cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tetracycline Resistance in Chlamydia suis Mediated by Genomic Islands Inserted into the Chlamydial inv-Like Gene

Many strains of Chlamydia suis, a pathogen of pigs, express a stable tetracycline resistance phenotype. We demonstrate that this resistance pattern is associated with a resistance gene, tet(C), in the chlamydial chromosome. Four related genomic islands were identified in seven tetracycline-resistant C. suis strains. All resistant isolates carry the structural gene tet(C) and the tetracycline repressor gene tetR(C). The islands share significant nucleotide sequence identity with resistance plasmids carried by a variety of different bacterial species. Three of the four tet(C) islands also carry a novel insertion sequence that is homologous to the IS605 family of insertion sequences. In each strain, the resistance gene and associated sequences are recombined into an identical position in a gene homologous to the inv gene of the yersiniae. These genomic islands represent the first examples of horizontally acquired DNA integrated into a natural isolate of chlamydiae or within any other obligate intracellular bacterium.
Surface combustion microengines based on photocatalytic oxidations of hydrocarbons at room temperature.

The concept of a surface combustion microengine that is fuelled by volatile hydrocarbons at room temperature is demonstrated on a microcantilever covered with a thin layer of titanium oxide (TiO2). Exposing this microengine to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and hydrocarbon vapor produces controlled bending of the microcantilever as a result of differential stress produced by photocatalytic oxidation of organic molecules on the TiO2 coating. Compared to the motion generated solely by UV radiation or hydrocarbon adsorption, the unique photocatalytic-mechanical effects in the presence of UV and hydrocarbon produce more work and exhibit fast response. The surface combustion based microengines would require less maintenance in minimally controlled field environment and could be potentially used in construction of miniature movable machines, conversion of solar and chemical energy to mechanical work, when extended to a large array of microcantilevers. We believe such microengines can be fuelled by a variety of mole...
Properties of RF Sputtered ZnTe:N films for Back Contact to CdS/CdTe Solar Cells

Most of the low resistance back contacts formed on high efficiency CdS/CdTe solar cells involve copper either in elemental form (such as Cu/Au back contacts) or as dopant in other material (such as Cu-doped ZnTe). But copper is also suspected to be a cause of degradation of devices in long-term stability tests due to its high diffusion coefficient in polycrystalline CdTe. In this paper, we present results on the development of nitrogen-doped ZnTe back contacts for CdS/CdTe solar cells. Reproducible N-doped p-ZnTe films were prepared using reactive RF magnetron sputtering with Ar/N2 gas mixtures. The conductivity of the doped ZnTe films was more than five orders of magnitude higher than that of intrinsic films. We find that annealing in air can further increase the conductivity. Efficiencies near 10% have been achieved with a ZnTe:N/Ni back contact.
Higher order hierarchical curved hexahedral vector finite elements for electromagnetic modeling

A novel higher order finite-element technique based on generalized curvilinear hexahedra with hierarchical curl-conforming polynomial vector basis functions is proposed for microwave modeling. The finite elements are implemented for geometrical orders from 1 to 4 and field-approximation orders from 1 to 10 in the same Galerkin-type finite-element method and applied to eigenvalue analysis of arbitrary electromagnetic cavities. Individual curved hexahedra in the model can be as large as approximately 2/spl lambda//spl times/2/spl lambda//spl times/2/spl lambda/, which is 20 times the traditional low-order modeling discretization limit of /spl lambda//10 in each dimension. The examples show excellent flexibility and efficiency of the higher order (more precisely, low-to-high order) method at modeling of both field variation and geometrical curvature, and its excellent properties in the context of p-refinement of solutions, for models with both flat and curved surfaces. The reduction in the number of unknowns is by an order of magnitude when compared to low-order solutions.
Flow and heat transfer in the space between two corotating disks in an axisymmetric enclosure

A numerical investigation was undertaken to characterize the laminar flow and heat transfer in axisymmetric coaxial corotating shrouded disk configurations. Attention was focused on calculation conditions favoring steady, stable, symmetric solutions of the conservation equations. The justification for this is based on velocity measurements obtained in a test section that matches the numerical configuration. Calculations were performed to investigate the dependence of the flow characteristics on disk angular velocity, disk spacing, and the disk-shroud gap width. Conditions involving a radial throughflow (blowing) and/or an axially directed disk-shroud gap flow were also predicted. In the region of the shroud the results show a strong sensitivity of the flow and heat transfer to variations in the flow Reynolds number (rotation) and Rossby number (blowing). By contrast, the flow was found to be less dependent on the disk spacing and the disk-shroud gap width for the conditions investigated. The introduction of an axially directed disk-shroud gap flow significantly alters the flow and heat transfer characteristics in the region between two disks. This finding is important for the improved design and control of corotating disk systems.
The conundrum of demographic aging and policy challenges: a comparative case study of Canada, Japan and Korea

