cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abbess Piera de' Medici and her kin: gender, gifts, and patronage in Renaissance Florence

This essay advances our understanding of early Medici patronage by focusing on the intriguing figure of Piera de' Medici (c. 1400–1482), who matured into one of the most powerful abbesses in Renaissance Florence. As a religious woman, Piera used her ties to the city's ruling family to benefit her Vallombrosan community of S. Verdiana; in turn, it was through her agency that the Medici established long-term claims on the convent, its consecrated virgins and its sacred cult. This case study shows how Piera combined rhetorical skills, political acumen and gift exchange to build a relationship with Giovanni de' Medici (1421–1463), whose patronage activities are less well known than those of other family members. It also invites a reconsideration of the role Florentine women played in producing visual culture by comparing Giovanni's donations to gifts made by his wife, Ginevra Alessandri. This perspective is especially valuable given that scholars have commented on the scarcity of female artistic patrons in fifteenth-century Florence compared to other areas of Italy. By considering different classes of objects and models of exchange, this essay contends that Florentine women played a more expansive role in cultural production than previously recognized.
State-Dependent Pricing and the Dynamics of Money and Output

Standard macroeconomic models of price stickiness assume that each firm leaves its price unchanged for a fixed amount of time. We present an alternative model in which the pricing decision depends on the state of the economy. We find a method of aggregating individual price changes that allows a simple characterization of macroeconomic variables. The model produces a positive money-output correlation and an empirical Phillips curve. In addition, the impact of monetary shocks depends crucially on the current level of output, which points to a natural connection between state-dependent microeconomics and state-dependent macroeconomics. I. INTRODUCTION There is a long tradition in macroeconomics of attributing the real effects of nominal demand shocks to nominal price stickiness. In this view, if there is no change in prices when nominal demand rises, then quantities must bear the burden of adjustment. Hence nominal price rigidity provides the friction needed for nominal demand shocks to be transmitted to the real economy. Standard models of this transmission mechanism, such as Fischer [1977] and Taylor [1980], are based on the assumption that each firm leaves its price unchanged for a fixed amount of time. The main reason for considering such time-dependent pricing rules is their analytic tractability. Constraining firms to adjust their prices at prespecified times both simplifies the derivation of equilibrium strategies and allows the use of powerful time series techniques to analyze aggregate dynamics. The main disadvantage of the timedependent approach is that between price adjustments firms are not allowed to respond even to extreme changes of circumstance. This makes it difficult to know whether the qualitative effects of money in these models are the result of nominal rigidities per se or of the exogenously imposed pattern of price changes. An alternative approach to modeling price stickiness is to allow the price-setting decision to depend on the actual state of the
KRAB-containing zinc-finger repressor proteins

The largest family of zinc-finger transcription factors comprises those containing the Kruppel-associated box (or KRAB domain), which are present only in tetrapod vertebrates. Many genes encoding KRAB-containing proteins are arranged in clusters in the human genome, with one cluster close to chromosome 9ql3 and others in centromeric and telomeric regions of other chromosomes, but other genes occur individually throughout the genome. The KRAB domain, which is found in the amino-terminal region of the proteins, behaves as a transcriptional repressor domain by binding to corepressor proteins, whereas the C2H2 zinc-finger motifs bind DNA. The functions currently proposed for members of the KRAB-containing protein family include transcriptional repression of RNA polymerase I, II, and III promoters and binding and splicing of RNA. Members of the family are involved in maintenance of the nucleolus, cell differentiation, cell proliferation, apoptosis, and neoplastic transformation.
FORMALIZING COUNTEREXAMPLE-DRIVEN REFINEMENT WITH WEAKEST PRECONDITIONS

To check a safety property of a program, it is sufficient to check the property on an abstraction that has more behaviors than the original program. If the safety property holds of the abstraction then it also holds of the original program.
The effects of campaign finance spending bans on electoral outcomes: : Evidence from the states about the potential impact of "Citizens United v. FEC"

This paper seeks to understand the effect of campaign finance laws on electoral outcomes. Spurred by the recent Supreme Court decision, Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010), which eliminated bans on corporate and union political spending, the study focuses on whether such bans generate electoral outcomes that are notably different from an electoral system that lacks such bans. We look to two key electoral dynamics that such bans might influence: the partisan balance of power and the success of incumbents. Using historical data on regulations in 49 American states between 1968 and 2009 we test alternative models for evaluating the impact of corporate spending bans put in place during this period. The results indicate that spending bans appear to have limited effects on election outcomes.
The influence of human leucocyte antigen (HLA) genes on autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD): results of studies in HLA-DR3 positive AITD families.

