cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Observation of Atom and Ion Clouds Produced from Single Droplets of Sample in Inductively Coupled Plasmas by Optical Emission and Laser-Induced Fluorescence Imaging:

An instrument to obtain optical emission and laser-induced fluorescence images of atom or ion clouds, each produced from isolated, monodisperse droplets of sample in an inductively coupled plasma, is described. An excimer laser pumped dye laser is used to produce a large (28-mm X 24-mm) beam for saturated fluorescence from atoms or ions throughout a large portion of the ICP. An intensified charge-coupled device (ICCD) detects optical emission or laser induced fluorescence snapshot images at the focal plane of an aberration-corrected slitless spectrograph. Images produced from a single laser pulse can be detected. Double-exposure emission images with 1- mu s gate times can be acquired to monitor the movement of atom or ion clouds produced from a single droplet of sample solution. Variations in the number of atoms or ions produced as a function of time (or height) in the plasma can be monitored. Excitation in the plasma can be assessed from ratios of emission to fluorescence intensities.
Mental states as mental

L'A. confronte le materialisme fonctionnaliste de D. Lewis a l'hypothese mentaliste selon laquelle il existe des etats mentaux de l'ordre du phenomene ou de l'experience dont les theories fonctionnaliste, behavioriste ou materialiste ne rendent pas compte, et qui concernent des etats mentaux sui generis, naturels, tels que la peine ou la perception, distincts des substances mentales
Relaxation effects around vacancies in sodium metal

Abstract The relaxation effects due to the presence of vacancies in sodium, metal have been studied using the oscillatory inter-ionic potential proposed by Cochran which incorporates semi-empirically the effects of the conduction electrons on the ionic field. The calculated radial ionic displacements for the first five shells of ions around the vacancy are (−4.77, + 2.66, −0.62, + 0.44, −0.86), in terms of percentages of the normal lattice separations, where a negative sign indicates a movement toward the vacancy. The calculated value of the relaxation energy is −0.071 eV. This is fairly small relative to the rigid-lattice value for the vacancy formation energy computed by Fumi (0.53 eV). The summation of the two values yields an energy of formation in close agreement with the recent experimental value by Feder and Charbnau.
Hierarchical diffusion algorithms for distributed estimation

We study the problem of distributed estimation, where a set of nodes are required to collectively estimate some parameter of interest from their measurements. Distributed implementations avoid the use of a fusion center and distribute the processing and communication across the entire network. Among distributed solutions, diffusion algorithms have been shown to achieve good performance, increased robustness and are amenable for ad-hoc implementation. In this work we focus on hierarchical diffusion algorithms, where we allow different nodes to have different responsibilities, as opposed to our previous work where every node performed exactly the same type of operations. Our results are general in the sense that they apply to any diffusion algorithm. We illustrate the concept using diffusion LMS, provide performance analysis for hierarchical collaboration and present simulation results showing improved performance over non-hierarchical methods.
OSTEOSARCOMA WITH A PATHOLOGIC FRACTURE IN A SIX-MONTH-OLD DOG

This case history report describes the clinical, radiographic, and histopathologic features of an osteosarcoma with an associated pathologic fracture in a 6-month-old dog. A 6-month-old intact male Bloodhound was presented with a primary complaint of a right forelimb lameness of one month's duration. In radiographs, a minimally displaced transverse fracture of the proximal humeral metaphysis was seen. There was extensive cortical bone destruction at the fracture site and minimal periosteal new bone suggestive of a primary bone tumor with a pathologic fracture. Biopsy specimens demonstrated neoplastic mesenchymal cells producing osteoid compatible with a diagnosis of osteosarcoma. This case history report constitutes the youngest reported canine osteosarcoma.
Cerebral Metabolic Change after Treatment in Biotinidase Deficiency

A 13.5-year-old boy with biotinidase deficiency was studied 8 days before and 5 months after biotin treatment by positron emission tomography (PET) and computerized electroencephalographic topography (CET). With biotin treatment there was a marked improvement in the presenting symptom of loss of visual acuity and a more modest recovery in spastic quadraparesis. By PET scanning, the relative metabolic rate for glucose was more than 2 standard deviations lower in the temporal and occipital cortices than in adult or age-matched controls. With biotin treatment, these values rose to normal limits for both control groups. By CET, normalized EEG equivalent to the relative glucose metabolic rate showed asymmetric slowing in the left temporal and frontal regions before treatment, whereas none of the 32 leads exceeded normal limits of delta, theta, alpha or beta after treatment. These results suggest a strong correlation between clinical, metabolic and electrical measures of brain function as related to biotin treatment in biotinidase deficiency.
Incidents and complications during pediatric cardiac catheterization.

