cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Method for Extracting Fat from Dry Whole Milk

Abstract A method for extracting fat from dry whole milk is described in which the only solvent is methylene chloride. Fat is freed in the powder by preliminarily mixing with powdered ice cooled to — 30 C. A specially designed extraction apparatus is described. Average yields of 97% of the total fat are obtained with 4-hr extractions. Steam deodorizations of fat samples give distillates suitable for gas chromatographic and organoleptic examinations free from interferences encountered with alcohol-extracted fat.
Phase of intermodulation distortion products in high-linearity photodiode: Measurement technique and theoretical model

The third-order intermodulation distortion products (IMD3) of the high-linearity InGaAs/InP photodiode exhibit 180 degree phase changes around their minima, which can be explained by a nonlinear responsivity model.
Information networks: A probabilistic model for hierarchical message transfer

Abstract A strictly hierarchical message transfer scheme requires that a message follow a specified referral path unless finally it is either rejected or filled at any one of the information centers of the network. Thus at each node in the network three decisions can be made: satisfy, reject, or refer the message to the succeeding node in the hierarchy. By associating probabilities and costs with each of these decisions, we develop a Markovian model for the total network cost. The mean and variance of total cost are derived. Applicability of the model is discussed by considering the problems related to the estimation of necessary parameters. In particular, a queue-theoretic model is developed for estimating response time for a message at an information center.
Decomposition of soybean grown under elevated concentrations of CO2 and O3

A critical global climate change issue is how increasing concentrations of atmospheric CO2 and ground-level O3 will affect agricultural productivity. This includes effects on decomposition of residues left in the field and availability of mineral nutrients to subsequent crops. To address questions about decomposition processes, a 2-year experiment was conducted to determine the chemistry and decomposition rate of aboveground residues of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) grown under reciprocal combinations of low and high concentrations of CO2 and O3 in open-top field chambers. The CO2 treatments were ambient (370lmolmol � 1 ) and elevated (714lmolmol � 1 ) levels (daytime 12h averages). Ozone treatments were charcoal-filtered air (21nmolmol � 1 ) and nonfiltered air plus 1.5 times ambient O3 (74nmolmol � 1 ) 12hday � 1 . Elevated CO2 increased aboveground postharvest residue production by 28‐56% while elevated O3 suppressed it by 15‐46%. In combination, inhibitory effects of added O3 on biomass production were largely negated by elevated CO2. Plant residue chemistry was generally unaffected by elevated CO2, except for an increase in leaf residue lignin concentration. Leaf residues from the elevated O3 treatments had lower concentrations of nonstructural carbohydrates, but higher N, fiber, and lignin levels. Chemical composition of petiole, stem, and pod husk residues was only marginally affected by the elevated gas treatments. Treatment effects on plant biomass production, however, influenced the content of chemical constituents on an areal basis. Elevated CO2 increased the mass per square meter of nonstructural carbohydrates, phenolics, N, cellulose, and lignin by 24‐ 46%. Elevated O3 decreased the mass per square meter of these constituents by 30‐48%, while elevated CO2 largely ameliorated the added O3 effect. Carbon mineralization rates of component residues from the elevated gas treatments were not significantly different from the control. However, N immobilization increased in soils containing petiole and stem residues from the elevated CO2 ,O 3, and combined gas treatments. Mass loss of decomposing leaf residue from the added O3 and combined gas treatments was 48% less than the control treatment after 20 weeks, while differences in decomposition of petiole, stem, and husk residues among treatments were minor. Decreased decomposition of leaf residues was correlated with lower starch and higher lignin levels. However, leaf residues only comprised about 20% of the total residue biomass assayed so treatment effects on mass loss of total aboveground residues were relatively small. The primary influence of elevated atmospheric CO2 and O3 concentrations on decomposition processes is apt to arise from effects on residue mass input, which is increased by elevated CO2 and suppressed by O3.
Why are there so few evolutionary transitions between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems

Abstract Insects and flowering plants have rarely invaded the sea. Explanations for this have traditionally centered on the unique shortcomings of these groups in the marine environment. We show, however, that transitions among terrestrial, freshwater, and marine environments are infrequent in all major plant and animal clades except tetrapod vertebrates. In general, well-adapted incumbents are at a competitive advantage over would-be invaders from a physically different habitat. Data on the times and places of transition are consistent with our contention that evolutionary transitions among physically different environments are most likely when incumbents in the recipient environment exist in a regime of low-intensity competition and predation, as in terrestrial communities of the middle Paleozoic or the land biotas of oceanic islands. Freshwater environments, in which inferred intensities of predation are lower than in most marine and terrestrial environments, offer less biotic resistance to invaders than do communities in the sea or on land. Most invaders respond to novel physical circumstances by shutting down their metabolic machinery, and therefore add to their subordinate status as competitors with active incumbents. Only active tetrapods, particularly those with high and endothermically driven rates of metabolism, have successfully overcome this limitation.
Nonhydrolytic layer-by-layer surface sol-gel modification of powdered mesoporous silica materials with TiO2

