cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Students Preferences in Teaching Methods of Entrepreneurship Education.

Entrepreneurial education (EE) has recently become popular at universities of economics almost all over the world. Various teaching methods play a very important role in the development of the future entrepreneurs. Therefore, in order for a student to become a successful entrepreneur, it is important to find the most effective tool for the teachers to support entrepreneurship education and find the ideal connection between the needs of the students and the right choice of a teaching method. There is a large gap between the needs of the business environment and university studies of this area. The research is based on 214 questionnaires, which were filled in by the students of the University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budějovice in 2018-2019. The aim of the paper is to find and analyse the preferences of teaching methods for students of management based on the following criteria: gender, faculty, degree of study. The students expected to be taught by active methods, e.g. experts lectures and business simulators. Differences in the use of teaching methods were the most evident among students from different faculties.
American Cosmic: UFOs, Religion, Technology, by D.W. Pasulka.

American Cosmic: UFOs, Religion, Technology, by D.W. Pasulka. 2019, Oxford University Press. Hb. $24.95. ISBN-13: 9780190692889.
Predictive Value of Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score across Patients with and without COVID-19 Infection.

Rationale Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores are commonly used in Crisis Standards of Care policies to assist in resource allocation. The relative predictive value of SOFA by COVID-19 infection status and among racial/ethnic subgroups within patients infected with COVID-19 is unknown. Objective To evaluate the accuracy and calibration of SOFA in predicting hospital mortality by COVID-19 infection status and across racial/ethnic subgroups. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study of adult admissions to the University of Miami Hospital and Clinics inpatient wards (July 1, 2020-April 1, 2021). We primarily considered maximum SOFA within 48 hours of hospitalization. We assessed accuracy using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) and created calibration belts. Considered subgroups were defined by COVID-19 infection status (by SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing) and prevalent racial/ethnic minorities. Comparisons across subgroups were made with DeLong testing for discriminative accuracy and visualization of calibration belts. Results Our primary cohort consisted of 20,045 hospitalizations of which 1,894 (9.5%) were COVID-19-positive. SOFA was similarly accurate for COVID-19-positive (AUROC 0.835) and COVID-19-negative (AUROC 0.810, p=0.15) admissions, but was slightly better calibrated in COVID-19-positive patients. For those with critical illness, maximum SOFA score accuracy at critical illness onset also did not differ by COVID-19 status (AUROC, COVID-19-positive vs -negative: intensive care unit admissions-0.751 vs 0.775, p=0.46; mechanically ventilated-0.713 vs 0.792, p=0.13) and calibration was again better for COVID-19-positive patients. Among COVID-19 patients, SOFA accuracy was similar between non-Hispanic Whites (AUROC 0.894) and racial/ethnic minorities (Hispanic Whites: AUROC 0.824 [p vs non-Hispanic Whites=0.05]; non-Hispanic Blacks: AUROC 0.800 [p=0.12]; Hispanic Blacks: AUROC 0.948 [p=0.31]). This similar accuracy was also found for those without COVID-19 (non-Hispanic Whites: AUROC 0.829; Hispanic Whites: AUROC 0.811 [p=0.37]; Hispanic Blacks: AUROC 0.828 [p=0.97]; non-Hispanic Blacks: AUROC 0.867 [p=0.46]). SOFA was well calibrated for all racial/ethnic groups with COVID-19, but estimated mortality more variably and performed less well across races/ethnicities without COVID-19. Conclusions SOFA accuracy does not differ by COVID-19 status and is similar among racial/ethnic groups both with and without COVID-19. Calibration is better for COVID-19 infected patients and, among those without COVID-19, varies by race/ethnicity.
The President’s Farewell [President’s Message]

It’s been an extraordinary two years, for everyone, and let’s hope it is never to be repeated.
Biography as Pedagogy: A Review of Hemingway's Boat: Everything He Loved and Lost, 1934-1961

Hemingway’s Boat: Everything He Loved and Lost, 1934-1961 (2011) by Paul Hendrickson is an excellent example of a dual-purpose book for qualitative researchers. It firsts provides an example of high-quality scholarship in the field of life history research. It also offers the reader specific insights into the practice of qualitative research and how that data is used to create a narrative of the participant’s life. Through the use of authorial participation, a grounded narrative framework, and a detailed description of his research process, Hendrickson’s book is a keen exemplar of the process and product of qualitative work. Key Words: Hemingway, Qualitative Research, Biography, Life History. It is a fine time to be a qualitative researcher. With the paradigm wars squarely in the rear-view mirror of research, it is possible now to focus on the search for meaning that Gage (1989) suggests can be found through the “kind of insight that historians, moral philosophers, novelists, artists, and literary critics can provide” (p. 4). This shift to derive insight from lived experiences is nowhere more evident than in the tools available to the qualitative researcher. A quick search of a popular online book vendor resulted in over 1400 hits using the keyword search, “qualitative research.” And though not every query result was a guidebook or conceptual how-to manual, most were. The Qualitative Report itself has featured numerous recent book reviews; each providing eager readers with more options for their research libraries.
A Solution-Focused Approach to Crisis Intervention with Adolescents

