeated measures for workout. Δ[BLa−] values were also examined with TW as a covariate using a 2 × 2 ANCOVA and repeated measures for workout. RESULTS: Raw Δ[BLa−] and TW results each yielded predictable inter-gender differences. However our ANCOVA data produced a two-way interaction and the following significant differences: men-phasic, women-phasic > women-tonic > mentonic. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the idea that the volume of TW performed exacerbates inherent metabolic differences among men and women that heighten gender-based blood lactate differences. Future research on inter-gender lactate differences should consider workload as a covariate.
Acanthosis nigricans and insulin resistance

Acanthosis nigricans has been reported in association with many conditions and most recently with insulin resistance. A case is presented to illustrate the clinical characteristics of acanthosis nigricans and insulin resistance. The various subtypes of this syndrome complex and its pathogenic mechanisms are reviewed.
Fossil turbulence and fossil turbulence waves can be dangerous

Turbulence is defined as an eddy-like state of fluid motion where the inertial-vortex forces of the eddies are larger than any other forces that tend to damp the eddies out. By this definition, turbulence always cascades from small scales where vorticity is created to larger scales where turbulence fossilizes. Fossil turbulence is any perturbation in a hydrophysical field produced by turbulence that persists after the fluid is no longer turbulent at the scale of the perturbation. Fossil turbulence patterns and fossil turbulence waves preserve and propagate energy and information about previous turbulence. Ignorance of fossil turbulence properties can be dangerous. Examples include the Osama bin Laden helicopter crash and the Air France 447 Airbus crash, both unfairly blamed on the pilots. Observations support the proposed definitions, and suggest even direct numerical simulations of turbulence require caution.
Left ventricular wall thickness in complete transposition of the great arteries

Age-related changes in left ventricular wall thickness were studied in 92 autopsy specimens of complete transposition of the great arteries (TGA) and in 189 normal hearts. By means of morphologic and clinical hemodynamic criteria, three groups were defined: Group II, TGA with intact ventricular septum (low left ventricular pressure): Group II, TGA with ventricular septal defect but without pulmonary stenosis (systemic left ventricular pressure combined with volume overload); and Group III, TGA with ventricular septal defect and pulmonary stenosis (systemic left ventricular pressure). At birth, the left ventricular thickness for the three groups did not significantly differ from normal. In group I, the left ventricular thickness remained constant with age up to 4 years and, accordingly, was significantly less after 4 months of age than that both in normals and in Groups II and III. In those Group II specimens from patients without irreversible pulmonary vascular disease, the left ventricular thickness was similar to that of normal hearts. The left ventricular thickness in Group III increased, with age in a manner similar to that of normal hearts. If left ventricular wall thickness correlates with potential ventricular function, then this measurement, combined with other clinical data, may help to predict the ability of the left ventricle to perform systemic work following one of the arterial switch operations. Sequential determinations of wall thickness may be attained noninvasively by echocardiography.
Effect on Flexibility on Manipulator Dynamics

The variational equations of motion are developed for flexible serial manipulators with rotary joints which account for full coupling between the rigid body motion and link deformation. Velocity and acceleration transformation equations are developed to conveniently transform Cartesian space equations into joint space. Small deformation is assumed such that vibration modal coordinates and mode shapes can represent the elastic motion of the flexible links. Flexibility and mass properties of the links are obtained by finite element method. A case study of an industrial robot is presented to show the effect of bending and torsional vibrations on end-effector motion.
Relationship Between the Eating Assessment Tool-10 and Objective Clinical Ratings of Swallowing Function in Individuals with Head and Neck Cancer

The Eating Assessment Tool-10 (EAT-10) represents a validated, easy to administer patient report dysphagia severity scale. Although its ability to detect swallowing impairment has been investigated in other patient populations, the utility of this instrument in individuals with head and neck cancer (HNC) has not been studied. The aim of the current investigation was to determine the relationship between patient ratings of swallowing impairment (EAT-10) and objective clinical ratings of swallow physiology in individuals with HNC. Forty-four HNC participants completed the EAT-10 and a standardized videofluoroscopy swallow study. Blinded raters determined airway safety using the penetration–aspiration scale (PAS) and swallowing function using the modified barium swallow impairment profile (MBSImP™©). Participants were stratified into three groups (pre-treatment through 1 year post-treatment, 1–5 years post-treatment, and >5 years post-treatment). Independent t tests, Pearson’s and Spearman’s Rho correlations, and a Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons were performed. EAT-10 scores were significantly higher in HNC patients with unsafe swallowing (M 24.45, SD 8.32) compared to those with safe swallowing (M 16.20, SD 12.14), t(21) = −2.36, p < 0.04. Significant correlations were revealed between EAT-10 scores and the MBSImP™© (pharyngeal composite), and PAS scores (p < 0.05) for the pre-treatment to within 1 year post-treatment group. No associations, however, were observed for HNC patients in the time groups representing greater than 1-year post cancer treatment.
Thermodynamic Properties and Solubility of Sodium and Potassium Chloride in Ethane-1,2-diol/Water Mixed Solvent Systems to High Temperatures

