cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Distribution of Phenax sonneratii and the identity of Pouzolzia conulifera (Urticaceae)

Friis & Jellis (1984) revised the African species of Pouzolzia, and described two new species. One of these, P. conulifera, was based on material from Cameroon sent from Paris by R. Letouzey who also gave additional information about his collecting locality: sandy riverbanks in the western lowlands of Cameroon. When revising the Neotropical material of Pouzolzia I became aware of the similarity between our P. conulifera and Phenax sonneratii, a tropical American species. Comparison of the Cameroon plant with material of Phenax sonneratii has indeed convinced me that the two taxa are conspecific. In the diagnosis of Pouzolzia conulifera the conspicuous bracts were pointed out, and it was suggested that the fruit presumably consisted of an ovary tightly enclosed in a hard persisting perianth, features which are possible, but not representative, in Pouzolzia. In fact broad membranous bracts, each surrounding what is now generally believed to be a naked female ovary, are diagnostic characters of the Neotropical genus Phenax. P. sonneratii is known from Central America (Burger 1977), the West Indies, eastern Brazil and French Guiana (Berg 1992); it is common in the lesser Antilles and in Jamaica (Adams 1972). Throughout the range, the species is found in pastures, along roads and rivers, and in banana-, cacaoand coconut-plantations, etc. It occurs from near sea level up to c. 800 m. However, the type of P. sonneratii is said to come from India, as stated with doubt by Weddell (1856) and later without reservation by Weddell (1869). The occurrence in tropical Asia is confirmed by Hooker (1888) in a note under his account of Pouzolzia and is documented by two collections at Kew: Heifer 123 from near Calcutta, and Helfer s.n. (Kew Distr. no. 4584) from Tenasserim in Burma, both collected in 1836-38. An old record of P. sonneratii from Mauritius (Baker 1877) is based on a Commerson specimen at P (Herb. Jussieu no. 16903; photo, K), but this record has been rejected for the Flore des Mascareignes, in which it is assumed that the Commerson material almost certainly came from tropical America (Marais 1985). In this century, the species has not been reported from tropical Asia or the Mascarenes. There are, however, more recent records of the genus Phenax from Madagascar;
Penicillin-induced epileptogenic foci in the rat cortex

This study describes some behavioral consequences of a penicillin-induced cortical epileptogenic focus in the rat. Animals given a unilateral intracortical injection of penicillin in the posterolateral neocortex are more active than are control animals receiving an injection of saline into the same region. No differences were found in the learning and reversal of a spatial discrimination to final criterion performance, but there was a suggestion that the rate of learning might be different in the two groups.
Insights into the Formation and Isomerization of the Benzene Metabolite Muconaldehyde and Related Molecules: Comparison of Computational and Experimental Studies of Simple, Benzo-Annelated, and Bridged 2,3-Epoxyoxepins

2,8-Dioxabicyclo[5.1.0]octa-3,5-diene ("2,3-epoxyoxepin") has been postulated as an intermediate in ring-opening metabolism of benzene. Density functional theory (B3LYP/6-31G*) is employed to study the activation and reaction energies for ring-opening isomerization of 2,3-epoxyoxepin, its 4,5-benzo derivative, and its 3,6-hexamethylene derivative. The results are compared with published experimental data. The markedly different fates of these three molecules suggest a means for testing the postulated metabolic pathway.
Active peripheral inflammation is associated with pro-atherogenic lipid profile in psoriatic arthritis.

Abstract Objective The association between psoriatic arthritis (PsA) disease activity and lipid profiles has not been explored. We studied the association between active peripheral arthritis and/or enthesitis/daclylitis with lipid measurements in PsA. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of PsA patients enrolled in the Consortium of Rheumatology Researchers of North American (CORRONA) registry. Low activity was defined as Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) ≤ 10 without enthesitis or dactylitis. Moderate-to-high peripheral disease activity was defined as CDAI > 10 and/or the presence of enthesitis/dactylitis. Results Of the 4672 patients with PsA enrolled in the CORRONA registry from June 2008 to October 2012, 725 (15.5%) had complete data on CDAI and lipid measurements. Of them, 284 (39%) patients had CDAI > 10 and/or enthesitis/dactylitis. Moderate-to-high group included more women and more current smokers. Patients with moderate-to-high disease activity had shorter duration of disease, and were more likely to be on prednisone, but less likely to use tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors. Moderate-to-high peripheral disease activity was associated with abnormal total cholesterol (TC) (>200mg/dl), odds ratio (OR) = 1.58; 95% CI: (1.11, 2.24); p = 0.01, and abnormal triglycerides (TG) (>150mg/dl), OR=1.64; 95% CI: (1.16, 2.32); p = 0.005, after adjusting for gender, duration of PsA, smoking, body mass index, diabetes, modified Heath Assessment Questionnaire scores, as well as the following medications: methotrexate, other non-biologic disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, prednisone, TNF inhibitors, cholesterol lowering medications, and fish oil. The presence of enthesitis and/or dactylitis, irrespective of CDAI scores, was associated with abnormal TC, OR=1.64; 95% CI: (1.08, 2.48); p = 0.02. Conclusion Our findings suggest an association between peripheral joint inflammation and lipid dysregulation in PsA. Further studies are needed to determine if treating PsA improves lipid profiles and cardiovascular mortality.
Molecular Biology of the Androgen Receptor