Summary objective Population-based, case–control studies have consistently shown association of Graves’ disease (GD) with human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-DR3 in Caucasian populations. HLA association studies in Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) have also suggested an association with DR3, as well as with other HLA alleles. In contrast, HLA linkage studies in autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) have been largely negative. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of HLA in AITD and to explain the observed associations, but lack of linkage, by examining only AITD families with the associated allele, DR3. patients We studied 99 probands (60 with GD and 39 with HT) from 99 multiplex, multigenerational Caucasian AITD families, and 135 age- and sex-matched Caucasian controls in association studies. In addition, a dataset of 34 Caucasian AITD families (out of the 99 families) with HLA-DR3 positive probands were analysed in linkage studies. design HLA typing was performed using the technique of group-specific polymerase chain reaction-amplification with restriction enzyme digestion. Whole genome screening was performed using the ABI microsatellite panels. For fine mapping of the HLA region, we used the following markers: D6S276, D6S464, D6S439, D6S273, tumour necrosis factor α and D6S1610. LOD scores were calculated using the LIPED and GeneHunter programs. results Case–control association analyses using the probands from our 99 Caucasian families showed an association of GD with DRB1*03 [P = 0·00032, relative risk (RR) = 3·4]. Linkage analysis for the HLA region in the 34 DR3 positive AITD families showed negative LOD scores throughout the region. The two-point LOD score at marker D6S273 (the closest to HLA-DRB1) was −3·0, and the multipoint LOD score was −7·6, demonstrating strong evidence against linkage to the HLA region in the subset of DR3 positive families. Whole genome screening in the subset of 34 DR3 positive families revealed one locus showing evidence for linkage to AITD: D3S1580 on chromosome 3q27 with a maximum two-point LOD score of 2·1. conclusions The HLA locus did not cosegregate with disease in DR3 positive families, suggesting that HLA genes are not major genes for AITD expression even within DR3 positive families; Hence, although HLA-DR3 was associated with GD in the probands, it was most likely a modulating gene and not causative; and, as the DR3 positive families showed evidence for linkage with D3S1580, it may imply that the DR3 gene modulated the effect of a susceptibility gene within the D3S1580 locus.
Long-Lead Prediction of Pacific SSTs via Bayesian Dynamic Modeling

Abstract Tropical Pacific sea surface temperatures (SSTs) and the accompanying El Nino–Southern Oscillation phenomenon are recognized as significant components of climate behavior. The atmospheric and oceanic processes involved display highly complicated variability over both space and time. Researchers have applied both physically derived modeling and statistical approaches to develop long-lead predictions of tropical Pacific SSTs. The comparative successes of these two approaches are a subject of substantial inquiry and some controversy. Presented in this article is a new procedure for long-lead forecasting of tropical Pacific SST fields that expresses qualitative aspects of scientific paradigms for SST dynamics in a statistical manner. Through this combining of substantial physical understanding and statistical modeling and learning, this procedure acquires considerable predictive skill. Specifically, a Markov model, applied to a low-order (empirical orthogonal function–based) dynamical system of tropi...
Addressing an Optimal Schedule for Inlet Bypassing

Abstract St. Augustine Inlet is located on the NE coast of Florida, connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Tolomato and Matanzas rivers. The inlet is unique because it was relocated in the 1940s, resulting in considerable perturbations to the adjacent coastal system, especially the downdrift (southern) shoreline. The relatively low, permeable, and short north jetty has allowed sediment to move around, through, and over the jetty, resulting in deposits on the interior lagoon/bay and on the ebb shoal system. Since 2001, dredging has occurred on the ebb shoal and bypassed to the downdrift side of the inlet on St. Augustine Beach. At present, dredging and bypassing have occurred on an irregular schedule, although questions remain about what a reasonable schedule would be to prevent excessive problems on both the updrift and downdrift beaches. This article presents an evaluation of a potential approach for use in addressing the dredging and bypassing schedules to assess how various intervals of dredging/bypassin...
Fertiliser and food policy in LDCs

Abstract At a time of fertiliser scarcity and high prices it is important to know more about the poorly understood relationships between fertiliser and food production. Fertiliser price increases are reflected in increased prices for food which poses a dilemma for governments attempting to increase food production and minimise rising prices. Through the use of a simple macro-model these relationships are discussed and the policy insights they offer. Impact of price receives special attention because of its frequent use as a policy instrument.
Mediastinal masses in children

A variety of mediastinal masses may present in children. Imaging is generally confined to chest radiograph and CAT scan of the chest, although other studies may prove helpful depending upon the circumstances. MRI is particularly helpful for neurogenic tumors in the posterior mediastinum. The most common tumor in the anterior mediastinum is lymphoma with germ cell tumors second. In general, lymph nodes in areas outside the mediastinum provide access for tissue diagnosis when lymphoma is present. Germ cell tumors are generally benign, but surgical excision is indicated to rule out malignant elements and to treat symptoms which are often present through compression of nearby structures. Neurogenic tumors are the most common lesions in the posterior mediastinum.
On the physical layer performance of Ecma-387: A standard for 60GHz WPANs

The physical layer design for the Type A devices defined in the Ecma-387 standard for the 60GHz wireless personal area networks is described and discussed. The performance of the physical layer is simulated and presented in terms of error rate versus signal to noise ratio, as well as operating range versus data rate. The results show that the performance of the physical layer supports the envisioned applications.
Quantity of reinforcement and fixed-interval performance: Within-subject effects