Some analysts lean toward comparative analyses of population aging, then draw potential policy implications. Others lean in the direction of attention to differences in policy regimes and then consider implications of population aging. Key differences among advanced societies may not emanate from demographic aging but from differences in how markets, states, and families work to redistribute societal benefits. In this paper, three countries with contrasting configurations of markets, states, and families, and at different stages of demographic aging, are compared and contrasted: Canada, Japan, and Korea. The paper has three objectives: 1) to outline key changes in population, family, and work in the three countries; 2) to consider how knowledge about these changes, their dynamics and interrelationships, is framed with respect to policy options; and 3) to compare Canada, Japan, and Korea in terms of the framing of policy challenges related to demographic aging. It is found that Canada is joining the longstanding pattern of Japan and Korea of late home-leaving by youth, meaning less effective time in the paid labour force. Little deep connection exists between population aging and economic productivity or labour force shortages. Differential labour market participation of women mediates the effects of population aging.
Physician Impairment: Social Origins of a Medical Concern

Physicians, for at least most of the 20th century, appear to have been especially vulnerable to suicide, depression, substance abuse, and marital discord. Yet concern with so-called “physician impairment,” as revealed by the extent to which such problems have been discussed openly in the medical literature, has dramatically increased in the last 20 years. This growing concern about problems among physicians has been depicted by some within the medical profession as the result of increased compassion for colleagues and concern for the quality of patient care. But it also reflects major structural and ideological shifts in American society, including post-Vietnam war anomie and the 1960s “drug scene,” the human potential movement of the 1970s, and the dramatic social transformation of American medicine in the 1980s.
Telomerase and telomere-length regulation: lessons from small eukaryotes to mammals.

Telomeres are molecular guardians of chromosome integrity. Broken chromosomes lacking telomeres often recombine to generate dicentrics and translocations that lead to chromosome rearrangements, amplification, and aneuploidy. The pioneering work of Muller and McClintock defined the telomere as the functional end of the chromosome, which is distinct from a random broken end (McClintock 1938; Muller 1938). As chromosome ends, telomeres are also faced with the problem of replicating the molecular 3′ end of a DNA molecule. The molecular mechanism of replicative DNA polymerases does not account for how molecular ends can be completely replicated (Watson 1972; Olovnikov 1973). This end-replication problem has been solved in nature in a variety of ways (for review, see Zakian 1989). The mechanism employed by most eukaryotic chromosomes is a baroque one: Sequence loss at the ends occurs but is compensated by de novo addition of telomeric sequences (for review, see Blackburn 1991).
Multiterabyte image storage and distribution for NASA's Hubble Space Telescope

The modular architecture, functionality, and key components of the Hubble Space Telescope Data Archive Distribution Service (DADS) are presented. DADS functions comprise archive management, catalog management, and user interface. The distributed modular architecture utilized is made up of four subsystems, including the archive, host, catalog, and the Science Operations ground System/DADS Interface Processor. All data generated by the HST are archived in DADS on 12-in. optical disks. DADS is a permanent archive with a data capacity of 30 terabytes that can be expanded to 68 terabytes. Supplementary information and stellar observations will be instantly accessible through DADS, which can collect and archive more than 3 gigabytes per day of image and support data over the lifetime of the HST. Electronic and physical media will be accessible through 140 network connections, with a catalogue to assist in data set selection.
On the Adaptive Properties of Decision Trees

Decision trees are surprisingly adaptive in three important respects: They automatically (1) adapt to favorable conditions near the Bayes decision boundary; (2) focus on data distributed on lower dimensional manifolds; (3) reject irrelevant features. In this paper we examine a decision tree based on dyadic splits that adapts to each of these conditions to achieve minimax optimal rates of convergence. The proposed classifier is the first known to achieve these optimal rates while being practical and implementable.
Spirituality and distress in sheltered battered women.

Purpose: To examine the relationship between spiritual beliefs and psychological distress in sheltered battered women. Design: A convenience sample of 50 ethnically diverse women who had resided for at least 21 days in battered women's shelters participated. Data were obtained over a 7-month period in 1998 and 1999. Methods: Participants completed the Spiritual Perspective Scale (SPS), Symptom Checklist- 90-Revised (SCL-90), Conflict Tactics Scale, and a demographic data sheet. Results: These sheltered battered women placed high value on their spiritual beliefs and used a variety of spiritual practices to aid them. The relationship between the Global Severity Index as measured by the SCL-90 and SPS scores approached statistical significance (r = -.27, p = 0.06). However, a significant inverse relationship was found between the SPS score and the obsessive-compulsive score (r = -.34, p < 0.05), interpersonal sensitivity score (r = -.31, p <.05), and hostility dimensions score (r = -.37, p < 0.01) of the SCL-90. Conclusions: The findings indicated that, among these sheltered battered women, spirituality may be associated with greater internal resources that buffer distressing feelings and calm the mind. This study shows support of spirituality as a means of reducing distress through greater connection to oneself and higher powers.
Lumbricid earthworm effects on incorporation of root and leaf litter into aggregates in a forest soil, New York State