The androgen receptor is a member of a superfamily of nuclear transcription factors that mediate the action of steroid hormones. When activated by ligand binding, these transcription factors bind to specific DNA sequences on target genes and regulate the transcriptional activity of those genes. Various genes have been identified that are regulated by androgens, including prostate-specific antigen (PSA). PSA contains an upstream glucocorticoid response element/androgen response element, so it is believed that androgens directly regulate its transcription rate. Despite this, posttranscriptional regulation through stability of the messenger RNA product is believed to be a major mechanism of androgens' effects.
Persistent Conductivity in TPyP:TSPP Organic Nanorods Induced by Ion Bombardment

Persistent conductivity is observed following Ar+ bombardment of meso-tetra(4-pyridyl)porphyrin:meso-tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin (TPyP:TSPP) nanorods. The lifetime of the persistent conductivity in ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) is exceptionally long at room temperature, between 106 and 107 s. Ion beam currents can be used to both increase and decrease the level of persistent conductivity in these nanorods. Initial Ar+ bombardment of a sample causes an increase in the persistent current. Subsequent bombardment with low-energy Ar+ can cause a rapid decrease in the persistent current. A model is presented which presumes that persistent conductivity is carried by metastable defects with rates of excitation and relaxation following the Arrhenius relationship. Energy conservation suggests that ion bombardment introduces a thermal gradient across the nanorod which quickly quenches when ion bombardment ceases. This quick quenching results in a population of metastable defects which decay very slowly at room temper...
Who We Are and Whom We Teach: Understanding Graduate Student Motivation

This article emphasizes the lack of motivational studies on graduate students by illustrating that the measurement of their motivation has not been done at levels which achieve validation. Consequently, without such knowledge, the design of adult learner focused graduate programs presents an immense challenge. The article proposes that to design successful programs three areas of research must be explored: measurement of motivation, analysis of the adult learners skill set, and the training of graduate faculty in the delivery of course content at the graduate level. Existing information in each of these areas is examined and recommendations are presented to assist in better understanding and educating this population in servicing industry needs.
Robots have needs too: how and why people adapt their proxemic behavior to improve robot social signal understanding

Human preferences of distance (proxemics) to a robot significantly impact the performance of the robot's automated speech and gesture recognition during face-to-face, social human-robot interactions. This work investigated how people respond to a sociable robot based on its performance at different locations. We performed an experiment in which the robot's ability to understand social signals was artificially attenuated by distance. Participants (N = 180) instructed the robot using speech and pointing gestures, provided proxemic preferences before and after the interaction, and responded to a questionnaire. Our analysis of questionnaire responses revealed that robot performance factors---rather than human-robot proxemics---are significant predictors of user evaluations of robot competence, anthropomorphism, engagement, likability, and technology adoption. Our behavioral analysis suggests that human proxemic preferences change over time as users interact with and come to understand the needs of the robot, and those changes improve robot performance.
Speaking of insects

Given that Aedes aegypti , the main mosquito vector of Zika virus, has been an intense focus of public health attention in the Americas, most recently in Florida, it seems apt that next week, 7000 entomologists from around the world will converge on Orlando, Florida, for the 25th International Congress of Entomology (ICE), where, among other activities, 175 discipline thought-leaders will join policy-makers and other experts to address “Improving the Human Condition through Insect Science.” The ICE summit's goals are to define the major global insect-related challenges—from arthropod-borne diseases to the protection of beneficial species—and plan collaborative efforts to meet these challenges through research and technology. These “grand challenges” aren't new. What's new, however, is an explicit effort to address one of the greatest challenges: effective engagement with the public about the value of insect science.
How to Teach in the Operating Room

Teaching in the operating room (OR) is the cornerstone of surgical education. Giving immediate and specific feedback while operating requires deliberate practice for the instructor and should be done during every case. In recent years, surgical residents are provided less and less independence in the OR as a consequence of regulatory and financial pressures. Coincident with this, or perhaps as a consequence, graduating trainees seem underprepared for independence in the OR. Teachers must constantly balance the quality and safety of patient care with the learner’s need to make independent decisions and gain hands-on experience. While it is tempting to sacrifice resident instruction in the name of short-term patient safety, teachers must also consider a long-term perspective on patient safety whereby surgeons who have insufficient operative training also place patients at risk. Finally, time is short, so leverage OR processes already in place for teaching.
Learning from the wisdom of practice: teachers’ educational purposes as pathways to supporting adolescent purpose in secondary classrooms

