cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Allergic contact cheilitis

Allergic contact cheilitis describes a not uncommon inflammatory reaction of the lips. We reviewed its allergic causes, and suspect that the literature does not adequately document the frequency and etiologic factors involved.
Why Does Vomiting Stop a Migraine Attack

Migraine is commonly associated with nausea and vomiting, though, interestingly, vomiting has also been reported by some patients to be therapeutic, and may actually stop a migraine attack. In this review, we will first discuss the epidemiology of nausea and vomiting in migraine. Further, we will briefly review the connections between the enteric nervous system, the autonomic nervous system, and the central nervous system as they pertain to understanding the question of “Why does vomiting stop a migraine attack?”
Airway hemangiomas in PHACE syndrome

Author(s): Durr, Megan L; Meyer, Anna K; Huoh, Kevin C; Frieden, Ilona J; Rosbe, Kristina W | Abstract: Objectives/hypothesisTo describe the clinical presentation and airway characteristics of infants with airway hemangiomas and concomitant PHACE syndrome and to determine the prevalence of airway hemangiomas in PHACE subjects at our institution.Study designCase series.MethodsRetrospective review including clinical presentation, airway findings, treatment measures, and outcomes.ResultsA total of 23 subjects were diagnosed with definite PHACE at our institution between September 1, 2005 and September 1, 2011. Twelve (52%) of these subjects had documented airway hemangiomas, six of whom were diagnosed and treated at our institution. All six subjects underwent direct laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy by a pediatric otolaryngologist. Five (83%) subjects had subglottic hemangioma. Three subjects (50%) had additional hemangioma within the airway located on the epiglottis, vocal folds, posterior pharyngeal wall, and tracheal wall. Five subjects (83%) were treated with propranolol, five (83%) were treated with systemic steroids, and one subject received vincristine. One subject required laser ablation of subglottic hemangioma and tracheotomy. All subjects were airway symptom free at last follow-up (average, 35 months; range, 13-76 months).ConclusionsAirway hemangiomas can be a life-threatening complication of PHACE syndrome. At our institution, 52% of all PHACE subjects were diagnosed with airway hemangiomas. Early detection of airway involvement is paramount. Given the high rates of airway hemangiomas, we recommend performing direct laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy in all PHACE patients with respiratory symptoms. We recommend having a low threshold for airway evaluation in asymptomatic PHACE patients, especially those who will not be otherwise started on propranolol.
New Insights into Old Discoveries: Two Kinds of Markets

The first supply and demand experiments in the 1950s converged more strongly and quickly than people thought likely. Equally surprising, the first asset market experiments in the 1980s converged far less strongly and rapidly than expected. The economic crisis in 2008 brought a re-thinking of these old discoveries, motivated new experimental exercises and led to new insights.
Suppressor role of rat CD8+CD45RClow T cells in experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU)

To determine whether decreased regulatory T cell activity contributes to the pathogenesis of recurrent experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU), we compared the immunoregulatory activity of CD8+CD45RClow T cells isolated from rats that had recovered from acute EAU with those from rats with the progressive, recurrent disease. Our results showed that CD8+CD45RClow T cells isolated from the recovered rats showed suppressive activity in vitro, whereas those from rats with progressive, recurrent EAU do not. Depletion of CD8+CD45RClow T cells from T cells used for adoptive transfer of EAU increased the pathogenic activity of the T cells. Co-transfer of CD8+CD45RClow T cells with uveitogenic T cells prevented the relapse of disease in the recipient rats. The suppressive CD8+CD45RClow T cells expressed increased levels of Foxp3 after stimulation in vitro with the autoantigen, and inhibited the production of IFN-gamma by autoreactive T cells. Our data indicate that the decreased suppressive activity of CD8+CD45RClow T cells is correlated with disease development in this autoimmune disease. Further studies on the biology of this T cell population should provide much needed insights into disease pathogenesis.
ISO 17025 application within racing chemistry: a case study

Abstract The upgrading of the traditional laboratory standard for analytical chemistry from a combination of ISO/IEC Guide 25 and EN45001 to ISO17025 has generated much discussion across the doping control sector for animal sports. This paper will outline an approach which originates within the spirit of the new standard, but which is then extended to a pragmatic implementation—which has led to full accreditation through the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS). A number of problem areas are highlighted and solutions proposed. Affected laboratories are distributed relatively sparsely around the world, and developments that occur internationally will undoubtedly have an impact upon the evolution of accreditation standards. It is, therefore, imperative that effective communication takes place to disseminate developments, and this paper is intended to prompt such discussion.
Sildenafil ameliorates cardiomyopathy in dystrophin-null (mdx) mice

Address: 1Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, WA 98195, USA, 2Department of Pathology, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, WA 98195, USA, 3Department of Physiology & Biophysics, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, WA 98195, USA and 4Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina 103 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
THE EMERGENCE OF PSEUDOTUBERCULOSIS IN RATS GIVEN CORTISONE

