cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gerbil adrenal 11β- and 19-hydroxylating activities respond similarly to inhibitory or stimulatory agents: two activities of a single enzyme

A high level of steroid 19-hydroxylation is exhibited by adrenal mitochondria of the gerbil, Meriones, unguiculatus, that accounts for the ability of that species to produce nearly equal amounts of corticosterone and 19-hydroxycorticosterone (Proc. Soc. exp. Biol. Med. 165 (1980) 69-74). Inhibitors of steroidogenesis and a polyclonal antibody against bovine cytochrome P-450(11 beta) were used to determine if the agents would effect differential or parallel suppression of 19- vs 11 beta-hydroxylation by gerbil adrenal mitochondria in vitro. The inhibitors (0.1-60 microM) tested (listed in order of decreasing effectiveness) were imazalil, metyrapone, miconazole and 4-hydroxyandrostenedione. With each inhibitor the degree of suppression of 11 beta-hydroxylation was accompanied by a parallel decline in 19-hydroxylation. The addition of the polyclonal antibody preparation also produced equivalent declines in the rates of the two hydroxylation reactions. The addition of ACTH 1 microM to primary cultures of gerbil adrenal cells brought about nearly equal increases in the secretion of 11 beta- and 19-hydroxylated steroids into the culture media. These results support the hypothesis that the 11 beta-hydroxylase of gerbil adrenal mitochondria has the capacity to carry out 11 beta- and 19-hydroxylations with nearly equal facility.
Estimates of the Rate Coefficients for Chain Initiation, Propagation, and Termination during Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis over Ru/TiO2

Transient response isotopic tracer experiments have been used to study chain growth during Fischer-Tropsch synthesis over an Ru/TiO2 catalyst. This involves observation of the incorporation of 13C into reaction products after an abrupt switch from 12CO/D2 to 13CO/D2 in the feed. Values for the rate coefficients for initiation, propagation, and termination are determined by fitting theoretically generated model curves to the observed transient responses. The rate coefficient for chain initiation is independent of temperature and D2/CO ratio. The rate coefficients for propagation and termination increase with temperature. The rate constant for propagation is not affected by the D2/CO ratio. The rate coefficient for termination increases linearly with increasing D2/CO ratio. The activation energy for chain propagation is 8 kcal/mol, whereas the activation energy for chain termination is 20 kcal/mol. The relative values of these two activation energies explains the observed decrease in chain growth probability, α, with increasing temperature. Coverages by reaction intermediates are also estimated. The dominant species are monomeric building units which occupy 0.3-0.6 ML. Alkyl species that are the direct hydrocarbon product precursors occupy < 0.2 ML and adsorbed CO covers 0.7 ML.
4f localization in cerium compounds

The 4f is highly localized in all the rare earths except cerium where the degree of localization is reduced and the 4f wavefunction can mix with the extended states of the solid. Hence, the 4f character of cerium varies from one compound to another, e.g. localized in the hydrides and chalcogenides, slightly delocalized in the pnictides and more nearly band like in some intermetallic compounds. Synchrotron radiation photoemission results for cerium compounds with representative behavior are examined.
The Ocean-Land-Atmosphere Model (OLAM). Part II: Formulation and Tests of the Nonhydrostatic Dynamic Core

Abstract The dynamic core of the Ocean–Land–Atmosphere Model (OLAM), which is a new global model that is partly based on the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS), is described and tested. OLAM adopts many features of its predecessor, but its dynamic core is new and incorporates a global geodesic grid with triangular mesh cells and a finite-volume discretization of the nonhydrostatic compressible Navier–Stokes equations. The spatial discretization of horizontal momentum is based on a C-staggered grid and uses a method that has not been previously applied in atmospheric modeling. The temporal discretization uses a unique form of time splitting that enforces consistency of advecting mass flux among all conservation equations. OLAM grid levels are horizontal, and topography is represented by the shaved-cell method. Aspects of the shaved-cell method that pertain to the OLAM discretization on the triangular mesh are described, and a method of conserving momentum in shaved cells on a C-staggered grid is p...
J. Bruce Beckwith: scholar, fisherman, and friend.

In preparing to write about my dear friend Bruce Beckwith, I made a list of 487 different “events” we shared together over 40 years. The ones I have chosen to share for the most part represent “middle ground.” Many can never be told.
An extensible and nested gesture for drawing tools

This work introduces a two-finger gesture for invoking drawing tools on the fly while a user works on a touch app. The new gesture helps eliminate the need for using any command sequence from the application or the keyboard. The proposed gesture is programmable and can be associated with any type of tool, for example, the drawing brush or the eraser. The new gesture also has functionality for controlling and manipulating properties of the invoked tool. As a result, besides invoking the Brush tool or the Eraser tool, the new gesture provides additional control to the user to modify the size of the Brush tool or the Eraser tool on the fly. All this is done in a seamless manner and does not require the user to leave the drawing canvas.
On a conjecture of Peter Borwein

