cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Beyond orchids and dandelions: testing the 5-HTT "risky" allele for evidence of phenotypic capacitance and frequency-dependent selection.

The persistence of behaviorally deleterious genes in the human population poses an interesting question for population genetics: If certain alleles at these loci are deleterious, why have they survived in the population? We consider evidence for phenotypic capacitance and/or frequency-dependent selection for an allele that has been putatively shown to have negative associations with human behaviors (the “short” 5-HTT promoter region allele) yet has persisted in human and nonhuman primate populations. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, we compare sibling and twin variation in depression by 5-HTT genotype (specified in several ways) and investigate sibship-level cross-person gene-gene interactions. In support of the “orchid/dandelion” hypothesis, we find evidence that the short allele increases variation in phenotypes in response to environmental (or genetic) differences (i.e., acts as a perturbation of a phenotypic capacitor). Further, we also find some evidence that the ...
High Power (> 150 mW) Electrically Pumped Semiconductor Modelocked Lasers at 1550 nm with Pulse Widths Approaching 6 ps

We report on the generation of stable modelocked pulses from electrically pumped monolithic semiconductor diode lasers with repetition rates > 5 GHz, pulse widths approaching 6 ps, and output powers exceeding 150 mW.
Automated structure solution, density modification and model building

The approaches that form the basis of automated structure solution in SOLVE and RESOLVE are described. The use of a scoring scheme to convert decision making in macromolecular structure solution to an optimization problem has proven very useful and in many cases a single clear heavy-atom solution can be obtained and used for phasing. Statistical density modification is well suited to an automated approach to structure solution because the method is relatively insensitive to choices of numbers of cycles and solvent content. The detection of non-crystallographic symmetry (NCS) in heavy-atom sites and checking of potential NCS operations against the electron-density map has proven to be a reliable method for identification of NCS in most cases. Automated model building beginning with an FFT-based search for helices and sheets has been successful in automated model building for maps with resolutions as low as 3 A. The entire process can be carried out in a fully automatic fashion in many cases.
The Political Economy of Agricultural Policy: Discussion

The last decade has seen a surge of interest and literature in political economy by political scientists, economists, sociologists, and in the past several years agricultural economists and others concerned with agricultural and food sector issues. Much of this work has been in response to apparently perverse policy outcomes or public choice failures that have proved difficult to address through conventional economic theory and analysis. Perhaps the question that has received the most attention in this regard has been the paradox of developing countries typically taxing, while industrialized countries commonly subsidize, their agricultural sectors. The titles of both of these invited papers address other questions that are important to U.S. farm policy analysis. To begin, the Paarlberg paper explicitly asks whether there is anything uniquely "American" to American farm policy. Paarlberg addresses this question by introducing the cosmopolitan model of Honma and Hayami and, by extension, related analyses byBalisacan and Roumasset, de Gorter and Tsur, and others. Paarlberg identifies several important limitations of these models. First, the cosmopolitan model has considerably greater difficulty in explaining intertemporal changes in levels of protection than it does in explaining cross-sectional and/or cross-commodity variations in protection levels. Typically, these models seek to explain agricultural protection levels as functions of structural economic and demographic variables (agriculture's proportion of GDP or the labor force, etc.), variables measuring comparative advantage in agriculture (such as input ratios), and binary variables to dummy out unique geographic or political influences. These (and other) factors are commonly shown to explain up to 70% or so of crosssectional variability in protection levels. However, this type of explanatory ability may considerably overstate our ability to understand the determinants of changes in protection levels over time, which are of primary interest from a policy-making perspective. Any number of specific examples could be ci ed in this regard: the recently completed U.S.-Canada Free Trade Agreement, the host of developing country policy reforms instituted in the 1980s, the ongoing GATT negotiations on reducing agricultural protectionism, and so on. At least the first two of these are
Molecular recognition of aldehydes by aldehyde dehydrogenase and mechanism of nucleophile activation

Experimental structural data on the state of substrates bound to class 3 Aldehyde Dehydrogenases (ALDH3A1) is currently unknown. We have utilized molecular mechanics (MM) simulations, in conjunction with new force field parameters for aldehydes, to study the atomic details of benzaldehyde binding to ALDH3A1. Our results indicate that while the nucleophilic Cys243 must be in the neutral state to form what are commonly called near-attack conformers (NACs), these structures do not correlate with increased complexation energy calculated with the MM-Generalized Born Molecular Volume (GBMV) method. The negatively charged Cys243 (thiolate form) of ALDH3A1 also binds benzaldehyde in a stable conformation but in this complex the sulfur of Cys243 is oriented away from benzaldehyde yet yields the most favorable MM-GBMV complexation energy. The identity of the general base, Glu209 or Glu333, in ALDHs remains uncertain. The MM simulations reveal structural and possible functional roles for both Glu209 and Glu333. Structures from the MM simulations that would support either glutamate residue as the general base were further examined with Hybrid Quantum Mechanical (QM)/MM simulations. These simulations show that, with the PM3/OPLS potential, Glu209 must go through a step-wise mechanism to activate Cys243 through an intervening water molecule while Glu333 can go through a more favorable concerted mechanism for the same activation process.
Incidence of secondary neoplasms in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia treated with all-trans retinoic acid plus chemotherapy or with all-trans retinoic acid plus arsenic trioxide

