cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparative Study of Stoning Punishment in the Religions of Islam and Judaism

This Article under takes a comparative study of stoning in Islam and Judaism. In Islam stoning (rajm), which is one of the punishments originally, came from Hodoud (Hodoud are punishments that the kind, the quantity and the quality of them are determined in shariah) is the penalty of adultery. But in Judaism stoning was only one of the four kinds of penalties used in cases like adultery; sodomy, idolatry and the ways in which this punishment is executed are quite different in Islam and Judaism. By comparing the size of the stones and the way it is done, one can say that in Islam the aim of this punishment is to be more painful. In Islam, there are no clear instructions about stoning in Quran, but there are some implications in Hadiths (saying and stories about Prophet Mohammad’s behaviors told by his close followers), but it has been mentioned in Torah. Stoning is a kind of punishment that no matter for what reasons or charges is executed; it contradicts the International human right agreements such as Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the Convention against torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. In Muslim world statistics shows, they still execute stoning as a punishment (sometimes in public), but in Judaism we can find just some implications in history. Therefore, considering the contemporary standards of societies we can deliberate various evidentiary, procedural, and barriers to imposition of the stoning.
Relationship between Insulin-Resistance Processing Speed and Specific Executive Function Profiles in Neurologically Intact Older Adults

This study investigated the relationship between insulin-resistance and constituent components of executive function in a sample of neurologically intact older adult subjects using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) and latent factors of working memory, cognitive control and processing speed derived from confirmatory factor analysis. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), mean arterial pressure (MAP), along with body mass index (BMI) and white matter hypointensity (WMH) were used to control for vascular risk factors, adiposity and cerebrovascular injury. The study included 119 elderly subjects recruited from the University of California, San Francisco Memory and Aging Center. Subjects underwent neuropsychological assessment, fasting blood draw and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Partial correlations and linear regression models were used to examine the HOMA-IR-executive function relationship. Pearson correlation adjusting for age showed a significant relationship between HOMA-IR and working memory (rp = -.18; p = .047), a trend with cognitive control (rp = -.17; p = .068), and no relationship with processing speed (rp = .013; p = .892). Linear regression models adjusting for demographic factors (age, education, and gender), LDL, MAP, BMI, and WMH indicated that HOMA-IR was negatively associated with cognitive control (r = -.256; p = .026) and working memory (r = -.234; p = .054). These results suggest a greater level of peripheral insulin-resistance is associated with decreased cognitive control and working memory. After controlling for demographic factors, vascular risk, adiposity and cerebrovascular injury, HOMA-IR remained significantly associated with cognitive control, with working memory showing a trend. These findings substantiate the insulin-resistance-executive function hypothesis and suggest a complex interaction, demonstrated by the differential impact of insulin-resistance on processing speed and specific aspects of executive function.
Elastk‐plastic dynamic analysis of structures using known elastic solutions

A numerical method is shown to analyse the dynamic elastic-plastic responses of those structures with known elastic solutions. The displacement at one point at time t caused by a unit load applied at another point at zero time, called dynamic influence coefficient, is calculated from the known elastic solutions. Incremental plastic strain is accounted for by a set of additional incremental loads, so the stiffness matrix and the eigenvectors do not vary with time. From the incremental load including that caused by the incremental plastic strain, the displacement vs. time of the structure is obtained. This method is applied to simply supported beams with bilinear stress-strain relations with different strain-hardening rates and to a simply supported elastic-ideally plastic rectangular plate. This procedure can be extended to structures with no available known analytical elastic solutions. For these structures, the elastic solutions can be obtained by the finite element method.
Depicting Women as Sex Objects in Television Advertising: Effects on Body Dissatisfaction

This study examined whether exposure to TV ads that portray women as sex objects causes increased body dissatisfaction among women and men. Participants were exposed to 15 sexist and 5 nonsexist ads, 20 nonsexist ads, or a no ad control condition. Results revealed that women exposed to sexist ads judged their current body size as larger and revealed a larger discrepancy between their actual and ideal body sizes (preferring a thinner body) than women exposed to the nonsexist or no ad condition. Men exposed to the sexist ads judged their current body size as thinner, revealed a larger discrepancy between their actual and ideal body size (preferring a larger body), and revealed a larger discrepancy between their own ideal body size and their perceptions of others’ male body size preferences (believing that others preferred a larger ideal) than men exposed to the nonsexist or no ad condition. Discussion focuses on the cognitive, attitudinal, and behavioral consequences of exposure to gender stereotypic televi...
Speculative parallelization needs rigor: probabilistic analysis for optimal speculation of finite-state machine applications

Software speculative parallelization has shown effectiveness in parallelizing certain applications. Prior techniques have mainly relied on simple exploitation of heuristics for speculation. In this work, we introduce probabilistic analysis into the design of speculation schemes. In particular, by tackling applications that are based on Finite State Machine (FSM) which have the most prevalent dependences among all programs, we show that the obstacles for effective speculation can be much better handled with rigor. We develop a probabilistic model to formulate the relations between speculative executions and the properties of the target computation and inputs. Based on the formulation, we propose two model-based speculation schemes that automatically customize themselves with the best configurations for a given FSM and its inputs. The new technique produces substantial speedup over the state of the art.
CULTIVATING LOVING KINDNESS: A TWO‐STAGE MODEL OF THE EFFECTS OF MEDITATION ON EMPATHY, COMPASSION, AND ALTRUISM