Five rats were conditioned to press a lever on a fixed-interval 3-min schedule of food reinforcement. The experimental chamber was light and dark on alternate days. When the chamber was lit, the reinforcement was three 45-mg food pellets. When the chamber was dark, the reinforcement was one 45-mg food pellet. All Ss developed the typical pattern of accelerating response rates during the fixed interval. However, acceleration of rate was faster and terminal rate was higher when the reinforcement consisted of three pellets rather than one pellet. When the data were converted to proportions of total responses in successive interval quartiles, the response distribution was shown to be the same during light and dark sessions.
Apprehended Without Warrant Issues of Evidentiary Warrant for Critical Incident Services and Related Trauma Interventions in a Federal Law Enforcement Agency

The practice of professional psychology was founded on empirical science. Subsequent development of the profession reveals a gap that is partially the result of the popularization of junk science in legal and judicial domains. A greater threat comes from pseudoscience, which presents serious professional issues for those who work in trauma-related emergency services and law enforcement. The most widely promoted service is Critical Incident Stress Debriefing and Management, but scientific evidence does not justify its application. The authors describe the promotion and implementation of these services within the FBI and the professional difficulties that ensued. They also provide suggestions as to how such difficulties could have been avoided and apply them to other domains of law enforcement.
Cytoscape 2.8

Summary: Cytoscape is a popular bioinformatics package for biological network visualization and data integration. Version 2.8 introduces two powerful new features—Custom Node Graphics and Attribute Equations—which can be used jointly to greatly enhance Cytoscape's data integration and visualization capabilities. Custom Node Graphics allow an image to be projected onto a node, including images generated dynamically or at remote locations. Attribute Equations provide Cytoscape with spreadsheet-like functionality in which the value of an attribute is computed dynamically as a function of other attributes and network properties. Availability and implementation: Cytoscape is a desktop Java application released under the Library Gnu Public License (LGPL). Binary install bundles and source code for Cytoscape 2.8 are available for download from http://cytoscape.org. Contact: [email protected]
Combining Data from Multiple Techniques

This chapter describes the power of combining experimental data from multiple probes in attempting to address some important current scientific issues facing us today, answer fundamental questions about the world around us, and seize new opportunities in pushing the limits of materials design. In this regard, the role of computer simulation takes on a prominent role and is central for developing realistic models covering a range of length scales. The goal is to push toward finding a common concept connecting a material's atomic and microscopic structure to its macroscopic properties and function. To achieve this, a strong appreciation of what exact information each individual probe measures and a precise knowledge of a technique's strengths, pitfalls, and possible sources of error are all needed in order to usefully combine data from multiple measurements. Consequently, the comprehensive explanations of each technique described in the preceding chapters of this book provide an invaluable resource to experimenters if data from multiple data sets are to be successfully combined. Keywords: multiple probes; common concepts; computer simulation; scattering; microscopy
Making Meaning Out of Human/Animal: Scientific Competition of Classifications in the Spanish Legislature:

In the summer of 2008, the Spanish legislature resolved to grant great apes (though not all simians) basic human rights. While the decision to grant such rights came about largely through the lobbying efforts of the Great Ape Project (GAP), the decision has potential reverberations throughout the scientific world and beyond in its implications for shaping determinations of “what is human.” Such implications do not appear to be lost on various groupings of scientists who have spoken about their opinions about the case and the project in general. These groupings of scientists, I argue, using the work of Mary Douglas and others, can be compared to “tribes” actively advancing and defending their classifications of the “human” in a bid for a retention or expansion of power.
Successful project managers: an exploratory study into the impact of personality

Although the literature is replete with studies regarding project success, there appears to be little information regarding the effect of the project manager's personality, specifically as determined by peer assessments. Therefore, this paper reports the results of an exploratory study to investigate the influence of project manger personality traits, as determined by the Five-Factor Model (FFM), on project manager success. Perceptions of both personality and project manager success were analysed using Student's t-test, a correlation matrix, and hierarchical generalised linear modelling (HGLM). The results indicated that two of the FFM personality traits, Conscientiousness and Openness, seemed to positively correlate with project manager success. Emotional Stability, another personality trait, was found to be significant with the difference of means test but not the HGLM effort. Finally, the remaining FFM traits, Extraversion and Agreeableness, did not appear to correlate with project manager success.
“Citizens of the Kingdom”: Toward a Social History of Radical Christianity in Latin America

In 1981 liberation theologian Jose Porfirio Miranda argued that the parable of the weeds in Matthew was a clear guide for a radical politics in the modern world. According to the Mexican mathematician and union adviser, Jesus' explanation that “the farmer sowing seeds is the Son of Man, the field is the world, the good seed the citizens of the Kingdom” was an injunction to achieve justice and freedom in the present. This earthly incarnation of the Kingdom of God was a central pillar of resistance to capitalism among middle-and lower-class groups in Latin America in the last third of the twentieth century, from human rights activism in the Southern Cone to Central America's revolutionary insurrections.
Pharmacokinetics of Atenolol Enantiomers in Humans and Rats