Abstract We consider several conjectures by Peter Borwein concerning products of the form ∏ pN n=1 (1 -q n / ∏ N n=1 (1 - q pn ), p=3,5 .
Large-area submicron replica molding of porous low-k dielectric films and application to photonic crystal biosensor fabrication

We demonstrate a replica-molding method for submicron patterning of a low-index sol-gel nanoporous glass for the purpose of fabricating large-area (~80cm^2) label-free photonic crystal optical biosensors. Scanning electron micrographs show the sol-gel exhibited minimal shrinkage and good substrate adhesion and depict precise and uniform pattern transfer over the fabricated area within the limits of measurement resolution. A unique characterization approach is described in which the photonic crystal optical resonance is used to accurately and quickly characterize the geometrical and material property uniformity over a large area. Uniformity within 1% was measured over an 80cm^2 area. We suggest that this robust method is an excellent approach for photonic crystal sensor fabrication, and may also find applications in integrated optics and electronics.
Morbidity and Mortality After Traumatic Pneumonectomy: The Effect of Compromised Oxygenation and Cardiac Function

I describe the pathophysiological and hemodynamic events that occur after an emergency pneumonectomy for trauma and how they impact on subsequent mortality. Four patients were identified as requiring an emergency right pneumonectomy for trauma at a level 1 Urban Trauma Center within a 39-month period. A retrospective review of their hospital course served as the basis for our analysis. Three patients sustained gunshot wounds and one patient was a victim of blunt trauma. Hemodynamic data were available for three patients who survived more than 24 hours. All patients presented in shock and required massive transfusion. One patient died in the operating room due to air embolism and shock. After pneumonectomy, there was an increase in pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) more than 2 times normal, which coincided with a decrease in stroke volume, cardiac output, and right and left ventricular stroke work (RVSW/LVSW). The RVSW gradually increased to above normal levels by post...
Wrinkled tori and bursts due to resonant temporal forcing

The effect of resonant temporal forcing on a system undergoing a Hopf bifurcation with D4 (square) symmetry is studied. The forcing breaks the continuous normal form symmetry of the governing amplitude equations, but the D4 symmetry is preserved. For this system, it is shown that bursts with very large dynamic range may occur. The bursts are associated with visits near solutions “at infinity”, and are related to those found previously for the Hopf bifurcation with broken D4 symmetry [Moehlis and Knobloch, Physica D 135 (2000) 263]. The regime in which an attracting quasiperiodic solution that exists in the absence of forcing “wrinkles” into chaos as the amplitude of the forcing increases is investigated in detail. The overall behavior is governed by the approach of the resulting attractor to solutions at infinity. Windows with stable periodic solutions are found and associated with the traversal in parameter space through Arnol’d tongues. Other aspects of the dynamics are related to the presence of a new type of gluing bifurcation (which we call a “supergluing bifurcation”). © 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Incidence and risk of central nervous system metastases as site of first recurrence in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer treated with adjuvant trastuzumab

Abstract Background Central nervous system (CNS) disease as the site of first relapse after exposure to adjuvant trastuzumab has been reported. We carried out comprehensive meta-analysis to determine the risk of CNS metastases as the first site of recurrence in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer who received adjuvant trastuzumab. Methods Eligible studies include randomized trials of adjuvant trastuzumab administered for 1 year to patients with HER2-positive breast cancer who reported CNS metastases as first site of disease recurrence. Statistical analyses were conducted to calculate the incidence, relative risk (RR), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using fixed-effects inverse variance and random-effects models. Results A total of 9020 patients were included. The incidence of CNS metastases as first site of disease recurrence in HER2-positive patients receiving adjuvant trastuzumab was 2.56% (95% CI 2.07% to 3.01%) compared with 1.94% (95% CI 1.54% to 2.38%) in HER2-positive patients who did not receive adjuvant trastuzumab. The RR of the CNS as first site of relapse in trastuzumab-treated patients was 1.35 (95% CI 1.02–1.78, P = 0.038) compared with control arms without trastuzumab therapy. The ratio of CNS metastases to total number of recurrence events was 16.94% (95% CI 10.85% to 24.07%) and 8.33% (95% CI 6.49% to 10.86%) for the trastuzumab-treated and control groups, respectively. No statistically significant differences were found based on trastuzumab schedule or median follow-up time. No evidence of publication bias was observed. Conclusions Adjuvant trastuzumab is associated with a significant increased risk of CNS metastases as the site of first recurrence in HER2-positive breast cancer patients.
Perceived and Actual Motivational Climate of a Mastery-Involving Sport Education Season.