Abstract The article provides a description of a solution-focused approach to crisis intervention with adolescents. A description of common developmental and environmental factors that may result in crises for adolescents is presented, followed by an overview of solution-focused therapy. Similarities between solution-focused therapy and strength's-based crisis intervention and intervention with adolescents are discussed. The assumptions and techniques of solution focused therapy that meet the particular needs of adolescents in crisis are presented along with a typical solution-focused session adapted for use with adolescents in crisis. An overview of efficacy research on solution-focused therapy with adolescents is also presented.
Peripheral blood stem cell transplants for multiple myeloma: identification of favorable variables for rapid engraftment in 225 patients

Transfusion of autologous peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) of good quality ensures fast hematopoietic engraftment after myeloablative therapy with a decrease in procedure-related morbidity and mortality. We have analyzed variables influencing the kinetics of engraftment, and therefore reflecting the quality of PBSC collections, in 225 patients with newly diagnosed or refractory multiple myeloma (MM) who received an autotransplant in support of high dose melphalan (200 mg/m2); 132 of these patients also completed a second transplant. All PBSCs were collected before the first transplant after high-dose cyclophosphamide (6 g/m2) and hematopoietic growth factors, mainly granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. PBSCs were administered either alone (91 patients) or with bone marrow (134 patients). A highly significant correlation was observed between the number of CD34+ cells per kilogram infused and prompt recovery of both granulocytes (P = .0001) and platelets (P = .0001). After correction for the proportion of patients with > or = 2 x 10(6)/kg CD34 PBSCs infused and with or = 2.0 x 10(6)/kg for patients with < or = 24 months of chemotherapy before the first transplant, whereas greater than 5 x 10(6)/kg CD34 cells were required to assure rapid recovery also in those with longer exposure. Such quantities, easily collected in the large majority of patients with shorter exposure (91%), were obtained in only 28% of patients with more than 24 months of prior chemotherapy. Rapid platelet recovery within a narrow range of time (before day 14) was almost invariably seen (94%) when greater than 5 x 10(6)/kg CD34 cells were infused, irrespective of the duration of prior therapy, whereas the range widened progressively when less CD34 cells were infused. In the absence of CD34 measurements, fast recovery of platelets to greater than 50 x 10(9)/L within 14 days after high-dose cyclophosphamide and < or = 12 months of prior chemotherapy were the best predictors of early engraftment. Prudent use of stem cell-damaging agents, such as melphalan and nitrosoureas, is recommended in MM patients who might be candidates for autotransplantation. Alternatively, PBSCs should be collected early after diagnosis.
Energy Consumption and Economic Growth: Evidence from Low-Income Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa

The main purpose of this paper is to investigate the causality relationship between energy consumption and economic growth in four low-income countries in Sub-Saharan Africa using the econometrics in time-series methods. Along the estimation process, I use the annual data on energy consumption and real GDP per capita over the years of 1971 and 2011. The results of the ADF unit root test show that the time series are not stationary for all countries at levels, but log of economic growth in Benin and Congo become stationary after taking the differences of the data, and log of energy consumption become stationary for all countries and LGR in Kenya and Zimbabwe are found to be stationary after taking the second differences of the time-series. The findings of the Johansen co-integration test demonstrate that the variables LEC and LGR are not co-integrated for the cases of Kenya and Zimbabwe, so no long-run relationship between the variables arises in any country. The Granger causality test indicates that there is a unidirectional causality running from energy use to economic growth in Kenya and no causality linkage between EC and GR in Benin, Congo and Zimbabwe. Keywords: economic growth; energy consumption; causality test JEL Classifications: C22; O43
The origins of insect metamorphosis

Insect metamorphosis is a fascinating and highly successful biological adaptation, but there is much uncertainty as to how it evolved. Ancestral insect species did not undergo metamorphosis and there are still some existing species that lack metamorphosis or undergo only partial metamorphosis. Based on endocrine studies and morphological comparisons of the development of insect species with and without metamorphosis, a novel hypothesis for the evolution of metamorphosis is proposed. Changes in the endocrinology of development are central to this hypothesis. The three stages of the ancestral insect species-pronymph, nymph and adult-are proposed to be equivalent to the larva, pupa and adult stages of insects with complete metamorphosis. This proposal has general implications for insect developmental biology.
When Newsworthy is Not Noteworthy: Examining the value of news from the audience's perspective