The incidence and pattern of secondary neoplasms in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) treated with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA)-containing regimens is not well described. We compared 160 patients with APL treated with ATRA plus idarubicin (n = 54) or ATRA plus arsenic trioxide (ATO) (n = 106) for the incidence of secondary cancers per unit time of follow-up. Median follow-up times for the two cohorts were 136 and 29 months, respectively. Nine patients developed secondary cancers in the chemotherapy group. These included two breast cancers, three myelodysplastic syndromes/acute myeloid leukemia, one vulvar cancer, one prostate cancer, one colon cancer and one soft tissue sarcoma. A melanoma and one pancreatic cancer developed in the ATO group. We conclude that treatment of patients with APL using the non-chemotherapy regimen of ATRA plus ATO is not associated with a higher incidence of secondary cancers (p = 0.29) adjusted for unit time of exposure.
Multiuser detection in impulsive noise via slowest descent search

A new technique is proposed for robust multiuser detection in the presence of non-Gaussian ambient noise. This method is based on minimizing a certain cost function (e.g. the Huber penalty function) over a discrete set of candidate user bit vectors. The set of candidate points are chosen based on the so-called "slowest-descent search", starting from the estimate closest to the unconstrained minimizer of the cost function, and along mutually orthogonal directions where this cost function grows the slowest. The extension of the proposed technique to multiuser detection in unknown multipath fading channels is also proposed. Simulation results show that this new technique offers substantial performance improvement over the recently proposed robust multiuser detectors, with little attendant increase in computational complexity.
Nearly optimal linear embeddings into very low dimensions

We propose algorithms for constructing linear embeddings of a finite dataset V ⊂ ℝd into a k-dimensional subspace with provable, nearly optimal distortions. First, we propose an exhaustive-search-based algorithm that yields a k-dimensional linear embedding with distortion at most eopt(k)+δ, for any δ > 0 where eopt(k) is the smallest achievable distortion over all possible orthonormal embeddings. This algorithm is space-efficient and can be achieved by a single pass over the data V. However, the runtime of this algorithm is exponential in k. Second, we propose a convex-programming-based algorithm that yields an O(k/δ)-dimensional orthonormal embedding with distortion at most (1 + δ)eopt(k). The runtime of this algorithm is polynomial in d and independent of k. Several experiments demonstrate the benefits of our approach over conventional linear embedding techniques, such as principal components analysis (PCA) or random projections.
Long-Term Trends in Medicare Payments in the Last Year of Life

Objective. To update research on Medicare payments in the last year of life. Data Sources. Continuous Medicare History Sample, containing annual summaries of claims data on a 5 percent sample from 1978 to 2006. Study Design. Analyses were based on elderly beneficiaries in fee for service. For each year, Medicare payments were assigned either to decedents (persons in their last year) or to survivors (all others). Results. The share of Medicare payments going to persons in their last year of life declined slightly from 28.3 percent in 1978 to 25.1 percent in 2006. After adjustment for age, sex, and death rates, there was no significant trend. Conclusions. Despite changes in the delivery of medical care over the last generation, the share of Medicare expenditures going to beneficiaries in their last year has not changed substantially.
Active sliding synthetic wheel biped

The active sliding synthetic wheel biped proposed in this paper is a modification of the active synthetic wheel biped (SWB) developed previously. The SWB rolls on its arc-shaped feet and steps to transition between feet which results in walking. In this paper, we allow the SWB to slide while walking which provides an additional mode of locomotion. Partial feedback linearization is used to track desired trajectories during each step and chaos control is used to stabilize the biped's motion over multiple steps to a desirable periodic gait. Numerical simulations are used to determine the configurations in which the biped will step and to validate the efficacy of the hybrid control method. It is shown that the biped is capable of starting from rest and stabilizing to a periodic gait that involves sliding while walking.
On static output feedback stabilization of systems with stable generalized zero dynamics

In this note, we define generalized zero dynamics, introduce a generalized zero dynamics algorithm, and give a sufficient condition which ensures stabilizability of linear systems with asymptotically stable generalized zero dynamics by static output feedback.
Synthesis of water-soluble, magnetic Fe/Au nanoparticles