The surface of mesoporous silica materials was coated with a controlled mono-/multilayer growth of TiO2 via a nonhydrolytic surface sol−gel (NSS) process through a layer-by-layer growth approach.
Viable inference systems

Because uncertain and provisional reasoning is an inherent part of intelligent systems, a diverse (and competing) array of formalisms for handling uncertain inference has been developed in theory and practice. Each of these formalisms tends to be argued and justified on its own ground, starting from assumptions which ensure its “correctness” or “optimality.” It is argued here, however, that the key concept for an intelligent system is viability - it is as unproductive to seek “correctness” in open inference systems as it would be to prove the “optimality” of a biological organism. Several inference formalisms are examined in the light of this criticism. The viability of systems based on these formalisms is seen to rest critically on their robustness to changes in their context. The assumptions which usually function to hold that context fixed must thus be critically examined.
Effect of emitter deposition temperature on surface passivation in hot-wire chemical vapor deposited silicon heterojunction solar cells

Low substrate temperature (<150 °C) during initiation of amorphous silicon emitter deposition by hot-wire chemical vapor deposition is found to be crucial for reaching high open-circuit voltage (V oc ) in an amorphous/crystalline silicon (a-Si/c-Si) heterojunction solar cell. Low-temperature results in immediate a-Si deposition and a smooth interface to the c-Si substrate. The smooth heterojunction leads to effective passivation of the c-Si surface by the a-Si intrinsic layer through a much-reduced interface recombination velocity, and V oc is consistently above 620 mV. We obtain a V oc above 640 mV and a fill factor of 80% on Al-backed p-type Czochralski wafers with emitters deposited at temperatures below 135 °C. Energy conversion efficiencies of 14.8% and 15.7% are obtained on a polished p-type Czochralski silicon wafer and a polished p-type float-zone silicon wafer, respectively.
An analysis of step-like field defects in Gilles de la Tourette syndrome

Step-like visual field defects have been found in 37 individuals exhibiting Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (TS). The authors present an analysis of these step-like field defects. There is a near equal distribution of nasal and temporal steps in this group of individuals. The majority (76%) of steps face upwards. These results are independent of age and sex. However, drugs used in management of TS have a quantitative effect on visual fields. Drug therapy reduces the number of steps detected and also reduces areas of sensitivity difference at the horizontal meridian. Analysis also suggests that plotting at least two isopters will result in detection of a step-like field defect in all individuals exhibiting TS and in 91% of the eyes of such individuals.It is difficult to determine the underlying pathophysiology for these types of visual field defects. It is suggested that dopamine, a neurotransmitter of the retina might be involved in some manner in the pathogenesis of the visual field defects.
Analytical verification of undesirable properties of direct model reference adaptive control algorithms

In the past few years many model reference adaptive control algorithms have been shown to be globally asymptotically stable. However, there have been no analytical results on the performance of such systems in the transient adaptive phase. Simulations have shown that there are three particular problem areas in which the performance of these algorithms may be unsatisfactory when viewed from a practical context. The problems are (a) the generation of high frequency control inputs, (b) high susceptibility to instability in the presence of unmodeled dynamics, and (c) poor performance in the presence of observation noise. This paper displays analytically how these problems arise for a number of algorithms. The analysis technique employs linearization of the nonlinear time varying dynamic equations that describe the closed-loop system; this analysis technique is referred to as "final approach analysis" because the linearization is valid when the system and reference model outputs are close to each other, a fact that occurs during the final phases of adaptation. By studying simple first order systems one can analytically examine different adaptive algorithms, and pinpoint their shortcomings. However, the analytical studies are constructive because they indicate now to modify the algorithms so as to improve their practical utility.
Liver–kidney transplantation to cure atypical HUS: still an option post-eculizumab?

Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) due to atypical HUS (aHUS) now have several potential options that can enable successful kidney transplantation. This editorial addresses these options by considering key factors that are important when making an individual treatment decision.
Asymptotic Properties of Electroproduction Structure Functions

The joint implications of Bjorken and Regge asymptotics are discussed for the structure function of electroproduction. It is suggested that for q^2 → ∞, the function νW2 approaches a constant for large values of p ≡ mν/q^2.
30,000 Years of Hydrothermal Activity at the Lost City Vent Field