Solid sodium chloride solubility is measured at temperatures from 297 to 467 K at pressure of 6.45 MPa in ethane-1,2-diol/water mixed solvent systems and at a concentration of cosolvent up to 75% w/w. The corresponding solubility is also predicted from an extension of the unified theory of electrolytes to mixed solvents (J. Phys. Chem. B 2012, 116, 9033−9042) for sodium and potassium chloride up to 473.15 K and over the whole composition range of the cosolvent. A comparison of the predicted solubility with the corresponding experimental values from this study and the available literature data indicates good agreement in all cases to well within the uncertainties of the experimental data. Also, for the saturated solution of sodium and potassium chloride in ethane-1,2-diol/water mixed solvent systems, the stoichiometric activity coefficient values are estimated up to 473.15 K. These stoichiometric activity coefficients, over the complete range of mole fraction of the cosolvent, are then extended to all conc...
A spring rainfall pulse causes greater in situ photosynthetic upregulation for Bromus tectorum compared to co-occurring native herbaceous species

Abstract The invasive grass Bromus tectorum fuels fires, displaces native species, and reduces wildlife habitat on sagebrush steppe throughout the western United States. Recently, it has spread from the Great Basin Desert into higher elevations of the eastern Sierra Nevada, where it coexists with natives but has not yet altered fire regimes. We evaluated effects of a springtime water pulse (+10 mm) in a drought year on photosynthesis for B. tectorum and co-occurring shallow-rooted native perennials Achnatherum hymenoides , Elymus elymoides , and Lupinus argenteus near the range limit of B. tectorum at ∼2175 m in California. Watered B. tectorum had the largest increase in stomatal conductance (27%) of the four species. Watering increased CO 2 assimilation for B. tectorum by 78% over controls, compared to 17% for A. hymenoides , 2% for E. elymoides , and 29% for L. argenteus . Electron transport rate within Photosystem II increased for watered B. tectorum and A. hymenoides , but not for E. elymoides and L. argenteus . Instantaneous electron transport rate and carbon assimilation were more responsive for B. tectorum than natives following a spring water pulse during drought. Rapid upregulation of carbon uptake in spring in response to soil re-wetting during drought could facilitate B. tectorum spread at high elevation.
A Stereolithography-Based 3D Printed Hybrid Scaffold for In Situ Cartilage Defect Repair

Damage to articular cartilage can over time cause degeneration to the tissue surrounding the injury. To address this problem, scaffolds that prevent degeneration and promote neotissue growth are needed. A new hybrid scaffold that combines a stereolithography-based 3D printed support structure with an injectable and photopolymerizable hydrogel for delivering cells to treat focal chondral defects is introduced. In this proof of concept study, the ability to a) infill the support structure with an injectable hydrogel precursor solution, b) incorporate cartilage cells during infilling using a degradable hydrogel that promotes neotissue deposition, and c) minimize damage to the surrounding cartilage when the hybrid scaffold is placed in situ in a focal chondral defect in an osteochondral plug that is cultured under mechanical loading is demonstrated. With the ability to independently control the properties of the structure and the injectable hydrogel, this hybrid scaffold approach holds promise for treating chondral defects.
Impact of the Great China Fire of 1987 on the Tropospheric Chemistry of East Asia

