cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Shyness-environment interaction: a view from the shy side through auto-photography.

It is proposed that shyness both induces and is induced by the perception of the environment. This study of person-situation transaction used photographic images taken by shy and less shy subjects in response to the question, "Who are you?" A content analysis of the photographs showed that shy persons were less person-oriented, more aesthetically oriented, and showed a reduced range of orientations when compared to less shy persons. The hierarchy of orientations for shy persons was aesthetic, people, self, and school; whereas for less shy persons it was people, self, aesthetic, and other persons. Thus, the difference between shy and less shy persons is in the pattern of orientations rather than in orientations in and of themselves. Moreover, one single difference between the groups, such as the lesser orientation toward people, does not justify the interpretation of shyness as a "people phobia."
Hodgkin Disease Associated With T-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas Case Reports and Review of the Literature

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is more likely to develop in patients with Hodgkin disease (HD) than in the general population. Although reports of synchronous or metachronous HD and NHL are not uncommon in the literature, the biologic relationship of these 2 malignant neoplasms often is unclear. A larger-than-expected fraction of NHLs occurring in patients with HD are of the T-cell phenotype. We report 1 synchronous and 3 metachronous cases of HD and T-cell NHL. In 2 cases, the 2 tumors are unlikely to be related clonally. In the other 2 cases, however, T-cell receptor rearrangement studies demonstrated the presence of the same rearranged clone in both tumor specimens, suggesting that they share a common precursor or that one arose by transformation of the other. These observations imply that, similar to the observations in B-cell NHLs occurring with HD, a subset of synchronous and metachronous T-cell NHLs and HD may be related clonally.
Effects of a Low-Fat Diet on Brain Serotonergic Responsivity in Cynomolgus Monkeys

Serum cholesterol lowering is associated with elevated rates of death from violent or "unnatural" causes (including suicides, accidents, and homicide) (Muldoon et al 1990), and monkeys fed a low-fat diet are more aggressive than those receiving a diet rich in cholesterol and saturated fat. The low-fat diet derived 30% of calories from fat and had 0.03 mg cholesterol/Cal of diet, compared with 42% fat and 0.34 mg cholest.erol/Cal in the high-fat diet (Kaplan et ai 1992). However, the biological plausibility of a causal relationship between cholesterol lowering and destructive behavior cannot be evaluated due to the lack of research on the central nervous system (CNS) effects of serum lipidreducing treatments. Both suicidal behavior and impulsive aggression have been associated with low levels of CNS serotonergic activity (Mann et al 1989; Coccaro 1989). The present investigation, therefore, examines the hypothesis that the association between cholesterol reduction and de-
Systems change reborn: rethinking our theories, methods, and efforts in human services reform and community-based change

This article introduces the reader to this special issue on Systems Change and highlights six lessons learned about theory, methods, and interventions for systems change that emerged across the included articles. The value of a systems approach to systems change is examined, including the need for frameworks, methods, and change activities that attend to the characteristics of systems.
Vanadium and lipid peroxidation: evidence for involvement of vanadyl and hydroxyl radical.

The present study was designed to determine which form of vanadium is involved in initiating conjugated diene formation in both purified and partially peroxidized fatty acids, and to determine if active oxygen radicals are involved in this process. We report that vanadyl is the active form of vanadium in initiating conjugated diene formation in micelles prepared from purified fatty acids or partially peroxidized fatty acids. Vanadate did not initiate conjugated diene formation in either case. Hydroxyl radicals were shown to be involved in the initiation of diene conjugation when vanadyl and hydrogen peroxide were added together in a reaction mixture. In this case, there was a rapid burst of conjugated diene formation which quickly leveled off. Using spin trapping techniques, hydroxyl radicals were shown to be generated in the vanadyl-catalyzed break-down of fatty acid hydroperoxides. A comparison was made between the ability of vanadyl or vanadyl chelates to decompose hydrogen peroxide and catalyze the decomposition of fatty acid hydroperoxides. It was found that strongly chelated vanadyl (vanadyl/EDTA) was much less effective in decomposing both hydrogen peroxide and fatty acid hydroperoxides than the weak vanadyl chelates (e.g., vanadyl/ADP). This study suggests a mechanism to explain the effects of vanadium on lipid peroxidation.
Effect of Rapid Thermal Oxidation on Blue and Red Luminescence Bands of Porous Silicon

Photoluminescence (PL) of porous silicon after rapid thermal oxidation was studied using excitation energies of 5.0 and 6.4 eV. The emission spectra in both cases are dominated by a broad blue band centered at 430-450 nm and a much weaker red band positioned at 680-720 nm. Using atomic force microscopy (AFM), we have found a correlation between blue PL intensity and increase in feature size caused by progressive oxidation. The blue luminescence, found in porous Si only after oxidation, is identical, with respect to spectrum and fast decay, to that of thermally grown oxide on crystalline Si. Based on these findings, we conclude that the blue luminescence originates from SiO2 rather than from Si nanocrystals embedded in the oxide matrix. The red luminescence, on the contrary, has a different origin. The intensity of red band is a function of oxidation temperature and at RTP above 1050 °C, the red band is completely eliminated. The red luminescence characteristics are discussed in relation to the possible mechanism.
Evidence for Crack Tip Oxidation Effects During the Liquid Metal Embrittlement of AA 7075 Aluminum Alloy by Mercury

