cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Differential effects of rosiglitazone and insulin glargine on inflammatory markers, glycemic control, and lipids in type 2 diabetes.

Abstract Type 2 diabetes remains a difficult clinical challenge characterized by progressive insulin deficiency and frequent cardiovascular events requiring multiple therapeutic decisions. In this randomized clinical trial, we assessed the comparative effects of rosiglitazone (RSG) and insulin glargine (IG) on inflammatory biomarkers, glycemic control, and lipids. Forty subjects with type 2 diabetes and inadequate glycemic control on sulfonylurea and metformin therapy received 24 weeks of add-on therapy with either RSG 4 mg daily or IG 10 units daily. Subjects on RSG with fasting glucose values >120 mg/dl at 12 weeks were increased from 4 to 8 mg. Subjects on IG increased insulin doses until fasting glucose was RSG and IG demonstrated similar efficacy in reducing HbA1c levels by 1.5 and 1.4%, respectively, with greater weight gain with RSG. Hypoglycemic events occurred with equal frequency. IG did not reduce hsCRP, but RSG reduced hsCRP levels 45% from baseline. Both IG and RSG reduced F2-isoprostanes similarly. IG did not affect PAI-1 levels, but did reduce total, LDL, and non-HDL cholesterol levels. Despite similar HbA1c reductions with RSG and IG, differential effects were found on inflammatory biomarkers and lipids that deserve consideration in the clinical decision process of selecting a therapeutic agent.
Developmental toxicity of Louisiana crude oil-spiked sediment to zebrafish

Embryonic exposures to the components of petroleum, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), cause a characteristic suite of developmental defects and cardiotoxicity in a variety of fish species. We exposed zebrafish embryos to reference sediment mixed with laboratory weathered South Louisiana crude oil and to sediment collected from an oiled site in Barataria Bay, Louisiana in December 2010. Laboratory oiled sediment exposures caused a reproducible set of developmental malformations in zebrafish embryos including yolk sac and pericardial edema, craniofacial and spinal defects, and tissue degeneration. Dose-response studies with spiked sediment showed that total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (tPAH) concentrations of 27mg tPAH/kg (dry weight normalized to 1 percent organic carbon [1 percent OC]) caused a significant increase in defects, and concentrations above 78mg tPAH/kg 1 percent OC caused nearly complete embryo mortality. No toxicity was observed in Barataria sediment with 2mg tPAH/kg 1 percent OC. Laboratory aging of spiked sediment at 4°C resulted in a nearly 10-fold decrease in sensitivity over a 40-day period. This study demonstrates oiled sediment as an exposure pathway to fish with dose-dependent effects on embryogenesis that are consistent with PAH mechanisms of developmental toxicity. The results have implications for effects on estuarine fish from oiled coastal areas during the Deepwater Horizon spill.
Forest harvesting and water: the Lake States experience

The impact of forests on water has been a subject of argument for more than a century. It still is; and many studies conform that there is no single right answer in the debate. In the Lake States, clearcutting natural peatlands will not change annual streamflow nor will it seriously impact water quality if logging is done on frozen soils. However, clearcutting will cause water tables to fluctuate more, ranging from 9 cm higher to 19 cm lower than in peatlands with mature forests. Clearcutting upland hardwoods or conifers will increase annual streamflow by 9 to 20 cm (a 30- to 80-percent increase). Streamflow returns to preharvest levels in 12 to 15 years. Annual peak flows are at least doubled and snowmelt flood-peak increases may persist for 15 years. Water quality is not widely impacted, but operating logging equipment in stream channels will cause channel clogging by filamentous algae and loss of fish habitat. Permanent changes from forest to agricultural and urban land use on two- thirds or more of a watershed will significantly increase the size of flood peaks in the 2- to 30-year return interval storm or snowmelt.
Accountability Payoffs in Federal Systems?: Competing Logics and Evidence from Europe's Newest Federation

Accountability has gained considerable currency in discourse on democratic representation, especially for heterogeneous societies having multilevel governance. Because federalism endows political systems with a range of institutional mechanisms for incorporating regional identities, building consensus, and protecting minority interests, a frequent contention is that it enhances democratic accountability. This article explores the relationship between federalism and accountability on three levels: (1) conceptual distinctions; (2) federation/non-federation comparisons; and (3) comparisons among federal variants. Federal/unitary comparisons reveal the limitations of a narrow interpretation of federalism as constitutionalism, with its presumption of federation as a guarantor of accountability. Comparing across federations, variation in accountability depends as much on the rules-in-use as it does on the constitution-in-form. The difficulties inherent in linking federalism with clear payoffs in terms of institutional and individual accountability are illustrated by developments in Western Europe's newest federation: Belgium. Copyright , Oxford University Press.
Kinetics of Saturated, Monounsaturated, and Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Humans

