cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The future of paleontology; the threat of extinction, the joy of survival

IT IS A GREAT HONOR to have had the opportunity to serve The Paleontological Society as President. The members of The Paleontological Society Council performed their duties in a concerned, responsible manner and largely through their efforts the Society is in good order. Because I am an academic, the comments I will make are perhaps slanted toward academia; however, I believe they are applicable to us all. I might also indicate that there are institutional and personal approaches to the solution of the problems I am going to address. The Council is considering the former. I will address those that we can make as individuals.
American Style Stock Options

The previous Black-Scholes analysis was based on the premise that an early exercise of options is not allowed. These are so-called European style options. Their possible exercise date is fixed in advance. On the other hand, the fact is that options that are usually traded on the option market can be exercised at any time before the expiry, although most often they are not. Such options are called American options. As seen so far, the problem of pricing European options was solved by solving the associated Black-Scholes partial differential equations, while the problem of implied volatility in its most sophisticated form so far was solved by solving an optimal control problem for the associated Dupire partial differential equation. Both the equations Black-Scholes and Dupire were linear although the optimal control problem was non-linear.
Literature of the lab

Robert P Crease surveys novels with scenes set in physics laboratories, and wants your suggestions of others.
Computational Engine for a Virtual Tissue Simulator

Author(s): Hayakawa, C; Spanier, J; Venugopalan, V | Abstract: We have developed a computational platform that simulates light transport in tissue in support of biomedical optics research. Although in its initial stage of development, this platform is being used to answer important questions regarding the detection of tissue changes, and the optimal design and positioning of optical probes to 'interrogate' the tissue best. We provide answers to such questions by applying perturbation and midway surface Monte Carlo techniques. Derivation of these methods makes rigorous use of the radiative transport equation which is essential if the methods are to provide accurate solutions for highly complex media such as biological tissue. © 2008 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.
Factors Associated With Infant Bed-Sharing:

Objective: Bed-sharing is associated with sudden infant death syndrome and accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed. The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors for newborn bed-sharing. Methods: Postpartum mothers from a university maternity service were contacted by phone to complete a survey. Demographic and environmental data were collected; newborn bed-sharing and sleep environment were self-reported. Results: A total of 1261 mothers completed surveys; bed-sharing was reported by 79 mothers (6.3%). Multivariate logistic regression identified referral to a nurse (odds ratio [OR] = 10; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 4.5-30) and sleep location "other" than a crib, bassinet, or Pack and Play (OR = 7.1; 95% CI = 1.9-25.9) as factors associated with an increased risk of bed-sharing; formula feeding (OR = 0.4; 95% CI = 0.20-0.77) and crib sleeping (OR = 0.49; 95% CI = 0.26-0.86) reduced this risk. Conclusion: Infants with no identifiable places to sleep, significant health issues, and who are breastfed are more likely to bed-share. Interventional studies should be directed at these factors.
Effect of Humidity on Development of Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the Causal Agent of Bat White-Nose Syndrome

The invasive fungal pathogen that causes white-nose syndrome (WNS), Pseudogymnoascus destructans, has decimated bat populations in the United States, causing significant mortality since the winter of 2006–2007. Temperatures inside many bat hibernacula are ideal for fungal growth, yet data are limited on the effects of humidity on the development of the fungus. The aim of our study was to determine optimum relative humidity (RH) levels for vegetative growth and sporulation of P. destructans growing at optimal temperatures. We cultivated P. destructans isolate MYA-4855 at 13 °C in individual humidity chambers where RH was maintained between 70.5 and 96.5% using supersaturated salt solutions. We quantified vegetative growth and conidia formation for 3 weeks and implemented single linear regression and ANCOVA analyses to ascertain the effects of RH. Mycelial growth increased significantly with increasing RH by 2 and 3 weeks post inoculation (P < 0.001, r = 0.49, 0.61). This effect was most pronounced up to 81.5% RH, after which no significant increases in growth were detected. Conidiation increased linearly with increasing RH by 3 weeks post inoculation (P < 0.05, r = 0.33). Similar to mycelial growth, there was no difference in conidia production once RH exceeded 81.5%. The RH range permissive for significant mycelial development is fairly wide, and RH levels at 81.5% and above at 13 °C support similar levels of vegetative growth. However, our results indicate that at 13 °C, RH of 70% or lower impedes mycelial growth, which could restrict infection severity and/or colonization of organic matter. Finally, lower RH does not restrict production of conidia, which serve as important transmission propagules. Our study suggests that lowering RH could stem infection serverity but may be of limited value as a means of mitigating pathogen dispersal from infected to healthy bats.
Non-reciprocal wave propagation in zero-index materials (Conference Presentation)