In the history of news production, the gap between editors' news judgment and audience interest has been widely noticeable. In scholarly research, while news consumption remains a central focus, the value of news content as a product has rarely been examined from the audience's perspective. News is almost always presumed by scholars and practitioners to be of value, which, however, is not necessarily the case in today's media environment. The recent decline in news consumption from the traditional media is often attributed to demographic factors, particularly age. However, such age-oriented narratives shift the responsibility away from news providers to users. From the media economics standpoint, when news organizations fail to address users' needs and wants, the product delivers limited utility and demand would dwindle as a result. This study conceptualizes and empirically examines the “noteworthiness” of news content as perceived by the general public. Results based on a national survey of US internet u...
Compression/Shear Response of Honeycomb Core

Composite sandwich structures find applications in many aerospace systems due to their lightweight and high strength. However, these structures are susceptible to low energy impact damage. Our studies of the damage resistance and tolerance of honeycomb core sandwich structures shows that the performance of the core plays a key role. Thus we have undertaken a study of the compressive and shear behavior of the aluminum honeycomb cores used in several space systems. The study consists of uniaxial and compression/shear tests of the core. Using a novel ring specimen loaded in compression and torsion, we can load along any line in compression/shear stress space in order to map out the core’s yield surface and its evolution. Results from the experiments are used to validate computational models that are part of a larger simulation of the compression after impact strength of honeycomb core composites.
Rotation around the C1 ? C2 bond of propylamine, an ab initio study

Ab initio Hartree-Fock calculations at the 6–31G*//6–31G* and MP3/6–31G*//6–31G* levels of theory are reported for propylamine. All ten stationary points needed in a description of the rotation around the C1–C2 bond have been located on the 6–31G* surface and each of these points has been examined at the MP3 level.
A Semi-Blind Pilot-Assisted Channel Estimation Algorithm in OFDM Systems

In this paper we study a new semi-blind channel estimation algorithm in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems. The proposed scheme is an extension of a recently reported subspace-based blind channel estimation algorithm in cyclic prefix systems which requires very few received blocks. The semi-blind estimation algorithm is devised by using the information obtained both from the blind channel estimation method and a pure pilot-assisted method. The proposed algorithm uses a small amount of received data and can be applied to any types of communication constellations. Simulation results show that, with the same number of pilot samples, the semi-blind algorithm has a clear improvement in system performance over the pure pilot-assisted method. To achieve the same bit- error-rate performance, the proposed semi-blind algorithm uses fewer pilot samples.
Human Placenta Is an Active Site of Thyroxine and 3,3',5-Triiodothyronine Tyrosyl Ring Deiodination*

Human placental homogenate deiodinates the tyrosyl ring of T4 and T3, converting these active thyroid hormones to the inactive iodothyronines, rT3 from T4, and 3,3'-diiodothyronineand 3'-monoiodothyronine from T3. The conversion of T4 to rT3 is time, temperature, pH, and protein content dependent and does notoccur inthe absence of the thiol-regenerating agent dithiothreitol. Phenolic ring deiodination of T4, T3,and rT3 was not detected. Failure of the transplacental passage of T4 and T3 from mother to fetus may be secondary to the placental tyrosyl ring deiodination of these 2iodothyronines.
Solution of the Nonlinear Heat Equation for Circular-Foil Heat Flux Gauges

A series solution of the steady nonlinear heat equation for a circular-thin-foil heat flux gauge subjected to a constant-radiation heatflux is presented. The dimensionless formof the heat equation involves a dimensionless gauge parameter and a dimensionless irradiation parameter. A linear solution is extracted from the series solution, which yields a simple-yet-accurate formula that is useful for calibration of thin-foil heat flux gauges. The dimensionless temperature at the center of the foil is determined from the linear solution as a function of the preceding two parameters. The dependence of the irradiation parameter on the dimensionless temperature at the center of the circular foil is presented graphically for awide range of the parameters. The values of the dimensionless temperature at the center of the foil obtained with the linear solution are in good agreement with those obtained with a numerical solution of the heat equation usingRunge–Kutta integration. Typical temperature profiles also showgoodagreement with the numerical solution. To compensate for inherent gauge errors and assumptions made in the analysis, individual gauges are calibrated against standards. To curve fit the calibration data, it is suggested that a correction factor be introduced in the argument of the modified Bessel function that appears in the linear formula for the dimensionless irradiation parameter.
Unravelling the mechanisms of help for CD8+ T cell responses

CD8+ T cells are critically important for immune defense against many viral and bacterial pathogens, and are also key components of cancer immunotherapy. Help from CD4+ T cells is usually essential for optimal CD8+ T cell responses, driving the primary response, the survival of memory cells, and the generation of protective and therapeutic immunity. Understanding the mechanisms of help is thus essential for vaccine design, and for restoring protective immunity in immunosuppressed individuals. Our laboratory has developed an immunization protocol using peptide-pulsed dendritic cells to stimulate help-dependent primary, memory, and secondary CD8+ T cell responses. We have used gene-targeted and T cell receptor transgenic mice to identify two distinct pathways that generate help-dependent and help-independent CD8+ T cell responses, respectively, and are now starting to define the molecular mechanisms underlying these two pathways.
Thermal-guided radiofrequency catheter ablation in children and adolescents