AbstractPurpose in life is beneficial for adolescents and their communities. However, less is known about supports for purpose development during adolescence, particularly in the school setting. The study described here drew from theories about teacher beliefs and knowledge, and a multidimensional definition of purpose in life, in order to learn from practising teachers about the ways in which supporting adolescent purpose may fit within their existing beliefs about their work with students. The specific aims were to explore alignment between teachers’ educational purposes and their own definitions of purpose in life with the ‘personal meaning’ and ‘beyond-the-self’ dimensions of purpose in life. Nine secondary school teachers from the United States who taught in a variety of academic content areas were interviewed using a semi-structured protocol. Transcripts were coded according to two dimensions of purpose: personal meaning and beyond-the-self consequences. Teacher responses revealed alignment between ...
New Insights into the Reactivity of Biomass with Butenes for the Synthesis of Butyl Levulinates

This article reports a detailed study on the reactivity of levulinic acid and cellulose with 1-butene and iso-butene for the catalytic formation of sec- and tert-butyl levulinates. The influence of catalyst type and various solvent conditions have been investigated to assess the potential of a sustainable transformation. A very simple and efficient procedure was discovered by using reusable Amberlyst-15 in the absence of solvent to form, from levulinic acid and iso-butene, tert-butyl levulinate (70 % yield), a compound very difficult to prepare by other means. sec-Butyl levulinate (66 % yield) was obtained by using Amberlyst-15 in γ-butyrolactone as a biosourced solvent. The original procedure was also extended notably by directly using cellulose as a reactant. In the presence of a catalytic amount of H2 SO4 , it was possible to form sec-butyl levulinate (19 % yield) from 1-butene in a more efficient way than by using the alcohol as an esterifying agent.
Phase field crystal modeling of grain boundary structures and growth in polycrystalline graphene

Abstract A key challenge in large-scale graphene fabrication and application is controlling the grain boundaries (GBs) in polycrystalline graphene grown by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Here, we adopt a phase field crystal (PFC) model to predict the equilibrium structures as well as dynamic formation of GBs in CVD-grown graphene. The results demonstrate that GBs consisting of clustered 5|7|5|7 dislocation dipoles, as constructed by the conventional coincidence site lattice (CSL) theory, are not energetically favorable, and should be replaced by dispersed 5|7 dislocations, as predicted from the PFC model, when constructing GBs’ atomistic structures for theoretical and numerical investigations. The PFC modeling also demonstrates possible routes of engineering GBs in two-dimensional (2D) materials by controlling grain orientations in pre-patterned growing seeds and suggests a simple geometric rule that explains the predominant existence of curved grain boundaries in graphene. As a prominent example of potential applications of our method, we show how to grow triple-junction-free polycrystalline graphene that exhibits enhanced mechanical strength and defy the traditional Hall–Petch relation.
Intersex Surgeries, Circumcision, and the Making of “Normal”

So-called “normalizing” surgeries for babies born with various intersex conditions (atypical sex development) as well as infant male circumcision have come under scrutiny in recent years by philosophers, ethicists, and medical professionals. This chapter draws from my recent book, Bodies in Doubt: An American History of Intersex (Reis 2009) and argues that, historically, doctors have performed surgeries on infants and children for non-medical reasons. In the case of intersex, surgery was performed so that the baby’s external genitalia would align with the gender in which the baby would be reared, supposing (but without substantive evidence) that the child would develop more normally if its gender and physical appearance cohered. Social factors, such as the potential for marriage and the fear of homosexuality, in particular, have motivated these surgeries since the early nineteenth century. Similarly, male circumcision has been motivated by social rather than medical concerns, the incidence increasing and coinciding with the fear of masturbation in nineteenth-century America. As one contemporary doctor has noted, perceptively, circumcision has been a “surgery in search of a disease.” My chapter will look at both kinds of genital surgeries, suggesting that irreparable procedures should not be done on infants, with of course the exception of life-saving operations. As intersex children grow older, they can make such decisions for themselves, as can intact boys or men.
Nasal Chemical Senses in Snakes

Most terrestrial vertebrates possess at least two nasal chemoreceptive organs: the main olfactory apparatus, which consists of the sensory epithelium lining the posterior and dorsal aspects of the nasal cavity, and the vomeronasal organ, a medially located pouch or sac lying along the nasal septum which is also lined with a sensory epithelium. Whereas considerable attention has, in the past, been devoted to the anatomy, physiology and functional significance of the olfactory system, until very recently relatively little attention has been directed to unraveling the mysteries of the vomeronasal organ.
Preservation of hair stable isotope signatures during freezing and law enforcement evidence packaging