Moving media have recently attracted attention for their ability to break reciprocity without magnetic materials. By spinning air in an acoustic cavity, it was recently shown that it is possible to realize an acoustic circulator [R. Fleury, D. Sounas, A. Alu, Science 343, 516 (2014)], with applications for sonars and medical imaging devices. Similarly, by effectively imparting angular momentum to microwave and optical resonators through spatiotemporal modulation, it is possible to induce strong non-reciprocity, with groundbreaking applications in the design of full-duplex communication systems [N. Estep, D. Sounas, J. Soric, A. Alu, Nature Physics 10, 923 (2014)]. Here we show that the non-relativistic Fresnel-Fizeau effect at the basis of these mechanisms can be boosted in epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) media, due to their small intrinsic refractive index. This is a different scenario than resonant structures, where the Fresnel-Fizeau effect is boosted by the effectively large wave-matter interaction distance, even for large intrinsic refractive index for the moving medium. Our results open a new venue to use zero-index metamaterials, and can become practically important in the realization of non-reciprocal imaging systems with built-in isolation and protection from reflections.
Snapchat and Culturally Responsive Teaching

BRIEF SESSION DESCRIPTION: Learn how to use Snapchat to connect with and engage students in the classroom. ________________________________________________________________ FULL ABSTRACT: An ideal diverse classroom should be student-centered where teachers are facilitators in their classrooms. Therefore, teachers are urged to educate themselves to engage in culturally responsive teaching (CRT) through using the tools that can serve as vehicles in the classroom. Digital technologies are among the most powerful tools used to support both teaching and learning, and to promote culturally responsive practice. Snapchat can be used as a tool to connect teachers with their learners and to introduce new topics and allow students relate them to their own personal backgrounds. Through both the awareness of the importance of CRT and the usage of Snapchat in the classroom teachers can prepare our 21st century students to be global citizens.
The Use of Smart Phone Thermal Imaging for Assessment of Peripheral Perfusion in Vascular Patients.

Background Ankle-brachial index (ABI) is a reliable method to evaluate extremity perfusion but can be prohibitive to obtain secondary to patient discomfort or extremity trauma. This study investigates smart phone–based forward looking infrared imaging to assess peripheral perfusion using thermal ABI (tABI). Methods ABIs were measured by a certified vascular laboratory. Thermographs of each extremity (hands/feet) were obtained, and maximum surface temperature was recorded. tABI was calculated by dividing the lower extremity (LE) temperature by the upper extremity (UE). ABI and tABI were compared using Pearson's correlation and Bland–Altman plot. Results Twenty-three patients (45 limbs) had ABI's and thermographs recorded on the same day. Median ABI was 0.89 (range 0.33–1.46, IQR 0.4). Median LE temperature was 83.0°F (range 60.7–96.9°F, IQR 14.1). Median UE temperature was 91.2°F (range 81.9–94.6°F, IQR 3.4). Median tABI was 0.93 (range 0.33–1.4, IQR 0.2). Positive correlation was seen between ABI and tABI with Pearson analysis (r = 0.83, P Conclusions Thermal imaging correlates with ABI in the evaluation of extremity perfusion. Smart phone–based FLIR can be used to determine peripheral perfusion in clinical settings where ABI is difficult to obtain.
Prenatal Life Events, Maternal Employment, and Postpartum Depression across a Diverse Population in New York City

This study examined racial/ethnic disparities in three core postpartum depression (PPD) symptoms, and identified specific predictors of PPD including sociodemographic variables, life stressors and maternal employment. White, African American, Hispanic, and Asian/Pacific Islander women from the New York City area (n = 3010) completed the 2009–2011 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System. African American women were less likely to have PPD than White women. Maternal employment during the postpartum was associated with an increased likelihood of PPD for White women relative to women who were not employed. Life stressors and maternal employment should be considered as culturally contextualized factors related to postpartum depression.
Psychometric Evaluation of the IBD-Specific Anxiety Scale: A Novel Measure of Disease-Related Anxiety for Adolescents With IBD.

Anxiety related to pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a common comorbidity; yet, this construct is understudied because of lack of available valid measurement. Objective The present study will report the preliminary validation of the 20-item IBD-Specific Anxiety Scale (IBD-SAS) in a large, geographically diverse sample of adolescents aged 12-18 years with IBD. Method A total of 281 adolescents, ages 12-18 (M = 14.8, SD = 1.78; 51% male), completed the IBD-SAS along with measures of IBD-related quality of life, anxiety, depressive symptoms, and disease activity. Factor structure was assessed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses (EFA and CFA). Results EFA (Sample 1; n = 141) yielded one-, two-, three- and four-factor models. The CFA (Sample 2; n = 140) demonstrated that a four-factor model was superior to three- and two-factor model for the amended scale. In total, the IBD-SAS showed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's α = .95) and was most strongly associated with health-related quality of life. Moderate to strong associations were observed between IBD-SAS and general measures of anxiety and depressive symptoms, and IBD disease activity providing additional support that health-specific anxiety is a valid and distinct construct. Conclusions Based on the results of this study, the IBD-SAS displayed adequate psychometric properties and can meaningfully contribute to the assessment of IBD-specific anxiety in adolescents diagnosed with IBD, thus filling an empirical and clinical need in this population.
Preparing Juvenile Offenders for College and Career Readiness: A Cognitive Information Processing Approach