Strontium, carbon, and oxygen isotope data and radiocarbon ages document at least 30,000 years of hydrothermal activity driven by serpentinization reactions at Lost City. Serpentinization beneath this off-axis field is estimated to occur at a minimum rate of 1.2 x 10(-4) cubic kilometers per year. The access of seawater to relatively cool, fresh peridotite, coupled with faulting, volumetric expansion, and mass wasting processes, are crucial to sustain such systems. The amount of heat produced by serpentinization of peridotite massifs, typical of slow and ultraslow spreading environments, has the potential to drive Lost City-type systems for hundreds of thousands, possibly millions, of years.
Subtalar neutral position as an offset for a kinematic model of the foot during walking

The lack of a common reference position when defining foot postures may underestimate the ability to differentiate foot function in subjects with pathology. The effect of using the subtalar neutral (STN) position as an offset for both rearfoot and forefoot through comparison of the kinematic walking patterns of subjects classified as normal (n = 7) and abnormally pronated (n = 14) foot postures was completed. An Optotrak™ Motion Analysis System (Northern Digital, Inc.) integrated with Motion Monitor Software™ (Innovative Sports, Inc.) was used to track three-dimensional movement of the leg, rearfoot and first metatarsal segments. Intrarater reliability of positioning the foot into STN using clinical guidelines was determined for a single rater for 21 subjects. Walking data were subsequently compared before and after an offset was applied to the rearfoot and first metatarsal segments. Repeated measures of foot positioning found the STN position to be highly repeatable (intraclass correlation coefficients > 0.9), with peak errors ranging from 1.9° to 4.3°. Utilizing STN as the offset resulted in a significant increase in rearfoot eversion (p = 0.019) during early stance, and greater first metatarsal dorsiflexion (p < 0.007) across stance in the pronated foot groups that was not observed prior to applying the offset. When applied to subjects with differing foot postures, the selection of a common reference position that is both clinically appropriate and reliable may distinguish kinematic patterns during walking that are consistent with theories of abnormal pronation.
Performance model incorporating weather-related constraints for fields of unattended ground sensors

Tactical sensing on the battlefield involves real-time information processing of acoustic, seismic, electromagnetic, and environmental sensor data to obtain and exploit an automated situational awareness. The value-added of tactical sensing is to give the war-fighter real-time situational information without requiring human interpretation of the underlying scientific data. For example, acoustic, seismic, and magnetic signatures of a ground vehicle can be used in a pattern recognition algorithm to identify a tank, truck, or TEL, but all the war-fighter wants to know is how many of each vehicle type are present and which way are they going. However, the confidences of this automated information processing are dependent on environmental conditions and background interference. A key feature of tactical ground sensing is the ability to integrate objective statistical confidences into the process to intelligently suppress false alarms, thus allowing the war-fighter to concentrate on war fighting. This paper presents how the situation confidence metric is generated starting with the sensor SNR going all the way through to the target classification and track confidences. This technique also allows modeling of ground sensor performance in hypothetical environments such as bad weather.
Boundary Layer Measurements at an Internal Free Surface in a Partially Filled Horizontal and Rapidly-Rotating Container

Steady flow in a partially horizontal circular cylinder rotating rapidly about its symmetry axis is investigated experimentally. Radial boundary layer profiles of the azimuthal velocity in the neighborhood of the internal surface are reported for a range of inverse Froude numbers and for two types of free surfaces. Results indicate good agreement with an existing theory
An Antibiotic Order Form Intervention Does Not Improve or Reduce Vancomycin Use

Objectives:To determine whether a paper-based antibiotic ordering system is an effective antibiotic stewardship measure.Methods:An antibiotic order form (AOF) was introduced in July 2001 at a pediatric tertiary care hospital. Vancomycin courses prescribed before and after the AOF introduction were r
How to report light loss values for optical fibers used in fiber optic lighting applications

This manuscript attempts to explain why reporting a single value for light loss or a single wavelength-dependent attenuation graph is of minimum use to the lighting specifying community. Experimentally it was found that the light loss for different diameter fibers of the same type with the same illuminator varied from 1.1 to 1.5 percent per foot. This is mainly attributed to the higher number of reflections at the core-cladding interface when light travels through a smaller diameter fiber compared to a larger diameter fiber. In a similar experiment it was found that the light loss for the same fiber, size and material, on three different commercial illuminators with the same 150-watt metal halide lamp varied from 1.4 to 2.4 percent per foot. The numerical aperture through which light is coupled into a fiber and the spectral uniformity at the common-end of the fiber can affect fiber attenuation. It is shown here that the color separation of a metal halide lamp has minimal impact on the light attenuation and thus the greatest light loss effect is due to the launch angle. Reporting a family of attenuation plots, as function of fiber diameter and launch angle would be more useful for predicting light loss and also for developing high efficiency fiber optic lighting systems.
Complaint patterns of patients with irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease and acute gastroenterological illness.

