cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Directional Dilatation of Crystal Lattices at Elevated Temperatures

The X-ray measurement of lattice parameters of crystals at elevated temperatures provides a means of determining the true thermal expansion of a crystal. In this investigation, a furnace in which temperatures above 1200°C. could be accurately maintained and a specially designed circular back-reflection X-ray camera were employed in measuring the thermal dilatation of crystals representative of the cubic, hexagonal, rhombohedral, and tetragonal systems. Thermal-expansion values up to 1200°C. are reported for magnesia, alumina, zinc oxide, rutile, beryllia, calcium oxide, and strontium oxide and for magnesia-alumina, magnesia-chrome, zinc-alumina, and zinc-chrome spinels.
Brazil Post-Lula: Challenges and Opportunities Facing the Brazilian Business Environment

The Brazilian economy indicates great potential for future economic growth. An increasing and affluent middle class, expanding exports, and foreign reserves are testimonies of Brazil's recent accomplishments. The country, however, still faces a number of challenges that may compromise its sustainable long-term economic goals and objectives. This article focuses on the Luiz Inacio “Lula” da Silva government's economic performance. The article's main findings show increasing bottlenecks being created as a result of the Lula government's eight years of low economic growth rates, which have penalized the country's competitiveness. The newly elected president, Dilma Rousseff, will inherit a substantial investment deficit in the areas of infrastructure, education, health care, research and development (R&D), and innovation, as well as Brazil's worst public debt/gross domestic product (GDP) ratio in the past 100 years. These conditions will prevent Brazil from growing and developing at faster rates. This article also elaborates on Dilma Rousseff's most recent statements and discusses likely future paths for the Brazilian economy. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Propagation of Transients Along Sensitizable Paths

Transient faults have become increasingly observable in combinational logic. This is due to the weakening of some inherent protective mechanisms that logic traditionally holds against such flawed spurious events. One of the aforementioned mechanisms relates to the propagation of transient faults along sensitizable paths. Existing literature that relies on logic simulation under estimates the number of sensitizable paths per circuit. This leads to inconclusive and overly optimistic results when a worst-case analysis is required. In this paper, we present a zero-suppressed binary decision diagram (ZBDD) centered framework, for a complete consideration of all potentially sensitizable paths per circuit. The proposed method is validated in logic paths by evaluating worst-case transient-wave electrical characteristics, such as maximum duration and corresponding amplitude at the circuit outputs.
Non-Linear Model Reduction for Metabolic Networks with Multiple Time-Scales

We present a method for obtaining non-stiff nonlinear reduced-order models for metabolic networks, which exhibit dynamics in multiple time scales. The method is based on the successive application of singular perturbation arguments, starting from the fastest time scale and proceeding to the slowest one. The method is successfully applied to a detailed model of central carbon metabolism in human erythrocytes
Quota Design and the Political Representation of Women from Indigenous and Tribal Groups

Quotas in politics are almost always designed to advance the legislative representation of a single group, for example, women or indigenous peoples. Even in countries with quotas aimed at more than one group, policies are almost always structured differently and implemented separately. By addressing inequalities by gender and indigeneity in piecemeal, indigenous women may be at particularly high risk of continued political marginalization. In this paper, I investigate the ways that quotas targeting women and indigenous groups – in particular, the use of single or dual policies – shapes the legislative representation of indigenous women. I also consider the politics of "nested quotas" that specifically address within-group diversity. I focus, in particular, on the case of Jordan, which adopted a nested quota for Bedouin women in 2012. Overall, I find scant evidence of the political empowerment of women from indigenous tribal groups – even in countries explicitly promoting their political representation.
Sequential allocations that reduce risk for multiple comparisons

We consider how to efficiently allocate computing resources in order to infer the best of a finite set of simulated systems, where best means that the system has the maximal expected performance measure. Commonly-used frequentist procedures that are based on the indifference zone and "worst possible configuration" tend to suggest an inefficiently large number of replications in practice. Recent work suggests that simulating likely competitors for the "best" may lead to an order of magnitude improvement in computing effort for simulations. Much of that work, however, makes strong assumptions that might not be seen in practice, such as known variance, or the same cost of running a replication for each system. This paper discusses the problem of allocating computer resources to identify the best simulated system while relaxing general conditions, including different cost per replication for each system, both opportunity cost (linear loss) and 0-1 loss, and known or unknown variance for populations whose samples are normally distributed.
Sharp Boundaries for Blobs