The emergence of a severe infection in albino rats during cortisone administration is reported. Evidence is present that the causative agent of the disease was Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis murium , a microbial species not demonstrably a part of the usual bacterial flora of the host. It has been possible to reproduce the disease in rats by a relatively large infecting inoculum of this strain of Corynebacterium, but the susceptibility of normal rats to infection has been found to be low. The disease occurred in 41 of 50 rats given cortisone and in 28 of 30 instances in which isolation of the etiologic agent was attempted, this strain of Corynebacterium was recovered. The disease was characterized by widespread necrotizing lesions, with multiple coalescent lesions occurring in the lungs, and similar, though smaller lesions of the pericardium, pleurae, liver, and kidneys. In its gross appearance the pulmonary disease was similar to that of a disseminated, far advanced tuberculous process. The histologic appearance of the lesions, however, was sufficiently distinctive so that they could be readily differentiated from the lesions characteristically produced by Mycobacterium tuberculosis . Moreover, the host-parasite relationship established by the experimental infection with avian tubercle bacilli, was not markedly altered by the factors which led to the emergence of the pseudotuberculosis. In contrast to the high frequency of pseudotuberculosis in rats given cortisone, no instance of this disease has been encountered in a similar group of animals given large quantities of corticotropin.
Simulation of Waves In Fractured Media Using an Extrapolation Scheme

Equivalent medium theory has been widely used in finitedifference simulation of wave propagation in fractured media by simulating a fracture with a thin low-velocity layer. Here we show how slip-discontinuity can be incorporated into the finite-difference scheme without using the equivalent low-velocity model. We develop an extrapolation scheme for the simulation in which two 9 × 9 well-determined linear systems are designed to guarantee the stability of the extrapolation. Since both systems are time-invariant, extra computation cost for the simulation is negligible. Numerical examples support the validity of this approach.
Shiga-toxigenic Escherichia coli O157 in agricultural fair livestock, United States.

Agricultural fairs exhibiting livestock are increasingly implicated in human Shiga-toxigenic Escherichia coli O157:H7 (STEC O157:H7) outbreaks. To estimate livestock STEC O157:H7 prevalence at US fairs, we collected 2,919 fecal specimens at 29 county fairs in 2 states and at 3 state fairs in 2002. Fly pools were also collected. STEC O157:H7 was isolated from livestock at 31 (96.9%) of 32 fairs, including 11.4% of 1,407 cattle, 1.2% of 1,102 swine, 3.6% of 364 sheep and goats, and 5.2% of 154 fly pools. Cattle, swine, and flies at some fairs shared indistinguishable STEC O157:H7 isolate subtypes. In 2003, a total of 689 ambient environmental samples were collected at 20 fairgrounds 10–11 months after 2002 livestock sampling while fairgrounds were livestock-free. Four beef barn environmental samples at 3 fairgrounds yielded STEC O157:H7. These data suggest that STEC O157 is common and transmissible among livestock displayed at agricultural fairs and persists in the environment after the fair.
Polymerization of allyl compounds. V. Inhibition by nitro compounds

The effect of various nitro compounds on the peroxide-induced short-chain polymerization of allyl acetate has been investigated. Of the compounds studied, sym-trinitrobenzene is the most active as a retarder. Nitromethane and dinitrodurence were found to be less effective than aromatic nitro compounds which have replaceable nuclear hydrogen atoms but both exerted a measurable retarding influence on the polymerization reaction. It is found that trinitrobenzene reacts with a minimum of 5.9 radicals per molecule. This and other data are discussed in connection with the hypothesis that radicals react by an alkylation mechanism. An alternative mechanism involving attack on the nitro group itself is suggested.
Fast-wave interaction with a relativistic electron beam

The excitation of a relativistic electron beam, by means of a fast waveguide structure, is examined. Here the beam is injected into a modified waveguide, and interacts with the modes of the guide in such a way as to transform some of its energy into microwave radiation. This microwave generation device, called the Ubitron, is based upon a fast-wave excitation of a magnetically modulated relativistic electron beam. The beam is modulated by injecting it into a small spatially periodic magnetic field region within the guide. Analysis of this interaction shows that the slow space charge beam mode couples actively to the fast transverse electric guide mode. The result is parametric instability of the coupled modes. Synchronism between the doppler-shifted transverse travelling wave and the undulating electron beam results in a transfer of energy from the beam to the transverse field. The parametrically growing field can be a source of microwave radiation. The period magnetic field, together with the beam density, provide the coupling media between the unstable waves. The growth rate of the instability is shown to depend, in a nonlinear manner, on the product of the beam plasma frequency and the strength of the applied rippled magnetic field. The growth rate is obtained as a function of the system parameters.
The Severity of Secondary Hyperparathyroidism in Chronic Renal Insufficiency is GFR-Dependent, Race-Dependent, and Associated with Cardiovascular Disease

Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) is an important complication of end-stage renal disease. However, SHPT begins during earlier stages of chronic renal insufficiency (CRI), and little is known about risk factors for SHPT in this population. This study evaluated 218 patients in an ethnically diverse ambulatory nephrology practice at the University of California San Francisco during calendar years 1999 and 2000. Demographic data, comorbid diseases, medications, and laboratory parameters were collected, and independent correlates of intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) were identified by using multiple linear regression. The mean estimated GFR was 34 ml/min per 1.73 m(2) (10%-90% range, 13 to 61 ml/min per 1.73 m(2)); PTH was inversely related to GFR (P < 0.0001). The adjusted mean PTH was higher among African Americans and lower among Asian/Pacific Islanders compared with white patients (233 versus 95 versus 139 pg/ml; P < 0.0001). Moreover, among the 196 patients with GFR <60 ml/min per 1.73 m(2), the slope of GFR versus PTH was significantly steeper among African Americans than among white patients (10.6 versus 3.9 pg/ml per ml per min per 1.73 m(2); P = 0.01). After adjusting for age and diabetes, PTH was associated with a history of myocardial infarction (OR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.1 to 2.3 per unit natural log PTH) and congestive heart failure (OR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.3 to 2.9 per unit natural log PTH) and not associated with other co-morbid conditions. These factors should be considered when screening and managing SHPT in CRI.
Cramer-Rao bounds and estimation of direction of arrival for narrowband signals

In the presence of two narrowband signal sources, the authors derive simplified explicit expressions for the Cramer-Rao lower bound (CRB) for the covariance matrix of all unknown direction of arrival (DOA) angles. A second order Taylor's series expansion is employed for the inverse of the data covariance matrix, R. The behavior of the covariance matrix is discussed by quantitative numerical comparisons for different values of correlation and spacing between the sources. By using positive definiteness of the Fisher information matrix, a strict lower limit on the angle of resolution is obtained for a given source correlation. A numerical study is included on the performance of the maximum likelihood (ML) method, which assumes signals radiated from the sources are random. The proposed method is compared with Root-MUSIC (B. D. Rao and K. V. S. Hari, IEEE Trans. vol.ASSP-37, no.12, p.1939-49 of 1989). The observations demonstrate the superiority of the proposed ML method to Root-MUSIC, and its performance agrees well with the theoretically derived bounds. >
EXPERIENCE AND CONCEPTUALIZATION IN MYSTICAL KNOWLEDGE

Abstract. The purpose of this article is to explore certain parallels and divergencies between contemporary philosophy of science and the comparative study of mysticism. Two types of mystical experiences, “depth-mystical” and “nature-mystical,” are first differentiated. Next, the role of both experience and doctrine in the development and justification of mystical knowledge is defended. Finally, the issue of whether one mystical system can be established as superior to others is discussed.
Rectovaginal radiation fistula repair using an obturator fasciocutaneous thigh flap.

Abstract Background . Rectovaginal fistulae are a known complication of pelvic radiotherapy utilizing locally applied isotope implants. Most often, either permanent colostomy or reconstruction with a well-vascularized flap is necessary. Traditional techniques for fistula repair utilize bulky muscle flaps, disfiguring pudendal artery flaps or may require laparotomy. Case . We describe the management of a 26-year-old woman with a large radiation-induced rectovaginal fistula. A fasciocutaneous medial thigh flap based on terminal branches of the obturator artery and vein was used without colostomy and resulted in pain-free sexual function and minimal vulva disfigurement. Conclusion . A medial thigh fasciocutaneous flap without muscle can be transferred into the vagina on the obturator vessels and may become the preferred method for managing large rectovaginal fistulas.
Dissecting Contributions of Prefrontal Cortex and Fusiform Face Area to Face Working Memory

Interactions between prefrontal cortex (PFC) and stimulus-specific visual cortical association areas are hypothesized to mediate visual working memory in behaving monkeys. To clarify the roles for homologous regions in humans, event-related fMRI was used to assess neural activity in PFC and fusiform face area (FFA) of subjects performing a delay-recognition task for faces. In both PFC and FFA, activity increased parametrically with memory load during encoding and maintenance of face stimuli, despite quantitative differences in the magnitude of activation. Moreover, timing differences in PFC and FFA activation during memory encoding and retrieval implied a context dependence in the flow of neural information. These results support existing neurophysiological models of visual working memory developed in the nonhuman primate.
Innervation of dromyosuppressin (DMS) immunoreactive processes and effect of DMS and benzethonium chloride on the Phormia regina (Meigen) crop.

Antibody to the dipteran myosuppressin peptide, dromyosuppressin, TDVDHVFLRFamide, stained cells and fibers in the brain, optic lobes, subesophageal ganglion, and thoracico-abdominal ganglion of the blow fly, Phormia regina (Meigen). Dromyosuppressin-like immunoreactive fibers were detected in the cardiac recurrent nerve, hypocerebral ganglion/corpora cardiaca complex, crop duct, and crop. In order to explore the mechanisms involved in regulating crop movement, we established an in vitro bioassay. The basal rate of crop movement was 50.8 +/- 1.5 contractions per minute. Application of 1 microl of saline to the crop did not significantly affect the rate of movement compared to the basal rate (46.1 +/- 1.1 contractions per minute, P < 0.05). Application of 1 microl 10(-6) M dromyosuppressin or 1 microl 10(-3) M benzethonium chloride to the crop slowed the rate to 2.2 +/- 0.2 and 6.1 +/- 0.7 contractions per minute, respectively. Although other data have previously been interpreted to suggest that dipteran crop contractions do not include a neural component, the neuropeptide dromyosuppressin affected P. regina crop motility. Innervation of the crop and crop duct by dromyosuppressin immunoreactive processes that originated in the central nervous system and the effect of dromyosuppressin on crop muscle contractions suggest that dromyosuppressin is released locally to modulate crop contractions and that crop motility is under neural regulation. Myosuppressins isolated from numerous insects have a high degree of structure identity and reduce spontaneous muscle contractions of the hindgut, oviduct, and heart. Benzethonium chloride, previously identified as a myosuppressin agonist on the cockroach hindgut and locust oviduct, mimicked the effect of dromyosuppressin on the crop. This suggests that structural requirements for myosuppressin receptor binding in the cockroach hindgut, locust oviduct, and fruit fly crop are similar.
Angular Directivity of Diffracted Wave in Bragg- Mismatched Readout of Volume Holographic Gratings

