cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Las serranas y la sierra: peregrinación a un espacio y tiempo liminal

Taking into consideration anthropological theories of liminality, the episode of the “sierra y de los amores con las serranas” in the Libro de buen amor acquires a new dimension that is suitable to negotiate gender and sexual behavior. The sierra, as well as its inhabitants, is presented in a manner that situates it far away, geographically and temporally, from the Archpriest’s society. It can be considered part of a “liminal” universe where notions of gender identity are transformed and masculine and feminine behavior is reversed. However, these reversals are not long lasting and they are contained within a specific frame, similar to that of ritual. Due to the liminal frame that surrounds this episode, the negotiations of gender do not represent a threat to the hegemony of urban society. Nonetheless, the mere representation of an alternative female model, even if it is a negative and liminal one, points to the impossibility of setting permanent gender roles in a society and a book that is in constant transition and negotiation.
Gentian Violet as a Possible Fungal Inhibitor in Poultry Feed: Plate Assays on its Antifungal Activity

Abstract The effect of gentian violet as a fungal inhibitor was studied on five selected fungal species—Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Candida albicans, Fusarium moniliforme and Penicillium camemberti. Seventeen other chemicals were also studied and compared. These included: acetic acid, benzoic acid, calcium propionate, cupric sulfate, propionic acid, propylene glycol, sodium propionate, sorbic acid and others. Standard pour plate technique with medium containing various levels of the tested chemical was used. Gentian violet inhibited fungal growth at lower concentrations than did most of the other tested chemicals. Three commercial fungistatic feed additives with different active ingredients were compared for their antifungal activity and the product containing gentian violet was shown to be superior.
On the complex quantification of risk: systems-based perspective on terrorism.

This article highlights the complexity of the quantification of the multidimensional risk function, develops five systems-based premises on quantifying the risk of terrorism to a threatened system, and advocates the quantification of vulnerability and resilience through the states of the system. The five premises are: (i) There exists interdependence between a specific threat to a system by terrorist networks and the states of the targeted system, as represented through the system's vulnerability, resilience, and criticality-impact. (ii) A specific threat, its probability, its timing, the states of the targeted system, and the probability of consequences can be interdependent. (iii) The two questions in the risk assessment process: "What is the likelihood?" and "What are the consequences?" can be interdependent. (iv) Risk management policy options can reduce both the likelihood of a threat to a targeted system and the associated likelihood of consequences by changing the states (including both vulnerability and resilience) of the system. (v) The quantification of risk to a vulnerable system from a specific threat must be built on a systemic and repeatable modeling process, by recognizing that the states of the system constitute an essential step to construct quantitative metrics of the consequences based on intelligence gathering, expert evidence, and other qualitative information. The fact that the states of all systems are functions of time (among other variables) makes the time frame pivotal in each component of the process of risk assessment, management, and communication. Thus, risk to a system, caused by an initiating event (e.g., a threat) is a multidimensional function of the specific threat, its probability and time frame, the states of the system (representing vulnerability and resilience), and the probabilistic multidimensional consequences. Language: en
A novel pre-truncated fixed-width digital squarer

This paper presents a novel architecture for a fixed-width pre-truncated squarer. In this architecture, the input of the squarer is partially truncated. The rest of the truncation is occurred at the partial product array. The pre-truncation reduces the actual wordlength of the squarer and consequently reduces the complexity of its partial-product array but, it increases the arithmetic error. The partial-product array of the squarer is modified to mitigate this error. The statistical errors of the proposed squarer are calculated and compared with other designs. The squarer is implemented using TSMC 0.13 mum technology. The post synthesis data of the implementation is provided in this paper, which shows a significant reduction in the chip area.
An exploratory mixed method assessment of low income, pregnant Hispanic women’s understanding of gestational diabetes and dietary change

Objective: To describe and assess low income, healthy, pregnant Hispanic women’s understanding of gestational diabetes (GDM) and willingness to change aspects of their diet.Design: One-on-one, in-person interviews conducted in Spanish with 94 women (primarily Mexican).Setting: Federal Qualified Community Health Center’s prenatal clinic.Method: Exploratory two-phased mixed method with a survey of knowledge and attitudes towards gestational diabetes and dietary change, and interviews. In phase two, participants were shown a flyer with the amount of carbohydrates in tortillas and fruit juice in comparison to a candy bar and told of the importance of drinking one glass of water before each meal.Results: Interest in having a healthy baby was high for all participants. Review of a 24-hour dietary recall identified high consumption of carbohydrates and low intake of green and leafy vegetables and water. Family involvement, especially involvement of the husband, was central to almost all the participants’ views a...
Susceptibility Changes Following Bolus Injections