L'A. defend la these selon laquelle tous les objets materiels finis ont des limites strictes, en s'appuyant sur une experience de pensee topologique qui utilise la tâche comme paradigme de l'objet flou et comme programme de liberalisation de l'imagerie tant spatiale que conceptuelle. Soulignant le caractere instantane de la disparition de la limite de la tâche et de l'existence meme de la tâche, a travers l'exemple des figures geometriques de M. Sainsbury et a travers le probleme des multiples de P. Unger, l'A. examine l'hypothese de limites plus epaisses, de limites multiples, de limites vagues et d'ersatz de limites, concluant au caractere naturel de la precision tant pour les objets que pour le langage
Electrical stimulation of excitable cells-a model approach

The authors provide an introduction to the study of the quantitative response of excitable cells to stimulating currents through the use of mathematical models. Considered is the behavior of a spherical cell in a uniform field and a circular fiber in a point source field, where, for simplicity, only steady-state solutions are included. In each case a characteristic length is associated with the cell and governs the nature of its response. Some work is presented on the response of a fiber bundle to a point-source stimulus. Here, too, a characteristic length is found to be important. In this case, the steady-state behavior of a particular fiber depends on the location of that fiber within the bundle. It is concluded that these results should be useful in the initial design of electrodes for functional electrical simulation. >
Ethyl β‐Hydroxy‐β,β‐Diphenylpropionate

Ethyl β-hydroxy-β,β-diphenylpropionate product: ethyl β-hydroxy-β,β-diphenylpropionate reactant: benzophenone product: Isopropyl and t-butyl β-hydroxy-β,β-diphenylpropionate Keywords: addition, to CO; condensation, ester-ketone condensations; lithium amide, preparation of; ammonia
Single chip microcontroller implementation of an indirect vector controlled induction motor drive system

A novel scheme using a single-chip microcontroller to perform indirect vector control is proposed. A modular approach is adopted to facilitate system expansion. The advantages in using a single-chip microcontroller are compactness of the controller and cost reduction. The various subsystem algorithms of the vector controller and its implementation using a Siemens SAB 80515/80535 8-bit microcontroller are discussed. Its suitability for a demanding application such as vector controller, simplification of certain subsystem algorithms, and evaluation of their impact on the accuracy of performance constitute the original contributions in this research topic. The algorithms proposed cover 16-bit microcontrollers. >
Effects of Poverty on Mathematics and Reading Achievement of Young Adolescents

The mother/child data set of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth was used to test a mediation model of the effects of poverty on the mathematics and reading achievement of 1,324 young adolescents 12 through 14 years of age. A revised model provided a better fit than the hypothesized model and generally was supported by cross-validation on a split-half sample. Poverty was related to lower mathematics and reading achievement indirectly through its associations with less cognitively stimulating and emotionally supportive home environments, which in turn were related to adolescents’school behavior problems. Poverty was related also to lower mathematics and reading achievement indirectly through a direct link with school behavior problems. Poverty was related to lower reading, but not mathematics, achievement through its association with less stimulating cognitive home environments. The model was estimated separately for female, male, Black, Hispanic, and White young adolescents; group differences are di...
Loss of Translational Entropy in Binding, Folding, and Catalysis

There is a loss of transla- tional entropy associated with the formation of a complex between two molecules in solu- tion. Estimation of this contribution is essen- tial for understanding binding, protein-pro- tein association, and catalysis. Based on the cell model of liquids, it is possible to estimate the loss of translational entropy in all these cases. The resulting formulas are straightfor- ward, and the calculations are easy to perform. Comparison of the results with experimental data suggests that the proposed method pro- vides estimates that are much more accurate than those obtained with existing methods. Proteins 28:144-149, 1997. r 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A Microscopic and Kinetic Study of Coal Particle Devolatilization in a Laser Beam

Data are presented for the devolatilization weight loss of particles of Pittsburgh seam bituminous coal (36 pet volatility by the ASTM method) exposed to a laser beam in a nitrogen environment. The devolatilization rate was measured as a function of input laser flux, which was varied between 75 and 400 W/cm2., and as a function of particle diameter, which was varied between 51 and 310 pm. The measured “half-life” for the devolatilization process was directly proportional to the particle diameter and inversely proportional to the absorbed flux. This new experimental method, of direct weight loss measurements for single particles or small arrays of particles, permitted the devolatilization data to be correlated directly with scanning electron microscopic observations of the morphological changes resulting from each exposure to the laser heating flux. For coal particles exposed to the laser flux in an air environment, essentially the same devolatilization process is observed initially; however, when devolatilization is complete, it is followed by a heterogeneous char oxidation process which occurs on a much slower time scale. From the totality of the data on morphological records, particle size, and flux dependence, it appears that the reaction mechanism for devolatilization involves the simple, inward progression of a laminar pyrolysis-devolatilization wave from the exposed surface. Simple thermodynamic transport constraints require that the pyrolysis wave velocity be determined by the sum of the absorbing heat flux necessary to raise each element of the solid to its devolatilization temperature (500° to 600° C), plus the flux required to supply the heat of devolatilization. The reaction rate for a particle is then simply controlled by the time required for that devolatilization wave to traverse through it, and that time is predicted to be directly proportional to the particle diameter and inversely proportional to the absorbed flux, as is observed.
Genomic scrap yard: how genomes utilize all that junk.