Abstract. We explore the role of meditative practice in cultivating experiences of compassion, empathy, and altruism and address an apparent paradox: Meditation often is associated with solitary retreat, if not preoccupation with one's own concerns. How, then, does such a practice promote compassion for others? We propose a two-stage model. The first stage involves disengagement from usual preoccupation with self-reinforcing, self-defeating, or self-indulgent behaviors and reactions; the second involves a focused engagement with a universal human capacity for altruistic experience, love, and compassion. Reference is made to the limited research literature and to clinical applications of loving kindness (metta) meditation in cultivating these processes.
Multiple mechanisms modulate brassinosteroid signaling

Brassinosteroids are essential hormones for plant growth and development. Genetic studies have identified key components of the BR signaling pathway, including the cell-surface receptor kinases that perceive BR, an intracellular kinase and a phosphatase, and nuclear transcription factors. Subsequent biochemical studies have revealed many details about signaling events from BR perception at the cell surface to gene expression in the nucleus. Recent studies have identified the 14-3-3 proteins as BR signaling components and elucidated multiple mechanisms by which phosphorylation modulates the BR transcription factors. In addition, BRI1 signaling from the endosomes and BR-independent functions of BAK1 have been observed. However, a major gap still exists in the current BR signaling pathway between the receptor complex and downstream signaling events.
Against Administrative Judges

The single largest cadre of federal adjudicators goes largely ignored by scholars, policymakers, courts, and even litigating parties. These Administrative Judges or “AJs,” often confused with well-known federal Administrative Law Judges or “ALJs,” operate by the thousands in numerous federal agencies. Yet unlike ALJs, the significantly more numerous AJs preside over less formal hearings and have no significant statutory protections to preserve their impartiality. The national press has recently called attention to the alleged unfairness of certain ALJ proceedings, and regulated parties have successfully enjoined agencies’ use of ALJs. While fixes are necessary for ALJ adjudication, any solution that ignores more widespread, less independent, and less litigant-protective AJ adjudication falls woefully short.This Article argues that, contrary to agency orthodoxy and regardless of regulated parties’ interests, agencies should choose ALJs over AJs to further their own interests. With broad direction to choose AJs or ALJs, agencies prefer the former because of increased control over AJs’ job performance and policy implementation in flexible, informal proceedings — all for less cost. Yet, not only are the relative informality and cost savings of AJ proceedings exaggerated (based on data that this Article is the first to consider meaningfully), but controlling AJs has overlooked downsides. Control undermines AJs’ perceived impartiality, creating unacknowledged due process concerns under two recent Supreme Court decisions — Caperton v. A.T. Massey Coal Co. and Free Enterprise Fund v. PCAOB — and complicating agencies’ missions. Choosing ALJs also increases the likelihood of agencies receiving deferential judicial review and absolute official immunity for agency adjudicators. Thus, this Article broadens and contextualizes the current ALJ controversy by highlighting the more pervasive and problematic phenomenon of AJs in administrative adjudication.
Type II Diabetes and Obesity: A Control Theoretic Model

Diabetes mellitus can be further classified as Type I diabetes (TID) or Type II diabetes (TIID). TID is recognized as a complete failure in the pancreas β-cell islet. TIID is a failure in the body’s ability to regulate glucose plasma concentration within the blood. Two aspects of TIID are well recognized: impaired insulin secretion and insulin resistance. Insulin resistance inhibits the organs’ to glucose uptake and the response to insulin secretion. Insulin resistance can be linked to increased levels of Free Fatty Acid (FFA) concentration within exhibited in obese individuals and diabetes patients’ offspring. Offspring of diabetes patients exhibit an extreme reduction in mitochondrial function; whereas obese individuals demonstrate high FFA concentration due to an excess of adipose tissue. FFA is linked to insulin resistance with TIID patients. Simulating glucose regulation in the body is considered to be an interesting control theory problem with significant impact. The suggested model in the paper is an attempt to address glucose regulation from a control theoretic viewpoint using the pharmacokinetic approach. The model identifies the contribution of glucose, insulin, incretins, glucagon, and FFA on glucose regulation within the body. The model consists of sub-models addressing the factors production rate (source) and clearance rate (sinks) based upon physiological responses. The model emphasizes the effect of FFA on glucose regulation, therefore creating a base for a mathematical model to simulate the behavior of early TIID diabetes glucose regulation under the effect of insulin resistance with a decreased rate in insulin secretion. The model would remain unable to simulate other behaviors of insulin impairment response exhibited within the TIID. Finally; the model creates a better understanding of TIID, further insight into prevention methods, new disease managements options in the form of diet, a better understanding of the impact of obesity on diabetes, and it can be used to investigate a possible link to cardiovascular diseases.
Molecular Basis for Differential Anion Binding and Proton Coupling in the Cl(-)/H(+) Exchanger ClC-ec1.