Abstract Chronic gastroenterology patients with noncritical [irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)] and grave illness [Crohn's disease (CR)] were compared with mixed acute (AC) cases, e.g. GI virus, on the Cornell Medical Index Health Questionnaire (CMI). The total N = 280 comprised 66 IBSs, 34 CRs and 40 ACs per sex. Reliability of coding ‘yes’, i.e. complaint, responses for all r s and ϱ s was above 0.96 per Dx group. For the 18 separate CMI categories, and also with the 12 ‘somatic’ classes plus the sum of ‘emotional’ items, MANOVAs on both raw scores and ranks showed strong between-Dx-groups effects, all P s P s 2 3 and by Dx on 1 3 of the CMI categories, but not on number of digestive tract complaints nor any discrete ‘emotional’ category. The usual data pattern was IBS > AC > CR, as were significant χ 2 and discriminant function analyses on single items per sex. IBS women made many vague complaints vs few, but disease-congruent, by CRs; ACs were intermediate. Complaints by IBS men were also nonspecific but mainly on different items, and CRs gave relatively more disease-congruent complaints. Discriminant functions correctly allotted 67.2% of women—via 10 items— and 70.9% of men—via 11 items—to Dx groups. The results depart from some common IBS stereotypes and we propose a technical distinction between ‘crocks’ vs ‘kvetches’.
The Distorted Looking Glass: Examining How Housing Identity Privilege Obviates the Goals of Brown v. Board of Education at 60

Background: In 1954, the Brown v. Board of Education case involved four states and their school segregation laws and policies. During that period, de jure and de facto segregation were a way of life in America. Sixty years later, as most schools across the country have resegregated, the authors ask the question of whether we should be focused on eradicating segregation? Purpose: The purpose of this article is to propose the concept of housing identity privilege and explore how it impairs our ability to create a new vision for addressing school segregation. Conceptual Argument: Housing identity privilege is defined as a historically supported system of advantages that is based on how much housing one can afford, and it is correlated directly with educational choices. Individuals, regardless of race, ethnicity, or color, can attain housing identity privilege, which is a type of economic privilege. The authors argue that despite some progress, schools are essentially still segregated by race and class, and h...
Spontaneous appendicocutaneous fistula: Case report and liteature review

A report is presented describing an exceptional case of spontaneous appendicocutaneous fistula (only six cases in the literature). Chronic appendiceal fistulas—that is primary communications between the appendix and an adjacent hollow viscus or the skin—occur rarely. Various types of appendicular fistula are considered and the literature is reviewed. Symptoms depend on location of the fistula and organ involved. The pathogenesis of such an unusual lesion is discussed. Appendectomy and excision or closure of the fistula is the radical therapy when the diagnosis is made.
PRIMARY LIVER CELL CARCINOMA ASSOCIATED WITH BILIARY CIRRHOSIS DUE TO CONGENITAL BILE DUCT ATRESIA.

A case of primary hepatic carcinoma superimposed on biliary cirrhosis due to congenital biliary atresia in a 3-year-old patient is reported. The patient presented obstructive jaundice from 3 days of age, signs of biliary cirrhosis and hepatic insufficiency, and malnutrition. Postmortem examination revealed liver cell carcinoma primary in the right lobe of the liver with pulmonary metastasis, advanced biliary cirrhosis, and complete absence of extrahepatic bile ducts. No case of the occurrence of hepatoma in a child with biliary cirrhosis due to biliary atresia has been reported previously.
Coming out: Lesbians' disclosures to parents

This research explores homosexual coming out as an interpersonal process involving disclosure of a deviant identity to selected audiences. More specifically, this paper focuses on disclosure of a lesbian identity to parents. Based on in-depth interviews with 53 self-identified homosexual women, the factors which are most strongly associated with disclosure to parents are self-perception of the possession of stereotypical lesbian characteristics and level of education for both respondents and parents. Future researchers should focus on the temporal ordering of variables associated with the disclosure of a deviant identity and should also examine risk-lessening factors in other areas of lesbians' lives, such as the workplace and within heterosexual friendship networks.
Converter Rating Analysis for Photovoltaic Differential Power Processing Systems

When photovoltaic (PV) cells are connected in series, they experience internal and external mismatch that reduces output power. Differential power processing (DPP) architectures achieve high system efficiency by processing a fraction of the total power while maintaining distributed local maximum power point operation. This paper details the computational methods and analysis used to determine the operation of PV-to-bus and PV-to-PV DPP architectures with rating-limited converters. Simulations for both DPP architectures are used to evaluate system performance over 25 years of operation. Based on data from field studies, a PV power coefficient of variation can be estimated as 0.086 after 25 years. An improvement figure of merit reflecting the ratio of energy produced to that delivered in a conventional system is introduced to evaluate comparative performance. Converter ratings of 15-17% for PV-to-bus and 23-33% for PV-to-PV architectures are identified as appropriate ratings for a 15-submodule system (five PV panels in series). Both DPP architectures with these ratings are shown to deliver up to 2.8% more power compared to a conventional series-string architecture based on the expected panel variation over 25 years of operation. DPP converters also outperform dc optimizers in terms of lifetime performance.
Separation of enantiomers using vancomycin in a countercurrent process by suppression of electroosmosis.

