cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hydrologic sources of carbon cycling uncertainty throughout the terrestrial–aquatic continuum

Linking hydrologic interactions with global carbon cycling will reduce the uncertainty associated with scaling-up empirical studies and facilitate the incorporation of terrestrial–aquatic linkages within global and regional change models. Much of the uncertainty in estimates of carbon fluxes associated with precipitation and hydrologic transport results from the extensive spatial and temporal heterogeneity in both intrinsic functioning and anthropogenic modification of hydrological cycles. To better understand this variation we developed a landscape ecological approach to coupled hydrologic–carbon cycling that merges local mechanisms with multiple-scale spatial heterogeneity. This spatially explicit framework is applied to examine variability in hydrologic influences on carbon cycling along a continental scale water availability gradient with an explicit consideration of human sources of variability. Hydrologic variation is an important component of the uncertainty in carbon cycling; accounting for this variation will improve understanding of current conditions and projections of future ecosystem responses to global change.
A Course on Large Deviations With an Introduction to Gibbs Measures

Large deviations: General theory and i.i.d. processes Introductory discussion The large deviation principle Large deviations and asymptotics of integrals Convex analysis in large deviation theory Relative entropy and large deviations for empirical measures Process level large deviations for i.i.d. fields Statistical mechanics Formalism for classical lattice systems Large deviations and equilibrium statistical mechanics Phase transition in the Ising model Percolation approach to phase transition Additional large deviation topics Further asymptotics for i.i.d. random variables Large deviations through the limiting generating function Large deviations for Markov chains Convexity criterion for large deviations Nonstationary independent variables Random walk in a dynamical random environment Appendixes: Analysis Probability Inequalities from statistical mechanics Nonnegative matrices Bibliography Notation index Author index General index
Glycemic Monitoring in Diabetics with Sickle Cell Plus β-Thalassemia Hemoglobinopathy

OBJECTIVE:To report a case of diabetes management in a patient with a hemoglobinopathy that caused her clinician to seek a different measure of glycemic control, fructosamine, rather than glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c).CASE SUMMARY:A 53-year-old African American woman presented with a past medical history of type 2 diabetes, hypertension, seizure disorder, rheumatoid arthritis, and sickle cell disease plus β-thalassemia. She reported fasting blood glucose values ranging broadly from 50 to 320 mg/dL, yet her HbA1c result remained steady in a low range of >6%. A measure of fructosamine returned elevated at 340 μmol/L (reference range 200–300%).DISCUSSION:We believe that this patient's hemoglobinopathy resulted in falsely low levels of HbA1c, and we substantiate this interpretation with the patient's self-monitored blood glucose values from home that appeared higher and inconsistent with the HbA1c results. Although few reports on using the measure of fructosamine appear in the literature, this patient's hig...
Cost-effectiveness, QALYs, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios

The cost of healthcare in the United States has continued to grow at an unsustainable rate. Spine care has not been immune to these elevating costs. Given the current economic environment, policy makers and payers have started to consider a move towards a system of value-based healthcare. Spine care providers will be required to measure the value of the treatments that they provide. This manuscript discusses the concepts of value-based healthcare, outcomes measures, and cost-effectiveness and the influence they will have on our future practice.
CHEMO-IMMUNOLOGICAL STUDIES ON CONJUGATED CARBOHYDRATE-PROTEINS : XII. THE IMMUNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF AN ARTIFICIAL ANTIGEN CONTAINING CELLOBIURONIC ACID.

1. Artificial antigens containing the azobenzyl glycosides of the disaccharide cellobiose and the aldobionic acid, cellobiuronic acid, give rise in rabbits to antibodies which are specific and characteristic of the saccharide constituent. The antiserum to cellobiuronic acid shows broader serological cross reactions than does that to cellobiose. 2. An antiserum to the cellobiuronic acid antigen precipitates the capsular polysaccharide of Type III Pneumococcus when the latter is combined with a heterologous protein. 3. The cellobiuronic acid test antigen precipitates vigorously in antipneumococcus sera Types II, III, and VIII. The mechanism of these reactions is discussed.
Osteogenesis imperfecta type VI in childhood and adolescence: Effects of cyclical intravenous pamidronate treatment

Cyclical intravenous treatment with pamidronate is of clinical benefit in children with moderate to severe osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) types I, III and IV, but there is no information on the effects of this treatment on the newly described OI type VI. Here, we report on the results of 3 years of pamidronate treatment in 10 children and adolescents with OI type VI (age range 0.8 to 14.5 years, three girls). Treatment effects were compared to those of 10 patients with OI types I, III, and IV, who were matched for age and disease severity (based on height and lumbar spine areal bone mineral density). During pamidronate therapy, lumbar spine areal bone mineral density z scores increased and lumbar spine vertebral bodies improved in shape. Iliac bone histomorphometry showed a tendency to higher cortical thickness (+53%, P=0.06) but the mineralization defect, a characteristic feature of OI type VI, did not change during pamidronate treatment. Annualized fracture incidence decreased from 3.1 per year before treatment to 1.4 fractures per year during treatment (P<0.05). Regarding mobility, the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory gross motor score increased by 42% during pamidronate treatment (P<0.005). Significant improvements were also found for age-related z scores of maximal isometric grip force. In comparison to the OI control group, the fracture incidence was higher and the gross motor scores were lower in OI type VI, both before and after pamidronate treatment (P<0.05 for each parameter). No differences were found between the groups for changes in densitometric measures and cortical thickness during pamidronate treatment. Our results suggest that 3 years of intravenous pamidronate therapy led to improvements in bone mineral mass, gross motor function, muscle force and fracture incidence in patients with OI type VI. However, the gains in mobility scores and reductions in fracture incidence during pamidronate treatment are less than in other OI types.
Evolution of Foot Orthoses in Sports