The general mechanism of bulk magnetic susceptibility (BMS) induced MRI contrast following a bolus injection is elaborated. Combining radiolabeled tracer data for the first pass of a bolus injection through the human brain with the application of Wiedemann's law allows us to calculate the lower limit for the time course of the vascular BMS following the injection of any contrast agent. Superparamagnetic Iron oxide particles produce a much larger effect than any mononuclear Ln(III) che-late. We also calculate the BMS changes occurring after a dilution bolus injection (of isosmolal physiological saline) subsequent to a prior slow infusion of an intravascular contrast agent. This technique bears some resemblance to the increasingly important approach that exploits changes in only the level of blood oxygenation. The calculation indicates that contrast changes after the dilution bolus injection are smaller than those following Ln(III) agent injections but larger than those due to changes in blood oxygenation and suggests a way to possibly enhance the latter. We present an In vivo study demonstrating the dilution bolus injection technique in the mouse brain, and that features its rapid repeatability. Extrapolation of these results to the human, however, indicates that the saline volumes required for venous injections, except possibly for cardiac studies, would be prohibitively large. Smaller, catheter-delivered arterial bolus injections are feasible. We also suggest a method for using an agent bolus injection to measure the parenchymal BMS, and thus the iron content, of pathologically iron-loaded tissue.
Guanine nucleotide-dependent assembly of FtsZ into filaments.

Abstract FtsZ is an essential cell division protein that is localized to the leading edge of the bacterial septum in a cytokinetic ring. It contains the tubulin signature motif and is a GTP binding protein with a GTPase activity. Further comparison of FtsZ with eukaryotic tubulins revealed some additional sequence similarities, perhaps indicating a similar GTP binding site. Examination of FtsZ incubated in vitro by electron microscopy revealed a guanine nucleotide-dependent assembly into protein filaments, supporting the hypothesis that the FtsZ ring is formed through self-assembly. FtsZ3, which is unable to bind GTP, does not polymerize, whereas FtsZ2, which binds GTP but is deficient in GTP hydrolysis, is capable of polymerization.
Wound healing and collagen formation. VI. The origin of the wound fibroblast studied in parabiosis.

Healing skin wounds were studied in a series of parabiotic rats. The femurs of one parabiont of each pair were shielded whilst both animals were given 800 r from a Co60 source. The animals were wounded 3 days after irradiation. Each animal with partially shielded marrow was then given tritiated thymidine intraperitoneally daily while the cross-circulation was arrested by clamping. After the thymidine-3H had cleared the blood, the clamp was released. Animals were sacrificed, and wounds were prepared for radioautography 1, 2, and 6 days after wounding. In the wounds of the shielded animals thymidine-3H was observed in epidermis, endothelium, leukocytes, fibroblasts, and mast cells. Only neutrophilic leukocytes, monocytes, and lymphocytes were labeled, as determined by light and electron microscope radioautography, in the wounds of each nonshielded parabiont. None of the many fibroblasts present were found to contain label in the wounds of the nonshielded parabionts through the 6 day period. These observations provide further evidence that wound fibroblasts do not arise from hematogenous precursors and, therefore, must arise from adjacent connective tissue cells.
Post-labyrinthectomy Balance Compensation with Preplacement of Cerebellar Vermis Lesion

Post-unilateral labyrinthectomy compensation was compared between squirrel monkeys; one group with the pre-placement of posterior vermectomy next group with uvulonodulectomy, and the other group without any vermic lesions. The comparison was made by characterizing behavioral locomotor imbalance (by squirrel monkey platform runway test) and oculomotor imbalance (spontaneous nystagmus). Post-posterior vermectomy + unilateral labyrinthectomy group showed a much slower regainment of locomotor balance function when compared to that after uvulonodulectomy + unilateral labyrinthectomy group (which results was almost identical to that after unilateral labyrinthectomy alone). In contrast, the former group exhibited faster decay in spontaneous nystagmus, whereas the latter group showed delayed reduction of slow phase eye velocity. Thus, posterior vermis could have more functional linkage to the vestibulo-spinal system, whereas, uvula and nodulus, to the vestibulo-oculomotor system.
SUDDEN HYPOCALCEMIA IN THE NORMAL MAN.

Sudden hypocalcemia was induced in 10 normal subjects by infusion of 50 mg/kg of disodium EDTA over a 30- to 45-min interval. This resulted in a highly significant immediate reduction in the serum phosphorus concentration, followed by a significant rise in phosphorus clearance 3–6 hr after the infusion was stopped. The reduction in the serum phosphorus concentration may reflect a shift of phosphorus into the cells due to the hypocalcemia per se or to stimulation of the parathyroid glands secondary to the hypocalcemia. The delayed increase in phosphorus clearance may be due to a direct stimulation of the parathyroid glands secondary to the sudden reduction in serum calcium. Ten normal patients had no infusion of EDTA. Only 4 of the 10 showed an increase in phosphorus clearance. This suggests that the spontaneous early rise in phosphorus excretion is inconsistent in this group and subject to individual variation. The infusion of 50 mg/kg of calcium EDTA in another group of 10 normal subjects resulted in a r...
Spike superposition resolution in multichannel extracellular neural recordings: a novel approach