Abstract Interspersed repetitive sequences are major components of eukaryotic genomes. Repetitive elements comprise over 50% of the mammalian genome. Because the specific function of these elements remains to be defined and because of their unusual ‘behaviour’ in the genome, they are often quoted as a selfish or junk DNA. Our view of the entire phenomenon of repetitive elements has to now be revised in the light of data on their biology and evolution, especially in the light of what we know about the retroposons. I would like to argue that even if we cannot define the specific function of these elements, we still can show that they are not useless pieces of the genomes. The repetitive elements interact with the surrounding sequences and nearby genes. They may serve as recombination hot spots or acquire specific cellular functions such as RNA transcription control or even become part of protein coding regions. Finally, they provide very efficient mechanism for genomic shuffling. As such, repetitive elements should be called genomic scrap yard rather than junk DNA . Tables listing examples of recruited (exapted) transposable elements are available at http://www.ncbi.nlm.gov/Makalowski/ScrapYard/
Indirect Techniques for Adaptive Input Output Linearization of Nonlinear Systems

Nonlinear indirect adaptive control is motivated by the fact that, with exact knowledge of the plant parameters, a nonlinear state feedback law and a suitable set of coordinates can be chosen to produce linear input-output behavior. In the case of parameter uncertainty, intuition suggests that parameter estimates which are converging to their true values can be used to asymptotically linearize the system. The work presented here is a condensed version of [11]. It is concurrent with indirect adaptive control results found in [1, 2, 7, 10].
U.S. Commission on Civil Rights: Reports on the Police

Created as part of the Civil Rights Act of 1957, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is entitled to substantial credit for passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, among many other achievements in advancing civil rights. In its heyday, its commissioners were distinguished Americans, former governors, cabinet members and university presidents, and though it had no power other than the ability to issue subpoenas and publish reports, its prestige and investigative authority gave it a unique ability to document social conditions in a variety of areas over time. This three volume anthology collects the hearing transcripts and reports of the Commission dealing with law enforcement, a topic it has studied for five decades. The anthology begins with the hearings held in Jackson, Mississippi leading to the report Law Enforcement: A Report on Equal Protection in the South also published in 1965, and ends with reports in 2000, Police Practices and Civil Rights in New York City, and Revisiting Who is Guarding the Guardians? A Report on Police Practices and Civil Rights in America. The downloadable document is the table of contents and introduction.
Halfway There? Health Reform Starts Now

Five-plus years after the Affordable Care Act became law, the US health care system is finally undergoing the changes it needs to care for all of its patients. Regardless of politics, the law has spurred substantial gains in coverage and catalyzed new models for managing the delivery and payment of care. Even the most optimistic agree that the promise of affordable, comprehensive, person-centered care is still a point on the horizon. However, this destination can be reached, but the road is long and everyone, regardless of politics, needs to share the journey. According to an old African proverb, “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.”
Elliptical Pin Fins as an Alternative to Circular Pin Fins for Gas Turbine Blade Cooling Applications: Part 2 — Wake Flow Field Measurements and Visualization Using Particle Image Velocimetry

Extensive wake flow field measurements and visualizations are conducted using particle image velocimetry (PIV) inside the wakes of the elliptical and circular pin fin arrays in order to better understand the flow physics and the loss mechanisms of these devices. The true-mean velocity field inside the wake two diameters downstream of the pin fin arrays is obtained by collecting and ensemble averaging a large number of PIV samples in the midplane of the test section. Additional experiments are also conducted inside the very near wake of the pin fins in order to visualize instantaneous flow field features. The results of the study reveal that the circular pin fin array creates a large low momentum wake region when compared to the elliptical pin fin arrays. It is observed from the flow visualization inside the wake that this kind of a very large momentum deficit is created due to the early separation of the flow from the circular fins in the second row. In the case of elliptical fins, however, the flow stays attached to the fin surface and the separation occurs very close to the downstream stagnation point on the surface which in turn results in a very small low momentum wake region behind the elliptical pin fin arrays. The mean turbulent kinetic energy levels from the PIV measurements show very high turbulence levels in the wake of the circular fin arrays compared to the elliptical fins. However, the smaller momentum deficit inside the elliptical pin fin wakes results in higher local Reynolds numbers inside the wake when compared to the circular pin fin wakes. This in turn helps to keep the endwall heat transfer enhancement levels close to the circular fin arrays although the turbulence levels are much lower in this region.Copyright © 2001 by ASME
Morphological Stability of Semicoherent Solid-Solid Interfaces: A Simple Model