Single dose pharmacokinetics of atenolol (AT) enantiomers was studied in human volunteers and in rats. After oral administration of 50 mg of racemic AT to humans, the areas under the plasma concentration–time curves (AUCs; mean ± SD) were 1640 ± 602 and 1860 ± 652 (ng/mL)h for the S(−)- and R(+)-enantiomers, respectively (p 0.05) with respect to the volume of distribution (Vλ, L/kg) [0.879 ± 0.342, S(−)-AT; 0.790 ± 0.255, R(+)-AT] or the terminal elimination rate constant (λz, h−1) [0.113 ± 0.038, S(−)-AT; 0.114 ± 0.036, R(+)-AT]. After iv administration of 10 mg/kg of the racemic AT to rats, the R(+)-enantiomer achieved higher AUC values [(ng/mL)h] compared with its antipode (p 0.05) for both enantiomers [0.311 ± 0.106, S(−)-AT; 0.307 ± 0.079, R(+)-AT]. It is concluded that (a) the observed stereoselectivity in the pharmacokinetic parameters of the AT enantiomers in both humans and rats is negligible; (b) the underlying mechanism for stereoselectivity in the pharmacokinetics of the AT enantiomers in both species appears to be stereoselectivity in their renal clearances; and (c) the direction and extent of differences in the pharmacokinetic parameters of the enantiomers are the same in humans and rats.
Dosing and efficacy of intranasal dexmedetomidine sedation for pediatric transthoracic echocardiography: a retrospective study

We designed this retrospective observational study on the use of α2-agonist dexmedetomidine to determine the optimum intranasal dose to achieve sedation for pediatric transthoracic echocardiography and to identify any dose-related adverse effects. Outpatient children aged three months to three years with diverse diagnoses of congenital heart disease, including cyanotic cardiac defects, underwent transthoracic echocardiography under dexmedetomidine sedation. Aerosolized intranasal dexmedetomidine was administered with initial doses ranging from 1-3 µg·kg−1. A rescue dose of 1 µg·kg−1 was administered if adequate sedation was not achieved within 45 min following the first dose. The primary study outcome was the achievement of adequate sedation to allow transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) scanning, including subxiphoid and suprasternal probe manipulation. Sedation with intranasal dexmedetomidine for transthoracic echocardiography was successful in 62 of the 63 (98%) patients studied, with an intranasal rescue dose required in 13 (21%) patients. Intranasal doses of dexmedetomidine 2.5-3.0 µg·kg−1 were required for tolerating TTE probe placement, including subxiphoid and suprasternal manipulation, with minimal response and a 90% success rate. Excluding patients who required a second dose of dexmedetomidine, the mean (standard deviation) time from administration to achieving such sedation (onset time) was 26 (8) min for low-dose (1-2 µg·kg−1) dexmedetomidine and 28 (8) min for moderate-dose (2.5-3.0 µg·kg−1) dexmedetomidine (P = 0.33). Time from administration of low-dose dexmedetomidine to discharge, including TTE scan time, was 80 (14) min, and it increased with moderate-dose dexmedetomidine to 91 (22) min (P = 0.05). Mild to moderate bradycardia and hypotension were observed, but no interventions were required. We found that aerosolized intranasal dexmedetomidine offers satisfactory conditions for TTE in children three months to three years of age with an optimal dose of 2.5-3.0 µg·kg−1administered under the supervision of a pediatric cardiac anesthesiologist.
The Dark Triad Traits and Fame Interest: Do Dark Personalities Desire Stardom?

Popular media has become increasingly flooded with material concerning fame and celebrities. Although the fascination with fame is not a new phenomenon, the emergence of YouTube.com and reality television has led to the perception that fame is something that seemingly anyone can achieve. Researchers have examined the characteristics that are associated with the desire for fame and have found that narcissism is one of the most consistent predictors of fame interest. The goal of the present study was to extend previous research by examining how the additional two Dark Triad personality traits (i.e., psychopathy and Machiavellianism; Paulhus and Williams 2002) and another conceptualization of narcissism (i.e., grandiose and vulnerable forms of pathological narcissism) relate to aspects of fame interest among 569 undergraduate students. Facets of psychopathy and narcissism were associated with multiple aspects of fame interest, whereas Machiavellianism was negatively associated with desiring fame for altruistic purposes only. Discussion focuses on possible explanations for the associations that the Dark Triad personality traits had with the six dimensions of fame interest.
Cardiac Tumors of Mice