Plasma free fatty acid (FFA) kinetics in humans are often measured with only one tracer. In study 1, healthy volunteers received infusions of [U-13C]linoleate, [U-13C]oleate, and [U-13C]palmitate during continuous feeding with liquid meals low (n = 12) and high (n = 5) in palmitate and containing three labeled fatty acids to measure FFA appearance and fractional spillover of lipoprotein lipase–generated fatty acids. Study 2 used an intravenous lipid emulsion to increase FFA concentrations during infusion of linoleate and palmitate tracers. In study 1, there were no differences in spillover of the three fatty acids for the low-palmitate meal, but linoleate spillover was greater than oleate or palmitate for the high-palmitate meal. In studies 1 and 2, clearance was significantly greater for linoleate than for the other FFAs. There was a negative correlation between clearance and concentration for each fatty acid in the two studies. In study 1, concentration and spillover correlated positively for oleate and palmitate but negatively for linoleate. In conclusion, linoleate spillover is greater than that of other fatty acids under some circumstances. Linoleate clearance is greater than that of palmitate or oleate, indicating a need for caution when using a single FFA to infer the behavior of all fatty acids.
Perioperative factors associated with HCAHPS responses of 2,758 surgical patients.

Objective To determine perioperative treatments and events associated with Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) survey responses. Design Retrospective analysis. Setting Single tertiary care, academic, urban, level-1 trauma center. Participants Final cohort represents 2,758 consecutive surgical inpatients meeting criteria for evaluation by HCAHPS. Exposures Responses to four HCAHPS questions were compared against 19 perioperative treatments and events. Measures Positive and negative responses to HCAHPS questions. Results Patients responding affirmatively with a “9” or “10” to “what number would you use to rate this hospital” were associated with decreased lengths of hospitalization, greater lengths of surgery, decreased intraoperative opioid equianalgesic doses, greater preoperative midazolam doses, shorter post anesthesia care unit (PACU) lengths of stay and decreased last PACU numerical rating scale (NRS) pain scores. Patients responding affirmatively with “yes, definitely” to “would you recommend this hospital to your family” were associated with decreased last PACU NRS pain scores. Patients responding affirmatively with “yes, always” to “How often did the hospital staff do everything to help with your pain” were associated with decreased hospital lengths of stay, decreased chronic benzodiazepine use, greater chronic NSAID use, and decreased PACU lengths of stay. Patients responding affirmatively with “yes, always” to “how often was your pain well controlled” were associated with decreased chronic opioid use, decreased chronic benzodiazepine use, greater chronic NSAID use, increased length of surgery, decreased last PACU NRS pain score, and decreased first PACU NRS pain scores. Subgroup analysis of patients undergoing different types of surgery further characterized factors associated with HCAHPS responses among different surgical populations. Conclusions These data suggest that demographic factors, preadmission medications, and PACU pain scores but not analgesic medications are associated with patient satisfaction with regards to both pain management and overall satisfaction.
Birefringence and polarization effects in fiber gyroscopes

A formalism is presented for treating birefringence and polarization in fiber optic sensors. This formalism is applied to study theoretical characteristics of fiber gyroscopes which are operated with various states of polarization of the input light including nonpolarized and partially polarized light, which have potentially useful characteristics. Measurements supporting the theoretical predictions are described.
Precision and bias of target controlled propofol infusion for sedation.

Background The purpose of this study is to test precision and systematic bias of a target controlled infusion (TCI) of propofol in human volunteers at two sedative concentrations. Methods We studied the ‘Diprifusor’ model (Marsh Pharmacokinetics and a Graseby® 3400 infusion pump) in 18 human volunteers at two sedative target plasma concentrations (0.5 and 1.0 μg ml−1). Twenty minutes after infusion start or change and 20 min after discontinuation of the infusion plasma propofol concentrations were measured using liquid chromatography–mass spectroscopy (LC-MS). Plasma propofol concentrations were compared with concentrations predicted by the TCI system. Agreement of those two measures (precision and bias) was determined using regression analysis. Results We found little systematic bias but poor precision. When setting the TCI system to deliver a plasma concentration of 1.0 μg ml−1 one can predict the actual plasma concentration with 95% confidence only within a range of 0.44–1.38 μg ml−1. Conclusions This finding helps to explain differences in responses to propofol sedation; pharmacokinetic variability appears to be an important factor.
Catch bonds in adhesion.