Abstract Stable isotope signatures of bioelements are utilized for geolocation of unknown human remains. Hair in particular can generate a high-temporal resolution record of recent travel history, providing critical investigative leads. However, systematic studies of law enforcement packaging materials and evidence packaging protocols are needed, including the full range of sample types and conditions anticipated in casework. Arm 1 of this study examined the impact of freezing storage on hair samples using the FBI’s recommended storage materials (paper, plastic) and Mesa Police Department’s evidence packaging guidelines for varying periods of freezing storage (three weeks, five months). Hair studied was from individuals of different ancestry, including cosmetic treatments (relaxer, dyes), and exposure to decomposition fluids outdoors for up to 10 months. Arm 2 evaluated longer-term storage, comparing hair stored in a desiccator to hair frozen at −20 °C for up to four years. Samples and certified standards were anonymized and randomized during sample preparation. To prevent cognitive bias from influencing interpretations, unblinding of samples only occurred after data correction and reduction were complete. Both the experimental and longer-term storage studies demonstrated δ13C, δ15N, and δ18O values had no significant offsets between frozen samples and those stored at room temperature. However, there were small systematic offsets (+2 to +3‰) in δ2H values, with frozen samples being enriched in 2H compared to controls. In a minority of samples frozen for >six months, δ2H offsets of >9‰ were observed, an amount that could impact the interpretation of an individual’s geographic travel history.
Medial Opening-Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy for Medial Compartment Arthrosis/Overload.

Medial opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy has become increasingly popular for treating isolated, medial compartment arthrosis in younger, more active patients. Relative indications include age younger than 55 to 60 years, normal weight, preserved range of motion, and isolated medial compartment osteoarthritis or overload. Several surgical techniques exist for stabilization of the osteotomy with similar outcomes. Complication rates after medial opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy vary from 29% to 37%, with highest risk of nonunion, fracture, stiffness, and loss of correction. Good long-term outcomes can be achieved, with 5- and 10-year survivorship rates ranging from 75% to 98.7% and 51% to 97.6%, respectively.
American Society of Clinical Oncology/College of American Pathologists 2018 Focused Update of Breast Cancer HER2 FISH Testing GuidelinesResults From a National Reference Laboratory.

OBJECTIVES To review impact of the ASCO/CAP 2018 update on HER2 testing. METHODS HER2 fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) test requests from primary and metastatic breast cancers between August 2018 and January 2019 were included. FISH results requiring a changed algorithm under the new guidelines (groups 2, 3, and 4) were identified and HER2:CEN17 ratios, average HER2, CEN17 signals/cell, and HER2 immunohistochemistry (IHC) results were recorded. RESULTS Of the HER2 FISH cases 176/812(21.7%) fell within groups 2, 3, or 4; 0/12, 1/12, and 2/152 cases were positive (3+) by IHC, and 1/12, 2/12, and 6/152 cases were positive after targeted scoring from groups 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Following 2018 updates, 8.3%, 25%, and 5.3% of the groups 2, 3, and 4 were positive, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Groups 2, 3, and 4 constituted over 20% of HER2 FISH tests in a reference laboratory. The 2018 ASCO/CAP update significantly decreased the HER2 positivity rate.
Defining the Scope of the Acid‐Catalyzed Glycosidation of Glycosyl Bromides

Invited for the cover of this issue are Yashapal Singh and Alexei Demchenko from the University of Missouri-St. Louis, USA. The image depicts the Koenigs and Knorr reaction, with the old car illustrating that the reaction is slow in the presence of silver(I) oxide, whereas the fast car shows that the reaction can be significantly accelerated by the addition of catalytic triflic acid. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.201904185.
Strictures in Crohn’s disease

Abstract Stricture formation constitutes a common phenotype of Crohn’s disease (CD), with main locations at the small and large bowel and anus. Strictures in CD can be classified based on the location, length, degree, number, concurrent inflammation, overlying epithelia, the presence of prestenotic luminal dilation, and complexity. With the wide use of biological agents, primary or disease-associated strictures have changed from ulcerated to nonulcerated ones. Endoscopic evaluation may help differentiate inflammatory versus fibrotic strictures. The distinction is important to guide medical, endoscopic, and surgical therapy.
Operational Data-Driven Feedback for Safety Evaluation of Agent-Based Cyber–Physical Systems