Cl–/H+ transporters of the CLC superfamily form a ubiquitous class of membrane proteins that catalyze stoichiometrically coupled exchange of Cl– and H+ across biological membranes. CLC transporters exchange H+ for halides and certain polyatomic anions, but exclude cations, F–, and larger physiological anions, such as PO43– and SO42–. Despite comparable transport rates of different anions, the H+ coupling in CLC transporters varies significantly depending on the chemical nature of the transported anion. Although the molecular mechanism of exchange remains unknown, studies on bacterial ClC-ec1 transporter revealed that Cl– binding to the central anion-binding site (Scen) is crucial for the anion-coupled H+ transport. Here, we show that Cl–, F–, NO3–, and SCN– display distinct binding coordinations at the Scen site and are hydrated in different manners. Consistent with the observation of differential bindings, ClC-ec1 exhibits markedly variable ability to support the formation of the transient water wires, w...
Usher Syndrome Type I

Clinical characteristics Usher syndrome type I (USH1) is characterized by congenital, bilateral, profound sensorineural hearing loss, vestibular areflexia, and adolescent-onset retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Unless fitted with a cochlear implant, individuals do not typically develop speech. RP, a progressive, bilateral, symmetric degeneration of rod and cone functions of the retina, develops in adolescence, resulting in progressively constricted visual fields and impaired visual acuity. Diagnosis/testing The diagnosis of USH1 is established in a proband using electrophysiologic and subjective tests of hearing and retinal function. Identification of biallelic pathogenic variants in one of six genes – MYO7A, USH1C, CDH23, PCDH15, USH1G, and CIB2 – establishes the diagnosis if clinical features are inconclusive. Possible digenic inheritance has been reported in a few families. Management Treatment of manifestations: In infants: an initial trial of hearing aids to stimulate residual hearing and accustom the infant to auditory stimulation. Cochlear implantation should be considered as young as medically feasible. Sign language and tactile signs (once visual loss occurs) for families who choose non-auditory communication. Specialized training from educators of the hearing impaired. Vestibular compensation therapy for children with residual balance function and sensory substitution therapy for individuals with complete absence of vestibular function. Standard treatments for retinitis pigmentosa. Surveillance: Annual audiometry and tympanometry in those with cochlear implant or hearing aids to assure adequate auditory stimulation. Annual otoscopic exam with tympanometry in children with profound loss to evaluate for chronic otitis media. Annual ophthalmologic evaluation, fundus photography, visual acuity, visual field testing, electroretinography, optical coherence tomography, and fundus autofluorescence from age 20 years. Agents/circumstances to avoid: Competition in sports requiring acute vision and/or good balance may be difficult and possibly dangerous. Because of the high risk for disorientation when submerged in water, swimming needs to be undertaken with caution. Progressive loss of peripheral vision impairs the ability to safely drive a car. Evaluation of relatives at risk: The hearing of at-risk sibs should be assessed as soon after birth as possible to allow early diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss. Genetic counseling USH1 is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. At conception, each sib of an affected individual has a 25% chance of being affected, a 50% chance of being an asymptomatic carrier, and a 25% chance of being unaffected and not a carrier. Once the USH1-causing pathogenic variants have been identified in an affected family member, carrier testing for at-risk relatives, prenatal diagnosis for a pregnancy at increased risk, and preimplantation genetic testing are possible.
4695 The frequency of altered duct morphology and natural history of patients following appropriate pancreatic duct stent management.

Background: Studies describing alterations in duct morphology following pancreatic duct stent (PDS) placement have raised concerns about stentrelated morbidity. Limitations included small numbers and inconsistencies in PDS management (e.g. indications for and duration of stenting). The frequency of alterations in duct morphology attributable to appropriately managed PDS remains in doubt, and natural history following PDS removal has yet to be ascertained. Aims: (1) assess the frequency of alterations in duct morphology attributable to appropriately managed PDS, and (2) ascertain the natural history of patients following PDS removal. Methods: Review of endoscopic databases at U. Cincinnati and U. Kentucky. Patients who underwent PDS placement were identified. A data collection form and questionnaire were composed prior to chart review and patient telephone interviews. Exclusion criteria included malignancy, prior pancreatic surgery, alcohol use, and AIDS. In 69% of cases, PDS were either changed or removed within 8 weeks. Data included indication for PDS, ERP findings preceding PDS, stent diameter/length, ERP findings after PDS removal, and complications. Natural history data included physician visits for symptoms attributable to acute/chronic pancreatitis, pain, analgesic use, symptoms of malabsorption, and diabetes. Results: 41 patients were identified who met inclusion and exclusion criteria, 3 SOD and no pancreatitis, 13 acute pancreatitis (AP) (6 duct disruption, 5 SOD, 2 pancreas divisum), and 25 chronic pancreatitis (CP) (13 duct stricture, 7 duct disruption, 5 pancreas divisum). PDS ranged from 5 Fr - 11.5 Fr and 2.5 cm - 15 cm. ERP following stent removal was available in 1/3 SOD, 8/13 AP, and 17/25 CP patients (26/41 total). Alterations in ductal morphology attributable to PDS were noted in 0/1 SOD, 2/8 AP, and 2/17 CP patients (4/26 total). Natural history data was available on 2/3 SOD, 7/13 AP, and 12/25 CP patients (21/41 total). Mean follow-up from PDS placement was 15.6 months. Development/progression of symptoms attributable to pancreatic disease subsequent to PDS removal occurred in 0/2 SOD, 0/7 AP, and 5/12 CP patients. Conclusions: Alterations in duct morphology attributable to PDS were less frequent than previously reported. Acknowledging the limited follow-up time in these cohorts, few alterations in natural history attributable to PDS were identified. Prospective validation of the safety of appropriately managed PDS is warranted.
Abstract P1-09-03: Chemoprevention in patients with newly diagnosed breast cancers