One of the most exciting discoveries in biological adhesion is the recent and counter-intuitive observation that the lifetimes of some biological adhesive bonds, called catch bonds, are enhanced by tensile mechanical force. At least two types of adhesive proteins have been shown to form catch bonds—blood proteins called selectins and a bacterial protein called FimH. Both mediate shear-enhanced adhesion, in which cells bind more strongly at high shear than at low shear. Single-molecule experiments and cell-free assays have now clearly demonstrated that catch bonds exist and mediate shear-enhanced adhesion. However, the mechanics of cellular organelles also contribute to shear-enhanced adhesion by modulating the force applied to catch bonds. This review examines how individual catch bond behavior contributes to shear-enhanced cellular adhesion for the two best-understood examples. The lessons from these systems offer design principles for understanding other types of shear-enhanced adhesion and for engineer...
Political Preference Formation: Competition, Deliberation, and the (Ir)relevance of Framing Effects

One of the most contested questions in the social sciences is whether people behave rationally. A large body of work assumes that individuals do in fact make rational economic, political, and social decisions. Yet hundreds of experiments suggest that this is not the case. Framing effects constitute one of the most stunning and influential demonstrations of irrationality. The effects not only challenge the foundational assumptions of much of the social sciences (e.g., the existence of coherent preferences or stable attitudes), but also lead many scholars to adopt alternative approaches (e.g., prospect theory). Surprisingly, virtually no work has sought to specify the political conditions under which framing effects occur. I fill this gap by offering a theory and experimental test. I show how contextual forces (e.g., elite competition, deliberation) and individual attributes (e.g., expertise) affect the success of framing. The results provide insight into when rationality assumptions apply and, also, have broad implications for political psychology and experimental methods.
Surgical Resection of Lung Cancer in the Elderly

Assessment for thoracic surgery in elderly patients should be based on physiologic rather than chronologic age. Thoracic surgery has been shown to be safe in selected elderly patients, and age should not be a contraindication to a therapy that offers the best chance of cure for patients with early-stage cancer. A targeted preoperative assessment can help individualize the risk of morbidity and mortality for each patient, and thus provide both surgeon and patient with the information needed for operative decision making. Operative interventions in the elderly require coordinated attention to the specific requirements of the aged. Specialized multidisciplinary care provided by primary care physicians, geriatric specialists, cardiologists, oncologists, surgeons, anesthetists, nurses, physical therapists, and nutrition specialists optimizes care for the elderly patient undergoing thoracic surgery. Careful selection of patients for surgery has contributed to the improvement in operative mortality over time, and refinements in preoperative testing should continue this trend in the future. The goal is to provide surgery to the maximum number of patients at the minimal cost of mortality and loss of independence.
Intestinal Strongyloides causing peritoneal eosinophilia in peritoneal dialysis

A 59-year-old Laotian male with a past medical history of multiple myeloma on peritoneal dialysis (PD) presented with abdominal pain and peritoneal eosinophilia. He was treated empirically for bacterial peritonitis and discharged although his PD fluid did not isolate any pathogens. He soon developed a partial small bowel obstruction and his serum Strongyloides IgG was positive. After treatment with ivermectin, stool microscopic examination showed Strongyloides stercoralis larvae. This case illustrates that the differential diagnosis of peritoneal eosinophilia should include typical and atypical infections in addition to an allergic or hypersensitivity type reaction.
Racial disparities during admission to an academic psychiatric hospital in a large urban area

Multiple studies confirm that African Americans are less likely than non-Hispanic whites to receive needed mental health services. Research has consistently shown that African Americans are under-represented in outpatient mental health treatment settings and are over-represented in inpatient psychiatric settings. Further, African Americans are more likely to receive a diagnosis of schizophrenia and are less likely receive an affective disorder diagnosis during inpatient psychiatric hospitalization compared to non-Hispanic white patients, pointing to a need for examining factors contributing to mental health disparities. Using Andersen's Behavioral Model of Health Service Use, this study examined predisposing, enabling and need factors differentially associated with health service utilization among African American and non-Hispanic white patients (n=5183) during psychiatric admission. We conducted univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to examine both main effects and interactions. In the multivariate model, African American race at admission was predicted by multiple factors including younger age, female gender, multiple psychiatric hospitalizations, elevated positive and negative symptoms of psychosis, a diagnosis of schizophrenia and substance use, as well as having housing and commercial insurance. Additionally, screening positive for cannabis use at intake was found to moderate the relationship between being female and African American. Our study findings highlight the importance of examining mental health disparities using a conceptual framework developed for vulnerable populations (such as racial minorities and patients with co-occurring substance use).
Cancelable Biometrics: A Case Study in Fingerprints

Biometrics offers usability advantages over traditional token and password based authentication schemes, but raises privacy and security concerns. When compromised, credit cards and passwords can be revoked or replaced while biometrics are permanently associated with a user and cannot be replaced. Cancelable biometrics attempt to solve this by constructing revocable biometric templates. We present several constructs for cancelable templates us- ing feature domain transformations and empirically exam- ine their efficacy. We also present a method for accurate registration which is a key step in building cancelable trans- forms. The overall approach has been tested using large databases and our results demonstrate that without losing much accuracy, we can build a large number of cancelable transforms for fingerprints.
Teaching and Studying the Middle English Romance: New Directions, Affiliations, and Pleasures of the Text