There is a growing concern that biomass burning as a consequence of anthropogenic activities has significant impact on the atmospheric chemistry, climate and on the global biogeochemical cycles. Since the late seventies, when Crutzen et al. (1979) first proposed that the emissions of trace gases from biomass burning can make an important contribution to their budgets in the atmosphere, there has been an increase in the number of research activities in parts of the world with extensive biomass burning (Andreae, 1991). It is observed that biomass burning occurs mostly in the continental tropics coinciding with the local dry season (Crutzen et al., 1985). Trace gases such as carbon monoxide (CO), methane (CH4), nitrogen oxides (NOx = NO + NO2) and non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHCs) which are emitted from the burning fires play important roles in the production of ozone, thereby impacting the tropospheric photochemical oxidant cycle. Tropospheric ozone derived from satellite data is shown to be greater than 40 Dobson Units (DU) over southern Africa and tropical south Atlantic (Fishman et al., 1990; Fishman et al., 1991). Studies on the extent of the perturbation of this biomass signal on the composition of the atmosphere have been done in the past (Fishman et al., 1993). More recently, measurements were taken during the dry season of September-October 1992 in the Transport and Atmospheric Chemistry near the Equator (TRACE) Experiment (Fishman et al. 1996). The conclusions from this activity were that the widespread biomass burning in both South America and southern Africa is the dominant source of the precursor gases responsible for the huge amounts of ozone over the South Atlantic Ocean. Efforts in understanding the spatial and vertical distribution of the trace gases emitted from biomass burning have resulted in numerous insitu field campaigns and observational data. Measurements techniques such as satellite remote sensing, radiosondes and aircraft measurements are commonly being used to probe the atmosphere. On the other hand, synoptic-scale modeling of the influence of the fires on the atmosphere has been minimal, with the majority of work done in modeling the convective transport and redistribution of biomass burning emissions (Crutzen and Carmichael, 1993; Pickering et. al, 1996; Chatfield et. al, 1996).
ON THE GOALS OF POLICY

Public policies in the western democracies have emphasized equity, that is, fairness and beneficence, without a great deal of attention to efficiency. In recent years, expenditure on health care services has increased sharply in relation to gross national products. The economically self-sufficient have a moral obligation to help those who are unable to maintain decent living standards on their own. Access to a decent minimum level of medical care for the sick is a precondition to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Governments exist to secure these rights for all their citizens. The equality of opportunity is one of the moral foundations of democratic societies. While a complete equality of opportunity is clearly not possible, it is possible and right to narrow the range of inequality by compensating those with the worst handicaps. Complete egalitarianism fails to recognize that there are legitimate differences in priorities and tastes. The principle of the decent minimum limits the choices of the poor to the standard of care that is cost-worthy for the average person, thus more than they would choose if they had been given the money and a choice of how to use it.
Surface Charge Density-Dependent DNA Capture through Polymer Planar Nanopores

Surface charge density of nanopore walls plays a critical role in DNA capture in nanopore-based sensing platforms. This paper studied the effect of surface charge density on the capture of double-stranded (ds) DNA molecules into a polymer planar nanopore numerically and experimentally. First, we simulated the effective driving force (Feff) for the translocation of a dsDNA through a planar nanopore with different sizes and surface charge densities. Focus was given on the capture stage from the nanopore mouth into the nanopore by placing a rodlike DNA at the nanopore mouth rather than inside the nanopore. For negatively charged DNA and nanopore walls, electrophoretic driving force (FEP) under an electric field is opposed by the viscous drag force by electroosmotic flow (FEOF). As the surface charge density of the nanopore wall becomes more negative, FEOF exceeds FEP beyond a threshold surface charge density, σthreshold, where DNA molecules cannot be driven through the nanopore via electrophoretic motion. Fo...
ACUTE INFECTIOUS AORTITIS IN A PATIENT WITH PERSISTENT BACTEREMIA

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a leading cause of bacteremia, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. We present a case highlighting the importance of repeat clinical evaluation and imaging in the setting of persistent bacteremia. A 76 year-old man with poorly-
Robust UWB Localization of a Reflecting Plane Using Multi-Path Delay

In this paper we present an improved algorithm for localizing a single planar reflective surface using ultra wide band radios that measure excess delay of the first multipath component. These radios do not require time synchronization and cannot measure angle of arrival. Simulation results show that the proposed method outperforms the existing state of the art method. Experimental results confirm the practically of the proposed method.
100% renewable energy policies in U.S. cities: strategies, recommendations, and implementation challenges

AbstractInterviews and a survey were conducted with civil society advocates and government officials in U.S. cities and counties that have made a commitment to 100% clean, renewable, community-wide...
Endogamous Marriage in a Traditional Muslim Society: West Pakistan; a Study in lntergenerat:onal Change

The preference for cousin marriage in Muslim societies has been well known for a long time, yet little quantitative evidence is available to demonstrate its type, extent, or to what degree the prac...
Intramedullary Cage Fixation for Proximal Humerus Fractures Has Low Reoperation Rates at 1 Year: Results of a Multicenter Study