Background: Chemoprevention (including tamoxifen, raloxifene, and exemestane) is a strategy to reduce breast cancer incidence in high risk women. Studies have shown at least a 50% decrease in the incidence of breast cancer in users of these drugs. Despite this benefit, the majority of high risk, unaffected women who are offered chemoprevention decline the therapy. However, there is a growing population of women who have used these agents for primary prevention, and a larger population of survivors who have used these drugs as part of their systemic treatment. The purpose of this study was to identify a cohort of women with newly diagnosed breast cancers who had utilized chemoprevention and describe their patterns of disease. Methods: The Breast Cancer Database of NYU Langone Medical Center was queried for patients who used chemopreventive drugs and developed breast cancer between 1/2010-1/2012. Patients were divided into primary and secondary chemoprevention groups (no previous history of breast cancer and previous history of breast cancer, respectively). Descriptive statistics were utilized. Results: In the study period, 24 (2%) of 996 patients had used a chemopreventive agent. For 16 of the 24 (67%), the drug was part of systemic therapy for prior breast cancer, with a median of 12 years from the initial diagnosis to the diagnosis of a second breast cancer. The primary chemoprevention group included women with risk based on family history and atypical hyperplasias. The majority of patients were diagnosed with early stage disease (88% DCIS and stage I). This likely reflects their screening behaviors. In both groups, the majority of cancers were ductal in origin. Five of the 8 patients in the primary chemoprevention group were on treatment at the time of their cancer diagnosis, while 63% of patients in the secondary group were prior users. In the secondary group, the majority of cases were contralateral second primary breast cancers, with 31% ipsilateral recurrences. Interestingly, the majority of cancers in both groups were ER/PR positive. Conclusions: Our cohort of women who used chemoprevention drugs were overwhelmingly diagnosed with early stage breast cancer, likely reflecting their commitment to screening. The majority of cancers were ER/PR positive. In this group, the choice of cancer treatment will need to be modified in light of prior hormonal treatment. Many of the patients in the secondary group were past users of prevention agents and further work is needed to clarify the duration of benefit of these drugs. In a similar vein, we look forward to research efforts to define the optimal age to initiate primary chemoprevention in high risk women. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-09-03.
Phosphonoformic acid blunts adaptive response of renal and intestinal Pi transport.

Parenteral administration of phosphonoformic acid (PFA) results in phosphaturia, but the effects of oral PFA on Pi handling are not known. To assess this effect, PFA was administered in drinking wa...
Therapeutic groups for children of holocaust survivors.

(1979). Therapeutic Groups for Children of Holocaust Survivors. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy: Vol. 29, No. 2, pp. 211-235.
Inhibition of cytochrome P-450 attenuates hypoxemia of acute lung injury in dogs

The intravenous administration of ethchlorvynol (ECV), in dogs, resulted in an acute lung injury (ALI) characterized by a 200 +/- 80% increase in venous admixture and a 142 +/- 30% increase in extravascular lung water (EVLW). Pretreatment with the cytochrome P-450 inhibitor 8-methoxypsoralen prevented the ECV-induced increase in venous admixture but not the increased EVLW. These findings parallel those reported for cyclooxygenase inhibition in ECV-induced ALI and suggest that an arachidonic acid (AA) metabolite of pulmonary cytochrome P-450 activity may mediate the increase in venous admixture of ALI. We demonstrate that canine pulmonary microsomes metabolize [1-(14)C]AA to a variety of products, including the cytochrome P-450 metabolites 5,6-, 8,9-, 11,12-, and 14,15-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (EET). In prostaglandin F2 alpha-contracted, isolated pulmonary venous rings, 5,6-EET induced relaxation in a concentration-dependent manner. This action of 5,6-EET was prevented by indomethacin (10(-5) M). These results suggest that may serve as the cyclooxygenase-dependent endogenous pulmonary vasodilator responsible for the increase in venous admixture of ECV-induced ALI.
Intuition: A Concept Analysis.