We report the synthesis of water soluble, monodisperse Fe/Au bimetallic nanoparticles with an average diameter of 7nm. Synthesis involves simultaneous reduction of Fe3+ and Au3+ in water to yield bimetallic nanoparticles. The elemental content of Fe is 1.5%. Nanoparticles exhibit ferromagnetic behavior as measured by SQUID. These particles can be easily conjugated to thiolated DNA, as evidenced by mobility shifts in agarose gel electrophoresis. Nanoparticles heat in solution to temperatures above 40°C, indicating suitability for hyperthermia.
GRANTSMANSHIP, FORMULAMANSHIP, AND OTHER ALLOCATIONAL PRINCIPLES: WASTEWATER TREATMENT GRANTS

The debate over which of the three intergovernmental grant mechanisms (categorical, block and general revenue sharing) is best usually involves their differing effect on the vertical relationship between the federal and subnational governments. This article examines grant mechanisms from the horizontal view—how they effect the relationship among subgovernments. The horizontal perspective emphasizes the allocational differences among the three grant types, specifically those grant types which use allotment formulas and those which do not. After examining the reconsideration of the Wastewater Treatment Construction Grants Program's allotment formula, it is argued that grants using formulas to allocate their funds are immune from the defects of grantsmanship but are subject to formulamanship—the creation of formulas utilizing political fair share instead of program need as the major allocational principle. Formulamanship is found to be largely a result of an inability to define criteria of need as opposed to party decomposition or congressional irresponsibility.
On the complexity of some inevitable classes of separable Banach spaces

Abstract In this paper, we study the descriptive complexity of some inevitable classes of Banach spaces. Precisely, as shown in [11] , every Banach space either contains a hereditarily indecomposable subspace or an unconditional basis, and, as shown in [8] , every Banach space either contains a minimal subspace or a continuously tight subspace. In this note, we study the complexity of those inevitable classes as well as the complexity of containing a subspace in any of those classes.
Robust Entity Clustering via Phylogenetic Inference

Entity clustering must determine when two named-entity mentions refer to the same entity. Typical approaches use a pipeline architecture that clusters the mentions using fixed or learned measures of name and context similarity. In this paper, we propose a model for cross-document coreference resolution that achieves robustness by learning similarity from unlabeled data. The generative process assumes that each entity mention arises from copying and optionally mutating an earlier name from a similar context. Clustering the mentions into entities depends on recovering this copying tree jointly with estimating models of the mutation process and parent selection process. We present a block Gibbs sampler for posterior inference and an empirical evaluation on several datasets.
Quest for ultimate reality and meaning: a scientist's view

The theme of unity and diversity is developed in four parts. The first part is an examination of the relationship between unity and diversity in terms of the concepts of scale and resolution, using an imaginary journey in a shrinking spaceship from the cosmos to quarks in order to present the concepts in concrete terms. The second part is an examination of the roles of different fields of scholarship - aesthetics and the humanities, ethics, religion, and science - in coping with diversity and in gleaning the unity hidden in diversity. The third part is an examination of a philosophical problem, closely related to unity and diversity, that can be expected to play a central role in later stages of the URAM program: the question of what we mean by the word true. The fourth part is a discussion of the concept of reality from the epistemological viewpoint of the sciences, and how unity and diversity enter into this concept.
Ground Freezing in Construction

Artificial ground freezing is a valuable aid, and at times may be the only means possible, for excavation. The soil becomes stabilized to give shear strength for a retaining structure and a water stop. Design includes strength and deformation of a viscoelastic material in a structure, and of heat flow in a material in which water changes to ice causing radical changes in thermal parameters. Examples show how the rheological parameters of strain, temperature, stress and time for typical soils are related. Techniques and design data are given for the structural design of a cylindrical cofferdam. Thermal parameters and techniques, with assumptions and consequent equations for design, are provided with examples of two typical soils, straight and curved walls, for computing time of freezing, temperatures, energy and refrigeration-load from which cost estimates may be made for a particular job. Construction practices are discussed, with special attention to the hazards of the ground freezing technique.
Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor Agonists Alter Neuronal Excitability and Ca2+ Levels via the Phospholipase C Transduction Pathway in Cultured Purkinje Neurons

Netzeband, Jeffrey G., Kathy L. Parsons, Dan D. Sweeney, and Donna L. Gruol. Metabotropic glutamate receptor agonists alter neuronal excitability and Ca2+ levels via the phospholipase C transductio...
Identification and overexpression of a knotted1-like transcription factor in switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) for lignocellulosic feedstock improvement

