cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Free radicals and diabetes

The role of active oxygen species in diabetes is discussed in this review. Type I diabetes is caused by destruction of the pancreatic beta cells responsible for producing insulin. In humans, the diabetogenic process appears to be caused by immune destruction of the beta cells; part of this process is apparently mediated by white cell production of active oxygen species. Diabetes can be produced in animals by the drugs alloxan and streptozotocin; the mechanism of action of these two drugs is different, but both result in the production of active oxygen species. Scavengers of oxygen radicals are effective in preventing diabetes in these animal models. Not only are oxygen radicals involved in the cause of diabetes, they also appear to play a role in some of the complications seen in long-term treatment of diabetes. Changes in antioxidants in the diabetic state and their consequences are discussed.
Some Recent Developments in High-Strength Glasses and Ceramics

Two areas of development in the field of glasses and ceramics have produced new materials with unusual combinations of properties. Glass-ceramics are melted and formed as glasses by conventional glass-forming techniques, but by a subsequent heat treatment, they are converted to fine-grained crystalline structures with new and useful combinations of properties. Products with thermal expansion coefficients approaching zero and flexural strengths ranging from 10 000 to 50 000 Lb./in.$^2$ have been made though not all combinations of low thermal expansion coefficients and high mechanical strengths are possible. The second area of development is in so-called Chemcor glasses. Such glass products can be preferentially pre-stressed by chemical means so as to produce an outer layer with high compressive stress and a bending strength in the finished product up to 100 000 Lb/in.$^2$.
Interference avoidance for DS-CDMA with limited feedback

The performance of a direct sequence (DS)-code division multiple access (CDMA) link with limited feedback in the presence of random interferers is analyzed in this paper. We evaluate the performance of a reduced-rank (RR) signature optimization scheme with a linear minimum mean squared error (MMSE) receiver, and subsequently account for the feedback quantization error. The performance is compared with a random vector quantization scheme for signature selection, which gives an upper bound on large system performance.
Reliable static output control for a class of uncertain systems via high-order sampled-data hold controller

The problem of robust reliable controller design against actuator faults for systems with polytopic type uncertainty is addressed. The strategy that using sampled- data control with high-order hold is adopted to tackle the situations that no sampled-data controller with zero-order hold in existence. This problem is formulated in terms of solutions to a set of linear matrix inequalities. The efficiency of the proposed method is demonstrated by a numerical example.
What is care coordination

IntroductionCare coordination is a high-priority area for improvement across healthcare systems, but no consensus definition of care coordination exists.MethodsThis article reviews published definitions of the term “care coordination,” identifies common themes among them, and presents a broad working definition of care coordination.ResultsThe review identified 57 unique definitions of care coordination, ranging widely in the scope of participants, settings, and care processes included. Five major themes emerged from the definitions: care coordination involves numerous participants, is necessitated by interdependence among participants and activities, requires knowledge of others’ roles and resources, relies on information exchange, and aims to facilitate appropriate healthcare delivery. Only one definition identified included all five themes, and no one theme was found in a clear majority of definitions. The synthesized themes were incorporated into a broad working definition of care coordination, which h...
Confined fluid compressibility predicted using molecular dynamics simulation

Abstract Fluid compressibility is investigated using molecular dynamics simulation of three fluids with distinct molecular shapes confined to various film thicknesses and subject to a wide range of loads. The effects of film thickness and fluid structure are evaluated, and the simulated densities are compared to predictions of an empirical, bulk fluid compressibility model. Results show that thin films are less compressible than their bulk counterparts and that this difference is related to the effect of confinement on molecular ordering. Additionally, it is found that molecular dynamics simulation can predict bulk compressibility if the model film thickness is sufficiently large.
Mathematics as an Extension Of Language

Mathematics today pervades almost every area of human endeavour. Many disciplines which have hitherto been free of the taint of any connection with science or mathematics today rely heavily on mathematics. Fields of mathematics which have never before been sullied by application are now being applied. Widespread as this development is, it continues to grow. What is there in the nature of mathematics that has lead to this important role? In order to understand the answer to this question it is necessary to examine carefully some aspects of language itself and the acquisition of language.
Treasures in Earthen Vessels in Dostoevsky's The Idiot

