cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Linkages among Runoff, Dissolved Organic Carbon, and the Stable Oxygen Isotope Composition of Seawater and Other Water Mass Indicators in the Arctic Ocean

[1] Flow-weighted dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations and δ18O values were determined from major arctic rivers, specifically the Ob, Yenisey, Lena, Kolyma, Mackenzie, and Yukon during 2003–2004. These data were considered in conjunction with marine data for DOC, δ18O values, nutrients, salinity, and fluorometric indicators of DOC obtained during sampling at the shelf-basin boundary of the Chukchi and Beaufort seas. On the basis of these data, freshwater in the sampled marine waters is likely derived from regional sources, such as the Mackenzie, the Bering Strait inflow, and possibly eastern Siberian rivers, including the Kolyma, or the Lena, but not rivers farther west in the Eurasian arctic. Freshwater from melted sea ice is insignificant over annual cycles, although melted sea ice was a locally dominant freshwater component following summer sea-ice retreat in 2002. DOC concentrations were correlated with the runoff fraction, with an apparent meteoric water DOC concentration of 174 ± 1 μM. This is lower than the flow-weighted concentrations measured at river mouths of the five largest Arctic rivers (358 to 917 μM), indicating removal of DOC during transport through estuaries, shelves and in the deep basin. Flow-weighted DOC concentrations in the two largest North American arctic rivers, the Yukon (625 μM) and the Mackenzie (358 μM), are lower than in the three largest Eurasian arctic rivers, the Ob (825 μM), the Yenesey (858 μM), and the Lena (917 μM). A fluorometer responding to chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) was not correlated with DOC concentrations in Pacific-influenced surface waters unlike previous observations in the Atlantic layer. Nutrient distributions, concentrations, and derived ratios suggest the CDOM fluorometer may be responding to the release of chromophoric materials from shelf sediments. Shipboard incubations of undisturbed sediment cores indicate that sediments on the Bering and Chukchi Sea shelves are a net source of DOC to the Arctic Ocean.
Dysrhythmias in a Patient with Crohn’s Disease

A 48-year-old man with a long-standing history of Crohn’s disease presented for exploratory laparotomy and lysis of adhesions. During surgery, the patient developed frequent premature ventricular contractions, and investigation revealed severe hypomagnesemia and mild hypokalemia. Lessons discussed in this chapter include anesthetic considerations for Crohn’s disease, potassium content of packed red blood cells, electrocardiographic findings of hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia, and treatment of intraoperative premature ventricular contractions.
Dynamic Barrier Architecture for Multi-Mode Fine-Grain Parallelism Using Conventional Processors

Parallel computers constructed using conventional processors offer the potential to achieve large improvements in execution speed at reasonable cost, however, these machines tend to efficiently implement only coarse-grain MIMD parallelism. To achieve the best possible speedup through parallel execution, a computer must be capable of effectively using all the different types of parallelism that exist in each program. A combination of SIMD, VLIW, and MIMD parallelism, at a variety of granularity levels, exists in most applications; thus, hardware that can support multiple types of parallelism can achieve better performance with a wider range of codes. In this paper, we introduce a new hardware barrier architecture that provides the full DBM functionality we discussed in [11], but can be implemented with much simpler hardware. This mechanism can be used to efficiently support multi-mode moderate-width parallelism with instruction-level granularity (i.e., synchronization cost is approximately one LOAD instruction).
Optical field measurements for accurate modeling of nonlinear parametric interactions

Using a phase retrieval algorithm on a set of irradiance measurements both the local amplitude and phase of a coherent field beam profile are extracted. As a concrete application, we study a high-gain optical downconversion process in periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN). For both the pump and signal wave beam profiles, measurements were made along the optical axis. The retrieved phase profiles were used in our nonlinear beam propagation codes to predict output amplitude and phase profile of the pump and signal fields after propagating through a PPLN crystal. The retrieval of the phase profile together with the amplitude is reported here under different conditions in a high-gain system.
Almost sure identifiability of constant modulus multidimensional harmonic retrieval

In a previous paper by Jiang et al. (see ibid. vol.49, p.1849-59, 2001) it has been shown that up to /spl lfloor/K/2/spl rfloor/ /spl lceil/L/2/spl rceil/ two-dimensional (2-D) exponentials are almost surely identifiable from a K/spl times/L mixture, assuming regular sampling at or above Nyquist in both dimensions. This holds for damped or undamped exponentials. As a complement, in this article, we show that up to /spl lceil/K/2/spl rceil/ /spl lceil/L/2/spl rceil/ undamped exponentials can be uniquely recovered almost surely. Multidimensional conjugate folding is used to achieve this improvement. The main result is then generalized to N>2 dimensions. The gain is interesting from a theoretical standpoint but also for small 2-D sensor arrays or higher dimensions and odd sample sizes.
Reproductive costs and hydrodynamic benefits of chemically induced defenses in Keratella testudo