A classical problem in processing multichannel neural recordings is the ability to resolve temporal superposition of multiple spike waveforms. This situation often occurs when two or more neurons fire simultaneously in the vicinity of the recording microprobe array. In this work, we propose a powerful methodology for resolving this problem with no constraints on the time window in which the superposition occurs or the amount of overlap between spike waveforms. The methodology is part of an ongoing effort to develop a fully automated, optimal system to enhance the signal processing technology of microimplanted devices used for recording and stimulating neural cells at the micro-scale. Simulation results show that the proposed method has a substantial degree of success in resolving an arbitrary number of spikes overlapped together in time without the need for template matching procedures commonly used in offline analysis.
Electron-beam-induced damage study in GaAs-AlGaAs heterostructures as determined by magnetotransport characterization

The effect of electron energy on the two-dimensional electron gas (2D EG) transport properties of high-electron-mobility transistor (HEMT) structures at low temperatures is measured. The structures were grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) with a 2D EG approximately 850 AA below the surface. The HEMTs were fabricated into Hall bars, and damage was assessed by changes in the 2D EG concentrations as determined from Schubnikov-de Haas oscillations and changes in the mobility as determined from the zero magnetic-field resistivity. For electron energies from 5.0 to 12.5 keV, the electron dose produced a degradation of the Hall mobility. No damage was observed for electron energies outside this range; this result is attributed to the penetration depth and damage distribution. >
Developmental Programming: Impact of Prenatal Testosterone Excess on Pre- and Postnatal Gonadotropin Regulation in Sheep

The goal of this study was to explore mechanisms that mediate hypersecretion of LH and progressive loss of cyclicity in female sheep exposed during fetal life to excess testosterone. Our working hypothesis was that prenatal testosterone excess, by its androgenic action, amplifies GnRH-induced LH (but not FSH) secretion and, thus, hypersecretion of LH in adulthood, and that this results from altered developmental gene expression of GnRH and estradiol (E 2 ) receptors, gonadotropin subunits, and paracrine factors that differentially regulate LH and FSH synthesis. We observed that, relative to controls, females exposed during fetal life to excess testosterone, as well as the nor-aromatizable androgen dihydrotestosterone, exhibited enhanced LH but not FSH responses to intermittent delivery of GnRH boluses under conditions in which endogenous LH (GnRH) pulses were suppressed. Luteinizing hormone hypersecretion was more evident in adults than in prepubertal females, and it was associated with development of acyclicity. Measurement of pituitary mRNA concentrations revealed that prenatal testosterone excess induced developmental changes in gene expression of pituitary GnRH and E 2 receptors and paracrine modulators of LH and FSH synthesis in a manner consistent with subsequent amplification of LH release. Together, this series of studies suggests that prenatal testosterone excess, by its androgenic action, amplifies GnRH-induced LH response, leading to LH hypersecretion and acyclicity in adulthood, and that this programming involves developmental changes in expression of pituitary genes involved in LH and FSH release. activin, developmental biology, estradiol receptor, follistatin, FSH, gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor, inhibin, LH, neuroendocrinology, pituitary, pituitary responsiveness
Simple procedures for the rapid cleavage of ester lipids and for the large-scale isolation from brain of cerebroside sulfate.

The ester groups of glycerophospholipids in tissue extracts can be cleaved in less than 10 min at room temperature if the lipids are extracted with hexane-isopropanol and the filtrate is treated with methanolic NaOH. The resulting mixture can be treated with aqueous Nasulfate containing sulfuric acid and partitioned to remove the inorganic reagents and hydrophilic ester degradation products. When the procedure is applied to brain lipid extracts, the addition of alkali produces a second, lower phase that contains much of the hydroxycerebroside, virtually all of the sulfatide in the extract, and small amounts of other lipids. The sulfatide can be isolated from the lower phase by neutralizing it with HCl in aqueous methanol, and partitioning with chloroform to remove nonlipid components. The lower phase is evaporated to dryness and treated with periodic acid to convert the cerebroside to a less polar product. The lipids recovered from the reaction mixture are then fractionated with a PJorisil column, which yields highly purified sulfatide. Starting with 300 g of pig brain one can obtain about 1.1 g of sulfatide in 4 working days, using conventional, compact equipment. Since the precipitation step is almost complete, and the procedure can be scaled down to very low levels, the method has promise for quantitation methods and isotopic studies of sulfatide metabolism.
Behavioral types as predictors of survival in Trinidadian guppies (Poecilia reticulata)