Plant litter, microorganisms, and soil minerals assemble into aggregates in soils. Soil aggregates protect organic matter and are a primary site for storage of stabilized soil carbon, and thus many studies have evaluated how agriculture and soil disturbance affects aggregates. However, relatively little is known about aggregation in forest soils and the role of non-native earthworms. In a temperate forest where earthworm invasion has greatly reduced soil C stocks, we measured the abundance of aggregate fractions in plots with and without earthworms. We also quantified the flow of 13C from leaf litter and root litter into soil aggregates and evaluated how lumbricid earthworms affect this process. Macroaggregates comprised the majority of the bulk soil mass in these fine-textured soils both in the presence and absence of earthworms. The principal effect of earthworms on the composition of macroaggregates was to greatly reduce the proportion of both coarse POM and mineral-sorbed C in them. Earthworms also reduced the proportion of free microaggregates in soil. Two years after addition of isotope-labeled leaf litter most of the label was recovered in macroaggregates in the form of microaggregates held within them. Earthworms also greatly increased the proportion of root-derived C that was incorporated into macroaggegates, thereby apparently accelerating the process of root C incorporation into soil aggregates. However, much of the C incorporated into aggregates over a three-year time scale remained labile and was eventually mineralized. These observations indicate that earthworm effects on C mineralization may exceed effects on stabilization over longer time scales than for previous laboratory experiments.
Cytochrome c promoter activity in soleus and white vastus lateralis muscles in rats.

Cytochrome c protein and mRNA are 300 and 100% higher, respectively, in the soleus muscle (predominantly slow-twitch oxidative) than the white vastus lateralis (predominately fast-twitch glycolytic) muscle (W. W. Winder, K. M. Baldwin, and J. O. Holloszy. Eur. J. Biochem. 47: 461–467, 1974; M. M. Lai and F. W. Booth. J. Appl. Physiol. 69: 843–848, 1990). However, the mechanisms controlling these differences in cytochrome c mRNA are largely unknown. The present study employed direct plasmid injection techniques to determine whether the proximal promoter (−726 to +610) of the rat somatic cytochrome c gene was more active in the soleus than in white vastus lateralis muscles in rats. No difference between the soleus and white vastus lateralis muscles for the activities of the −726, −631, −489, −326, −215, −159 and −149 cytochrome c promoters was noted. The results of this study suggest that additional elements (outside of −726 to +610) in the cytochrome c gene may be required, or posttranscriptional regulation may account, for the higher cytochrome c mRNA in the slow-twitch oxidative muscle.
Exploratory Multinomial Logit Model–Based Driver Injury Severity Analyses for Teenage and Adult Drivers in Intersection-Related Crashes

ABSTRACTObjective: Teenage drivers are more likely to be involved in severely incapacitating and fatal crashes compared to adult drivers. Moreover, because two thirds of urban vehicle miles traveled are on signal-controlled roadways, significant research efforts are needed to investigate intersection-related teenage driver injury severities and their contributing factors in terms of driver behavior, vehicle–infrastructure interactions, environmental characteristics, roadway geometric features, and traffic compositions. Therefore, this study aims to explore the characteristic differences between teenage and adult drivers in intersection-related crashes, identify the significant contributing attributes, and analyze their impacts on driver injury severities.Methods: Using crash data collected in New Mexico from 2010 to 2011, 2 multinomial logit regression models were developed to analyze injury severities for teenage and adult drivers, respectively. Elasticity analyses and transferability tests were conducte...
A power harmonic detection method based on Wavelet Neural Network

Harmonic detection technology is one of the key technologies used for active power filter (APF), its development has determined the development of APF technology. It is difficult to detect the harmonic accurately because of the features of power network harmonic, such as inherent nonlinear, random, distribution, non-stationary and the complexity of impact factors, so the study of the power system harmonic's detection methods is very important. This paper proposes a harmonic detection method based on Wavelet Neural Network combining Wavelet with Neural Network, and designs for the wavelet neural network. The simulation results show that this method can detect the power network harmonic accurately and real-time.
Differential expression of inflammation-related genes in IL-4 transgenic mice before and after the onset of atopic dermatitis skin lesions

IL-4 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD), a common chronic inflammatory skin disease. We have generated IL-4 transgenic (Tg) mice by over-expressing IL-4 in the epidermis. These mice spontaneously develop chronic pruritic inflammatory skin lesions, which meet the clinical and histological diagnostic criteria for human AD. Systemic survey of immune-related genes in this mouse model, however, has not been performed. In this study, we utilize PCR array technique to examine hundreds of inflammation-related genes in the IL-4 Tg mice before and after the onset of skin lesions as well as in their wild type (WT) littermates. Only those genes with at least 2-fold up-regulation or down-regulation and with a P-value of less than 0.05 in comparison to WT controls were identified and analyzed. In the skin lesions, many chemokines, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and other AD-related factors are dysregulated compared to the wild type mice. Particularly, CXCL5, IL-1β, IL-24, IL-6, oncostatin M, PTGS2, FPR1 and REG3γ are up-regulated several hundred-fold. In the pre-lesional group that shows no obvious skin abnormality on clinical observation, 30 dysregulated genes are nevertheless identified though the fold changes are much less than that of the lesional group, including CCL6, CCL8, CCL11, CCL17, CXCL13, CXCL14, CXCR3 and IL-12Rβ2. Finally using ELISA, we demonstrate that 4 most dramatically up-regulated factors in the skin are also elevated in the peripheral blood of the IL-4 Tg mice. Taken together, our data have identified hundreds of dysregulated factors in the IL-4 Tg mice before and after the onset of skin lesions. Future detailed examination of these factors will shed light on our understanding of the development and progression of AD and help to discover important biomarkers for clinical AD diagnosis and treatment.
Abstract 25: Hospitals That Serve Minority Patients Do Less to Reduce Readmissions Yet Report More Barriers: Results of a National Survey of Hospital Leaders