Safety regulation of safety-critical agent-based cyber–physical systems (CPS) which are manufactured in large scale such as next-gen aircrafts, autonomous driving vehicles, and medical devices is a multifaceted problem. CPS deployments can be presented with new safety-critical scenarios and novel inputs. Hence, operational characteristics of the CPS can be quite different from its safety approved design. This article considers a safety assurance solution where operational data from the sensors and actuators in the field of deployment is fed back to the manufacturing process through the Internet of Things infrastructure to assure and improve operational safety. It considers two cases: 1) model-aware, where the safety assured CPS design is fully specified; 2) model-agnostic, where limited specifications exist. For both the cases, it presents a data science based approach, N-HyMn , that learns a hybrid automaton model of the operational characteristics of the CPS from the input/output (I/O) traces of the observable parameters. For the model-aware case, it investigates the presence of inconsistencies between the learned model and the specifications model provided by the manufacturer, thus facilitating the detection of safety problems that may have been overlooked. For the model-agnostic case, it can detect potential safety failures. We show the usage of N-HyMn on the Medtronic Minimed 670 G system. N-HyMn correctly infers the hybrid automaton specifications of the Minimed 670 G and was able to detect a self-adaptation mechanism that is not declared explicitly in the certification documents of the U Food and Drug Administration. N-HyMn has a computational complexity of $O(kn^2)$ , where $k$ is the number of samples in the I/O trace, and $n$ is the number of continuous variables.
International Cooperation and the Patent-Antitrust Intersection

Commentators have long recognized the need to coordinate questions at the patent-antitrust intersection with other policy levers available under patent law. In the international context, however, control over patent policy has been fractured and entrusted to diverse decisionmakers. Many details of patent law are tightly coordinated by international agreement, while others related to antitrust are left to national discretion. This Article evaluates the consequences of this fracture, and notes ways in which the prevailing treaty regimes (the Paris Convention and the TRIPS Agreement) distort incentives for national policymaking. National discretion at the patent-antitrust intersection can be expected to result in suboptimally weak inventor rewards implemented at unnecessarily high costs. Alternatively, closer coordination of national patent systems could provide more incentive to conduct research and development at lower cost.
Abdominal visceral adipose tissue over the menopause transition and carotid atherosclerosis: the SWAN heart study

Objectives To characterize abdominal visceral adipose tissue (VAT) trajectory relative to the final menstrual period (FMP), and to test whether menopause-related VAT accumulation is associated with greater average, common carotid artery intima-media thickness (cIMT) and/or internal carotid artery intima-media thickness (ICA-IMT). Methods Participants were 362 women (at baseline: age was (mean ± SD) 51.1 ± 2.8 y; 61% White, 39% Black) with no cardiovascular disease from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation Heart study. Women had up to two measurements of VAT and cIMT over time. Splines revealed a nonlinear trajectory of VAT with two inflection points demarcating three time segments: segment 1: >2 years before FMP; segment 2: 2 years before FMP to FMP; and segment 3: after FMP. Piecewise-linear random-effects models estimated changes in VAT. Random-effects models tested associations of menopause-related VAT with each cIMT measure separately. Estimates were adjusted for age at FMP, body mass index, and sociodemographic, lifestyle, and cardiovascular disease risk factors. Results VAT increased significantly by 8.2% (95% CI: 4.1%-12.5%) and 5.8% (3.7%-7.9%) per year in segments 2 and 3, respectively, with no significant change in VAT within segment 1. VAT predicted greater ICA-IMT in segment 2, such that a 20% greater VAT was associated with a 2.0% (0.8%-3.1%) greater ICA-IMT. VAT was not an independent predictor of ICA-IMT in the other segments or of the other cIMT measures after adjusting for covariates. Conclusions Women experience an accelerated increase in VAT starting 2 years before menopause. This menopause-related increase in VAT is associated with greater risk of subclinical atherosclerosis in the internal carotid artery.
The “Second Egypt”: Cretan Refugees, Agricultural Development, and Frontier Expansion in Ottoman Cyrenaica, 1897–1904

This article investigates the Ottoman state's endeavor to create the “second Egypt” by consolidating its imperial authority along the coastline and hinterland of Cyrenaica from 1897 to 1904. It examines the strategic settlement of Cretan Muslim refugees in territories situated between Benghazi and Derna and in al-Jabal al-Akhdar following the Cretan insurrection of 1897–98. I argue that Cretan Muslim refugees-turned-settlers served as skilled agriculturalists and experienced armed sentries who were integral to the Ottoman state's plans for economic development and expansionism in Cyrenaica. Focusing particularly on ‘Ayn al-Shahhat and Marsa Susa, this article contends that the establishment of Cretan Muslim agricultural colonies served to undermine the political and economic position of the Sanusi order by appropriating the order's properties and access to resources. This work offers a new perspective on how the Ottoman state reasserted its sovereignty in its frontier territory in Cyrenaica by harnessing the power of migration.
Hide Defects of Feedlot Cattle: Assessment of Cattle Management, Breed Type, Sex, Live Market Weight, and Source Factors on Hide Quality

Twenty groups of finished feedlot cattle (thirteen steer groups, seven heifer groups) of known origin, breed type, sex and implant status were studied after marketing to determine the type and extent of hide defects as related to days on feed, live market weight, and hot carcass weight. Origin of cattle did not significantly influence the five hide characteristics evaluated (hide defects score, hide vein score, healed scratches, ringworm, and warts). Live weight and sex influenced the weight of the hides (P < 0.05), with steers being heavier and having heavier hides. Days on feed increased (P = 0.06) the amount of vein damage observed on the hides but was not sex related. Results from this study indicate that under typical commercial cattle feeding practices in Texas, hide defects differ among cattle under the same management and are related to the days on feed in the feedlot, which influences final market weight and degree of finish.
Tension management in cable transmission systems for remote manipulators