The purpose of the study was to implement a Sport Education season designed to be mastery-involving and examine the degree of congruence between the objective measure of the presented climate with the students’ perceptions of the saliency of this motivational climate. Twenty-one male high school students (mean age of 15.9 years) and one expert teacher participated in 12 lessons, each of 90 minutes’ duration, of team handball taught using Sport Education. During each phase of the Sport Education season the TARGET motivational climate variables were coded by analyzing the lesson videotapes. Following each phase, students completed the “perceptions of teacher’s emphasis on goals” questionnaire. Results showed a consistent student perception of a mastery climate across all phases of the season. The teacher was able to manipulate the predominantly performance-based task structure of practice style tasks and formal competition within the model to foster a mastery climate with an emphasis on mastery-based recogn...
Public Investment and Industry Incentives in Life-Science Research

Life-science research has shifted rapidly from the public to the private sector, raising questions about government’s remaining role. We shed light on the issue by employing a dynamic investment-response model to examine the public’s impact on industry life-science research effort and success. We find that government expenditures in both basic biological research and agricultural and medical science create substantial spillovers for private firms. The spillovers are, unfortunately, partly nullified by government competition for scarce research inputs. Yet even after accounting for such competition, public investment has been strongly complementary to private investment. Indeed, opportunities created through public research are the principal source of growth in industry life sciences. Copyright 2007, Oxford University Press.
Renal and Fluid–Electrolyte Disorders

Renal and metabolic conditions are quite common in the ICU. This chapter covers all commonly encountered electrolyte abnormalities in these patients. The approach to the patient with life-threatening electrolyte disorders is reviewed, such as hyperkalemia, hypophosphatemia, and others. The metabolic derangements that require treatment and observation in the ICU are reviewed in this chapter.
Otosclerosis: a review of aetiology, management and outcomes

Otosclerosis is an autosomal dominant condition affecting the temporal bone. It presents predominantly with deafness in a young population. This review looks at the aetiological theories, present treatment strategies and surgical outcomes of this condition.
CONSISTENCY OF SAT® I: REASONING TEST SCORE CONVERSIONS

This study uses historical data to explore the consistency of SAT® I: Reasoning Test score conversions and to examine trends in scaled score means. During the period from April 1995 to December 2003, both Verbal (V) and Math (M) means display substantial seasonality, and a slight increasing trend for both is observed. SAT Math means increase more than SAT Verbal means. Several statistical indices indicate that, during the period under study, raw-to-scale conversions are very stable, although conversions for extreme raw score points are less stable than are other conversions.
Use of duplex imaging to assess suitability of the internal mammary artery for coronary artery surgery

Abstract The internal mammary artery is the preferred conduit for coronary artery surgery. To determine the role, if any, of preoperative duplex imaging in assessing the suitability of this vessel, preoperative noninvasive measurements of internal mammary artery diameter and blood flow were performed in 243 patients. The left internal mammary artery was insonated through the third intercostal space by use of duplex scanner (5.0 MHz probe) before coronary artery surgery. Internal mammary artery diameter (millimeters), peak systolic velocity (centimeters/second), and mean velocity (centimeters/second) were measured, and internal mammary artery flow was calculated from velocity and cross-sectional area. In 45 of these patients the internal mammary artery diameter also was measured during surgery with a sterile caliper, and blood was collected for 30 seconds from the transected internal mammary artery to measure flow. These findings were compared to the preoperative values. In 243 patients the mean internal mammary artery diameter was 2.34 ± 0.03 mm, and mean peak systolic blood flow was 226.7 ± 6.3 ml/min. In the 45 patients in whom intraoperative measurements were obtained, preoperative mean internal mammary artery diameter was 2.39 ± 0.05 mm and was not significantly different from the intraoperative mean internal mammary artery diameter of 2.36 ± 0.04 mm. Preoperative peak systolic flow was 231.3 ± 8.1 ml/min, and mean flow was 110.3 ± 7.1 ml/min; intraoperative flow measured 136 ± 3.6 ml/min. Noninvasive determinations correlated with operative findings for internal mammary artery diameter ( r = 0.87) ( p r = 0.70) ( p r = 0.60) ( p
Prediction and Design of First Super-Strong Mostly-Rigid Polymers from Very Molecular Theories for Smectic and Nematic Polymers

This paper presents a new unique microscopic molecular theory for backbone liquid-crystalline polymers (LCPs), side-chain LCPs, and combined LCPs in the nematic (N) and multiple smectic-A (SA) LC phases and the isotropic (I) liquid phase. There are no ad hoc or arbitrarily adjustable parameters in this theory. The agreement between the theoretical and experimental values for various thermodynamic and molecular ordering properties for existing LCPs is very good (relative deviations between 0% and less than 6.2%). This theory has been used by this author to predict and design (atom by atom, bond by bond) the first super-strong (SS) LCPs. This paper presents the design of SS mostly-rigid (MR) LCPs. 22 refs., 3 figs., 4 tabs.
E1A-mediated inhibition of myogenesis correlates with a direct physical interaction of E1A12S and basic helix-loop-helix proteins.