The stability of semicoherent interfaces between two solids with small lattice mismatch is examined. I consider the cases in which the rotation θ between the two solids is both zero and small. The interface orientation, characterized by a single angle o, is arbitrary. The interfaces are composed of regularly spaced misfit dislocations, steps, and lattice dislocations. For a wide range of o, many flat interfaces are unstable with respect to breaking up into two interfaces of distinct orientations, one of which contains only one of the two types of dislocations possible.
Real time in-situ sensing of damage evolution in nanocomposite bonded surrogate energetic materials

The current work aims to explore the potential for in-situ structural health monitoring in polymer bonded energetic materials through the introduction of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into the binder phase as a means to establish a significant piezoresistive response through the resulting nanocomposite binder. The experimental effort herein is focused towards electro-mechanical characterization of surrogate materials in place of actual energetic (explosive) materials in order to provide proof of concept for the strain and damage sensing. The electrical conductivity and the piezoresistive behavior of samples containing randomly oriented MWCNTs introduced into the epoxy (EPON 862) binder of 70 wt% ammonium perchlorate-epoxy hybrid composites are quantitatively and qualitatively evaluated. Brittle failure going through linear elastic behavior, formation of microcracks leading to reduction in composite load carrying capacity and finally macrocracks resulting in eventual failure are observed in the mechanical response of MWNT-ammonium perchlorateepoxy hybrid composites. Incorporating MWNTs into local polymer binder improves the effective stiffness about 40% compared to neat ammonium perchlorate-polymer samples. The real time in-situ relative change in resistance for MWNT hybrid composites was detected with the applied strains through piezoresistive response.
Identity Work on Social Media Sites: Disadvantaged Students' College Transition Processes

Prior research suggests that some social media practices can play a role in shaping students' adjustment to college; however, the specific mechanisms by which social media can support the identity work associated with successful transitions to college are not well understood. This paper investigates how social media experiences and interactions can support college-focused identity construction for low-income, first-generation college students. Drawing on in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 31 emergent adults from disadvantaged backgrounds in the United States, we identify social media affordances that support the process of identity work during a critical transition period. Findings indicate that social media platforms support provisional identity work, but disadvantaged college students lack access to mentor-like figures that could be accessible through social media. We also find barriers to sharing information online that may extend to other life transitions in multiple life contexts and review the design implications of our findings.
Prevention of perinatal HIV infection: cause for optimism.

The dramatic reduction in the number of cases of perinatal AIDS in the United States from 1985 to 1997 is an example of a phenomenal public health success. This success is attributable to effective collaboration between dedicated clinical researchers, clinicians, public-health officials, HIV-positive pregnant women, and advocacy organizations. It is also attributable in part to advances in the understanding of the timing and mechanism of perinatal transmission, and to more widespread antepartum HIV counseling and testing. However, the two most significant factors in the decreased risk of perinatal transmission in the U.S. are the widespread use of antiretroviral therapy in pregnancy and the modification of obstetrical practices. Evidence from both observational and cross-sectional studies suggests that HIV infection can be transmitted from mother to infant during the antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum period.1 Most perinatal transmission, however, is believed to occur primarily by ascending infection during the intrapartum period. The strongest predictor of both intrauterine and intrapartum transmission is the maternal viral load.2,3 The timing and mechanism of transmission have implications for therapeutic strategies that use antiretroviral therapy and the modification of obstetrical practices. ACTG 076 AZT Regimen In 1994 the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) recommended that all HIV-positive pregnant women be informed of the results of Pediatric AIDS Clinical Trial Group Protocol 076 (ACTG 076).4 This protocol evaluated the safety and efficacy of AZT versus placebo in HIV-positive pregnant women with less than 6 months of prior antiretroviral therapy and CD4 counts greater than 200 cells/mm3. Women were randomized to receive either placebo or 500 mg of AZT daily during pregnancy, intravenous AZT during labor, and administration of AZT to their neonate for 6 weeks. The risk of perinatal transmission was significantly lower in the AZT group than in the placebo group (8.3% …
Tools for Predicting Binding and Insertion of CPPs into Lipid Bilayers

The ability to predict properties such as peptide binding and insertion into membranes is an important and time-saving asset in the design of new cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs). Methods to predict those properties are described here, which make use of calculations performed with the Wimley-White hydrophobicity scales. In addition, electrostatic effects can be estimated in a way that provides acceptably close approximations in many cases. Finally, an estimate of the probability of insertion is also discussed. These procedures are illustrated by comparing the calculations with experiments on a few CPPs.
Technical dilemmas in portacaval shunt operations as a consequence of replaced right hepatic artery