Foot orthoses have been used for well over 200 years by the medical profession for the treatment of various pathologies of the foot and lower extremity [1, 2]. Starting from their simple origins as leather, cork, and/or metallic in-shoe arch supports, foot orthoses have gradually evolved into a complex assortment of in-shoe medical devices that may be fabricated from a multitude of synthetic and natural materials to accomplish the intended therapeutic goals for the injured patient. For the clinician that treats both athletic and nonathletic injuries of the foot and lower extremity, foot orthoses are an invaluable therapeutic tool in the treatment of many painful pathologies of the foot and lower extremity, in the prevention of new injuries in the foot and lower extremity and in the optimization of the biomechanics of the individual during sports and other weight-bearing activities. Because of their therapeutic effectiveness in the treatment of a wide range of painful mechanically based pathologies in the human locomotor apparatus, foot orthoses are often considered by many podiatrists, sports physicians, and foot-care specialists to be one of the most important treatment modalities for these conditions.
The Response of Corn Acreage to Ethanol Plant Siting

U.S. ethanol production capacity increased more than threefold between 2002 and 2008. We study the effect of this growth on corn acreage. Connecting annual changes in county-level corn acreage to changes in ethanol plant capacities, we find a positive effect on planted corn. The building of a typical plant is estimated to increase corn in the county by over 500 acres and to increase acreage in surrounding counties up to almost 300 miles away. All ethanol plants are estimated to increase corn production by less than their annual requirements.
Arthroscopic Capsular Release for the Stiff Shoulder Description of Technique and Anatomic Considerations

The anatomic proximity of several neurovascular structures remains a major concern to the surgeon interested in performing arthroscopic capsular re lease. We evaluated the anatomic relationships be tween the released capsule and the axillary nerve, posterior circumflex humeral artery, and brachial ar tery in a frozen cadaveric model. With the aid of electrocautery, seven cadaveric shoulders under went complete arthroscopic capsular release. The release was performed circumferentially, approxi mately 1 cm lateral to the glenoid rim. All shoulders were subsequently frozen and sectioned through the plane of the capsular release while the shoulder was maintained in the lateral arthroscopic position (45° of abduction and 20° of flexion). Anatomic dissection revealed an average distance from the capsular re lease to the axillary nerve of 7.04 mm (95% confi dence interval, 5.62, 8.47), to the posterior circum flex humeral artery of 8.2 mm (95% confidence interval, 6.41, 9.99), and to the brachial artery of 15.97...
Optimal camera placement for cardiac imaging using rotating multi-segment slant-hole single photon emission computed tomography

Rotating multi-segment slant-hole (RMSSH) collimators provide much higher detection efficiency and allow fully 3D cardiac SPECT using a much lower number of camera positions as compared to conventional low-energy high-resolution parallel-hole collimators. In this study, the effects of number and placement of camera positions in RMSSH SPECT for cardiac imaging were studied, to achieve the best possible reconstruction image quality with minimal image artifacts. Both simulation and phantom experiments were performed. A modified SIMIND Monte-Carlo code and the realistic 3D NURBS-based Cardiac-Torso (NCAT) phantom were used in simulation studies. A GE 400AC/T camera equipped with a 4-segment slant-hole collimator with a 32.5/spl deg/ slant-angle and a Data Spectrum anthropomorphic torso phantom with cardiac insert were used in phantom experiments. Ectomography (single camera position) and RMSSH (two to three camera positions) projection data of the heart were simulated and acquired from different camera positions, and then reconstructed using an iterative OS-EM algorithm for comparison. For incomplete angle RMSSH SPECT of the heart, Ectomography gives noticeable image artifacts and distortions at any camera position. RMSSH SPECT images obtained using two camera positions 90/spl deg/ apart show significant improvements as compared with only one camera position used in Ectomography, and those placed symmetrically with respect to the long axis of the heart give the best image quality. For complete angle RMSSH SPECT acquisition of the heart using three camera positions, all combinations of camera positions that satisfy Orlov's condition show similar images that are of higher quality and quantitative accuracy than that from incomplete angle acquisitions. We conclude that the number and placement of camera positions in cardiac RMSSH SPECT should be chosen carefully for best reconstructed image and quantitative accuracy.
Sacroiliac Fracture‐Separation in the Dog: A Study of 92 Cases