Summary Background: Cardiac catheterization has revolutionized the management of pediatric cardiac disease. There has been little information on adverse events during these cases from an anesthesia viewpoint. The aim of this audit was to determine the incident rate during pediatric cardiac catheterization as contemporaneously reported by the anesthetist and to identify both the types of events and which procedures had the highest risk. Methods: Since 1993, data have been collected prospectively on an audit form for every anesthetic given in our institution, and in-theatre events were recorded on this form. We have reviewed the data collected on pediatric cardiac catheterizations over a period of 9 years. Results: A total of 4454 cardiac catheterizations were recorded. The overall incidence of events was 9.3%. Cardiac catheterization with occlusion of a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) or a secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) had the lowest event rate at 4.2%. The figure for cardiac catheterization with other therapeutic interventions was 11.6 and 9.3% for solely diagnostic cardiac catheterization. The event rate in infants under the age of 1 year was 13.9% compared with 6.7% for those children over the age of 1 year. Of the 253 reports from cardiac catheterizations that could be analyzed further, there were 91 major complications including four deaths, 72 minor complications and 90 other incidents. Conclusions: Adverse events occur more commonly during cardiac catheterization than during pediatric anesthesia in general. Cases with highest risk are those in the under 1 year olds and those including a therapeutic intervention other than PDA or ASD occlusion.
On j-Convex Preserving Interpolation Operators

We present results regarding the existence of j-convex preserving interpolation operators, as well as results concerning the determination of existence of such operators. We include an application in which we make use of a sufficient set of test-functions to characterize when every degree of convexity can be preserved among particular families of polynomial interpolation operators, which include the Bernstein operators.
A chiral 28-membered macrocycle with symmetry and structure similar to that of trans-cyclooctene.

A bridged N,N-di(aryl)-1,2,4,5-benzenediimide was synthesized in which restricted rotation led to two diasteriomeric conformations at room temperature. The more stable syn-macrocycle is achiral, wh...
Storing temporal sequences of patterns in neural networks

This paper presents neural network models for storing terminating and cyclic temporal sequences of patterns under synchronous, sequential and asynchronous dynamics. We use fully interconnected neural networks with asymmetric weight connections for synchronous and sequential dynamics and a layered neural network with feedback for asynchronous dynamics. The network were successfully implemented and the number of patterns that could be stored and recalled was approximately 12% of the size of the patterns in the network.
Addressing ongoing safety issues

This chapter draws upon ongoing lessons for dealing with campus emergencies from a series of incidents, some high-profile, that occurred at the University of California, Santa Barbara, during the 2000–2001 academic year.
Medical journal editors lacked familiarity with scientific publication issues despite training and regular exposure

Abstract Objective To characterize medical editors by determining their demographics, training, potential sources of conflict of interest (COI), and familiarity with ethical standards. Study Design and Setting We selected editors of clinical medical journals with the highest annual citation rates. One hundred eighty-three editors were electronically surveyed (response rate, 52%) on demographics and experiences with editorial training, publication ethics, industry, and scientific publication organizations. Results Editors reported formal (76%) and informal (89%) training in medical editing topics. Most editors saw publication ethics issues (e.g., authorship, COIs) at least once a year. When presented with four questions about editorial issues discussed in commonly cited authoritative policy sources, performance was poor on topics of authorship (30% answered correctly), COI (15%), peer review (16%), and plagiarism (17%). Despite this, confidence level in editorial skills on a Likert scale from the beginning to the end of the survey dropped only slightly from 4.2 to 3.9 (P Conclusion Our study presents a current look at editors of major clinical medical journals. Most editors reported training in medical editing topics, saw ethical issues regularly, and were aware of scientific publication organizations, but their knowledge of four common and well-disseminated publication ethics topics appears poor.
Fabrication of microchannels in methacrylated hyaluronic acid hydrogels

Culturing cells in a vascularized three-dimensional (3D) hydrogel scaffold has significant applications ranging from tissue engineering to drug discovery. In many large 3D scaffolds, mass transport and nutrient exchange leads to cell necrosis, limiting functionality. Here we present a technique for fabricating microfluidic channels in cell-laden methacrylated hyaluronic acid (MeHA) hydrogels. Using standard soft lithographic techniques, MeHA pre-polymer was molded against a PDMS master and cross-linked using UV light. A second UV cross-linking step generated sealed channels. Channels of different dimensions and geometric complexity demonstrated that MeHA, though highly porous, is a suitable material for microfluidics. Cells embedded within the microfluidic molds were well distributed and media pumped through the channels allowed the exchange of nutrients and waste products. Through repeated stacking and crosslinking steps, we were able to form multiple layers of 3D MeHA channels to form a highly perfuse microchannel network. Incorporating collagen into the MeHA to form a semi-interpenetrating network enabled endothelial cell attachment to the interior of the channels. Further development of this technique may lead to the generation of biomimetic synthetic vasculature for tissue engineering and drug screening.
Anomalies, Chern-Simons terms and chiral delocalization in extra dimensions