ABSTRACTYouth with juvenile justice (JJ) interactions and/or adjudications face a number of challenges as they transition back into their community, including college and career readiness needs. In...
The electronic structure of the neutral, mono and di positive transition metal nitrides, ScN, TiN, VN, CrN

Understanding the nature of the transition metal (TM)-main-group-element bond is important in many areas of science. Information on the bonding in neutral TM-main group systems is obtained primarily from matrix isolation experiments [1], gas phase electronic spectroscopy [2] and theoretical calculations [3], while information on the TM ion - main group element bond has been obtained from studies of gas-phase bimolecular reactions [4] of TM ions with organic and inorganic molecules as well as theoretical [5, 6] calculations. The resulting bond energies permit one to systematize and interpret the observed chemistry of these systems and have immediate impact in organometallic chemistry, surface science, catalysis and atmospheric chemistry. Theoretical calculations on the TM-main group bond in coordinately unsaturated molecules have lagged behind the experiments because the extent of electron correlation needed for even qualitatively correct results is significantly raised relative to molecules containing only main group-main group bonds. For example, absent electron correlation, the energy separations between the terms of the low lying s2dN, sdN+1 and dN+2 configurations of the neutral transition metal atoms are seriously flawed. In a molecular calculation this atomic misalignment affects the relative mixture of the TM s, p and d orbitals in the bond and therefore the bond distance and energy. Studies over the last decade by several groups [3, 5, 6] have shown that theoretical studies can provide usefully acc rate descriptions of these systems provided one takes into account the structural correlation energy in the transition-metal-main-group bonds as well as the various spin couplings associated with those bonds and the valence spectator electrons.
The Medical Consequences of Alcohol and Drugs of Abuse and Addiction

It is important that physicians know in detail the medical complications of alcoholism. However, as important as medical sequelae can be, the majority of alcoholics escape medical consequences. The minority of alcoholics who have medical consequences appear to represent chronic, long–time consumers or have a idiosyncratic reaction to the effects of alcohol (1,2,3).The medical consequences are related to a host of organ systems in the body. Ethanol is water soluble and reaches virtually every cell that is bathed by water. The toxic effects of ethanol on the body are both direct and indirect. Studies have confirmed that ethanol produces direct toxic damage to organs, for example, brain and muscle, and also influences the development of deficiency states through malnutrition or metabolic derangement (4).
Afterword: El Pilar and Maya Cultural Heritage: Reflections of a Cheerful Pessimist

As we consider the contested landscape of cultural heritage, the facets elaborated in this volume are touch points for profitable discussion: social identity, political claims, national propaganda, ownership, respect, and interpretation. Yet, cultural heritage is fluid and constantly changing depending on the context of space and time. At the regional and global scale, the forces of homogeneity and unity reign, while at the national and local scales, heterogeneity and diversity prevail. With the growing world of tourism, cultural heritage has become a novelty realized through travel to the locale or its virtual substitute through print and moving media. Travel can be a positive opportunity that brings societies together to share common values of culture. But it also can generate tension when cultural values come into conflict. The case of the ancient Maya is significant on this point (Fig. 12.1).
Predictive Validity of Proposed Diagnostic Criteria for the Suicide Crisis Syndrome: An Acute Presuicidal State.

Background Determining imminent risk of suicide continues to challenge psychiatrists. To this end, we test the clinical utility of a proposed set of diagnostic criteria for the suicide crisis syndrome (SCS) for prediction of imminent suicidal thoughts and behaviors prospectively. Method One hundred and seventy individuals hospitalized for suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STB) were evaluated within 72 hr of admission with measures assessing symptoms of the proposed SCS, history of STB, current ideation, and depression severity. Four-eight weeks following discharge, STB were reassessed. Associations between SCS and postdischarge attempts were examined using chi-square and logistic regression analyses. The receiver operator characteristic analysis was used to test the optimal number of symptoms required to meet proposed SCS criteria. Results The syndrome was maximally informative about short-term risk of postdischarge suicide behavior when all criteria were met. The syndrome conferred a sevenfold increase in risk of postdischarge suicide attempt, and significantly improved prediction by standard risk factors, which was null to limited. Conclusions The SCS diagnostic criteria are supported and appear to describe a clinically meaningful syndrome in a high-risk population. Assessment of SCS may meaningfully improve clinical assessment of imminent suicide risk. Further study is needed to better understand the syndrome and its applicability in low-risk populations.
Enzyme therapy for functional bowel disease-like post-prandial distress