Food concentration differentially affected reproductive rates and hydrodynamic characteristics of spincd and unspined phenotypes of the polymorphic rotifer Kerutella testudo. The intrinsic rate of population growth (0.15 d- I) of the predator-induced phenotype was less than half that of the unspined morph (0.39 d I) at high food concentrations. The spined phenotype had considerably lower survivorship and fecundity than the unspined one after the first 3-4 d of life. At low food concentrations population growth rates were not statistically different; their age-specific survivorship and fecundity schedules were nearly identical. Sinking rates and swimming speeds of both morphs were significantly and negatively correlated (r = -0.96). Attached eggs increased sinking rates regardless of food level. Changes in sinking rate occurred within 6 h of transferring animals acclimated to high food to conditions of starvation. Food concentration greatly influenced the center ofgravity ofthe morphs and, consequently, affected orientation during sinking. They sank posterior-end downward in high food conditions and in a more horizontal plane in low food treatments. The latter position should give maximal resistance to sinking, consistent with the slower sinking rates in low food conditions. The specific gravity of both phenotypes increased in high food concentrations- the spined morph being consistently higher than the unspined one at both food levels. Lorica densities of both phenotypes were > 1.3 g cm-3 suggesting that this structure may contribute significantly to body mass and may be energetically costly to produce or maintain. The coefficient of form resistance (the ratio of the sinking rate of the rotifer to the sinking rate of a sphere having an equivalent volume and specific gravity) was -27% higher in the spined phenotype than in the unspined one in low food treatments. Greater form resistance may provide an energetic benefit which offsets the costs associated with the spined phenotype. Zooplanktonic predators and competitors release soluble factors causing induction of morphological defenses in some prey species (Stemberger and Gilbert 1987a; see Have1 19 8 7). In general, parthenogenetic mothers having the spined phenotype produce unspined offspring when the predator factor is removed. Thus, it is reasoned that a cost is associated with the spined phenotype and that. its fitness is probably reduced in the predator’s absence. If no cost were associated with the spined phenotype then natural selection should favor the permanent expression of the defensive phenotype. Assessments of the cost of these defenses with respect to the prey’s reproductive rate or fitness, however, have been equiv
Matrix filters for passive sonar

This paper introduces matrix filters as a tool for localization and detection problems in passive sonar. The outputs of an array of sensors, at some given frequency, can be represented by a vector of complex numbers. A linear filtering operation on the sensor outputs can be expressed as the multiplication of a matrix (called a matrix filter) times this vector. The purpose of a matrix filter is to attenuate unwanted components in the measured sensor data while passing desired components with minimal distortion. Matrix filters are designed by defining an appropriate pass band and stop band and solving a convex optimization problem. This paper formulates the design of matrix filters for passive sonar and gives two examples.
Wholes and Parts in General Systems Methodology

Reconstructability analysis (RA) decomposes wholes, namely data in the form either of settheoretic relations or multivariate probability distributions, into parts, namely relations or distributions involving subsets of variables. Data is modeled and compressed by variablebased decomposition, by more general state-based decomposition, or by the use of latent variables. Models, which specify the interdependencies among the variables, are selected to minimize error and complexity.
Fast view-dependent level-of-detail rendering using cached geometry

Level-of-detail rendering is essential for rendering very large, detailed worlds in real-time. Unfortunately, level-of-detail computations can be expensive, creating a bottleneck at the CPU.This paper presents the CABTT algorithm, an extension to existing binary-triangle-tree-based level-of-detail algorithms. Instead of manipulating triangles, the CABTT algorithm instead operates on clusters of geometry called aggregate triangles. This reduces CPU overhead, eliminating a bottleneck common to level-of-detail algorithms. Since aggregate triangles stay fixed over several frames, they may be cached on the video card. This further reduces CPU load and fully utilizes the hardware accelerated rendering pipeline on modern video cards. These improvements result in a fourfold increase in frame rate over ROAM [7] at high detail levels. Our implementation renders an approximation of an 8 million triangle heightfield at 42 frames per second with an maximum error of 1 pixel on consumer hardware.
8 Materiality and Sacred Landscapes: Ulúa Style Marble Vases in Honduras

In this chapter, imagery on Ulua marble vases from the lower Ulua Valley of Honduras is explored from the perspective of conceptual landscapes and place-making at Travesia. I argue that the color of the stone—white marble—and the associated iconography are related to localized understandings of paradisical ancestral spheres. The portable nature of Ulua marble vases enabled this spiritual realm to be presented during social and political events in the region and abroad in both lower Central America and the central Maya lowlands.
On effective implicit time integration in analysis of fluid–structure problems