We investigated angular directivity of a diffracted beam in a shift-invariant holographic correlator. We showed that the experimental results agree well with our theoretical model, while the prediction of coupled wave model is incorrect.
An Overview of Southern Veracruz Archaeology

Despite an ancient history as rich as any in Mesoamerica, the archaeology of southern Veracruz, Mexico, remains underrepresented in both Spanish and English publications. This paper provides background information on southern Veracruz archaeology. Topical coverage includes the region's natural environment, its pre-Hispanic cultural traditions, and an overview of previous research in the area. In addition, this paper introduces and summarizes the four contributions to this special section. This collection of papers affirms that southern Veracruz archaeology is poised to make a significant contribution to our knowledge of ancient Mesoamerica.
Evaluation of growth, feed utilization, and economics of hybrid tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus Oreochromis aureus, fed diets containing different protein sources in combination with distillers dried grains with solubles

A feeding trial was conducted in aquaria with juvenile hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus×Oreochromis aureus) to evaluate the use of different protein sources in combination with distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS). Twelve 110-L glass aquaria were stocked with 28 juvenile (2.7±0.5-g) hybrid tilapia per aquarium. Three replicate aquaria were randomly assigned to each of the four dietary treatments. Diets were isonitrogenous and isocaloric. The control diet contained 12% fish meal and 41% soybean meal as the primary protein sources (Diet 1). Each experimental diet contained 30% DDGS by weight, in combination with 8% fish meal and 34% soybean meal (Diet 2), 26% meat and bone meal (MBM), and 16% soybean meal (Diet 3), or 46% soybean meal alone (Diet 4). Fish were fed to apparent satiation twice a day for 10 weeks. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in average weight gain, specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and protein efficiency ratio (PER) among tilapia fed Diets 1, 2, and 3. Fish fed Diet 4 had significantly lower (P 0.05), while cost per unit weight gain for Diet 4 was significantly higher (P<0.05) than other diets. Diet 3 represented approximately a 20% cost savings compared with the control diet, with no reduction in growth. This study indicates that diets without fish meal containing 30% DDGS in combination with MBM and soybean meal provide good growth in tilapia. A diet without animal protein did not support acceptable growth.
Biomarker discovery in subclinical mycobacterial infections of cattle.

Background Bovine tuberculosis is a highly prevalent infectious disease of cattle worldwide; however, infection in the United States is limited to 0.01% of dairy herds. Thus detection of bovine TB is confounded by high background infection with M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis. The present study addresses variations in the circulating peptidome based on the pathogenesis of two biologically similar mycobacterial diseases of cattle. Methodology/Principal Findings We hypothesized that serum proteomes of animals in response to either M. bovis or M. paratuberculosis infection will display several commonalities and differences. Sera prospectively collected from animals experimentally infected with either M. bovis or M. paratuberculosis were analyzed using high-resolution proteomics approaches. iTRAQ, a liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry approach, was used to simultaneously identify and quantify peptides from multiple infections and contemporaneous uninfected control groups. Four comparisons were performed: 1) M. bovis infection versus uninfected controls, 2) M. bovis versus M. paratuberculosis infection, 3) early, and 4) advanced M. paratuberculosis infection versus uninfected controls. One hundred and ten differentially elevated proteins (P≤0.05) were identified. Vitamin D binding protein precursor (DBP), alpha-1 acid glycoprotein, alpha-1B glycoprotein, fetuin, and serine proteinase inhibitor were identified in both infections. Transthyretin, retinol binding proteins, and cathelicidin were identified exclusively in M. paratuberculosis infection, while the serum levels of alpha-1-microglobulin/bikunin precursor (AMBP) protein, alpha-1 acid glycoprotein, fetuin, and alpha-1B glycoprotein were elevated exclusively in M. bovis infected animals. Conclusions/Significance The discovery of these biomarkers has significant impact on the elucidation of pathogenesis of two mycobacterial diseases at the cellular and the molecular level and can be applied in the development of mycobacterium-specific diagnostic tools for the monitoring progression of disease, response to therapy, and/or vaccine based interventions.
Hedonic Amenity Valuation and Housing Renovations