This article examines Dostoevsky's perplexing novel The Idiot through the lens of its biblical subtext of treasures contained in earthen vessels (from Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians). Images of fragile earthen vessels–porcelain teacups, clay pots, and especially the Chinese vase Myshkin breaks–occur throughout the novel, always linked to the fragility of human life. C. G. C. Turner first identified these images as references to 2 Corinthians 4:7 (Dostoevsky Studies [1985]), but assumed these references were either unconscious or did not refer to the the larger context of the Corinthian letters; since then, scholarship on The Idiot has ignored both the image of earthen vessels in the novel and its biblical origin. This article returns to the biblical subtext, examining Dostoevsky's image of fragile earthen vessels in the context of Paul's larger theological argument about the mystery of redemptive suffering that unfolds on an invisible, eternal plane rather than a visible, temporal one. Identifying several additional references to Paul's Corinthian letters in The Idiot, this article argues that Dostoevsky purposefully embedded Paul's argument about redemptive suffering in the novel as a subtle counter to the explicit and pervasive tragedy in the novel. Contrasting eternal and temporal viewpoints, Dostoevsky rests his novel on the hinge of faith, forcing his readers to interpret the novel and its theology rather than offering a comparatively simplistic resolution, as found in the end of Crime and Punishment. The Idiot thus marks a major artistic and theological step in Dostoevsky's development as a writer.
On the intonation of Afro-Bolivian Spanish declaratives: Implications for a theory of Afro-Hispanic creole genesis

This paper analyzes the spontaneously produced intonation of Afro-Bolivian Spanish (ABS) declaratives. ABS is an Afro-Hispanic language of the Americas (AHLAs) spoken in the region of Los Yungas, Department of La Paz, Bolivia. The main findings indicate the presence in ABS of certain intonational features that diverge from those of other native varieties of Spanish. In line with recent hypotheses on the genesis and evolution of ABS and other AHLAs (Sessarego, 2013a,b), we propose that our results reflect advanced second language acquisition processes, which do not imply any previous (de)creolization phase for these Afro-Hispanic varieties.
Control of Rugose Spiraling Whitefly Using Biological Insecticides, 2014

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of selected biological insecticides alone or in combination, against rugose spiraling whitefly, a new invasive pest of ornamentals in Florida. The trial was conducted on white bird of paradise, an ornamental host under field conditions at the U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory (USHRL). Young host plants in three gallon plastic pots were bought from a local nursery in Vero Beach, FL and naturally infested with RSW under greenhouse conditions (26 ± 3 °C and 75–80% RH). Host plants were watered …
The nature and behaviour of complex system archetypes

This paper discusses the history of archetypes, their application across various disciplines, and their traditional meaning within the domain of systems theory. In discussing the existing forms, a need is identified for archetypes that can be used to evaluate complex system behaviour. The generalised archetypical environment discussed is framed in terms of time, entropy and variety. Within this environmental framework, six complex system archetypes are developed and described in terms of systems principles and real-world manifestations.
Stability analysis of using urinary iodine concentration to evaluate lactating women's iodine nutrition

Objective Analysis of lactating women urinary iodine concentration stability and evaluation the iodine nutrition.Methods Between April and May in 2012,continuously collected lactating women random urine interval 10 days three times in natural diet and living conditions in Yinji town of Linxia county,Gansu province. The results of the three median of urinary iodine were 188. 13 μg /L,185 μg /L and 172. 9μg /L,the median of urinary iodine and frequency had no significant differences( P 0.05); Three times urinary iodine of the same individual was 9. 2% at the same level( 29 /184), twice urinary iodine at the same level was 20%; As the first test results for reference, the second urinary iodine consistent rate of 150 μg /L,150 ~ 250 μg /L,250 ~ 500 μg /L and 500 μg /L were 53. 2%, 36. 5%, 31. 3% and 14. 3%, and the third were 44. 2%, 23. 1%, 16. 7%and 0% respectively. Conclusion In the natural diet and living conditions, the coincidence rate of the same individual urinary iodine concentration was low at different time,and consistency was poor,but the three times urine iodine level of population was at a stable state, therefore,urinary iodine concentration can not evaluate individual iodine nutrition correctly, but can reflect the group 's iodine nutrition level. According to the urinary iodine concentration, the lactating women iodine nutrition was suitable in the current implementation situation of iodized salt.
Abstract A39: 3,4',5- Trismethoxybenzophenone inhibits the growth of human hepatocarcinoma cells via cell-cycle arrest at the G2/M phase

3,49,5-trismethoxybenzophenone (TMBP) is an analogue of the natural dietary polyphenolic compound resveratrol (3,5,49-trihydro-trans-stilbene, abbreviated as RVT). Natural RVT belongs to the phytoalexin class of phytochemicals that are antibiotics produced by plants in response to stimuli such as injury, ultraviolet irradiation, stress, and fungal attack. RVT and its analogues have also been shown to prevent hepatic steatosis. In this study we focused on TMBP which is a methylated derivative of RVT. Studies have shown that TMBP exhibits added biological effects and a better pharmacokinetic profile compared to RVT due to the presence of methoxy groups. The human hepatoma cell line (FCA4 cells) that harbors a subgenomic selectable HCV replicon was used for this study. The Huh7 cell line lacking the replicon served as the corresponding control. MTS assay was used to determine the cytotoxicity of TMBP at various concentrations. Wound healing assay was performed to determine the effect of the analogue on cell migration. Flow cytometry and magnetic levitation were used to measure the effect of compound on cell cycle and 3D spheroid formation. Our data showed that treating liver cancer cells with TMBP resulted in a significant dose and time dependent growth inhibition combined with G2/M-phase cell cycle arrest at 5 μM with (IC50) at 7.5 μM. TMBP at 5μM inhibited the formation of 3D spheroids, and also repressed the migration of cancer cells. Current therapies available for treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have a high incidence of recurrence and postoperative death in patients. Exploring different strategies with high pharmaceutical function and low toxicity is of great urgency for treating HCC. Our studies show that we have identified a promising analogue for treating HCC. Citation Format: Christopher J. Patton, Pritika Khadka, Hari Kotturi. 3,49,5- Trismethoxybenzophenone inhibits the growth of human hepatocarcinoma cells via cell-cycle arrest at the G2/M phase. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2015 Nov 5-9; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2015;14(12 Suppl 2):Abstract nr A39.
The Industrialization of Credit Risk