The case records of 92 consecutive dogs that suffered sacroiliac fracture-separation were examined. Seventy-seven per cent (71 of 92) had unilateral sacroiliac injury and 23% (21 of 92) had bilateral sacroiliac injury. Of the unilateral cases, 93% (66 of 71) of the dogs had associated acetabular, ilial, femoral, or tibial fractures; coxofemoral luxations; or cruciate injuries. Eighty-five per cent (78 of 92) of the dogs had either bilateral sacroiliac injury or unilateral sacroiliac injury and other orthopedic injuries of the opposite limb, thus disabling both hind limbs. Sixty-five per cent (60 of 92) of the dogs received lag screw fixation of the sacroiliac joint. Of 29 dogs that were re-radiographed on an average of 437 days following fixation, 38% (11 of 29) showed evidence of loosening of the lag screw fixation.a Screws that were placed in the body of the sacrum in some dogs resulted in the fewest loosened fixations (12%, 2 of 17), compared to other locations of screw placement. The fixation had loosened in 7% (1 of 14) of dogs that had a cumulative screw depth/sacral width of 60% or more, compared with 48% of dogs (10 of 21) where cumulative screw depth was less than 60%. The number of screws per fixation and whether the separation was fully reduced or not did not affect whether the fixation loosened.
RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY FOR PATHOLOGICAL GLEASON 8 OR GREATER PROSTATE CANCER: INFLUENCE OF CONCOMITANT PATHOLOGICAL VARIABLES

Purpose: We evaluated the long-term outcome of radical prostatectomy for pathological Gleason score 8 or greater prostate cancer and characterized the prognostic significance of other pathological variables.Materials and Methods: A total of 6,419 patients underwent radical prostatectomy between 1987 and 1996. There were 407 patients classified as having pathological Gleason 8 or greater, including 8 in 48%, 9 in 49% and 10 in 3%. Adjuvant treatment was used in 45% of patients and adjuvant hormonal therapy was administered to 155 (38%). Progression-free, including local or systemic, and/or prostate specific antigen (PSA) 0.4 ng./ml. or greater, and cancer specific survival were determined by the Kaplan-Meier method. The effect of pathological grade and stage, preoperative PSA, DNA ploidy, margin status, tumor dimension, seminal vesicle invasion, and adjuvant treatment was assessed with the univariate and multivariate analyses.Results: Pathological stage distribution was pT2 in 26% of patients, pT3 48% and ...
Resolvins: a family of bioactive products of omega-3 fatty acid transformation circuits initiated by aspirin treatment that counter proinflammation signals.

Aspirin (ASA) is unique among current therapies because it acetylates cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 enabling the biosynthesis of R- containing precursors of endogenous antiinflammatory mediators. Here, we report that lipidomic analysis of exudates obtained in the resolution phase from mice treated with ASA and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (C22:6) produce a novel family of bioactive 17 R -hydroxy-containing di- and tri-hydroxy-docosanoids termed resolvins. Murine brain treated with aspirin produced endogenous 17 R -hydroxydocosahexaenoic acid as did human microglial cells. Human COX-2 converted DHA to 13-hydroxy-DHA that switched with ASA to 17 R -HDHA that also proved a major route in hypoxic endothelial cells. Human neutrophils transformed COX-2-ASA‐derived 17 R -hydroxy-DHA into two sets of novel diand trihydroxy products; one initiated via oxygenation at carbon 7 and the other at carbon 4. These compounds inhibited (IC 50 � 50 pM) microglial cell cytokine expression and in vivo dermal inflammation and peritonitis at ng doses, reducing 40‐80% leukocytic exudates. These results indicate that exudates, vascular, leukocytes and neural cells treated with aspirin convert DHA to novel 17 R -hydroxy series of docosanoids that are potent regulators. These biosynthetic pathways utilize omega-3 DHA and EPA during multicellular events in resolution to produce a family of protective compounds, i.e., resolvins, that enhance proresolution status.
Atrioventricular Dissociation after Electroconvulsive Therapy

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is increasingly used as a treatment for psychiatric disorders. Cardiac effects are the principal cause of medical complications in these patients. We report a case of atrioventricular (AV) dissociation that occurred after ECT that was treated with pacemaker implantation. The mechanisms contributing to the onset of AV dissociation in this patient, and the management and rationale for device therapy, in light of the most recent guidelines, are reviewed.
Valuation of Exotic Interest Rate Derivatives - Bermudans and Range Accruals