Hedonic and repeat sales estimators are commonly used to value such important urban amenities as schools, environmental quality and access to transit. Given that property data often omits information on quality differences between same-aged homes as well as changes in structural attributes over time, researchers must assume that property renovations are uncorrelated with neighborhood amenities. We formally test if this assumption is valid by incorporating detailed data on renovations in Charlotte, North Carolina. We begin by testing how the inclusion of minor and major home improvements influences hedonic and repeat sales indices. Results find limited bias in hedonic indices and that renovated properties are no more likely to be sold than nonrenovated properties. Using the introduction of Charlotte's light rail-transit system in 2000, we estimate a positive bias of between 1.6% and 19.9% on the capitalized benefits of access to light rail due to omitted information on renovations. Our results show that a number of common data cleaning techniques used to address missing information on structural improvements may worsen this bias.
Convection Velocity Measurements in the Crevices of Furniture

Previous to this study, research has shown that small air velocities can strongly influence the ignition propensity of a cigarette on upholstered furniture simulations. However, data were not available to determine if such velocities existed in practice- The two objectives of the current effort were to determine (1) the typical steady velocities near the cushion of a warm chair due strictly to free convection and (2) the typical unsteady velocities near the crevice of a warm chair due to a combination of free convection and forced convection as a result of a person vacating the chair. Typical steady velocities were 40 mm/s. Typical velocities in the unsteady conditions were 15 mm/s. For the unsteady conditions large velocities remained long after the chair cooled to room temperature due to large vortices in the flow with long time constants.
Surgical management of parapharyngeal space masses

Background. We sought to examine surgical tech- niques used to remove parapharyngeal space (PPS) masses. Methods. This retrospective search was conducted from 1980 to 2003. Age, sex, diagnosis, surgical approach, compli- cations, and outcome were collected. Results. One hundred sixty-six PPS masses were identi- fied: 21 (12.7%) were malignant, 145 (87.3%) were benign, 76 (45.8%) were vascular, and 69 (41.6 %) involved the skull base. Transcervical techniques were used in all cases. Removing the styloid and its musculature and level II lymphadenectomies enhanced exposure for vascular and skull base tumors. Thirty transcervical - transmastoid dissections (20.4%) facilitated removal of vascular skull base tumors. To identify the facial nerve, 20 transparotid- transcervical approaches (13.6%) were performed. Three mandibulotomies (2.0%) were required for internal carotid artery involvement. Expected neurologic se- quelae resulted from cranial nerve involvement by tumor. Three patients (2.0%), all presenting with recurrent cancer, had local recurrences. Conclusion. Careful patient assessment and surgical tech- niques allow the oncologically safe removal of benign, vascular, and skull base PPS tumors. A 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 27: 669 - 675, 2005
New Results On Multiple Correlations

Standard approaches to linear prediction, parameter estima- tion, system identification, and classification problems, involve the autocorrelation sequence of a deterministic, or, stochastic signal or system. This paper presents preliminary results on the same problems using higher- than second- order correlations. By optimizing a weighted mean-square prediction error, a linear prediction filter that uses triple correlations is derived and its potential for speech analysis and synthesis is discussed. For enhancing noisy speech, a noise canceler based on triple correlations is proposed. Com- bining second- and higher-order correlations a mean-square parameter estimator is found to have smaller error than the autocorrelation-based estimator. By exploiting the redun- dancy present in multiple correlations a frequency-domain algorithm is developed and applied to reconstruction of noisy signals, and identification of systems from input and output data that are contaminated by colored Gaussian noise of unknown covariance. Finally, under the same noise condi- tions, a noise-resistant matched filter classifier is described.
High Confinement Micro-Ring Resonators in Silicon-on-Insulator

We demonstrate high confinement silicon devices including suspended micrometer-scale ring resonators with high Q's in a CMOS platform
Deconstructing the neoliberal narrative: a story of possibility for democratic work in early childhood education

Transformative Change and Real Utopias in Early Childhood Education is a welcome and necessary reminder that the youngest of children, and their teachers, are essential participants in a healthy de...
Temperature-Dependent Mechanical Property of Zr-Based Metallic Glasses

The compression tests were conducted on four Zr-based bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) with different Nb contents. The results show that the addition of few percent Nb did not change the mechanical property. At 77 K, the strength increased notably without embrittlement. Furthermore, it is suggested that the normalized strength changes linearly with the normalized temperature. Current results provided important evidences that BMGs have a great application perspective at cryogenic temperatures. In addition, it is found that at ambient temperature, the BMGs do not exhibit strain rate sensitivity. However, the strength is dependent on the strain rate at high and cryogenic temperatures.
Rethinking Political Institutions: The Art of the State

Rethinking Political Institutions: The Art of the State . Edited by Ian Shapiro, Stephen Skowronek and Daniel Galvin. New York: New York University Press, 2006, 368 pp., ISBN 0-8147-4026-X (hardcov...
Simulation of boreal black spruce chronosequences: Comparison to field measurements and model evaluation