Excellent separations were achieved using a coated column to suppress electroosmotic flow and employing a countercurrent process between chiral selector and racemic solute. Using the macrocyclic antibiotic vancomycin as a chiral selector in capillary electrophoresis the resolution of nonsteroidal antiinflammatories and dansyl amino acids was achieved. Improvement in sensitivity due to the elimination of background absorbance and increased efficiency due to the removal of wall adsorption effects are both achieved using this technique. © 1996 Wiley-Liss. Inc.
The Spatial Orientation of the Plane Including the Mean QRS and T Vector of the Normal Electrocardiogram

For measurement of the spatial orientation of planes in the analysis of the spatial vectorcardiogram, a simple device is developed to be used with Simonson's vector analyzer for the conventional electrocardiogram. The prospective value of this method is shown for the measurement of the plane including the mean QRS and T vector.
Speciation of uranyl sorbed at multiple binding sites on montmorillonite

Abstract We have investigated the structures of U (VI) complexes as uranyl moieties sorbed onto a reference montmorillonite, SAz-1, using X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (XAFS). The uranyl-loaded clays were prepared from aqueous solutions of uranyl nitrate in the pH range from 3.0 to 3.5. The U concentrations on the clay ranged from 1.7 to 34.6% of the reported cation exchange capacity (CEC = 1.2 meq/g) of the clay. For all samples, XAFS results indicate that there are two axial oxygen atoms at 1.78–1.80 A, as expected for the uranyl moiety. The average numbers and distances of equatorial oxygen atoms about uranyl sorbed on the clay vary significantly as a function of surface coverage. At high coverage (34.6% CEC), the average number and distance of equatorial oxygen atoms are near those found for the fully hydrated uranyl species in aqueous solution. However, there are fewer equatorial oxygen atoms at a shorter average distance about uranyl sorbed at low coverage (1.7% CEC). At moderate coverage (7.3% CEC), the average number and distance of equatorial oxygen atoms are intermediate between those at higher and lower coverage. These changes suggest that sorbing U is reacting with at least three different sites on the clay as U concentration increases. The existence of multiple surface sites and sorption complexes which are structurally distinct from solution species need to be considered for rigorous modeling of sorption processes.
THE COMPARABILITY OF THE WAIS, WISC, AND WBII

Three Wechsler scales (the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, and Wechsler-Bellevue II) were administered in a counterbalanced design to 72 randomly selected 17 year-old high school Ss in order to investigate their comparability by testing the equality of (a) means, (b) variances, (c) reliability coefficients, and (d) validity coefficients based on scaled scores and IQs. Results indicated that the subtest scores and IQs for the given three scales were not equivalent. The present findings conform with most of the previous results regarding the comparability of Wechsler scales. Although the three scales investigated all evidence high similarity of item content and format, they clearly fail to meet the statistical criteria of equivalence for 17 year-old subjects.
Structure of Spin-Labeled Methylmethanethiolsulfonate in Solution and Bound to TEM-1 β-Lactamase Determined by Electron Nuclear Double Resonance Spectroscopy†

Site-directed spin-labeling of proteins whereby the spin-label methyl 3-(2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-1-oxypyrrolinyl)methanethiolsulfonate (SLMTS) is reacted with the −SH groups of cysteinyl residues incor...
Assessment of western immunoblotting for the confirmatory diagnosis of ovine scrapie and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).

Ovine scrapie and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) PrP and PrP were detergent extracted from 1.0-g specare members of a group of transmissible, genetically influimens as previously described. Nearly all brains were enced, neurodegenerative diseases known variously as unconventional slow virus infections, prion diseases, or spontested in triplicate using separate brain stem, midbrain, and cerebellum samples. To adapt WI to a diagnostic laboratory giform encephalopathies. 4-7,14 Laboratory diagnosis of these environment, several technical modifications were made. Each human and animal diseases has, until recently, depended tissue was homogenized in 20 ml of 25 mM TRIS buffer, solely upon neurohistopathologic examination and laborapH 7.4, containing 10% (w/v) N-lauroyl sodium sarcosinate tory rodent inoculation. The histopathologic approach is often inconclusive, particularly with autolyzed specimens,
Considering the role of radiation therapy for gastrointestinal stromal tumor