PURPOSE The purpose of this article is to conceptually examine intuition; identify the importance of intuition in nursing education, clinical practice, and patient care; encourage acceptance of the use of intuition; and add to the body of nursing knowledge. BACKGROUND Nurses often report using intuition when making clinical decisions. Intuition is a rapid, unconscious process based in global knowledge that views the patient holistically while synthesizing information to improve patient outcomes. However, with the advent of evidence-based practice (EBP), the use of intuition has become undervalued in nursing. REVIEW METHODS Walker and Avant's framework was used to analyze intuition. A literature search from 1987 to 2014 was conducted using the following keywords: intuition, intuition and nursing, clinical decision making, clinical decision making and intuition, patient outcomes, EBP, and analytical thinking. RESULTS The use of intuition is reported by nurses, but is not legitimized within the nursing profession. Defining attributes of intuition are an unconscious, holistic knowledge gathered without using an analytical process and knowledge derived through synthesis, not analysis. Consequences include verification of intuition through an analytical process and translating that knowledge into a course of action. CONCLUSION This article supports the use of intuition in nursing by offering clarity to the concept, adds to the nursing knowledge base, encourages a holistic view of the patient during clinical decision making, and encourages nurse educators to promote the use of intuition.
Development of Auxiliaries in Young Children Learning African American English

Purpose We examined language samples of young children learning African American English (AAE) to determine if and when their use of auxiliaries shows dialect-universal and dialect-specific effects. Method The data were longitudinal language samples obtained from two children, ages 18 to 36 months, and three children, ages 33 to 51 months. Dialect-universal analyses examined age of first form and early uses of BE, DO, and modal auxiliaries. Dialect-specific analyses focused on rates of overt marking by auxiliary type and syntactic construction and for BE by surface form and succeeding element. Results Initial production of auxiliaries occurred between 19 and 24 months. The children's forms were initially restricted and produced in syntactically simple constructions. Over time, they were expanded in ways that showed their rates of marking to vary by auxiliary type, their rates of BE and DO marking to vary by syntactic construction, and their rates of BE marking to vary by surface form and succeeding elemen...
Toward an Integrative Theory of Value-based Leadership

This chapter takes up where the last left off. Specifically, corporate social performance topics are further reformulated to move inquiry beyond problems of integration and toward a coherent approach that can inform theory and practice, keeping in mind that the mission of the business and society field is to find and develop a constructive business relationship with society. This search is inherently normative, because it seeks to explain what corporations should or should not do on behalf of the social good (Buchholz, 1989; Frederick, 1986; Waddock, 2002; Wood, 199lb). The endeavor necessarily involves factual accounts of corporate activity as well. However, the normative (what corporations should or should not do) and the descriptive (what corporations do or can do) are difficult to blend into one theoretical perspective for corporate social performance, although the approach taken in Chapter 1 can be seen as an important first step toward reconciliation. This dilemma parallels the antagonism between the duty-aligned approach (influenced by ethics research) and the economic perspective (shaped by management research) detailed in that chapter. The conundrum is serious. Many prominent scholars hold that a coherent theory of business and society will be kept at bay until an integration of the normative and descriptive is forged (Donaldson & Dunfee, 1994; Donaldson & Preston, 1995;Frederick, 1994; Freeman, 1994; Jones & Wicks, 1999; Quinn & Jones, 1995).1
The Asylum Archive: the Production of Knowledge at the Colonial Asylum

Tracing the time and effort expended in the early 1870s on deciding the form of the end of year statistical report demonstrates the importance attached to the collection and compilation of information at the asylum. The Inspector-General of Hospitals in the Indian Medical Department in Calcutta effected a series of reforms in the report in Bengal early in the decade. Circular Memorandum No. 105 of 1871 included the note: `The Inspector-General of Hospitals observes that some diversity exists in the forms of Statistical Returns of Lunatic Asylums. As it is essential, for purposes of comparison and compilation, that these forms shall be uniform, the following illustrations of those which should be invariably appended to the Annual Report have been prepared.’1 There followed a list of sixteen tables which were to be produced by each asylum in the end of year report. The previous year the Cuttack asylum had submitted thirteen tables, the Moydapore institution had included only nine in its report and so on. The new system was to standardize the way that information was presented on issues which had previously been tabulated in different ways by the various asylums, issues such as the type of madness diagnosed.
Macroreentrant Loop in Ventricular Tachycardia From the Left Posterior Fascicle: New Implications for Mapping and Ablation.