Abstract Aluminum and its alloys are known to be susceptible to liquid metal embrittlement (LME) by mercury. In this paper, the authors report measurements of crack velocities, da/dt, as a function...
A test of some models of hemispheric speech organization in the left- and right-handed

A new method generates specific predictions concerning the expected frequencies of aphasia after unilateral injury to the brain in the left- and right-handed. These predictions are then compared with the observed data for all known studies between 1935 and 1973 to derive the best-fitting model of hemispheric speech lateralization in the left- and right-handed.
Maternal dietary pattern during pregnancy is not associated with recurrent wheeze in children

Background The rise in asthma prevalence over the last few decades may be a result of changes in prenatal or early-life environment, including maternal diet during pregnancy. Previous studies have found associations between individual foods or nutrients consumed during pregnancy and asthma or wheeze in children, but these may be confounded by overall dietary pattern. Objective To determine whether overall maternal dietary pattern during pregnancy is associated with recurrent wheeze in children. Methods A total of 1376 mother-infant pairs from Project Viva, a longitudinal prebirth cohort, who had responses for food frequency questionnaires in the first and second trimester and outcome data at 3 years of age were included. Multivariable logistic regression was used to look at associations between dietary pattern and the primary outcome of recurrent wheeze at 3 years. Overall dietary pattern was examined by using Mediterranean diet score, Alternate Healthy Eating Index modified for pregnancy (AHEI-P), and principal components analysis to look at Western and Prudent diets. Results None of these dietary patterns was associated with the primary outcome of recurrent wheeze in children in either the crude or the multivariable model (multivariable model, odds ratio per 1-point increase in Mediterranean diet, 0.98 [95% CI, 0.89-1.08]; AHEI-P, 1.07 [0.87-1.30]; Prudent, 1.02 [0.83-1.26]; Western, 0.98 [0.81-1.19]). Conclusion Overall dietary pattern during pregnancy is not associated with recurrent wheeze in this cohort. Maternal intake of individual nutrients may be more important determinants of offspring wheeze-associated illness than is dietary pattern.
Noncustodial Mothering A Cultural Paradox of Competent Performance–Performative Competence

The A. interrogates the cultural experience of being a noncustodial mother. Framed by the discrete event of child visitation, she provides a personal account of her struggles to perform successfully in such a constraining context of discourse. Employing a dramatistic metaphor, she extends the praxis of autoethnography by critically exploring the semiotic and phenomenological nature of this communicative experience. She reveals that noncustodial mothering presents a cultural paradox that foregrounds the dialectical movement between a competent performance and a performative competence of mothering. She discusses the implications of this cultural phenomenon in light of the concepts of performativity and la parole that deepens the appreciation of the communicative praxis of ethnography.
A method for solving the transportation problem

A new method has been developed f o r solving the transportation problem. This method is a modification and a generalization of the method for solving the multiple assignment problem developed by Dr. A. J. Hoffman and Dr. H. M. Markowitz. This method is of interest for several reasons. In the first place it is significantly different from all other methods for solving the trans -portation problem known to the author. Secondly, it is moderately simple touse and understand. Thirdly, and perhaps most important, it has proved to be very adaptable tri high-speed computer operations. It is now being used by several branches of the armed services.
Summary of Studies of Changes in Vascular Reactivity Caused by Natriuretic Hormones

Endogenous Na, K pumpinhibitors may contribute to the pathogenesis of hypertension, and could do so by causing direct vasoconstriction and/or enhancing sensitivity to other vasoconstrictor agents. These effects of the Na, K pump inhibitors are likely due to inhibition of Na-K-ATPase. In turn, cells become depolarized, internal sodium concentration increases and internal calcium is increased by exchange for sodium via the sodium/calcium exchange carrier. This extra calcium is sequestered, increasing the size of the releasable intracellular calcium pool. Both depolarization and the increase in cytosolic calcium can cause vasoconstriction. Both depolarization and the increased size the intracellular calcium pool can sensitize the blood vessel to other vasoconstrictor agents. Endogenous pump inhibitors may also stimulate the release of catecholamines from the intramural sympathetic nerve terminals. Studies of a variety of candidate endogenous Na, K pumpinhibitors are reviewed. These include presently unidenti...
Choline levels in erythrocytes and plasma: a study of species variation.

