cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Miscellaneous Other Research

This chapter provides an overview of miscellaneous theoretical and methodological work in multi-objective programming in the Soviet Union. M. A. Moldavskii offers a simple mathematical model for evaluating the quality of alternative decision making procedures, where T is the total cost of reaching a decision, T 1 is the per session cost of bringing the problem before the decision maker, T 2 ( t ) is the cost to the decision maker of answering t questions, U is the number of questions answered during the i th session, T 3 ( N ) is the computational cost incurred in obtaining N candidate solutions, N i is the number of candidate solutions obtained as a result of the i th session, i is the index of sessions, and κ is the total number of sessions required to reach a final decision. The work of Podinovskii and Nogin (1982) also focuses on multi-objective programming methods and offers one of the most thorough theoretical characterizations of the mathematical elements inherent in the multi-objective problem formulation.
Lipoma of the stomach

Abstract Gastric lipomas are rare. Most of those that have been reported were found at necropsy. The usual site of growth is in the submucous layer of the stomach. As a rule they are symptomless unless complicated by inflammatory changes, ulceration, pyloric obstruction or bleeding. They may give rise to alarming hemorrhages, occult bleeding with secondary anemia, or pyloric obstruction.
Professional Development Activities and Support among Physical Education Teachers in the United States.

Purpose: This study described professional development (PD) among public school physical education (PE) teachers and compared PE teachers to teachers of other subjects. Method: Data were collected from a nationally representative sample of public school teachers in the United States. Descriptive statistics were used to describe teachers’ support for PD and the types of PD activities in which they participated. Also, types of professional support received among newly hired teachers and their perceptions of professional preparation were described. Results: PE teachers reported fewer PD activities compared to teachers of other subjects. They were also less likely to receive release time from teaching and to be financially compensated for PD activities. Newly hired PE teachers, compared to other newly hired teachers, reported higher levels of professional support. Discussion: Based on the results of this study, recommendations are provided concerning support for PD among PE teachers and newly hired PE teachers.Subscribe to TPE
Exploring the Relationship among International Students' English Self-Efficacy, Using English to Learn Self-Efficacy, and Academic Self-Efficacy.

One of the major challenges for international students to pursue academic goals in the United States is English language proficiency, which often negatively affects academic success. Even students with confidence in their English language proficiency encounter challenges using English in class. Previous research indicates self-efficacy positively predicts English language proficiency and academic achievement. Therefore, the current study hypothesized a model using self-efficacy in using English to learn as a mediator between English and academic self-efficacy. The structural equation modeling results indicate English self-efficacy indirectly influenced international students’ academic self-efficacy through their using English to learn self-efficacy. Findings suggest using English and using English to learn self-efficacy are two distinct constructs. These results warrant academic English support for non-native English speaking international students.
A 15Gb/s 1.9pJ/bit sub-baud-rate digital CDR

A sub-baud-rate CDR that can recover clock and data using only a quarter-rate clock is presented. Four data bits are recovered in each clock cycle using eight samplers and a current integrator. Four of the eight samplers used for data recovery are re-used for phase detection. Fabricated in a 65nm CMOS process and operating with 11dB channel loss, the prototype CDR recovers 15.2Gb/s data using a 3.8GHz clock and achieves BER 10MHz JTOL corner, 548fs rms recovered clock jitter, and 1.9pJ/bit energy efficiency.
Think 20: An Innovative Proposal for the G20 Summit

This chapter presents how the proposal of the Mexican Council on Foreign Relations (COMEXI) and the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs to create Think 20, a think tank meeting, within the framework of the Group of 20 (G20) Summit that took place in June 2012 in Los Cabos, Mexico, had a long-term impact on subsequent Summits. It established a new international forum to discuss relevant topics that leaders should address in their annual meetings. Since that year, every country that has chaired the Summit has made sure that think tanks gather to debate the leaders’ agenda and make proposals.
Synthesis and application of a metal ion coordinating ionic liquid monomer: Towards size and dispersity control of nanoparticles formed within a structured polyelectrolyte

Abstract The design, synthesis, and characterization of an amphiphilic ionic liquid (IL) monomer possessing a transition metal coordinating acrylamide moiety is described. Incorporation of the acrylamide moiety is achieved by converting l -histidine into an imidazolium, followed by alkylation to introduce a decyl chain, and acrylation of the α-amino group. The acrylamide containing IL monomer and a co-monomer, poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA Mn 575), self-assembles into a weakly ordered 2D hexagonal lyotropic mesophase in water (34 ± 2 (w/w)%). Upon photo-irradiation of the mesophase a nanostructured polyelectrolyte retaining the 2D hexagonal structure is produced. Doping the mesophase with Au3+ ions prior to photo-irradiation produces plasmonic Au NP copolymer composites only at a threshold mole ratio of IL monomer to gold ions (i.e., onset at 1740:1 mole ratio). At higher monomer to Au3+ mole ratios plasmonic NPs are not formed. Evaluation of the in-situ synthesized plasmonic Au NPs by SAXS and optical spectroscopy indicate they are smaller, more uniform spherical particles that resist aggregation upon swelling and de-swelling in ethanol when compared to previously reported composites employing an IL monomer that lacks a metal ion coordination site (e.g., 3-decyl-1-vinylimidazolium IL).
A delay ≥8 weeks to neoadjuvant chemotherapy before radical cystectomy increases the risk of upstaging.