Gauge invariant topological interactions, such as the $D=5$ Chern-Simons (CS) term, are required in models in extra dimensions that split anomaly free representations. The Chern-Simons term is necessary to maintain the overall anomaly cancellations of the theory, but it can have significant, observable, physical effects. The CS term locks the Kaluza-Klein (KK)-mode parity to the parity of space-time, leaving a single parity symmetry. It leads to new processes among KK modes e.g., the decay of a KK mode to a 2-body final state of KK modes. A formalism for the effective interaction among KK modes is constructed, and the decay of a KK mode to KK mode plus zero mode is analyzed as an example. We elaborate the general KK-mode current and anomaly structure of these theories. This includes a detailed study of the triangle diagrams and the associated ``consistent anomalies'' for Weyl spinors on the boundary branes. We also develop the non-Abelian formalism. We illustrate this by showing in a simple way how a $D=5$ Yang-Mills ``quark flavor'' symmetry leads to the $D=4$ chiral Lagrangian of mesons and the quantized Wess-Zumino-Witten term.
Laser direct write near-field nanopatterning using optically trapped microspheres

We use Bessel beam optical traps to self-position microsphere objectives near surfaces. Pulsed laser illumination of these objectives is used to perform near-field direct-write subwavelength optical nanopatterning with 100 nm feature sizes.
Modal-Pushover-Based Ground-Motion Scaling Procedure

Earthquake engineering is increasingly using nonlinear response history analysis (RHA) to demonstrate the performance of structures. This rigorous method of analysis requires selection and scaling of ground motions appropriate to design hazard levels. This paper presents a modal-pushover-based scaling (MPS) procedure to scale ground motions for use in a nonlinear RHA of buildings. In the MPS method, the ground motions are scaled to match to a specified tolerance, a target value of the inelastic deformation of the first-mode inelastic single-degree-of-freedom (SDF) system whose properties are determined by the first-mode pushover analysis. Appropriate for first-mode dominated structures, this approach is extended for structures with significant contributions of higher modes by considering elastic deformation of second-mode SDF systems in selecting a subset of the scaled ground motions. Based on results presented for three actual buildings—4, 6, and 13-story—the accuracy and efficiency of the MPS procedure ...
Occurrence of Norcaperatic Acid in Polyporus fibrillosus

Norcaperatic acid (α-tetradecylcitric acid) has been isolated from a carpophore of Polyporus fibrillosus Karst. in a 22 percent yield and identified by its physical and chemical properties. This is the first reported occurrence of norcaperatic acid in a Polyporus species.
A nonlinear cell macromodel for digital applications

Current source models have emerged as a promising technique for reducing digital cell netlists to a simpler electrical model for use in timing and other applications. The multipart current source model (MCSM) is one of the most general models in this class, which has been shown to handle multiple electrical effects including multiple-input switching (MIS) events in timing. However, this new model is hampered by two major problems: port characterization runtime and accuracy across a range of complicated cells which are deployed in advanced microprocessor design such as complex combinational cells, muxes, and sequentials. In this paper we demonstrate a significant leap in modeling accuracy and characterization runtime over the MCSM model which effectively eliminates these remaining issues. The quality of the new approach is conclusively demonstrated on a comprehensive 45nm cell library currently in use. The new approach accurately models both complex combinational as well as, for the first time, sequential cells, and puts MCSM s on the path for next generation gate level electrical analysis.
Why Certain Countries Have Developed and Others Have Not

The fundamental question for economists is to understand why certain countries, (nations, regions) have developed successfully while others are lagging behind. Answering this question will of course help in understanding how to defeat poverty. In recent years economists have made progress by extending the realm of variables included in their models, empirical analysis and overall thinking. Examples include political economics (bordering with political science), behavioral economics (bordering with psychology), law and economics (bordering with law of course) and recently, cultural economics (bordering with sociology and anthropology). A new but rapidly growing body of research is taking, instead, the idea of including culture defined as the customary beliefs, social norms, and material traits of a nation, racial, religious or social group. Examples of cultural values which are very important for understanding economic development include trust and social capital; the structure and organization of the family; the role of women in the family and in society; and religious beliefs, amongst others. The question is how culture affects various aspects of economic behavior and how culture evolves. Does culture easily melt, or are cultural traits very persistent? What has led historically to the development of certain cultural traits?
Transmission capacity of wireless ad-hoc networks with multiple antennas using multi-mode precoding and interference cancelation

The transmission capacity of an ad-hoc network is the maximum density of active transmitters in an unit area, given an outage constraint at each receiver for a fixed rate of transmission. This paper addresses the problem of maximizing the transmission capacity of an ad-hoc network when each node is equipped with multiple antennas. Bounds on the transmission capacity are derived as a function of the number of antennas used for transmission, and the number of antennas used for interference cancelation. Both the transmitter and receiver are assumed to have channel state information (CSI). CSI at the transmitter is used to transmit multiple streams using multi-mode precoding, while CSI at the receiver is used for interference cancelation. Canceling the strongest or the closest interferers, single stream transmission on the best eigenmode together with using all but one receiver antennas for interference cancelation is shown to maximize the transmission capacity.
Galois groups and connection matrices of -difference equations