Abstract This paper presents the design of a novel kinematic tensioning system to remedy the situation where the input-output relation in the cable transmission for a remotely operated multi-link end-effector is compromised due to the onset of slack. The actuation of multi-link end-effectors in remote manipulators via cable transmission exhibits loss of tension and slack generation on the non-driving side of the cable transmission. This paper outlines an analytical formulation of the kinematic component of slack resulting from the geometry of the end-effector links that are serially connected. If left unaddressed, cable slack adversely impacts transmission stiffness and produces backlash at the end-effector wherein for a fixed input, the output can move freely over a range of motion (i.e. dead-band). In case of articulating instruments for minimally invasive surgery, this limits the ability to position and orient the end-effector precisely, the ability to effectively transmit forces via the end-effectors to the surrounding tissues, and the tactile feedback to the user operating the instrument. To overcome these limitations, this paper presents a simple solution that effectively mitigates slack on the non-driving side of a cable transmission between a driving pulley and a multi-link end-effector with minimal cost or complexity. The proposed design uses a driving pulley modified with tensioner extensions to alter the transmission path, which provides a kinematic or geometric solution in contrast to the various spring based solutions that have several drawbacks. Based on a derivation of slack in the system, a design optimization is performed to generate the key dimensions of the tensioning system that minimizes slack without causing over-constraint. An experimental setup is designed and fabricated to validate the slack predictions in the cable transmission system for a multi-link end-effector, without and with the proposed tensioner. The experimental measurements demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed solution.
Specialization and the firm in Renaissance Italian art

Renaissance Italian painters are among the most innovative and consequential artists in human history. They were also successful managers and business owners, always in search of commissions for their workshops. Indeed, their ability as managers and entrepreneurs was just as important as their talent for painting. This paper develops a framework to understand the organization of the production of paintings—frescoes and altarpieces—during the Italian Renaissance. We argue that Renaissance artists faced a trade-off between costly delegation and the sacrifice of gains from specialization in the performance of those tasks necessary for executing a painting. Applied to the historical record, our framework accounts for several features of the organization of this industry: why Renaissance artists dabbled as entrepreneurs; why they performed several duties that did not require any artistic talent; and why they set up firms to aid them in the execution of some tasks while delegating other tasks to independent contractors.
Yellow Fever Vaccine-Associated Disease

This chapter provides an overview of the recently described vaccine-associated adverse events and also provides an estimate of the rate of such events. In the early development stages of the vaccine, neurotropic disease (also known as postvaccinal encephalitis) among children was the most common serious adverse event associated with yellow fever vaccines. Of the eight patients, five had renal failure that required hemodialysis and five died. In two fatal cases, yellow fever antigen was identified by immunohistochemistry in liver biopsies in one case and multiple tissue specimens in the other. All vaccine recipients during the most recent 12-month period for which complete information was available were categorized by age group. Yellow fever virus was isolated from the blood of one person 13 days after vaccination. Yellow fever vaccine-associated adverse events among U.S. citizens that were reported to Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) from 1990 through 2002 were categorized as yellow fever vaccine-associated viscerotropic disease or yellow fever vaccine-associated neurotropic disease and classified by age group. Like the current analysis of the rate of yellow fever vaccine adverse events, this estimate was based on passive reporting and the number of vaccine doses distributed as provided by the manufacturer.
The Last Minstrel Show - Racial Profiling, the War on Terrorism and the Mass Media

This Article examines and critiques media portraits of the Middle East and Middle-Eastern Americans by tracing the alarming impact of this last minstrel show on public policy and the war on terrorism The Article begins by analyzing racial profiling's problematic discourse of legitimation, deracinating its unsound roots and charting the intricate relationship between representation and reality in the narration of the Middle-Eastern threat, especially after 9/11. The Article then examines the instrumental role of the mass media in both ossifying and perpetuating stereotypes that have rationalized policies targeting individuals of Middle-Eastern descent. Drawing on specific examples from the movies, television, music, publishing and advertising, the Article highlights the accretive impact of entertainment content on the epistemology of fear and the grave and under appreciated toll of such representations on the Middle-Eastern American community. Finally, the Article also calls for some modest but concrete reforms in the entertainment industry as a starting point for providing more balanced depictions of the Middle East and of Middle-Eastern Americans.
Molecular characteristics of the totally dependent and independent forms of glycogen synthase of rabbit skeletal muscle. I. Preparation and characteristics of the totally glucose 6-phosphate dependent form.