When lithium is administered to human subjects, the erythrocyte choline level rises progressively and substantially (Jope et al. 1978; Hanin et al. 1980; Jones and Kuchel 1980; Shea et al. 1981, Brinkman et al. 1982; Hanin et al. 1982) and erythrocyte transport is progressively inhibited (Lee et al. 1974; Lingsch and Martin 1976), whereas plasma choline levels remain unchanged. The mechanism of the rise in erythrocyte choline levels has not been established, but it is likely that it results from an interference with choline transport through the membrane, whereas choline release by phospholipid degradation within the erythrocyte continues (Jenden et al. 1980; Hanin et al. 1980). The IO-50-fold rise in erthrocyte choline levels following lithium has been demonstrated only in humans and only in vivo. Even very high concentrations of lithium produce only a modest rise of erythrocyte choline in vitro (Lee et al. 1974; Jope et al. 1978). It is not known whether this effect of lithium is related to the biochemical basis of its therapeutic effect in affective disorders. We have examined erythrocyte cho-
Raipid stimulation of protein carboxymethylation in leukocytes by a chemotatic peptide.

THERE has been considerable interest recently in protein carboxylmethyltransferase, and in its possible role in secretory1 and chemotactic mechanisms2,3. Using S-adenosyl-L-methionine as the methyl donor, this enzyme catalyses the formation of protein methyl esters4,5 which undergo rapid spontaneous hydrolysis at physiological pH to liberate methanol6,7. The enzyme is widely distributed in mammalian tissues, especially in endocrine organs and brain7,8. Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium appear to require methylation for chemotaxis2,3. Eukaryotic cells, such as leukocytes (neutrophils, polymorphonuclear cells), have been shown to respond chemotactically to a variety of peptides derived from complement9, to crude bacterial factors10, and more recently to welldefined synthetic formylated peptides11. We wish to report here the presence in leukocytes of a protein carboxylmethyltransferase system, whose activity is specifically stimulated by synthetic peptides, which may be related to chemoattractants produced by bacteria12.
Prototype Distancing: A Strategy for Choosing among Threatening Situations

Previous analyses have provided consistent evidence that people prefer to enter social situations associated with person-in-situation prototypes that are most similar to their self-concepts (a process called prototype matching). The present work extends this analysis by considering a strategy for choosing among situations that pose a threat to positive self-evaluation. Indivi-duals' preferences for different types of psychotherapists were examined. Results suggest that subjects used a prototype-distancing strategy that involved maximizing dissimilarity between self-concept and patient prototypes when similarity was defined in terms of typical emotional experiences (but not when similarity was defined in terms of characteristic personality traits). In addition, consistent with the notion that threats to self-evaluation arouse self-enhancement motives, results also indicate a greater role of the ideal self than the actual self in the choice strategy.
Selenium deficiency in search of a disease.

Serum selenium concentrations were found to be significantly lower in women with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy than in women with normal pregnancies during the last trimester of pregnancy and post partum. The activity of the seleno-enzyme glutathione peroxidase had a significant positive correlation with selenium concentration and it was also significantly lower in women with the disease. These findings suggest that selenium deficiency and reduced glutathione peroxidase activity are associated with the aetiopathogenesis of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.
Highly parallel particle-laden flow solver for turbulence research

Abstract In this paper, we present a Highly Parallel Particle-laden flow Solver for Turbulence Research (HiPPSTR). HiPPSTR is designed to perform three-dimensional direct numerical simulations of homogeneous turbulent flows using a pseudospectral algorithm with Lagrangian tracking of inertial point and/or fluid particles with one-way coupling on massively parallel architectures, and is the most general and efficient multiphase flow solver of its kind. We discuss the governing equations, parallelization strategies, time integration techniques, and interpolation methods used by HiPPSTR. By quantifying the errors in the numerical solution, we obtain optimal parameters for a given domain size and Reynolds number, and thereby achieve good parallel scaling on O ( 10 4 ) processors.
Congenital stiff‐man syndrome

A second large family with a dominantly inherited benign disorder resembling the stiff-man syndrome is reported. The infants are markedly hypertonic at birth, but their tone becomes almost normal by 3 years of age. Stiffness reappears at adolescence, often precipitated by sudden movement or cold, but remains mild when compared with the sporadic disorder.
Organic contaminants of emerging concern in sediments and flatfish collected near outfalls discharging treated wastewater effluent to the Southern California Bight

To investigate the occurrence and bioaccumulation of organic contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) near four major wastewater ocean outfalls in the Southern California Bight, more than 75 pharmaceutical and personal care products, current-use pesticides, and industrial/commercial chemicals were analyzed in sediment and liver tissues of hornyhead turbot (Pleuronichthys verticalis) using gas and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. Although most CECs targeted were infrequently detected or not detectable, triclosan, 4-nonylphenol (4-NP) and bis(2-ethylhexylphthalate) were detected in all sediments at median (maximum) concentrations of 5.1 (8.6), 30 (380), and 121 (470) µg/kg, respectively. In the liver, 4-NP and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) congeners 47 and 99 were detected in >90% of samples at median (maximum) concentrations of 85 (290) and 210 (480) µg/kg, respectively. The sedative diazepam was detected in all liver samples, but was infrequently detected in sediments. Sediment and liver concentrations across outfall locations ranged over several orders of magnitude and were elevated relative to a reference site. Relative to sediment, accumulation in liver of PBDEs 47 and 99 was comparable to that for legacy organochlorines, confirming their high bioaccumulation potential and suggesting their inclusion in future tissue monitoring studies. Mean tissue PBDE and diazepam concentrations were higher in livers from male versus female P. verticalis, suggesting that gender differences also be considered in designing such studies. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2012; 31: 2683–2688. © 2012 SETAC
Pharmacological characterization of histamine receptors in the rabbit renal artery