Post-prandial gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal distension, flatulence, bloating and a feeling of fullness are common complaints of often unknown etiology and pathogenesis. There is a long history of trials reporting the successful use of products containing a variety of combinations of digestive enzymes including a number of randomized placebo-controlled trials. We provide a narrative review of studies describing the use of multi-digestive enzymes for symptoms consistent with irritable bowel syndrome. We describe clinical trials reported over the past 60 years including double-blinded randomized, placebo-controlled studies and recent trials that focused on post-prandial diarrhea consistent with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome. Disaccharidase deficiencies or deficiencies of other carbohydrate digesting enzymes were excluded. Worldwide studies have generally reported success with multi-enzyme preparations although none used a factorial design to identify subgroups or attempted to link specific symptom responses to specific components of therapy. Although there is a long history of the successful use of multi-enzyme preparations for post-prandial symptoms consistent with irritable bowel syndrome, long-term studies using validated scoring systems and factorial designs are needed to confirm the results for specific symptoms and the components of the combination drugs received.
Fracture of Composite Compact Tension Specimens

Abstract : Fracture experiments were carried out on compact tension specimens of unidirectional and cross-ply S-glass/epoxy and graphite/epoxy. Fracture toughness values were determined by the compliance calibration technique and by measuring the area under the load-displacement curve. In unidirectional specimens, crack extension was always parallel to the fibers and was dependent on crack length. Toughness did not vary significantly with fiber orientation relative to the load direction in unidirectional S-glass/epoxy. Tests on cross- ply S-glass specimens were not valid because crack propagation did not occur; instead, a zone containing a system of superficial parallel cracks and other damage developed, which extended with increasing load. Cross-ply graphite specimens, on the other hand, did appear to give valid test results although the cracks propagated were not always straight and other damage mechanisms were also present. Toughness values for cross-ply graphite were approximately two orders of magnitude higher than for unidirectional specimens due chiefly to the fracture resistance of fibers transverse to the crack. Toughness values determined by the compliance calibration method were consistent with reported values obtained by other methods. (Author)
An investigation of racial and ethnic differences in e-cigarette beliefs and use characteristics.

In this study we provide information on e-cigarette use characteristics in relation to racial and ethnic characteristics in a sample of 535 adult e-cigarette users. We also evaluated how anxiety se...
The artisans' dilemma: Artisan entrepreneurship and the challenge of firm growth

Abstract An increasing number of entrepreneurial ventures are growing at exponential rates despite their founders' professed intentions not to grow their firms. We refer to these individuals as artisan entrepreneurs. Through an inductive, phenomenon-based research approach, we explore how artisan entrepreneurs subscribe to a counter-institutional identity yet engage in a divergent set of behaviors. We discover that artisans' counter-institutional identity contains two sides—promoting the exclusion of ‘who we are not’ (oppositional identity) or providing support for ‘who we are’ (relational identity). We theorize that artisan entrepreneurs' differing views regarding their independence led to very different approaches to growth. When artisans either do not see forms of external control as impinging on their independence or sense that serving stakeholders is a means to perform relational identity work, they embrace growth. Thus, artisans may find that growth serves stakeholders, but funding growth brings about financial pressures, which may force the artisan down a path of growth.
Impact of greater auricular nerve sacrifice during parotidectomy on quality of life

Background Greater auricular nerve (GAN) sacrifice can alter sensation; however, the impact on quality of life (QoL) is unclear. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate patients' QoL following GAN sacrifice versus preservation. Methods Patients who underwent parotidectomy from 2010 to 2019 at a single institution completed two QoL surveys. Results between GAN-sacrificed versus preserved cohorts and short (≤ 1 year) versus long-term (> 1 year) follow-up were compared. Results Of 404 patients, 67 with known GAN status completed the surveys. GAN-sacrificed patients more frequently experienced sensation loss of the lobule and concha than GAN-preserved patients (P = .042 and P = .041, respectively). Interference with daily activities or amount of regained sensation was not different based on GAN status. Short-term follow-up patients had a higher number of symptoms and affected areas than long-term follow-up patients (P = .014 and P = .002, respectively). Conclusion GAN sacrifice leads to sensation loss of the lobule and concha; however, it does not significantly impair QoL.
To Detect and Reject, Parallel Roles for Taste and Immunity.

From single cells to entire organisms, biological entities are in constant communication with their surroundings, deciding what to ‘allow’ in, and what to reject. In very different ways, the immune and taste systems both fulfill this function, with growing evidence suggesting a relationship between the two, through shared signaling pathways, receptors, and feedback loops. The purpose of this review was to explore recent reports on taste and immunity in model animals and in humans to explore our understanding of the interplay between these systems. Acute infections in the upper airway, as with SARS-CoV-2, are associated with a proinflammatory state, and blunted taste perception. Further, recent findings highlight taste receptors working as immune sentinels throughout the body. Work in humans and mice also points to inflammation from obesity impacting taste, altering taste bud abundance and composition. There is accumulating evidence that taste cells, and particularly their receptors, play a role in airway and gut immunity, responsive to invading organisms. Inflammation itself may further act on taste buds and other taste receptor expressing cells throughout the body as a form of homeostatic control.
Comprehensive sexual health education and intersex (in)visibility: an ethnographic exploration inside a California high school classroom

Although marked by discourses of progressivism and revolutionary change with regard to the protection of civil rights for LGBTQIA+ people and equitable educational policies, California’s institutio...
Oral squamous cell carcinoma in patients aged 45 and younger: Prognosis, survival, and quality of life.