High biomass production and wide adaptation has made switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) an important candidate lignocellulosic bioenergy crop. One major limitation of this and other lignocellulosic feedstocks is the recalcitrance of complex carbohydrates to hydrolysis for conversion to biofuels. Lignin is the major contributor to recalcitrance as it limits the accessibility of cell wall carbohydrates to enzymatic breakdown into fermentable sugars. Therefore, genetic manipulation of the lignin biosynthesis pathway is one strategy to reduce recalcitrance. Here, we identified a switchgrass Knotted1 transcription factor, PvKN1, with the aim of genetically engineering switchgrass for reduced biomass recalcitrance for biofuel production. Gene expression of the endogenous PvKN1 gene was observed to be highest in young inflorescences and stems. Ectopic overexpression of PvKN1 in switchgrass altered growth, especially in early developmental stages. Transgenic lines had reduced expression of most lignin biosynthetic genes accompanied by a reduction in lignin content suggesting the involvement of PvKN1 in the broad regulation of the lignin biosynthesis pathway. Moreover, the reduced expression of the Gibberellin 20-oxidase (GA20ox) gene in tandem with the increased expression of Gibberellin 2-oxidase (GA2ox) genes in transgenic PvKN1 lines suggest that PvKN1 may exert regulatory effects via modulation of GA signalling. Furthermore, overexpression of PvKN1 altered the expression of cellulose and hemicellulose biosynthetic genes and increased sugar release efficiency in transgenic lines. Our results demonstrated that switchgrass PvKN1 is a putative ortholog of maize KN1 that is linked to plant lignification and cell wall and development traits as a major regulatory gene. Therefore, targeted overexpression of PvKN1 in bioenergy feedstocks may provide one feasible strategy for reducing biomass recalcitrance and simultaneously improving plant growth characteristics.
The association between oral contraception and hepatocellular adenoma - a preliminary report.

The Center for Disease Control in conjunction with the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology conducted a case-control study of hepatocellular adenoma (HCA) in women. HPA is a serious though nonmalignant liver tumor carrying the risk of mortality due to sudden rupture and hemorrhage. 79 HPA patients were matched for various characteristics with 3 control women apiece. Long-term oral contraceptive use was found to have a high association with HPA risk. More than 1/2 of the HPA cases and only 12% of the controls were found to have used oral contraceptives for more than 5 years. Womens age and the hormonal potency of the oral contraception used affected the risk factor as well. The study found that women older than 27 who had used oral contraceptives for 7 or more years were at greatest risk of developing HPA. Mortality and/or long hospitalization was more likely if the tumor bled prior to diagnosis. It is recommended that women using oral contraception should be advised of their increased risk of developing HPA as they approach 30.
A Garden of Integrals: The Wiener Integral

What science can there be more noble, more excellent, more useful for men, more admirably high and demonstrative than this of mathematics? —Benjamin Franklin In the preceding chapters, the integrals under discussion were defined on sets of real numbers. So the domains of integration have consisted of real numbers. In contrast, the Wiener integral has as its domain of integration the space of continuous functions on the interval [0, 1] that begin at the origin . A continuous function now plays the role of a real number. With the Wiener integral path replaces point : these are integrals over sets of continuous functions, integrals over “paths.” Hence the terminology path integral . The approach, as in the development of the Lebesgue integral, is threefold: We begin by defining a measure on special subsets of our space of continuous functions. We extend this measure to an appropriate sigma algebra. With a measure in place, we develop an integration process leading to the Wiener integral. Brownian Motion The story begins in Scotland in the 1820s with a botanist named Robert Brown (discoverer of nuclei of plant cells) who was studying the erratic motion of organic and inorganic particles (pollen and ground silica, respectively) suspended in liquid. Neighboring particles experienced unrelated motion, movement was equally likely in any direction, and past motion had no bearing on future motion.
Black Bodies on the Ground: Policing Disparities in the African American Community—An Analysis of Newsprint From January 1, 2015, Through December 31, 2015:

This article tests the thesis that policing today is a consequence of its history with the Black community. The author provides a brief historical account of policing in America as it pertains to B...
Inner leadership: A social cognitive-based approach toward enhanced ethical decision making

Kelly and Steven, two managers employed at a manufacturing firm, were having lunch together one Friday. While they were waiting for their sandwiches to arrive, Steven said, Kelly, I just read a fascinating article about basketball players who imagined making free throws before a game made more foul shots than players who did not mentally rehearse their shots. I just read something similar, Kelly replied. In fact, my son's hockey coach mentioned the same thing: He said to imagine making a successful pass or shot every time and to think of each play as a new opportunity. If these techniques of self-talk and mental imagery help athletes improve an athlete's performance, I wonder if they would help me as a manager? I wonder if they can help me deal with the tough' stuff? You know, like when someone is repeatedly late, or starts to shrug responsibility. I know we are supposed to be a team and promote a sense of community and ethical business, but I don't know how. I have a hard time addressing these 'gray areas'.
Reducing MRSA transmission in the NICU: A quality improvement project

Abstract Colonization with Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is a known risk factor for developing a MRSA infection. A vulnerable population that is at risk for developing MRSA infection is patients in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Unfortunately, there is not a standard guideline to prevent this spread, so protocols among hospitals vary widely. However, there are many evidence-based interventions that are recommended to decrease the development of MRSA colonization in non-infected patients. The purpose of this quality improvement initiative is to examine, discuss, and evaluate the success of the using these interventions in decreasing MRSA transmission to non-infected patients. Results from this qualitative improvement project showed a decrease in MRSA transmission to non-infected patients when staff members were educated and strictly followed a prevention protocol. This suggests that constant reinforcement is needed to implement protocols and success is widely dependent on protocol compliance.
Modern Maṇḍala Meditation: Some Observations