This study used the Biome Biogeochemical Cycles (Biome-BGC) process model to simulate boreal forest dynamics, compared the results with a variety of measured carbon content and flux data from two boreal chronosequences in northern Manitoba, Canada, and examined how model output was affected by water and nitrogen limitations on simulated plant production and decomposition. Vascular and nonvascular plant growth were modeled over 151 years in well-drained and poorly drained forests, using as many site-specific model parameters as possible. Measured data included (1) leaf area and carbon content from site-specific allometry data, (2) aboveground and belowground net primary production from allometry and root cores, and (3) flux data, including biometry-based net ecosystem production and tower-based net ecosystem exchange. The simulation used three vegetation types or functional groups (evergreen needleaf trees, deciduous broadleaf trees, and bryophytes). Model output matched some of the observed data well, with net primary production, biomass, and net ecosystem production (NEP) values usually (50–80% of data) within the errors of observed values. Leaf area was generally underpredicted. In the simulation, nitrogen limitation increased with stand age, while soil anoxia limited vascular plant growth in the poorly drained simulation. NEP was most sensitive to climate variability in the poorly drained stands. Simulation results are discussed with respect to conceptual issues in, and parameterization of, the Biome-BGC model.
Bringing IT Back: An Analysis of the Decision to Backsource or Switch Vendors

Whereas the decision to outsource information systems (IS) has been an important focus in IS research and practice, the decision to switch vendors or to backsource has received little attention. Evidence suggests that in practice, however, the decision to backsource or to switch vendors is becoming increasingly common as firms vie for ways to continue to cut information technology (IT) costs and improve IT service levels. This research specifically examines the factors associated with the decision to backsource or to switch vendors. Based on a sample of 160 IT managers involved with application development, we compare and contrast the perceptions of those who switched vendors, backsourced, or continued in an outsourcing relationship for application development. Our findings suggest that product quality, service quality, relationship quality, and switching costs are related to the decision to backsource application outsourcing. However, service and product quality did not influence the decision to switch vendors. Rather, firms that made the decision to switch vendors reported high levels of service and product quality but low levels of relationship quality and switching costs.
THE REAGAN LEGACY AND THE RACIAL DIVIDE IN THE GEORGE W. BUSH ERA

Although this essay appears very close to the most consequential presidential election since 1980, it was written months before during the week that former President Ronald Reagan died. The great majority of the U.S. media praised Reagan without any critical reflection—calling him the greatest president of the twentieth century, the man who brought hope and optimism back to America, the president who united the people. As one commentator mentioned, it was as if the nation itself had a case of collective Alzheimer's. Reagan deeply divided the nation and particularly on matters of race this division is very much still with us.
Experimental Demonstration of a Photonic Analog-to-Digital Converter Architecture With Pseudorandom Sampling

A photonic analog-to-digital converter architecture is demonstrated that uses nonuniform, sub-Nyquist sampling combined with digital signal processing algorithms to unambiguously identify microwave signals of interest. X-band (8-12 GHz) operation is demonstrated with two-tone signals of separation extending to >2 GHz that were directly sampled and digitized at a mean rate of 995.3 MHz resulting in alias-free power spectra.
Survival Behaviors Of 100-Year-Old West Michigan Retail And Service Companies

This study of small and medium size retail and service companies over 100 years old looks for common strategies that enabled the organizations to prosper for an unusually long period of time. Four common behaviors are identified and compared to factors identified in previous studies of very large multinational companies of a similar age.
Complex Phenotypes: Epigenetic Manifestation of Environmental Exposures

Environmental influences in early development alter the epigenome and lead to complex phenotypes and disease susceptibility throughout the life course. Five primary factors, including nutrition, behavior, stress, toxins, and stochasticity, act to influence the epigenome during this critical period. To illustrate how changes in early environment can dramatically affect the epigenome, we provide examples from diverse members of the animal kingdom, spanning insects to human. Specific to mammalian early embryogenesis, DNA methylation, and other epigenetic marks are reset at two specific times in distinct cell lineages leading to epigenetic programming of gametic and somatic cells. These two waves of genomic demethylation and reestablishment of methylation frame the sensitive times for early environmental influences. Evaluating the complex effects of environmental exposures on the developing epigenome requires novel and comprehensive approaches. In this chapter we outline a strategy for the evaluation of environmentally induced epigenetic effects across animal models and human samples, highlighting the necessity for careful assessment of dose and resulting phenotypic changes across the life course. Herein we review the history, environmental factors, critical time points, and vulnerable genomic structures of epigenome–environment interactions. We also provide a framework to further explore epigenomic changes and translate this knowledge from mouse to man.
Simulating the phase partitioning of NH3, HNO3, and HCl with size-resolved particles over northern Colorado in winter