We study the Galois group of a matrix q-difference equation with rational coefficients which is regular at 0 and ∞, in the sense of (difference) Picard-Vessiot theory, and show that it coincides with the algebraic group generated by matrices C(u)C(w)−1 u,w ∈ C∗ , where C(z) is the Birkhoff connection matrix of the equation. 1. Differential algebra The notion of the Galois group of a linear ordinary differential equation or a holonomic system of such equations is well known. For example, consider the differential equation (1.1) df(z) dz = a(z)f(z), where a is an N × N -matrix valued function and f is an unknown C -valued function of one complex variable z (both are assumed holomorphic in z in a certain region). To define the Galois group, one fixes a field of functions F containing the coefficients of the equation and invariant under d/dz. Let L be the field generated over F by all solutions of the system. This field is invariant under d/dz. The Galois group G of the system is, by definition, the group of all automorphisms g of the field L such that g fixes all elements of F and [g, d/dz] = 0. The group G is naturally isomorphic to a linear algebraic group over C. Indeed, let f1, ..., fN ∈ L be a basis of the space of solutions of the system. Then for any g ∈ G, g(fi) are also solutions of the system, so g(fi) = ∑ j gijfj. Moreover, g is uniquely determined by the matrix gij . Thus we get an embedding of G into GLN(C), given by g → {gij} (superscript t means transposition). It can be shown that the image of this map is a closed subgroup. If we replace the basis f1, ..., fN by another basis, this embedding will be conjugated by the corresponding transformation matrix. The properties of group G are the subject of Picard-Vessiot (or differential Galois) theory, and are described in [Ko,R,Ka]. This theory allows to prove that certain linear differential equations of second and higher order cannot be reduced Received by the editors April 6, 1995. 1991 Mathematics Subject Classification. 12H10;39A10. c ©1995 American Mathematical Society
Review of mid-infrared plasmonic materials

The field of plasmonics has the potential to enable unique applications in the mid-infrared (IR) wavelength range. However, as is the case regardless of wavelength, the choice of plasmonic material has significant implications for the ultimate utility of any plasmonic device or structure. In this manuscript, we review the wide range of available plasmonic and phononic materials for mid-IR wavelengths, looking in particular at transition metal nitrides, transparent conducting oxides, silicides, doped semiconductors, and even newer plasmonic materials such as graphene. We also include in our survey materials with strong mid-IR phonon resonances, such as GaN, GaP, SiC, and the perovskite SrTiO 3 , all of which can support plasmon-like modes over limited wavelength ranges. We will discuss the suitability of each of these plasmonic and phononic materials, as well as the more traditional noble metals for a range of structures and applications and will discuss the potential and limitations of alternative plasmonic materials at these IR wavelengths.
The resource consumption principle: attention and memory in volumes of neural tissue

Abstract In the cerebral cortex, the small volume of the extracellular space in relation to the volume enclosed by synapses suggests an important functional role for this relationship. It is well known that there are atoms and molecules in the extracellular space that are absolutely necessary for synapses to function (e.g., calcium). I propose here the hypothesis that the rapid shift of these atoms and molecules from extracellular to intrasynaptic compartments represents the consumption of a shared, limited resource available to local volumes of neural tissue. Such consumption results in a dramatic competition among synapses for resources necessary for their function. In this paper, I explore a theory in which this resource consumption plays a critical role in the way local volumes of neural tissue operate. On short time scales, this principle of resource consumption permits a tissue volume to choose those synapses that function in a particular context and thereby helps to integrate the many neural signals that impinge on a tissue volume at any given moment. On longer time scales, the same principle aids in the stable storage and recall of information. The theory provides one framework for understanding how cerebral cortical tissue volumes integrate, attend to, store, and recall information. In this account, the capacity of neural tissue to attend to stimuli is intimately tied to the way tissue volumes are organized at fine spatial scales.
Use of Genetically Engineered Phage To Deliver Antimicrobial Agents to Bacteria: an Alternative Therapy for Treatment of Bacterial Infections

The emergence and increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens emphasizes the need for new and innovative antimicrobial strategies. Lytic phages, which kill their host following amplification and release of progeny phage into the environment, may offer an alternative strategy for combating bacterial infections. In this study, however, we describe the use of a nonlytic phage to specifically target and deliver DNA encoding bactericidal proteins to bacteria. To test the concept of using phage as a lethal-agent delivery vehicle, we used the M13 phagemid system and the addiction toxins Gef and ChpBK. Phage delivery of lethal-agent phagemids reduced target bacterial numbers by several orders of magnitude in vitro and in a bacteremic mouse model of infection. Given the powerful genetic engineering tools available and the present knowledge in phage biology, this technology may have potential use in antimicrobial therapies and DNA vaccine development.
Metamorphic replacement of mineral inclusions in detrital zircon from Jack Hills, Australia: Implications for the Hadean Earth: COMMENT

We appreciate that [Rasmussen et al. (2011)][1] have characterized a large number of inclusions in Jack Hills (Australia) detrital zircons, but we find two significant flaws in their paper: one of scholarship and one of omission. With regard to the first, their paper implies discovery of reset
Stability Analysis of Nonlinear Dynamical Systems using Conley Index Theory