Background— The underlying mechanisms of reentry during left posterior fascicular ventricular tachycardia (LPF-VT) remain unclear. The purpose of this study is to describe the components of LPF-VT reentry circuit and their electrophysiological properties. Methods and Results— Fourteen consecutive patients with LPF-VT underwent electrophysiology study and radiofrequency ablation. Via a multipolar electrode catheter placed from a retrograde aortic approach, a sharp inflection, high-frequency potential (P1) was detected in 9 patients (64%). The ranges of length and velocity of recorded P1 were 9 to 30 mm and 0.5 to 1.2 mm/ms, respectively. Macroreentry involving the ventricular myocardium was confirmed to be the mechanism in all patients by premature ventricular stimuli delivery or entrainment of LPF-VT with progressive fusion, or both. During LPF-VT, the earliest left posterior fascicle (LPF, P2) was considered to be the site of connection between P1 and P2, and the site of the earliest P2 along the left posterior ventricular septum correlated well with the His-ventricular interval during tachycardia. Radiofrequency ablation focused on the P1 potentials (9 patients with a recorded P1) or earliest P2 (5 patients without a recorded P1) was successful in all 14 patients. After 4.5±3.0 months of follow-up, no patients had recurrence of LPF-VT. Conclusions— The LPF-VT macroreentrant loop involves the ventricular myocardium, a part of the LPF, a slow conduction zone, and in certain cases, a specially conducting P1 fiber. The His-ventricular interval during LPF-VT correlates with multiple electrophysiological measures and is a useful marker for identification of the optimal ablation site.
A 125-MHz mixed-signal echo canceller for Gigabit Ethernet on copper wire

A discrete-time analog echo canceller is described that reduces the echo in the front end of Gigabit Ethernet twisted-pair interfaces. Echo cancellation in the analog domain by means of four taps reduces the complexity of the digital echo canceller and crosstalk cancellers. Designed in a 0.4-/spl mu/m CMOS technology, the circuit employs an LMS algorithm to adapt to the cable length and impedance discontinuities, providing an echo suppression of 10 dB. The design operates at 125 MHz while consuming 43 mW from a 3-V supply.
Impact damage imaging in a honeycomb composite panel with IW via Riesz transform (Conference Presentation)

A vision-based damage detection technique was proposed for the identification of damages in composite honeycomb structures. The motion above the damage area extracted from the wave field image with the developed image decomposition and image signal processing method reveals rich information to determine damage severity. The standing wave prevailed at its resonant frequencies above the barely visible impact damage (BVID) on the surface of a CFRP/honeycomb composite sandwich plate, which was excited by a Q-Switch Nd:YAG pulse laser system for generating a broad-band guided wave, and the wavefield was captured by a Laser Doppler Vibrometer (LDV). With the developed image processing technique, the wavefield image that contains incident waves, reflected waves and standing waves could be separated from different wavenumber vectors and propagating directions. Phases, orientations and resonant frequencies derived from the separated standing wave were taken advantage of, for either emphasizing or magnifying the motion and illustrating the modal behavior on the damage surface. The barely visible impact damage (BVID) of the composite structure was therefore “visible” with the developed technique.
Racial/ethnic disparities in magnesium sulfate neuroprotection: a subgroup analysis of a multicenter randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE Despite known racial disparities in obstetrics, as well as differences in magnesium pharmacodynamics according to race, the effect of race/ethnicity in magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) use during pregnancy has not been studied. Whether some mothers are at increased risk of side effects, or infants at decreased neuroprotective effects is unknown. We analyze the effect of race/ethnicity in maternal/infant outcomes after MgSO4 neuroprotection. STUDY DESIGN Subgroup analysis of a multicenter clinical trial (BEAM trial) where pregnant women at risk of preterm birth were randomized to either MgSO4 or placebo. For this study, nonanomalous singleton pregnancies were studied. The effect of race in maternal/neonatal outcomes after MgSO4 was analyzed with Breslow-Day and multifactorial ANOVA. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (OR) of complications according to race. RESULTS 922 MgSO4 and 972 placebo cases were included (45.0% African-American, 36.2% Caucasian, 17.8% Hispanics, and 1.0% Asians). Interaction analysis showed a significant effect of race/ethnicity (p = .043). Hispanics presented the highest frequency (88.3%, p < .001), as well as the highest odds of MgSO4 side effects [OR(95%CI) = 6.6 (1.3-33.8)]. CONCLUSION Hispanics present increased risk of magnesium toxicity compared to other racial/ethnic groups. Whether specific racial/ethnic groups require closer surveillance for early signs of magnesium toxicity needs to be further explored.
The measurement of species selection on evolving characters

Many processes can contribute to macroevolutionary change. This fact is the source of the wide variety of macroevolutionary change across time and taxa as well as the bane of paleobiological research trying to understand how macroevolution works. Here, I present a general framework for understanding the variety of macroevolutionary phenomena. Based on Price9s theorem, this framework provides a simple quantitative means to understand (1) the macroevolutionary processes that are possible and (2) the way those processes interact with each other. The major qualitative features of macroevolution depend first on the number of processes that co-occur and then on the magnitudes and evolutionary directions of those processes. Species selection, the major macroevolutionary process, consists of patterns of differential rates of speciation and extinction. Its macroevolutionary efficacy depends on the presences of sufficient microevolutionary change. Conversely, microevolutionary change is limited in power by the independent evolution of species, and species selection acting across populations of species can amplify or suppress microevolution. Non-trends may result if species selection sufficiently neutralizes microevolution and may yield stable macroevolutionary patterns over many millions of years.
Innate immune signaling in the ventral tegmental area contributes to drug-primed reinstatement of cocaine seeking.