Histamine receptors were characterized pharmacologically in the rabbit renal artery. Histamine concentration-dependent contractions were blocked by chlorpheniramine (pA2 = 8.25 +/- 0.16) and mepyramine (pA2 = 9.80 +/- 0.22). A low concentration of metiamide (0.5 microM) enhanced significantly the effect of histamine. Higher concentrations either had no effect or reduced the contractile response to histamine. Impromidine, dimaprit and, in the presence of chlorpheniramine or mepyramine, histamine (at the concentrations that produced contractions) relaxed the precontracted vessel. The relaxant effect of histamine was quantitatively greater in the presence of mepyramine than it was in the presence of chlorpheniramine. Endothelial removal did not influence the contractile response to histamine but enhanced the relaxation suggesting the presence of histamine receptors mediating contraction in the intima. Relaxation responses to histamine and dimaprit were blocked competitively by cimetidine (pA2 = 6.65 +/- 0.10 and 6.60 +/- 0.05 respectively). It is concluded that there are two types of histamine receptors in the renal artery of the rabbit; H1-receptor mediating contraction and H2-receptor mediating relaxation. Both types of receptors are present in the media: some excitatory receptors may be present in the intima.
The intrinsic electrical equivalent circuit of a laser diode

The basic electrical equivalent circuit of a laser diode is derived. The effects of spontaneous emission and self-pulsations are included. It is found that self-pulsations are represented by a negative resistance in the model. Application of this model suggests purely electronic methods of suppressing relaxation oscillations in laser diodes.
Regulation of Heme Metabolism in Rat Hepatocytes and Hepatocyte Cell Lines: δ-Aminolevulinic Acid Synthase and Heme Oxygenase Are Regulated by Different Heme-Dependent Mechanisms

Regulation of δ-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) synthase and heme oxygenase was analyzed in primary rat hepatocytes and in two immortalized cell lines, CWSV16 and CWSV17 cells. ALA synthase was induced by 4,6-dioxohepatnoic acid (4,6-DHA), a specific inhibitor of ALA dehydratase, in all three systems; however, the induction in CWSV17 cells was greater than in either of the other two systems. Therefore, CWSV17 cells were used to explore the regulation of both enzymes by heme and 4,6-DHA. Data obtained from detailed concentration curves demonstrated that 4,6-DHA induced the activity of ALA synthase once ALA dehydratase activity became rate-limiting for heme biosynthesis. Heme induced heme oxygenase activity with increases occurring at concentrations of 10 μM or greater. Heme blocked the 4,6-DHA-dependent induction of ALA synthase with an EC50 of 1.25 μM. Heme-dependent decreases of ALA synthase mRNA levels occurred more quickly and at lower concentrations than heme-dependent increases of heme oxygenase mRNA levels. ALA synthase mRNA remained at reduced levels for extended periods of time, while the increases in heme oxygenase mRNA were much more transient. The drastic differences in concentrations and times at which heme-dependent effects were observed strongly suggest that two-different heme-dependent mechanisms control the ALA synthase and heme oxygenase mRNAs. In CWSV17 cells, heme decreased the stability of ALA synthase mRNA from 2.5 to 1.3 h, while 4,6-DHA increased the stability of the mRNA to 5.2 h. These studies demonstrate that regulation of ALA synthase mRNA levels by heme in a mammalian system is mediated by a change in ALA synthase mRNA stability. The results reported here demonstrate the function of the regulatory heme pool on both ALA synthase and heme oxygenase in a mammalian hepatocyte system.
The Raw and the Organic: Politics of Therapeutic Cancer Diets in the United States:

There is a voluminous literature on the historical conflicts between advocates and critics of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for cancer. Although the older literature documents the suppression of CAM therapies and advocates, since the 1990s, the politics of CAM have become more complex and subtle. For example, suppression has tended to shift to a politics of integration, that is, of selective uptake of CAM therapies when used as adjuvant modalities. In addition, there is an emergent politics of knowledge that involves (1) social networks with the CAM movement that represent various therapies, (2) value claims regarding the relationship between CAM therapies and religious and cultural viewpoints, and (3) political views regarding globalization and antiglobalization policies and movements. Focusing on three types of therapeutic diets that CAM cancer patients in the United States use, this article charts some of the emergent forms of the politics in CAM in the United States.
A Novel Nonlinear Backstepping Controller Design for Helicopters Using the Rotation Matrix