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are rare mesenchymal tumors arising in the gastrointestinal tract. Over the last decade, the management and prognosis of GISTs has changed dramatically with molecular characterization of the c-kit mutation and the adoption of targeted systemic therapy. Currently, the standard of care for resectable tumors is surgery, followed by adjuvant imatinib for tumors at high risk for recurrence. Inoperable or metastatic tumors are treated primarily with imatinib. Despite excellent initial response rates, resistance to targeted therapy has emerged as a common clinical problem, with relatively few therapeutic solutions. While the treatment of GISTs does not commonly include radiotherapy, radiation therapy could be a valuable contributing modality. Several case reports indicate that radiation can control locally progressive, drug-resistant disease. Further study is necessary to define whether radiation could potentially prevent or delay the onset of drug resistance, or improve outcomes when given in combination with imatinib.
No More Land Wars

There is a growing consensus that the United States should not engage in another major land war in Asia or Africa, a view encapsulated in the catchphrase "no more boots on the ground." Indeed, currently the US is either refraining from taking military action, or is limiting itself to drone strikes, covert operations, "capacity building" of local forces, and advising. This consensus, we shall see, is based in part on a fundamental misunderstanding of the course of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. In fact, the US won both easily, quickly, suffering few casualties and low costs — causing rather limited collateral damage. Both campaigns ended up badly (although major analysts differ with regard to the question of how badly and what exactly caused the unfavorable outcomes) once the US decided to engage in nation building, helping these nations build stable, democratic, US-friendly regimes. There are many reasons for the US not to engage in a war in Syria or Iraq, or avoid placing boots on the ground to fight Islamic terrorist or insurgent groups in Yemen or Africa. However, the argument that the US could not win such wars with much difficulty is not supported, I will next show, by previous experiences. What failed was the nation building that followed solid military victories. These failures were not accidental. The conditions that made successful nation building possible in Germany and Japan after WWII are currently missing in much of the Middle East and Africa.
Management of hepatitis B virus

Hepatitis B is a common problem worldwide with serious sequelae. Despite the explosion of new agents, management has grown even more complicated. The treatment paradigm is evolving from limited therapy to lifelong viral suppression in several populations. This shift has been a direct result of not only well-tolerated oral medications, but also the increasing recognition that active viral replication leads to untoward events such as cirrhosis, liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, therapy is not without risk, which includes side effects, cost and drug resistance. Controversy surrounds several clinical questions, including which patients are eligible for therapy, which treatment is optimal and at what point may therapy be discontinued. This commentary will discuss these questions as well as the limitations of the literature used to support our current treatment recommendations.
Two-layer parallel-plate green’s function due to a magnetic source for electromagnetic material characterization of conductor backed lossy media

In this paper the two-layer parallel-plate Green's function due to a magnetic source is described. Confidence in the Green's function was instilled by checking the boundary conditions, having the eigenvalues of the structure match those found by Harrington, and the reduction to the single-layer Green's function when the media coincide. The authors now plan to incorporate the two-layer Green's function into various EM material characterization techniques involving conductor backed lossy media.
Behavioral science research in the prevention of diabetes : status and opportunities.

Recent studies show diabetes can be prevented. Growing knowledge of its biological bases opens further prevention opportunities. This article focuses on behavioral science research that may advance these opportunities. An ecological model guides attention to how prevention research may be pursued at the individual, group, or community levels. Three key areas are reviewed: risk communication, screening, and preventive interventions. Research on diabetes risk communication is limited but suggests that many are relatively unaware of risks and may have misconceptions about the disease. Amid policy debates and research regarding the potential benefits and costs of screening, identification of diabetes may itself be risky in terms of psychological and social consequences. The Diabetes Prevention Program and other studies make clear that diabetes can be prevented, both by the combination of weight loss and physical activity and by medications. Research needs to address promoting these methods to individuals as well as to groups and even whole communities. Fundamental as well as applied research should address how risks of diabetes are understood and may be communicated; how to enhance benefits and minimize psychological and other risks of screening; how to promote healthy eating and weight loss, physical activity, and appropriate use of medications to prevent diabetes; and how to reduce socioeconomic and cultural disparities in all these areas.
Determinants of nucleosome positioning and their influence on plant gene expression

Nucleosome positioning influences the access of transcription factors (TFs) to their binding sites and gene expression. Studies in plant, animal, and fungal models demonstrate similar nucleosome positioning patterns along genes and correlations between occupancy and expression. However, the relationships among nucleosome positioning, cis-regulatory element accessibility, and gene expression in plants remain undefined. Here we showed that plant nucleosome depletion occurs on specific 6-mer motifs and this sequence-specific nucleosome depletion is predictive of expression levels. Nucleosome-depleted regions in Arabidopsis thaliana tend to have higher G/C content, unlike yeast, and are centered on specific G/C-rich 6-mers, suggesting that intrinsic sequence properties, such as G/C content, cannot fully explain plant nucleosome positioning. These 6-mer motif sites showed higher DNase I hypersensitivity and are flanked by strongly phased nucleosomes, consistent with known TF binding sites. Intriguingly, this 6-mer-specific nucleosome depletion pattern occurs not only in promoter but also in genic regions and is significantly correlated with higher gene expression level, a phenomenon also found in rice but not in yeast. Among the 6-mer motifs enriched in genes responsive to treatment with the defense hormone jasmonate, there are no significant changes in nucleosome occupancy, suggesting that these sites are potentially preconditioned to enable rapid response without changing chromatin state significantly. Our study provides a global assessment of the joint contribution of nucleosome occupancy and motif sequences that are likely cis-elements to the control of gene expression in plants. Our findings pave the way for further understanding the impact of chromatin state on plant transcriptional regulatory circuits.
The Number of Copies of an a-like Region in the Serotype-3 Marek's Disease Virus DNA Genome Is Variable