During recent years a considerable amount of research effort has been spent on the analysis of fluid-structure systems. An important feature of these analyses is in many cases the use of implicit-explicit time integration of the dynamic response:l’* the response of the fluid is integrated using an explicit method (central difference technique) and the response of the structure is integrated with an implicit technique (e.g. the Newmark method). The principal advantage of such time integration of the dynamic response is that no stiffness matrix need be calculated for the fluid and a relatively large time step can be employed in the incremental analysis. Various schemes for performing the explicit-implicit integration have been proposed, and these were analysed for their stability and accuracy characteristic^.'*^ These combined time integration techniques are not restricted in their use to the analysis of fluid-structure systems, but can be employed for the analysis of systems with ‘stiff and flexible domains’ in general. The objective in this short paper is to point out that an effective solution of fluid-structure systems (and ‘stiff and flexible domains’ in general) can frequently also be calculated using an implicit time integration for the complete structural model with a lumped mass idealization and the recently proposed BFGS m e t h ~ d . ~ ” In the analysis procedure used, the response is calculated with implicit time integration for the fluid and the structure without setting up a stiffness matrix of the fluid, and by satisfying the dynamic equilibrium equations using the BFGS iterations.
AMELIORATION OF ROADSIDE OBSTACLE CRASHES

The paper describes a study of the geometric features and roadside obstacles at 300 fixed object crash sites and compares the findings with similar data for 300 comparison sites. The crash samples were for all levels of severity and were randomly selected from police files in three Georgia counties. The research validated the findings of a 1974 study of fatal object crash sites and confirmed that roadside modification projects should be focused first on locations with curvature greater than six degrees and negative (downhill) gradient of 2% or steeper. The study further indicated that ameliorative efforts should be concentrated on arterial and collector roads, along the outside of curves, in the vicinity of intersections, along the right side of one-way facilities, and on those objects nearest the pavement edge.
A Survey of Tests Used for Adult Assessment

A survey of test usage for adult assessment was responded to by 402 professionals. Based on the responses of 313 individuals who assess adults, the following instruments were the most popular in ea...
Conflicting Attitudes Toward Inter-basin Water Transfers in Bulgaria

Abstract Sofia, Bulgaria has suffered from chronic water shortages in recent decades. Since the 1970s, government officials have advocated the construction of a massive complex of dams, tunnels, and diversion structures to transfer water from the Rila Mountains to meet the city's needs. These inter-basin water transfers have been highly controversial, sparking protests by citizens in water export areas, water scientists, and environmentalists. Using a qualitative approach employing focus groups and interviews, this study describes and analyzes the attitudes of ordinary citizens, water scientists, environmental NGO leaders, and government officials toward inter-basin water transfers between the Rila Mountains and Sofia. Apart from government officials, there is little enthusiasm for inter-basin water transfers. Citizens living in water export areas are generally opposed to any water management actions that do not address their needs for a regulated water supply, while those living in Sofia see water transf...
Proapoptotic fibronectin fragment induces the degradation of ubiquitinated p53 via proteasomes in periodontal ligament cells

Ghosh A, Joo NE, ChenTC, Kapila YL. Proapoptotic fibronectin fragment induces the degradation of ubiquitinated p53 via proteasomes in periodontal ligament cells. J Periodont Res 2010; 45: 481–487. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S Background and Objective: The extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a key role in signaling necessary for tissue remodeling and cell survival. However, signals from the ECM altered by disease, e.g. inflammatory diseases such as periodontitis and arthritis, may lead to apoptosis or programmed cell death of resident cells. Previously, we found that a disease-associated fibronectin fragment triggers apoptosis of primary human periodontal ligament cells via a novel apoptotic pathway in which the tumor suppressor, p53, is transcriptionally downregulated. Material and Methods: We used immunofluorescence, transfection assays, western blotting and ELISAs to show that p53 is degraded by a proteasomal pathway in response to a proapoptotic disease-associated fibronectin fragment. Results: We found that in these apoptotic conditions, p53 is further downregulated by post-translational ubiquitination and subsequent targeting to proteasomes for degradation. Pretreatment of cells with the proteasomal inhibitors MG132 and lactacystin rescued the cells from apoptosis. The p53 levels in cells transfected with ubiquitin small interfering RNA were resistant to degradation induced by the proapoptotic fibronectin fragment, showing that ubiquitination is important for the proapoptotic fibronectin fragment-induced degradation of p53. Conclusion: These data show that a proapoptotic fibronectin matrix induces ubiquitination and degradation of p53 in the proteasome as part of a novel mechanism of apoptosis associated with inflammatory diseases.
Transforming learning for the smart learning environment: lessons learned from the Intel education initiatives

This paper examines contextual factors of effective ICT implementation for smart learning environments resulting from a review of exploratory research, evaluation data and study reports of successful ICT use in schools around the world. By referencing the design and implementation components of the Intel® education initiatives for education transformation, this paper will illustrate the key intervention considerations and challenges associated with technology integration, policy recommendations, and sustainable resources. Transforming education systems and supporting national competitiveness are challenging, long-term endeavors and require a holistic multi-dimensional approach. On-going support, embedded monitoring and visionary leadership can inform policies, teaching and learning processes and professional development to enable reform efforts that support real change.
The Spinoza code tutor: faculty poster abstract