Abstract Radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation for the treatment of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias in young patients has become standard therapy. Our initial experience with RF showed that, although it was effective, with only energy output used as a guide, we frequently developed impedance rises due to “boiling” at the tip of the electrode, with development of coagulum when the catheter was removed. This was especially true when delivering energy in areas of limited blood flow, (i.e., the coronary sinus) or when the catheter tip was positioned at 90° to the tissue plane. To examine the effects of catheter tip temperature monitoring with a themistor at the tip of the catheter, we compared results of RF prior to and following instituting this method. We procedure examined the results in 90 children who were “mechanism” matched in terms of their tachyarrhythmia and who had at least 3 months-follow-up evaluation. The non-temperature-monitored patients were taken from the immediate preceding period to prevent the “learning curve,” from biasing the results. Mechanisms included accessory connection (left free wall 18, septal 6, right free wall 8); atrioventricular node reentry tachycardia (AVNRT) 10; His ablation 3. Age and fluoroscopy time did not differ. However, the temperature-monitored group required fewer lesions (4.3 ± 4.8 vs 10.7 ± 8.9, P P P
Charge state dependent ion trap collision-induced dissociation of reduced bovine and porcine trypsin cations

Abstract The quadrupole ion trap collision-induced dissociation (CID) behavior of reduced bovine and porcine trypsin cations, formed via nanospray ionization, is reported for the odd-numbered precursor ion charge states over the range of +9 to +21. Dissociation of precursor ions in both bovine and porcine trypsin yield predominantly b- and y-type ion backbone cleavages with strong evidence for preferential cleavages C-terminal to aspartic acid at intermediate to low charge states, C-terminal to lysine residues at intermediate charge states, and N-terminal to proline residues across all charge states examined. Both homologs showed similarly rich fragmentation within the first dozen residues at the N-terminus and both homologs proved to be resistant to fragmentation within the roughly 40 residues from the C-terminal end of the protein. Spectra derived from single precursor ion charge states showed fragmentation at 15% or less of the 222 amide linkages, while cleavage at roughly 30% of the bonds was observed when all charge states examined were considered. Significant differences in the identities of the observed fragmentation channels for the different charge state precursor ions accounts for the larger sequence coverage associated with the integration of fragmentation information across all charge states. In terms of individual fragmentation channels, many similarities between the two protein homologs were noted. Many of the major differences can be accounted for on the basis of the sequence differences associated with the homologs. However, some notable differences were noted for cleavage sites where residue identities were the same. Observations of this type highlight the fact that numerous factors, in addition to primary structure, affect protein ion dissociation under ion trap collisional activation conditions.
New constraint on scalar Gauss-Bonnet gravity and a possible explanation for the excess of the orbital decay rate in a low-mass x-ray binary

It was recently shown that a black hole (BH) is the only compact object that can acquire a scalar charge in scalar Gauss-Bonnet (sGB) theory under the small coupling approximation. This leads to the fact that scalar radiation is emitted from a binary containing at least one BH. In this paper, we find the constraints on this theory from BH low-mass x-ray binaries. The main result of this paper is that from the orbital decay rate of A0620-00, we obtained a conservative bound that is six orders of magnitude stronger than the Solar System bound. In addition to this, we look at XTE $\mathrm{J}1118+480$, whose orbital decay rate has been recently measured with an excess compared to the theoretical prediction in general relativity due to the radiation reaction. The cause of this excess is currently unknown. Although it is likely that the cause is of astrophysical origin, here we investigate the possibility of explaining this excess with the additional scalar radiation in sGB theory. We find that there still remains a parameter range where the excess can be explained while also satisfying the constraint obtained from A0620-00. The interesting point is that for most of other alternative theories of gravity, it seems difficult to explain this excess with the additional radiation. This is because it would be difficult to evade the constraints from binary pulsars or they have already been constrained rather strongly from other observations such as solar system experiments. We propose several ways to determine whether the excess is caused by the scalar radiation in sGB gravity including future gravitational wave observations with space-borne interferometers, which can give a constraint three orders of magnitude stronger than that from A0620-00.
A novel mRNA-decapping activity in HeLa cytoplasmic extracts is regulated by AU-rich elements

While decapping plays a major role in mRNA turnover in yeast, biochemical evidence for a similar activity in mammalian cells has been elusive. We have now identified a decapping activity in HeLa cytoplasmic extracts that releases 7meGDP from capped transcripts. Decapping is activated in extracts by the addition of 7meGpppG, which specifically sequesters cap-binding proteins such as eIF4E and the deadenylase DAN/PARN. Similar to in vivo observations, the presence of a poly(A) tail represses decapping of RNAs in vitro in a poly(A)-binding protein-dependent fashion. AU-rich elements (AREs), which act as regulators of mRNA stability in vivo, are potent stimulators of decapping in vitro. The stimulation of decapping by AREs requires sequence-specific ARE-binding proteins. These data suggest that cap recognition and decapping play key roles in mediating mRNA turnover in mammalian cells.
Distinction between supercoiled and linear DNA in transverse agarose pore gradient gel electrophoresis