Studies of the fitness consequences of behavioral types often focus on isolated behaviors and ignore potential across-context correlations that may affect fitness. This approach leads to heterogeneous results across studies because correlations themselves may be adaptive in populations under significant predation pressure. We quantified suites of behaviors in 4 different contexts and identified a consistent behavioral syndrome in a population of Trinidadian guppies (Poecilia reticulata). We then measured fitness effects of the correlated behaviors that made up this syndrome and found that more active, bold, and exploratory individuals survived longer when exposed to a predator. Behavioral syndromes may, therefore, be advantageous in populations under significant predation risk if an individual's behavior in the presence of a predator is an honest signal of escape abilities. Interestingly, we also found a significant effect of the individual cichlids (Aequidens pulcher) used as predators in our experiments. We suggest that future studies should test whether interactions between predator behavior and prey behavioral types maintain behavioral variation. Copyright 2010, Oxford University Press.
The importance of controlling carbon not emissions or mpg

In management of carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere, the authors argue that it is far superior to control upstream where the carbon leaves the ground in a limited number of places than further downstream as carbon dioxide is released in a myriad of locations. The authors note that none of the proposals being discussed politically assure this, and they control sector by sector, allowing undesirable room for special interests to be excluded from control.
Long-term preservation of dextranomer/hyaluronic acid copolymer implants after endoscopic treatment of vesicoureteral reflux in children: a sonographic volumetric analysis.

Purpose: We compared injected volume of dextranomer/hyaluronic acid with sonographic volumes obtained 2 weeks to 36 months postoperatively to evaluate the amount of volume retention with time and to correlate volume retention with voiding cystourethrogram results.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed sonographic volume measurements of dextranomer/hyaluronic acid implants in children at 2 weeks to 36 months postoperatively. Hydronephrosis and percentage of dextranomer/hyaluronic acid retained at each interval were recorded. Average change in volume at each interval was used to compare volume retention with time. The fraction of dextranomer/hyaluronic acid retained was compared to voiding cystourethrogram at 3 months.Results: No patient had new or worsened hydronephrosis. Volumetric data were available for 296, 150, 42, 23 and 20 ureters at 2, 3, 6 and 12 weeks, and 24 to 36 months postoperatively, respectively. Percentage of dextranomer/hyaluronic acid retained was 79% at 2, 74% at 3, 70% at 6...
Neuroanatomical Evidence for Catecholamines as Modulators of Audition and Acoustic Behavior in a Vocal Teleost.

The plainfin midshipman fish (Porichthys notatus) is a well-studied model to understand the neural and endocrine mechanisms underlying vocal-acoustic communication across vertebrates. It is well established that steroid hormones such as estrogen drive seasonal peripheral auditory plasticity in female Porichthys in order to better encode the male’s advertisement call. However, little is known of the neural substrates that underlie the motivation and coordinated behavioral response to auditory social signals. Catecholamines, which include dopamine and noradrenaline, are good candidates for this function, as they are thought to modulate the salience of and reinforce appropriate behavior to socially relevant stimuli. This chapter summarizes our recent studies which aimed to characterize catecholamine innervation in the central and peripheral auditory system of Porichthys as well as test the hypotheses that innervation of the auditory system is seasonally plastic and catecholaminergic neurons are activated in response to conspecific vocalizations. Of particular significance is the discovery of direct dopaminergic innervation of the saccule, the main hearing end organ, by neurons in the diencephalon, which also robustly innervate the cholinergic auditory efferent nucleus in the hindbrain. Seasonal changes in dopamine innervation in both these areas appear dependent on reproductive state in females and may ultimately function to modulate the sensitivity of the peripheral auditory system as an adaptation to the seasonally changing soundscape. Diencephalic dopaminergic neurons are indeed active in response to exposure to midshipman vocalizations and are in a perfect position to integrate the detection and appropriate motor response to conspecific acoustic signals for successful reproduction.
Dynamic oligopoly games with private Markovian dynamics

We analyze a dynamic oligopoly model with strategic sellers and buyers/consumers over a finite horizon. Each seller has private information described by a finite-state Markov process; the Markov processes describing the sellers' information are mutually independent. At the beginning of each time/stage t the sellers simultaneously post the prices for their good; subsequently, consumers make their buying decisions; finally, after the buyers' decisions are made, a public signal, indicating the buyers' consumption experience from each seller's good becomes available and the whole process moves to stage t + 1. The sellers' prices, the buyers' decisions and the signal indicating the buyers' consumption experience are common knowledge among buyers and sellers. This dynamic oligopoly model arises in online shopping and dynamic spectrum sharing markets. The model gives rise to a stochastic dynamic game with asymmetric information. Using ideas from the common information approach (developed in [1] for decentralized decision-making), we prove the existence of common information based equilibria. We obtain a sequential decomposition of the game and we provide a backward induction algorithm to determine common information-based equilibria that are perfect Bayesian equilibria. We illustrate our results with an example.
A MODIFIED EM ALGORITHM FOR ESTIMATION IN GENERALIZED MIXED MODELS