Spinoza[5] is a web-based IDE developed using NodeJS to support active learning in intro-ductory programming classes. It encompass the best features from various systems like codingbat [1], cloudcoder[2] and codeHunt[3] in one holistic system. Spinoza differs from other similar systems in providing the instructor with detailed real-time feedback during in-class coding sessions, both at the level of the individual student and the class as a whole. From the students' view, Spinoza provides authenticated access to a collection of named programming problems and a web-based IDE which allows students to code, run, unit test, and debug those problems. From the instructor's view, Spinoza provides interfaces for creating a variety of programming challenges and also provides multiple views of students' progress on solving the coding problems.
SINGLE BOOK REVIEWS

The Evolution of Human Life History. Kristen Hawkes and Richard R. Paine, eds. Santa Fe: School of American Research Press, 2006. 505 pp.
A Child Can Have Two Mothers: Frazier v. Goudschaal

The article outlines the facts and provides an analysis of the Kansas Supreme Court case Marci Frazier v. Kelly Goudschaal. Frazier filed two actions in Johnson County District Court — one for equitable partition of real and personal property and a second action for enforcement of the parenting agreement. The second action was dismissed and added by an amendment to the partition petition. Goudschaal filed a motion to dismiss alleging the district court could not divide specific portions of individually titled property and the court lacked subject matter jurisdiction to consider Frazier’s request for parenting time. The District Court denied Goudschaal’s motion to dismiss, finding two separate and independent bases for jurisdiction. Having found jurisdiction under the Kansas Parentage Act (KPA), the district court awarded joint custody based on the best interests of the children. Goudschaal was awarded residential custody and Frazier was ordered to pay child support and received reasonable parenting time. Regarding the equitable partition of the parties’ real and personal property, the district court determined the parties had co-mingled their assets and therefore each had an interest in the other’s financial accounts. The district court ordered an equitable division of the assets that included Goudschaal’s retirement account.The Kansas Supreme Court found that the district court had the authority to divide the parties’ property; to determine the existence or nonexistence of a mother and child relationship between Frazier and the two children; to determine the validity and effect of the co-parenting agreement; and to enter such orders with respect to child custody, parenting time, and child support that are in the best interests of the children.
Lack of specific inhibition of Vaccinia plaque formation by bacteriophage lambda products.

Unsuccessful efforts to confirm the production of a specific antiviral agent (phagicin) by bacteriophage lambda are reported.
Laser-Induced Fluorescence Diagnostics of CF4/O2/H2 Plasma Etching

Laser-induced fluorescence experiments have been carried out during CF4/O2/H2 plasma etching of Si and SiO2. Measurements of relative CF2 radical concentrations as a function of rf power, frequency, pressure, and gas composition are reported. The results are correlated with etch rates of Si and SiO2. The balance between CF2 and F concentrations is shown to influence the etching process strongly.
Topological and electronic influences on magnetic exchange coupling in Fe(III) ethynylbenzene dendritic building blocks.

Significant variance in the magnitude of reported exchange coupling parameters (both experimental and computed) for paramagnetic transition metal–ethynylbenzene complexes suggests that nuances of the magnetostructural relationship in this class of compounds remain to be understood and controlled, toward maximizing the stability of high-spin ground states. We report the preparation, electrochemical behavior, magnetic properties, and results of computational investigations of a series of iron ethynylbenzene complexes with coordination environments suitable for metallodendrimer assembly: [(dmpe)2FeCl(C2Ph)](OTf) (1), [(dmpe)4Fe2Cl2(μ-p-DEB)](BArF4)2 (2), [(dmpe)6Fe3Cl3(TEB)] (3), [(dmpe)6Fe3Cl3(μ3-TEB)](OTf)3 (4), and [(dmpe)4Fe2Cl2(μ-m-DEB)](BArF4)2 (5) [dmpe = 1,2-bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane; p-H2DEB = 1,4-diethynylbenzene; BArF4 = tetrakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate; H3TEB = 1,3,5-triethynylbenzene; m-H2DEB = 1,3-diethynylbenzene]. As expected, the ligand topology drives the antiferromagnetic ...
Renal Clearance of Human and Rat Albumins in the Rat

SummaryExperiments were done to investigate whether molecular discrimination occurred in the renal handling of two species of serum albumin. Human albumin, 40 mg, was infused into rats; it was removed from serum (t1/2 = 15.8 hr) more rapidly than previously reported measurements of removal of endogenous rat albumin (t1/2 = 46 hr). Human albumin was cleared by the rat kidney at a constant rate of 0.0026 μl/min—a value virtually identical to that of rat albumin (0.0020 μl/min). In rats with proteinuria following the single iv injection of puromycin aminonucleoside, human albumin was removed from serum with a half-life of 17.6 hr. During the development of the nephrotic syndrome, the renal clearances of human and rat albumin increased proportionately.Despite the difference in the serum concentration and rates of removal of the two species of albumin, renal handling of the two species was similar. Thus the kidney did not appear to discriminate in its handling of these two proteins.Marie Gaizutis was supported...
Malignant cell contamination may lead to false-positive findings at endosonographic fine needle aspiration for tumor staging.