Abstract The observation that adenovirus E1A gene products can inhibit differentiation of skeletal myocytes suggested that E1A may interfere with the activity of myogenic basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors. We have examined the ability of E1A to mediate repression of the muscle-specific creatine kinase (MCK) gene. Both the E1A12S and E1A13S products repressed MCK transcription in a concentration-dependent fashion. In contrast, amino-terminal deletion mutants (d2-36 and d15-35) of E1A12S were defective for repression. E1A12S also repressed expression of a promoter containing a multimer of the MCK high-affinity E box (the consensus site for myogenic bHLH protein binding) that was dependent, in C3H10T1/2 cells, on coexpression of a myogenin bHLH-VP16 fusion protein. A series of coprecipitation experiments with glutathione S-transferase fusion and in vitro-translated proteins demonstrated that E1A12S, but not amino-terminal E1A deletion mutants, could bind to full-length myogenin and E12 and to deletion mutants of myogenin and E12 that spare the bHLH domains. Thus, the bHLH domains of myogenin and E12, and the high-affinity E box, are targets for E1A-mediated repression of the MCK enhancer, and domains of E1A required for repression of muscle-specific gene transcription also mediate binding to bHLH proteins. We conclude that E1A mediates repression of muscle-specific gene transcription through its amino-terminal domain and propose that this may involve a direct physical interaction between E1A and the bHLH region of myogenic determination proteins.
The meaning of genetic research results: reflections from individuals with and without a known genetic disorder.

In the debate about whether to return individual genetic results to research participants, consideration of the nature of results has taken precedence over contextual factors associated with differ...
Computer Program System for Aerotriangulation

A system of FORTRAN programs has been developed to meet the varied needs of analytical aerotriangulation. The basic solution is based on a simultaneous adjustment of all photogrammetric and geodetic observations. Flexibility, simplicity and accuracy were stressed in the design and development of these programs. Separate program packages are developed for aerotriangulation of small blocks (less than 40 photos), blocks of unlimited size, and for simulation studies. Test results with fictitious data showed that the solution method had excellent accuracy and sensitivity to variations in weights.
Correspondence of 李儼 Li Yan and David Eugene Smith

During the middle of the First World War, Li Yan (1892-1963) and David Eugene Smith (1860-1944) exchanged nearly twenty letters chiefly concerning plans for a collaboration to produce a book in English on the history of Chinese mathematics. Although this idea did not come to fruition, these letters are nevertheless interesting for documenting the early stages in historical research on the history of Chinese mathematics.
Design and Development of Lightweight Air-Liquid Composite Heat Exchangers for Space Exploration Applications

An Engineering Development Unit (EDU) of a lightweight composite Air/Liquid (A/L) heat exchanger (HX) was successfully designed and manufactured for potential space exploration thermal management applications including Orion CEV, Altair, and Lunar Surface Systems. The EDU was a full-scale HX comparable to the existing metallic HX demonstrator, but only required to meet the thermal specifications, especially targeting 3.5kW heat removal. This composite EDU was 37% lighter than the corresponding metallic unit weighted total about 47.5 lbs (or 21.6 Kg). Design concepts, material variables, fabrication methods, and their effects on heat exchanger performance were systematically evaluated in an earlier coupon-level experimental study. The EDU, designed as a modular system, utilized a low density, open cell, but thermally conductive carbon foam which was embedded with multiple stainless steel cooling tubes as a HX core. The stainless steel tube was selected for its compatibility to the chosen coolant, de-ionized water. Lightweight but strong carbon fiber reinforced epoxy matrix composite material was used for air inlet and outlet plenums, and housed the entire HX core with air-tight sealing. The EDU cooling system was pressure proof tested up to 75 psi. A special test rig was developed for thermal performance evaluation of the full-scale HXs based on actual space hardware specifications. Thermal performance of the EDU and the metallic HX demonstrator from NASA-JSC was evaluated with the newly developed test system. The EDU showed ~ 85-87% of metal HX in Qh at most comparable test conditions. However, in terms of specific heat transfer (i.e., Qh/wt of HX), the EDU outperformed the metal HX by 34 – 37%. Details of the EDU design, material-selections, step-by-step fabrication procedures, weight analysis and thermal performance are discussed in this paper. Findings from the composite EDU will be implemented in design and manufacturing of a full-scale composite A/L HX Prototype which is required to meet both thermal and structural specifications. Nomenclature
Is there an advantage to combination therapy with ACE inhibitors and angiotensin II-receptor blockers?

Theoretic reasons and small studies suggest the two types of drugs may be useful in combination, but a definitive answer awaits the results of larger studies.
A remark on H1 mappings

With\(\mathbb{B} = \left\{ {\varepsilon \mathbb{R}^3 :\left| x \right|< 1} \right\}\), we here construct, for each positive integer N, a smooth function\(g : \partial \mathbb{B} \to \mathbb{S}^2 \) of degree zero so that there must be at least N singular points for any map that minimizes the energy\(\varepsilon \left( u \right) = \int\limits_\mathbb{B} {\left| {\nabla u} \right|} ^2 dx\) in the family\(U\left( g \right) : \left\{ {u\varepsilon H^1 \left( {\mathbb{B},\mathbb{S}^2 } \right) : u\left| {\partial \mathbb{B} = g} \right|} \right\}\). The infimum of e over U(g) is strictly smaller than the infimum of e over the continuous functions in U(g). There are some generalizations to higher dimensions.
It's Who You Know: A Relationship View of Strategic Human Resource Management

Relationships drive many organizational capabilities. While this is generally acknowledged, many of the most widely used frameworks guiding research and practice in strategic human resource managem...
Fluoroscopy pulse rate reduction during diagnostic and therapeutic imaging in the cardiac catheterization laboratory: An evaluation of radiation dose, procedure complications and outcomes.