This brief presents a backstepping controller design for helicopters. The controller objective is for the helicopter to autonomously track predefined position and yaw reference trajectories. The incorporation of nested saturation feedback functions in the backstepping design preserves the helicopter's motion and power physical constraints. The intermediate control signals related to the attitude dynamics exploit the structural properties of the rotation matrix and are enhanced with terms that guarantee that the helicopter will not overturn while tracking the desired position trajectory. The attitude dynamics are rendered exponentially stable while the translational dynamics are globally asymptotically stable. Numerical simulations illustrate the applicability of the proposed design.
Policy and Planning Programs as Goals of Scientific Work: interdisciplinary Training for Social Planning as a Case Study in Applied Social Science

. Policy and planning have now become the field of a new profession—actually a series of professions—in and out of academic life as each of the specialized social and behavioral sciences is applied to the problems of society by some of its professional practitioners. Specialism, however, tends to make of problems in real life constructs that fit within the borders of one's specialty, constructs which have little relation to reality. To transcend specialism's limitations without prejudice to specialization, interdisciplinary training is proposed and worked out for a single area, social policy and social planning.
Simultaneous determination of ethylene glycol and its major toxic metabolite, glycolic acid, in serum by gas chromatography.

We developed a gas-chromatographic procedure for the simultaneous determination of ethylene glycol (EG) and its major toxic metabolite, glycolic acid (GA), suitable for clinical use in instances of EG intoxication. After serum protein precipitation with acetonitrile (containing internal standard), the supernate is treated with 2,2-dimethoxypropane (containing dimethylformamide) to remove water, and the volume is then reduced by evaporation to 60 exogenous or endogenous compounds and drugs.
CO2 capture by amine-enriched fly ash carbon sorbents

The capture of CO2 from gas streams has been achieved by the utilization of amine-enriched fly ash carbon sorbent system. The initial fly ash carbon sorbents were generated by the chemical treatment of carbon-enriched fly ash concentrates with a 3-chloropropylamine-hydrochloride (CPAHCL) solution at 25 ◦ C. It was determined that these amine-enriched fly ash carbon sorbents performed at a 9% CO2 capture capacity based on commercially available sorbents. The chemical sorption performance of these amine-enriched fly ash carbon sorbents will be described within this paper. © 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Damage characterization of surface and sub-surface defects in stitch-bonded biaxial carbon/epoxy composites

The scope of this work is to study the effects of manufacturing and installation defects on mechanical performance of polymer matrix composites appearing in civil infrastructure and aerospace applications. The objective of this study is to create a link between defects detected through nondestructive testing (NDT) and the mechanical performance of the composite structures using strain mapping technique. Monotonic tensile samples of polymer matrix stitch-bonded biaxial composite laminates [90,0]s are tested. Flash Thermography, a conventional NDT technique, is used to predict detectable pre-existing surface and sub-surface irregularities and defects. Attention is drawn to the homogenized mechanical behavior and to damage initiation and propagation. Damage onset and propagation are studied using time-dependent nonlinear regression of the strain field. Effects of the manufacturing and installation irregularities on damage initiation, propagation, and failure are monitored as the structure is subjected to load or studied at the end of the loading process.
Complex Mechanisms Regulate Developmental Expression of the matA (HMG) Mating Type Gene in Homothallic Aspergillus nidulans

Sexual reproduction is a fundamental developmental process that allows for genetic diversity through the control of zygote formation, recombination, and gametogenesis. The correct regulation of these events is paramount. Sexual reproduction in filamentous fungi, including mating strategy (self-fertilization/homothallism or outcrossing/heterothallism), is determined by the expression of mating type genes at mat loci. Aspergillus nidulans matA encodes a critical regulator that is a fungal ortholog of the hSRY/SOX9 HMG box proteins. In contrast to well-studied outcrossing systems, the molecular basis of homothallism and role of mating type genes during a self-fertile sexual cycle remain largely unknown. In this study the genetic model organism, A. nidulans, has been used to investigate the regulation and molecular functions of the matA mating type gene in a homothallic system. Our data demonstrate that complex regulatory mechanisms underlie functional matA expression during self-fertilization and sexual reproduction in A. nidulans. matA expression is suppressed in vegetative hyphae and is progressively derepressed during the sexual cycle. Elevated levels of matA transcript are required for differentiation of fruiting bodies, karyogamy, meiosis, and efficient formation of meiotic progeny. matA expression is driven from both initiator (Inr) and novel promoter elements that are tightly developmentally regulated by position-dependent and position-independent mechanisms. Deletion of an upstream silencing element, matA SE, results in derepressed expression from wild-type (wt) promoter elements and activation of an additional promoter. These studies provide novel insights into the molecular basis of homothallism in fungi and genetic regulation of sexual reproduction in eukaryotes.
Using pixel rewrites for shape-rich interaction

This paper introduces new interactive ways to create, manipulate and analyze shapes, even when those shapes do not have simple algebraic generators. This is made possible by using pixel-pattern rewrites to compute directly with bitmap representations. Such rewrites also permit the definition of functionality maps, bitmaps that specify the spatial scope of application functionality, and organic-widgets, implemented right in the pixels to have arbitrary form, integrated with the shape needs of the applications. Together these features should increase our capabilities for working with rich spatial domains.
Impedance-to-digital converter for sensor array microsystems