Four species of linear DNA and the first four members of a linking series, generated by treatment of plasmid DNA (PUC19, 2.7 kb) with mitochondrial topoisomerase I, were differentiated by transverse agarose pore gradient gel electrophoresis. The experimental curves of migration distance vs. agarose concentration (Ferguson curves) of supercoiled DNA exhibit a steeper trajectory than those of linear DNA of the same size range. As a consequence, the four supercoiled species exhibit an increase in apparent size (relative to linear DNA standards) with increasing agarose concentration. Both the crossing of the Ferguson curves with those of linear standards as well as the apparent size increase with agarose concentration can serve to detect supercoiled plasmid-sized DNA in mixtures with linear DNA.
Female Sex Pheromone of Heliothis phloxiphaga (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): Chemical Identification, Male Behavioral Response in the Flight Tunnel, and Field Tests

Heptane washes of ovipositors of Heliothis phloxiphaga Grote & Robinson contained an average of 86.3% (Z)-11-hexadecenal (Z-11–16:ald), 0.4% (Z)-9-hexadecenal (Z-9–16:ald), 7.1% hexadecanal (16:ald), and 6.2% (Z)-11-hexadecen-1-ol (Z-11–16:OH). Flight tunnel and field tests showed that a mixture of Z-11–16:ald, Z-9–16:ald, and Z-11–16:OH (96.4, 0.6, and 3.0%, respectively) elicited male responses equivalent to those evoked by calling virgin females. The proportion of Z-11–16:ald to Z-11–16:OH in the pheromone is critical to elicitation of optimal response from males and it may also play a role in pheromonal specificity.
A Negotiation Protocol for Optimal Decision Making by Collaborating Agents

Through presented paper, we provide a simple negotiation model in a multi-agent system, where every agent has incomplete set of information about all other agents. Agents in our algorithm collaborate with other agents for optimizing the final solution while preserving their individual privacies. Agents implement the idea of collaboration by sharing their profits with other agents. Therefore an agent prefers existing proposals from other agents to generate its proposals instead of considering proposals solely based on its personal profit. We eliminate the need of a centralizing agent and maintain that minimal information flow is needed among agents while reaching toward an optimal solution. Possible use of our algorithm can be seen in areas where multiple agents are trying to optimize their individual functions through a common solution such as placement of network routers, vehicle routing and job distribution.
The cdc25 protein controls tyrosine dephosphorylation of the cdc2 protein in a cell-free system.

Abstract As a prerequisite for the activation of MPF, the cdc2 protein kinase must undergo tyrosine dephosphorylation. Genetic studies have demonstrated that the cdc25 protein activates the cdc2 protein kinase once DNA replication has been completed. We have produced the cdc25 protein in bacteria and shown that it activates MPF in Xenopus extracts. In extracts that normally cannot enter mitosis owing to inhibition of DNA synthesis, the addition of active cdc25 protein efficiently elicits the mitotic state by inducing premature dephosphorylation of tyrosine on the cdc2 protein. The cdc25-dependent activation reaction can be reconstituted in a partially purified system lacking ATP. These biochemical experiments demonstrate that the cdc25 protein actively drives tyrosine dephos-phorylation of the cdc2 protein and offer the prospect for characterizing the individual factors that regulate the activation of MPF during the progression from S phase to mitosis.
An Analysis of the K I λ7698 Line Profile in the Halo Turnoff Star HD 84937 and Its Implications for Lithium Isotopic Studies

The line profile of the resonance line of K I at 7698 A has been analyzed in the halo turnoff star HD 84937, using a high-resolution (λ/Δλ = 110,000), high signal-to-noise ratio (S/N = 550) spectrum. Three different groups have reported detecting 6Li in this star, based on a red asymmetry in the Li I λ6707 line profile (6Li displays an isotopic shift of about 0.15 A to the red, relative to 7Li, in this line). It is possible, however, that convection could introduce this red asymmetry by mass motions of 7Li in the star's atmosphere. At the metallicity of HD 84937, the K I resonance line at 7698 A is expected to have a similar line strength to the Li I λ6707 feature, and both these lines are resonance transitions. In addition, both potassium and lithium have similar first ionization potentials. The result of these similarities is that the Li I and K I lines are formed at nearly identical regions in the atmosphere of HD 84937. This study presents a line profile analysis of the K I line, which has negligible isotopic splitting and is effectively a single-component line, in HD 84937. Any possible convective motions of sufficient magnitude to produce a spurious detection of 6Li should also produce detectable asymmetries in the K I line. No such asymmetries are found here, strengthening the case that the previously reported detections of 6Li in HD 84937 are real.
Gravity dual to a quantum critical point with spontaneous symmetry breaking.