OBJECTIVE To perform a detailed analysis of the epidemiology, tumor biology, treatment, overall survival, and quality of life in a young patient (age ≤45 years) cohort with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). STUDY DESIGN A retrospective cohort study between 1992 and 2017 at an academic tertiary care center. RESULTS In total, 80 patients were included (36 female and 44 male) with stage I (American Joint Committee on Cancer eighth ed.) disease and lateral tongue was most common presentation. Mean follow-up was 6.28 years. The overall disease recurrence rate was 28.7% (23 of 80). Human papillomavirus was positive in 22% of patients tested. Free flap reconstruction was not associated with improved margin status (P = .62) but significant for recurrent disease (P < .04). Overall 2-year survival was significantly poorer in patients with close/positive margin status and free flap reconstruction. Patients with early-stage disease (stage II) requiring adjuvant radiotherapy, chemotherapy (all stages), or flap reconstruction (Stage III patients) had significantly worse 5-year survival rates. CONCLUSIONS OSCC in young patients (age ≤45 years) is an increasingly more common disease that occurs in patients without known risk factors. Despite their earlier presentation of disease pathology, constant vigilance and standard aggressive treatment similar to other age groups will result in similar and improved outcomes and survival.
Expected wait times for access to a disease-modifying Alzheimer's treatment in the United States.

Introduction A 2017 study had analyzed the preparedness of the U.S. health care system to deliver a disease-modifying Alzheimer's treatment and predicted substantial wait times. We update the prediction with an improved model and newer data. Methods The model tracks patients from initial evaluation, cognitive testing by a dementia specialist, confirmatory biomarker testing, and infusion delivery. All steps after initial evaluation are assumed to be capacity constrained. Model parameters and assumptions about care-seeking behavior were derived from the published literature and expert input. Results If patients were referred based on a brief cognitive test, wait times for specialist visits would reach around 50 months. If referral also required a positive blood-based biomarker test, wait times would be around 12 months. In both scenarios, wait times for confirmatory biomarker testing and infusion treatment would be limited. Discussion Better diagnostic tools at initial evaluation may reduce unnecessary delays in access to treatment.
Understanding the Gap: Transition From Fellowship to Faculty.

* Abbreviations: EPA — : entrustable professional activity FPD — : fellowship program director In 2013, pediatric common subspecialty entrustable professional activities (EPAs) were developed in alignment with efforts to transition toward Competency Based Medical Education, a system in which trainees’ advancement is based on skill level and does not passively mirror time spent in training.1–3 In this competency-based system, pediatric fellowship program directors (FPDs) have been shown to graduate fellows who continue to require supervision in the common subspecialty EPAs.4 In this issue of Pediatrics , Weiss et al5 redemonstrate that FPDs graduate fellows who require ongoing supervision in the common subspecialty EPAs and newly establish that the degree of supervision required after graduation is more than FPDs would expect an attending physician subspecialist to need for safe and effective outcomes. These findings were consistent across subspecialities and bolstered by the study’s high survey response rate. Initial reactions to these findings may be concern, embarrassment, or frustration with current pediatric subspecialty fellowship training; after all, … Address correspondence to Laura Chiel, Division of Pulmonary Medicine, 5th floor, Boston Children’s Hospital, 333 Longwood Ave, Boston MA 02115. E-mail: laura.chiel{at}childrens.harvard.edu
Mercury: Efficient On-Device Distributed DNN Training via Stochastic Importance Sampling

As intelligence is moving from data centers to the edges, intelligent edge devices such as smartphones, drones, robots, and smart IoT devices are equipped with the capability to altogether train a deep learning model on the devices from the data collected by themselves. Despite its considerable value, the key bottleneck of making on-device distributed training practically useful in real-world deployments is that they consume a significant amount of training time under wireless networks with constrained bandwidth. To tackle this critical bottleneck, we present Mercury, an importance sampling-based framework that enhances the training efficiency of on-device distributed training without compromising the accuracies of the trained models. The key idea behind the design of Mercury is to focus on samples that provide more important information in each training iteration. In doing this, the training efficiency of each iteration is improved. As such, the total number of iterations can be considerably reduced so as to speed up the overall training process. We implemented Mercury and deployed it on a self-developed testbed. We demonstrate its effectiveness and show that Mercury consistently outperforms two status quo frameworks on six commonly used datasets across tasks in image classification, speech recognition, and natural language processing.
Sampling for Cache and Processor Simulation