Abstract Directions are detailed for preparing the totally glucose -6-P dependent (D) form of glycogen synthase (UDPG:glycogen α-4-glucosyltransferase, EC 2.4.1.11) from rabbit skeletal muscle from which the glycogen has been removed. The conversion is carried out in the cold (3°) for several days in order to achieve full phosphorylation. Glycogen is removed by digestion with α-amylase. The enzyme is then isolated by gel filtration over Sepharose 4-B and Sephadex G-200 columns. The molecular weight by sedimentation diffusion is determined as 250 000. The enzyme is totally dependent on glucose -6-P and on added glycogen for activity. The residual carbohydrate content is about 10 μ/mg protein. The two substrate kinetics (glycogen, UDPG) was examined. In reciprocal plots parallel lines were obtained with either substrate, indicating a ping pong mechanism of catalysis.
Spinal Loads Resulting from -Gx Acceleration

The biodynamic response of cadaver torsos subjected to -Gdx impact acceleration is discussed in this paper, with particular emphasis on the response of the vertebral column. The existence of an axial force along the spine and its manifestation as a load on the seat pan are reported. Spinal curvature appears to be an important factor in the generation of this spine load. In anthropometric dummies, the spine load does not exist. Details of the testing and results are given, and the development of a mathematical model is shown.
Stacked, standing wave detectors in 3D SOI-CMOS

We report on the design of stacked standing wave detectors in a 3D SOI CMOS technology. The standing wave detector is the basic block needed to implement a die level CMOS interferometer to measure small displacements. The 3D CMOS process allows for standing wave detectors to be vertically stacked which provides directional information as well as displacement information from the interferometer. We discuss design considerations for the photodiodes and MOS amplifier.
Two new normalized EWMA-based indices for control loop performance assessment

Modern buildings can have hundreds if not thousands of control loops that regulate variables such as pressure, temperature, flow rate, etc. The amount of data available to operators can be overwhelming and, because of this, many faults and poorly controlled loops often go undetected until complaints arise from building occupants or a more serious failure occurs. Methods are thus needed that can convert big data sets from buildings into more managable metrics that can be used to identify problems. This paper proposes two new indices that quantify control performance in a normalized way so that different control loops can be compared on the same scale. These normalized indices can be used to generate a quick ranking of control loop performance so that poorly performing loops can be identified. The paper describes the new indices and presents results from both simulation and field tests.
Talking about medicines: older adults' perceptions of communication with their physicians

Objective: Discussions between physicians and patients in primary care regarding medications and lifestyle change alternatives are often suboptimal, resulting in poor adherence to medication therapy. Our objective was to investigate perceptions of communication with physicians about medications among a racially/ethnically diverse sample of low-income older adults in the U.S. as a direct contribution to the development of person-centered medicine. Methods: We recruited a stratified purposeful sample of 105 low-income participants (predominantly Latino, non-Hispanic White, and non-Hispanic Black) for 11 focus groups, conducted from November 2007 through March 2008. Results: Most participants claimed that their primary care physicians rarely explained much about their medications and they reported little understanding of the medical benefits of each medication they are prescribed. Few said that their physician asked them if they have any problems with their medications. Latinos described receiving more frequent and substantive information from physicians about medication than did white or black participants. Many participants expressed their preference to try lifestyle behavior changes to avoid taking medications. However, few of their physicians had discussed this option with them. Most participants believed that their medical chart accurately reflects the medications and dosages they are taking, even if they have not reviewed the medications with their physicians, nor told them about medications that have been prescribed by other physicians and how they actually take their medications. Conclusions: Educational efforts are needed to empower low-income, diverse, older patients to initiate and participate in multi-faceted discussions regarding medications with their physicians and to motivate physicians to include these discussions more regularly in their outpatient visits.
Standard, Storeless Semantics for ALGOL-Style Block Structure and Call-by Name

This paper presents a formulation for the standard semantics of block structure and ALGOL 60 style call-by-name. The main features of this formulation are the use of continuations and streams. Continuations are used in such a way that the semantics can be defined without requiring the idea of an explicit store. Thus the concepts of address or L- and R- values are not used, and simple continuations suffice for describing assignments, iterative control statements, compounds, blocks, and functions using call by value. (Side effects are still allowed via assignments to variables global to functions.) Call-by-name is handled by introducing the idea of multiple continuations. Input-output is treated by using streams. In conjunction with continuations, these allow the formulation of program “pipes” exactly like compound functions.
An Overview of the Globular Cluster System of the Galaxy

Harlow Shapley (1918) used the positions of globular clusters in space to determine the dimensions of our Galaxy. His conclusion that the Sun does not lie near the center of the Galaxy is widely recognized as one of the most important astronomical discoveries of this century. Nearly as important, but much less publicized, was his realization that, unlike stars, open clusters, HII regions and planetary nebulae, globular clusters are not concentrated near the plane of the Milky Way. His data showed that the globular clusters are distributed over very large distances from the galactic plane and the galactic center. Ever since this discovery that the Galaxy has a vast halo containing globular clusters, it has been clear that these clusters are key objects for probing the evolution of the Galaxy. Later work, which showed that globular clusters are very old and, on average, very metal poor, underscored their importance. In the spirit of this research, which started with Shapley’s, this review discusses the characteristics of the globular cluster system that have the most bearing on the evolution of the Galaxy.
Measurement of variability in Holter tape R-R intervals for patients with congestive heart failure