Many emerging micro/nano sensor interfaces suitable for microsystem integration produce a change of impedance that must be monitored over a broad frequency range. This paper introduces a mixed-signal integrated circuit that can extract and digitize the real and imaginary components of a sensor's impedance response. The ultra compact size of this circuit enables each element in a multi-channel sensor array microsystem to have its own individual readout channel, permitting simultaneous readout and digitization of a high density sensor array. The circuit was fabricated in 0.5µm CMOS and occupies only 0.045mm2 per cell. With a 3.3V supply, each cell consumes only 5.2µW at a typical 200kHZ sampling frequency. For a 3mm by 3mm die, this circuit can be instantiated well over 100 times, which is sufficient for the needs of many anticipated sensor array microsystems.
Detailed online quizzes: facilitating holistic, integrated learning experience in operations management

Curriculum research in business schools points out that operations management (OM) is one of the more challenging courses to teach. Instructors have always struggled to enhance the student learning experience in OM courses. This article illustrates the development and utilisation of detailed online quizzes in a core OM undergraduate course and demonstrates its potential to achieve higher levels of student learning by mapping the quiz questions to the Bloom's taxonomy. The authors' argue that such quizzes lead to enhanced student performance and a more fulfilling course experience. To substantiate this position, the results of a quasi-experiment which test student perceptions of the overall learning experience found that these quizzes were both an effective and efficient way to overcome challenges inherent in OM courses. Multiple outcome measures were employed to validate these results. Practical implications of these results for OM professors and instructors are discussed.
Integrin α1β1 and α2β1 Are the Key Regulators of Hepatocarcinoma Cell Invasion Across the Fibrotic Matrix Microenvironment

As with many types of cancer, cell motility is an important factor in the progression and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC). HCC is associated with significant fibrosis in the liver. The fibrotic microenvironment in the liver is characterized by an altered composition of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and an abundance of growth factors that are likely conducive to migration of HCC cells. The purpose of this study was to delineate promigratory stimuli within the fibrotic microenvironment and to identify specific targets for prevention of HCC cell migration. We used a modified Boyden chamber system that allowed distinction between chemotactic (indirect stimulation) and haptotactic (direct stimulation) migration of two distinct HCC cell lines across the ECM-coated membrane. Fibrotic microenvironment-associated growth factors, such as transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and epidermal growth factor (EGF), induced chemotactic and haptotactic migration of HepG2 and Chang cells. Neutralizing antibodies to individual growth factors significantly decreased chemotactic and haptotactic migration. Haptotactic stimulation, but not chemotactic stimulation of HCC cell lines with TGF-beta1, bFGF, and EGF, induced production of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2, a potential mediator of migration. Inhibition of MMPs significantly decreased haptotactic migration induced by individual growth factors but had an insignificant effect on chemotactic migration, suggesting an MMP-independent migration in this setting. Inhibition of cell-ECM interactions with blocking antibodies to alpha1 and alpha2 integrins were sufficient to inhibit both haptotactic and chemotactic migration induced by individual growth factors, strongly suggesting that targeting these integrins to abrogate pathogenic cell-ECM interactions might be a promising tool for inhibiting growth factor-induced invasion and metastasis of HCC.
Gender-associated differences in left ventricular geometry in patients with aortic valve disease and effect of distinct overload subsets

Gender-associated differences may play an important role in the way the left ventricle adapts to overload. The purpose of this study is to evaluate left ventricular (LV) geometry in patients referred for aortic valve replacement with distinct overload subsets. The echocardiograms of 128 patients with isolated aortic stenosis (n = 44), mixed aortic valvular disease (n = 51), and pure aortic regurgitation (n = 33) before aortic valve replacement were evaluated. Women had better LV function as measured by ejection fraction (58% vs 52%; p = 0.01) and were slightly older (67 vs 62 years, p = 0.11). LV dimensions and volumes indexes were distinctively smaller in women irrespective of the subgroups analyzed. Men had larger LV mass and LV mass index, but women had higher LV mass/volume ratio. Gender-related differences in LV mass/volume ratio were most prominent in the aortic stenosis patients (3.1 g/ml for women vs 2.3 g/ml for men; p = 0.001), tended to decrease in mixed aortic disease (2.3 g/ml for women vs 1.8 g/ml for men; p = 0.01), and were not present in patients with pure aortic regurgitation (1.7 g/ml for women vs 1.7 g/ml for men; p = 0.83). Multivariate analysis showed that gender was independently associated with LV mass/volume ratios, after adjusting for the severity of the valvular lesion, age, LV function, and concomitant coronary bypass graft surgery. Thus, in a selected population of patients with severe aortic valvular disease, there were significant gender-related differences in LV geometry, mainly in patients exposed to chronic pressure overload.
INHERENT OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF NON-SPHERICAL MARINE-LIKE PARTICLES — FROM THEORY TO OBSERVATION