In this paper, we use Conley index theory to develop necessary and sufficient conditions for stability of equilibrium and periodic solutions of nonlinear continuous-time, discrete-time, and impulsive dynamical systems. The Conley index is a topological generalization of Morse theory which has been developed to analyze dynamical systems using topological methods. In particular, the Conley index of an invariant set with respect to a dynamical system is defined as the relative homology of an index pair for the invariant set. The Conley index can then be used to examine the structure of the system invariant set as well as the system dynamics within the invariant set, including system stability properties. Efficient numerical algorithms using homology theory have been developed in the literature to compute the Conley index and can be used to deduce the stability properties of nonlinear dynamical systems.
A role for ubiquitination in mitochondrial inheritance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The smm1 mutation suppresses defects in mitochondrial distribution and morphology caused by the mdm1-252 mutation in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Cells harboring only the smm1 mutation themselves display temperature-sensitive growth and aberrant mitochondrial inheritance and morphology at the nonpermissive temperature. smm1 maps to RSP5 , a gene encoding an essential ubiquitin-protein ligase. The smm1 defects are suppressed by overexpression of wild-type ubiquitin but not by overexpression of mutant ubiquitin in which lysine-63 is replaced by arginine. Furthermore, overexpression of this mutant ubiquitin perturbs mitochondrial distribution and morphology in wild-type cells. Site-directed mutagenesis revealed that the ubiquitin ligase activity of Rsp5p is essential for its function in mitochondrial inheritance. A second mutation, smm2 , which also suppressed mdm1-252 defects, but did not cause aberrant mitochondrial distribution and morphology, mapped to BUL1 , encoding a protein interacting with Rsp5p. These results indicate that protein ubiquitination mediated by Rsp5p plays an essential role in mitochondrial inheritance, and reveal a novel function for protein ubiquitination.
HSC20 interacts with frataxin and is involved in iron–sulfur cluster biogenesis and iron homeostasis

Friedreich's ataxia is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by mutations in the frataxin gene that produces a predominantly mitochondrial protein whose primary function appears to be mitochondrial iron–sulfur cluster (ISC) biosynthesis. Previously we demonstrated that frataxin interacts with multiple components of the mammalian ISC assembly machinery. Here we demonstrate that frataxin interacts with the mammalian mitochondrial chaperone HSC20. We show that this interaction is iron-dependent. We also show that like frataxin, HSC20 interacts with multiple proteins involved in ISC biogenesis including the ISCU/Nfs1 ISC biogenesis complex and the GRP75 ISC chaperone. Furthermore, knockdown of HSC20 caused functional defects in activity of mitochondrial ISC-containing enzymes and also defects in ISC protein expression. Alterations up or down of frataxin expression caused compensatory changes in HSC20 expression inversely, as expected of two cooperating proteins operating in the same pathway and suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for the disease. Knockdown of HSC20 altered cytosolic and mitochondrial iron pools and increased the expression of transferrin receptor 1 and iron regulatory protein 2 consistent with decreased iron bioavailability. These results indicate that HSC20 interacts with frataxin structurally and functionally and is important for ISC biogenesis and iron homeostasis in mammals. Furthermore, they suggest that HSC20 may act late in the ISC pathway as a chaperone in ISC delivery to apoproteins and that HSC20 should be included in multi-protein complex studies of mammalian ISC biogenesis.
Back to Basics for Monolingual Alignment: Exploiting Word Similarity and Contextual Evidence

We present a simple, easy-to-replicate monolingual aligner that demonstrates state-of-the-art performance while relying on almost no supervision and a very small number of external resources. Based on the hypothesis that words with similar meanings represent potential pairs for alignment if located in similar contexts, we propose a system that operates by finding such pairs. In two intrinsic evaluations on alignment test data, our system achieves F 1 scores of 88–92%, demonstrating 1–3% absolute improvement over the previous best system. Moreover, in two extrinsic evaluations our aligner outperforms existing aligners, and even a naive application of the aligner approaches state-of-the-art performance in each extrinsic task.
The Delphi Technique: a research strategy for career and technical education

Research literature in career and technical education is replete with studies using survey research as a means of seeking answers to any number of different questions. On occasion, however, one wishes to collect opinions of experts and, to the greatest extent possible, achieve consensus among them. For example, consensus among educators in a specific area about what technologies should be taught in today's technology-based world would be important to many educators and their students. This goal presents a unique research situation.
The Influence of Democratic Competition on Public Opinion

What is the effect of democratic competition on the power of elites to frame public opinion? We address this issue first by defining the range of competitive contexts that might surround any debate over a policy issue. We then offer a theory that predicts how audiences, messages, and competitive environments interact to influence the magnitude of framing effects. These hypotheses are tested using experimental data gathered on the opinions of adults and college students toward two policy issues - the management of urban growth, and the right of an extremist group to conduct a rally. Our results indicate that framing effects depend more heavily on the qualities of frames than on their frequency of dissemination, and that competition alters but does not eliminate the influence of framing. We conclude by discussing the implications of these results for the study of public opinion and democratic political debate.
Discussion of the Cairns Report