Of the 7 primary tumors of the mouse heart, accessed at the Registry of Experimental Cancers, 3 were mesenchymal cell sarcomas, 3 were hemangioendotheliomas, and 1 was a mesenchymoma. The mesenchymal cell sarcomas metastasized via the bloodstream to lungs, kidneys, and spleen. Five of the tumors arose in mice treated with ionizing radiation. Previously, only 3 primary cardiac tumors of mice have been reported. Tumors of the heart as part of multifocal neoplasms of a single histologic type were observed in 3 mice; 2 of these tumors were type B reticulum cell sarcomas, and 1 was a reticulum cell sarcoma not otherwise specified. Of the metastatic tumors of the heart, 12 were from alveologenic carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, or carcinosarcoma of the lung, 4 were from sarcoma of the subcutaneous soft tissue, and 1 each was from a subcutaneous transplant of a malignant schwannoma and from an alveologenic tumor of the lung.
Post-transcriptional Regulation of Cytokine Signaling During Inflammatory Responses

Cytokines serve essential roles in cell to cell communication during development, maintenance of homeostasis, and responses to external stimuli. The expression of cytokines and the signals transmitted by cytokines to target cells need to be tightly regulated at several levels, including transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. We briefly summarize the role of post-transcriptional mechanisms in coordinating the regulation of cytokine signaling during inflammatory responses, with an emphasis on AU-rich elements (AREs) and GU-rich elements (GREs). AREs and GREs work in concert to coordinate networks of cytokine signaling. The precise regulation of cytokine signaling is particularly important because its dysregulation can be a contributing factor for human diseases, including autoimmune diseases and cancer.
Cellular Fatty Acid Analysis in the Differentiation of Clostridium Species in the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory

The identification of Clostridium species can be problematic for the diagnostic microbiology laboratory. The introduction of the MIDI Microbial Identification System (MIS) has enabled personnel in diagnostic laboratories to perform cellular fatty acid analyses on a variety of microorganisms. We used the Virginia Polytechnic Institute (Blacksburg, VA) Anaerobe Library (Moore Version 3.8) to perform analyses on 216 strains representing 18 species of Clostridium. The organisms were characterized with use of traditional biochemical methods that employ prereduced anaerobically sterilized media and other reference diagnostic methods. The MIS identified 86% of the strains correctly to the species level without the need for supplemental tests, and identified an additional 6% of the strains to species levels with the aid of a few supplemental tests. Only 3% of strains were identified by genus incorrectly. The cellular fatty acid patterns of selected, medically important clostridia were so distinctive that 100% of these species were identified correctly. The MIS has many practical benefits, including speed of identification, and few disadvantages (such as equipment cost) for the clinical microbiology laboratory.
Determining the Clinical Utility of the Short Child Occupational Profile (SCOPE)

Objective:The purpose of this study was to propose a process for the study of clinical utility and to illustrate its implementation in the development of an assessment.Method:A mixed methods approa...
Observation and Interpretation of Angular Oscillations in 48 Ca( 14 N, 13 C) 49 Sc

We describe a detailed and successful experimental search for fine angular oscillations in the reaction $^{48}\mathrm{Ca}$($^{14}\mathrm{N}$, $^{13}\mathrm{C}$)$^{49}\mathrm{Sc}$ at a laboratory energy of 50 MeV. Also presented is a qualitative, analytic description of the reaction extracted from the distorted-wave Born-approximation partial-wave analysis in which the universality of the oscillations is clearly indicated.
Multiphonon Absorption in Alkalihalides

The exponentially decaying absorption wing above the reststrahl frequency ωR has recently attracted considerable attention.1 Theoretically, the absorption is determined by the dipole-dipole response function. In alkalihalides the contribution linear in the ionic displacements seems to be the dominant one.. In order to calculate the displacement correlation functions and thus the absorption, we start from an anharmonic lattice Hamiltonian. The absorption β at frequency Ω » ωR is simply related to the imaginary part Γ(Ω) of the self-energy of the q = 0 transverse optic phonon: $$\beta = (4\pi {\varepsilon ^{*2}}/cm{n_r}{V_c})\Gamma (\Omega )/{\Omega ^3}.$$ (1) 2 Here e* is the Born effective charge, c the speed of light, m the reduced mass, nr the refractive index, and Vc the volume of the unit cell.
The postpartum triathlete

The postpartum period in a woman's life is filled with numerous changes, including physical changes, changes in sleep habits, and learning how to best care for a newborn. A common goal among postpartum women is to either begin or resume an active lifestyle, which often includes physical activity such as running, biking and swimming. The postpartum athlete may discover barriers that prevent her from returning to or beginning an exercise routine. These obstacles include muscle weakness, fatigue, depression and physical changes that require exercise modification. The physical therapist is well-suited to properly assess, treat and manage the care of the postpartum athlete. Postpartum athletes wishing to begin or resume training for triathlons require special consideration, as the triathlete must balance training to compete in three different sports. The purpose of the paper is to identify the unique physical and physiological changes that occur to the female during the postpartum period. In addition, injuries that are more commonly seen during the postpartum period will be discussed. Recommendations for beginning or resuming an exercise program will be reviewed. Lastly, sport-specific training for the postpartum triathlete, including challenges presented with each triathlon component, will be discussed.
Studies of the Binding and Biological Actions of Ethidium