Cocaine addiction is a chronic relapsing disorder characterized by persistent perturbations to an organism's homeostatic processes that result in maladaptive drug seeking. Although considerable attention has been directed at the consequences of neuronal changes following chronic cocaine taking, few studies have examined the role of microglia, the brain's resident immune cells, following chronic cocaine administration. Toll-Like Receptor 4 (TLR4) is a molecular pattern receptor that recognizes pathogens, danger signals, and xenobiotics and induces proinflammatory signaling in the central nervous system. TLR4 is generally considered to be expressed primarily by microglia. Here, we used a rodent model of cocaine addiction to investigate the role of TLR4 in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) in cocaine seeking. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were trained to self-administer cocaine in daily 2-h sessions for 15days. Following self-administration, rats underwent extinction training and were tested in a drug-primed reinstatement paradigm. Pharmacological antagonism of TLR4 in the VTA using lipopolysaccharide from the bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides (LPS-RS) significantly reduced cocaine-primed reinstatement of drug seeking but had no effect on sucrose seeking. TLR4 activation within the VTA using the TLR4 activator, lipopolysaccharide, was sufficient to moderately reinstate cocaine seeking. We also assessed changes in proinflammatory cytokine expression in the VTA following cocaine self-administration. Cocaine self-administration increased the expression of mRNA for the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1s, but not tumor necrosis factor alpha, in the VTA. Pharmacological antagonism of the interleukin-1 receptor in the VTA reduced cocaine-primed drug seeking. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that chronic cocaine produces inflammatory signaling that contributes to cocaine seeking.
Water and Solutions

Water is an important part of a large number of foods. It is not only an important component of these foods, it is necessary for the digestion of these foods in the body to sustain life. Without water, life as we know it would be impossible. Water is necessary in photosynthesis for the production of carbohydrates by this process. The deterioration of foods, both microbiological and chemical, is affected by the presence of water in the food. Dehydration, which is the elimination of most of the water present, permits food to be stored for relatively long periods of time.
Restorative Environments in Later Life: An Approach to Well-Being from the Perspective of Environmental Psychology

This study proposes an analysis of restorative experiences of 192 elderly persons living in Rome. Perceived restorativeness of natural and built environments was examined, considering the influence of the social context of restoration and the activities performed in the environment. Restorativeness emerges as a consequence of complex person-environment transactions, in which place-specific processes occur. Moreover, a different influence of social interaction in natural and built environments was clearly identified; conversely, activities performed in the environment did not show a significant effect on perceived restorativeness. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Photoacoustic-ultrasonic imaging biomarkers for treatment-response assessment of sorafenib in a rat model of hepatocellular carcinoma

Sorafenib is the only clinically approved drug for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but its response rate is relatively poor. Recently, it has been shown that tissue hypoxia and perfusion have predictive correlation with HCC response to sorafenib treatment. In this study, we investigate the correlation of photoacoustic-ultrasonic (PAUS) imaging biomarkers for oxygen saturation (SO 2 ) and perfusion to the treatment response from sorafenib in an orthotopic rat model of HCC.
Heterogeneity in Gender/Sex Sexualities: An Exploration of Gendered Physical and Psychological Traits in Attractions to Women and Men

Sexuality research has generally privileged attractions based on partners' sexed physical bodies over attractions based on other features, including gender expression and personality traits. Gender may actually be quite central to sexual attractions. However, its role has received little empirical attention. To explore how gendered and sexed features, among others, are related to sexual attractions, the current study assessed how sexually diverse individuals described their attractions to feminine, masculine, and gender-nonspecific features of women and men. A sample of 280 individuals responded to the open-ended questions: "What do you find attractive in a man?" and "What do you find attractive in a woman?" We coded responses as pertaining to physical and/or psychological features, and as being gendered masculine, feminine, or gender-nonspecific. Our analyses showed that participants named gender-nonspecific features most frequently in responses to both questions, feminine features more than masculine features in attractions to women, and masculine features more than feminine features in attractions to men. Additionally, participants named feminine physical features more than masculine physical features, and masculine psychological features more than feminine psychological features, both in their attractions to women and overall. These results highlight the importance of considering attractions based on gender, rather than sex alone.
Copper-polydopamine composite derived from bioinspired polymer coating

Abstract Metal matrix composites with nanocarbon phases, such carbon nanotube (CNT) and graphene, have shown potentials to achieve improved mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties. However, incorporation of these nanocarbons into the metal matrix usually involves complicated processes. This study explored a new processing method to fabricate copper (Cu) matrix composite by coating Cu powder particles with nanometer-thick polydopamine (PDA) thin films and sintering of the powder compacts. For sintering temperatures between 300 °C and 750 °C, the Cu-PDA composite samples showed higher electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity than the uncoated Cu samples, which is likely related to the higher mass densities of the composite samples. After being sintered at 950 °C, the thermal conductivity of the Cu-PDA sample was approximately 12% higher than the Cu sample, while the electrical conductivity did not show significant difference. On the other hand, Knoop micro-hardness values were comparable between the Cu-PDA and Cu samples sintered at the same temperatures.
Transfer Learning by Discovering Latent Task Parametrizations