Objectives To evaluate radiation reduction by reducing fluoroscopy pulse rate in diagnostic cardiac catheterizations and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) as well as outcomes at 30 days and six months. Background Radiation exposure to the public at large has increased dramatically over the past three decades, and the cardiac catheterization laboratory is a large contributor. Fluoroscopy pulse rate is one way to decrease radiation exposure. Methods Fluoroscopy pulse rate was reduced from 10 pulses/sec (p/s) to 7.5 p/s as part of an internal quality improvement project. A retrospective analysis of all cardiac catheterizations was performed, evaluating Air KERMA at the interventional reference point (Ka, r), Air KERMA area product (PKA), procedural complications and major adverse cardiac events at 30 days and 6 months. Results In diagnostic catheterization median PKA (µGy·m2) and Ka,r (mGy) were significantly reduced (PKA – 5,613.3 vs. 4,400, P < 0.001; Ka,r – 703.0 vs. 621.0, P = 0.041). In PCI, median PKA and Ka,r were further reduced (PKA – 13,481.6 vs. 10,648.0, P < 0.001; Ka,r – 1787.0 vs. 1,459.0, P = 0.002). There was no difference in complications, fluoroscopy time or number of stents placed. There was no difference in MACE after adjustment for number of STEMIs. Conclusions Reducing fluoroscopy pulse rates to 7.5 from 10 is an effective way to reduce patient radiation exposure across meaningful dose indices. A pulse rate of 7.5 p/s is safe, with no difference in complications or outcomes. A fluoroscopy pulse rate of 7.5 p/s should be given strong consideration for a new standard. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Association between Idiosyncratic Risk and Private Information Acquisition

This study investigates earnings and forecast uncertainty as determinants of firm-specific idiosyncratic risk. Earnings uncertainty generated by the accounting process is distinguished from the earnings forecast uncertainty generated by the analysts' search and use of private information. The former is measured by volatility of earnings and operating cash flows, while the latter is measured by the component of forecast dispersion that is unexplainable by other publicly available information. The empirical tests for in- and out-of-sample predictions of forecast uncertainty show that both earnings volatility and forecast uncertainty explain significant proportions of variation in idiosyncratic risk. The results are consistent for each year during the test period of nine years.
Free Jejunal Flap for Pharyngoesophageal Reconstruction in Head and Neck Cancer Patients: An Evaluation of Donor-Site Complications.

Background Free jejunal transfer for pharyngoesophageal reconstruction has often been criticized for its associated donor-site morbidity. Conversely, the same argument has been invoked to support use of fasciocutaneous flaps, given their low incidence of donor-site complications. The purpose of the current study was to document donor-site complication rate with free jejunal flaps for pharyngoesophageal reconstruction, in the hands of an experienced surgeon. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed for consecutive patients who underwent free jejunal transfer between 1992 and 2012 by the senior author (P.G.C.). Demographic data, abdominal complications, surgical characteristics of small bowel anastomoses, and postoperative bowel function were specifically noted. Results Overall, 92 jejunal flap reconstructions were performed in 90 patients. The mean follow-up time was 29 months. Twelve (13%) patients had prior abdominal surgery. Donor-site complications included ileus ( n = 2), wound cellulitis ( n = 1), wound dehiscence ( n = 1), and small bowel obstruction ( n = 1). Mean time to initiation of tube feeds after reconstruction was 5 days. A total of 77 (86.5%) patients were discharged on an oral diet. The perioperative mortality rate of 2% was not associated with any donor-site complication. Conclusion Free jejunal transfer is associated with minimal and acceptable donor-site complication rates. The choice of flap for pharyngoesophageal reconstruction should be determined by the type of defect, potential recipient site complications, and the surgeon's familiarity with the flap. Potential donor-site complications should not be a deterrent for free jejunal flaps given the low rate described in this study.
Can a Network Approach Resolve How Adaptive vs Nonadaptive Plasticity Impacts Evolutionary Trajectories