(1935). Discussion of the Cairns Report. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 42, No. 1, pp. 34-37.
867 Epidemiology of Bacterial Meningitis in Tunisian Children (2000–2011)

Bacterial meningitis is associated with high mortality and neurological squeal world wide. We reported epidemiological characteristics of laboratory confirmed bacterial meningitis in children during 2000 to 2011 period. We analyzed all laboratory confirmed bacterial meningitis cases. The serotypes and serogroups were determined by slide agglutination. Antibiotic susceptibility was determined by disk diffusion method according to CA-SFM guidelines. Beta-lactamase production was analyzed using cefinase test. MIC of beta-lactams was determined by E-test method (AB BIODISK). During the study period we have collected 486 cases of bacterial meningitis: 157 cases of S. pneumoniae (32.3%), 118 of N. meningitidis (24.3%), and 99 of H. influenzae (20.4%). Most cases (66.5%) occurred in children under 3 years. The most frequent serotype among S. pneumoniae was 14 (27.2%) followed by 23F (9%). The majority of N meningitidis strains belonged to serogroup B (72.9%) and 88.8% of H. influenzae strains to serotype b. Before Hib conjugate vaccine introduction (2000–2002), H. influenzae were the first species responsible for meningitis (40%). During vaccine generalisation (2003–2005) we noted a decrease in Hib meningitis. At the beginning of 2006, Hib vaccination was stopped and we observed an increase of Hib meningitis cases. Antimicrobial susceptibility studies show that 43.6% and 60% respectively of S. pneumoniae and N. meningitidis strains had reduced susceptibility to penicillin. Among H. influenzae 47.3% was beta-lactamase producing. The data presented in this study demonstrate that S. pneumoniae is the most frequent in bacterial meningitis in children and that beta-lactams resistance is frequent in our hospital.
Familial benign chronic pemphigus (Hailey-Hailey disease) treated with electron beam radiation.

Hailey-Hailey disease (HHD), or familial benign chronic pemphigus, is an autosomal dominant genodermatosis. In this condition, dysregulation of intracellular calcium homeostasis leads to impaired desmosome function and suprabasilar acantholysis of the epidermis.1 Clinically, this condition presents as intertriginous vesicles, erosions, and weeping, fissured plaques.1 The painful nature of HHD, risk of secondary infection, and malodor can significantly affect a patient's quality of life. The lesions are often difficult to control with topical steroids and antimicrobials, necessitating more aggressive treatments. In previous case reports, ionizing radiation was found to prolong remission of plaques.2, 3, 4 We report the use of electron beam radiation therapy (EBRT) to treat 2 patients with recalcitrant HHD.
The role of liver and adipose tissue in the pathogenesis of the ethanol-induced fatty liver.

In vivo incubation of paired epididymal fat pads with medium containing palmitic acid-1-C14 was employed to label adipose tissue triglycerides. The administration of a single dose of ethanol to normal rats so treated produced an elevation of liver triglyceride, judged by comparison with control rats given glucose isocalorically. The radioactivity of liver triglyceride was proportionately elevated, while the specific activity was unchanged. The loss of radioactive triglyceride from adipose tissue was not significantly different in the ethanol group from that in the controls. These studies demonstrate that adipose tissue triglyceride is mobilized at a normal rate during the development of this type of hepatic steatosis. Specific activity data suggest nevertheless that adipose tissue triglyceride fatty acids constitute the principal source of the fatty acids of the accumulated hepatic triglycerides, indicating an altered hepatic metabolism of triglycerides (or fatty acids) as the cause of the accumulation.
Contemporary Literature in Modern Mass Media

Represented by television, modern mass media and the media culture formed are a great challenge to modern literature in the dichotomies of image vs. writing, standardization vs. individuality, worldliness vs. spiritualization, and compulsiveness vs. autonomy. Some writers and critics are resisting the influence, some have surrendered, and some others are trying to combine the both sides.
Expression Vector Construction and genetic Transformation of Antifreeze SiPEBP gene in Rice

Objective In order to enhance the freezing tolerance of rice,a hygromycin-resistant plant expression vector of SiPEBP gene was constructed and transformed into Xinjiang Japonica rice. MethodThe target gene was amplified form Saussurea involucrate Kar. kir by PCR and constructed to pMD19-T Vector.After BamHI and sacI digestion,the target gene was sub-cloned to PMDC32 expression vector. The recombinant plasmid was then transfected Agrobacterium tumefaciens EHA105 using freeze-thaw method. Finely,the Agrobacterium tumefaciens containing recombinant plasmid was transformed inti Xinjiang Japonica rice variety Qiutian-xiaoding. ResultAs the result,SiPEBP plant expression vector was obtained and the hygromycin-resistant callus of rice was constructed. The SiPEBP gene was integrated into the rice genome identified by PCR.ConclusionThis transgenic rice will be used for the study of the function and mechanism of SiPEBP gene and for the cold tolerance seedling of rice.
Considering the Spatial Correlation of Regional R&D for China's Total Factor Productivity Estimated:Based on 1999-2008 Provincial Spatial Panel Data