Abstract A 1.2-kilobasepair DNA region ( a -like) in the serotype-3 Marek's disease virus was directly repeated at the ends of the long (L) and short (S) components of the genome and repeated in the opposite orientation at the junction between the L and S components. Four variants from plaque-purified virus that vat led in the number of copies of the a-like region were identified. The predominant variant contained one copy at both ends of the genome and at the L-S junction, Two other variants contained either one or two copies at the L end and one to three copies at the L-S junction. The fourth variant lacked the a -like region at the L end and the L-S junction. The fourth variant became the predominate species as the virus was serially passaged in cell culture.
Breast cancer as a global epidemic

Breast cancer is the most common cancer that affects women worldwide with an estimated 1.3 million new cases diagnosed annually [1]. The highest incidence remains in the developed world; however, incidence rates are steadily rising in other areas of the world. Between 2002 and 2020, breast cancer incidence and mortality are expected to rise 50%, with the greatest rise occurring in developing countries [2,3]. Several theories have been proposed to explain this rise in incidence, and most turn to the lifestyle changes that occur as countries become more westernized. For example, in India the most common cancer type among women is cervical; however, once these women migrate to the USA, breast cancer becomes the most common cancer [4]. Other studies evaluating breast cancer incidence in immigrants from lowresource or transitioning countries have shown similar changes [5–7]. Urbanization within countries demonstrates parallel increases; for example, there has been a 20–30% increase in breast cancer over the past decade in China’s urban registries [2,5]. This shift relates to better screening mechanisms, as well as diet and lifestyle changes. As areas become more developed, breast cancer risk factors such as obesity, early menarche and decreased or late childbearing are becoming more prevalent [4,5]. As these numbers continue to increase, it is important to remember the limited resources and different cultural beliefs in these areas and the importance of designing a unique and effective approach to decreasing the developing breast cancer burden. The main focus for low-income countries is often placed on communicable diseases; however, as these become more controlled, the population is living longer and cancer burden is becoming more significant. WHO projected that global deaths from infectious disease, maternal and perinatal disorders and nutritional deficiencies combined would decrease by 3% from 2005 to 2015, while noncommunicable diseases would increase by 17% [3]. In 1970 the proportion of all newly diagnosed cancers worldwide in the developing world was 15%, which is a contrast to the expected proportion of 70% in 2030 [8]. The General Assembly (United Nations) has acknowledged this growth as one of the major challenges facing development
Mutants of cubitus interruptus that are independent of PKA regulation are independent of hedgehog signaling

Hedgehog (HH) is an important morphogen involved in pattern formation during Drosophila embryogenesis and disc development. cubitus interruptus (ci) encodes a transcription factor responsible for transducing the hh signal in the nucleus and activating hh target gene expression. Previous studies have shown that CI exists in two forms: a 75 kDa proteolytic repressor form and a 155 kDa activator form. The ratio of these forms, which is regulated positively by hh signaling and negatively by PKA activity, determines the on/off status of hh target gene expression. In this paper, we demonstrate that the exogenous expression of CI that is mutant for four consensus PKA sites [CI(m1-4)], causes ectopic expression of wingless (wg) in vivo and a phenotype consistent with wg overexpression. Expression of CI(m1-4), but not CI(wt), can rescue the hh mutant phenotype and restore wg expression in hh mutant embryos. When PKA activity is suppressed by expressing a dominant negative PKA mutant, the exogenous expression of CI(wt) results in overexpression of wg and lethality in embryogenesis, defects that are similar to those caused by the exogenous expression of CI(m1-4). In addition, we demonstrate that, in cell culture, the mutation of any one of the three serine-containing PKA sites abolishes the proteolytic processing of CI. We also show that PKA directly phosphorylates the four consensus phosphorylation sites in vitro. Taken together, our results suggest that positive hh and negative PKA regulation of wg gene expression converge on the regulation of CI phosphorylation.
The Reform of Intergovernmental Fiscal Relations in China

This paper looks at the impact of China's fiscal decentralization on the central government's ability to use fiscal policy to achieve macroeconomic objectives. It is argued that, under the fiscal contract system introduced in the early 1980s. the localities effectively controlled the tax rates and tax bases. Due to the lack of fiscal resources and policy instruments, the central government found it increasingly difficult to achieve its goals of macroeconomic stabilization and regional equalization. The adoption of the tax-assignment system in the 1994 fiscal reform was an important step taken by the central government to address these difficulties. Nevertheless, a number of elements in the current tax-assignment system may work to make this system unsustainable in the long run.
Propofol for pediatric tracheal intubation with deep anesthesia during sevoflurane induction: dosing according to elapsed time for two age groups.