This article surveys recent scholarship on Middle English romances, observing that outside Malory, Chaucer, and the Gawain-poet, most romances remain little-known. To be sure, the corpus and development of Middle English romance are unwieldy and complicated, compared to that of Old French romance. New work on the romances, however, redefines the relationships between Middle English romance and its French sources, explores the aesthetic values of Middle English romances, and offers new approaches to teaching Middle English romances beyond the few most famous ones. Moreover, theoretical approaches to medieval romance encourage discussions across traditional period boundaries; medievalists also have special skills to contribute to scholarship. Current work on medieval English romance focuses on its aesthetic as well as cultural properties, bringing both into play in the classroom as well as in scholarship.
The Arabidopsis ATR1 Myb Transcription Factor Controls Indolic Glucosinolate Homeostasis

Plants derive a number of important secondary metabolites from the amino acid tryptophan (Trp), including the growth regulator indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and defense compounds against pathogens and herbivores. In previous work, we found that a dominant overexpression allele of the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) Myb transcription factor ATR1, atr1D, activates expression of a Trp synthesis gene as well as the Trp-metabolizing genes CYP79B2, CYP79B3, and CYP83B1, which encode enzymes implicated in production of IAA and indolic glucosinolate (IG) antiherbivore compounds. Here, we show that ATR1 overexpression confers elevated levels of IAA and IGs. In addition, we show that an atr1 loss-of-function mutation impairs expression of IG synthesis genes and confers reduced IG levels. Furthermore, the atr1-defective mutation suppresses Trp gene dysregulation in a cyp83B1 mutant background. Together, this work implicates ATR1 as a key homeostatic regulator of Trp metabolism and suggests that ATR1 can be manipulated to coordinately control the suite of enzymes that synthesize IGs.
Socioeconomic status, perceived need, and the mobilization of officials

Abstract Research on the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and the mobilization of officials has produced conflicting results. A number of conceptual and methodological problems may have contributed to such results. In this study, we examine the effects of SES on contacting officials in a way that avoids many of these problems. Focusing on the mobilization of officials in response to various neighborhood problems and restricting the analysis to individuals who perceive a particular neighborhood situation as a big problem, we found that income has no effect on the likelihood of contacting officials and education has a weak though inconsistent effect. We also found that the best predictors of contacting officials were having gotten together with neighbors to solve the problem and being a member of a block club.
The nursing lens.

In 1983 Claire Fagin and Donna Diers wrote about nursing as metaphor. In an editorial in the New England Journal of Medicine, they reflected on the reactions of people whom they were meeting socially when they were told, “I am a nurse.” The nurses received a number of reactions, some of which they believed were due to underlying stereotypes and suggested that nursing was a metaphor for mothering, class struggle, equality, conscience and intimacy. Their metaphor? Florence Nightingale, “tough, canny, powerful, autonomous and heroic.”
Sensitivity of Botrytis cinerea from Connecticut Greenhouses to Benzimidazole and Dicarboximide Fungicides

Botrytis cinerea was isolated from infected plants in six greenhouses in Connecticut. Forty-five isolates were evaluated in vitro to determine fungicide sensitivity to benzimidazole (benomyl and thiophanate-methyl) and dicarboximide fungicides (vinclozolin and iprodione). B. cinerea isolates with fungicide resistance were recovered from each greenhouse sampled. Benzimida-zole resistance was more common than dicarboximide resistance (74 to 76% versus 36 to 43%, respectively). Multiple fungicide resistance was common. Nineteen isolates were resistant to both a benzimidazole and a dicarboximide fungicide. The level (EC50) of resistance to dicer-boximides was low compared with resistance to benzimidazoles. Isolate growth rate was not correlated to fungicide sensitivity or EC50. Fungicide resistance was apparently unrelated to the patterns of fungicide use in greenhouses sampled.
Inhibition of antibody production by 2-chloroadenosine

Abstract The ability of 2-chloroadenosine (2Cl Ado) to modulate lymphocyte function was examined in culture and in vivo . Mitogenic stimulation of B cell DNA synthesis was antagonized by 2Cl Ado while adenosine produced both stimulation and inhibitions. In culture, 2Cl Ado was found to suppress antibody production to sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) regardless of whether the nucleoside was added at the initiation of culture or 48 hours after sensitization. Inhibiting adenosine deaminase (ADA) did not affect the response to 2Cl Ado, and 1-homocysteine thiolactone was found to potentiate the inhibition suggesting formation of S-adenosylhomocysteine. Similar responses were found with adenosine provided ADA was inhibited. When 2Cl Ado was administered to mice 3–4 days after SRBC, a concentration-dependent decrease in antibody producing cells was observed. These data suggest that nucleosides can inhibit antibody production by inhibiting transmethylation reactions. 2Cl Ado appears to be an effective immunosuppressant without concomitant cytotoxicity both in culture and in vivo .
Design of Mach-4 and Mach-6 Nozzles for the NASA LaRC 8-Ft High Temperature Tunnel