Based on the GWR model,the article establishes the geographical space weighted regression model GTWR based on Provincial Spatial panel data,and China's regional RD total factor productivity was calculated.Research findings show that:GTWR model than OLS model results more desirable;Space Contact extent to some extent affects the RD total factor productivity,The China's regional RD total factor productivity of OLS estimates is lower than the actual level;Regional RD in total factor productivity growth is mainly driven by RD capital,and RD personnel even impediments.
Tourism and humor

The work by Pierce and Pabel contributes to the knowledge on humor by rediscovering its features through the medium of tourism. The uniqueness of this book lies in the portrayal of humor through th...
Planning and executing a major bookshift/move using an electronic spreadsheet

Presentation d'un logiciel tableur pour gerer le deplacement de collections d'une bibliotheque
Measurement of thickness and profile of a transparent material using fluorescent stereo microscopy

Full-field thickness measurement for a thin transparent film is of interest for biological, medical, electronic, and packaging materials. It is a challenging task when the film is curvy, delicate and its thickness varies with location. We report herein a method to measure the thickness of a transparent (flat or curved) material and its topography using a stereo fluorescent profilometry technique. In this technique, two different types of fluorescent particles are deposited to both sides of the transparent film. Selected fluorescent excitation and emission are used to allow the observation of each one surface of the film at a time to determine the surface profile using stereo-based digital image correlation techniques. After the surface profiles for both surfaces are determined, subtraction of one surface profile from the other provides accurate thickness distribution of the film. Validation experiments were conducted using transparent films with known thickness. As an application, a measurement on a contact lens was conducted. The technique is appropriate for measurement of the full-field thickness of objects at other scales, such as soft transparent or translucent biofilms, with which thickness can hardly be measured accurately with other techniques.
A probabilistic approach to modeling struvite precipitation with uncertain equilibrium parameters

Abstract The precipitation and accumulation of struvite ( MgNH 4 PO 4 · 6 H 2 O ) within anaerobic processes has been a costly problem for wastewater facilities. To anticipate and mitigate struvite buildup, solubility models have been developed that employ equilibria software for the evaluation of equilibrium equations. Unfortunately, these programs run under the assumption that chemical equilibrium constants are single, universally accepted values when, in reality, a wide range of values have been published for these constants. In this study, a struvite solubility model was developed in which the equilibrium constants were treated as empirically distributed variables within a Monte Carlo simulation to understand the effect of uncertainty on precipitation potential over a range of pH (6–8.5), temperature (0–60 °C), and ionic strength (0–1 M). Using field conditions measured at a struvite-afflicted treatment plant as model input parameters, the resulting uncertainty in the struvite supersaturation ratio was found to be highly consequential, with the 90 percent confidence interval spanning well over an order of magnitude. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis was performed on the model, identifying the third orthophosphate equilibrium constant and the struvite solubility product as the most significant source of uncertainty.
Low-frequency fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of the oxygen-evolving complex in Photosystem II.

In this communication, we report our progress on the development of low-frequency Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic techniques to study metal-substrate and metal-ligand vibrational modes in the Photosystem II/oxygen-evolving complex (PS II/OEC). This information will provide important structural and mechanistic insight into the OEC. Strong water absorption in the low-frequency region (below 1000 cm−1), a lack of suitable materials, and temperature control problems have limited previous FTIR spectroscopic studies of the OEC to higher frequencies (>1000 cm−1). We have overcome these technical difficulties that have blocked access to the low-frequency region and have developed successive instruments that allow us to move deeper into the low-frequency region (down to 350 cm−1), while increasing both data accumulation efficiency and S/N ratio. We have detected several low-frequency modes in the S2/S1spectrum that are specifically associated with these two states. Our results demonstrate the utility of FTIR techniques in accessing low-frequency modes in Photosystem II and in proteins generally.
Revelations and Generalizations of the Nine Card Problem

SummaryThe nine card problem is a magic trick performed by shuffling nine playing cards according to a set of rules. The magic is that a particular card will always reappear. The success of this trick can be easily explained by considering the lengths of the words in the names of playing cards, which define the shuffling rules. In this paper, we use permutations to prove that the trick will always work. We then use this methodology to generalize the trick to any number of cards with shuffles according to different rules.
Homoserine and Threonine Peptide Assembly

Drawing on our recent success with reagent-less peptide-bond formation through serine-based assembly reactions in organic solvent, their range has been expanded to threonine and homoserine (an aspartic acid precursor) in the N-terminal peptide. Amino acid scope available at the assembly C-terminus includes bulky residues not amenable to classical ligation methods, such as cysteine-based NCL in aqueous media. The method was used to assemble a snakebite-toxin-neutralizing peptide from opossums.
Abstract 12691: The Biological Clock Regulates Cellular Iron Homeostasis