Exotic interest rate derivatives are hard to value. Care must be taken to make sure that sources of volatility that impact the contingent claim are properly modeled, and that appropriate relationships are maintained between the underlying rates involved.In this presentation, we outline the issues involved in valuing exotics. We review valuation issues for interest rate derivatives in general, and for caps, floors and swaptions. We outline a pricing methodology and apply it to Bermudan swaptions, range accruals, callable range accruals, spread options and callable spread range accruals.Outline: - Review of interest rate modeling - Handling of vanilla options - - Forward Libor and swap rates - - Caps and Floors - - Swaptions - - Cap stripping - - Smile lifting - Bermudan valuation - - Hedging Bermudans - - LGM model specification of the HW model - - Pricing cashflows and options under the LGM model - - Model calibration - - Numerical methods - Digital options - - Pricing via vanillas. - Range accruals - - Pricing as a portfolio of digitals - - Convexity adjustment - Change of measure and approximation - Callable range accruals - - Pricing under the one factor LGM model - - - Model calibration. - - - Use of control variates (adjusters). - - Calibration and pricing under the two factor LGM model - - - Model calibration. - Spread range accruals - - Pricing under the two factor LGM model.
Why Political Contributions Are A Business Issue: State Campaign Finance Reform And The Bottom Line

While electoral finance reform has finally taken hold at the national level -- due partly to pressure from the corporate community -- this paper argues that reform at the state level is equally critical to business. The current system is costly both in dollars and in the perception of corruption, but is amenable to change.
Beyond Attribution Theory

Attribution theory concerns the processes that the average individual uses in attempting to infer the causes of observed behavior. The data generated by the theory are beginning to give important insights into these processes. Attribution theory assumes a conception of causality, yet philosophy should warn us that the concept of causality is a cornerstone set in quicksand. Our major thesis is that to use the concept of physical causation as a cornerstone on which to build an understanding of human behavior is to use what is “out there” to understand what is “in here.” Our only possible understanding of what is out there (physical causation) is in terms of what is in here (our feelings of personal causation). Therefore, attribution of causality must start in here and the study of it should start by more carefully analyzing the aspects of phenomenal causality. Such an analysis of the conceptual framework that we bring to the study of persons in action suggests (a) that some of our research efforts are attempts to demonstrate nonempirical propositions, i.e., relationships that are logically implied in our premises, and (b)that a step beyond present-day attribution theory to the question “what is entailed by a concept of man as a personal cause?” may point the way to more cumulative and practically useful empirical research.
Towards a Text of the Medulla Grammatice : Procedures and Prospects in Editing a 15th-century Glossary

The tradition of the Medulla Grammatice comprises nineteen known manuscripts and four fragments. All are located in England and dated within the 15th century. To the early 1400's belong Lincoln ms. 88, Shrewsbury XVI, and Stonyhurst ms. XV (A.1.10). The remainder are dated mid-to-late within the century. The Medulla Grammatice is considered the earliest, most complete Latin-Middle English dictionary. The entire tradition encompasses approximately half a million entries. Yet, to date, nothing of it has been published in edited form. The 1993 volume of Traditio has the first published edition of any part of the tradition, the Bristol University ms. DM 1. In this glossary entries are in Latin with glosses or interpretations in Middle English. Initially it formed a collection of words and phrases reflecting virtually every aspect of theoretical and practical life, since its substance is derived from supralineal and marginal inserts made in copies of every conceivable type of literary transmission. In the process of transcription and collation of the major manuscripts of the Medulla there have been three recurrent points of interest. First, the discovery of hitherto unattested Middle English words which broaden the philological dimensions of the period. Secondly, new Latin words (and Greek), and novel senses of words regularly appear, in turn, extending the parameters of these languages. Finally, unique variant spellings occur frequently, due in large part to recitative copying and auditory memory, offering additional linguistic and phonological evidence in both Latin and Middle English to influence significantly the direction of medieval lexicography.
Functional lung adenocarcinoma risk SNPs identified through positional integration with human alveolar epithelial cell epigenomes

Motivation: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death, and lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is its predominant histological subtype. Fifteen single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been significantly associated with LUAD risk in genome-wide association studies (GWAS). However, because most GWAS SNPs reside in non-coding regions and are co-inherited with hundreds of SNPs in linkage disequilibrium (LD), which SNPs play a causal role in disease development remains largely unknown. We hypothesized that some of these SNPs affect oncogenic transcriptional programs by modulating the activity of gene enhancers in alveolar epithelial cells (AECs), the purported cells of origin for LUAD. Methods: To test this hypothesis, we overlaid epigenomic features of primary human AECs over the locations of index LUAD risk SNPs and associated high LD SNPs. Luciferase assays for enhancer activity were performed for candidate SNPs that were predicted to disrupt transcription factor (TF) binding sites in loci marked by features of active enhancers. Expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analysis was also performed using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset and the online Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) Portal to identify potential target genes of each SNP-enhancer pair. Results: Thirty-three LUAD risk-associated SNPs mapped to putative AEC enhancer regions. TF binding site prediction suggests that numerous SNPs might alter the binding affinity of TFs implicated in lung cancer, including RXRA and NKX2-1. Luciferase assays indicate that two of the SNPs significantly affect enhancer activity in lung cancer cell lines. eQTL analyses link each of the putative enhancers to candidate target genes, including both known oncogenes and genes not previously associated with lung cancer. Conclusions: Taken together, our analyses provide new mechanistic insight into long-known associations between non-coding SNPs and LUAD outcomes, and may ultimately yield more effective and personalized strategies for lung cancer risk assessment, prevention, and treatment. Magnetic nanocubes for selective capture of circulating tumor cells in NSCLC
The Most Profitable Market Share Objectives