Theoretical and empirical work has described a range of scenarios in which plasticity may shape adaptation to a novel environment. For example, recent studies have implicated a role for both adaptive and non-adaptive plasticity in facilitating adaptive evolution, yet we lack a broad mechanistic framework to predict under what conditions each scenario is likely to dominate evolutionary processes. We propose that such a framework requires understanding how transcriptional, protein, and developmental networks change in response to different rearing environments across evolutionary time scales. Our central argument is that these hierarchical networks generate and maintain phenotypic variation in populations, both by buffering organisms from developmental noise and mutational inputs and by exhibiting flexible responses to environmental cues. These network properties in turn lead to predictions about how plasticity should influence adaptive evolution. Because buffering mechanisms allow the build-up of cryptic genetic variation (i.e., genetic variation without phenotypic consequences), the initial response of individuals colonizing novel environments should be a release of genetic and phenotypic variation that selection acts upon; some of which is adaptive and some of which is not. Thus, in the early stages of adaptation, strong selection against maladaptive phenotypes should result in rapid evolution acting on standing cryptic variation. However, over longer time scales, evolutionary change should largely be compensatory, to rebuild robust developmental processes and promote integrated phenotypes. We argue that considering how hierarchical networks respond over developmental and evolutionary time encompasses a more mechanistic understanding of the genotype-phenotype map, and will result in a more predictive framework for understanding the role of plasticity in adaptive evolution.
The Empire of 1898 – and Upheaval

From the 1890s, United States had emerged as the greatest and most competitive player in the global marketplace. In the 1880s, U.S. multinational corporations began to replace the farmers as players of the most important role in the nation's foreign economic policy. Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller, were making the U.S. the world's leading power while also making such armories necessary. In 1886, Carnegie published Triumphant democracy, which argued that his law of surplus, among other capitalist principles, was as good for democracy as it would become for Russian railroads. The nation's democracy had produced the new Industrial Revolution, and it had provided the wherewithal to reinforce individual freedom. Capitalism produced democracy as well as, and because of, profits. Darwinism was the loose application of Charles Darwin's theories to the socioeconomic world. Carnegie was among the many who found social Darwinism highly congenial.
Incivility in nursing education: An intervention

Incivility in nursing education is an unfortunate phenomenon affecting nursing students in all aspects of their educational experience. Students and their instructors are often ill equipped to deal with academic incivility and their lack of ability to handle such behaviors has proven detrimental to the future of the nursing profession. Nursing instructors need tools to help educate nursing students on how to recognize uncivil behaviors within themselves as well as others and ways to combat it. This research project addressed these aspects of academic incivility and implemented an e-learning module that was developed to educate students on incivility. The data was collected through a pre-test, post-test model with resulting statistical analysis using the McNemar's test. Results showed the nursing students obtained increased self-efficacy in regards to their ability to define, detect, and combat academic incivility after viewing the e-learning module. In conclusion, the successful implementation of the e-learning module provides further incentive for schools of nursing to consider implementing incivility education in their curriculums.
CHAPTER 6 – The Truth About Tissues

An isolation of high-quality RNA from cells grown in culture is generally far easier to accomplish than RNA isolation from tissue. The primary reason is the three-dimensional architecture of the tissue that must be dismantled and removed compared to the disruption of a cell monolayer. Frequently, aggressive methods of homogenization in the presence of rather harsh formulations of lysis buffers are required to provide a satisfactory level of tissue disruption to render an acceptable RNA yield. Some tissues are notorious for their legendary levels of ribonuclease (RNase) and reluctance to give up their RNA. Thus, the aggressive methods needed to compensate for the unique character of tissue often results in the isolation of total cellular RNA as opposed to a subpopulation of RNA. Isolation of RNA from tissue is nonnegotiable when studying diseased tissue, when attempting to ascertain a tissue-specific response to an experimental manipulation or other insult, or when trying to characterize the molecular physiology of normal tissue. Investigators working with human samples also know the inherent dangers of HIV- and/or hepatitis-tainted samples, two prevalent, extremely dangerous infectious agents. Thus, not only are the mechanics of RNA isolation from tissue samples modified, compared to RNA isolation from cell culture samples, but also is the level of difficulty in the storing and handling of the sample so that the safety of all parties involved is maintained.
VITAMIN D LEVELS AND AUTOANTIBODIES IN THE MULTI-ETHNIC STUDY OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS (MESA): IMPLICATIONS FOR CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE

Background: Low 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and autoimmunity are both associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk; yet their joint influence on CVD is unknown. Methods: We studied 6,281 MESA participants with serum levels of 25(OH)D and autoantibodies [ANA, aCL, anti-β2GPI, RF,
Practical Conforming Datatype Groups

The proposed OWL 1.1 language is based on the description logics SROIQ and SHOQ(Dn), whose features include the use of nary datatype predicates. The means of specifying such predicates, which must be usefully expressive without breaking decidability properties, is omitted; rectifying this omission is nontrivial.
Segmentation processes in the visions system

In VISIONS the segmentation algorithms receive input from a digitized color image as an array of pixel values, and generate output as a layered graph of symbolically named regions, boundaries, and endpoints -- each with their descriptive attributes. This processed sensory data provides the initial input to the model-building system of VISIONS.
In sepsis, beyond adherence, timeliness matters.