AbstractIn recent decades, Buddhist maṇḍalas have become increasingly popular. The creation of the Kālacakra (‘Wheel of Time’) maṇḍala from coloured grains of sand by Tibetan monks can be seen in museums around the world. Maṇḍala colouring books, part of the recent adult colouring book trend, are on display in many bookstores. Maṇḍalas are now perceived as ‘aids’ or ‘tools to meditation’ and designated as ‘meditation diagrams’ and ‘meditational art’. In this paper, I will discuss modern applications of (Buddhist) maṇḍalas in meditation practice. I will also highlight some aspects that set this modern usage apart from traditional functions of maṇḍalas in Buddhist tantric ritual.
The Creation of the Bronze Bird Terrace-Scape in the Northern and Southern Dynasties Period

The Bronze Bird Terrace of Ye was a site where poets of the Cao family celebrated Cao Cao's 曹操 (155–220) accomplishments. This mode of celebration changed after Cao Cao's death, as poets of the suc...
Minimally invasive approach to incarcerated or strangulated groin hernias: A 2018 EAST Master Class Video Presentation

Groin hernia repair is one of the most common general surgical procedures performed worldwide. Although only a small percentage will become incarcerated or strangulated, this is an indication for repair. Minimally invasive surgery is becoming the standard of care for most procedures, and we believe this to be a safe and feasible approach for incarcerated or strangulated groin hernias. We present a description of our recommended approach with technical details and accompanying video clips to highlight these techniques.
Structural brain-imaging findings in affective disorders: an overview.

In recent years, numerous reports of structural brain abnormalities found with computerized tomography (CT) scans in affective disorders (e.g., major depression, bipolar disorder) have been published. More currently, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies have provided additional data on brain structure in affective disorders. In this article, the various CT and MRI findings in affective disorders are reviewed, and the clinical and research relevance of those neuroanatomical findings are presented and discussed.
A Prospective, Randomized Trial Comparing Open and Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release Within the Same Patient:

Background: Surgical management of carpal tunnel syndrome includes performing an endoscopic (ECTR) or open (OCTR) carpal tunnel release. Several studies have shown less postoperative pain and improvement in grip and pinch strength with the endoscopic technique. The goal of this study was to prospectively examine outcomes, patient satisfaction, and complications after both ECTR and OCTR in the opposite hands of the same patient. Methods: This was a prospective study in which patients with bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome underwent surgical release with both techniques, with initial operative approach randomized in the more symptomatic hand. Demographic data and functional outcomes were recorded, including the pain score, 2-point discrimination, Semmes-Weinstein monofilament testing, thenar strength testing, grip strength, carpal tunnel syndrome functional status score, carpal tunnel syndrome symptom severity score, and overall satisfaction. Results: Thirty patients completed the study; there were no significant differences in any measure at any of the postoperative time points. Symptom severity and functional status scores were not significantly different between groups at any evaluation. Subjectively, 24 of 30 patients did state they preferred the ECTR, mostly citing less pain as their primary reason, although pain scores were not significantly different. Differences in overall satisfaction were also not significant. Conclusions: Both techniques are well tolerated with no differences in outcomes. With the added cost and equipment associated with ECTR, and no added benefit, the usefulness of ECTR is questionable.
Genome‐wide nucleotide variation distinguishes Aspergillus flavus from Aspergillus oryzae and helps to reveal origins of atoxigenic A. flavus biocontrol strains

Aims To use genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms (total SNPs) to develop a molecular method for distinguishing Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus oryzae. Methods and results Thirteen A. flavus and eleven A. oryzae genome sequences were obtained from the National Center for Biotechnology Information. These sequences were analysed by Mauve, a multiple-genome alignment program, to extract total SNPs between isolates of A. flavus, A. oryzae, or the two species. Averages of total SNPs of A. flavus isolates belonging to the same sclerotial morphotype (L-type = 178 952 ± 14 033; S-type = 133 188 ± 16 430) and A. oryzae isolates (152 336 ± 49 124) were consistently lower than those between the morphotypes and between the two species. Averages of total SNPs for L-type vs S-type (300 116 ± 1562) and S-type A. flavus vs A. oryzae (301 797 ± 4123) were similar but were 36% greater than that of L-type A. flavus vs A. oryzae (226 240 ± 10 779). Based on the devised criterion, ATCC 12892, Aspergillus oryzae (Ahlburg) Cohn, which had an averaged total SNPs 10-fold greater than that of other A. oryzae isolates, was determined to be close to Aspergillus parasiticus. Atoxigenic A. flavus field isolates, WRRL1519 and NRRL35739, were shown to more closely resemble A. oryzae than toxigenic L-type A. flavus. Biocontrol strains AF36 and K49 were genetically close to toxigenic L-type A. flavus. NRRL21882, the active agent of the commercialized biocontrol product Afla-Guard® GR, was genetically distant from all other A. flavus isolates. Conclusions The close genetic relatedness between A. flavus and A. oryzae was confirmed and the evolutionary origins of atoxigenic A. flavus biocontrol strains were revealed. Significance and impact of the study The study provides a greater understanding of genome similarity and dissimilarity between A. flavus and A. oryzae. The method can be an auxiliary technique for identifying A. flavus, A. oryzae.
Associations of Early Adolescents’ Best Friendships, Peer Groups, and Coolness With Overt and Relational Aggression:

This study examined associations of best friend and peer group aggressive characteristics with students’ overt and relational aggression, and whether coolness moderated these associations across th...
Identification and quantitation of enzyme and transporter contributions to hepatic clearance for the assessment of potential drug-drug interactions.

Abstract Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) involving drug-metabolizing enzymes and membrane transporters can lead to alteration in substrate drug (victim) exposure, and can influence the pharmacological and toxicological effects. In order to predict DDI potential, it is important to quantitatively characterize the major enzyme(s) and/or transporter(s) involved in the clearance of drugs, in terms of fraction metabolized (fm) and fraction transported (ft). In this review, we discuss a strategy using Extended Clearance Classification System (ECCS) to identify the clearance mechanism(s) early in the drug discovery, and subsequently rational staging of in vitro characterization to determine fm and ft. In addition, the examples of complex DDIs due to involvement of transporter-enzyme interplay in the hepatic clearance are discussed.
“Losers” “Acting Gay”: Internet Slang, Memes, and Affective Intensities

This chapter moves beyond the realm of digital games to investigate the larger affective sphere cultivated by the social relations surrounding digital gaming culture in urban China. Through a consideration of various elements of digital leisure culture on display at ChinaJoy, China’s largest digital gaming and entertainment expo, this chapter shows how memes, Internet slang, and other artifacts of digital leisure culture serve as outlets for affective intensities—shared, embodied, and actively felt states of being that thrive on the Internet, but that nonetheless defy articulation and fixed interpretation. In particular, I focus upon memes and slang terms that playfully challenge the heteronormative model of ideal citizenship and patriotic leisure discussed in Chap. 4.
Changes in ki-67 and cleaved caspase-3 (CC3) with short term androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) prior to prostatectomy as part of a trial in intermediate and high-risk prostate cancer (PC).

e17502Background: Ki-67 and CC3 are markers of cellular proliferation and apoptosis and have been associated with prognosis in localized PC. Testosterone suppression promotes a time-dependent modul...
Catheter-Directed Thrombectomy for Pulmonary Embolism in the Setting of Acute Stroke.

A 79-year-old male presented with an acute stroke and was treated with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). His neurological symptoms improved, but he subsequently developed hemodynamic instability requiring intubation and vasopressors. Imaging studies revealed a massive pulmonary embolism as the cause of his worsening clinical picture. Mechanical thrombectomy using traditional devices was deemed too risky as the patient could not safely tolerate the usual anticoagulation dosage these devices require. The Penumbra Indigo® system (Alameda, CA, USA) was thus chosen for its ability to achieve thrombus aspiration within a lower therapeutic heparin range. Pulmonary artery aspiration thrombectomy was done using the device, and three days after the procedure, he was extubated and weaned completely off vasopressors. The therapy's efficacy despite the patient's unique life-threatening conditions demonstrates a novel application of the state-of-the-art pulmonary embolism treatment currently in research.
Pregnancy and Neuromuscular Emergencies

Prompt attention to the common neuromuscular emergencies (NME) that could present during pregnancy is essential for maternal-fetal wellbeing. Pregnancy in itself has its own challenges in management, and dealing with an NME during that critical time period is of utmost importance. This chapter describes common neuromuscular emergencies that could present during pregnancy.
CME/Antworten: Seltene Klinik bei bakterieller Meningitis

Zusammenfassung. Wir berichten uber die Diagnose und den klinischen Verlauf bei einer 59-jahrigen Patientin mit seit drei Tagen bestehender wasseriger Rhinorrho, leichtem Husten und neu aufgetreten...
Interference Tolerant Multiuser OFDMA for Femto Cells