Credit derivatives are financial instruments enabling the trading of credit risk separate from other types of risk. This is achieved by appropriately designing, securitizing (section 2 of this chapter) and distributing credit exposure to willing investors. A simple form of a bilateral credit derivatives deal is that two parties agree to exchange predetermined cash flows associated with a given credit event, over a defined maturity.
Daisyfield gene drive systems harness repeated genomic elements as a generational clock to limit spread

Methods of altering wild populations are most useful when inherently limited to local geographic areas. Here we describe a novel form of gene drive based on the introduction of multiple copies of an engineered 9daisy9 sequence into repeated elements of the genome. Each introduced copy encodes guide RNAs that target one or more engineered loci carrying the CRISPR nuclease gene and the desired traits. When organisms encoding a drive system are released into the environment, each generation of mating with wild-type organisms will reduce the average number of the guide RNA elements per 9daisyfield9 organism by half, serving as a generational clock. The loci encoding the nuclease and payload will exhibit drive only as long as a single copy remains, placing an inherent limit on the extent of spread.
Predicting white metal prices by a commodity sensitive exchange rate

Abstract We show that the exchange rate of South African Rand has statistically and economically significant out of sample forecasting power for palladium and platinum prices, and to a lesser extent for silver prices. We argue that this finding is consistent with the implications of the present value models of exchange rate determination. We utilize a recently developed method for testing for instabilities in predictive power, which markedly affects overall conclusions. For the palladium market, the predictive power is also robust to using cross exchange rates. Importantly, no reverse causality is detected from white metals to the exchange rate. We also employ asymmetric impulse response functions and show that positive and negative exchange rate shocks do not have materially different impacts on white metals.
Epilepsy in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome: A Case Series and Literature Review.

Abstract Background The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome affects multiple organ systems, and the neurological manifestations are an important aspect of this disorder. Many are aware of cardiac anomalies associated with this uncommon genetic disorder. However, the different types of seizures, electroencephalography (EEG), and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings seen in this condition are not appreciated. Methods Medical records of four patients with epilepsy due to 22q11.2 deletion syndrome were retrospectively reviewed for documentation of seizure types, EEG, and brain MRI findings. In addition, we also did a literature review of previously reported individuals with unprovoked seizures in this condition. Results A review of all published cases including our patients reveals that focal epilepsy (39 of 88, 44%) is the most common type followed by genetic generalized epilepsy (24 of 88, 27%). Diffuse cerebral atrophy and polymicrogyria were the most frequent MRI findings. Conclusions Patients with structural brain abnormalities, especially polymicrogyria and associated epilepsy should have a chromosomal microarray (CMA) performed to screen for the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. Focal epilepsy and genetic generalized epilepsy are the most frequent epilepsy types reported in this condition.
Efficiency Rating of Various PV Technologies under Different Indoor Lighting Conditions

Abstract We used the RTOS (real-time one-sweep) method for I-V measurement, which derives the results with better accuracy by eliminating the capacitance effect in real time. We also used this method to compare emerging PV cells exhibiting promising power conversion efficiency and no hysteresis behavior under indoor lighting simulator with solar simulator. In this study, we defined performance ratios to compare indoor lighting with solar illumination. The indoor/outdoor ratios show different trends depending on the PV device type, which could highlight the specific type of PV that harvests better under indoor lighting and is preferable to indoor applications.
Structure-induced switching of interpolymer adhesion at a solid-polymer melt interface.