Surgical procedures designed to decompress the portal venous system in patients with cirrhosis and bleeing esophageal varices may be complicated by anatomic variations in the extrahepatic arterial circulation. Anomalous right hepatic arteries which arise from the superior mesenteric artery may be encountered in 18 to 20 per cent of the normal population. Replaced arteries are not accessory vessels but rather provide the sole arteries circulation to well defined segments of the liver. Unfortunate injury may result in severe ischemic truama of the liver. Preoperative vicseral arteriography is essential prior to any contemplated portosystemic shunt procedure. The unusual anatomic relationship of such an anomalous right to hepatic artery to the portal vein may contraindicate standard portacaval, interposition portacaval or portarnal shunt procedures; graft angulation and anastomotic distortion may jeopardize shunt patancy and result in recurrent variceal hemmorrhage. A technique for portal vein-hepatic artery transposition and end-to-side portacaval shunt is presented as a feasible alternative if anomalies of the hepatic artery preclude standard shunt procedures.
L’impact des expériences d’impunité sur les risques de récidive pénale

Given the fact that the probability of being punished varies between individuals, deterrence theory needs to be adapted to consider both punished and unpunished criminal experiences. Omitting this parameter from the decision model can lead to considerable biases and an overestimation of failure in the course of a criminal career. Studies in the prediction of recidivism that rely only on penal data are prone to this bias. In our study, self-reported offending data from an inmate sample (n = 199), in conjunction with penal data, allowed us to assess individual penal avoidance ability. When taking into consideration penal avoidance, past penal experiences appear to be an indicator of failure faced by offenders during their criminal career rather than its true continuation, creating the illusion of the efficient prediction of recidivism using past penal experiences. The intensity of past penal costs as well as legitimate opportunities are two factors that reduce the probability of the continuation of the criminal career. The benefits of crime increase this probability. Abstract: Considerant que la probabilite d’etre puni varie d’un individu a l’autre, la theorie de la dissuasion doit etre adaptee pour tenir compte a la fois des experiences delinquantes punies et impunies. L’omission de ce parametre du modele de decision peut amener des biais importants et une surestimation de l’echec au sein d’une carriere delinquante. Les etudes de prediction de la recidive se basant uniquement sur les donnees penales sont vulnerables a ce biais. Dans le cadre de cette etude, les donnees de delinquance autorevelee d’un echantillon de 199 detenus, mises en parallele avec des donnees penales, ont permis d’estimer la capacite individuelle d’evitement penal. Lorsqu’on prend en consideration cette disposition, les antecedents penaux deviennent un indicateur des echecs auxquels les delinquants font face durant leur trajectoire delinquante plutot que de la poursuite meme de cette trajectoire, creant l’illusion de l’efficacite de sa prediction par les antecedents penaux. L’intensite des couts penaux anterieurs ainsi que les opportunites d’emploi conventionnel sont deux facteurs qui reduisent la probabilite de la poursuite de la carriere criminelle. Les benefices soutires des activites criminelles augmentent cette probabilite.
Socio-Economic Impact of the Crisis in Northern Mali on Displaced People

This paper analyzes the impact of the 2012 crisis in Mali on internally displaced people, refugees and returnees. It uses information from a face-to-face household survey as well as follow-up interviews with its respondents via mobile phones. This combination was found to present a good and robust way to monitor the impact of conflict on hard-to-reach populations who at times live in areas inaccessible to enumerators. Results indicate that better educated and wealthier households as well as those exposed to less violence fled the crisis. Significant amounts of durable goods (20—60 percent) and animals (75—90 percent were lost and the welfare of the displaced declined considerably as a result of the crisis. Yet over time its impact has diminished. By February 2015, most eligible children were going to school and employment levels and number of meals consumed were at pre-crisis levels. The paper finds that different ethnic groups chose different places of refuge. Depending on location, the narrative of the crisis and the solutions that are envisaged differ diametrically.
A Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Group Case Study on Mothers With Severe Emotion Dysregulation

Abstract Parenting is an emotionally demanding endeavor, which can be particularly challenging for parents who struggle with psychopathology and lack the regulation skills to manage their own emotional lability. Although dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is an effective treatment that directly targets emotion dysregulation, little is known about whether DBT might also improve parenting behaviors. A DBT skills group was employed to examine whether DBT skills are utilized by mothers in their parenting and whether skill use improves parenting. Four mothers with severe emotion dysregulation who met diagnostic criteria for at least one Axis I disorder were part of a case study, in which they completed a DBT skills group for mothers, and two of the mothers participated in an in-depth exit interview regarding their use of DBT skills in their parenting. The mothers reported substantial changes in their parenting during the exit interview and modest improvements were found for parenting in pre- to posttreatment parenting assessments. This paper describes the various parenting contexts in which DBT skills were used and discusses maternal emotion regulation as a potential pathway from DBT skills to improved parenting.
Three Dreams of Modern Greek Phonology