Photosensitive derivatives have been prepared corresponding to the biologically active analogs of the phenanthridine and acridine classes of DNA binding drugs. These were used as photoaffinity probes to study DNA binding, trypanocidal action, frameshift mutagenesis, mitochondrial mutagenesis, and DNA repair. In each instance there was good evidence that photoaffinity labeling provided covalent adducts corresponding to the noncovalent binding which led to the biological actions of the parent compounds, and the resulting covalent adduct formation resulted in significant enhancement of biological activity as confirmation. These studies illustrated the power of photoaffinity labeling for studying biological receptors of these important agents.
Optimizing the transverse thermal conductivity of 2D-SiCf/SiC composites. I. Modeling

Abstract For potential fusion energy applications, considerable fabrication efforts have been directed to obtaining transverse thermal conductivity (Keff) values in excess of 30 W/m K (unirradiated) in the 800–1000 °C temperature range for 2D-SiCf/SiC composites. To gain insight into the factors affecting Keff, at PNNL we have tested three different analytic models for predicting Keff in terms of constituent (fiber, matrix and interphase) properties. The tested models were: the Hasselman–Johnson ‘2-Cylinder’ model, which examines the effects of fiber–matrix (f/m) thermal barriers; the Markworth ‘3-Cylinder’ model, which specifically examines the effects of interphase thickness and thermal conductivity; and a newly developed anisotropic ‘3-Square’ model, which examines the potential effect of introducing a fiber coating with anisotropic properties to enhance (or diminish) f/m thermal coupling. The first two models are effective medium models, while the third model is a simple combination of parallel and series conductances. Model predictions suggest specific designs and/or development efforts directed to optimize the overall thermal transport performance of 2D-SiCf/SiC.
Half-magnetization plateau in a Heisenberg antiferromagnet on a triangular lattice

We present the phase diagram of a 2D isotropic triangular Heisenberg antiferromagnet in a magnetic field. We consider spin-$S$ model with nearest-neighbor (${J}_{1}$) and next-nearest-neighbor (${J}_{2}$) interactions. We focus on the range of $1/8l{J}_{2}/{J}_{1}l1$, where the ordered states are different from those in the model with only nearest-neighbor exchange. A classical ground state in this range is infinitely degenerate in any field. The actual order is then determined by quantum fluctuations via ``order from disorder'' phenomenon. We argue that the phase diagram is rich due to competition between competing quantum states which break either orientational or sublattice symmetry. At small and high fields, the ground state is a canted stripe state, which breaks orientational symmetry, but at intermediate fields the ordered states break sublattice symmetry. The most noticeable of such states is ``three up, one down'' state in which spins in three sublattices are directed along the field and in one sublattice opposite to the field. In such a state, magnetization is quantized at exactly one half of the saturation value. We identify gapless states, which border the ``three up, one down'' state and discuss the transitions between these states and the canted stripe state.
Ruptures, reconfigurations and revolutions: Political change in North Africa after the Arab uprisings

In 1989, after the solidarity protests in Poland’s Gdansk shipyards ceased and East Germany’s Berlin Wall collapsed, most Eastern European countries introduced elected institutions, initiated polit...
Time to Change Your Investment Model

We demonstrate empirically that the gains from predicting corporate earnings, or consensus hits and misses—an activity at the core of most investment methodologies—have been shrinking fast over the past 30 years. We identify the main reasons for this loss of earnings relevance and propose an improved alternative to current investment methodologies, one that focuses on the “strategic assets” of the enterprise and their contribution to maintaining the company’s competitive edge. We demonstrate this investment methodology using subscription-based companies.
Using basin thermal history to evaluate the role of Miocene-Pliocene flat-slab subduction in the southern Central Andes (27° S-30° S)

Abstract Studies in both modern and ancient Cordilleran‐type orogenic systems suggest that processes associated with flat‐slab subduction control the geological and thermal history of the upper plate; however, these effects prove difficult to deconvolve from processes associated with normal subduction in an active orogenic system. We present new geochronological and thermochronological data from four depositional areas in the western Sierras Pampeanas above the Central Andean flat‐slab subduction zone between 27° S and 30° S evaluating the spatial and temporal thermal conditions of the Miocene–Pliocene foreland basin. Our results show that a relatively high late Miocene–early Pliocene geothermal gradient of 25–35 °C km−1 was typical of this region. The absence of along‐strike geothermal heterogeneities, as would be expected in the case of migrating flat‐slab subduction, suggests that either the response of the upper plate to refrigeration may be delayed by several millions of years or that subduction occurred normally throughout this region through the late Miocene. Exhumation of the foreland basin occurred nearly synchronously along strike from 27 to 30° S between ca. 7 Ma and 4 Ma. We propose that coincident flat‐slab subduction facilitated this wide‐spread exhumation event. Flexural modelling coupled with geohistory analysis show that dynamic subsidence and/or uplift associated with flat‐slab subduction is not required to explain the unique deep and narrow geometry of the foreland basin in the region implying that dynamic processes were a minor component in the creation of accommodation space during Miocene–Pliocene deposition.
Prefrontal-Thalamic Anatomical Connectivity and Executive Cognitive Function in Schizophrenia.