Background and study aims: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) of lymph nodes is used for staging of gastrointestinal malignancies. False-positive rates of 5 % – 7 % are not well understood. Elements of EUS examinations that contribute to false-positive cytological findings were investigated. Patients and methods: 13 patients undergoing EUS staging of gastrointestinal luminal malignancy were consecutively enrolled together with 3 patients with extraluminal tumors (pancreas, lung) defined as controls. After EUS, cellular debris and fluid were collected from the FNA needle catheter, instrument channel, and endoscope tip for cytologic and histologic investigation. Results: 6 of 13 patients (46 %) had malignant cells contaminating the FNA needle catheter, instrument channel, or endoscope tip. Malignant cells were present in the instrument channel in 5 cases (38 %), exterior tip of echoendoscope in 4 (31 %) and needle catheter in 2 (15 %). Conclusions: Echoendoscopes used for FNA in patients with luminal tumors are at risk for malignant cell contamination of the instrument channel, FNA needle catheter, and echoendoscope tip. FNA needle contamination can contribute to false-positive findings.
Effects of Conducting Plane on Band and Choral Musicians’ Perceptions of Conductor and Ensemble Expressivity

The purpose of this study was to examine whether one aspect of conducting technique, the conducting plane, would affect band and/or choral musicians’ perceptions of conductor and ensemble expressivity. A band and a choral conductor were each videotaped conducting 1-min excerpts from Morten Lauridsen’s O Magnum Mysterium while using a high, medium, and low conducting plane. These six videos then were synchronized with an appropriately corresponding identical high-quality band or choral audio excerpt. College ensemble members (N = 120; band, n = 60; choral, n = 60) viewed all six videos and rated the expressivity of both the conductor and the ensemble. Through the use of a forced-choice task, they also provided one brief comment about either the conductor or the ensemble. Results indicated that conducting plane significantly affected ratings of both conductor and ensemble expressivity. A significant interaction was found between conducting plane (high, medium, and low) and ensemble type (band or choir audio...
Application of DC Advanced Detection in Huangyuchuan Coal Mine

The technology of DC advanced detection method is used very extensively in water safety prevention of coal mine. The interpretation of geophysical data is based on the principle of the known to the unknown, the available geological data of DC advanced detection is very few, the paper of the DC advanced detection usually discussed with a single argument and the argument is often lack of persuasion. Therefore, based on the DC advanced detection to the two adjacent roadway on Huangyuchuan coal mine, this paper selected an explain contrast data on a few cases of representativeness, which discussed the effectiveness of the method, and came up with some suggestions when encountered abnormal inference.
Insulin-like growth factor I stimulates sodium-phosphate cotransport in the rat osteoblastic cell line UMR-106-01.

The effect of recombinant insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) on Pi uptake by a rat osteoblast-like cell line (UMR-106-01) in culture was investigated. IGF-I (10(-6)-10(-8) M) caused a dose-related stimulation of Na(+)-Pi cotransport. A 30-70% increase in Na(+)-dependent Pi uptake over control values was observed after 1- to 5-h exposure of these cells to 10(-7) M IGF-I. The increase was detected within 45 min, in contrast to the slower action of insulin. This effect of IGF-I was specific for Na(+)-Pi uptake, because Na(+)-independent Pi uptake and Na(+)-alanine cotransport were unaffected by IGF-I. A reversal of IGF-I induced stimulation of Na(+)-Pi cotransport was observed within 1 h of removal of the hormone. Kinetic analysis of the IGF-I effect indicates a significant change only in the apparent maximum velocity (Vmax) of Na(+)-Pi cotransport. The Vmax was 5.22 +/- 0.47 vs. 3.33 +/- 0.45 nmol Pi.mg protein-1.10 min-1 in confluent monolayers exposed to 10(-7) M IGF-I and vehicle alone, respectively, for 3 h (P less than 0.05, group t test). Blocking de novo protein synthesis with cycloheximide had no effect on this stimulatory effect of IGF-I. These observations indicate that IGF-I specifically stimulates Pi uptake in osteoblastic cells. The effect is characterized by an increase in Vmax and is not dependent on de novo protein synthesis. The mechanism remains to be determined.
Domestic institutions and the Political Accountability Model

As we argued in the previous chapter, the foreign policy choices of state leaders reflect calculations about the constraints and opportunities for pursuing territorial claims in the strategic setting of international politics. This chapter, as well as the two following chapters, constitute the central theoretical chapters of the book, in which domestic political institutions are given center-stage in three models that seek to explain what types of diplomatic and military policies will be adopted by political leaders in territorial disputes. These three models can be viewed as related, but nevertheless distinct, theoretical approaches for analyzing the democratic peace. Their common foundation is that each considers how domestic political institutions shape foreign policy choices. Each model, however, focuses on a different causal mechanism that links domestic institutions to the choices made by political leaders: Institutions are a source of political accountability for leaders' decisions on matters of foreign policy (Political Accountability Model). Institutions are a source of norms for bargaining and conflict resolution in international disputes (Political Norms Model). The similarity of institutions between states is a source of international threat perception and political alignment for state leaders (Political Affinity Model). The Political Accountability Model centers on the ability of political opposition to punish and reward political leaders for the success or failure of the diplomatic and military policies they pursue. The Political Norms Model views domestic institutions as influencing the principles by which political elites bargain and resolve political conflict. These domestic-based principles, then, also influence how leaders bargain internationally.
A Jewish Ethical Approach to Resource Allocation in Medicine