Objective: The Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP), initiated in 2012, penalizes hospitals with higher-than-expected readmission rates. This is particularly salient for minority-serving hospitals (MSHs), which have higher readmission rates than peer institutions, and may face unique barriers. The objective of this study was to determine whether there were differences in the strategies used and barriers faced by MSHs in their efforts to reduce readmission rates. Methods: We surveyed leadership at 1600 U.S. acute-care hospitals between January 2013 and January 2014, oversampling minority-serving institutions. We achieved a 62% response rate. We defined three categories: 1) Major MSHs: Top 10% of hospitals with the highest proportion of black patients, 2) Minor MSHs: top 10 to 25%, and 3) non-MSH: the remaining 75% of hospitals. We compared survey responses between groups, adjusting for non-response and sampling strategy. Findings: Of the 992 respondents, 219 (22.1%) were hospital leaders at Major MSHs, 341 (34.4%) Minor MSHs, and 432 (43.5%) non-MSHs. Major MSHs were less likely than non-MSHs to use the following strategies: 1) discharge planner (67.9% vs. 76.5%, p<0.001), 2) electronic tools to share discharge summary (65.3% vs. 72.9%, p<0.005), 3) pharmacists to reconcile discharge medications (29.6% vs. 39.5%, p<0.001), and 4) contact patients within 48hrs after discharge (60.1% vs. 67.3%, p=0.005). Major MSHs were more likely to report the following as important barriers: 1) availability of primary care in the community (36.4% vs. 24.8%, p<0.0001), availability of financial resources (70.0% vs. 62.9%, p=0.018), and adequacy of transitions of care (52.3% vs. 44.8%, p=0.009). There were no significant differences in the perceived availability of nursing homes, visiting nurse services, or mental health/substance abuse services in the community between the three groups. Major MSHs were also more likely to report homelessness (40.2% vs. 25.3%, p<0.001) and lack of transportation (55.5% vs. 43.6%, p<0.0001) as significant challenges than non-MSHs. Additionally, minor MSHs also reported that language barriers (21.3% vs. 17.3%, p=0.02) and mental health/substance abuse (74.5% vs. 69.5%, p=0.016) were greater challenges than non-MSHs. Conclusions: In a nationally representative survey, we found that hospitals that serve a high proportion of blacks were less likely to use several important strategies in their efforts to reduce readmissions, and identified availability of primary care, poor transitions of care, financial resources, and patient-related factors as barriers to reducing readmissions. These findings suggest that additional resources to support in-hospital interventions to reduce readmissions may help close the racial gap in readmission rates. Policies that help build community capacity may also be an important component of readmission reduction.
Intestinal microbiome disruption in patients in a long-term acute care hospital: A case for development of microbiome disruption indices to improve infection prevention