Here we report a link between the interfacial structure and adhesive property of homopolymer chains physically adsorbed (i.e., via physisorption) onto solids. Polyethylene oxide (PEO) was used as a model and two different chain conformations of the adsorbed polymer were created on silicon substrates via the well-established Guiselin's approach: “flattened chains” which lie flat on the solid and are densely packed, and “loosely adsorbed polymer chains” which form bridges jointing up nearby empty sites on the solid surface and cover the flattened chains. We investigated the adhesion properties of the two different adsorbed chains using a custom-built adhesion testing device. Bilayers of a thick PEO overlayer on top of the flattened chains or loosely adsorbed chains were subjected to the adhesion test. The results revealed that the flattened chains do not show any adhesion even with the chemically identical free polymer on top, while the loosely adsorbed chains exhibit adhesion. Neutron reflectivity experiments corroborated that the difference in the interfacial adhesion is not attributed to the interfacial brodening at the free polymer–adsorbed polymer interface. Instead, coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulation results suggest that the tail parts of the loosely adsorbed chains act as “connector molecules”, bridging the free chains and substrate surface and improving the interfacial adhesion. These findings not only shed light on the structure–property relationship at the interface, but also provide a novel approach for developing sticking/anti-sticking technologies through precise control of the interfacial polymer nanostructures.
Synthesis, properties, and formation mechanism of Mn-doped Zn2SiO4 nanowires and associated heterostructures

In this work, we have put forth a facile hydrothermal approach to synthesize an array of one-dimensional (1D) Mn-doped Zn2SiO4 nanostructures. Specifically, we have probed and correlated the effects of controllable reaction parameters such as the pH and Mn dopant concentrations with the resulting crystal structures and morphologies of the products obtained. Based upon our results, we find that careful tuning of the pH versus the Mn dopant level gives rise to opposite trends with respect to the overall size of the resulting one-dimensional nanostructures. Significantly, we have highlighted the role of the Mn dopant ion concentration as a potentially generalizable reaction parameter in solution-based synthesis for controlling morphology and hence, the observed optical behavior. Indeed, such a strategy can be potentially generalized to systems such as but not limited to Mn-doped ZnS, CdS, and CdSe quantum dots (QD), which, to the best of our knowledge, denote promising candidates for a variety of optoelectronic applications. Specifically, we have carefully optimized the synthesis conditions in order to generate a series of chemically well-defined Mn-doped Zn2SiO4 not only possessing Mn concentrations ranging from 3% to 8% but also characterized by highly crystalline, monodisperse wire-like motifs measuring ∼30 nm in diameter and ∼700 nm in length. Optically, the photoluminescence signals associated with the 1D series yielded a volcano-shaped relationship between PL intensities and the Mn dopant level. In additional experiments, we have immobilized CdSe quantum dots (QDs) onto the external surfaces of our as-synthesized Mn-doped Zn2SiO4 nanowires, in order to form novel composite heterostructures. The optical properties of the CdSe QD–Mn:Zn2SiO4 heterostructures have been subsequently examined. Our results have demonstrated the likely co-existence of both energy transfer and charge transfer phenomena between the two constituent components of our as-prepared composites. Specifically, when both components are photoexcited, both energy transfer and charge transfer were found to plausibly occur, albeit in opposite directions. When the CdSe QDs are excited alone for example, charge transfer probably takes place from the CdSe QDs to the dopant Mn2+ ions. We believe that our as-processed heterostructures are therefore promising as a tunable light-harvesting motif. Essentially, these materials have broadened the effective light absorption range for optical ‘accessibility’, not only through their incorporation of dopant-tunable Zn2SiO4 possessing complementary absorption properties to those of the QDs but also through their integration of CdSe QDs with size-tailorable optical behavior.
Observations of the Level Mixing Associated with the Methyl Rotor Acceleration of Intramolecular Vibrational Redistribution. p-Fluorotoluene

S1-S0 cold jet fluorescence excitation and dispersed fluorescence spectroscopy have been used to characterize the low-lying (0-410 cm-1) S1 level structure in p-fluorotoluene, pFT, with either a -CH3 or -CD3 rotor. Special attention has been given to assigning the zero-order character of the states and to discovering interactions between degrees of freedom and between specific states. The appearance of many small forbidden bands in the fluorescence excitation spectrum is accounted for by interaction between internal rotation (i) and overall rotation (r). This i•r interaction also explains the wide variety of rotational contours observed in the spectrum. Abundant specific stateto-state interactions with 1-10 cm-1 matrix elements are revealed by the dispersed fluorescence. These state mixings occur by two types of interactions. One is the direct interaction of internal rotation with ring vibrations, i•v. The other is the triple interaction i•v•r. These couplings are very likely the interactions that underlie the acceleration of intramolecular vibrational redistribution when a fluorine in p-difluorobenzene is replaced with a methyl group to make pFT.
Effects of strain on the optical and thermodynamic properties of β-Ga2O3

Abstract Elastic and thermodynamic properties of β-Ga2O3 are studied from first-principles calculations in both the local density approximation (LDA) and generalized gradient approximation (GGA) within the density functional theory (DFT) framework. Temperature-dependent elastic stiffness constants (Cij) are computed in the quasi-static approximation using the calculated thermal expansion coefficients (TECs) that are found to contain significant anisotropy consistent with the monoclinic lattice structure. Values for elastic moduli, Debye temperature, and sound velocities along crystallographic directions are then computed using the Cij. Additionally, thermal expansion has been calculated in the quasi-harmonic approximation and compares well with recent measurements. The dielectric function and its variation with applied shearing strains is also presented as determined by the Drude-Lorentz model. Finally, the photoelastic tensor was calculated and the predicted acousto-optic figure of merit is presented.
Deep appearance modeling: A survey