Application of the EM algorithm for estimation in the generalized mixed model has been largely unsuccessful because the E-step cannot be determined in most instances. The E-step computes the conditional expectation of the complete data log-likelihood and when the random effect distribution is normal, this expectation remains an intractable integral. The problem can be approached by numerical or analytic approximations; however, the computational burden imposed by numerical integration methods and the absence of an accurate analytic approximation have limited the use of the EM algorithm. In this paper, Laplace's method is adapted for analytic approximation within the E-step. The proposed algorithm is computationally straightforward and retains much of the conceptual simplicity of the conventional EM algorithm, although the usual convergence properties are not guaranteed. The proposed algorithm accommodates multiple random factors and random effect distributions besides the normal, e.g., the log-gamma distribution. Parameter estimates obtained for several data sets and through simulation show that this modified EM algorithm compares favorably with other generalized mixed model methods.
Protease-Catalyzed Oligomerization of l-Lysine Ethyl Ester in Aqueous Solution

This paper describes the protease-catalyzed synthesis of oligo(l-Lys) from l-Lys ethyl ester (l-Lys-Et) in an aqueous reaction medium at controlled pH using a pH-stat. Four proteases (papain, bromelain, α-chymotrypsin, and trypsin) were studied to determine their activity for l-Lys ethyl ester oligomerization at pH values ranging from 6 to 11. Bromelain was found to be preferred relative to the other protease catalysts because it gave the highest values of oligo(l-Lys) yield and optimal average chain length (DPavg). To evaluate reaction progress and product structure, 1H NMR and HPLC–UV-MS methods were developed. A series of model oligo(l-Lys) compounds with chain lengths 2, 3, and 4 was obtained and analyzed to assign 1H NMR signals. All components of the mixture were successfully resolved and analyzed by HPLC–UV-MS by ion-pairing reversed-phase chromatography using heptafluorobutyric acid as the ion-pairing agent. The effects of medium pH, l-Lys-Et concentration, bromelain concentration, reaction time, ...
Increased Remating Frequency in Sex Ratio Distorted Lines of the Mediterranean Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae)

Remating frequency in a standard laboratory line of the Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), was 8.4%, which is within the range of values observed in field studies by other workers. In male-skewed and female-skewed lines it had increased to 42 and 37%, respectively. Female genotype was the significant factor in determining remating frequency. A possible role for high remating lines in sterile insect release programs against the Mediterranean fruit fly is discussed.
The Tale Behind the Triple Helix: An Interview with Professor Henry Etzkowitz

This interview is a dialogue that covers Professor Etzkowitz's origination of the concepts of Triple Helix and the Entrepreneurial University. Professor Henry Etzkowitz is a scholar of international reputation in innovation studies as the originator of the “Entrepreneurial University” and “Triple Helix” concepts that link universities with industry and government at national and regional levels. He serves as the President of the Triple Helix Association (a unique international network of several hundred scholars and practitioners of university-industry-government relations) and is the cofounder of the Triple Helix International Conference Series, which has produced a series of books, special journal issues, and policy analyses since it started in Amsterdam in 1996.Professor Etzkowitz is currently a Senior Researcher at the H-STAR Institute at Stanford University and Visiting Professor at the School of Management of Birkbeck College at London University and Edinburgh University Business School. Prior to coming to Stanford, he held the Chair in Management of Innovation, Creativity and Enterprise at Newcastle University Business School in the UK and served as Visiting Professor in the Department of Technology and Society at Stony Brook University.Professor Etzkowitz has authored numerous publications and books, including Triple Helix: University-Industry-Government Innovation in Action and MIT and the Rise of Entrepreneurial Science. He also coauthored Athena Unbound: The Advancement of Women in Science and Technology, Public Venture Capital, and Universities and the Commercialization of Knowledge: New Dimensions for the 21st Century (biographical sketch adapted from https://hstar.stanford.edu/3helix_about_us).
Big Gay Church: Sermons to and for an Underserved Population in Art Education Settings

While the past decade shows dramatic progress in tolerance, acceptance, and support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) people/rights in the United States, this population remains underserved. Statistics on LGBTQ youth suicide remain troublingly high; yet, when LGBTQ youth attend schools with Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs), open faculty support, anti-bullying programs and policies, and LGBTQ-inclusive curricula, they fully integrate and avoid many of the stresses and negative safety/health consequences of homophobia (Kosciw, Greytak, Diaz, Bartkiewicz, Boesen, & Palmer, 2012, p. 6). An annual National Art Education Association Convention ensemble performance—Big Gay Church— examines the material, physical, psychological, and spiritual impact of Conservative, fundamentalist, anti-LGBTQ religious doctrine in creating and maintaining the underserved, marginalized status of the LGBTQ community in the US. Big Gay Church advocates and demonstrates the power of creative, collabo...
Dielectric analysis of the cure of thermosetting epoxy/amine systems

The use of dielectric measurements to monitor the cure of thermosetting polymers dates back to the pioneering work of Kienle and Race in 1934 [1]; a review of the literature may be found in [2]. In 1966, Olyphant [3] recognized that the changes in the dielectric properties during cure are related to the change in the glass transition temperature that accompanies the curing reaction. A better understanding of this relationship would be of considerable value in the application of dielectric measurements to the processing of epoxies.
Global acceleration factors for damp heat tests of PV modules