Abstract Objectives To investigate delays to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and radical cystectomy (RC) and their effect on outcomes in a large national registry of patients with localized muscle invasive bladder cancer. Patients and methods Within the National Cancer Database (2004–2014), we identified 2,227 patients who underwent NAC and RC for cT2-T4aN0M0 urothelial carcinoma of the bladder. Times from diagnosis to treatments were tested for association with overall survival and pathologic outcomes, using Cox models, and restricted cubic splines regression. Results Median times from diagnosis to NAC and RC were 39 days (interquartile range: 26–56) and 155 days (interquartile range: 131–185), respectively. Time to NAC and time to RC were not associated with overall survival in the complete cohort, as well as in subgroups of responders and nonresponders to NAC. Overall, 916 patients (41%) were upstaged after RC, including 485 patients (22%) with positive lymph nodes. We identified delay to NAC ≥8 weeks as a significant cut-off point to predict the risk of upstaging in multivariable analysis (odds ratio: 1.27; 95% confidence interval: 1.02–1.59; P = 0.031). Black race, Medicaid insurance, and academic facilities were associated with a higher risk of delayed treatment. Conclusion After diagnosis of muscle invasive bladder cancer, NAC should be initiated as soon as possible and no more than 8 weeks to prevent upstaging. There is no evidence to support avoiding NAC due to concerns of delayed RC that was generated from surgery alone studies, as long as RC is performed within 7 months from initial diagnosis.
Discourse-Level Dialogue Management

In this Chapter we learn how to manage a dialogue relying on discourse of its utterances. We first explain how to build an invariant discourse tree for a corpus of texts to arrange a chatbot-facilitated navigation through this corpus. We define extended discourse trees, introduce means to manipulate with them, and outline scenarios of multi-document navigation. We then show how a dialogue structure can be built from an initial utterance. After that, we introduce imaginary discourse tree to address a problem of involving background knowledge on demand, answering questions. Finally, an approach to dialogue management based on lattice walk is described.
Use of processing fluid samples for longitudinal monitoring of PRRS virus in herds undergoing virus elimination

This was an observational study that prospectively followed 29 breeding herds for 65 weeks in the U.S.A. that became infected with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSv). The herds operated in a four-week batch farrowing system and adopted a load-close-expose strategy using a modified-live virus vaccine to achieve PRRSv stability. The purpose of this study was to describe time to stability (TTS) based on RT-qPCR testing for PRRSv RNA on processing fluid samples in herds undergoing PRRSv elimination, after implementing herd closure and mass exposure to a PRRS modified-live virus (MLV) vaccine. For the purpose of this study, stability was defined as consistently producing PRRSv-negative pigs. Study herds were monitored until two consecutive piglet batches tested PRRSv RT-qPCR negative, then 30 due-to-wean piglet sera from the second batch were tested for PRRSv RNA by RT-qPCR. Once the farm re-opened, sera from incoming naive gilts were tested for anti-PRRSv antibodies by ELISA at 30- and 60-days post-entry to confirm negative status to PRRSv. Day zero was the day of whole-herd exposure to a commercial PRRS vaccine virus. Twenty-eight of 29 herds (96.55%) achieved TTS within the study period. TTS ranged from 18 to 55 weeks with a median of 27 weeks. Serum from due-to-wean piglets was collected on 28 farms, of which 26 (92.85%) obtained PRRSv RT-qPCR-negative results on the first collection. At the end of the observational period, 16 sow farms successfully re-introduced PRRSv-naive gilts with no detected serologic response. In conclusion, the median time to achieve TTS in breeding herds being operated in a four-week batch farrowing system undergoing PRRSv elimination using load-close-expose with attenuated virus vaccine was 27 weeks. Also, processing fluid-based monitoring of breeding herds under PRRS elimination was practical and reliable to assess PRRSv stability.
The neutralization of Xiapu Min tones in disyllabic tone sandhi forms