Abstract Appearance modeling is an essential task in computer graphics for capturing and reproducing rich appearance of real world materials under different lighting and viewing conditions. With recent advances of deep learning techniques, a set of deep learning based approaches have been proposed for improving the efficiency and result quality of appearance modeling. In this paper, we provide a survey of these deep appearance modeling techniques from both graphics and machine learning perspectives, and discuss the challenges and opportunities along this direction.
Wide complex tachycardia differentiation: An examination of traditional and contemporary approaches

Despite many technological advances in the field of cardiology, accurate differentiation of wide complex tachycardias into ventricular tachycardia or supraventricular wide complex tachycardia continues to be challenging. After decades of rigorous clinical research, a wide variety of electrocardiographic criteria and algorithms have been developed to provide an accurate means to distinguish these two entities as accurately as possible. Recently, promising automated differentiation methods that utilize computerized electrocardiographic interpretation software have emerged. In this review, we aim to (1) highlight the clinical importance of accurate wide complex tachycardia differentiation, (2) provide an overview of the conventional manually-applied differentiation algorithms, and (3) describe novel automated approaches to differentiate wide complex tachycardia.
The Effect of Expertise on the Quality of Appraisal Services

This article examines the quality of appraisals as a function of expertise. In particular, we compare novices (beginning real estate students) to experts (practicing certified and/or designated appraisers) on three performance criteria. First, we examine differences in the values that these two groups attach to various property features. Second, we investigate the variation between their final market value estimates. The last task studied is whether appraisers can reliably provide a range about their market value that includes the actual sale price of the property. The results are based on a controlled experiment involving seventy-two novices and sixty-nine experts, where each participant was asked to determine a fair market value of a single-family home. Findings indicate that experienced appraisers do in fact exhibit less variation in their valuation of property characteristics, hence there is greater agreement in their market value estimates than is the case with novices. However, more experienced decision-makers tend to be overconfident in their ability: they are less likely to specify a range that includes the sale price than are novices.
International Securitization Markets

Securitization creates a financial instrument by bundling financial assets, such as individual loans, and then selling different tiers of the repackaged instruments to investors. The process transforms a pool of otherwise illiquid assets into tradable securities, enabling investors to purchase a small share of a large asset pool.
(Un)felt ferments: Limning liminal professional subjectivities with pragmatist–posthuman feminism and intimate scholarship:

The purpose of this paper is to illuminate liminality as processual experiences and to disrupt (hetero)normative paradigms of organizational liminality identity work. I present an intimate inquiry ...
Cognitive Empathy in Subtypes of Antisocial Individuals.

Cognitive empathy allows individuals to recognize and infer how others think and feel in social situations and provides a foundation for the formation and maintenance of mutually constructive relationships. It may seem intuitive to assume that individuals who engage in antisocial behavior, who disregard the rights of others, might have problems with cognitive empathy. However, careful examination of the literature suggests that any dysfunction in cognitive empathy associated with antisociality varies by subtype of antisocial individual and is specific to subcomponents of cognitive empathy. In this review, we (1) briefly define subtypes of antisocial individuals (“psychopathic” versus “antisocial-only”), (2) summarize specific components of cognitive empathy; (3) review existing literature examining cognitive empathy through questionnaires, behavioral tasks, and neuroimaging within different antisocial subtypes; and (4) discuss the limitations of the current research and potential future directions. Individuals in the psychopathic subtype fail to implicitly engage in cognitive empathy, and potentially lack insight into this issue reflected in no self-reported problems with cognitive empathy, but show an ability to engage in cognitive empathy when explicitly required. Individuals in the antisocial-only subtype appear able to engage in cognitive empathy, showing no differences on questionnaire or behavioral tasks that tap explicit cognitive empathy, but may display subtle difficulties accurately inferring (affective theory of mind) the emotions of others. We end the review by noting areas for future research, including the need to: (1) document the patterns of equifinality that exist across levels of analysis for these antisocial subtypes; (2) examine the temporality of empathy and antisociality development; (3) carefully consider and label subcomponents of cognitive empathy in research on antisocial behavior; and (4) investigate the intersection among environmental experiences, cognitive empathy, and antisocial behavior.
Multiple Stages in the Evolution of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