Both the petroleum industry and food chains face the recurring problem of choosing between a large sales volume at relatively low profit margins, and a lower sales volume at a current higher profit...
Abstract 276: Role of AP1 elements and TCL1 protein in regulation of the gene encoding PTPROt (protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor-type O) in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL The gene for protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor-type O encodes two functional isoforms in a tissue-specific manner. The full-length form is expressed in epithelial cells, particularly in the brain and kidney, whereas the truncated form (PTPROt) is primarily expressed in hematopoietic cells. We have previously demonstrated that PTPROt is a bona fide tumor suppressor (J Biol Chem. 2009 Jan 2;284(1):455-64) and is down-regulated in primary CLL samples (Clin Cancer Res. 2007 Jun 1;13(11):3174-81). Further, studies from two laboratories including ours have shown that Syk and Lyn, two key protein tyrosine kinases involved in B-cell receptor signaling, are substrates of PTPROt, igniting interest in understanding deregulation of this tyrosine phosphatase in CLL. While the PTPRO promoter is methylated, the mechanism of its silencing in the pathogenesis of CLL is unexplored. Here, we utilized the Tcl1 transgenic (Tg) mouse model of CLL and a cell line with TPA-inducible expression of PTPROt to elucidate the mechanism of PTPROt silencing. This study demonstrates that PTPROt is transcriptionally silenced in CD19+ spleen B cells from Tcl1 transgenic (Tg) mouse when compared to wild type mice. As observed with primary human CLL, the methylation of PTPRO CGI (CpG island) is significantly higher in Tcl1 Tg CLL B-lymphocytes than in normal B lymphocytes. Significant suppression of PTPROt is also observed at very early time-point (∼7 wks) in CD19+ spleen B-cells from Tcl1 Tg mice compared to normal spleen B-lymphocytes from age-matched WT mice in the absence of detectable methylation at CGI. This data suggests that transcriptional silencing occurs prior to methylation. To understand further the potential transcriptional mechanism of PTPROt suppression in CLL, the role of AP1 in the expression of this gene was explored. We first demonstrate that AP-1 activation by TPA in U937 cells induces PTPROt expression with concurrent recruitment of c-fos and c-jun to its promoter. PTPROt promoter is also responsive to over- and under-expression of AP-1 confirming the role of AP-1 in PTPROt expression. Next, we demonstrate that Tcl1 can repress PTPROt promoter by altering c-fos expression and c-jun activation state. These findings further substantiate the importance of TCL1 in the pathogenesis of CLL. [Supported, in part, by grants CA101956 and CA086978]. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 276. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-276
Improving intergroup relations

Understanding the psychological processes that shape intergroup relations and sometimes fuel bias and conflict can help inform interventions to improve intergroup relations. This article examines psychological processes of social perception and cognition that are integral to intergroup relations and discusses how these forces can be redirected to improve intergroup relations, often through the experience of positive intergroup contact. We further consider how members of socially advantaged and disadvantaged groups may respond differently to interventions, and how a focus primarily on promoting positive intergroup attitudes may fall short of ameliorating structural inequality between groups. We identify current conceptual and practical challenges and suggest directions for future research.
Assessing Music Students’ Motivation Using the MUSIC Model of Academic Motivation Inventory:

The purpose of this study was to investigate the reliability and validity of using a motivation inventory with music students in upper-elementary, middle, and high school. We used the middle/high s...
Single-phase Static Var Generator under One-cycle Control

The operation principle of a single-phase static Var generator(SPSVG) under one cycle control(OCC) is presented.SPWM formed with OCC is used for controlling single-phase voltage source inverter so that it guarantees the output current is sinusoid.The modeling and simulation for SPSVG in open and closed cloop mode under one-cycle control are completed with Matlab/Simulink software.The simulation results show that above mentioned operation principle is correct and feasible.
Aspiration of Abdominopelvic Fluid Collection

This section provides a comprehensive procedural report for aspiration of abdominopelvic fluid collection procedure with up-to-date explanatory notes, synopsis of the indications and contraindications, and potential complications in an organized and practical format.
Porous calcium titanate and sorption and desorption of water under ambient conditions: a study by conventional and synchronous luminescence spectroscopy

We report chemical synthesis and characterization of micro/mesoporous CaTiO3 by X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen sorption/desorption, small angle XRD, diffuse reflectance optical spectroscopy, and luminescence spectroscopy under ambient conditions. We determined the energies of absorption and emission transitions through electronic midgap states in micro/mesoporous calcium titanate by optical spectroscopy, “conventional” photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy and, for the first time, synchronous luminescence spectroscopy at 25 °C. Micro/mesoporous CaTiO3 reversibly sorbs and desorbs water vapor in ambient air, with water sorption capacity being close to the total pore volume. The luminescence of micro/mesoporous CaTiO3 in visible range at room temperature is repeatedly significantly increased upon desorption of water and decreased (quenched) upon sorption of water vapor in air, due to the interactions of the adsorbate with electronic surface midgap states.
“Preemptive Participation” and Environmental Awareness Across Indian Water Quality Policy:

Public participation in environmental decision making is promoted in the Global South as a core tenet of “good governance” associated with sustainability. This emphasis on participatory governance ...
Neuromorphic 3D Integrated Circuit: A Hybrid, Reliable and Energy Efficient Approach for Next Generation Computing

In this paper, we proposed to use 3D integration technology to create a neuromorphic hardware system that is compatible with current technology, provides high system speed, high density, massively parallel processing, low power consumption, and small footprint. The Through Silicon Vias (TSVs) used in the 3D neuromorphic structure provide high density integration and energy efficient links for transferring information through multiple neuron layers. This work details how a 3D neuromorphic system is benefited from the redundant TSV with substantial design-area reduction. We discussed the yield and reliability issues and explained the impact in neuromorphic 3D system design. A spiking neuron model is developed for the proposed 3D system. Furthermore, a new methodology have been proposed by introducing oxide around the bump that could significantly enhance the TSV capacitance in 3D Neuromorphic Computing (NC) system.
Parametric Analysis of Vestibulo–Ocular Responses to Active Head Movements

Abstract The human vestibulo-ocular reflex was studied using sweep-frequencies of active head-eye movements, and autoregressive-moving average (ARMA) parameter estimation. Ten 18-second test epochs from one subject were used over a frequency range from 2 to 6 Hz. An ARMA model of the (3,3) order, i.e., with three output lags and three input lags, was found to best fit the subject's data for all ten runs. Mean parameters from the ten runs showed relatively small variance. This method provides accurate predictions of eye-velocity response during active head movement conditions.
Subcortical surface shape in youth at familial high risk for schizophrenia.

Abnormalities in the subcortical brain regions that support cognitive functions have been reported in schizophrenia. Relatives of those with schizophrenia often present with psychosis-like traits (schizotypy) and similar cognition as those with schizophrenia. To evaluate the relationships between subcortical structure, schizotypy, and cognitive function, we assessed shape and volume of the hippocampus, amygdala and thalamus in untreated youth at familial high risk for schizophrenia (HRSZ). The sample consisted of 66 HRSZ and 69 age-matched healthy controls (HC). Subjects' cognitive functions and schizotypy were assessed, and T1-weighted brain MRI were analyzed using the FSL software FIRST. The right hippocampus and right amygdala showed significantly increased concavity (inward displacement) in HRSZ compared to HC. While regional subcortical shape displacements were significantly correlated with sustained attention and executive function scores in HC, fewer correlations were seen in HRSZ. This suggests a possible alteration of the local structure-function relationship in subcortical brain regions of HRSZ for these cognitive domains, which could be related to anomalous plasticity.
PET Measurement of Endogenous Neurotransmitter Activity Using High and Low Affinity Radiotracers

Functional imaging of the in vivo competition of dopamine-D 2 radioligands with endogenous dopamine has provided indirect measures of dopamine activity. Binding parameter changes ( > 20%) have been observed for [ 11 C]raclopride positron emission tomography studies performed after d-amphetamine administration, and this sensitivity has been partially attributed to its low D 2 receptor affinity. In this work, a d-amphetamine pretreatment/bolus radiotracer injection paradigm was used to examine binding parameter changes for the high and low affinity benzamides, [ 18 F]fallypride and [ 11 C]raclopride; and a preliminary examination of [ 18 F]fallypride extrastriatal D 2 binding at baseline and after haloperidol pretreatment was performed. [ 11 C]aclopride studies were performed in baboons at baseline and after d-amphetamine pretreatment (0.6 mg/kg, n = 3 or 1.0 mg/kg, n = 2). Two baboons had additional [ 18 F]fallypride studies at baseline and after d-amphetamine, and a third baboon was studied at baseline and after haloperidol pretreatment (1 mg/kg). Kinetic analyses provided distribution volume (DV) and DV-de-rived binding potential (BP DV ) estimates. For [ 11 C]raclopride, the average striatal BP DV change was – 26 ± 2.6% for the 0.6-mg/kg amphetamine dose, with slightly greater changes of −31 and −39% after the 1.0-mg/kg dose. Lower striatal changes were observed for [ 18 F]fallypride: – 14% (0.6 mg/kg) and – 29% (1.0 mg/kg). Baseline regional BP DV values were highly correlated (r 2 > 0.9) with human D 2 receptor rank order but did not correlate after 1 mg/kg haloperidol pretreatment (r 2 0.1).
Utility of the comprehensive marijuana motives questionnaire among medical cannabis patients

Background Little is known about motives for cannabis use among the population of adults using cannabis medically. Therefore, we evaluated the performance of the 12 factor, 36-item Comprehensive Marijuana Motives Questionnaire (CMMQ) among a sample of medical cannabis patients.
Genome-Wide DNA Methylation Profiling: The mDIP-Chip Technology