Abstract Numerical modeling of inorganic aerosol processes is useful in air quality management, but comprehensive evaluation of modeled aerosol processes is rarely possible due to the lack of comprehensive datasets. During the Nitrogen, Aerosol Composition, and Halogens on a Tall Tower (NACHTT) campaign in February and March 2011, the phase partitioning of soluble trace gases with size-resolved particles and related meteorological conditions were measured continuously at a site in Colorado about 33 km north of Denver. These size-resolved measurements of particulate SO 4 2 − , NH 4 + , NO 3 − , Cl−, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, and K+ and inorganic gases are used here to assess the ability of a continental U.S. modeling platform to simulate the gas-particle partitioning of NH3, HNO3, and HCl at this location. Modeling is based on the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model with 12 km horizontal resolution. Baseline, sensitivity, and source apportionment simulations are conducted to fully characterize the model predictions. Considering the limitations in representing regional terrain features in the national 12 km modeling, predictions agree reasonably well with measured concentrations and gas-particle partitioning at this location. However, the median sum of NH 4 + and NH3 is underpredicted in the baseline simulation by a factor of four suggesting a need for improved bottom-up NH3 emissions inventories in this area. The median sum of Cl− and HCl is underpredicted by a factor of 2.8, while levels of Ca2+, Mg2+, and K+ are overpredicted. Improvements in windblown and fugitive dust emissions may improve and/or better constrain these predictions. Mass size distributions for inorganic particle constituents are generally simulated well, although the modeled fine particle mode is shifted to slightly larger diameters relative to measurements. Source apportionment modeling estimates of source sector and boundary contributions to air quality at the site are provided.
Fe-site assignments in Y 1 Ba 2 Cu 3 O 7 revisited

A new symmetric Fe3+ site (labelled E) (δ=0.28(2) mm/s and Δ=0.15 mm/s) is observed in the R1Ba2Cu3O7 family of superconductors for R=Y and Eu. The decay and growth of site E are established in two seemingly unrelated experiments, one as a function of room temperature aging for R=Y, and the other as a function of oxygen loading at elevated temperatures and pressures for R=Eu. In each experiment, the results show that site E is genetically related to the well documented chainsites A(Δ=1.9 mm/s), C(Δ=1.1 mm/s) and D(Δ=1.6 mm/s). We propose that site E represents a quasi-octahedral chain-site having pairs of O(1), O(4) and O(5) nearestneighbor oxygen sites. The two remaining doublets, B(Δ≈0.4 mm/s) and B′(Δ=0.78 mm/s) represent Fe3+ dopant sites present in the all-important CuO2 planes, possessing coordination numbers of 6 and 5, respectively.
Coherent-Radiation Spectroscopy of Few-Femtosecond Electron Bunches Using a Middle-Infrared Prism Spectrometer

Modern, high-brightness electron beams such as those from plasma wakefield accelerators and free-electron laser linacs continue the drive to ever-shorter bunch durations. In low-charge operation ($\ensuremath{\sim}20\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{pC}$), bunches shorter than 10 fs are reported at the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS). Though suffering from a loss of phase information, spectral diagnostics remain appealing as compact, low-cost bunch duration monitors suitable for deployment in beam dynamics studies and operations instrumentation. Progress in middle-infrared (MIR) imaging has led to the development of a single-shot, MIR prism spectrometer to characterize the corresponding LCLS coherent beam radiation power spectrum for few-femtosecond scale bunch length monitoring. In this Letter, we report on the spectrometer installation as well as the temporal reconstruction of 3 to 60 fs-long LCLS electron bunch profiles using single-shot coherent transition radiation spectra.
We Remember, We Celebrate, We Believe/Recuerdo, Celebración, y Esperanza: Latinos in Utah . By Armando Solórzano.

We Remember, We Celebrate, We Believe/Recuerdo, Celebracion, y Esperanza: Latinos in Utah . By Armando Solorzano. (Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press, 2014. xxii + 273 pp. Illustrations, maps, tables, charts, appendix, notes, bibliography, index. $19.95, paper.) At the very start of this work, author Armando Solorzano acknowledges the advantages and limits of his endeavor. First, he notes the use of extensive oral histories (conducted contemporaneously by the author and other scholars, beginning in the early 1970s) and the benefit of drawing upon hundreds of evocative and stunning photos of Latinos in Utah from as far back as 1895. These materials document varied aspects of the lives of Spanish speakers from pre-statehood to the present. Next, however, Solorzano acknowledges that this …
Protein Folding as a Resonance Phenomenon, with Folding Free Energies Determined by Protein-Hydration Shell Interactions

The single-molecule enzyme-turnover-time histogram of cholesterol oxidase [1] resembles the blackbody radiation spectrum at 4000 °K. This observation motivated the author to generalize the Planck radiation equation (PRE), Sλ = (8πhc/λ5)/(ehc/λkT − 1), by replacing the universal constants and temperature by free parameters, resulting in the Planckian Distribution Equation (PDE), y = (A/(x + B)5)/(eC/(x + B) − 1) [2]. Since the first factor in PRE reflects the number of standing waves generated in the blackbody and the second factor the average energy of the standing waves [3], it was postulated that any material system that generates data fitting PDE can be interpreted as implicating standing waves with associated average energies [2]. PDE has been found to fit the long-tailed histogram of the folding free-energy changes measured from 4,300 proteins isolated from E. coli [4]. One possible interpretation of this finding is (i) that proteins (P) and their hydration shells (HS) are organized systems of oscillators with unique sets of natural frequencies, (ii) Ps assume their conformations whose standing waves are frequency-matched (or resonate) with the standing waves of their HSs, and (iii) the folding free energies are determined by the resonance frequencies of the P-HS complexes.[1] Lu, H. P., Xun, L. and Xie, X. S. (1998). Single-Molecule Enzymatic Dynamics. Science 282, 1877-1882.[2] Ji, S. (2012) Isomorphism between Blackbody Radiation and Enzyme Catalysis. In: Molecular Theory of the Living Cell: Concepts, Molecular Mechanisms and Biomedical Applications. Springer, New York, pp. 343-368. http://www.conformon.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Isomorphism_blackbody_radiation_enzymic_catalysis_p343_p368.pdf[3] Blackbody radiation. http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/mod6.html[4] Dill, K. A., Ghosh, K. and Schmidt, J. D. (2011) Physical limits of cells and proteomes. PNAS 108:17876-82.
A systematic review of the free-pour assessment: Implications for research, assessment and intervention