An interference tolerant OFDMA scheme is proposed for multiuser wireless communications with specific application in femto cells. An interleaved set of subcarriers is dedicated to each user to provide with a high order of frequency diversity. A reduced complexity digital implementation of the technique is proposed and discussed for the interleaved sub-carrier arrangement. Both inter-symbol interference and other-user interference are mitigated using a proper cyclic extension, provided that the relative propagation delays of the users are an integer multiple of a symbol period. The effect of other-user interference due to non-integer propagation delays is investigated using computer simulations. The bit error rate performance and signal to interference ratio are presented for a few example systems over both an Additive White Gaussian Noise (AWGN) and a frequency selective Rayleigh fading channel. The amount of other-user interference is shown to be reduced as the number of sub-carriers per user is increased. The effect of design parameters on the interference level is discussed.
Creating International Legal Norms: Treaties as the Main Sources of International Law and Treaty-Making Practice of Uzbekistan

The Article illustrates the fundamental aspects of treaties as the main sources of international law, discussing Article 38(1) of the Statute of the International Court of Justice. Considering different definitions and opinions of scholars, the article explains why treaties are more used rather than other sources by the Court. The work widely addresses the Vienna Convention on Law of Treaties in a sense of analyzing elements of treaties and the main features of concluding them. Similarly, the international treaty-making practice of Uzbekistan is widely studied with the help of analysis of national law in this field, the legal framework of Uzbekistan, and consequently relevant proposals are elaborated.
Area Properties from Coordinates

Properties of areas of greatest importance in structural engineering are determined from coordinates of points on boundary; set of formulas is derived for area's properties with respect to arbitrary set of axes; these formulas are then used to determine characteristics with respect to centroidal and principal axes; method is readily adapted to use in conjunction with electronic computer.
Investigations of life cycle climate performance and material life cycle assessment of packaged air conditioners for residential application

Abstract A comprehensive investigation for life cycle climate performance (LCCP) and material life cycle assessment (LCA) is performed under various influencing factors for the packaged conditioners. The whole carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-eq.) emissions during an air conditioner’s lifetime are evaluated from the LCCP aspect. Results indicate that the seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) rating has a large influence on the emission variation, 13 SEER R410A has approximately a +3% CO2-eq. emission increase when compared with the 13 SEER R22 in the area of Richmond, which is mainly caused by the direct emission of annual leakage of high GWP R410A. The efficient 14 SEER R410A unit depicts a 9% reduction. In general, as the climate is varied from cold to hot, the emissions are increased. Among the emission contributors, the energy consumption accounts for more than 70% of the total emissions, followed by annual refrigerant leakage. Parameter analysis reveals that the refrigerant recovery rate has a larger effect on the LCCP results than the cycle degradation coefficient, especially in the cold areas. In addition, the two capacity air conditioner product has approximately a 13% emission reduction due to the better load matching. Material LCA investigation shows that, in general, most of the material phase environmental performance is decreased in 14 SEER air conditioners. This is because the addition of aluminum from employing of the micro-channel heat exchanger. For a sustainable future, minimizing material use and CO2-eq. emissions and maximizing energy efficiency should have been considered in its entirety.
EXPERIMENTAL AND THEORETICAL INVESTIGATION OF TURBULENT BURNING MODEL FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES

A model for describing turbulent flame propagation in internal combustion engines is presented. An approximate analytic method for determining the equilibrium state of the burned gases is also presented. To verify the predictions of the model, experiments were carried out in a single-cylinder research engine at speeds from 1000-3200 rpm, spark advances from 30-110 deg btc and fuel-air equivalence ratios from 0.7-1.5. Simultaneous measurements of the cylinder pressure and the position of the flame front as a function of crank angle were made, and good agreement with the predictions of the model was obtained for all operating conditions.
The CrossGrid Architecture: Applications, Tools, and Grid Services

This paper describes the current status of the CrossGrid Project architecture. The architecture is divided into six layers. The relations between main components are presented in UML notation. A flexible concept of plugins that enable creation of uniform user-friendly interface is shown. A brief discussion of OGSA technology and its possible application to CrossGrid services is given as an interesting area of future work.
Perturbation of red cell volume. Determination of membrane transport parameters for rapid penetrants.

In the presence of a rapid non-electrolyte penetrant an osmotic perturbation or red cell volume results in a complex re-equilibration of solute and water. The kinetics can be described by the sum of two real exponentials whose time constants are functions of experimental conditions and transport parameters. It is shown that determination of the time constants is sufficient for calculation of the permeability coefficient ω and the reflection coefficient σ when the osmotic filtration coefficient Lp is known. To facilitate measurement of the time constants an experimental approach is described in which alternately one of the two exponentials is greatly reduced in magnitude. Thus two types of single-exponential experiments are suggested: one type to measure the faster time constant, another to measure the slower time constant. This single-exponential approach was used to obtain values of σ and ω for urea crossing the membrane of the beef erythrocyte.
The Effect of Influence Tactics and Contingency Factors on the Adoption and Diffusion of IS/IT Innovations in Social Networks