Aberrant DNA methylation is one of the major characteristics of tumor cells in addition to genetic and other epigenetic alterations. Evidence shows that both regional hypermethylation and global hypomethylation can occur in cancer cells. Increased DNA methylation can be found at select tumor-suppressor gene promoters, causing the silencing of these genes in tumorigenic cells. At the same time, a global decrease in DNA methylation is frequently observed in cancer cells, which may contribute to genome instability. Unlike genetic mutations, hypermethylation at tumor-suppressor gene promoters can be reversed with epigenetic therapy by using DNA demethylating agents.To better understand the mechanisms of cancer initiation and progression, and to better assess the effects of epigenetic therapy, a reliable high-throughput method for genome-wide DNA methylation analysis is needed. Recently, the process of coupling methylated DNA immunoprecipitation (mDIP) with microarray hybridization has been proven to be a successful strategy to map genome-wide DNA methylation patterns in different cell types.
Opposing Forces: Institutional Theory and Second-Generation SoTL

This essay suggests that institutional theory has much to offer the SoTL movement by identifying the specific forces that oppose teaching and learning initiatives and offering solutions for nudging cultural change towards the desired outcomes.
Effective population size, genetic variability, and gains from recurrent selection in the BS11 maize population

Establishing an adequate effective population size is important in maize (Zea mays L) recurrent selection programs. The objectives of the study were to detemriine the magnitude of additive genetic variance after 5 cycles of selection among four Srprogeny selection programs with effective population sizes of 5,10,20, and 30 but with a common selection intensity of 20%, to predict the gains of S2, Si, full-sib, and modified-ear-to-row recurrent selection methods with varying effective population sizes, and to compare the predicted gains with the realized gains obtained in a related study. Using the BS11 cycle 0 (CO), 5 cycles of Si-progeny selection were conducted by intermating 5,10,20, or 30 lines to form a population for the next cycle of selection. The cycle 5 populations of the 5,10,20, and 30 Si-programs were referred to as C5-5, C5-10, C5-20, and C5-30, respectively. One hundred-thirty BS11 C5 Si lines from each of the selected populations and 100 BS11C0 Si lines were topcrossed to BS11 CO. The half-sib progenies were evaluated at five environments in a replication within sets randomized incomplete block design. Using the variance estimates of the BS11C0, the predicted gain cyde' was calculated based on trait perse selection and selection using an index Results showed that the additive genetic variance for grain yield ranked C5-5 > C5-20 > CO > C5-30 > C5-10 but differences among populations were not significant. Results of the predictions indicated that the trend was similar for the trait perse selection and index selection. Although the predicted gain cycle"' for a trait in a recurrent selection method increased with increasing effective population size, differences among the predicted values were agronomically insignificant. The comparison between the predicted gains and the realized gains obtained in a related study revealed that intemnating greater number of individuals would not result in a significant response over a few cycles of selection. Based on the results of the study, 1 conclude that there is no distinct advantage of using larger effective population size to maintain genetic variability and to realize gain in a short-term maize recun^nt selection program.
Bonding, Life History, and Adaptive Strategies

Overview: The OBS framework assumes a developmental sequence of neural-based bonding schemas. Life history theory has a similar developmental orientation. In this chapter we describe and discuss links between these two approaches. The first section considers life history traits and some evolutionary and genetic assumptions that underlie their use. Section two discusses the principal of allocation and its consequence for life-history trade-offs, expanding the latter construct to include behavioral trade-offs. In section three we discuss a typology of adaptive strategies that is genetically, developmentally, and situationally based, illustrating its bonding relevance with some recent literature that utilizes attachment theory. Finally, the fourth section ties together the constructs of life history traits and behavioral trade-offs, life course adaptive strategies, and the OBS framework. After discussing bonding-stage-specific strategies, we consider types of across-stage strategies and their bases.
Design and meaning of the genuine progress indicator: A statistical analysis of the U.S. fifty-state model

Abstract The Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI) was designed to reveal the trade-offs between costs and benefits of economic growth. Although originally estimated and contrasted with Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at national scales, an interest in a state-level adoption has developed in the United States to inform and guide policy. As GPI scholarship and a community of practice has developed, questions have arisen about the quality and legitimacy of the GPI. To investigate, we apply a composite indicator analysis developed by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to fifty US state GPI estimates using a consistent method. We focus on a multi-variate analysis of the structure of the composite, sensitivity to weighting and aggregation assumptions, and the statistical relationship with other well-being indicators. Results are heavily influenced by a small number of components, point to a number of unintended policy outcomes, and have mixed relationships with allied indicators. The study suggests steps towards shared GPI governance among practitioners and researchers, consideration of data parsimony and potential double-counting, and data selection criteria to help fill gaps, prioritize needs, and better articulate the purpose and meaning of GPI.
Divine forgiveness protects against psychological distress following a natural disaster attributed to God

It is common to attribute natural disasters to ‘acts of God’ yet the implications of doing so for victims of such disasters is relatively underexplored. Relevant data on the association between att...
Supersymmetry in string bit models with internal degrees of freedom