In situ measurements of inherent optical properties (IOPs) of aquatic particles show great promise in studies of particle dynamics. Successful application of such methods requires an understanding of the optical properties of particles. Most models of IOPs of marine particles assume that particles are spheres, yet most of the particles that contribute significantly to the IOPs are non- spherical. Only a few studies have examined optical properties of non-spherical aquatic particles. The state-of-the-art knowledge regarding IOPs of non-spherical particles is reviewed here and exact and approximate solutions are applied to model IOPs of marine-like particles. A comparison of model results for monodispersions of randomly oriented spheroids to results obtained for equal- volume spheres shows a strong dependence of the biases in the IOPs on particle size and shape, with the greater deviation occurring for particles much larger than the wavelength. Similarly, biases in the IOPs of polydispersions of spheroids are greater, and can be higher than a factor of two, when populations of particles are enriched with large particles. These results suggest that shape plays a significant role in determining the IOPs of marine particles, encouraging further laboratory and modelling studies on the effects of particle shape on their optical properties.
Book Review: Human Rights and Environmental Protection

This article reviews Environmental Protection and Human Rights (Cambridge University Press, New York 2011), a textbook co-authored authored by Donald K. Anton and Dinah L. Shelton. The book examines the growing recognition by scholars, activists, governments, and international and domestic tribunals of the linkages between environmental protection and human rights. Although intended for use as a law school textbook and accompanied by five online problem-oriented case studies, this comprehensive volume will also serve as a valuable reference for scholars and practitioners as well as an excellent survey for newcomers to the field.
Microbeam Techniques in Diffraction: A Theoretical Treatment

This talk will focus on two main topics. In the first half, we will discuss the idea of the “representative” volume for deformation and its determination with diffraction. In the second half, we will treat the kind of deformation fields sampled by microbeam techniques and the criteria for selecting the “correct” equations linking the stress to strains in such cases.
A New Battle For History in the Twenty-First Century?

This article engages with some of the questions raised by David Armitage and Jo Guldi’s “The Return of the Longue Duree: An Anglo-American Perspective” and their resonance among readers of the Annales. In particular, it challenges the authors’ classification of a variety of different historical studies of short periods of time under the rubric of “microhistory.” It also questions their argument that such studies are evidence of a “moral crisis” that supposedly dominated anglophone historiography from the cultural revolution of 1968 to the global financial crisis of 2008. Furthermore, the article contrasts the less conventional meanings that Fernand Braudel originally attributed to the longue duree with the ways that Armitage and Guldi interpret this expression. Finally, it asks how, in practice, historians are supposed to follow the authors’ invitation to move beyond specialized training and knowledge to produce sweeping new and original interpretations of millennia of human history.
Effect of strain and temperature on the threshold displacement energy in body-centered cubic iron

Abstract The threshold displacement energy (TDE) is the minimum amount of kinetic energy required to displace an atom from its lattice site. The magnitude of the TDE displays significant variance as a function of the crystallographic direction, system temperature and applied strain, among a variety of other factors. It is critically important to determine an accurate value of the TDE in order to calculate the total number of displacements due to a given irradiation condition, and thus to understand the materials response to irradiation. In this study, molecular dynamics simulations have been performed to calculate the threshold displacement energy in body-centered cubic iron as a function of strain and temperature. With applied strain, a decrease of the TDE of up to approximately 14 eV was observed. A temperature increase from 300 K to 500 K can result in an increase of the TDE of up to approximately 9 eV.
Matrix balancing with unknown total costs: preserving economic relationships in the electric power sector

ABSTRACTMany preferred matrix balancing methods suffer limitations when total costs (i.e. column sums) are unknown or uncertain. If the total cost (column) constraint is relaxed, economic relationships both between inputs to and/or amongst the sub-sectors may not be preserved (i.e. cost structure and row share, respectively). These relationships are significant in modeling, where production behavior depends on relative costs. This paper presents a share preserving cross-entropy (SPCE) approach which targets economic relationships directly and allows the column constraint to be relaxed. Further, the SPCE solution is identical to the RAS solution when the column constraint is imposed. This cross-entropy formulation complements an existing sum squared error-type approach. The two matrix balancing methods are demonstrated with a disaggregation of the electric power industry where only unit input costs are known with greater certainty. There is a clear trade-off between preserving economic relationships versus...
Production of Sactipeptides in Escherichia coli: Probing the Substrate Promiscuity of Subtilosin A Biosynthesis

Sactipeptides are peptide-derived natural products that are processed by remarkable, radical-mediated cysteine sulfur to α-carbon coupling reactions. The resulting sactionine thioether linkages give rise to the unique defined structures and concomitant biological activities of sactipeptides. An E. coli heterologous expression system, based on the biosynthesis of one such sactipeptide, subtilosin A, is described and this expression system is exploited to probe the promiscuity of the subtilosin A sactionine bond-forming enzyme, AlbA. These efforts allowed the facile expression and isolation of a small library of mutant sactipeptides based on the subtilosin A precursor peptide, demonstrating broad substrate promiscuity where none was previously known. Importantly, we show that the positions of the sactionine linkages can be moved, giving rise to new, unnatural sactipeptide structures. E. coli heterologous expression also allowed incorporation of unnatural amino acids into sactipeptides by means of amber-supp...
Pervious Pavement System Evaluation