(1964). Three Dreams of Modern Greek Phonology. WORD: Vol. 20, Papers in Memory of George C. Pappageotes, pp. 17-27.
Excipients Utilized for Ophthalmic Drug Delivery Systems

The chapter lists and discusses different types of excipients used in ophthalmic drug delivery systems, along with their important functions like solubility, penetration enhancers, etc. Further, the focus on the chapter is to list excipients and their maximum potency amount used in FDA-approved ophthalmic formulations.
Infinitely many radial solutions of an elliptic system

Abstract We consider a system of equations of the form Δu + ∇F(u) = 0. In this and two subsequent papers we find conditions on F(u) to guarantee that this system has infinitely many radial solutions. We also define a notion of winding number for each radial solution and prove that for each positive integer K there exists a radial solution with winding number K.
End-of-life healthcare utilization among Medicare beneficiaries with malignant brain tumors.

244Background: Patterns of end-of-life healthcare utilization for patients with primary and secondary malignant brain tumors (PMBT, SMBT) are poorly understood. The primary objective of this study was to compare end-of-life healthcare utilization and expenditures between patients with PMBT and SMBT. The secondary objective was to determine risk factors for low-quality healthcare utilization at the end-of-life. Methods: We analyzed Medicare administrative claims data for decedents with a diagnosis of PMBT or SMBT within a community cancer network in the southeastern US from 2012-2015. Outcomes included hospital-based care (ED visit, hospitalization, and ICU admission), cancer therapy (chemo- or radiotherapy), hospice care, and total cost to Medicare in the last 30 days of life. We performed regression analyses to determine risk factors for each of the outcomes. Results: 1323 patients had a diagnosis of PMBT (383) or SMBT (940). Patients with SMBT received more hospital-based care (57% v 49%, p < 0.01) and ...
“The New Boob Tube?”: Education, Entertainment, and Viewers’ Perceptions of Breastfeeding on Social Media

This Chapter explores social media and online breastfeeding discourse, to show how new technologies have both hindered and helped breastfeeding success. Foss studies 20 of the most popular Youtube videos produced in a search of “breastfeeding.” Analysis of the videos shows that most are mundane home movies of “regular” women breastfeeding and are not designed to be instructive. Viewer comments for these videos generally show support for mothers nursing babies. On the other hand, videos of tandem and/or extended breastfeeding received harsh criticism from viewers, spurring an online debate about the sexualisation of breastfeeding. The popularity of these breastfeeding videos and their online feedback present an opportunity for advocates to better use social media to promote breastfeeding.
Merlin the Political, Spiritual and Romantic Shape-Shifter in Robert de Boron’s, Joseph of Arimathea, Merlin, Perceval: The Trilogy of Prose Romances and Edmund Spenser’s The Faerie Queene

Merlin as an allegorical character has been dwelling in caves and forests casting spells and operating as a political, spiritual and romantic shape-shifter within our minds for centuries. Merlin’s shape-shifting and clairvoyance dates back to Greek mythology with Tiresias who shape-shifts gender and sees all as a blind seer. Much like Merlin our early seer sees the future as it is happening and offers truthful forecasts of fate (Schutz 277). An examination of the Trilogy and The Faerie Queene shall reveal that Merlin whether rooted in Christian scripture or Christian Cabalistic Imperialistic white magic has remained throughout the centuries as a truly omnipresent shape-shifter through his props and has created a legend of spiritual, political and romantic transcendence. Robert and Spenser utilized Merlin for different purposes, Robert to foster Christianity and Spenser to foster the strength of the monarchy. Ultimately, both writers created a humanistic character that would change the course of events.
Ready-to-use protein G-conjugated gold nanorods for biosensing and biomedical applications.

Gold nanorods (GNRs) display unique capacity to absorb and scatter near infrared light, which arises from their peculiar composition of surface plasmon resonances. For this reason, GNRs have become an innovative material of great hope in nanomedicine, in particular for imaging and therapy of cancer, as well as in photonic sensing of biological agents and toxic compounds for e.g. biomedical diagnostics, forensic analysis and environmental monitoring. As the use of GNRs is becoming more and more popular, in all these contexts, there is emerging a latent need for simple and versatile protocols for their modification with targeting units that may convey high specificity for any analyte of interest of an end-user. We introduce protein G-coated GNRs as a versatile solution for the oriented immobilization of antibodies in a single step of mixing. We assess this strategy against more standard covalent binding of antibodies, in terms of biocompatibility and efficiency of molecular recognition in buffer, serum and plasma, in the context of the development of a direct immunoenzymatic assay. In both cases, we estimate an average of around 30 events of molecular recognition per particle. In addition, we disclose a convenient protocol to store these particles for months in a freezer, without any detrimental effect. The biocompatibility and efficiency of molecular recognition is similar in either case of GNRs that are modified with antibodies by covalent binding or oriented immobilization through protein G. However, protein G-coated GNRs are most attractive for an end-user, owing to their unique versatility and ease of bioconjugation with antibodies of her/his choice.
Ir-Catalyzed Borylation as an Efficient Route to a Nicotine Hapten