Sepsis is a major healthcare concern, and remains a leading cause of mortality and critical illness worldwide (1). The global healthcare burden is astronomical; in the largest systematic review that extrapolated data from published national and local population estimates, an estimated 50 million cases and 3 million deaths are associated with sepsis yearly (2). In addition, sepsis is also associated with significant long-term cognitive and functional disability in survivors (3). Recognizing the disease importance and burden, the World Health Assembly, the World Health Organization’s decision-making body, adopted a resolution on improving the prevention, diagnosis and management of sepsis recently on 26th May 2017 (4).
Adult males buffer the cortisol response of young guinea pigs: Changes with age, mediation by behavior, and comparison with prefrontal activity.

Abstract In the guinea pig, the presence of the mother buffers hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) responses of her young during exposure to a novel environment, and can do so even if she is anesthetized. In contrast, under comparable conditions other conspecifics (siblings, other adult females) are less effective or ineffective in doing so. However, we recently observed that an unfamiliar adult male reduced plasma cortisol elevations and increased Fos in the prefrontal cortex of preweaning pups exposed to a novel enclosure for 120 min. Here we found adult males buffered the adrenocortical response of preweaning pups at 60 as well as 120 min and of periadolescent guinea pigs if exposure was of 120 min. Further, because males vigorously engaged in social interactions with the young during exposure, we examined the effect of behavior by comparing the impact of conscious and unconscious (anesthetized) adult males. When tested with a conscious but not unconscious male, pups exhibited reduced plasma cortisol elevations. Pups, particularly females, had greater Fos induction in the prefrontal cortex when with a conscious versus unconscious adult male. Overall, we found that an unfamiliar adult male can buffer the cortisol response of guinea pigs both before and after weaning, though more-prolonged exposure appears necessary in the older animals. Further, unlike buffering by the biological mother, the effect of the male is mediated by behavioral interactions. Thus, the buffering of the infant guinea pig's cortisol response by the mother and an unfamiliar adult male involve different underlying mechanisms.
Individual Decision-Performance Using Spatial Decision Support Systems: A Geospatial Reasoning Ability and Perceived Task-Technology Fit Perspective

Increasingly, spatial decision support systems (SDSS) help consumers, businesses and governmental entities make decisions involving geospatial data. Understanding if, and how, user- and task-characteristics impact decision-performance will allow developers of SDSS to maximize decision-making performance. Furthermore, scholars can benefit from a more comprehensive understanding of what specific characteristics influence decision-making when using an SDSS. This paper provides a synthesis of relevant research and presents a two-factor experiment (n = 200) designed to measure the impact of user- and task-characteristics on decision-performance. Using Cognitive Fit Theory (CFT) as the theoretical framework, we investigate the effect of geospatial reasoning ability (GRA), input complexity, task complexity, and user perceptions of task-technology fit (PTTF), on geospatial decision-making performance. Specifically, we measure GRA as a user-characteristic, while input- and problem-complexity are measured as task-characteristics. A partial least squares (PLS) analysis reveals the statistical significance of user- and task-characteristics on geospatial decision-making performance. Theoretical and managerial implications are discussed in detail.
Impact of Anesthesia on Hospital Mortality and Morbidities in Geriatric Patients Following Emergency Hip Fracture Surgery.

Objectives To determine the impact of anesthesia type on in-hospital mortality and morbidity for geriatric fragility hip fracture surgery. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Integrates health care delivery system across 38 facilities in the United States. Patients/participants We identified 16,695 patients 65 years of age and older who underwent emergent hip fracture repairs between 2009 and 2014 through the Kaiser Permanente hip fracture registry and excluded pathologic or bilateral fractures. Intervention Hip fracture surgery with general or regional anesthesia. Main outcomes measures Data on in-hospital mortality, time to death, discharge disposition, and length of stay (LOS) were analyzed among the following anesthesia types: general anesthesia (GA), regional anesthesia (RA), and intraoperative conversions from regional to general (Cv). Results Compared with RA, the hazard ratio for GA for in-hospital mortality was 1.38 and 2.23 for the Cv group; the time ratio for GA-associated time to death was 0.97 and 0.89 for the Cv group. The GA-associated time ratio for LOS before discharge was 1.01, and the hazard ratio for home discharge was 0.86, but no significance was found with the Cv group. Conclusions RA may offer advantages over GA for fragility hip fracture surgeries when possible. In-hospital mortality, time to death, increased LOS, and discharge to an institute rather than home were all adversely influenced by GA. Furthermore, the previously understudied Cv group demonstrated adverse outcomes for in-hospital mortality and time to death. Level of evidence Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Global Ocean Altimetry With GNSS Reflections From TechDemoSat-1