We consider zero-temperature solutions to the Abelian Higgs model coupled to gravity with a negative cosmological constant. With appropriate choices of parameters, the geometry contains two copies of anti\char21{}de Sitter space, one describing conformal invariance in the ultraviolet, and one in the infrared. The effective speed of signal propagation is smaller in the infrared. Green's functions and associated transport coefficients can have unusual power-law scaling in the infrared. We provide an example in which the real part of the conductivity scales approximately as ${\ensuremath{\omega}}^{3.5}$ for small $\ensuremath{\omega}$.
Genocide and the moral agency of ethnic groups

: Genocide is the deliberate destruction, in whole or in part, of a people. Typically, it is a crime that is committed by a people. In this essay, I propose an analysis of the concept of an ethnic identity group, which is, I argue, the concept of ethnicity at issue in many important discussions of group rights, group acts, and the moral responsibility of group members for the acts of the groups to which they belong. I develop the account of collective agency presupposed by this analysis and explore its implications for assessments of individual moral responsibility for genocide. I argue, further, that among other advantages over culturalist approaches to questions about group rights, the approach that follows from the concept of an ethnic identity group sheds light on the specific moral wrong of genocide. I reply to individualist objections to the idea that ethnic group membership may be morally significant and argue that morally adequate responses to genocide presuppose acknowledgment of the fact that groups act and are acted upon in morally significant ways.
The neurosciences research program at MIT and the beginning of the modern field of neuroscience.

The interdisciplinary field, “neuroscience,” began at MIT in 1962 with the founding of the Neurosciences Research Program (NRP) by Francis O. Schmitt and a group of US and international scientists — physical, biological, medical, and behavioral — interested in understanding the brain basis of behavior and mind. They organized and held specialist meetings of basic topics in neuroscience, and the journal and book publications over the next 20 years, based on these meetings, helped establish the new field.
Photoassisted electrolysis of water using a BaTiO3 electrode

Abstract We have observed photoinduced currents at BaTiO3 semiconductor electrodes for incident radiation greater than the band gap energy (Eg = 3.3 eV). Collection efficiencies of 30% were obtained with an applied potential and no apparent electrode degradation was observed. Photoinduced currents were examined at several wave-lengths for five solutions in the pH range from 1.1 to 13.6. Mott-Schottky plots of the functional dependence of the differential capacitance upon applied potential show linear behavior allowing estimation of the flat band potential and carrier concentration. Results for the BaTiO3 electrodes are compared to those for SrTiO3, TiO2 and preliminary investigations on Pb0.92La0.08Ti0.98O3 and Pb0.86La0.14 (Zr0.10Ti0.90)0.965O3.
Creatinine and glomerular filtration rate: evolution of an accommodation

This brief review examines the history of the use of creatinine as a measure of renal function. While there are more accurate markers of glomerular filtration, creatinine was chosen for convenience. Since the relationship of creatinine to glomerular filtration depends upon a tenuous balance of counterbalancing factors, practitioners should be alert to situations that alter that balance. While the averaging of variations over time helps to avoid some of the problems with diurnal variations in the past, the present-day reliance upon equations based upon a solitary serum value is likely to amplify those problems in clinical situations when the effect of disease, medications, diet and time of day upon that balance are not considered.
Effect of intraluminal thrombus thickness and bulge diameter on the oxygen diffusion in abdominal aortic aneurysm.

The intraluminal thrombus (ILT) commonly found within abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) may serve as a barrier to oxygen diffusion from the lumen to the inner layers of the aortic wall. The purpose of this work was to address this hypothesis and to assess the effects ofAAA bulge diameter (d AAA ) and ILT thickness (δ) on the oxygen flow. A hypothetical, three-dimensional, axisymmetric model of AAA containing ILT was created for computational analysis. Commercial software was utilized to estimate the volume flow of O 2 per cell, which resulted in zero oxygen tension at the AAA wall. Solutions were generated by holding one of the two parameters fixed while varying the other. The supply of O 2 to the AAA wall increases slightly and linearly with d AAA for a fixed δ. This slight increase is due to the enlarged area through which diffusion of O 2 may take place. The supply of O 2 was found to decrease quickly with increasing δ for a fixed d AAA due to the increased resistance to O 2 transport by the ILT layer. The presence of even a thin, 3 mm ILT layer causes a diminished O 2 supply (less than 4 X 10 -10 μmol/min/cell). Normally functioning smooth muscle cells require a supply of 21 x 10 -10 μmol/min/cell. Thus, our analysis serves to support our hypothesis that the presence of ILT alters the normal pattern of O 2 supply to the AAA wall. This may lead to hypoxic cell dysfunction in the AAA wall, which may further lead to wall weakening and increased potential for rupture.
Mostly passive information delivery in a car