There are a wealth of technological alternatives that can be incorporated into a cache or processor design. The memory configuration and the cache size, associativity and block size for each of the components in the heirarchy are some of these applicable to memory subsystems. For processors, these include branch handling strategies, functional unit duplication, and instruction fetch, issue, completion and retirement policies. The deciding factor between the various choices available is a function of the performance each adds, versus the cost each incurs. The large amount of available design choices inflates the design space. The profitability of a given design is measured through the excution of application programs and other workloads. Trace-driven simulation is used to simplify this process.
Facile degradative lactonization of Gln-Arg and Gln-Phe hydroxyethylene dipeptide derivatives

: We have found that hydroxyethylene (HE) dipeptide analogs of Gln-Arg and Gln-Phe are unusually susceptible to acid catalyzed lactonization. The synthesis of substrate-based transition state analog inhibitors of botulinum neurotoxin metalloprotease inhibitors that contain the Gln-Arg or the Gln-Phe HE units is complicated by this facile degradative lactonization.
SFAS No. 157 and the Current Banking Crisis

Paper argues that SFAS 157 contributed mightily to the banking crisis by forcing auditors to mark to market level 3 bank assets that are extremely illiquid and have no reliable valuation benchmark.
Manipulated Masculinities: Agribusiness, Deskilling, and the Rise of the Businessman‐Farmer in the United States

In this study we examine how the agribusiness industry works to manipulate conventional farming masculinities in the United States to facilitate agricultural deskilling, a process that has serious implications for the future of sustainable agriculture uptake among American farmers. Through analyzing one year's worth of advertisements in three conventional farming magazines and through conducting participant observation and interviews at the second largest indoor farming show in the United States, we examine the ways in which agribusiness companies, such as chemical, seed, and farm machinery manufacturers, represent farmers and farming masculinities in their advertisements and marketing materials. We observe a shift occurring among certain agribusiness sectors away from representations of a rugged, strong, solitary farmer, who dominates nature through his manual labor, to depictions of a “businessman” farmer, who farms in collaboration with certain qualified partners (i.e., company representatives). We ultimately argue that these new representations of farming masculinity aim to more deeply entrench conventional farmers' dependence on chemical inputs and agribusiness products by promoting a process of deskilling, effectively alienating the farmer from the land.
Ubiquitous neutral stability of splay-phase states.

We find that the dynamics of certain dc-driven Josephson-junction arrays is peculiarly weak. The neutral stability of splay-phase states is far more common than previously suspected, even if the junctions are not identical. This has significant consequences for applications of these arrays.
The infrared spectrum of K2[Ni(C2O4)2]·6H2O

Abstract The infrared spectrum of the ion [Ni(C 2 O 4 ) 2 ] 2− is reported and compared with those of other metal—oxalato complexes.
Information Production and Link Formation in Social Computing Systems

Social computing provide a popular, cost-effective and scalable framework for building new engineering systems as well as improving the performance of numerous existing systems. However, the self-interest of agents of such systems generates intrinsic incentive problems. This work analyzes these incentive problems from several points of view. First, we analyze the trade-offs (of each individual agent) between the costs and benefits of producing information personally and forming links to collect information (from other agents), and the strategic implications of these trade-offs. A central point of the analysis is that information is assumed to be heterogeneous (rather than homogeneous as in previous analyses) and agents value this heterogeneity. The analysis has implications for the topology that emerges endogenously. For large populations, the implication is that the topology is necessarily of a core-periphery type: hub agents (at the core of the network) produce and share most of the information, while spoke agents (at the periphery of the network) derive most of their information from hub agents, producing little of it themselves. As the population becomes larger, the number of hub agents and the total amount of information produced grow in proportion to the total population. Our conclusions had been conjectured for many social computing systems but not been previously derived in any formal framework, and are in stark contradiction to the "law of the few" that had been established in previous work, under the assumption that information is homogeneous and part of the endowment of agents, rather than heterogeneous and produced.
Spectral Studies of Interactions of Detergents with Tryptophyl Compounds

The interactions of sodium dodecylsulfate and hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride with typtophyl model compounds were investigated by fluorescence, classical difference spectra and thermal perturbation spectra. Oppositely charged models and detergents interact to produce marked spectral changes. Apolar interactions also contribute. The ease of interaction with sodium dodecylsulfate decreases in the order: tryptamine, Lys-Trp-Lys, Leu-Trp-Leu, Gly-Trp-Gly, Glu-Trp-Glu shows little or no interaction. Lys-Trp-Lys forms both soluble and insoluble complexes with sodium dodecylsulfate.
Control of the Z-Source Inverter for Fuel Cell-Battery Hybrid Vehicles to Eliminate Undesirable Operation Modes

The Z-source inverter provides a simple single stage solution for fuel cell-battery hybrid vehicles. However, under certain load conditions, the Z-source inverter might have some unwanted operation modes, which will sacrifice the inverter performance, e.g. increase the harmonic. For the Z-source inverter used in fuel cell-battery hybrid vehicles, this can be solved by sophisticated control of the inverter. The analysis of the inverter for fuel cell-battery hybrid vehicles and description of the control methods to avoid the undesirable operation modes are presented in this paper with validation of experimental results.
Growth hormone suppression after an oral glucose load in children.