The allocation of medical resources is an essential part of medical decision making. Though many recognize the need for a universal approach to resource allocation, none currently exists. In order to develop an ethical framework, physicians and ethicists must first agree which values should guide allocation decisions. There is much debate over what criteria should be included and what weight should be accorded to each of them. The goal of this paper is to identify the values currently being proposed and to compare them with the values that underlie Jewish approaches to resource allocation. I focus on principles highlighted by Persad et al and Brock. Persad identifies “ethical principles for allocation [that] can be classiﬁed into four categories, according to their core ethical values: treating people equally, favoring the worst-off, maximizing total beneﬁts, and promoting and rewarding social usefulness” (2009, p. 423). Brock includes the responsibility of the physician and the rule of rescue. Through an examination of the Jewish views on these secular approaches to rationing and the values that underlie them, I highlight the need for research and agreement on core values in secular ethics before the development of protocol.
Is talking to yourself thinking

The question whether talking to yourself is thinking is considered from two viewpoints: radical behaviorism and teleological behaviorism. For radical behaviorism, following Skinner (1945), mental events such as 'thinking' may be explained in terms of private behavior occurring within the body, ordinarily unobservable by other people; thus, radical behaviorism may identify talking to yourself with thinking. However, to be consistent with its basic principles, radical behaviorism must hold that private behavior, hence thinking, is identical with covert muscular, speech movements (rather than proprioception of those movements). For teleological behaviorism, following Skinner (1938), all mental terms, including 'thinking,' stand for abstract, temporally extended patterns of overt behavior. Thus, for teleological behaviorism, talking to yourself, covert by definition, cannot be thinking.
Emergency Management: Exploring Hard and Soft Data Fusion Modeling with Unmanned Aerial Systems and Non-governmental Human Intelligence Mediums

Data fusion methods have been traditionally inclusive of Department of Defense and intelligence applications. The extension of data fusion (DF) with emergency management (EM), also referred to as crisis management, processes for enhanced proactive decision-making has not been fully explored. Hard sensor use in emergency management (e.g. satellites) has evolved to include governmental Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) but may have potential to include non-governmental systems. Soft sensors in emergency management processes (people) include the flow of information from governmental and non-governmental sources. Data fusion emergency management extension is a method of integrating governmental and non-governmental hard and soft information sources at varying levels of information automation for enhanced managerial decision making and utilization of limited resources. This paper establishes a framework for the extension of data fusion to emergency management in consideration of identified EM themes, UAS integration, and behavioral limitations within an autonomous yet collaborative network.
Thermal Model and Remarkable Temperature Effects on the Chalcogenide Alloy

In order to more deeply understand the PCM basic working principles and to better translate them into a real, working device, the PCM thermal model considerations, the fragility-related behavior of the phase change material, and the phase change material ionic motion aspects represent fundamental steps of the path. This chapter will be devoted on one hand to the insights into the cell thermal parameters, studied thanks to electrical measurements and aiming at the comprehension of the thermal resistance behavior in real PCM devices. On the other hand, the chapter will be focused on the discussion of advanced properties involving the phase change materials when heated up, in terms of both their fragility behavior and the relationship between fragility, viscosity and crystallization velocity, and the ionic motion effects. Concerning the thermal model, the discussion will be focused on some remarkable parameters, like thermal resistance, melting temperature, and power dissipation, their experimental evaluation and how much they are impacted by the geometry, and by the phase change material integrated into the PCM cell. Fragility is one of the characteristics making some phase change materials unique or a stronger material close to the glass temperature and a more flexible material close to the melting temperature. Understanding the ion migration effects during operation represents, instead, a mandatory step to enable the overcoming of possible issues at high number of cycles, derived from the fact that the phase change material goes through changes and hence cannot be considered as a uniform compound along its lifetime. So, on one hand, a successful implementation of PCM requires careful analysis and engineering of heat generation and thermal resistance from the cell core toward the outer thermal boundaries, and this represents a very important stage for power consumption optimization and for the SET operation performance. On the other hand, the SET operation itself as well as the reliability of PCM through lifetime is directly linked to the material and its specific alloy in terms of fragility behavior and elemental migration, respectively.
Stability analysis of the chiral transition in SU(4) gauge theory with fermions in multiple representations

We present a Pisarski-Wilczek stability analysis of SU(4) gauge theory coupled simultaneously to fermions charged under the fundamental and two-index antisymmetric representations of the gauge group. We carry out the calculation to one loop in the $\ensuremath{\epsilon}$ expansion, assuming that the two species of fermion undergo a simultaneous chiral transition. The results indicate that the chiral transition is first order.
Resonances in B 16