Detection of abnormal patterns in twenty-four hour Holter tapes is difficult because of the large number of data points. A method is described for plotting these points so that variability differences can be detected. In addition to the graphical method, a rapid means of quantifying these results is presented. This measurement is also relevant to determination of stability or chaos in these systems. >
Reconstitution of nuclear protein transport with semi-intact yeast cells

We have developed an in vitro nuclear protein import reaction from semi-intact yeast cells. The reaction uses cells that have been permeabilized by freeze-thaw after spheroplast formation. Electron microscopic analysis and antibody-binding experiments show that the nuclear envelope remains intact but the plasma membrane is perforated. In the presence of ATP and cytosol derived from yeast or mammalian cells, a protein containing the nuclear localization sequence (NLS) of SV40 large T-antigen is transported into the nucleus. Proteins with mutant NLSs are not imported. In the absence of cytosol, binding of NLS-containing proteins occurs at the nuclear envelope. N-ethylmaleimide treatment of the cytosol as well as antibodies to the nuclear pore protein Nsp1 inhibit import but not binding to the nuclear envelope. Yeast mutants defective in nuclear protein transport were tested in the in vitro import reaction. Semi-intact cells from temperature-sensitive nsp1 mutants failed to import but some binding to the nuclear envelope was observed. On the other hand, no binding and thus no import into nuclei was observed in semi-intact nsp49 cells which are mutated in another nuclear pore protein. Np13 mutants, which are defective for nuclear protein import in vivo, were also deficient in the binding step under the in vitro conditions. Thus, the transport defect in these mutants is at the level of the nucleus and the point at which nuclear transport is blocked can be defined.
Magnetic susceptibilities of rare-earth ions in an unusual tetrahedral site.

Magnetic susceptibilities of the series of compounds ${\mathrm{Cs}}_{2}$NaR(${\mathrm{NO}}_{2}$${)}_{6}$ have been measured for most of the rare earths (R) from Ce to Yb. These materials are cubic, with an unusual ${T}_{h}$ point symmetry at the rare-earth site. They exhibit not only many similarities but also interesting differences with the related, but octahedrally coordinated, rare-earth elpasolite halides. They are analyzed in terms of a lowest-order crystal-field theory.
Some regularity results on the Ventcel-Freidlin quasi-potential function

We consider regularity properties of the quasipotential function V defined by A. D. Ventcel and M. I. Freidlin in their work on asymptotically small random perturbations of stable dynamical systems. The regularity properties of V are important for the success of various asymptotic calculations carried out in the literature. Employing classical techniques from the calculus of variations and differential equations, we prove various results about the smoothness of V and its level sets. Among other things, there exists a dense connected open set, containing the stable point for the underlying dynamical system, in which V is continuously differentiable to the same degree as the Lagrangian involved in the defining variational problem.
Helical Peierls distortion: Formation of helices of polyketone and polyisocyanide

Abstract A new type of Peierls-like distortion, the formation of a helix due to the existence of partially filled crossing bands, is reported for polyketone and polyisocyanide. The torsional potential curves, optimized geometries, band structures and phonon dispersion curves are derived. A comparison with the well-known Peierls-distorted all-trans polyacetylene indicates close similarity between the two types of Peierls distortions.
A constitutional theory of public enterprise

This article rationalizes public enterprise by analyzing the constitutional choice between private and public ownership of production arrangements. Arguing that results depend on who does the choosing, the article compares choices by self-governing citizens with choices by self-directed governmental officials. The resulting institutional theory identifies four conditions that cause citizens to favor public over private ownership. None of the conditions refers to the standard concept of economic efficiency, which guides most economic comparisons of public and private enterprise.
Biosimilar Growth Hormone

As the first wave of biopharmaceuticals is expiring, biosimilars or follow-on -protein products (FOPP’s) have emerged. Biosimilar drugs are cheaper than the originator/comparator drug. The regulatory foundation for these products is more advanced and better codified in Europe than in the US. Biosimilar soamtropin has been approved in both the US and Europe. The scientific viability of biosimilar drugs and especially growth hormone has been proven by several rigorously conducted clinical trials. Efficacy and safety data (growth rates, IGF-1 generation) for up to 7 y for pediatric indications measure up favorably to previously approved growth hormones which served as reference comparators. The Obama Administration appears to be committed to establish innovative pathways for the approval of biologics and biosimilars in the US. The cost savings in health care expenditures will be substantial as the global sales of biologics have reached $ 93 billion in 2009.