In this study we present and analyze a mostly passive infotainment approach to presenting information in a car. The passive style is similar to radio listening but content is generated on the fly and it is based on a mixture of personal information (calendar, emails) and public data (news, POI, jokes). The spoken part of the audio is machine synthesized. We explore two modes of operation. The first one is passive only. The second one is more interactive and speech commands are used to personalize the information mix and to request particular information items. Usability and distraction tests were conducted with both systems implemented using the Wizard of Oz technique. Both systems were assessed using multiple objective and subjective metrics and the results indicate that driver distraction was low for both systems. The users differed in the amount of interaction they preferred. Some users preferred more command-driven styles while others were happy with passive presentation. Most of the users were satisfied with the quality of synthesized speech and found it sufficient for the given purpose. In addition, feedback was collected from the subjects on what kind of information they liked listening to and how they would have preferred to ask for specific types of information.
The use of landmarks to define territorial boundaries.

Abstract Numerous anecdotal reports suggest that members of many territorial species use naturally occurring landmarks to define the boundaries of their territories. In the work reported here, we first tested whether artificial landmarks would be adopted as boundaries by territorial male cicada killer wasps, Sphecius speciosus . To perform this test, we set out wooden dowels on a flat, grassy lawn on which male wasps were defending mating territories. The dowels were situated so that they did not coincide with any existing territorial boundary. After we provided the dowels, the wasps established new territorial boundaries coinciding with the dowels. We hypothesized that using visual landmarks as territorial borders might lower defensive costs, and indeed, focal samples on territorial wasps revealed that borders that were defined by dowels cost less to defend than did borders that were not defined by any landmark. This result suggests that the use of natural landmarks as territorial boundaries may have evolved as a result of the reduced defensive costs that accrue to these boundaries. Furthermore, defensive costs may not depend directly on territory size: territory owners may be able to reduce defensive costs by selecting sites with high tactical defensibility.
On the brownian motion of a frequencymodulated oscillator

The Langevin equations for a harmonically bound particle, where the force constant is a given function of time, is solved. The mean and mean-square properties of the solution are determined. The analysis is then specialized to the case of a force constant periodic in time. It is shown that the mean fluctuations remain bounded in time precisely when the mean motion is stable (remains bounded).
A robust model predictive control algorithm for stable linear plants

This paper presents a new robust model predictive control (MPG) algorithm for stable, linear plants that is a direct generalization of the nominally stabilizing regulator presented by Rawlings and Muske (1993). Model uncertainty is parameterized by a list of possible plants. Robust stability is achieved through the addition of constraints that prevent the sequence of optimal controller costs from increasing for the true plant. Asymptotic stability is demonstrated through a Lyapunov argument. Simulation experiments demonstrate the performance of the algorithm for a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) process.
Evidence for the photochemical production of superoxide mediated by saponified chlorophyll.

Summary The aerobic reduction of nitro blue tetrazolium by saponified chlorophyll, irradiated with red light, was inhibited by the addition of superoxide dismutase. Removal of molecular oxygen also inhibited the reduction of NBT, but the addition of superoxide dismutase did not further depress this anaerobic NBT reduction. These observations point to a chlorophyll mediated photoproduction of superoxide in the presence of molecular oxygen. EDTA is not required in this reaction, as is the case when free flavins mediate the photoproduction of superoxide ions.
The performance of materials management in multi-level product structures with demand uncertainty and back-ordering

Abstract This paper investigates the impact of planned backordering in the context of demand uncertainty for a multi-level product structure environment operating under a rolling horizon. To this end, the performance of lot sizing algorithms incorporating back-orders is evaluated for such an environment by means of simulation modeling. Given the presence of demand uncertainty, the results suggest that backordering algorithms can sometimes improve performance.
Safety and efficacy of etanercept in the elderly