Objectives To determine reoperation rates after treatment of a proximal humerus fracture with cage fixation. Design Retrospective case series. Setting Eleven U.S. hospitals. Patients Fifty-two patients undergoing surgical treatment of proximal humerus fractures. Intervention Open reduction and internal fixation of a proximal humerus fracture with a proximal humerus cage. Main outcome measurements Reoperation rate at 1 year. Results At a minimum follow-up of 1 year, reoperations occurred in 4/52 patients (7.7%). Avascular necrosis (2/41) occurred in 4.9% of patients. Conclusion Standard locked plating remains an imperfect solution for proximal humerus fractures. Proximal humerus cage fixation had low rates of revision surgery at 1 year. Proximal humerus cage fixation may offer reduced rates of complication and reoperation when compared with conventional locked plating for the management of proximal humerus fractures. Level of evidence Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Five Profiles of Adolescents at Elevated Risk for Suicide Attempts: Differences in Mental Health Service Use.

Objective Adolescents at risk for suicide are highly heterogeneous in terms of psychiatric and social risk factors, yet there has been little systematic research on risk profiles, which would facilitate recognition and the matching of patients to services. Our primary study aims were to identify latent class profiles of adolescents with elevated suicide risk, and to examine the association of these profiles with mental health service use (MHSU). Method Participants were 1,609 adolescents from the Emergency Department Screen for Teens at Risk for Suicide (ED-STARS) cohort. Participants completed baseline surveys assessing demographics, MHSU, and suicide risk. Telephone follow-up interviews were conducted at 3 months to assess suicide attempts. Participants met pre-established baseline criteria for suicide risk. Results Using latent class analysis, we derived 5 profiles of elevated suicide risk with differing patterns of eight risk factors: history of multiple suicide attempts, past-month suicidal ideation, depression, alcohol and drug misuse, impulsive-aggression, and sexual and physical abuse. In comparison to adolescents who did not meet baseline criteria for suicide risk, each profile was associated with increased risk of a suicide attempt within 3 months. The MHSU was lowest for adolescents fitting profiles with previous (but no recent) suicidal thoughts and behavior, and for adolescents from racial and ethnic minority groups. Conclusion Adolescents at elevated risk for suicide present to emergency departments with differing profiles of suicide risk. MHSU varies across these profiles and by race/ethnicity, indicating that targeted risk recognition and treatment linkage efforts may be necessary to reach some adolescents at risk.
Comparison of the Effectiveness of Online Homework With Handwritten Homework in Electrical and Computer Engineering Classes

Contribution: This article compares the predictive performance of the scores on WeBWorK homework (online) with those of standard handwritten homework. The comparison is done across six undergraduate electrical engineering classes where each of the nine instructors have used both homework modalities. Background: Online homework systems have been used for many years, but analysis of their effectiveness is mixed. Previous work has been limited to a small number of classes in a wide variety of disciplines. This article has a larger number of classes and instructors than previous studies. The classes cover many basic topic areas in electrical and computer engineering, so is directly applicable to the audience of these transactions. Research Question: What is the effect of online homework compared to traditional handwritten homework on the performance of the students on the final exams in selected ECE classes? Methodology: Mixed-effects analysis of variance models are used to determine the predictive ability of performance on homework of the two modalities on the performance on the final exams. The data are limited to classes where the instructors have taught the class using both modalities. These models incorporate the effect of modalities for each instructor and the effect of the modalities across all classes. Findings: The result is that there is no significant statistical difference in the two modalities to predict final exam scores. This indicates that the advantages of using the automated online system can be obtained with no detrimental effect on the students’ learning.
A Recursive Bayesian Solution for the Excess Over Threshold Distribution with Stochastic Parameters

In this paper, we propose a new approach for analyzing extreme values that are witnessed in financial markets. Our goal is to compute the predictive distribution of extreme events that are clustered in time and, as opposed to modeling just the maximum of a block of observations, we model the conditional tail for the underlying random process. We apply a stochastic parameterization of the generalized Pareto distribution to model the asymptotic behavior of this conditional tail, or excess distribution. We utilize a Rao-Blackwellized particle filter, which reduces the parameter space, and we derive a concise, recursive solution for the parameters of the distribution. Using the filter, the predictive distribution of the parameters, conditioned on the past data, is computed at each sample-time. We test our model on simulated data which show an improvement over the block-maximum and the maximum likelihood approaches both in parameter estimation and predictive performance.
CHAPTER 9 – MEAT