The appearance of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) represents a fascinating detective story of evolution in multiple stages beginning with the original source of the resistant gene mecA followed by its mobilization and association with the unique staphylococcal chromosomal cassettes (SCC), which appear to have their own independent evolutionary history. In this chapter the authors have concentrated on the stages of this evolutionary process that are relatively rarely discussed in reviews. A DNA probe generated from the S. aureus mecA sequence was used to search for a staphylococcal species in which all epidemiologically unrelated isolates produced a hybridizing signal under stringent conditions even if the isolates were susceptible to methicillin. The high-level methicillin resistance of the S. aureus transductants had an absolute dependence on the S. sciuri gene. The evolution of the mecA gene may have occurred on a much longer timescale and under the selective pressure of penicillin in a staphylococcal species such as S. sciuri, which appears to be free of the penicillinase plasmid. Ongoing studies in several laboratories of structural variants of SCCmec in various staphylococcal strains should eventually shed some light on the stages of molecular evolution between the original source of mecA and the construction of an SCC vector capable of capturing and delivering the chromosomal mecA determinant to an S. aureus recipient. Characterization of MRSA clones by molecular and microbiological techniques indicates that the evolution of MRSA does not stop after the acquisition of the SCCmec determinant.
On the Ubiquity of Fracture in Nonlinear Elasticity

This paper points out a subtle and little known consequence of assuming rank-one convexity for an isotropic hyperelastic material [e.g., of assuming a common ordering of principal stretches and principal stresses and hence the Baker–Ericksen inequalities]. What is shown is that rank-one convexity necessarily privilages those affine deformations which are dilatations: – the stored-energy associated with a dilatation is smaller than the stored energy associated with any other affine deformation possessing the same determinant. Also pointed out are fracture related consequences of this property that arise when the stored-energy function assigns to the dilatation of determinant δ > 0 a value A(δ∈) which is not an everywhere convex function of (0,∞).
Narrative Pluralism and Doctrinal Incoherence in Hosanna-Tabor

In Hosanna-Tabor Church and School v. EEOC, the Supreme Court recognized for the first time that the Religion Clauses require a “ministerial exception” to federal antidiscrimination laws, holding that religious congregations have a broad and categorical immunity against government interference in ministerial employment decisions.Hosanna-Tabor is filled with ironies. The case is as much about unjustified discrimination and administrative inconsistency as religious liberty. The Court’s endorsement of the exception as a feature of church autonomy overlooks that churches subvert autonomy as often as they protect it. The exception described by the Court is so broad, absolute, and inflexible that it is likely to be carved up with exceptions and limitations. And finally, the Court goes to this trouble to protect a conception and practice of religion that are quickly passing from the scene.
Sugarbeet Yield Monitoring for Site-Specific Farming Part II–Field Testing

A field study was conducted to evaluate three real-time weighing systems to measure sugarbeet yield. Two systems permit use of the storage hopper onboard the harvester. The effects of tare on yield measurement were investigated. Parallel yield data from the three systems were compared. There was a strong relationship between systems as sugarbeet flow rates changed. High standard deviations were found for all product flow sensors. There was no statistical difference between two of the sensors, but there was for the other. One system provided unacceptable results. One of the systems provided reasonable accuracy and permitted use of the onboard storage hopper.
Reducing FPGA algorithm area by avoiding redundant computation

We develop a new paradigm for designing fully streaming, area-efficient FPGA implementations of common building blocks for vision algorithm. By focusing on avoiding redundant computation we achieve a reduction of one to two orders of magnitude reduction in design area utilization as compared to previous implementations. We demonstrate that our design works in practice by building five 325 frames per second, high resolution Harris corner detection cores onto a single FPGA.
Aroma profile of Niagara grape juice contaminated with multicoloured Asian lady beetle taint using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry/olfactometry

Summary The objective of this study was to determine the odour-active compounds present in Niagara grape juice tainted with multicoloured Asian lady beetle (MALB: Harmonia axyridis: Coleoptera: coccinellidae). Niagara grape juice was made with (2.5 MALB/L) and without MALB and evaluated using solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry/olfactometry (GC/MS/O) to tentatively identify compounds. Compared to the control juice, phenol, described as musty/mouldy, was found to be unique to the MALB-tainted grape juice. The four odourants significantly higher in the MALB-tainted grape juice were described as fruity, asparagus, stagnant water/chemical and musty/mouldy, tentatively corresponding to octanal, 3-sec-butyl-2-methoxypyrazine (SBMP), 2-methoxy-4-methylphenol and decanal, respectively. Three of the five compounds found in the MALB-tainted juice have been reported to be produced by live MALB. While past literature has focused on the contribution of 3-alkyl-2-methoxypyrazines to MALB-taint, the present study suggests other compounds, in addition to SBMP, may contribute to the aroma profile of MALB-tainted grape juice.
Combustion Behavior of Gasoline and Gasoline/Ethanol Blends in a Modern Direct-Injection 4-Cylinder Engine

Early in 2007 President Bush announced in his State of the Union Address a plan to off-set 20% of gasoline with alternative fuels in the next ten years. Ethanol, due to its excellent fuel properties for example, high octane number, renewable character, etc., appears to be a favorable alternative fuel from an engine perspective. Replacing gasoline with ethanol without any additional measures results in unacceptable disadvantages mainly in terms of vehicle range.
The Transition from Print to Electronic Journals: A Study of College and University Libraries in Indiana