The process development of a nicotine analog or hapten (1) for conjugation to a protein as an antigen is described. The original process in early development used an Ir-catalyzed borylation reaction to enable rapid derivatization of nicotine with the desired regiocontrol. While the process was very efficient, it required chromatography to meet purity targets. A related process was later developed that possessed crystalline intermediates to better control levels of process-related impurities and heavy metals in 1. This control strategy for 1 was essential due to the strict purity requirements for conjugation of 1 when forming an antigen. In addition, the Ir-catalyzed borylation was studied to enable robust manufacture via this methodology which led to an efficient process for the preparation of 1.
Battle Royale: Systemic Versus Locoregional Therapy for Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE. This commentary discusses research examining comparisons of locoregional therapy with systemic therapy for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). CONCLUSION. Comparison of patient ...
Ligand-directed tumor targeting with hybrid viral phage nanoparticles

Abstract The adeno-associated virus/phage (AAVP) hybrid nanoparticle contains a chimeric genome derived from AAV serotype 2 and the genome of the M13 filamentous bacteriophage. The phage genome encoding the capsid is modified, such that the targeting ligand is embedded within the pIII minor coat gene; mature hybrid nanoparticles display the targeting ligand on the bacteriophage capsid. In all of the studies utilizing these hybrid nanoparticles, there were no significant side effects due to the precision of the targeted therapy and no extraneous transduction of nontargeted cells. The application of gene therapy as a treatment modality for cancer is increasingly becoming a reality. Researchers continue to address the limitations of classic gene therapy that rely on eukaryotic viral vectors or bacteriophage vectors. The development of hybrid viral phage nanoparticles represents an innovative approach to overcome these limitations, demonstrates great flexibility, and has potential for a wide array of applications. This utility is achieved by the ability to modify the hybrid genome to target any receptor with delivery of any transgene.
Issue Evolution in Political Science

The standard model of partisan change emphasizes the role of critical elections in bringing about dramatic and quickly realized changes in the party system. In contrast, the model of issue evolution focuses on more gradual and incremental change in the party system—change that is driven by issue competition among partisan elites, which eventually leads to a transformation in mass party alignments along the issue dimension. Thus, there are two characteristics that distinguish this model of partisan change. First, issue evolution presumes that most partisan change occurs gradually over a lengthy span of time, unfolding over several elections and perhaps decades instead of a single election. Second, the model emphasizes the role of partisan elites in initiating and leading political change. The crucial role of the mass electorate is to respond—or, more frequently, fail to respond—to the issue cues of partisan elites. The process of issue evolution, then, involves elite reorientation on the issue that eventually leads to mass issue realignment.
Building creativity: collaborative learning and creativity in a virtual gaming environment

Using a systems-based approach to creativity and situated approach to learning, this study is a pilot exploration into how creative ideas emerge within a community and are spread amongst its members. This study takes place within the Multi-User Virtual Environment, Quest Atlantis, and uses chat data, screenshots, and offline conversation to explore creativity and collaborative learning in the context of virtual 3D architectural building.
Uso del láser de CO2 en cirugía veterinaria : aplicación en cinco casos clínicos

En veterinaria el laser presenta aplicaciones tanto en el campo quirurgico como medico. Aunque existe un gran variedad de tipos de laser, el laser de COl fue uno de los primeros en ser utilizado y su uso se encuentra muy extendido en medicina veterinaria. En este articulo se describen 5 casos clinicos en los que se hace uso del laser de COl durante el tratamiento quirurgico de diferentes patologias.
Expanding the interpretive power of psychological science by attending to culture.

A lack of interpretive power (i.e., the ability to understand individuals’ experiences and behaviors in relation to their cultural contexts) undermines psychology’s understanding of diverse psychological phenomena. Building interpretive power requires attending to cultural influences in research. We describe three characteristics of research that lacks interpretive power: normalizing and overgeneralizing from behaviors and processes of people in Western, educated, industrialized, rich, and democratic (WEIRD) contexts; making non-WEIRD people and processes invisible; and misapplying WEIRD findings in non-WEIRD contexts. We also describe research in which leveraging interpretive power prevented these negative consequences. Finally, using the culture-cycle framework, we outline a vision for creating culture change within psychology by implementing culture-conscious practices to guide the formation of research questions, empirical design, and data analysis and interpretation.
Impact of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease on Laparoscopic Hysterectomy Outcome.