Background Composition and diversity of intestinal microbial communities (microbiota) are generally accepted as a risk factor for poor outcomes; however, we cannot yet use this information to prevent adverse outcomes. Methods Stool was collected from 8 long-term acute care hospital patients experiencing diarrhea and 2 fecal microbiota transplant donors; 16S rDNA V1-V2 hypervariable regions were sequenced. Composition and diversity of each sample were described. Stool was also tested for Clostridium difficile , vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae . Associations between microbiota diversity and demographic and clinical characteristics, including antibiotic use, were analyzed. Results Antibiotic exposure and Charlson Comorbidity Index were inversely correlated with diversity (Spearman = -0.7). Two patients were positive for VRE; both had microbiomes dominated by Enterococcus faecium , accounting for 67%-84% of their microbiome. Conclusions Antibiotic exposure correlated with diversity; however, other environmental and host factors not easily obtainable in a clinical setting are also known to impact the microbiota. Therefore, direct measurement of microbiome disruption by sequencing, rather than reliance on surrogate markers, might be most predictive of adverse outcomes. If and when microbiome characterization becomes a standard diagnostic test, improving our understanding of microbiome dynamics will allow for interpretation of results to improve patient outcomes.
Abstract 5251: Role of mammalian Hippo Mst1/2 protein kinase signaling in lung cancer progression.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a major lung adenocarcinoma observed in humans. Therapeutic options for patients with NSCLC are very limited and palliative since the disease mechanism is poorly understood. The Mst1/2 serine-threonine kinase, related to hippo (hpo) in drosophila, has emerged as an important regulator of tumorigenesis with poorer prognosis. However, the biological significance of Mst/Hippo in lung cancer pathogenesis remains to be determined. In this study, we assessed Mst1/2 expression at protein levels by western blots in cultures and in primary and metastatic lung cancer tissues by immunohistochemistry, and investigated the potential functional link between EGFR and Mst/Hippo signaling in well-characterized NSCLC cell models in vitro. We found that Mst1/2 protein levels were reduced by at least 50% in two out of five lung tumor cell lines analyzed. Surprisingly, reduction was observed in Erlotinib resistant H1734 and H1975 lung tumor cells. In agreement with this observation, Mst1 protein declined in primary lung tumor and was undetectable in metastatic lung cancer compared to non-cancerous counterparts. In addition, we showed that enforced Mst1 expression significantly increased sensitivity to EGFR inhibition by Erlotinib compared to mock treatment. We also showed that the activation of EGFR by epidermal growth factor (EGF) attenuated the Mst1 mediation of cell growth suppression. Taken together, our findings suggest that the loss of Mst/Hippo functions could contribute to lung tumor progression and acquired resistance to EGFR inhibitor. A molecular understanding of how these two opposing signals biochemically and functionally intersect may improve current EGFR blockade therapy. Citation Format: Bekir Cinar, Almet Alptekin, Ronald B. Natale. Role of mammalian Hippo Mst1/2 protein kinase signaling in lung cancer progression. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5251. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-5251
Magnetic-Bottle Electron Spectrometer For Measuring Isolated 25 as Pulses

A magnetic-bottle electron energy spectrometer was designed and constructed to measure a 25 as XUV pulse. Numerical simulations and experimental results showed the spectrometer is capable to meet the energy resolution required by such measurements.
The Pattern of Retail Food Stores in a Small City

effect on the kinds and character of goods made available, the prices charged for them, and the time and effort required for shopping. Growers, makers, and distributors are concerned with the costs of marketing, with the time and effort required to distribute foods, and with their effect on the prices they receive, and therefore, their profits. In fact the character of retail outlets is a major determinant of over-all market efficiency. Considerable concern is expressed today in many quarters regarding the high costs of distributing goods in proportion to the costs of growing and making them. Since retailing accounts for a larger proportion of these costs than any other step in marketing, it, together with transportation, offers more significant opportunities for decreasing costs than do other aspects of marketing. Comparatively little is actually known about the organization of retailing in specific communities and the interrelations between stores and their characteristics. We know little about the effect of this organization and these interrelations as they now exist on the welfare of those engaged in the business and on that of the community. Likewise we do not know their relation to prices,
Exposure to Low Concentrations of Benzene Series Material on Workers' health

[Objective] To understand the effect of the long-term exposure to low concentrations of benzene series material on the health of workers.[Methods]Observer group and control group were established,and the inspections were taken on hemogram,blood pressure,electrocardiogram,and other items of the two groups.The concentrations of benzene,toluene,and xylene of observer group in the operating environment were determined.[Results] The 2 groups had no significant difference in blood pressure;The total rate of abnormal electrocardiogram and the incidence of abnormal electrocardiogram by the statistical analysis had no significant difference,however,abnormal heart rate(That was,relieve sinus,sinus speed,premature,block,Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome as a whole) between observation group and control group existed significant differences(χ2=7.63,P0.01),and that was,the incidence of arrhythmia in observation group was significantly higher than that in control group;the positive rate of leukocyte reduction in blood was significantly higher than that in control group,however,there was no significant difference in the reduction of hemoglobin and thrombocytopenia.[Conclusion] Long-term exposure to low concentrations of benzene series material can damage bone marrow hematopoietic function,cause leucopenia and disorder of autonomic nervous system,then,leading to arrhythmia.
Development of a new fluorescent angiotensin II probe

Angiotensin II (ANG II) was conjugated to polystyrene Latex fluorescent microspheres (0.5 or 0.05 micron diam) with carbodiimide. Biological activity of the ANG II-conjugated microspheres (ANG II microspheres) was assessed in dispersed hepatocytes. The 0.05 micron ANG II microspheres inhibited glucagon-stimulated adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate accumulation and stimulated phosphorylase activity in hepatocytes, whereas the 0.5 micron ANG II microspheres only stimulated phosphorylase activity. The biological activity of the ANG II microspheres was caused by the conjugated ANG II and not by "free" ANG II associated with the spheres or by trypsin-like activity of hepatocytes causing release of ANG II from the microspheres. Binding of 0.05 micron ANG II to hepatocytes was readily observed with fluorescence microscopy. Little, if any, binding was observed with microspheres without conjugated ANG II. This fluorescent preparation of ANG II may have great utility in the study of receptor behavior after binding in individual cells.
Using weak ties to understand the resource usage and sharing patterns of a professional learning community