Tone sandhi can result in both incomplete and complete tone neutralization. Chien and Jongman (2018) proposed that unproductive (i.e., lexicalized) tone sandhi (as in Taiwan Min) tends to have complete neutralization; productive tone sandhi usually shows incomplete neutralization (as in Mandarin; Zhang and Lai, 2010). The current study tests whether tone sandhi is phonetically neutralized in Xiapu Min, an Eastern Min variety from Fujian, China (Wen, 2015). Xiapu Min has seven tones, five of which are smooth tones (44, 11, 42, 35, 23) and two of which are checked tones (5, 2). Tone sandhi occurs in disyllabic words and results in neutralization (e.g., Tone 42, 35, and 5 are neutralized to Tone 55 when word-initial.) We test the completeness of this neutralization by investigating potential differences in F0, duration, and phonation, which is measured acoustically using H1*–H2* and HNR, and articulatorily using electroglottographic open quotient. We also determine the productivity of Xiapu Min by testing whether tone sandhi emerges in nonce words. The results will illustrate whether the tonal neutralization is complete in Xiapu Min real words and will bring further data to bear on the relation between sandhi productivity and the completeness of neutralization.Tone sandhi can result in both incomplete and complete tone neutralization. Chien and Jongman (2018) proposed that unproductive (i.e., lexicalized) tone sandhi (as in Taiwan Min) tends to have complete neutralization; productive tone sandhi usually shows incomplete neutralization (as in Mandarin; Zhang and Lai, 2010). The current study tests whether tone sandhi is phonetically neutralized in Xiapu Min, an Eastern Min variety from Fujian, China (Wen, 2015). Xiapu Min has seven tones, five of which are smooth tones (44, 11, 42, 35, 23) and two of which are checked tones (5, 2). Tone sandhi occurs in disyllabic words and results in neutralization (e.g., Tone 42, 35, and 5 are neutralized to Tone 55 when word-initial.) We test the completeness of this neutralization by investigating potential differences in F0, duration, and phonation, which is measured acoustically using H1*–H2* and HNR, and articulatorily using electroglottographic open quotient. We also determine the productivity of Xiapu Min by testing wh...
The Geotagging Counterpublic: The Case of Facebook Remote Check-Ins to Standing Rock

This article suggests a concept of geotagging counterpublics, by conducting a case study on Facebook check-in posts generated in fall 2016 through which the users geotagged themselves to Standing Rock Indian Reservation from remote places. Examining the Facebook remote check-in posts, the study identifies 5 major themes: solidarity, obfuscation, education on geotagging, education on privacy setting, and doubts and debunking. The users believed that their collective check-ins would support protesters fighting against an oil pipeline construction in Dakota and that the remote check-ins would obfuscate the Facebook geolocation data allegedly monitored by the police. The users educated each other on the right geotagging practices and the privacy setting of the posts. Yet there also arose doubts about the effectiveness of remote geotagging. The article discusses the potential of check-ins in forming a geotagging counterpublic, and the importance of understanding geolocation data in the context of online activism and data surveillance.
The current debate over treatment of subclinical hypothyroidism to prevent cardiovascular complications.

Background Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is an asymptomatic condition associated with increased thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) >4 mIU/L with normal thyroxine (T4) and triidothyronine (T3) levels. It is more common in older subjects and especially in women with an overall incidence of 10%. Objective Because the normal TSH levels increase with age up to 7.5 mIU/L in older people, several studies have reported either no benefits whereas others have reported the benefits of treatment. These studies have caused a great debate over the treatment of SCH, especially in older subjects. Therefore, the objective of this study was to review the current evidence over this debate by reviewing the recent literature on the subject to discern whether treatment of SCH is necessary and under what circumstances. Methods To get a better perspective on the current debate over treatment of SCH, a focused Medline search of the English language literature was conducted from 2012 to 2019 using the terms, hypothyroidism, subclinical, dyslipidaemia, cardiovascular disease, heart failure and 38 papers with pertinent information were selected. Results The analysis of results from these papers indicated that the normal levels of TSH are increasing with the advancement of age from 4 mIU/L up to 7.5 mIU/L for patients ≥75 years of age. Also, several of reviewed studies have shown no benefits of treatment whereas, others have shown definite benefits of treatment with levothyroxine supplementation on the clinical and metabolic effects of SBH with reductions in CVD, HF and mortality. The treatment is more effective in younger persons and less so in older persons. Conclusions Based on the overall evidence, treatment of SCH is indicated in younger persons with a TSH level >4.0 mIU/L. In older subjects, treatment should be individualised and based on the presence of symptoms, the level of TSH, and initiated at TSH levels ≥10 mIU/L and at low doses to avoid adverse cardiovascular effects from overtreatment.
Is the Affordable Care Act Medicaid Expansion Linked to Change in Rate of Ventricular Assist Device Implantation for Blacks and Whites

Background: The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has been associated with increased heart transplant listings among blacks, who are disproportionately uninsured. It is unclear whether the ACA is also asso...
Emergency Medicine Resident Education on Caring for Patients with Disabilities: A Call to Action

People with disabilities constitute a marginalized population who experience significant health care disparities resulting from structural, socioeconomic, and attitudinal barriers to accessing health care. It has been reported that education on the care of marginalized groups helps to improve awareness, patient-provider rapport, and patient satisfaction. Yet, emergency medicine (EM) residency education on care for people with disabilities may be lacking. The goal of this paper is to review the current state of health care for patients with disabilities, review the current state of undergraduate and graduate medical education on the care of patients with disabilities, and provide suggestions for an improved EM residency curriculum that includes education on the care for patients with disabilities.
Liar’s Loans, Mortgage Fraud, and the Great Recession

This paper contributes to research on misrepresentation in private residential mortgage-backed securities by using new data on losses from foreclosure to estimate higher than expected losses associ...
Percent body fat, but not lean mass, is associated with objectively measured physical function in middle-aged women.