TechDemoSat-1 (TDS-1) is an experimental Global Navigation Satellite System Reflections (GNSS-R) satellite launched in 2014. The GNSS-R receiver onboard performs real-time navigation and generates delay–Doppler correlation maps for Earth-reflected Global Positioning System (GPS) L1 C/A ranging signals. This paper investigates the performance of the TDS-1 data for ocean surface altimetry retrievals. The analysis includes consideration of the transmitter and receiver orbits, time tag corrections, models for ionospheric and tropospheric delays, zenith to nadir antenna baseline offsets, ocean and solid Earth tides, and a comparison with mean sea surface topography. An error budget is compiled to account for each error source and compared with the experimentally derived surface height retrievals. By analyzing data sets covering global ocean surfaces over ±60° latitude, the current performance of spaceborne GNSS-R altimetry with the TDS-1 data set is experimentally established. In comparison with the mean sea surface topography, the surface height residuals are found to be 6.4 m, $1\sigma $ with a 1-s integration time. A discussion of the factors limiting this performance is presented, with implications for future GNSS-R altimetry missions designed for the observation of mesoscale ocean circulation.
Drilling of crack free micro holes in glass by chemo-thermal micromachining process

Abstract Recent achievements made in the field of ceramics and glass technology demands the development of hybrid techniques to process those advanced materials precisely and efficiently. Chemo-thermal micromachining is a novel method of micro-fabrication, achieved by integrating laser based thermal ablation and chemical etching. This hybrid process involves focusing laser beam on a borosilicate glass specimen submerged in aqueous sodium hydroxide solution that causes chemical machining along with thermal ablation at the focused point. In this study, an attempt has been made to explore the effects of machining parameters like laser power, laser exposure duration and electrolyte concentration on material removal rate (MRR) and surface quality that involves study of surface cracks and built-up edges along the machined surface of borosilicate glass. A four-level full factorial experimental design was adopted to understand the effect of each parameter. Additional experiments have been conducted to identify the effect of laser and chemical machining separately. It was found that there was a reduction of about 90% in the average length of crack in chemo-thermal micromachining process as compared to laser ablation alone. Also, the number of cracks was reduced from about 20-23 in laser machining to 1–5 in this hybrid machining.
Treatment of Immune Infertility

Immune infertility due to antisperm antibodies (ASA) is an important cause of infertility in humans. The incidence of ASA in infertile couples is 9–36% depending on the reporting center. ASA directed against the fertilization-related antigens are more relevant to infertility than the immunoglobulin binding to sperm antigens that do not play a role in fertility. Several methods have been reported for the treatment of immunoinfertility. These include immunosuppressive therapies using corticosteroids or cyclosporine; assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as intrauterine insemination (IUI), gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT), in vitro fertilization (IVF), and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI); and laboratory techniques such as sperm washing, immunomagnetic sperm separation, proteolytic enzyme treatment, and immunobeads usage. Some of these available techniques have side effects; others are invasive and expensive with low efficacy and provide conflicting results. Recent findings on delineating sperm antigens that have a role in fertilization/fertility may provide novel modalities for treatment.
Description of Rapid Rearrangements with the Aid of Longuet-Higgins Group Theory. Spectroscopy and Reaction Mechanisms

Degenerate rearrangements occur on highly symmetric potential surfaces; in these systems, the symmetry of the surface may be of more importance than the symmetry of any instantaneously definable molecular configuration. The symmetry of the surface can dictate certain properties of chemical reactions on that surface.
Hardiness Considered Across Cultures

There is certainly an accumulation of evidence indicating that hardiness is a key to transforming stressful circumstances from potential disasters into growth opportunities instead. As to the emerging question of whether there are demographic and cultural differences in the role of hardiness, there are only a few relevant findings at this time. Although these available findings suggest little or no demographic or cultural differences in the importance of hardiness in surviving and thriving under stress, much more work needs to be done before a firm conclusion can be reached.
Soft Tissue Replacement Implants

The success of soft tissue implants has primarily been due to the development of synthetic polymers. This is mainly because the polymers can be tailor-made to match the physical and chemical properties of soft tissues. In addition, polymers can be made into various physical forms, such as liquid for filling spaces, fibers for suture materials, films for catheter balloons, I knitted fabrics for blood vessel prostheses, and solid forms for cosmetic and weight-bearing applications.
Wind speed and wind direction forecasting using echo state network with nonlinear functions

Abstract Wind turbines are among the most popular sources of renewable energy. The energy available from wind varies widely because wind energy is highly dependent on continually fluctuating weather related parameters such as wind speed and wind direction. Wind farms have difficulties with system scheduling and energy dispatching because the availability of wind power is not known in advance. Therefore, the growth of wind power penetration in the emerging power system has made a precise wind forecasting method indispensable for system operators to include wind power generation in unit commitment and economic scheduling. This paper proposes two methods for wind speed and direction forecasting based on the nonlinear relations between the internal states of echo state networks. The methods decrease the number of internal states, and reduce the computational load compared to classical ESNs with fixed sizes and topologies by reducing the orders of the weight matrices. The design is simple with high learning capability and prediction accuracy, and does not require extensive training, parameter tuning, or complex optimization. The methods are tested with wind speed and direction data provided by the Nevada department of transportation (NDOT) roadway weather stations in the Reno, NV area. To demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed methods, they are compared with classical echo state networks (ESN) and with adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS). The results of the new methods compare favorably with both ESN and ANFIS.