Excessive alcohol consumption is a major concern. Alcohol consumption data are typically collected via self-report questionnaires. However, research has suggested that individuals are unable to identify a standard drink size and that their self-report may be influenced by certain environmental conditions, calling into question the reliability and validity of self-report. The free-pour is an objective measure that may provide a clearer picture of current alcohol consumption trends, individuals' knowledge of standard drink sizes, and accuracy of self-report. This systematic review of existing free-pour assessment methods suggests that individuals are unable to identify and pour standard drink sizes, with the largest discrepancies occurring for liquor and wine pours and pours into larger and wider glasses. Additional variables that appear to influence pouring behavior are gender, pouring location (e.g., home or laboratory), pouring task (e.g., selecting a line or physically pouring), and drinking history; however, additional research is necessary to better understand the effects of these variables on pouring behavior. These findings have important implications for the accuracy of self-report measures, as well as clinical implications for alcohol use screenings, alcohol education courses, and brief interventions for alcohol use. The systematic review concludes with recommendations for practical applications and future research of the free-pour assessment. (PsycINFO Database Record
Osteoblast Behavior on Silicon and Porous-Silicon Substrates

Osteoblast viability, proliferation, protein expression and mineralization were studied on bare, micro- and nanoporous silicon (Si) substrates. Micro- and nano-porous-Si substrates were prepared by anodic etching of silicon in ethanolic hydrofluoric acid and characterized using scanning electron and atomic force microscopies. Mouse osteoblasts were cultured on these substrates and cellular response to these surfaces was assessed using the Live/Dead Cell Viability assay and the MTT assay for cell proliferation. Osteoblast functionality was assessed using immunohistochemistry for bone protein specific markers. Osteoblasts grew well on micro- and nanoporous silicon substrates over the twenty-one day experimental period supporting the assessment that these are suitable cell supportive surfaces. Cell proliferation rates on bare and nanoporous silicon were similar initially, however, nanoporous silicon displayed enhanced cell proliferation, in comparison to bare silicon, after 14 days in culture. Immunocytochemical assays, using bone specific markers, showed positive reactions for osteonectin and osteopontin expression on all substrates with staining intensity increasing over the 21-day experimental period. Calcium mineral deposits were quantified using the Alizarin Red histochemical assay and nanoporous silicon induced the highest level of calcium mineral production in comparison to bare and microporous silicon. The data supports the potential use of nanoporous silicon as a surface implant coating for dental and orthopedic applications. The ability to dope (and then release) drugs or growth factors from the silicon nanopores offers the potential for a multi-functional implant surface.
Borrelia burgdorferi infection induces lipid mediator production during Lyme arthritis

Experimental Lyme arthritis provides a mouse model for exploring the development of pathology following infection of C3H mice with Borrelia burgdorferi. Infected mice develop a reliable inflammatory arthritis of the ankle joint with severity that typically peaks around two to three weeks post-infection and then undergoes spontaneous resolution. This makes experimental Lyme arthritis an excellent model for investigating the mechanisms that drive both the development and resolution phases of inflammatory disease. Eicosanoids are powerful lipid mediators of inflammation and are known to regulate multiple aspects of inflammatory processes. While much is known about the role of eicosanoids in regulating immune responses during autoimmune disease and cancer, relatively little is known about their role during bacterial infection. In this review, we discuss the role of eicosanoid biosynthetic pathways in mediating inflammatory responses during bacterial infection using experimental Lyme arthritis as a model system. We point out the critical role eicosanoids play in disease development and highlight surprising differences between sterile autoimmune responses and those occurring in response to bacterial infection. These differences should be kept in mind when designing therapies and treatments for inflammatory diseases.
Casuistry and Principlism: The Convergence of Method in Biomedical Ethics

Casuistry and principlism are two of the leading contenders to be considered the methodology of bioethics. These methods may be incommensurable since the former emphasizes the examination of cases while the latter focuses on moral principles. Conversely, since both analyze cases in terms of mid-level principles, there is hope that these methods may be reconcilable or complementary. I analyze the role of principles in each and thereby show that these theories are virtually identical when interpreted in a certain light. That is, if the gaps in each method are filled by a concept of judgment or Aristotelian practical wisdom, these methods converge.