Background: GH nonsuppression after oral glucose is diagnostic for GH excess, but normative data are lacking in children. Adult data cannot be extrapolated to children given the pubertal increase in GH concentration. In addition, because GH levels are higher in pubertal girls than boys, nadir GH may differ across gender. Objective: Our objective was to determine whether nadir GH during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) is gender and pubertal stage specific. We hypothesized that nadir GH would be higher in girls, and at the pubertal stage known to correspond with peak height velocity (Tanner 2–3 in girls and Tanner 3–4 in boys) and maximal GH concentrations. Subjects/ Methods: A 2-h OGTT using 2.35 g/kg oral glucose (maximum 100 g) was performed in 64 girls and 43 boys, 9–17 yr (10th-90th percentiles for body mass index). Girls were grouped as group 1 (Tanner 1), group 2 (Tanner 2–3), and group 3 (Tanner 4–5), and boys as group 1 (Tanner 1–2), group 2 (Tanner 3–4), and group 3 (Tanner 5). Results: Nadi...
Knuckle‐walking and the evolution of hominoid hands

Knuckle-walking is a pattern of digitigrade locomotion unique to African apes among Primates. Only chimpanzees and gorillas are specially adapted for supporting weight on the dorsal aspects of middle phalanges of flexed hand digits II–V. When forced to the ground, most orangutans assume one of a variety of flexed hand postures, but they cannot knuckle-walk. Some orangutans place their hands in palmigrade postures which are impossible to African apes. The knuckle-walking hands and plantigrade feet of African apes are both morphologically and adaptively distinct from those of Pongo, their nearest relative among extant apes. These features are associated with a common adaptive shift to terrestrial locomotion and support placing chimpanzees and gorillas in the same genus Pan. It is further suggested than Pan comprises the subgenera (a) Pan, including P. troglodytes and pygmy chimpanzees, and (b) Gorilla, including mountain and lowland populations of P. gorilla. African apes probably diverged from ancestral pongids that were specially adapted for distributing their weight in terminal branches of the forest canopy. Early adjustments to terrestrial locomotion may have involved fist-walking which later evolved into knuckle-walking. Orangutans continued to adapt to feeding and locomotion in the forest canopy and their hands and feet became highly specialized for four-digit prehension. Although chimpanzees retained arboreal feeding and nesting habits, they moved from tree to tree by terrestrial routes and became less restricted in habitat. While adapting to a diet of ground plants gorillas increased in size to the point that arboreal nesting is less frequent among them than among chimpanzees and orangutans. Early hominids probably diverged from pongids that had not developed prospective adaptations to knuckle-walking, and therefore did not evolve through a knuckle-walking stage. Initial adjustments to terrestrial quadrupedal locomotion and resting stance probably included palmigrade hand posturing. Their thumbs may have been already well developed as an adaptation for grasping during arboreal climbing. A combination of selection pressures for efficient terrestrial locomotor support and for object manipulation further advanced early hominid hands toward modern human configuration.
Molecular mechanics calculations on carbonyl compounds. IV. Heats of formation

Molecular mechanics (MM4) calculations on the heats of formation of aldehydes and ketones were carried out for a total of 59 compounds (10 aldehydes and 49 ketones). Optimization of the heat of formation parameters was obtained by a least squares fit to the experimentally known heats of formation. With the optimized MM4 heat of formation parameters, the MM4 calculated heats of formation showed significant improvement over those of MM3. The standard and weighted root mean square deviations for the MM4 values were 0.35 and 0.31 kcal mol −1 , respectively, whereas for the MM3 values they were 0.42 and 0.39 kcal mol −1 , respectively. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Comput Chem 22: 1476-1483, 2001
The effectiveness of long-term intradialytic parenteral nutrition in a chronic hemodialysis patient with Crohn's disease

Abstract The nutritional state of the end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patient may be jeopardized by the patient's additional medical complications. Malnutrition is observed in ESRD patients who also have intestinal malabsorption. Providing appropriate nutritional repletion and management to improve the patient's clinical outcome is an ongoing challenge for the renal dietitian and the medical team. This case study presents a hemodialysis patient with Crohn's disease who received intradialytic parenteral nutrition for 3 years as a secondary supportive therapy to diet and oral supplementation.
Measurement of neuronal specific enolase as a predictor of outcome in patients suffering from severe traumatic brain injury.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a multiphasic disease. Following the initial impact, secondary injury, including oxidative stress and inflammation, is thought to contribute significantly to death and disability. This ongoing damage in the penumbra of the brain leads to the demise of neuronal populations, and ultimately decreased brain function. Identification of various neural markers such as neuronal specific enolase (NSE) at various time points following TBI may help us better understand the magnitude of secondary injury following TBI, and may help predict outcome in these patients.
The Right-Hand Derivative of an Integral