Time-to-failure data from PV modules subjected to damp heat tests of different temperature and relative humidity conditions was compiled from SunEdison and literature reports. Analysis of the data led to a power law model of time-to-failure for PV modules in damp heat conditions as follows: TTF = A ∗ e⁁(Ea/kT) ∗ RH⁁ (n), where TTF is the time in hours to reach 20% module power loss, A = 6.4e-10, Ea = 0.89 ± 0.11 eV, and n = −2.2 ± 0.8. Damp heat acceleration factors were then computed for >2500 global typical meteorological year data sets with reference to the standard 85 °C and 85% relative humidity test condition. The distribution of damp heat acceleration factors for the United States, Europe, China and India reflect the importance of regional climate on predictions of long-term PV module reliability.
An accurate scalable and broadband bondpad compact model for GHz RFIC designs

This paper describes the effects of substrate resistivity on bondpad parasitic capacitance and resistance. An accurate bondpad model with an embedded substrate model is presented which captures the effects of substrate resistivity variation. Simulated and measured results show as much as a 50% variation in effective bondpad capacitance with varying substrate resistivity. The scalability and broadband characteristics of the model are demonstrated with the achieved model to hardware correlation.
Slogan recall effects on marketplace behaviors: The roles of external search and brand assessment

Abstract This current study investigates the influence of advertising slogan recall on individuals' brand assessment, and relates these brand assessments to actual marketplace behaviors. The authors propose that the effectiveness of slogan recall will depend on whether individuals conduct an external information search or not. We test the hypotheses using a field study based on an actual advertising campaign implemented by a nonprofit organization, and a follow-up controlled experimental study. Findings support the notion that the influence of advertising slogan recall on brand assessment (i.e., the company-intended association and quality) is greater when individuals do not conduct external information search. Further, the research finds that brand perceptions mediate the influence of slogan recall on marketplace behaviors. The results imply that managers will receive greater returns on investments in advertising slogans when selling low involvement products rather than high involvement products.
Energy Levels and Potentials

All living processes involve the conversion of energy for work at the physiological and molecular levels. We could define health as optimal functioning driven by efficient transfers of energy. All processes require energy at all levels. Living systems and health are defined by far-from-equilibrium stability that is maintained by the synergy of systems, organized information and energy, and resilience to return to stability following disturbances. When health is compromised, suitable interventions involve energetic jumps, where the system is moved from one less energetic phase to a higher energetic phase. Health improvement requires the maintenance of the energy, whether or not it is actual energy or support resources, devices, and medicines to maintain the “jump” phase.
Exploring Cascading Effects of Multimodal Communication Skills in Infants With Hearing Loss

Infants and toddlers with hearing loss (HL) are at risk for developing communicative delays that can have a substantial lasting effect. Understanding child characteristics that may be targeted in early intervention is essential to maximizing communicative outcomes in children with HL. Among the most malleable predictors of communication skills include maternal responsivity, gestures, and vocalizations. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship among maternal responsivity, prelinguistic communication skills and expressive vocabulary in children with HL. Based upon the results we propose a theoretical cascading model of communicative outcomes for children with HL such that gesture use may be associated with future vocalizations which may in turn be related to long-term spoken language outcomes. This exploratory model may be supported by the underlying transactional model of bidirectional language development that occurs through maternal sensitivity in the first two years of life. Additionally, parents of children with HL may be less likely to respond to a single mode of communication than to a combination of modes. This exploratory study provides a theoretical framework by which multimodal communication development in infants and toddlers with HL may be better understood, and suggests hypotheses for future research and implications for intervention practice.
Infection of mosquitoes from in vitro cultivated Plasmodium knowlesi H strain.

Abstract In vitro studies of sexual blood stages of the most fatal malaria species, Plasmodium falciparum, have revealed key processes by which gametocytes develop and transmit infection from humans to anopheline mosquitoes. However, most malaria cases outside sub-Saharan Africa are caused by other Plasmodium spp., frequently Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium knowlesi, a zoonotic parasite of macaque monkeys. Gametocytes of P. vivax and P. knowlesi exhibit distinct morphology, faster development, and a shorter life span compared with gametocytes of P. falciparum, reflecting the evolutionary separation and biological differences of these species. Unlike P. falciparum, P. vivax cannot be cultivated in vitro, necessitating access to infected primates for laboratory studies. In contrast, P. knowlesi asexual stages have been successfully adapted to cultures in macaque and human red blood cells, but these stages have not been reported to produce gametocytes infective to mosquitoes. Here, we show that gametocyte production and sporadic, low-level mosquito infectivity of a P. knowlesi strain was not improved by application of a “crash” method commonly used to induce gametocytes in P. falciparum cultures. However, Percoll-gradient purified schizonts from this strain yielded highly synchronised populations that, in three of six experiments, produced infections at an average rate of 0.97–9.1 oocysts in Anopheles dirus mosquitoes. Oocyst counts were most abundant in mosquitoes that were fed from the synchronised cultures 36 h after schizont purification. Gametocytes in these cultures occurred at low prevalence and were difficult to observe. Transcription from orthologs of P. falciparum gametocyte-specific markers did not correlate with infectivity of the P. knowlesi parasites to mosquitoes. The ability to infect mosquitoes from in vitro-cultivated P. knowlesi will support research on the unique features of this emerging pathogen and facilitate comparative studies of transmission by the different human malarias.
Relationship of match/mismatch of student- teacher learning styles, stress, and academic achievement