The use of a pervious pavement can be effective as a low impact development stormwater control. The Urban Watershed Management Branch is evaluating interlocking concrete paver systems as a type of porous pavement. Although the pavers are impermeable, the spaces between the pavers are backfilled with washed, graded stone that acts as structural support for the pavers and also allows water to infiltrate. After passing the paving stones, the stormwater moves through several bedding layers where pollutants are removed. Recent literature shows that the concentration of total suspended solids in the exfiltrate is substantially less than in the infiltrate. Other pollutant constituents are subject to removal by microbial communities that develop with time. Concrete paver systems were chosen for this investigation for several reasons. Layers of the system can be removed, examined, and replaced, facilitating long-term system monitoring and maintenance. The overall objective of this ongoing project is to assess the pollutant removal efficiency of a pervious pavement system from parking lot runoff. One bench-scale study (hydraulic study) determined the flow rates and materials necessary for the full-scale experiment. Another bench-scale study (microbial study) will examine the role of microbial colonies in pollutant removal performance of this porous pavement micro-environment. Results from the two bench-scale experiments will be used to refine the full-scale investigation. This paper focuses on the hydraulic bench-scale study.
Anthropometric Estimate of Body Size, Shape and Fat Content

The basic parameters underlying evaluation of body weight have been stature and weight; however, body weight is too gross a reference base for physiologic parameters or definitive clinical evaluation. Except in the grossly obese or very lean subjects, it is impossible to assess the amount of body fat from scale weight alone.Although anthropometric measurements of both circumferences and diameters have long been utilized in quantitatively assessing body build, they have not been too meaningful. Now, a revitalized anthropometric procedure with a measuring tape and an anthropometer is available for this purpose. The author describes the technic involved and its interpretation in male and female subjects.
Surveillance of Dealth Causes Among Residents in Beibei District of Chongqing in 2012

Objective To investigate the main diseases affecting the residents' health and to provide scientific bases for formulating preventive measures to extend life expectancy.Methods With descriptive epidemiology method,DeathReg2005 death analysis software was employed to analyze the data of residents in Beibei in 2012.Results The crude mortality was 663.91/105 and the standardized mortality rate was387.21/105.The top 5causes of death were malignant tumors(241.78/105),circulation system disease(171.23/105),respiratory diseases(114.35/105),injuries and poisoning(51.00/105)and endocrine nutritional and metabolic diseases(18.81/105).The top 5single death causes were chronic lower respiratory diseases(96.71/105),lung cancer(77.90/105),cerebrovascular disease(76.72/105),other coronary heart disease(54.82/105)and cancer of the liver(43.36/105).Conclusion The major causes of death threatening to the health of residents in Beibei were malignant tumors.Corresponding comprehensive prevention and treatement measures should be combinedly taken for the discovery,intervention and treatment on chronic diseases,especially in high-risk groups.
Research of Clinical Application to Early and Benchmarking Rehabilitation on the Treatment of Dysphagia Caused by Cerebral Arterial Thrombosis

Objective:To investigate the clinical application to early and benchmarking rehabilitation on the treatment of dysphagia caused by cerebral arterial thrombosis.Methods:160 cerebral arterial thrombosis patients were divided into observation group(n=60)and control group(n=60).All patients were treated with routine therapy.The patients in the treatment group were given rehabilitation training within 72 hours onset,while patients in the control group were given within 15～30 days.The clinical efficacy about neurological deficits,activities of daily living ability and limb motor function improvement of two groups were observed.Results:The neurological deficits,activities of daily living ability and limb movement function patients in the two groups before treatment were not significant differences(P0.05).Each function of two groups patients after rehabilitation training were markedly improved,and the improve-ment of observation group wes significant higher than the control group,the difference had obvious statistical significance(P0.01).Conclusion:Early and late rehabilitation all can effectively improve functions of cerebral arterial thrombosis,but the clinical curative effect of early rehabilitation is obviously superior to the late rehabilitation training.
Defining characteristics,geographical distribution and plague association of seven Xenopsylla species in China

Fleas are an important vector,and the Xenopsylla genus plays an important role in the spread of plague in China.This study describes the defining characteristics,geographical distribution,plague host and association of seven Xenopsylla species,providing the basis for the research and development of control strategies regarding the Xenopsylla genus.
Organ of Language

Coleridge’s early education at Christ’s Hospital left him with a strong feeling for poetry, and for the language that was its element. In the famous account of his tutelage there, from the Biographia Literaria, he discovers (perhaps with added hindsight) that poetry has ‘a logic of its own, as severe as that of science’ — a foundational lesson for his career as a poet-critic. The larger legacy of his discovery of the logical faculties lies in his pursuit of a critically elaborated idea of reason. These are the deep roots of his speculations about ‘the blessed Organ of Language’.1