The aerodynamic contours for two new nozzles have been designed for the NASA Langley Research Center 8-Foot High Temperature Tunnel. The new Mach-4 and Mach-6 contours have 54.5-inch exit-diameters allowing for testing at high dynamic pressures. The Mach-4 nozzle will extend the test capability of the facility and allow turbine-based combined-cycle propulsion systems to be tested at conditions appropriate for the transition from the turbine to the scramjet flowpath. The Mach-6 nozzle will serve a dual purpose; to provide a Mach-6 test capability at high dynamic pressure and to be used in conjunction with an existing mixer section for testing at lower enthalpy conditions. This second use will extend the life of the existing Mach-7 nozzle which has been used for this purpose. The two new nozzles, in conjunction with existing nozzles, will allow for testing at Mach numbers of 3, 4, 5 and 6 at high dynamic pressures, and Mach 4, 5 and 7 at lower dynamic pressures but larger scales.
Utilization of shape data in molecular mechanics using a potential based on spherical harmonic surfaces

This article introduces a novel potential function that allows the use of topographical information in molecular modeling. Quantitative shape data are provided by techniques such as electron-microscopy–based three-dimensional image reconstruction for large macromolecular assemblies. Such data can provide important constraints for molecular mechanics. We represent topographical data by spherical harmonic surfaces, first used by Max and Getzoff21 for displaying molecular surfaces. A simple harmonic potential is used to constrain atoms within these spherical harmonic surfaces. This potential was implemented in the yammp molecular mechanics package.27 Implementation details and results of several test cases are discussed here. © 1994 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Convective transport about cylinder with surface reaction of arbitrary order

Heat and mass transfer from a circular cylinder exposed to a convective environment with a surface reaction of arbitrary order is studied based on the stream function-vorticity formulation. A hybrid numerical scheme combining the Fourier spectral method in the angular direction and the spectral element method in the radial direction is used to solve the conservation equations along with an influence matrix technique to resolve the vorticity boundary conditions. Results showing the temporal evolution of the flow, temperature and concentration fields are presented for cases with and without vortex shedding with the latter triggered by the cylinder's rotation. A parametric study is also performed to examine the influence of the Reynolds number, Grashof number, Prandtl number, Schmidt number, Damkohler number, the reaction order, the flow alignment, the heat of reaction, the rotational velocity and the flow pulsation on the effectiveness of the reaction surface. With the exception rotation, they all exhibit strong dependence.
NSF commission holds first meeting

There has been considerable discussion in Washington science policy circles over the past few weeks about the newly established National Science Board Commission on the Future of the National Science Foundation. The commission, chaired by William Danforth, chancellor of Washington University, and Robert Galvin, former chief executive officer of Motorola, held its first meeting on September 17. Unfortunately, this meeting offered few indications of what changes might result from this exercise.
Some Non-FDA Approved Uses for Neuromodulation: A Review of the Evidence.

Introduction Neuromodulation, including spinal cord stimulation and peripheral nerve field stimulation, has been used with success in treating several painful conditions. The FDA approved the use of neuromodulation for a few indications. We review evidence for neuromodulation in treating some important painful conditions that are not currently FDA approved. Methods This review included an online web search for only clinical trials testing the efficacy of neuromodulation in treating coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease (PVD), headache, and peripheral field stimulation. Results Our systematic literature search found 10, 6, and 3 controlled studies relating to coronary artery disease, PVD, and headache, respectively. Our review also included 5 noncontrolled studies relating to peripheral field stimulation, as no controlled studies had been completed. Conclusion This review article shows compelling evidence based on clinical trials that neuromodulation can be of benefit for patients with serious painful conditions that are not currently approved by the FDA.
A review of the Caribbean hamlets (Serranidae, Hypoplectrus) with description of two new species

Thirteen species of the Western Atlantic genus Hypoplectrus (Serranidae) are currently recognized, two of which are described as new. Hypoplectrus maya n. sp. (Maya hamlet) is restricted to the coastal lagoon of the Meso-American Barrier Reef system in Belize. It is a solid iridescent blue, lacks nose spots and lacks black margins on fins. Hypoplectrus randallorum n. sp. (Tan hamlet) is found widely in the central and western Caribbean. Its color varies from light brown to tan and it has spots on the nose, at the base of the pectoral fin and occasionally on the upper part of the caudal peduncle. All identified species of Hypoplectrus are illustrated in live coloration along with examples of color variations in H. nigricans and H. unicolor. A historical review of Hypoplectrus is included with a discussion of issues concerning their taxonomy.
Gastrointestinal and Hepatic Systems

Abdominal complaints are one of the most common reasons for outpatient medicine office visits. For the pediatric cancer survivor, it may be more than just a common psychosomatic complaint or attempt to avoid school and warrants careful consideration. Disruptions to the gastrointestinal system from cancer treatment can affect nutritional intake and lead to failure to thrive, chronic pain and hospitalization. The liver, one of the body’s most vital organs, is also susceptible to the long-term and late effects of cancer treatment. In this chapter, we will provide an overview of potential gastrointestinal and hepatic late effects from pediatric cancer treatment with guidelines for screening examinations and specialist referral.
Adaptive Live Migration to Improve Load Balancing in Virtual Machine Environment