Conceptualization Figure 2. Kolb's learning style model The four steps of this model (Figure 2) represent two distinct, independent, bipolar dimensions of learning theory. The first dimension characterizes how individuals perceive or take in new information. It involves the choice between concrete (sensing/feeling) and abstract (thinking). The second dimension describes the manner in which individuals process what they take in. It involves the choice between active (doing) and reflective (watching). Kolb held that highly individualized styles of information utilization are developed on each of these bipolar dimensions. It was Kolb's premise, however, that effective learners rely on all four learning modes. To assess an individual's learning style, Kolb (1976) developed the Learning Stvle Inventorv (LSI) which was revised in 1985. The four quadrants of the grid represent the four statistically prevalent learning styles of Kolb's model. They are converger, diverger, assimilator, and
Control Synthesis for Čaplygin Polynomial Systems

This paper discusses new control synthesis for certain cascade type polynomial systems addressed in the paper as Caplygin systems. A numerical control synthesis as well as characterization of reachability set are presented. The results of the paper are important for various branches of system theory, where the control synthesis is concerned.
An End to Science

Fundamental science makes substantial demands on the public purse nowadays - as is illustrated in recent press discussions about the multibillion dollar supercollider. Are these great investments worthwhile in terms of intellectual payoff? Or is the wellspring of new discovery about to run dry? Some years ago, Bentley Glass made newspaper headlines with his presidential address to the American Association for the Advancement of Science, posing the question “Are there finite limits to scientific understanding, or are there endless horizons?”1 His answer ran as follows:
A case of ibrutinib-associated aspergillosis presenting with central nervous system, myocardial, pulmonary, intramuscular, and subcutaneous abscesses.

Ibrutinib is a Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor recently approved for the treatment of a variety of B-cell malignancies [1,2]. BTK inhibitors were not anticipated to cause invasive fungal i...
Development of a Simulation-Based Mastery Learning Curriculum for Breaking Bad News

Abstract Introduction Physician communication impacts patient outcomes. However, communication skills, especially around difficult conversations, remain suboptimal, and there is no clear way to determine the validity of entrustment decisions. The aims of this study were to 1) describe the development of a simulation-based mastery learning (SBML) curriculum for breaking bad news (BBN) conversation skills and 2) set a defensible minimum passing standard (MPS) to ensure uniform skill acquisition among learners. Innovation An SBML BBN curriculum was developed for fourth-year medical students. An assessment tool was created to evaluate the acquisition of skills involved in a BBN conversation. Pilot testing was completed to confirm improvement in skill acquisition and set the MPS. Outcomes A BBN assessment tool containing a 15-item checklist and six scaled items was developed. Students' checklist performance improved significantly at post-test compared to baseline (mean 65.33%, SD = 12.09% vs mean 88.67%, SD = 9.45%, P Comments We developed a SBML curriculum with a comprehensive assessment of BBN skills and a defensible competency standard. Future efforts will expand the mastery model to larger cohorts and assess the impact of rigorous education on patient care outcomes.
An Experimental Comparison of the Effect of Teacher Versus Self-Evaluation/Self-Reflection Feedback on College Students’ Behavioral Observation Skills

An experimental investigation of the effectiveness of two types of feedback on college students’ acquisition of behavioral observation skills was conducted. Special education and psychology students completed two training assignments involving behavioral observations of students engaging in problem behavior. Depending on the condition to which they were randomly assigned, participants experienced either teacher or self-evaluation/self-reflection feedback immediately after each assignment was completed. Participants in the teacher feedback condition scored higher on the post-training assignments and viewed it more positively than those in the self-evaluation/self-reflection condition. Additional research is needed to identify the relevant variables contributing to effective teacher feedback since it is a frequent component of instructional situations.
Witness, the church, and faithful cultural engagement:

There is a tension for the church between cultural engagement and maintaining faithful witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is important that the church both acknowledges and wrestles with thi...
Interplay of Liver-Heart Inflammatory Axis and Cannabinoid 2 Receptor Signaling in an Experimental Model of Hepatic Cardiomyopathy.