Abstract Background Executive cognitive functions, including working memory, cognitive flexibility, and inhibition, are impaired in schizophrenia. Executive functions rely on coordinated information processing between the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and thalamus, particularly the mediodorsal nucleus. This raises the possibility that anatomical connectivity between the PFC and mediodorsal thalamus may be 1) reduced in schizophrenia and 2) related to deficits in executive function. The current investigation tested these hypotheses. Methods Forty-five healthy subjects and 62 patients with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder completed a battery of tests of executive function and underwent diffusion-weighted imaging. Probabilistic tractography was used to quantify anatomical connectivity between six cortical regions, including PFC, and the thalamus. Thalamocortical anatomical connectivity was compared between healthy subjects and patients with schizophrenia using region-of-interest and voxelwise approaches, and the association between PFC-thalamic anatomical connectivity and severity of executive function impairment was examined in patients. Results Anatomical connectivity between the thalamus and PFC was reduced in schizophrenia. Voxelwise analysis localized the reduction to areas of the mediodorsal thalamus connected to lateral PFC. Reduced PFC-thalamic connectivity in schizophrenia correlated with impaired working memory but not cognitive flexibility and inhibition. In contrast to reduced PFC-thalamic connectivity, thalamic connectivity with somatosensory and occipital cortices was increased in schizophrenia. Conclusions The results are consistent with models implicating disrupted PFC-thalamic connectivity in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and mechanisms of cognitive impairment. PFC-thalamic anatomical connectivity may be an important target for procognitive interventions. Further work is needed to determine the implications of increased thalamic connectivity with sensory cortex.
Splicing Site Recognition by Synergy of Three Domains in Splicing Factor RBM10

Splicing factor RBM10 and its close homologues RBM5 and RBM6 govern the splicing of oncogenes such as Fas, NUMB, and Bcl-X. The molecular architecture of these proteins includes zinc fingers (ZnFs) and RNA recognition motifs (RRMs). Three of these domains in RBM10 that constitute the RNA binding part of this splicing factor were found to individually bind RNAs with micromolar affinities. It was thus of interest to further investigate the structural basis of the well-documented high-affinity RNA recognition by RMB10. Here, we investigated RNA binding by combinations of two or three of these domains and discovered that a polypeptide containing RRM1, ZnF1, and RRM2 connected by their natural linkers recognizes a specific sequence of the Fas exon 6 mRNA with an affinity of 20 nM. Nuclear magnetic resonance structures of the RBM10 domains RRM1 and ZnF1 and the natural V354del isoform of RRM2 further confirmed that the interactions with RNA are driven by canonical RNA recognition elements. The well-known high-f...
Dirac Equation for Bispinor Densities

The relationship between the non-linear algebra satisfied by the real bispinor densities \({{\rm{\rho }}_{\rm{i}}} \equiv {\rm{\bar \psi }}{{\rm{\Gamma }}_{\rm{i}}}{\rm{\psi }}\) and the underlying Fierz and Clifford algebras is examined in Minkowskian spaces with one temporal and N-1 spacial coordinates, A general expansion for a spinor in terms of the bispinor densities is found and used to solve the inverse problem: Given a set of functions ρi which satisfy the bispinor algebra, construct the spinor Ψ to which they correspond.. Finally, the Dirac equation for the spinor wavefunction in the presence of arbitrary potentials is transformed into a set of differential equations for the bispinor densities.
FRACTURE MECHANICS PARAMETERS FOR AN IRON-13 % CHROMIUM-19 % MANGANESE STAINLESS STEEL AND ITS WELDS AT CRYOGENIC TEMPERATURES*

A weldable austenitic stainless steel for liquefied natural gas tankage applications has been developed in the USSR. In the United States, ferritic 9% nickel alloy steels and 5083-0 aluminum are used for similar applications. The USSR alloy composition, Fe-13%Cr-19%Mn-0.2%N-0.8%Ni, has a low nickel content. Substantial amounts of nickel are traditionally required in ferrous alloys to resist low-temperature embrittlement. The substitution of nitrogen and manganese for nickel results in a relatively high-strength austenitic alloy.
Control of myosin isozymes during myogenesis in the rat.