(2002). The Right-Hand Derivative of an Integral. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 109, No. 6, pp. 565-568.
LACTIC ACID FERMENTATION OF OUTER CELERY PETIOLES

SUMMARY— Efforts to effectively utilize the sound but traditionally discarded outer celery petioles have been undertaken employing a sauerkraut-type fermentation. The natural microflora produced a predominantly homofermentative lactic acid fermentation, resulting in acid levels of 0.7 to 1.2% (pH 3.9–3.5). Various sodium chloride and sucrose levels were employed; best flavor development was obtained with 2.25% salt and 2.0% sugar added. Acid development and organo-leptic quality of slices were similar for outer petioles and inner stalks. Canned, heat-processed sourcelery slices retained acceptable flavor and characteristic celery crispness for at least 18 months. An analogous fermentation of celery juice from outer petioles (2.25% salt and 2.0% sugar added) produced a pleasing, tart beverage (1.2% lactic acid, pH 3.5), well suited as a packing fluid and as an ingredient in vegetable juice blends.
Theory and Practice: A New E.R.A.?.

(1977). Theory and practice: A new E.R.A.? Theory Into Practice: Vol. 16, Moral Development, pp. 81-88.
Silver vanadium oxides and related battery applications

Abstract This review contains references from journals, proceedings volumes, and patents involving the preparation, characterization, reactivity, and battery applications of materials containing silver, vanadium, and oxygen, hereafter referred to as silver vanadium oxide (SVO). SVO has been a subject of regular study for a number of years, with earlier reports involving the synthesis and characterization of the various phases of SVO. However, with the relatively recent discovery of SVO as an important electrode material in batteries, the number of publications and patents involving the preparation, structure, reactivity and related battery applications of SVO has increased markedly. In light of this recent increase in research activity involving SVO and its related battery applications, this review is a timely examination of this exciting and growing area of research.
Phosphatidylcholine de novo synthesis and modification are carried out sequentially in HL60 cells: evidence from mass isotopomer distribution analysis.

The traditional (parallel) model of molecular species synthesis of phosphatidylcholine is based on the substrate specificity of two glycerolphosphate acyltransferases. Preformed molecular species of diacylglycerols are then converted to phosphatidylcholine. In this investigation, we used [1,2,3,4-13C4]palmitate as a tracer to determine the turnover rates of diacylglycerols and phosphatidylcholines. In HL60 cells, the fractional turnover rate is 34.1 ± 16.6%/h for 1,2-dipalmitoylglycerophosphocholine (16:0,16:0-GPC), which accounts for ∼10% of total diacylglycerol turnover. The turnover rates of other phosphotidylcholines reflect the primary event of 16:0,16:0-GPC turnover. In addition, the distribution of mass isotopomers is used to study the biosynthesis of diacylglycerols and phosphatidylcholines. On the basis of precursor−product enrichments, we propose a sequential model to account for the synthesis of phosphatidylcholine molecular species. In this model, 1,2-dipalmitoylglycerol is the only molecular ...
Patient Safety: Perspectives on Evidence, Information and Knowledge Transfer, edited by Lori Zipperer: Surrey, England: Gower Publishing Ltd., 2014. 352p. ISBN 078-1-4094-3857-1. $165.00 (hardcover).

For many health care professionals, the 2000 Institute of Medicine (IOM) report “To Err is Human,” exposed the enormous problem of medical errors in U.S. hospitals. Interest in patient safety goes ...
Phonoangiography: qualitative and quantitative.

Bruit analysis (phonoangiography) has been performed for many years as a method of characterizing arterial disease. Time displays of arterial bruits, particularly at the carotid bifurcation, have been used in an attempt to quantitate arterial narrowing. Despite the generalization that longer bruits and bruits which look and sound higher in frequency are often associated with severe disease, prospective studies have shown no useful predictive value for qualitative phonoangiography. In marked contrast, spectral bruit analysis or quantitative phonoangiography has been quite accurate in predicting the location and extent of carotid stenosis, and in distinguishing intrinsic from transmitted bruits. With this method, the peak systolic portion of the bruit is subjected to fast Fourier transform analysis. The peak frequency, beyond which amplitude drops as frequency increases further, is directly related to the residual lumen diameter of the stenotic common or internal carotid artery. Several blinded trials of this method have given results accurate to within 1 mm of angiographic values in 83–93% of cases studied. When used in conjunction with duplex doppler ultrasound scanning, 95% accuracy in diagnosis of patients with and without bruits may be achieved. This completely noninvasive method deserves more widespread use and may also be applicable to other cardiovascular sounds.