Background and aims Hepatic cardiomyopathy, a special type of heart failure, develops in up to 50% of patients with cirrhosis and is a major determinant of survival. However, there is no reliable model of hepatic cardiomyopathy in mice. We aimed to characterize the detailed hemodynamics of mice with bile duct ligation (BDL)-induced liver fibrosis, by monitoring echocardiography and intracardiac pressure-volume relationships and myocardial structural alterations. Treatment of mice with a selective cannabinoid-2 receptor (CB2 -R) agonist, known to attenuate inflammation and fibrosis, was used to explore the impact of liver inflammation and fibrosis on cardiac function. Approach and results BDL induced massive inflammation (increased leukocyte infiltration, inflammatory cytokines, and chemokines), oxidative stress, microvascular dysfunction, and fibrosis in the liver. These pathological changes were accompanied by impaired diastolic, systolic, and macrovascular functions; cardiac inflammation (increased macrophage inflammatory protein 1, interleukin-1, P-selectin, cluster of differentiation 45-positive cells); and oxidative stress (increased malondialdehyde, 3-nitrotyrosine, and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidases). CB2 -R up-regulation was observed in both livers and hearts of mice exposed to BDL. CB2 -R activation markedly improved hepatic inflammation, impaired microcirculation, and fibrosis. CB2 -R activation also decreased serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels and improved cardiac dysfunction, myocardial inflammation, and oxidative stress, underlining the importance of inflammatory mediators in the pathology of hepatic cardiomyopathy. Conclusions We propose BDL-induced cardiomyopathy in mice as a model for hepatic/cirrhotic cardiomyopathy. This cardiomyopathy, similar to cirrhotic cardiomyopathy in humans, is characterized by systemic hypotension and impaired macrovascular and microvascular function accompanied by both systolic and diastolic dysfunction. Our results indicate that the liver-heart inflammatory axis has a pivotal pathophysiological role in the development of hepatic cardiomyopathy. Thus, controlling liver and/or myocardial inflammation (e.g., with selective CB2 -R agonists) may delay or prevent the development of cardiomyopathy in severe liver disease.
Development of EDA Techniques for Power Module EMI Modeling and Layout Optimization

Abstract The design of power electronics modules is undergoing renewed interest as new challenges and technologies emerge in the realm of wide bandgap (WBG) power device packaging. In order to meet...
Legal Pitfalls In Response to 2019 Novel Coronavirus

Since its emergence from Wuhan, China in late 2019, novel coronavirus, 2019-nCoV, is spreading rapidly, escalating domestic and international concerns, and lead
The UCSC SARS-CoV-2 Genome Browser

Background: Researchers are generating molecular data pertaining to the SARS-CoV-2 RNA genome and its proteins at an unprecedented rate during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, there is a critical need for rapid and continuously updated access to the latest molecular data in a format in which all data can be quickly cross-referenced and compared. We adapted our genome browser visualization tool to the viral genome for this purpose. Molecular data, curated from published studies or from database submissions, are mapped to the viral genome and grouped together into "annotation tracks" where they can be visualized along the linear map of the viral genome sequence and programmatically downloaded in standard format for analysis. Results: The UCSC Genome Browser for SARS-CoV-2 (https://genome.ucsc.edu/covid19.html) provides continuously updated access to the mutations in the many thousands of SARS-CoV-2 genomes deposited in GISAID and the international nucleotide sequencing databases, displayed alongside phylogenetic trees. These data are augmented with alignments of bat, pangolin, and other animal and human coronavirus genomes, including per-base evolutionary rate analysis. All available annotations are cross-referenced on the virus genome, including those from major databases (PDB, RFAM, IEDB, UniProt) as well as up-to-date individual results from preprints. Annotated data include predicted and validated immune epitopes, promising antibodies, RT-PCR and sequencing primers, CRISPR guides (from research, diagnostics, vaccines, and therapies), and points of interaction between human and viral genes. As a community resource, any user can add manual annotations which are quality checked and shared publicly on the browser the next day. Conclusions: We invite all investigators to contribute additional data and annotations to this resource to accelerate research and development activities globally. Contact us at genome-www@soe.ucsc.edu with data suggestions or requests for support for adding data. Rapid sharing of data will accelerate SARS-CoV-2 research, especially when researchers take time to integrate their data with those from other labs on a widely-used community browser platform with standardized machine-readable data formats, such as the SARS-CoV-2 Genome Browser.
A New Rash Differential CoVID-19

The CoVID-19 pandemic has impacted all areas of health care, especially emergency medicine. Most commonly, CoVID-19 is associated with respiratory and typical viral presentations. However, nonrespiratory presentations are becoming more common. Reported CoVID-19 dermatological changes include maculopapular and urticarial rashes, chilblain-like and livedo reticularis discolorations, and less commonly vesicular and petechial rashes. As frontline clinicians, emergency nurse practitioners should be aware of these skin findings to recognize potentially infected and otherwise asymptomatic patients. Early recognition could potentially lead to an earlier diagnosis and limit the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.