Despite considerable research on both adoption and diffusion of IS/IT innovations, there is a lack of coherent understanding of the processes by which innovations diffuse within social systems. This research proposes that the nature of the innovation diffusion process will depend on the characteristics of the innovation, the personal attributes of the individual, the interpersonal relationships, the composition of the social networks, and the specific influence tactics used by individuals. The empirical investigation involves a combination of three different research methods: meta-analysis, interpretive case studies, and simulation. The meta-analysis, at the organizational level, identifies the various factors (individual, dyad, social network, organization, and innovation) that affect innovation diffusion and their effect sizes. The interpretive case studies, at the social network level, help understand the interpersonal processes underlying innovation diffusion. The simulation, at the dyad level, traces how an individual’s adoption behavior may be affected by the combination of different influence tactics over time. Finally, findings from the three research methods will be synthesized to provide an overall understanding of innovation diffusion processes. This research should provide valuable insights into the ways in which IS/IT innovations diffuse within social networks, and how the diffusion processes vary depending on the nature of the IS/IT innovation, the influence tactics used by individuals within the social system, and the contingency factors relating to the dyad, network, and organization.
Androgens and gender role behaviour in girls with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH).

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the difference in gender role behavior in congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) girls. Although it is impossible to separate the influence of androgen hormones from that of psychosocial factors on behavior, most studies have not even considered environmental influences. Females and males who are exposed during gestation to synthetic progestins show a significantly higher potential for physical aggression than their sex-matched unexposed siblings. However, the higher potential for physical aggression might also be attributed to the mother's fear of losing the baby. CAH boys and girls are not different from control children in their appreciation of fighting. Diabetic girls, however, show a significantly more positive appreciation of fighting as compared to control girls. The hypothesis that behavior is masculinized by exposure to androgen hormones during early stages of development cannot be supported by this study. Psychosocia1 factors, such as the child being sick, and parents' doubts about the sex of the child seem to have more influence on gender role behavior than does androgenic hormone action.
Taking Analyses of Commingled Remains into the Future: Challenges and Prospects

Considered within an archaeological context, commingled and disarticulated skeletal remains can provide a more complete understanding of past populations, and data can be used to address both broad and specific research questions. The research studies included in this volume are incredibly variable and each has posed different challenges in analysis and interpretation. It is apparent that there is no right way to approach these assemblages. This chapter synthesizes themes contributed by the studies and presents innovative concepts in analysis. Themes include overcoming fragmentation, identifying taphonomy, understanding complicated mortuary practices, and revealing symbolism and agency. Collectively, these themes and recommended best methodological practices demonstrate the utility of disarticulated and commingled skeletal remains in bioarchaeological interpretation of past human groups.
Illinois plan for technology transferat Illinois State University

Illinois has enacted legislation with a directive to enhance the economic development of companies in the state by encouraging new-product development. The policies and strategies used at Illinois State University to carry out an increased participation in technology transfer leading to enhanced industry/university interaction are presented. Identifiable factors leading to local project success have been the university's ability to develop inter-departmental research groups, provide the proper motivation to the group members, and set up a structure for commercialization of the new products developed by these groups.
Rapid Rotary Scanner and Portable Coherent Wideband Q-Band Transceiver for High-Resolution Millimeter-Wave Imaging Applications

Millimeter-wave imaging techniques, based on synthetic aperture focusing (SAF), have been successfully used for nondestructive testing (NDT) of various composite and aerospace structures. Most current imaging mechanisms utilize raster scanning platforms, whereby the imaging system is scanned in a rectangular grid over the structure-under-test (SUT). Most raster scanning platforms, although relatively simple in design and construction, are inherently slow. Furthermore, SAF techniques necessitates the use of vector-measuring instruments such as a vector network analyzer (VNA), which are typically: 1) bulky; 2) cannot be mounted on scanning platforms; 3) are not suitable for in-field use; and 4) expensive. These factors limit the effectiveness of these millimeter-wave imaging techniques in applications where frequent and rapid inspection of large structures is required. Hence, there is a great demand for rapid mechanical scanning systems combined with portable wideband transceivers in order to increase the utility of these imaging techniques, and provide a real solution to many practical NDT applications. To this end, a unique rotary scanner system, capable of scanning a relatively large area in a relatively short span of time, was designed and constructed. In addition, a custom-designed portable transceiver system operating in the frequency range of 35-45 GHz (Q-band) was developed and incorporated into the rotary scanner system for producing coherent (amplitude and phase) and accurate data suitable for synthetic aperture imaging and the 10-GHz bandwidth allows the generation of relatively high-resolution millimeter-wave holographical images. This paper presents the design of the rotary scanning system, the associated Q-band transceiver and the integration of the two systems via a custom-designed software. To illustrate the efficacy of the complete imaging system, SAF of several complex structures produced using the proposed system, are presented and discussed.
A quassinoid glucoside from the bark of Castela tortuosa

Abstract A new minor quassinoid glucoside, castelalene-11- O -β- d -glucopyranoside has been isolated from the bark of Castela tortuosa . The structure and stereochemistry of this new glucoside has been established from spectral analyses.