Load balancing is one of the main challenges in a Virtual Machine (VM) Environment in order to ensure equal utilization of all the available resources while avoiding overloading a subset of machines. In this paper, we propose an efficient load balancing strategy based on VM live migration. Unlike previous work, our strategy records the history of mappings to inform future placement decisions. We also apply a workload-adaptive live migration algorithm in order to minimize VM downtime and improve the user experience. The evaluation shows that our load balancing technique is faster than previous approaches, thus reducing the decision generating latency by as much as 79%. Furthermore, the results also show that we provide minimal downtime. Compared with competitors, our proposed migration mechanism reduces the downtime by up to 73%.
Characteristics of Asexual Reproduction in the Sea Anemone, Haliplanella Luciae (Verrill), Reared in the Laboratory

Longitudinal fission and pedal laceration are the most common asexual reproductive modes employed by sea anemones. In longitudinal fission, the sea anemone stretches transversely to generate two fragments of similar size. Tissue tears along a longitudinal plane parallel, and usually close to the oral-aboral axis (Torrey and Mery, 1904; Davis, 1919). In pedal laceration, many small tissue fragments separate from the pedal disk and regenerate into new individuals (Cary, 1911; Atoda, 1973).
Dramaturgical domination: the genesis and evolution of the racialized interaction order

The history of racial domination in the United States is multifaceted and therefore cannot be explained through simple reference to ideologies or institutional structures. At the microlevel, racial...
Research on the Microstructure and Dynamic Evolution of the Political Competition of Private Firms

Breaking through the statics research model of qualitative and quantitative analysis,this paper presents the new perspective on the political connections of private enterprises,and puts forward the microstructure of political competition and the framework of dynamic evolution theory based on the dynamics analysis theory.The paper also presents the competition field of political connections among private enterprises and develops the conceptions and models of competitive field energy and competitive field entropy.Furthermore,this paper presents enterprise political association competition field gauss theorem and loop theorem,and proves the competition field entropy convex theorem as well as the maximum entropy principl.This study not only helps to better know the private enterprise competitiveness,and promote the academic discussion on the political relevance of private enterprises,but also helps private enterprises to know more about Chinese political and market environment,in order to develop more effective political strategy to promote enterprise competition ability and enterprise value.
Measurement uncertainty matters: ecological management using POMDPs

Over the past 30 years, researchers have used various approximations to address the impact of measurement uncertainty on optimal management policy. This literature has consistently suggested the counter-intuitive proposition that increasing harvest levels in the presence of measurement error is often optimal. Here, we use state-of-the art algorithms for Partially Observed Markov Decision Processes (POMDPs) to provide the first complete solution to this classic problem, and demonstrate that contrary to previous work, the resulting policy is usually more conservative than without measurement error. We demonstrate that management which underestimates the measurement error results in both low economic returns and high frequency of stock collapses, while overestimating the role of measurement error can still result in nearly-optimal economic performance while avoiding stock collapse.
Political Structures and Evangelical Activism

Chapter 5 demonstrated that group ideology was the catalyst which structured believers’ moral and political views around the issues of abortion, pornography, and religion in state-supported schools and legitimated the formation of social movement organizations to represent those values. The arguments used by American and British evangelicals against abortion and pornography and in support of religion in public schools were nearly identical regardless of the setting. In each nation, the issues became crystallized as a moral and religious debate about human life, the proper expression of sexuality and the place of God in human affairs. Political pressure groups became the vehicle for evangelicals who wanted to change public laws to conform with group values.
International Diversification: The Weighting is the Hardest Part

Many traditional, international diversification approaches do not address the influence of economic integration and corresponding market correlations across countries. The authors develop a trade-adjusted weighting methodology that reduces the effect of economic integration on portfolio performance. Results demonstrate that the trade-adjusted portfolio outperforms a GDP-weighted portfolio in terms of risk-adjusted returns. Likewise, the trade-adjusted portfolio’s performance exceeds that of an equally weighted portfolio in most risk-adjusted measures. These results provide a strong argument for investment managers to use trade-adjusted weightings in forming portfolios and developing financial products.
Current Controversies in Metopic Suture Craniosynostosis

Metopic craniosynostosis is being reported with an increasing incidence and is now the second most common type of isolated suture craniosynostosis. Numerous areas of controversy exist in the work-up and management, including defining the diagnosis in the less severe phenotype, the association with neurodevelopmental delay, the impact of surgical treatment, and the applicability of various techniques and their timing on outcomes.
DUALITY FOR C*-ALGEBRAS