This research demonstrates the utility of the theory of weak ties for understanding the patterns of resource usage and sharing in an online professional learning community. Our context of study is a community of educators using and sharing teaching resources such as lesson plans, presentation slides and animations. We consider whether the deduced relationships between members of the community of educators constitute weak ties. A deduced relationship exists when two educators access the same resource. If these deduced relationships do constitute weak ties, then other theorized network properties should also be manifest, namely homophily and triadic closures. Our findings support these theoretical conjectures. Firstly, results indicate that the strength of a tie is directly proportional to the level of similarity between users in the network in terms of their propensity to use and share resources and their level of comfort with and use of technology (homophily property). Secondly, we found strong support for the triadic closure property (formation of a weak tie between unconnected nodes that share a common neighbor). Thus, we developed a computational model to predict the formation of weak ties via triadic closures with an accuracy of 97.8 %. Finally, we show that augmenting collaborative and hybrid recommender systems with our triadic closure prediction model can improve the performance of these systems.
Banting Lecture 2001: Dysregulation of Fatty Acid Metabolism in the Etiology of Type 2 Diabetes

Readers of this journal do not need to be reminded of the explosive increase in obesity/type 2 diabetes syndromes and their attendant staggering public health costs that are currently afflicting developed countries. Because of this alarming development and what it portends for the future if left unchecked, the American Diabetes Association, together with its counterparts around the world, as well as the World Health Organization, are faced with the daunting challenge of finding answers to two huge questions. First, what is the pathophysiological basis for these disorders? Second, why is their rate of appearance accelerating so rapidly at this particular juncture of human history, and what, if anything, can we do to intervene? The primary focus of this lecture will be on the first of these issues. I want to emphasize at the outset that I do not plan to dwell exclusively on our own studies in this area. Instead, I shall try to incorporate recent developments from a variety of other laboratories working in the field. Although these will of necessity have to be highly selective, I hope that collectively they will illustrate how we have come to a relatively new and exciting way of thinking about the etiology of type 2 diabetes. It has been said in literary circles that James Joyce’s Ulysses is probably the most frequently opened and least read book that has ever been published. In a similar vein, I sometimes think that the question of what causes type 2 diabetes might be one of the most frequently asked and least satisfactorily answered in the history of diabetes research. This is not meant to be an arrogant statement, nor indeed does it imply that I have a magical solution to the question at hand. Rather, it simply reflects the fact that at the dawn of …
Ingathering of the Jews

This study encompasses the Jews of the Ottoman Empire, those who lived in the areas now known as Southeastern Europe, Turkey, and the Middle East, from about 1300, when the empire was established under the leadership of Osman I, until its dissolution at the end of World War I. It then carries on the story of the Jews in the principal Ottoman successor state in modern times, the Republic of Turkey.
The Apache Wars: The Hunt for Geronimo, the Apache Kid, and the Captive Boy Who Started the Longest War in American History. By Paul Andrew Hutton.

The Apache Wars: The Hunt for Geronimo, the Apache Kid, and the Captive Boy Who Started the Longest War in American History . By Paul Andrew Hutton. (New York: Crown, 2016. xiv + 514 pp. Illustrations, maps, notes, bibliography, index. $30.00, CAN$40.00; $30.00, e-book.) Nineteenth-century Apacheria encompassed an enormous expanse of the desert and rugged mountain terrain of the American Southwest and northern Mexico, a landscape well suited to the guerrilla warfare strategies employed by independent and widely scattered Apache bands. The resulting wars consumed four bloody decades of raids and reprisals, more often resembling small skirmishes rather than decisive battles. Over time, however, relentless military pursuits and the burning of Indian encampments deprived the Apaches of their most remote sanctuaries and forced the last groups to surrender in 1886. Paul Andrew Hutton, professor of history at the University of New … mtate{at}mail.unomaha.edu
Let Graphics Tell the Story - Datasets in R

Graphics are good for showing the information in datasets and for complementing modelling. Sometimes graphics show information models miss, sometimes graphics help to make model results more understandable, and sometimes models show whether information from graphics has statistical support or not. It is the interplay of the two approaches that is valuable. Graphics could be used a lot more in R examples and we explore this idea with some datasets available in R packages.
Forced Waves and Wave-Zonal Flow Interactions

As was discussed in Chapter 1, there is an extensive body of observational evidence which indicates that vertically propagating planetary waves generated in the troposphere provide a large fraction of the eddy momentum and heat fluxes in the stratosphere. The stratosphere may be regarded as a source-free region for such disturbances, and their dynamics are approximately described by linear wave theory. In Section 2.4 we discussed the dynamics of forced linear wave motions for a motionless basic state atmosphere. For diurnal and semidiurnal tidal oscillations, where the phase speeds are far in excess of observed zonal wind speeds, the theory of Section 2.4 represents a reasonable approximation to reality. However, for the much longer period planetary waves it is absolutely essential to take account of the spatially varying mean zonal wind. It turns out that the interaction between vertically propagating waves and the mean zonal flow depends crucially on the mean zonal wind profile. In particular, waves incident on a critical line along which the mean zonal wind speed equals the phase speed of the waves cannot pass the critical line but will, in general, be absorbed there by the mean flow.
Advances in nonlinear, active, and anisotropic artificial impedance surfaces