Abstract Study Objective To determine, for two different age groups, the effect of duration of sevoflurane administration on the amount of propofol needed when performing tracheal intubation. Design Classic Dixon's Up-and-Down sequential method. Setting University based operating rooms. Patients 106 ASA physical status 1 and 2 patients aged one to 11 years. Interventions Patients were allocated to the 1–6 year (≥ 12 and 2 O), with N 2 O discontinued and sevoflurane dialed to 5% after one minute and 1.5 minutes for the younger and older age groups, respectively. Intravenous access was obtained and propofol was promptly administered. Propofol dose was determined according to age group and whether propofol was given 2–4, 4–6, or 6–8 minutes after the start of sevoflurane induction, with Dixon's Up and Down Method used separately for each specific age/time group. Tracheal intubation conditions one minute after propofol were evaluated. Measurements Isotonic regression determined propofol ED 50 estimates for excellent tracheal intubation conditions, and linear regression determined the effect of propofol dose on change in systolic blood pressure (SBP). Main Results Estimated propofol ED 50 doses for 1–6 year olds, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), were 1.48 mg/kg (0.80, 2.03), 0.00 mg/kg (0.00, 0.38), and 0.07 mg/kg (0.00, 0.68) in the 2–4, 4–6, and 6–8 minute groups, respectively, with estimated differences between the 2–4 minute group versus the 4–6 and 6–8 minute groups being 1.47 mg/kg (95% CI=1.04, 2.06) and 1.41 mg/kg (95% CI=0.74, 2.04), respectively. Estimated propofol ED 50 doses for 6–11 year olds, with 95% CIs, were 2.35 mg/kg (1.97, 2.45) and 2.33 mg/kg (1.59, 2.45) in the 2–4 and 4–6 minute groups, respectively. Diminutions in SBP at one minute and two minutes after propofol administration were dose dependent for children 1–6 years of age, decreasing 5.3% and 8.1% for each 1 mg/kg of propofol, respectively. Conclusion The amount of propofol needed to supplement sevoflurane in children 1–6 years of age can be expected to decrease after 4 minutes of sevoflurane.
What Research Tells Us about Teaching Thinking Skills.

The findings and recommendations of researchers and specialists in thinking-skill learning and teaching have important implications for classroom efforts to improve student thinking. This summary identifies various types of thinking skills and skill components recommended for classroom instruction. The author describes and cites research-derived features of effective, direct instruction in thinking skills and describes a framework for this instruction. He also describes researcherand specialist-recommended teaching techniques and lesson strategies for introducing any thinking skill, guiding continuing skill practice, and teaching students to transfer thinking skills to other contexts. He presents researcher recommendations of when, where, and why such direct skill instruction can be effectively provided. The research cited here suggests both students' academic achievement and their quality of thinking can be improved by using these techniques and strategies to teach thinking skills in subject-matter courses.
An autonomous microsystem for environmental and biological data gathering

This paper reports a 0.15cc multi-sensor microsystem for autonomously sensing and storing environmental and biological data. The microsystem comprises a custom sub-mW sensor-interface chip, a mixed-signal microcontroller, and a nonvolatile memory. These components, together with on-board pressure/temperature/humidity sensors and off-board strain gauges and neural/EMG electrodes, accomplish multi-domain data acquisition/storage with very low power (<50/spl mu/W for 1Hz capacitive-sensor readings). The system is integrated on a micromachined silicon platform that implements through-wafer interconnects, solder-based microconnectors, and recessed cavities for chip-stacking. The platform allows microsystem realization in 9.5mm /spl times/ 7.6mm /spl times/ 2.0mm (0.15cc) (<0.5cc with a lithium battery), representing a very high level of miniaturization for systems of this complexity.
Analytical development of non-ideal effects for control volume based mixer models

Many researchers have modeled ideal mixing and entrainment phenomena using control volume methods. The simplicity, robustness and generally useful results make this one dimensional (1D), quasi-1D approach a viable and attractive methodology, especially for preliminary design work. However, to extend modeling capability beyond simple ideal mixing models remains a challenge. This is even more the case when we limit the extension to analytically based expressions with a minimum of empirical information. Here, we develop a family of models that extend to include non-ideal effects such as skin friction. Comparison to available aerodynamic nozzle data is presented to illustrate the viability of these methodologies.