Using information from nearby nuclei and a simple model, I estimate that the lowest resonance in $^{16}\mathrm{B}$ should have ${J}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}={2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ and the structure $^{17}\mathrm{C}(1/{2}^{+})\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{({p}_{3/2})}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$, and not ${0}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, as previously supposed. If the ${2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ is not the ground state, it should be very close in energy.
Comparing Item Performance on Three- Versus Four-Option Multiple Choice Questions in a Veterinary Toxicology Course

Background: The number of answer options is an important element of multiple-choice questions (MCQs). Many MCQs contain four or more options despite the limited literature suggesting that there is little to no benefit beyond three options. The purpose of this study was to evaluate item performance on 3-option versus 4-option MCQs used in a core curriculum course in veterinary toxicology at a large veterinary medical school in the United States. Methods: A quasi-experimental, crossover design was used in which students in each class were randomly assigned to take one of two versions (A or B) of two major exams. Results: Both the 3-option and 4-option MCQs resulted in similar psychometric properties. Conclusion: The findings of our study support earlier research in other medical disciplines and settings that likewise concluded there was no significant change in the psychometric properties of three option MCQs when compared to the traditional MCQs with four or more options.
Environmental Standards, Thresholds, and the Next Battleground of Climate Change Regulations

This Article addresses a central battleground of the debate about the future of greenhouse gas regulations: the valuation of particulate matter reductions that accompany reductions in carbon dioxide emissions. The benefits from particulate matter reductions are substantial for climate change rules, accounting for almost one half of the quantified benefits of the Obama Administration’s Clean Power Plan. These benefits are also significant for regulations of other air pollutants, making this issue one of far-reaching importance for the future of environmental protection. Opponents of environmental regulation, including the Trump Administration, have recently embraced an aggressive line of attack on particulate matter benefits. They argue alternatively that these benefits are not real; are being “double counted” in other regulations; or should not be considered when they are the co-benefits, rather than the direct benefits, of specific regulations. This Article collects and analyzes for the first time the robust support for valuing particulate matter benefits. An examination of the scientific literature, longstanding agency practices under administrations of both major political parties, and judicial precedent reveals that particulate matter benefits deserve a meaningful role in regulatory cost-benefit analysis.
Consciousness in Re-Presentation: Towards a Cross-Textual Definition of “Différance”

The texts of Jacques Derrida (1930-2004) are known for their meticulously measured language, a quality that leads many readers to pass over his work. it is often relegated to the margins of thought as ‘nonsense’ or elusive in meaning. this short piece attempts to offer a partial elucidation on some key themes of Jacques Derrida’s 1968 essay, “Differance.” This essay first contrasts differance, a French neo-graphism referring to the simultaneous processes of deferral and differentiation , with the prevalent motif of “presence” that has dominated large tracts of Western philosophical discourses. It then moves to discuss the possible structural and methodological ways in which one may read differance, ultimately working to place it into conversation with philosophies of consciousness, understood as a self-presence or a presence-to-oneself (presence a soi), mainly in conversation with the work of Emmanuel Levinas (1906-1995).
„Amerika“ als Spiegelbild – Zur Funktion eines Kontrastes im Diskurs „europäische Stadt“

‘Die europaische Stadt ist tot – es lebe die europaische Stadt’: So lassen sich knapp die bestimmenden Perspektiven des aktuellen Diskurses zur ‘europaischen Stadt’ in der deutschsprachigen Stadtforschung zusammenfassen. Der Frage, inwiefern sich die Stadte Europas bis heute durch spezifische, historisch gewachsene raumliche, soziale und politische Strukturen auszeichnen und sich infolgedessen von stadtischen Agglomerationen anderer Kontinente unterscheiden, wurde in den letzten Jahren wieder eine verstarkte Aufmerksamkeit zuteil (siehe u.a. Bagnasco/Le Gales 2000b; Siebel 2004b; Lenger/Tenfelde 2006). Dies, um das ‘Revitalisierungspotential’ der europaischen Stadt herauszuarbeiten, aber auch als Befund einer derzeit krisenhaften Entwicklung sowie als Argumentation fur eine mogliche Wiederbelebung von bestimmten (sozialpolitischen) Idealeigenschaften der europaischen Stadt. Bekanntlich bilden Max Webers Untersuchungen zu den Stadten des Okzidents (1985 (1921)) einen der zentralen Ausgangspunkte in den aktuellen Diskursen um die europaische Stadt. Hier lassen sich zwei Modi unterscheiden, wie die Analyse Webers in aktuellen Konzepten zur ‘europaischen Stadt’ implementiert wird: Auf der einen Seite stehen jene Arbeiten, in denen Webers Idee der europaischen Stadt als ein kollektiver politischer Akteur unmittelbar aufgenommen und weiterentwickelt wird (siehe u.a. Bagnasco/Le Gales 2000a; Hausermann 2001a und 2005; Le Gales 2002). Dies geht eng einher mit der Beschworung eines ‘Revitalisierungspotentials’, das sich aus der Historie fur die zukunftige Entwicklung der europaischen Stadte ziehen liese. Auf der anderen Seite lassen sich zahlreiche Studien (Siehe u.a. Hassenpflug 2000b; Siebel 2000; Kaelble 2006) anfuhren, in denen einzelne Charakteristika des Weber'schen Idealtypus in umfassendere Konzeptionen der europaischen Stadt integriert sind. Hier wird die Stadt nicht primar im Sinne eines politischen Akteurs betrachtet. Stattdessen werden materiell-raumliche und sozialraumliche Strukturen sowie stadtpolitische Institutionen und Handlungsorientierungen gegenubergestellt, welche – aus Sicht der jeweiligen Autoren – diesen Stadttyp charakterisieren.
Employment of fibroblasts for gene transfer: applications for grafting into the central nervous system.