Publisher Summary In the foundations of quantum theory, the role of C*-algebras theory is increasing. In that context, some of the recent developments extending the Gelfand theory of commutative C*-algebras into the noncommutative domain may eventually prove to be of interest. Gelfand representation is an isometric isomorphism for C*-algebras. This chapter explains that the primary drawback of the duality theories is the lack of any theory describing the category of C*-bundles that can compete with the vast information on locally compact Hausdorff spaces. The chapter illustrates the significant advance made into understanding the structure of C*-bundles and Banach bundles and also describes an alternate way of forming the Fell construction for non-Hausdorff Prim (A).
Aerobic, Diselenide-Catalyzed Redox Dehydration: Amides and Peptides

At 2.5 mol % loadings using reaction temperatures between 30-55 °C, ortho-functionalized diaryl diselenides are highly effective organocatalytic oxidants for aerobic redox dehydrative amidic and peptidic bond formation using triethyl phosphite as a simple terminal reductant. This simple-to-perform organocatalytic reaction relies on the ability of selenols to react directly with dioxygen in air without recourse to metal catalysts. It represents an important step toward the development of a general, economical, and benign catalytic redox dehydration protocol.
American Constitutionalism from Hamilton to Lincoln to Trump

What would Alexander Hamilton, the founders’ leading exponent of executive power, and Abraham Lincoln, the first president to have developed the concept of executive power along lines suggested by Hamilton, say about the Trump presidency? In this essay, I consider how Hamilton and Lincoln understood the relationship of the government to the people. I then describe their actions to define, enhance, and maintain that government. While Hamilton and Lincoln could imagine the possibility of an unscrupulous “man of the people,” such as Donald Trump, arising, their standard was a strong president serving the well-being of the country and not his personal ambitions. They both knew that our constitutional republic, even with its checks and balances, relies on, even requires, the good character and intelligence of the president and the country’s primary officials to protect and maintain good government.
Preliminary Evaluations of a Dialogue-Based Digital Tutor

IBM and Pearson have partnered to develop dialogue-based intelligent tutoring systems at an unprecedented scale. We leveraged the decades-long research in intelligent tutoring systems (specifically dialogue based tutoring systems) and advances in machine learning and natural language processing to create a Watson dialogue-based tutor (WDBT). WDBT is currently being used by hundreds of students across multiple institutions. This paper describes our plans for preliminary evaluations of WDBT. Our formal evaluations begin in Spring 2018 and we will present findings shortly thereafter.
Relaxation of a viscoelastic gel bar: II. Silica gel

Silica gel is shown to be elastic in the presence of dry alcohol, but viscoelastic (VE) in aqueous media; the rate of VE relaxation increases with the concentration of water. At 25 vol% water in ethanol, the rate of viscoelastic relaxation decreases with pH, approaching zero (i.e., elastic behavior) at pH 1.5. Elastic behavior is also seen in methanol, but VE relaxation is rapid upon addition of 1% triethylamine. It is concluded that VE relaxation results from attack by the liquid on siloxane bonds in the gel network. The kinetics of relaxation are well described by the theory presented in Part I.
Austerity, Labor Market Reform and the Growth of Precarious Employment in Greece during the Eurozone Crisis

This article examines the relationship between structural reforms commonly referred to as austerity and the growth of precarious labour in Greece. It argues that, in contrast to the proponents of labour market flexibility, the liberalisation of labour markets, employment protection systems, social protection systems and collective bargaining institutions have not increased employment in Greece or minimised the growth of precarious employment. Rather, liberalising structural reforms have resulted in the creation of the very precarity its proponents claim is the product of rigid labour markets, and they have failed to significantly reduce existing levels of unemployment and increasing employment rates.
Vesicourethral Anastomotic Stenosis after Prostate Cancer Treatment

To describe the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and management of vesicourethral anastomotic stenosis after prostate cancer treatment. Injectable scar modulating agents administered at the time of direct visual internal urethrotomy of vesicourethral anastomotic stenoses have been shown to improve endoscopic treatment outcomes. Trials are ongoing to find the optimal agent and delivery system. Novel tissue engineering techniques are in development and hold promise. Vesicourethral anastomotic stenosis after the treatment of prostate cancer is a challenging complication for patients and urologists. Stenoses are prone to recurrence after endourologic treatment. Open repair is technically demanding and carries substantial patient morbidity. The need for adjuvant or salvage radiation therapy after radical prostatectomy worsens outcomes of both endourologic and formal repairs. Postoperative worsening of urinary incontinence is common after vesicourethral anastomotic stenosis repair and can ultimately require placement of an artificial urinary sphincter or male sling. Occasionally urinary diversion, indwelling foley catheter, or clean intermittent catheterization is necessary when reconstructive options have been exhausted. Adjunctive measures to improve endourologic management such as hyperbaric oxygen and transurethral injection of anti-fibrotic agents have been an area of interest in recent years and show promise.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis lineages in Hawaii demonstrate distinctive demographic and migration characteristics.