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the contributions of the muscle tissue in terms of their contributions to three quality attributes: color, texture, and flavor. Muscles that make up a retail cut of meat may differ in tenderness. The processing of meat prior to preparation for consumption involves slaughter and a period of post-mortem aging. Several changes that influence the eating quality of meat occur in that period. The forming and restructuring of meat products as well as fish and poultry products provide opportunity for controlling fat, connective tissue, and the protein contents of products as well as portion control for institutional and restaurant operations. Processed meat products range from comminuted products to flaked and restructured products to whole-muscle formed items. Additional processing may include cooking of the product so that the consumer must only reheat before consumption. Meat is cooked to produce acceptable color, flavor, and texture. The chapter discusses the effectiveness of some of the agents used to tenderize meat. These include mechanical methods and the addition of substances such as enzyme, salt, and vinegar.
Sodium menu labelling: priorities for research and policy.

Objective: To understand the different Na menu labelling approaches that have been considered by state and local policymakers in the USA and to summarise the evidence on the relationship between Na menu labelling and Na content of menu items offered by restaurants or purchased by consumers. Design: Proposed and enacted Na menu labelling laws at the state and local levels were reviewed using legal databases and an online search, and a narrative review of peer-reviewed literature was conducted on the relationship between Na menu labelling and Na content of menu items offered by restaurants or purchased by consumers. Setting: Local and state jurisdictions in the USA Participants: Not applicable. Results: Between 2000 and 2020, thirty-eight laws – eleven at the local level and twenty-seven at the state level – were proposed to require Na labelling of restaurant menu items. By 2020, eight laws were enacted requiring chain restaurants to label the Na content of menu items. Five studies were identified that evaluated the impact of Na menu labelling on Na content of menu items offered by restaurants or purchased by consumers in the USA. The studies had mixed results: two studies showed a statistically significant association between Na menu labelling and reduced Na content of menu items; three showed no effects. Conclusion: Data suggest that Na menu labelling may reduce Na in restaurant menu items, but further rigorous research evaluating Na menu labelling effects on Na content of menu items, as well as on the Na content in menu items purchased by consumers, is needed.
Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) polymorphism predicts rapid gait speed changes in healthy older adults.

Importance Adapting one's gait speed to external circumstances is critical for safe ambulation. Dopamine (DA), critical for adapting to increased task demands, predicts usual gait speed and may exert a greater role in complex tasks like rapid gait speed. Objective We hypothesized that a genotypic proxy indicator of greater prefrontal DA signaling would predict significantly faster rapid gait. Design Longitudinal cohort study over 8 years. Setting Community-dwelling adults with no baseline mobility disability. Participants N = 2353 participants from the Health ABC Study. Measurements Repeated measures of walking speed (meters/sec) were obtained in response to: "walk as fast as possible… (rapid gait) or "walk at your usual pace (usual gait)." Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) val158met polymorphism indicated DA signaling (val/val = higher metabolism, lower DA signaling; met/met = lower metabolism, higher DA signaling). Results Participants declined in rapid gait from 1.55 (SD = 0.33) to 1.35 m/s (SD = 0.34). Across the full follow-up period, the met/met genotype was associated with significantly greater rapid gait slowing. In mixed effect models, between-group differences were independent of covariates, and remained similar after adjustment for sensorimotor function, cognition, depressive symptoms, and energy. Follow-up analyses indicated the met/met genotype had a significantly faster rapid gait speed compared to the val/val genotype for the first 3 years (p 0.05). Conclusion Greater prefrontal DA measured with COMT polymorphism may facilitate short-term adaptation to rapid walking demands that are lost over time. Studies should examine whether these effects are long-term and the underlying mechanistic pathways.
Deliberative und nicht-deliberative Verhandlungen

Die klassische deliberative Demokratietheorie betrachtet Deliberation als Gegenteil von Verhandeln. Dieser Artikel dagegen pladiert fur eine Kompatibilitat von klassischer Deliberation mit verschiedenen Formen des Verhandelns, die als „deliberative Verhandlungen“ bezeichnet werden. Diese Formen des Verhandelns beinhalten unvollstandig theorisierte Einigungen, integrative Verhandlungen und vollstandig kooperative Verhandlungen. Alle diese Formen basieren auf gegenseitigem Begrunden und Respekt sowie der Suche nach gerechten Bedingungen und Ergebnissen. Idealerweise wird in keiner dieser Verhandlungen Zwang angewendet. Als nicht-deliberativ werden dagegen „kooperative Gegenspieler-Verhandlungen“ taxiert, in denen rein strategisch orientierte Teilnehmende mittels Drohungen und Falschaussagen Zwang ausuben.