Objectives – This study examines what factors are considered by college and university libraries in Indiana when making the decision to cancel subscriptions to print journals when an electronic equivalent is available. The study also looks at who the primary decision makers are in this regard. Libraries at public and private institutions of varying sizes were included in the study. Methods – An online survey was sent to seventy-three libraries in the consortium, Academic Libraries of Indiana. Structured interviews with administrators at nine libraries were also conducted. Results – Academic libraries in Indiana use subscription cost, redundancy of formats, student preference, budget reductions and usage as the primary factors in canceling print journal subscriptions in favor of their electronic counterparts. There is also a preference for the electronic format for new subscriptions even when a print version is also available. Conclusions – The study indicates that subscription cost is the most important consideration in the journal cancelation process with other factors also having an effect on the preference of libraries for electronic versions of journals. The study also shows that libraries at public and private colleges and universities are at different stages of moving away from print to an online-only journal format. At the same time, there is consensus that a small collection of print titles will still be needed. The primary decision-makers are librarians, faculty, and library administrators.
Susceptibility‐based analysis of dynamic gadolinium bolus perfusion MRI

Purpose An algorithm is developed for the reconstruction of dynamic, gadolinium (Gd) bolus MR perfusion images of the human brain, based on quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM). Methods The method is evaluated in five perfusion scans obtained from four different patients scanned at 3 Tesla, and compared with the conventional analysis based on changes in the transverse relaxation rate ΔR2* and to theoretical predictions. QSM images were referenced to ventricular cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for each dynamic of the perfusion sequence. Results Images of cerebral blood flow and blood volume were successfully reconstructed from the QSM-analysis, and were comparable to those reconstructed using ΔR2*. The magnitudes of the Gd-associated susceptibility effects in gray and white matter were consistent with theoretical predictions. Conclusion QSM-based analysis may have some theoretical advantages compared with ΔR2*, including a simpler relationship between signal change and Gd concentration. However, disadvantages are its much lower contrast-to-noise ratio, artifacts due to respiration and other effects, and more complicated reconstruction methods. More work is required to optimize data acquisition protocols for QSM-based perfusion imaging. Magn Reson Med 73:544–554, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Former Spouse Interaction: Normative Guidelines and Actual Behavior

In this study the normative aspect and the actual frequency of contact of the relationship between former spouses were explored. Data obtained through in-depth interviews from parents and nonparents indicated that respondents held different guidelines than the perceived societal ones, and the respondents' actual behavior was in agreement with their own norms. The majority of parents and nonparents reported some level of contact between themselves and their former spouses. Former wives and former husbands in the same dyad gave nearly identical responses to normative questions as well as to questions pertaining to frequency of contact, however, they disagreed on the involvement of noncustodial parents in coparenting behavior.
Tickled Rats and Human Laughter

The recent discovery that rats can be tickled suggests a deeper understanding of human laughter. We laugh when a system we share with other mammals is disinhibited. Laughter can thus be induced by direct action on the brain. In ordinary life, we have one physical response, laughing, but it can be induced by three very different stimuli or circumstances. One, we laugh when tickled. Two, we laugh for purely convivial, social reasons. Three, we laugh at jokes, wit, and less intellectual stimuli-like pratfalls and practical jokes. Leaving direct action on the brain aside, we can hypothesize that the latter three all involve the same psychological situation. Laughter is induced by, first, a mild, sudden, and playful threat to our ongoing process of maintaining and re-creating a personal style of responding to many things besides jokes followed by, second, the nullification of that mild threat.
E-Mail Communication and Group Cooperation in Mixed Motive Contexts

Two empirical studies are presented that explore how and why e-mail communication (versus face-to-face communication) influences cooperation in mixed motive group contexts. Results indicate that, relative to those engaging in face-to-face interaction, those who interacted via e-mail were (1) less cooperative and (2) felt more justified in being noncooperative. Feelings of justification mediated the relationship between communication media and the decision to cooperate or not.
Central Bank Transparency and Market Efficiency: An Econometric Analysis

Blinder (1998) argues that more open public disclosure of central bank policies may enhance the efficiency of markets. We examine this claim by studying whether the Federal Reserve System's 1994 policy shift toward more open disclosure improved or worsened the predictability of financial markets. Employing methods analogous to Campbell and Shiller (1991), we find that since 1994, the forecasting error has decreased for interest rates on U.S. bonds of most maturity lengths, and that the expectations hypothesis has performed better at the low end of the yield curve. These findings are inconsistent with the view that increased central bank transparency will decrease the efficiency of financial markets.
Alterations in luteinizing hormone secretory activity in women with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and secondary amenorrhea.