Abstract Objectives The relationship between components of body composition and physical function is not well characterized among middle-aged women. This cross-sectional study examined the strength of the associations between lean mass and percent fat and physical function in middle-aged women. Study Design Body composition, physical function and physical activity were objectively measured in 80 women (mean age 52.58 ± 6.10 years; range = 40−63 years). Main Outcome Measures Adiposity (%Fat) and lean mass were measured via dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Steps/day and minutes of low-, moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity were assessed via accelerometer. Physical function was measured via a seated transfer task, 30-second chair stand, a six-minute walk task, 8-foot timed up and go, and a lift and carry task. Results: When controlling for steps/day, measures of lean mass were related to performance on the seated transfer task (r = .25) and 30-second chair stand (−.26) (both p > 0.05), while %Fat was related to performance on the seated transfer task (r = .53), 8-foot timed up and go (r = .32), 30-second chair stand (r = −.35), and six-minute walk (r = −.48; all p ≤ 0.05). Linear regression analyses revealed: (1) age, steps/day, and %Fat were independently related to performance on the seated transfer task and 30-second chair stand (both p ≤ 0.05), (2) %Fat was associated with six-minute walk and 8-foot up-and-go performance (p ≤ 0.01); none of the variables included were associated with lift and carry. Conclusions Adiposity but not lean mass was associated with objectively measured physical function in middle-aged women. Interventions that focus on reducing body fat may be an effective method for improving functional performance among women in this age group.
Emotional Pedagogies: Strategies for Engaging Social Justice in the Classroom

In teaching for social justice, educators should not only consider what to teach, but also how to teach particular topics. Given that social justice work cannot be emotionally neutral, we articulat...
Uveal Melanoma in BAP1 Tumor Predisposition Syndrome: Estimation of Risk.

Purpose To estimate point prevalence of uveal melanoma in the patients with germline BAP1 pathogenic variant. Design Cohort study with risk assessment using Bayesian analysis. Methods The point prevalence estimate was obtained by Bayes's rule of reverse conditional probabilities. The probability of uveal melanoma given that BAP1 mutation exists was derived from the prevalence of uveal melanoma, prevalence of germline BAP1 pathogenic variants, and the probability of germline BAP1 pathogenic variant given that uveal melanoma is present. Confidence intervals (CIs) for each variable were calculated as the mean of Bernoulli random variables and for the risk estimate, by the delta method. The age at diagnosis and the gender of the uveal melanoma patients with BAP1 germline pathogenic variants obtained from previous publications or from authors' unpublished cohort was compared with those in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Results The point prevalence of uveal melanoma in patients with the germline BAP1 pathogenic variants in the US population was estimated to be 2.8% (95% CI, 0.88%-4.81%). In the SEER database, the median age at diagnosis of uveal melanomas was 63 (range 3-99 years) with a male-to-female ratio of 1.01:1. In comparison, uveal melanoma cases with BAP1 germline pathogenic variants from the US population (n = 27) had a median age at diagnosis of 50.5 years (range 16-71). Conclusions Quantification of the risk of developing uveal melanoma can enhance counseling regarding surveillance in patients with germline BAP1 pathogenic variant.
Oral seeding and niche-adaptation of middle ear biofilms in health

The entrenched dogma of a sterile middle ear mucosa in health is incongruent with its periodic aeration and seeding with saliva aerosols. To test this, we sequenced 16S rRNA-V4 amplicons from otic secretions collected at the nasopharyngeal orifice of the tympanic tube and, as controls, oropharyngeal and buccal samples. The otic samples harbored a rich diversity of oral keystone genera and similar functional traits but were enriched in anaerobic genera in the Bacteroidetes (Prevotella and Alloprevotella), Fusobacteria (Fusobacterium and Leptotrichia) and Firmicutes (Veillonella) phyla. Facultative anaerobes in the Streptococcus genus were also abundant in the otic and oral samples but corresponded to distinct, and sometimes novel, cultivars, consistent with the ecological diversification of the oral migrants once in the middle ear microenvironment. Neutral community models also predicted a large contribution of oral dispersal to the otic communities and the positive selection of taxa better adapted to growth and reproduction under limited aeration. These results challenge the traditional view of a sterile middle ear in health and highlight hitherto unknown roles for oral dispersal and episodic ventilation in seeding and diversifying otic biofilms.
Modeling standardized ileal digestible lysine requirements during gestation on gilts and sows

Abstract The objective of this study was to model daily standardized ileal digestible (SID) Lys-requirements in gestating sows. Data from 877 females (459 gilts, 418 sows; Camborough®, PIC, Hendersonville, TN) was collected and modeled using Dourmad et al. (2008) equations. Individual feed intake and body weight (BW) were recorded daily throughout gestation. Dietary treatments included 11, 13.5, 16, and 18.5 g/d SID Lys-intake throughout gestation. Data were divided into 2 parity groups: gilts and sows, and gestation was divided into 3 stages: d 5 to 39 (early), 40 to 74 (mid), and 75 to 108 (late). The model follows the principle that energy is partitioned between maintenance, growth of conceptus (fetus, placenta, and fluids), and maternal protein and lipid deposition. Requirements for SID Lys-were estimated based on predicted whole body protein deposition. After dividing energy requirements into tissue pools for maintenance, products of conceptus, and maternal reserves, the greatest portion of the energy requirement was for maintenance. Estimated protein retention of the conceptus increased in each sequential stage of gestation (P 0.05) among treatments. Regardless of parity or stage of gestation, increasing SID Lys-increased estimated maternal protein deposition (linear, P
Forging the Mars crustal dichotomy: the giant impact hypothesis