Abstract Objectives The American state of Hawaii presents a tuberculosis (TB) burden more consistent with that of the Philippines and the Pacific Islands than that with the United States (US) or Europe. This study seeks to determine if the genetic families of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) that are prevalent in Hawaii display differences in host demographics that may be of use for TB control in Hawaii and the Pacific. Study design This retrospective study was conducted by analyzing data from the Hawaii State Department of Health to investigate the demographics associated with the Beijing (global lineage 2) and Manila (lineage 1) families of Mtb in Hawaii. Methods Deidentified records of all culture-positive TB cases reported by the Hawaii State Department of Health Tuberculosis Control Program from 2004 to 2016 were analyzed to identify lineage-specific demographic differences and trends. Patients' countries of origin, age, sex, and time in the US before TB diagnosis were included in this analysis. Results Manila family isolates were found to predominantly enter Hawaii through Filipino immigrants, whereas Beijing family isolates originated from a diverse set of countries. Both families exhibited significant differences in age and sex demographics. In addition, Manila family cases presented from patients with significantly longer average time of residence in the US than non-Manila cases, whereas Beijing family cases presented from patients with significantly shorter time of residence in the US than non-Beijing cases. Conclusions Both the Beijing and Manila families of Mtb demonstrated demographic differences in Hawaii that may prove important for improving TB control and surveillance policy in Hawaii and throughout the Pacific. Areas with heavy Filipino immigration may benefit from directing more resources toward screening and education efforts for middle-aged men and those who have resided in the country longer, whereas other areas of the Pacific should consider a younger and more sex-balanced allocation. Specific to the US and Hawaii, effective screening of youths emigrating from the Compact of Free Association states remains vital.
Practice Summary: Improved Reliability via Optimization in Residential Microgrids

Southern Company is an electric utility that is embracing residential microgrids as a platform for distributed energy. The first residential microgrid in the southeastern United States was construc...
Loading system effect on performance, handling and meat quality attributes of finisher pigs

vi CHAPTER 1. GENERAL INTRODUCTION 1 CHAPTER 2. LITERATURE REVIEW 3 GROWING PUBLIC CONCERN 3 DEFINING LOSSES DURING HANDLING AND TRANSPORT 3 INCIDENCE OF LOSSES 4 COST TO THE INDUSTRY 4 THE PIG: ITS BEHAVIOR AND ANATOMICAL FEATURES 6 ADDITIVE STRESSORS 7 THE PIG AND CARETAKER INTERACTION 8 ON-FARM ASSESSMENT OF HANDLING 11 FACILITY DESIGN 12 LOADING SYSTEM 14 PRESLAUGHTER STRESS 15 HARVEST PROCESS 17 PORK QUALITY 18 CHAPTER 3. LOADING GANTRY VERSUS TRADITIONAL CHUTE 29 FOR THE FINISHER PIG: EFFECT ON TRANSPORTATION AND PACKING PLANT LOSSES ABSTRACT 29 INTRODUCTION 30 MATERIALS AND METHODS 31 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 36 IMPLICATIONS 37 LITERATURE CITED 37 CHAPTER 4. LOADING GANTRY VERSUS TRADITIONAL CHUTE 43 FOR THE FINISHER PIG: EFFECT ON HANDLING AND WELFARE PARAMETERS AT THE TIME OF MARKETING29 INTRODUCTION 30 MATERIALS AND METHODS 31 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 36 IMPLICATIONS 37 LITERATURE CITED 37 CHAPTER 4. LOADING GANTRY VERSUS TRADITIONAL CHUTE 43 FOR THE FINISHER PIG: EFFECT ON HANDLING AND WELFARE PARAMETERS AT THE TIME OF MARKETING ABSTRACT 43 INTRODUCTION 44 MATERIALS AND METHODS 45 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 49 IMPLICATIONS 5043 INTRODUCTION 44 MATERIALS AND METHODS 45 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 49 IMPLICATIONS 50
Communication: Improved ab initio molecular dynamics by minimally biasing with experimental data

Accounting for electrons and nuclei simultaneously is a powerful capability of ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD). However, AIMD is often unable to accurately reproduce properties of systems such as water due to inaccuracies in the underlying electronic density functionals. This shortcoming is often addressed by added empirical corrections and/or increasing the simulation temperature. We present here a maximum-entropy approach to directly incorporate limited experimental data via a minimal bias. Biased AIMD simulations of water and an excess proton in water are shown to give significantly improved properties both for observables which were biased to match experimental data and for unbiased observables. This approach also yields new physical insight into inaccuracies in the underlying density functional theory as utilized in the unbiased AIMD.
Why not both? Exact continuous and discrete optimization with submodularity

Submodularity is a pivotal property of functions defined on lattices, as it permits their exact minimization and approximate maximization in polynomial time. In this work, we examine submodular function minimization defined on continuous and discrete lattices simultaneously. We identify a class of these mixed optimization problems that can be exactly solved by applying a combination of submodular and convex optimization routines. The utility of this approach is demonstrated via several examples from the proposed class of optimization problems.