To investigate hypothalamic and/or pituitary abnormalities in women with poorly controlled insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and secondary amenorrhea, we measured serum LH every 10 min for 24 h and for 2 additional h after the administration of exogenous GnRH in 8 women with IDDM and amenorrhea and compared these to data from 15 eumenorrheic nondiabetic women. LH pulses were characterized by the pulse detection algorithm Cluster, and secretory episodes were evaluated using the multiple parameter deconvolution procedure Deconv. Cluster analysis revealed fewer LH pulses per 24 h (14.3 +/- 1.2 vs. 19.9 +/- 0.6; P < 0.001; mean +/- SEM), a greater peak width (63 +/- 4.9 vs. 44 +/- 2.2 min; P < 0.01), and greater peak area (136 +/- 17 vs. 89 +/- 13 IU/L.min; P < 0.01) in the diabetic women. Analysis with Deconv revealed fewer LH secretory episodes per 24 h in the diabetic women (14.4 +/- 0.9 vs. 20.4 +/- 0.5; P < 0.001) and no statistical difference in LH half-lives. The IDDM women responded to a 10-m...
Vibration suppression by eigenstructure optimization

Abstract An eigenstructure assignment technique for vibration suppression and active vibration isolation for mechanical systems is presented. The technique assigns a nominal eigenstructure to an existing system, and then adjusts the eigenstructure to minimize the mean square vibration of the system. The technique can be used to design a static output feedback controller for an actively controlled structure or to optimize the eigenstructure of an analytic model for purposes of design or simulation. The technique is restricted to smaller order models due to computational requirements. Analytical examples are presented in which the vibration suppression technique is used to minimize the vibration of an actively controlled building due to an earthquake excitation, and to isolate an electronics box from base vibration.
Photoluminescence Induced by 6.4 eV Photons in High Purity Silica

photoluminescence in the visible range in high purity silica rods at room temperature was studied using 6.4 eV photons as the excitation source. Electron spin resonance (ESR) was used to monitor the induced paramagnetic centers. Broad luminescence bands at 2.7 eV, 2.2 eV and 1.9 eV were observed. The relative intensities of these bands were found to be intensity dependent. The fluence dependence of these bands were also studied. The results are discussed in relationship to the excitonic mechanism for defect generation in silica.
Postoperative opisthotonus and torticollis after fentanyl, enflurane, and nitrous oxide.

Most drug-induced extrapyramidal symptoms are due to blockade of dopaminergic receptors and are treated with anticholinergic drugs. We report a patient with severe postoperative extrapyramidal symptoms which responded to physostigmine and indicated a different aetiology. A young, healthy female outpatient developed severe extrapyramidal symptoms after an uneventful 50 min anaesthetic with thiopentone, fentanyl (100 μg), enflurane, and nitrous oxide. Although the trachea was not extubated until she obeyed commands, the patient developed opisthotonus, which resolved initially after treatment with thiopentone (40 mg), diazepam (5 mg), and diphenhydramine (50 mg). The opisthotonus recurred approximately 25 min later, in association with torticollis, obtundation, and periodic apnoea. A tentative diagnosis of central anticholinergic syndrome was proposed, and fentanyl was considered to have been responsible. Naloxone (0.4 mg) induced no improvement, but physostigmine (2 mg) reversed the dystonic symptoms and periodic apnoea and improved her mental status. The response to physostigmine may have been due specifically to increased levels of acetylcholine at the cholinergic receptors, or to a nonspecific analeptic effect.
Characterization of an ATP-Mg2+-dependent guanine nucleotide-stimulated adenylate cyclase from Neurospora crassa

Abstract A novel adenylate cyclase activity was found in crude homogenates of Neurospora crassa. The adenylate cyclase had substantial activity with ATP-Mg2+ as substrate differing significantly from the strictly ATP-Mn2+-dependent enzyme characterized previously. Additionally, the ATP-Mg2+-dependent activity was stimulated two- to fourfold by GTP or guanyl-5′-yl-imido-diphosphate (Gpp(NH)p). We propose that the ATP-Mg2+-dependent, guanine nucleotide-stimulated activity is due to a labile regulatory component (G component) of the adenylate cyclase which was present in carefully prepared extracts. The adenylate cyclase had a pH optimum of 5.8 and both the catalytic and G component were particulate. The Km for ATP-Mg2+ was 2.2 m m in the presence of 4.5 m m excess Mg2+. Low Mn2+ concentrations had no effect on adenylate cyclase activity whereas high concentrations of Mn2+ or Mg2+ stimulated the enzyme. Maximal Gpp(NH)p stimulation required preincubation of the enzyme in the presence of the guanine nucleotide and the K 1 2 for Gpp(NH)p stimulation was 110 n m . Neither fluoride nor any of a variety of glycolytic intermediates or hormones, including glucagon, epinephrine, and dopamine, had an effect on ATP-Mg2+-dependent adenylate cyclase activity. However, the enzymatic activity was stimulated not only by GTP but also by 5′-AMP and was inhibited by NADH.