Abstract Mars’ most prominent and ancient feature is the hemispheric dichotomy in crustal thickness and topography between the northern lowlands and southern highlands. Understanding the origin of the dichotomy is crucial to interpreting Mars’ early history and geodynamic evolution. While several robust endogenic mechanisms have been proposed, an early giant impact has also emerged as a compelling hypothesis for the dichotomy’s formation. Recent studies suggest that a giant impact of ∼4.5 Ga could explain the general shape and structure of the dichotomy and is consistent with the Martian meteorite record and models of planetary accretion. However, simulations of giant impacts predict annular thickening of the basin rim and large variations in ejecta thickness that are inconsistent with current observations. Our limited knowledge of impact basin formation at planetary scales motivates a further investigation of the giant impact process and the origin of Mars’ most fundamental feature.
Functional Electromagnetic Surface Design via Complete Interface Field Synthesis

A general design approach for wave-transforming metasurfaces based on complete interface and boundary field synthesis is presented. To the propagating spectral components that define a given wave transformation function in a reflective or transmissive mode, evanescent auxiliary waves are added to every impenetrable boundary and penetrable medium interface. They are optimized such that each interface is characterized by a pointwise passive, lossless surface reactance. Several example metasurface designs characterized by surface reactance distributions are validated using full-wave simulation.
2021 Year in Review: Spotlight on Eosinophils

This review highlights recent advances in the understanding of eosinophils and eosinophilic diseases, particularly eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases during the last year. The increasing incidence of diseases marked by eosinophilia has been documented and highlighted the need to understand eosinophil biology and eosinophilic contributions to disease. Significant insight into the nature of eosinophilic diseases has been achieved using next-generation sequencing technologies, proteomic analysis, and machine learning to analyze tissue biopsies. These technologies have elucidated mechanistic underpinnings of eosinophilic inflammation, delineated patient endotypes, and identified patient responses to therapeutic intervention. Importantly, recent clinical studies using monoclonal antibodies that interfere with type 2 cytokine signaling or deplete eosinophils point to multiple and complex roles of eosinophils in tissues. Several studies identified distinct activation features of eosinophils in different tissues and disease states. The confluence of these studies supports a new paradigm of tissue-resident eosinophils that have pro- and anti-inflammatory immunomodulatory roles in allergic disease. Improved understanding of unique eosinophil activation states is now poised to identify novel therapeutic targets for eosinophilic diseases.
Bumping Along the Bottom: Abandoned Principles and Failed Fiduciary Standards in Uniform Partnership and LLC Statutes

Over the last decade or so, the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws (NCCUSL) has promulgated the Uniform Partnership Act (1997), the Uniform Limited Partnership Act (2001), and the Uniform Limited Liability Company Act (1996). One or more of these Uniform Acts have been adopted in many states and are certain to garner additional adoptions in the coming years. All of the Acts contain similar fiduciary duty provisions that are applicable to the managers of the entities. The provisions have to a significant degree turned out to be unsatisfactory. In order to illuminate the failings of the Acts' fiduciary provisions and justify prescriptions that are proposed in the article, the author first articulates a number of principles, all of which rest on the morally and economically attractive notion of consent. These principles are simple, well-known and widely accepted and are congenial both to Kantian moral theory and utilitarianism. Using these principles, the article demonstrates that the fiduciary duties of care and loyalty in Uniform Acts are excessively pro-management and are seemingly designed to promote managers' pecuniary interests in achieving an inefficient and unfair bargain with the entity's investors regarding managers' fiduciary duties. The statutory standards themselves are overly lax and limited, offering inadequate protection for the legitimate interests and priced expectations of investors regarding the care and loyalty that they are due from their managers. The opt out provisions in the Acts enable mangers to exacerbate this bad situation by further exploiting informational asymmetries and thus capturing for themselves additional pecuniary gains by constructing an even more inefficient and unfair bargains with their investors. Public choice theory provides an explanation for the inefficient and pro-management nature of the fiduciary duty provisions in the Uniform Acts. Managers as a group have been able to bend the fiduciary standards in the Uniform Acts to suit their preferences for inefficiency, because they have best been able to overcome their collective action problems. The article argues that in order to achieve efficient and fair outcomes the fiduciary duties applicable to managers of unincorporated business entities must be materially strengthened. The gross negligence duty of care must be jettisoned in favor of a tougher negligence standard, and a broadly articulated duty of loyalty obligation should be substituted for the unduly limited loyalty duty now in the Uniform Acts. The opt out rights must be refashioned to enhance the likelihood that parties to the opt out are fully informed, and the opt out right should be further limited by imposing a higher mandatory floor on managers' fiduciary duties.
Islet cell-specific regulatory domain in the gastrin promoter contains adjacent positive and negative DNA elements