Several kinds of human diseases may be characterized as a deficiency of a single-gene enzyme or single-gene reactive substance. Such genetic disorders include the absence of hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase in Lesch-Nyhan disease, adenosine deaminase in severe immunodeficiency disease, and factors VIII and IX in hemophilia. Our understanding of these and other disorders of the central nervous system (CNS), immune system, hematopoietic system, etc., has progressed greatly over the past two decades due to the development of molecular genetic techniques. These methods have allowed for the isolation, characterization, and cloning of genes relevant to certain disease states. Over the same period, developments in the delivery of foreign genes into target cells have advanced, such that a number of techniques are now available to introduce new DNA sequences efficiently into cultured eukaryotic cells. With these molecular genetic tools, enzymatic and protein deficiencies can be corrected through the introduction of normal and functioning genes via retroviral-mediated gene transfer into mutant or dysfunctional cells in culture (1–4). It has been proposed (5,6) that corrections of disease phenotype may also be facilitated through similar methods into the entire organism, and this approach is referred to as gene therapy. Many studies to date have employed gene transfer with subsequent grafting as a means of augmenting a deficient enzyme or protein in animal models of human disease types.
Pleasure versus efficiency in user interfaces: towards an involvement framework

The concept of usability is regarded by many as a milestone in the history of computer system design, specifically the design and evaluation of user interfaces. Since the term entered common usage in the early 1980’s, the consideration of usability has greatly impacted the way in which many interactive systems are developed. Usability compels designers to think about end-users from the very beginning. Therefore, it has contributed to the evolution from the traditional topdown design approach (all requirements were specified in the planning phase and then developed by stepwise refinements) to a more iterative-design approach (evaluation and implementation are closely linked, user input at key stages, and ongoing requirements definition and system specification).
Assessment of vertebral wedge strength using cancellous textural properties derived from digital tomosynthesis and density properties from dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and high resolution computed tomography

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the potential of digital tomosynthesis (DTS) derived cancellous bone textural measures to predict vertebral strength under conditions simulating a wedge fracture. 40 vertebral bodies (T6, T8, T11, and L3 levels) from 5 male and 5 female cadaveric donors were utilized. The specimens were scanned using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) to obtain measures of bone mineral density (BMD) and content (BMC), and DTS to obtain measures of bone texture. Using a custom loading apparatus designed to deliver a nonuniform displacement resulting in a wedge deformity similar to those observed clinically, the specimens were loaded to fracture and their fracture strength was recorded. Mixed model regressions were used to determine the associations between wedge strength and DTS derived textural variables, alone and in the presence of BMD or BMC information. DTS derived fractal, lacunarity and mean intercept length variables correlated with wedge strength, and individually explained up to 53% variability. DTS derived textural variables, notably fractal dimension and lacunarity, contributed to multiple regression models of wedge strength independently from BMC and BMD. The model from a scan orientation transverse to the spine axis and in the anterior-posterior view resulted in highest explanatory capability (R 2 adj = 0.91), with a scan orientation parallel to the spine axis and in the lateral view offering an alternative (R 2 adj = 0.88). In conclusion, DTS can be used to examine cancellous texture relevant to vertebral wedge strength, and potentially complement BMD in assessment of vertebral fracture risk.
Cationic Hyperbranched Polymers with Biocompatible Shells for siRNA Delivery

Cationic hyperbranched polymers (HBP) were prepared by self-condensing vinyl polymerization of an atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) inimer containing a quaternary ammonium group. Two types of biocompatible shells, poly(oligoethylene glycol) methacrylate (polyOEGMA) and poly(2-(methylsulfinyl) ethyl methacrylate) (polyDMSO), were grafted respectively from HBP core to form core–shell structures with low molecular weight dispersity and high biocompatibility, polyOEGMA–HBP and polyDMSO–HBP. Both of the structures showed low cytotoxicity and good siRNA complexing ability. The efficacy of gene silencing against Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) expression and the long-term assessment of mineralized nodule formation in osteoblast cultures were evaluated. The biocompatible core–shell structures were crucial to minimizing undesired cytotoxicity and nonspecific gene suppression. polyDMSO–HBP showed higher efficacy of forming polyplexes than polyOEGMA–HBP due to shell with lower steric hindrance....