Recent advances in the understanding of the pathophysiology and aggressive treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis have dramatically changed the outcomes of patients with these diseases over the past 7 years. Much of the progress in therapy is due to the change in the treatment paradigm in which early, aggressive therapy has become the norm and the introduction of therapies that target the disease processes, specifically the overproduction of tumor necrosis factor-α. Etanercept was the first anti-tumor necrosis factor-α therapy approved for use in rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis. It has been shown to have an excellent risk:benefit ratio in clinical trials as well as postmarketing surveillance. However, there has been limited information regarding the safety and efficacy of etanercept in patients aged 65 years or over, which is the focus of this review.
Pharmacological management of type 2 diabetes mellitus: rationale for rational use of insulin.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder associated with high morbidity and mortality from long-term microvascular and macrovascular complications. Evidence from randomized controlled trials indicates that aggressive treatment directed at improving glycemic control reduces the incidence of diabetes-related microvascular complications. Traditionally, oral monotherapy for type 2 diabetes is initiated when diet and exercise do not control hyperglycemia, followed by the sequential, stepwise addition of oral agents as glycemic control deterio-rates. Insulin is the last therapeutic option used, generally reserved for advanced stages of the disease when multiple oral combination treatment fails. Despite a better understanding of the pathophysiologic disease mechanisms in the past decade, the expanded armamentarium of targeted oral antidiabetic drugs, and the conclusive evidence of the benefits of stringent glycemic control, actual treatment outcomes in clinical practice remain suboptimal relative to established treatment goals (glycosylated hemoglobin A1c level >7%). Earlier detection and aggressive treatment are critical to address the natural progression of diabetes because multiple defects (insulin resistance, insulin insufficiency, glucotoxicity, and lipotoxicity) and vascular complications may be present at the time of diagnosis. Acknowledging the inadequacy of traditional strategies and underscoring the importance of insulin as an integral part of the therapeutic armamentarium, clinical trends are moving toward earlier use of insulin combined with 1 or more oral agents. Such strategies can address the multiple abnormalities present early in the disease course and may restore optimal control. A new treatment paradigm for patients with type 2 diabetes to achieve and maintain near-normal glycemic control is warranted.
Effect of ICRF-187 on the pulmonary damage induced by hyperoxia in the rat.

Histological and ultrastructural studies were made of the lungs of rats that were exposed to 100% oxygen of 60 h and were treated with either normal saline or with ICRF-187, a bis-diketopiperazine derivative of EDTA that has the capacity to chelate iron. This metal is thought to be needed to catalyze the formation of toxic oxygen free radicals. ICRF-187 (20 mg/kg) was given intraperitoneally at approximately 12 h intervals (5 doses) during the 60 h exposure. Seven of the ten saline-treated rats exposed to oxygen died prior to the end of the study whereas only one of the 10 rats in the ICRF-187-treated group died. This difference in mortality is found to be statistically significant (P < 0.05). All saline-treated rats showed light and electron microscopic evidence of pulmonary damage. ICRF-187 attenuated the morphologic alterations observed by light microscopy (intra-alveolar edema, inflammatory exudates and bronchiolar epithelial cell swelling and hyperplasia; P < 0.05). In addition, electron microscopic evaluation revealed that capillary thrombi, endothelial cell alterations and alveolar epithelial cell damage also were less severe in ICRF-187-treated rats. It is concluded that ICRF-187 may provide a new and useful approach for the prevention of hyperoxia-induced pulmonary damage.
Effects of model protein environments on the dynamics of proton wires

The multiconfigurational molecular dynamics with quantum transitions (MC-MDQT) method is utilized to study the impact of model protein environments on the dynamics of proton wires. The MC-MDQT method allows the realtime nonequilibrium quantum dynamical simulation of proton transport along water chains and provides a framework for analyzing the detailed dynamical mechanisms of these multiple proton transfer reactions. In this paper, the protein environment is modeled by applying structural restraints to the oxygen atoms of the chain, by applying external electric fields, and by including solvating water molecules hydrogen-bonded to the ends of the water chain. Our simulations illustrate that the protein environment could strongly impact the dynamics of proton wires through a combination of structural restraints, fluctuating electric fields, solvation, and hydrogen bonding. Our simulations also indicate that quantum effects such as hydrogen tunneling and nonadiabatic transitions play a significant role under certain nonequilibrium conditions.
The safety profile of sustained release paracetamol during therapeutic use and following overdose

Sustained release (SR) formulations of paracetamol (acetaminophen) have been introduced in several countries to provide lasting pain relief and reduced risk of rebound pain. However, few studies have evaluated the safety of paracetamol SR formulations. To assess the available published safety data regarding SR formulations of paracetamol, the EMBASE and MEDLINE databases were searched from 1980 to June 2003 for published worldwide human experience with paracetamol SR formulations. All publications that included any information about ingestion of any paracetamol SR formulation were systematically reviewed and abstracted by trained staff. The literature searches returned a total of 14 references containing safety data on paracetamol SR. In addition, the Toxic Exposure Surveillance System (TESS) of the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) database was searched for human exposure cases. The TESS database yielded 3003 cases from 1994 to 2002 that involved a paracetamol SR product. The available information indicates that the adverse event and safety profile of paracetamol SR is very similar to immediate release (IR) formulations of paracetamol. During therapeutic use, minor effects such as gastrointestinal upset and headache may occur. The rate of these effects varies substantially among studies but overall does not appear to be different between the SR and IR formulations of paracetamol. Overdose with paracetamol SR is expected to cause liver injury similar to overdose with IR formulations. The number of human exposure cases has increased since introduction of the SR formulation; however, sales of the SR formulation amounted to 7.5% of all paracetamol sales but accounted for 2.5% of the cases reported to poison centres. There were two deaths recorded in the TESS database: both were the result of multiple drug ingestion. No cases of death or unusual types of toxicity have been described from an overdose of paracetamol SR alone.