The gastrin gene is expressed in fetal pancreatic islet cells, but after birth expression is selectively repressed as the islets terminally differentiate. DNA transfection studies identified a cis regulatory domain between -108 and -76 in the gastrin promoter which controls gastrin transcription in islet cells. This cis regulatory domain comprises adjacent positive and negative elements. The negative element (-108 to -82) contains the sequence ATTCCTCT, which is also found in the negative element of the beta-interferon promoter. Gel retardation assays and DNase footprinting studies demonstrated that specific islet nuclear protein(s) bind to the gastrin negative element. In vivo competition studies demonstrated that the trans-acting factors which bind to this element specifically repress gastrin promoter activity in islet cells. Immediately downstream of the negative element lies a positive element (-82 CATATGG -76), which activates gastrin transcription in islet cells. The sequence of the positive element resembles the islet-specific enhancer elements of the insulin gene (CATCTGG/C). Gel mobility shift assays and in vivo competition studies indicate that this positive element activates the gastrin promoter by binding to the same islet cell transcription factor which binds enhancer elements in the rat insulin gene. The tandem organization of the negative and positive elements suggests that this regulatory domain may act as a switch controlling the transient transcription of the gastrin gene during fetal islet development.
Equilibrium Constants of the Reactions of Acetyl Coenzyme A Synthetase and the Hydrolysis of Adenosine Triphosphate to Adenosine Monophosphate and Inorganic Pyrophosphate

Abstract The observed standard free energy change (ΔG0obs) for the ATP-pyrophosphorylase reaction (EC 3.6.1.8) has been calculated for near physiological conditions of temperature, ionic strength, and free magnesium concentration. The observed equilibrium constant (Kobs) for the acetyl-CoA synthetase reaction (EC 6.2.1.1) has been determined at both 25 and 38°, pH 7.0, ionic strength 0.25, and varying free [Mg2+]. The Kobs of this reaction reflects the difference between the ΔG0obs for the hydrolysis of acetyl-CoA and the ΔG0obs for the hydrolysis of ATP to AMP and inorganic PPi. Using Σ and square brackets to indicate total concentrations of all the ionic species present: [see PDF for equation] The observed value of this constant varies with the free [Mg2+] being 10.7 (38°) and 15.1 (25°) at free [Mg2+] = 0; 9.17 (38°) and 12.9 (25°) at free [Mg2+] = 10-4 m, and 9.88 (38°) and 11.4 (25°) at free [Mg2+] = 10-3 m. The values of ΔH0obs for this reaction are also a function of the free [Mg2+], being 4.9 Cal per mole (20.5 kJ per mole) at free [Mg2+] = 0; 4.8 Cal per mole (20.0 kJ per mole) at free [Mg2+] = 10-4 m; and 3.6 Cal per mole (15.3 kJ per mole) at free [Mg2+] = 10-3 m. The ΔG0obs for the hydrolysis of acetyl-CoA is virtually unaffected by the free [Mg2+] and has been previously determined to be -8.54 Cal per mole (-35.75 kJ per mole) under the same conditions of temperature, pH, and ionic strength. Therefore, at 38°, pH 7.0, ionic strength 0.25, and taking the standard state of liquid water to have unit activity ([H2O] = 1), the ΔG0obs for the reaction [see PDF for equation] can be calculated at 38° and ionic strength of 0.25 to be -10.0 Cal per mole (-41.84 kJ per mole) at free [Mg2+] = 0; -9.91 Cal per mole (-41.46 kJ per mole) at free [Mg2+] = 10-4 m; and -9.96 Cal per mole (-41.67 kJ per mole) at free [Mg2+] = 10-3 m. The corresponding equilibrium constants for the hydrolysis of ATP to AMP and inorganic pyrophosphate under these conditions are 10.8 x 106 m ([Mg2+] = 0), 9.26 x 106 m (free [Mg2+] = 10-4 m), and 9.98 x 106 m (free [Mg2+] = 10-3 m).
Analyzing and tracking weblog communities using discriminative collection representatives

Analyzing/tracking weblogs by given communities (ATWC) is increasingly important for sociologists and government agencies, etc. This paper introduces an approach to address the needs of ATWC by using concise discriminative weblog collection representatives (DCRs). DCRs are aimed at helping users to quickly identify the major themes/trends in such collections, and to quickly identify important shifts/differences in major themes and trends of blogs by given communities over time and space. We propose to use the quality of DCR-based classifiers to measure DCRs' quality. We present algorithms for constructing DCRs, report experimental results to evaluate the efficiency of the algorithms and the quality of the DCRs they construct, and provide real-data examples to demonstrate the usefulness of DCRs for ATWC.
Fine-Grid Simulations of Thermally Activated Switching in Nanoscale Magnets

Numerical integration of the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation with thermal fluctuations is used to study the dynamic response of single-domain nano- magnets to rapid changes in the applied magnetic field. The simulation can resolve magnetization patterns within nanomagnets and uses the Fast Multipole method to calculate dipole-dipole interactions efficiently. The thermal fluctuations play an essential part in the reversal process whenever the applied field is less than the zero- temperature coercive field. In this situation pillar-shaped nanomagnets are found to reverse through a local mode that involves the formation and propagation of a domain wall. Tapering the ends of the pillars to reduce pole-avoidance effects changes the energies involved but not the fundamental process. The statistical distribution of switching times is well described by the independent nucleation and subsequent growth of regions of reversed magnetization at both ends of the pillar
Sheltered employment, sheltered lives: Family perspectives of conversion to community-based employment