We present a framework that is able to discover the latent factors that parametrize a family of related tasks from data. The resulting model is able to rapidly identify the dynamics of a new task instance, allowing an agent to flexibly adapt to task variations.
Sets early and probability

Sets are fundamental concepts that underlie much of computing. This paper shows how sets can be introduced early and then lead quickly and smoothly to logic and especially probability. This is done with a series of example systems growing in size and complexity. It uses the Python language along with some graphical set diagrams to provide a balanced approach for various learning styles of students. The paper also provides a new simple measure of the probabilistic dependence between sets.
Effects of urbanization and habitat composition on site occupancy of two snake species using regional monitoring data from southern California

Abstract Detection data from a regional, reptile-monitoring program conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey were analyzed to understand the effects of urbanization and habitat composition on site occupancy of the coachwhip (Masticophis flagellum) and striped racer (M. lateralis) in coastal southern California. Likelihood-based occupancy models indicated striped racers responded to habitat composition, favoring scrub-dominated sites. Coachwhips also responded to habitat composition, favoring open habitats. However, unlike racers, coachwhip spatial population dynamics were strongly associated with the fragmentation and isolation of natural areas caused by urbanization. The odds of coachwhips occupying a site were 64 times greater in large connected areas than the most urbanized and fragmented sites. For coachwhips within urbanized and fragmented sites, the odds of extinction were 10 times greater and odds of colonization were five times lower than in large connected sites. Observed differences between the species in habitat use and specificity are supported by telemetry studies and corroborate existing knowledge of historical patterns of occurrence within the region. Movement data on the coachwhip and striped racer indicate the coachwhip is a wider-ranging species with a greater propensity to encounter roads and other edge environments. Collectively, the results suggest there is widespread loss of the coachwhip from the region, and that long-term persistence of remaining populations is dependent on metapopulation dynamics. The substantially different response of the two species to land-use change serves as a caution against the casual use of closely related species as surrogates in the development of species-specific conservation plans.
An All-Digital Unified Static/Dynamic Entropy Generator Featuring Self-Calibrating Hierarchical Von Neumann Extraction for Secure Privacy-Preserving Mutual Authentication in IoT Mote Platforms

A common entropy source in 14nm CMOS together with a 3-way self-calibrating hierarchical Von Neumann extractor implemented on a FPGA enable an all-digital unified static/dynamic entropy generator for flexible and secure privacy-preserving mutual authentication in compact trusted mote platforms at the edge of IoT. Measurements demonstrate 0.56/1.48Gbps PUF/TRNG throughput with 0.9996/0.99997 static/dynamic entropy at 0.65V, 70°C. Source substitution with adaptive residual entropy injection provides 9× higher TRNG throughput and 4× energy-efficiency gain, with 25% area savings over separate PUF/TRNG implementations.
Anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation and heart failure: Insights from the NCDR PINNACLE‐AF registry

Author(s): Contreras, Johanna P; Hong, Kimberly N; Castillo, Javier; Marzec, Lucas N; Hsu, Jonathan C; Cannon, Christopher P; Yang, Song; Maddox, Thomas M | Abstract: BackgroundIn non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients, congestive heart failure (CHF) confers an increased risk of stroke or systemic thromboembolism. This risk is present in both heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). It is unclear if clinicians account for both types of CHF in their NVAF anticoagulation practices. Accordingly, we characterized current outpatient anticoagulation trends in NVAF patients with HFpEF compared to patients with HFrEF.MethodsThe outpatient NCDR PINNACLE-AF registry was analyzed to identify patients with NVAF and CHF. The study population was subdivided into HFpEF (ie, LVEF ≥ 40%) and HFrEF (LVEF l 40%). Anticoagulation rates by CHF group were compared and stratified by CHA2 DS2 -VASc score.ResultsA total of 340 127 patients with NVAF and CHF were identified, of whom 248 136 (73.0%) were classified as HFpEF and 91 991 (27.0%) as HFrEF. Patients with HFpEF had higher mean CHA2 DS2 -VASc scores and were more likely to be female, older, and have hypertension (P l 0.001). Unadjusted anticoagulation rates were significantly lower in patients with HFpEF compared to those with HFrEF (60.6% vs 64.2%, respectively). Lower rates of anticoagulation in the HFpEF group persisted after risk adjustment (RR: 0.93 [95% CI: 0.91, 0.94]). Stratification by CHA2 DS2 -VASc score demonstrated that lower rates of anticoagulation in patients with HFpEF persisted until a score of ≥5.ConclusionsPatients with NVAF and HFpEF have significantly lower anticoagulation rates when compared to their HFrEF counterparts. These findings suggest a potential underappreciation of HFpEF as a risk factor in patients with NVAF.