Like most contractile proteins, the myosin molecule exists in a number of polymorphic forms which show specificity among muscles (365, 366) and among muscle fibers (367, 368) with different physiological and metabolic properties. For example, fast and slow twitch fibers contain both different myosin heavy chain and myosin light chain complements; and among the fast twitch fibers, IIa and IIb fibers contain myosins with qualitatively distinct myosin heavy chains, but similar myosin light chains (369, 370). These distinct properties within individual adult fast and slow fibers are partly the result of innervation by different types of motoneurons, since cross innervation of fast and slow muscles causes a reciprocal transformation of the muscles’ properties (371). Eccles et al (372) have demonstrated that fast and slow motoneurons have different frequencies of impulse activity; and in fact, the effects of cross innervation of a fast muscle with a slow motoneuron can be mimicked by chronic stimulation of the fast muscle’s own intact motoneurons at 5–10 Hz, the frequency of activity of a slow motoneuron (373, 374).
Dental disease in prehistoric Central California: sex differences in early period Windmiller populations

Bioarchaeological studies of dental caries have found that females often exhibit a higher prevalence of dental caries than their male counterparts. While this trend is most often noted in prehistoric agricultural populations, recent research has also indicated a higher prevalence of dental caries among prehistoric female hunter-gatherers from California’s Central Valley Windmiller culture (4500–2500 BP) compared to their male counterparts. This study expands on this earlier research to include additional Windmiller culture sites to test the hypothesis that females display greater caries prevalence than males. The prevalence of dental caries was assessed utilizing the dentitions of male and female individuals at four archeological sites in the California Central Valley: CA-SAC-107, CA-SJO-142, CA-SJO-56, and CA-SJO-68. A ‘caries correction’ factor was applied to account for antemortem tooth loss (ATML) from attrition versus AMTL due to caries. The results indicate that while females in all of the Central Valley populations analyzed display a greater proportion of dental caries than males, the difference is only statistically significant at CA-SJO-56 and CA-SJO-68. The prevalence rates at CA-SAC-107 approach significance, but are likely not significant due to sample size, while the lack of significance at CA-SJO-142 may be due to extremely high rates of dental attrition. While physiological differences likely contributed to the disparity in dental caries prevalence, these results suggest that differential access to resources, resulting from the sexual division of labor, also contributed to the higher rate of dental caries among females at these Windmiller sites.
Normative Trends in Physically Aggressive Behavior: Age-Aggression Curves From 6 to 24 Months

Objective To investigate age-related trends in physically aggressive behaviors in children before age 2 years. Study design A normative US sample of 477 mothers of 6- to 24-month-old children reported on the frequency of 9 interpersonally directed aggressive child behaviors, and hurting animals, in the past month. Results Almost all (94%) of the children were reported to have engaged in physically aggressive behavior in the past month. Based on 2-part regression models, the prevalences of kicking (OR, 1.70; P = .023), pushing (OR, 3.22; P Conclusions Physically aggressive behavior in the 6- to 24-month age range appears to be nearly ubiquitous. Most, but not all, forms of physical aggression increase with age. These results can guide pediatricians as they educate and counsel parents about their child's behavior in the first 2 years of life.
Digging Deeper into the Data: The Role of Gateway Courses in Online Student Retention.

Improvement in undergraduate retention and progression is a priority at many US postsecondary institutions and there seems to be a growing movement to address it by identifying gateway courses (foundational courses in which a large number of students fail or withdraw) and concentrating on “fixing” them. This paper argues that may not be the best use of limited resources. No matter what we do, there will always be courses with high DFW rates simply because of the nature of their content and the preparation of the students who must take them. Our research suggests that student type and academic stage affect student success and that gateway courses (courses which block student progression) can be found at all undergraduate levels. Specifically, we have found that one can use student type, academic stage, cumulative GPA, and prior withdrawals to predict success in undergraduate courses. Moreover, relating predictions to observed DFW rates can highlight courses exceeding expectations, and those which fall below them, to support a more nuanced understanding of where and what attention is needed. We illustrate the utility of such approach by examining issues surrounding success in online courses at our institution.
Impact of Alternative Payment Methodology on Primary Care Visits and Scheduling.

Background: In 2013, Oregon initiated an Alternative Payment Methodology (APM) Experiment for select health centers, initiating capitated payments for patients with Medicaid. Objective: To use electronic health record data to evaluate the impact of APM on visit and scheduling metrics in the first wave of experiment clinics. Research Design: Retrospective clinic cohort. Difference-in-differences analysis using generalized linear mixed modeling across 2 time thresholds: the initiation of APM and the start of the Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion. Subjects: Eight primary clinics enrolled in APM on March 1, 2013 and 10 comparison clinics not enrolled in APM during the study period (July 1, 2012 to February 28, 2015). Measures: Independent variable: intervention status of the clinics (APM or comparison). Dependent variables: total patient encounters, total alternative encounters, new patient visits, provider appointment availability, number of appointment overbooks and no-shows/late cancellations. Results: Comparison clinics had smaller patient panels and more advanced practice providers than APM clinics, but both had similar proportions of Hispanic, Medicaid, and uninsured patients. APM clinics had a 20% greater increase in same-day openings than non-APM clinics across the APM implementation (Relative Ratio, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.42). Otherwise, there were minimal differences in APM clinics and control clinics in wait times, visit rates, patient no-shows, and overbooks. Conclusions: APM clinics experienced a greater increase in same-day visits over the course of this experiment, but did not significantly differ from comparators in other visit metrics. Further research into other impacts of this experiment are necessary and ongoing.