This article examines selected aspects of one agency’s conversion from a sheltered workshop facility to one providing community-based services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Established in 1967 by parents as an alternative to institutionalization, this agency had remained entrenched in the sheltered workshop model for 35 years. A qualitative case study research design including semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and archival review was used to explore the families’ perspectives and how they navigated the conversion process. Participants included a subgroup with a long history of sheltered work and a subgroup with no history of sheltered work. Conflicting issues emerged as families had different histories, culture, values, philosophies, and expectations of their children and their inclusion in community. While the initial transition was difficult, most families and participants were satisfied with the conversion process as long as they could maintain previous social networks and find acceptable employment in the community.
Adverse events related to extraoperative invasive EEG monitoring with subdural grid electrodes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Summary Purpose Implantation of subdural grids and invasive electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring is important to define the ictal-onset zone and eloquent cortex in selected patients with medically refractory epilepsy. The objective of this systematic review is to summarize data about adverse events related to this procedure. Methods English-language studies published up to July 2012, reporting such adverse events were reviewed. Outcome measures included demographic variables; surgical protocol including number of subdural electrodes implanted per patient, duration of monitoring, antibiotic, and steroid prophylaxis; and adverse events. Key Findings Twenty-one studies were identified including a total of 2,542 patients. The reported mean number of electrodes per patient and duration of monitoring varied from 52 to 95 and 5 to 17 days, respectively. There is a trend toward more uniform use of antibiotics and steroids in the perioperative period. Neurologic infections (pooled prevalence 2.3%, 95% confidence interval 1.5–3.1), superficial infections (3.0%, 1.9–4.1), intracranial hemorrhage (4.0%, 3.2–4.8), and elevated intracranial pressure (2.4%, 1.5–3.3) were found to be the most common adverse events. Up to 3.5% of patients required additional surgical procedure(s) for management of these adverse events. Increased number of electrodes (≥67) was found to be independently associated with increased incidence of adverse events. Significance Although providing critical information for patients with medically refractory epilepsy, subdural grids implantation and invasive EEG monitoring entails risks of infection, hemorrhage, and elevated intracranial pressure. The prevalence estimates, likely to be conservative due to selective reporting, are expected to be helpful in counseling patients.
8.3.2 It's More Than Just Numbers: How to Implement a Qualitative Risk Analysis Approach

Engineers often feel more comfortable using quantitative methods to solve problems; their approach to risk management is no exception. Quantitative methods are not always the best solution for effective risk management, though. For example, countless hours have been spent by risk management teams trying to determine which risk is more important. Is a risk scored 9.0 any more important than a risk scored 8.5? Maybe so, but the factors that make it more important such are often difficult, if not impossible, to quantify. By applying quantitative techniques to qualitative data, or by using unproven data in complicated risk analysis models, managers may not receive an accurate representation of their ‘top’ risks and may base critical decisions on poor information. This paper will discuss when qualitative risk analysis techniques are most appropriate, examine common challenges associated with qualitative analysis, and discuss solutions for overcoming them.
Polarization-Modulation Scattering Measurements Of Well-Characterized Marine Plankton

Characterization of the polarization properties of light scattered from biologically-derived marine particles can be used to understand the effect of light propagated through seawater. To interpret scattering measurements from oceanic samples, it is important to investigate well-characterized marine organisms under controlled conditions. In this study, light scattering from very small, nearly spherical marine plankton, Chlorella, were investigated using a polarization-modulation technique originally developed by Hunt. This technique permits the determination of the elements of the scattering matrix that completely describe the intensity and polarization effects induced by the scattering system. The total scattered intensity and the value of the normalized matrix elements were measured as a function of angle at wavelengths of 442 and 633 nm. The scattering intensity profile was interpreted with the help of a Rayleigh-Debye theory using a spherical shell model. It was found that the Chlorella exhibited scattering behavior approximating that predicted by the Rayleigh-Debye theory. However, consistent deviations from the factored Rayleigh matrix were observed. These results and their implications for light scattering studies of marine waters are discussed.© (1986) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
An elastic-viscoplastic solution for impulsively loaded rings☆

Abstract Solutions are developed in terms of elementary functions for the transient and final deformation of an impulsively loaded, uniformly expanding ring. The ring is assumed to be fabricated of an elastic-perfectly plastic material that exhibits realistic nonlinear strain rate sensitivity. A numerical example of a strain rate sensitive mild steel ring is presented and compared with the corresponding solution in which strain rate sensitivity is ignored. The differences emphasize that the effects of strain rate sensitivity can be quite significant. Conclusions of this study lend support to an approximate technique suggested by Perrone.
A just noticeable difference for meaningfulness

Discriminability along the dimension of meaningfulness, as defined by Noble's m′ scale, was studied in two experiments. In a pilot experiment, an attempt to establish the just noticeable difference (j.n.d.) at two portions of the scale (high and medium) was unsuccessful since the j.n.d. apparently exceeded the range of scale values used (1/6 of the scale). Therefore, the first experiment made use of a much larger portion of the scale (2/3) and a single j.n.d. was calculated at .96, a value representing 1/5 of the entire scale. The Ss in the second study were run individually as opposed to the group situation of the first. The difference threshold in the second experiment was smaller, about 1/7 of the whole scale. Reasons for the differences among the pilot study and the two experiments were discussed, and suggestions made about the use of m′ as an independent variable, in light of the large j.n.d.
Properties of the Leslie population matrix.