Introduction: Iron is an essential metal for various cellular processes including mitochondrial respiration, DNA synthesis and protein synthesis. Low iron stores can disrupt any of these processes,...
Fiduciary Duty, Risk, and Shareholder Desert

A common moral argument is that shareholders have a special status because of risk when considering the duties of corporate management. The privileges of this status usually include the idea that management should adopt the goal of maximizing shareholder wealth. We argue that modern financial theory demonstrates that this argument should be modified by the recognition of a principle of desert, the shareholder desert principle (SDP). Financial theory can usefully circumscribe the duty owed to shareholders and the extent to which risk bearing justifies a claim on corporate value. When combined with the SDP, the result provides management with a guideline for what is owed to shareholders before other stakeholder non-contractual claims may be satisfied. As such, our approach provides management with some guidance through the thicket of competing stakeholder claims.
Cost Recommendations in the Second Edition of Cost-Effectiveness in Health and Medicine: A Review

A 2nd edition of Cost-Effectiveness in Health and Medicine has now been published by a group of medical decision-making experts known collectively as the 2nd Panel. This is a critical review of the recommendations for how to deal with costs in cost-effectiveness analysis, recommendations that are contained in Chapter 8 of that edition, titled "Estimating Costs and Valuations of Non-Health Benefits in Cost-Effectiveness Analysis," authored primarily but not exclusively by Anirban Basu. This review focuses on the correspondence between the costs in the numerator of the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) and what is measured in the denominator of the ICER by the quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). Although it raises a number of issues regarding what is actually being measured in the numerator and denominator of the ICER, it primarily challenges the 2nd Panel's recommendation that the costs of non-health consumption in any additional years of life generated by the intervention in question be accounted for in the numerator, even though no measures of the benefits are included in the QALYs in the denominator. This review is adapted from a review of the entire 2nd edition that was sent to the 2nd Panel steering committee on January 8, 2016.
Faithfully representable analytic groups

In this paper, analytic group means a connected complex Lie group. If G is an analytic group and p : G ~ GLn¢ , where p(g) = [Pij(g)] , is an analytic representation, the functions Pij : G ~ ~ are called the coordinate functions of p . The set R(G) of all coordinate functions of all analytic representations of G forms a complex algebra, under pointwise operations, called the algebra of representative functions on G . G acts on R(G) in the following way : if f ~ R(G) and x ~ G , x • f : G ~ C given by (x • f)(y) = f(yx) and f • x : G ~ ~ given by (f • x)(y) = f(xy) are in R(G) . For x in G , let L x : G ~ G be given by Lx(Y) = xy and R x : G ~ G be given by Rx(Y) = yx . Then x • f = fR x and f • x = fL x The algebra of representative functions on a group with a faithful representation has the following description, due to Hochschild and Mostow [3, Section 3] :
System Analysis of Yield Trials can Raise Efficiency of Breeding for Yield

Improvement of efficiency of breeding for higher yield of seed crops can be achieved, based on relationships that arise from partitioning of the available photosynthate.
Establishing an Early Warning System: Predicting Low Grades in College Students from Survey of Academic Orientations Scores

Counselors, faculty, and student personnel specialists are often unaware that college students are experiencing serious academic or adjustment difficulties until it is too late to rectify the problem. Most universities would benefit from an early warning system that detects at-risk students before performance or social problems jeopardize their college careers. This investigation demonstrated that scores from the Survey of Academic Orientations (SAO) were predictive of first-semester freshmen grades. Subsequent analysis showed that the SAO significantly improved the prediction of grade point averages, after taking the effects of Scholastic Assessment Test scores and high school percentage rank into consideration. The SAO gives educators a new early warning device, a way to identify those undergraduates most at risk of receiving poor grades. The next steps in the research process are to: (1) assess the relationship of SAO scores to other important academic indexes, such as retention and student stress, and (2) determine if furnishing counselors and other college personnel with SAO scores is of therapeutic value.
Super-Flexible Execution: Experimenting, Iterating and Recalibrating

How can knowledge workers execute new initiatives when they have limited information, little time, and minimal resources? How can they decide between competing options when there are no clear recipes and blueprints for success? How can they change direction and revise expectations? How can they be systematic and consistent, when uncertainty is an everyday fact of life? We explore these questions to better understand how knowledge workers embark on, and execute pioneering initiatives in dynamic settings.
Mechanisms of Circulatory Collapse Induced by PAF-Acether

PAF-acether (l-0-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glyceryl-3-phosphorylcholine) is an inflammatory mediator with potent circulatory actions (1). Release of this agent by activated leukocytes, macrophages, platelets, and thrombin-stimulated endothelial cells is likely to occur during Ig-E related anaphylaxis or sepsis. Adverse effects of PAF-acether may contribute significantly to circulatory deterioration and collapse that can accompany these conditions.