Background and objectives Limited research exists on the association between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and morbidity and mortality after laparoscopic hysterectomy. The objective of this study is to examine the following: 1) which demographics and comorbidities are most likely to present concurrently in patients with COPD? 2) Are patients with COPD undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy at increased risk for development of postoperative complications within 30 days? Methods Retrospective cohort study using data collected from 2007 to 2016 from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. All patients who underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy were identified by Current Procedural Terminology codes and stratified based on COPD status. Univariate and multivariate analyses were completed to define odds ratios for postoperative complications within 30 days of laparoscopic hysterectomy. Results This study included 100,518 laparoscopic hysterectomy patients (COPD = 1,130 [1.12%]); (no COPD = 99,388 [98.8%]). Patients with COPD developed more postoperative complications, including pneumonia, reintubation, renal insufficiency, and sepsis. COPD was identified as an independent risk factor for pneumonia (OR, 4.098; 95% CI, 2.222-7.519) and reintubation (OR, 4.348; 95% CI, 2.387-7.937). Patients with COPD had extended length of hospital stay. Conclusion Patients with COPD who undergo laparoscopic hysterectomy have increased risk of experiencing postoperative pneumonia, reintubation, renal insufficiency, and sepsis. Overall, postoperative complication rates remain low, but gynecologists should consider the pulmonary disease status of patients when assessing preoperative risk.
Ultrasonographic features of presumed gastric wall edema in 14 dogs with pancreatitis.

Background Gastric wall edema has not been reported as a complication of acute pancreatitis in dogs. Objective To describe the ultrasonographic features of gastric wall thickening in dogs with acute pancreatitis. Animals Fourteen dogs with ultrasonographic evidence and clinical diagnosis of acute pancreatitis, with ultrasonographic evidence of increased gastric wall thickness (>5 mm). Methods A retrospective search in the medical records from 2014 to 2016 was performed to identify dogs that had ultrasonographic evidence of acute pancreatitis, that had increased thickness of the gastric wall and that were diagnosed with acute pancreatitis clinically. The gastric wall changes such as thickness, layering appearance, echogenicity, distribution of lesions, and perigastric changes were recorded. Serial ultrasonographic examination and histopathological findings were recorded if available. Results Mean gastric wall thickness was 9.9 ± 4.0 mm (SD). A complete loss of wall layering was observed in 2 dogs. Thickening of the submucosal layer was observed in 12 dogs, and 5 of them had concurrent muscularis layer thickening. The echogenicity of thickened submucosal layer was intermediate hyperechoic. Lacy appearances were present within the thickened submucosal layer in 7 dogs and in the muscularis layer of 1 dog. Thickening was focal in 12 dogs and adjacent to the diseased pancreas. Subsequent resolution of gastric wall thickening was observed in 3 dogs (range 3-28 days) via follow-up ultrasound. One dog underwent necropsy, and gastric wall edema was confirmed histopathologically. Conclusions and clinical importance Findings indicated that gastric wall thickening presumably because of edema could be a complication of acute pancreatitis.
Benefits and Pitfalls of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology

Diagnostic ultrasound is a powerful tool in obstetrics/gynecology. It has multiple applications, but for every use there are potential pitfalls that can have significant deleterious effects. Guidelines and certifications have been implemented to enhance the safety of this technique.
Deformation dynamics of a b.c.c. titanium alloy (15.2 at. % Mo) below 650°K (∼0.4 Tm)

Abstract The effects of temperature and strain rate on the flow stress of a b.c.c. Ti-15.2 at.% Mo alloy with 0.5 at. % Oeq, interstitial solute content were investigated over the range of 77–824°K. Employing the thermal activation analysis the values of the activation parameters were: H0 ≃ 0.2 μb3 and ν t 0′ ∗ = 27 b 3 . These values of H0 and ν t 0′ ∗ are in accord with those for unalloyed c.p.h. titanium of the same interstitial content. Also agreement was obtained for the force-distance curve and for the effects of interstitial content on τ 0 ∗ (the effective stress at 0°K) and ν T 0′ ∗ . It was therefore concluded that the rate controlling mechanism in the b.c.c. alloy is similar to that of unalloyed c.p.h. titanium, namely thermally activated overcoming of interstitial solute atoms. The increase in strength of titanium due to the molybdenum substitutional solute atoms is principally through the athermal component of the flow stress.
A highly regioselective Friedländer reaction mediated by lanthanum chloride

Abstract A highly efficient and regioselective Friedlander reaction of unsymmetrical 1,3-diketones with 2-aminoaryl aldehydes (ketones) is described. The methodology leads to the synthesis of a broad scope of substituted quinolines in high yield and excellent regioselectivity.