We discuss recent advances in nonlinear, active, and anisotropic artificial impedance surfaces. These structures are a form of planar metamaterial in which the impedance is defined by a periodic metallic structure which may include nonlinear or active components. In order to achieve high anisotropy in arbitrary patterns, nonperiodic strucutres are required. By adding nonlinear elements such as diodes, varactors, and other components, power-dependent and frequency self-tuning structures may be built. In addition, by incorporating active components such as non-Foster circuit elements, is is possible to make broadband fast-wave and slow-wave structures which provide a wide degree of control over the interaction between electromagnetic waves and the surface.
The kinetic stabilizer axisymmetric tandem mirror : A review of approaches to its implementation

An axisymmetric tandem mirror system should possess many advantages over conventional tandem-mirror systems. The Kinetic Stabilizer Tandem Mirror (k-S T-M) represents one possible way to MHD-stabilize such systems. However, to design such systems requires the simultaneous satisfaction of MHD stabilization conditions and the constraints of technological feasibility and acceptable power demands This paper reviews the basic requirements for a K-S T-M and discusses various technological approaches for meeting those requirements.
The Dilemma of DDR

Examining the relationship between transitional politics and the outcomes of the DDR programme, this chapter critically analyses dilemma of DDR in Nepal. In particular, the chapter discusses three major themes: power-sharing as well as conflicting needs and interests of the political actors; the vagueness of the peace agreement documents; and political will to participate in DDR. The chapter then analyses how these three themes have affected the process and outcomes of the DDR process. The chapter argues that dealing with ex-combatants can become extremely politicised if a DDR programme emerges from a politically negotiated peace process where the transitional politics continues to move away from a culture of consensus towards deep polarisation and fragmentation between key actors in the peace process. It also shows that “political will” and commitment of an insurgent organisation is critically vital for a better outcome of a DDR programme.
Defeating lag in network-distributed physics simulations: an architecture supporting declarative network physics representation protocols

Current shared worlds for games, simulations, AR, and VR rely on "good-enough" intuitively correct depictions of shared world state. This is inadequate to provide repeatable, verifiable results for decision-making, safety related/equipment-in-the-loop simulations, or distributed multi-user augmented reality. These require world representations which are physically correct to a designer-defined level of fidelity and produce repeatable, verifiable results. A network-distributed dynamic simulation architecture as illustrated in Figure 1 is presented, with consistent distributed state and selective level of physics-based fidelity with known bounds on transient durations when state diverges due to external input. Coherent dynamic state has previously been considered impossible.
Learning from outbreaks of Escherichia coli O157:H7 caused by low pH foods.

Abstract: Most bacteria cannot grow or survive in low pH environments; hence, increasing the acidity of foods, either through fermentation such as in making sausage, cheese and other dairy products or by the addition of weak acids, such as in pickling, has been used as a method of food preservation since ancient times. Accordingly, foods that have low pH have often been regarded as being low-risk in terms of food safety. This chapter examines the safety of acidic foods and the effectiveness of low pH in controlling enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) serotype O157:H7, a pathogen that has caused foodborne illnesses worldwide.
Apoptotic mechanisms for neuronal cells in early brain injury after subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Objects: The major causes of death and disability in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) may be early brain injury (EBI) and cerebral vasospasm. Although cerebral vasospasm has been studied and treated by a lot of drugs, the outcome is not improved even if vasospasm is reversed. Based on these data, EBI is considered a primary target for future research, and apoptosis may be involved in EBI after experimental SAH.
Trends in overdose-related out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Arizona.

Abstract Aim Opioid overdose mortality has increased in North America; however, recent regional trends in the proportion of treated overdose-related out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OD-OHCA) compared to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest of presumed cardiac etiology (C-OHCA) are largely unknown. Our aim is to assess trends in the prevalence and outcomes of OD-OHCAs compared to C-OHCAs in Arizona. Methods Statewide, observational study utilizing an Utstein-style database with EMS-first care reports linked with hospital records, and vital statistics data from 2010 to 2015. Results There were 21,658 OHCAs during the study period. After excluding non-C-OHCAs, non-OD-OHCAs, and cases missing outcome data, 18,562 cases remained. Of these remaining cases, 17,591 (94.8%) were C-OHCAs and 971 (5.2%) were OD-OHCAs. There was a significant increase in the proportion of OD-OHCAs from 2010, 4.7% (95% CI: 3.9–5.5) to 2015, 6.6% (95% CI: 5.8–7.5). Mean age for OD-OHCAs was 38 years compared to 66 years for C-OHCAs, (p Conclusion There has been a significant increase in the proportion of OD-OHCAs in Arizona between 2010–2015. OD-OHCA patients were younger, were less likely to present with a shockable rhythm, and more likely to survive than patients with C-OHCA. These data should be considered in prevention and treatment efforts.
Money Matters: Fueling Rapid Recent Insight Into Xylella fastidiosa-An Important and Expanding Global Pathogen