A simple similarity transformation of the Leslie matrix renders certain properties obvious. In particular the characteristic polynomial, characteristic vectors and principal vectors can be explicitly written out. Bounds for the dominant root are given.
High fatty acid content in rabbit serum is responsible for the differentiation of osteoblasts into adipocyte-like cells.

Osteoblasts and adipocytes originate from common mesenchymal precursors. With aging, there is a decrease in osteoprogenitor cells that parallels an increase of adipocytes in bone marrow. We observed that rabbit serum (RS) induces adipocyte-like differentiation in human osteosarcoma SaOS-2/B10 and MG-63 cell lines, in rat ROS17/2.8 cells, and in mouse calvaria-derived osteoblastic MB1.8 cells, as evidenced by the accumulation of Oil Red O positive lipid vesicles and the decrease in alkaline phosphatase expression. Both SaOS-2/B10 and MG-63 cells, but not ROS17/2.8 nor MB1.8 cells, express significant levels of PPARγ mRNA, a member of the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) family that has been implicated in the control of adipocyte differentiation. However, both ROS17/2.8 and MG-63 cells express significant levels of the adipocyte selective marker, aP2 fatty acid binding mRNA, which can be further increased by RS. These cell types express PPARδ/NUC-1 but not PPARα, indicating that cells that do not express either PPARγ or PPARα are capable of differentiating into adipocyte-like cells. Transfection experiments in COS cells showed that compared with fetal bovine serum (FBS), RS is rich in agents that stimulate PPAR-dependent transcription. The stimulatory activity was ethyl acetate extractable and was 35-fold more abundant in RS than in FBS. Purification and analysis revealed that the major components of this extract are free fatty acids. Furthermore, the same fatty acids, a mixture of palmitic, oleic, and linoleic acids, activate the PPARs and induce adipocyte-like differentiation of both ROS17/2.8 and SaOS-2/B10 cells. These findings suggest that fatty acids or their metabolites can initiate the switch from osteoblasts to adipocyte-like cells.
Highly efficient binding of trivalent f-elements from acidic media with a C3-symmetric tripodal ligand containing diglycolamide arms

Tripodal chelates bearing three diglycolamide units precisely arranged on a triphenoxymethane platform were synthesized to mimic the preferred tricapped trigonal prismatic geometry favored by lanthanides with oxygen donor ligands, and the ligand binds heavier lanthanides very efficiently in acidic media.
Claw-free graphs VI. Colouring

In this paper we prove that if G is a connected claw-free graph with three pairwise non-adjacent vertices, with chromatic number @g and clique number @w, then @g=<2@w and the same for the complement of G. We also prove that the choice number of G is at most 2@w, except possibly in the case when G can be obtained from a subgraph of the Schlafli graph by replicating vertices. Finally, we show that the constant 2 is best possible in all cases.
Activities of human DNA polymerase κ in response to the major benzo[a]pyrene DNA adduct: error-free lesion bypass and extension synthesis from opposite the lesion

Abstract In cells, the major benzo[a]pyrene DNA adduct is the highly mutagenic (+)-trans-anti-BPDE-N2-dG. In eukaryotes, little is known about lesion bypass of this DNA adduct during replication. Here, we show that purified human Polκ can effectively bypass a template (+)-trans-anti-BPDE-N2-dG adduct in an error-free manner. Kinetic parameters indicate that Polκ bypass of the (−)-trans-anti-BPDE-N2-dG adduct was ∼41-fold more efficient compared to the (+)-trans-anti-BPDE-N2-dG adduct. Furthermore, we have found another activity of human Polκ in response to the (+)- and (−)-trans-anti-BPDE-N2-dG adducts: extension synthesis from mispaired primer 3′ ends opposite the lesion. In contrast, the two adducts strongly blocked DNA synthesis by the purified human Polβ and the purified catalytic subunits of yeast Polα, Polδ, and Pole right before the lesion. Extension by human Polκ from the primer 3′ G opposite the (+)- and (−)-trans-anti-BPDE-N2-dG adducts was mediated by a −1 deletion mechanism, probably resulting from re-aligning the primer G to pair with the next template C by Polκ prior to DNA synthesis. Thus, sequence contexts 5′ to the lesion strongly affect the fidelity and mechanism of the Polκ-catalyzed extension synthesis. These results support a dual-function model of human Polκ in bypass of BPDE DNA adducts: it may function both as an error-free bypass polymerase alone and an extension synthesis polymerase in combination with another polymerase.