We study in s general way the construction of string bit Hamiltonians which are supersymmetric, We construct several quadratic and quartic polynomials in string bit creation and annihilation operators ${\overline{\ensuremath{\phi}}}_{{a}_{1}\ensuremath{\cdots}{a}_{n}}^{A}$, ${\ensuremath{\phi}}_{{a}_{1}\ensuremath{\cdots}{a}_{n}}^{A}$, which commute with the supersymmetry generators ${Q}^{a}$. Among these operators are ones with the spinor tensor structure required to provide the lightcone worldsheet vertex insertion factors needed to give the correct interactions for the IIB superstring, whenever a closed string separates into two closed strings or two closed strings join into one.
7 The multiple sclerosis continuous quality improvement collaborative (MSCQI): interim results of the 3-year multi-center prospective step-wedge randomized research study

Background MS-CQI is the first multi-center, randomized research study aiming to improve population health outcomes for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) using quality improvement (QI). Objectives (1) benchmark performance and study variation in utilization and outcomes; (2) provide performance feedback to MS centers; and (3) compare effectiveness of QI versus usual care controls on improving outcomes. Methods Four centers are participating following approximately 5,000 people with MS. We collect 21 Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) and 11 Electronic Health Record (EHR) measures. System-level de-identified EHR data is collected for all clinical encounters. Individual-level PROM data is collected from participants who consent. Centers are randomized to QI or usual care following a step-wedge randomized design beginning in Year 2. Results MSCQI has recently completed Year 2. At the end of Year 1, EHR n=2,755 encounters, and PROM n=269 individuals (tables 1–3). There is significant variation in EHR findings, including proportion of patients on disease modifying therapy (DMT), MRI, ED, hospitalizations, urgent care, and relapses (table 2), as well as PROM findings (table 3) including depression, fatigue, cognition, sleep, communication, and work-related impairment. In Year 2, the first center (Center C) was randomized to QI. Center C has higher average depression and fatigue severity than the Collaborative, but has realized a reduction in quarterly relapse rate since beginning QI intervention in Quarter 4 (figure 1). Conclusions MSCQI has succeeded in benchmarking system-level variation and has begun studying outcomes of QI intervention versus usual care. MSCQI has potential to improve MS population health outcomes using improvement science methods.
Belonging Across Religion, Race, and Nation in Burma-Myanmar

Situated at the crossroads of China and India, Burma-Myanmar has long been shaped by the migration and intermixing of peoples. Significant populations of what the Burmese call ka bya—a person of mixed or multiple ancestry—emerged in the country not under British colonial rule (1826–1942; 1945–1947), as is often argued, but in previous centuries. This chapter traces the long and shifting history of mixedness in Burma-Myanmar, exploring how it has been categorized, enumerated, codified, and interpreted in changing historical contexts. It shows that even before the advent of British colonial rule, notions of ‘the foreign’ and ‘the local’ were central to existing understandings of mixedness. Yet, over the course of the twentieth century, religion and race articulated with class as the main organizing principles and units of social classification and ever sharper lines were drawn between ‘foreign’ and ‘indigenous’ religions and races—a legal, administrative, and ideological separation that continues to serve as the basis on which different forms of mixedness are accorded varying degrees of legibility and legitimacy in Myanmar today.
Is it REALLY All That? The Impact of the Digital Textbook in Introductory Political Science Classes

In recent years, great enthusiasm has been expressed about the benefits of the digital textbook, which is capturing more and more of the academic book market. However, questions remain about the ex...
Failure Analysis of Weld Cracking in External Cold Water Pipeline of Condenser in Converter Station

The cause of weld cracking in external cold water pipeline of condenser in a ±800kV converter station were analyzed by macro inspection, chemical composition analysis, hardness test, microstructure inspection, scanning electron microscopy and energy spectrum test methods.The results show that the main reason for the cracks is that the material and manufacturing process are not qualified, and the welding process is not good. Corresponding control measures are put forward to avoid similar failures from happening again.
O VI gas - Circumstellar or interstellar

Observations in the UV spectra from the Copernicus satellite have revealed absorption lines from five-times ionized oxygen atoms. To explain this abundance, two explanations have been advanced to supplant the traditional model of steady loss from nearby stars. One, ionization from circumstellar bubbles, is said to result from rapidly rotating stars. The other, examined in more detail, suggests a mechanism whereby shock waves from explosive disturbances in nearby supernovae preferentially channel coronal-type O VI regions in the interstellar medium into areas of high temperature (above 100,000 K). An examination of column densities with increasing distribution is proposed to examine the hypotheses, although the results are as yet inconclusive.
Situating Tax Experimentation: A Response to Michael Abramowicz’s Tax Experimentation

In "Tax Experimentation," Professor Michael Abramowicz proposes that the government employ “tax experiments.” In these experiments, a subgroup of taxpayers would be treated differently than other taxpayers, for purposes of the tax law, for some period of time. The behavior of the treatment group could give the government information about tax policies. After briefly summarizing the article, this response suggests that Professor Abramowicz’s proposal has the potential for significant impact and that taking into account additional issues raised by existing tax scholarship—about tax morale, revenue estimation, and sunset provisions—will make the proposal even stronger.