Xylella fastidiosa has emerged from relative obscurity into one of the most well-studied bacterial plant pathogens. While Pierce's disease of grape caused by this pathogen has been recognized as an important disease in warmer regions of the United States for nearly 100 years, the causal pathogen, X. fastidiosa has spread throughout much of the world and now also causes serious diseases of citrus, coffee, almond, olive, and other important crop plants. Our knowledge of this pathogen has been driven by the recent substantial research support justified by the economic importance of these diseases.
How Size and Aggregation of Ice-Binding Proteins Control Their Ice Nucleation Efficiency

Organisms that thrive at cold temperatures produce ice-binding proteins to manage the nucleation and growth of ice. Bacterial ice-nucleating proteins (INP) are typically large and form aggregates in the cell membrane, while insect hyperactive antifreeze proteins (AFP) are soluble and generally small. Experiments indicate that larger ice-binding proteins and their aggregates nucleate ice at warmer temperatures. Nevertheless, a quantitative understanding of how size and aggregation of ice-binding proteins determine the temperature Thet at which proteins nucleate ice is still lacking. Here, we address this question using molecular simulations and nucleation theory. The simulations indicate that the 2.5 nm long antifreeze protein TmAFP nucleates ice at 2 ± 1 °C above the homogeneous nucleation temperature, in good agreement with recent experiments. We predict that the addition of ice-binding loops to TmAFP increases Thet, but not enough to compete in efficiency with the bacterial INP. We implement an accurate procedure to determine Thet of surfaces of finite size using classical nucleation theory, and, after validating the theory against Thet of the proteins in molecular simulations, we use it to predict Thet of the INP of Ps. syringae as a function of the length and number of proteins in the aggregates. We conclude that assemblies with at most 34 INP already reach the Thet = -2 °C characteristic of this bacterium. Interestingly, we find that Thet is a strongly varying nonmonotonic function of the distance between proteins in the aggregates. This indicates that, to achieve maximum freezing efficiency, bacteria must exert exquisite, subangstrom control of the distance between INP in their membrane.
Reactions of Azines. Part 9. Preparation of 4,5-Dihydropyrazolo(1,5-a)pyridines, 6,7-Dihydropyrazolo(1,5-a)pyridines, and Pyrazolo(1,5-a)pyridines.

The hydrazinovinylphosphonium bromides (II), prepared from the alkynes (I) or (III), are converted to the triphenylphosphoranylidene azines (V) which react with the ketenes (VI), yielding the allenes (VII).
Trends in e-visit adoption among U.S. office-based physicians: Evidence from the 2011-2015 NAMCS.

Abstract Background Electronic visits (e-visits) have the potential to expand patients’ access to care and reduce healthcare costs. We aimed to describe trends in e-visit adoption among the U.S. office-based physicians and examine physician-and practice-level factors associated with e-visit adoption. Methods This was a retrospective observational study of 2011–2015 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. We used the Cochran-Armitage tests to evaluate trend changes in e-visit adoption among the U.S. office-based physicians. Multivariable logistic regression was used to calculate the odds of adopting e-visits adjusting for physician and practice characteristics. Results Our sample included 10,767 respondents, representing 327,836 office-based physicians in the U.S. Our analysis indicated that, in 2015, 15.9% of physicians adopted e-visits, which is a minor increase of 2.2% in total utilization of 13.7% in 2011. The likelihood of adopting e-visits was 2.7 times higher for physicians who have fully implemented electronic health records systems compared (odds ratio, 2.66, [95% CI, 2.16–3.28]) to physicians who have not implemented EHRs. Other predictors of e-visit adoption included primary care rather than specialty care, capitated payment model, and having a secure messaging capability. Conclusions Our study demonstrates that overall e-visit adoption is low and has not been implemented as rapidly as other health information technologies. While use of secure information technology could be a facilitator for e-visit implementation, there are other barriers affecting widespread adoption. E-visits are a promising strategy for increasing patients’ access to care. Future research is needed to explore implementation barriers that might be impeding e-visit adoption.
Engaged Buddhism as Human Rights Ethos: the Constructivist Quest for Cosmopolitanism

As the fundamental authority of universal rights claims are contested in a declining liberal international order, constructivists seek to transcend the limits of the Western, rationalist rights ethos and explore humanistic spiritual alternatives. This essay will evaluate the promise of a leading non-Western cosmopolitan ethos: engaged Buddhism. Buddhism offers a vision of universal compassion and moral responsibility that has shaped influential global advocacy efforts, with the potential to address a significant sector of the world community. But the Buddhist ethos has functioned as both a source of and a challenge to state power and nationalist identity in an era of globalization. Through examining a range of contemporary movements of engaged Buddhism in Tibet, Burma, Thailand, and Taiwan, we will see how this form of religious cosmopolitanism can play a role in constructing a rights ethos—if and when it maintains critical autonomy and Buddhist spiritual detachment from worldly power.