cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Community Tolerance and Measures of Delinquency

van Vechten's toleration quotient will have no impact on deviance theory without research on the empirical relation between the quotient 's numerator (volume of deviance) and denominator (tolerance of deviance). This relation was examined by comparing attitudes toward, self-reported extent of, and arrest and court-referral rates for various juvenile offenses within and across four Arizona communities. Three variables were used as indicators of volume of delinquency: (1) self-reported offenses by juveniles, (2) number of juveniles arrested, and (3) number of juveniles referred to court. Three variables were used as measures of community intolerance of delinquency: (1) intensity of public disapproval, expressed as a magnitude, (2) severity of public opinion, expressed as a choice of an appropriate reaction to delinquency (e.g., commit ment to a reformatory), and (3) the objective certainty of legal reactions to delinquency, as measured by the relation between self-reported offenses and self-reported arrests...
Experimental results of a recovery block scheme to handle noise in speech recognition systems

In this paper, we present the last improvements for a new approach to cope with noise that troubles speech recognition systems (SRS). This approach performs on-line monitoring and is oriented to hardware redundancy (it is essentially a modification of the classic recovery block scheme). When compared to conventional approaches using fast Fourier transforms (FFT) and Hamming code, the primary benefit of such a technique is to improve system performance when operating in real (i.e., noisy) environments. The second advantage is related to the considerably lower complexity and reduced area overhead required for implementation. We implemented three full versions of the proposed algorithm: one running on a PC microcomputer, and a second one slightly modified to run on a TMS-320C67 Texas DSP microprocessor module. Both of them were described in the C language. A last implementation was prototyped on a hardware/software development environment based on the same Texas microprocessor and on the FLEX10K20 FPGA Altera component.
Optimal Kullback–Leibler approximation of Markov chains via nuclear norm regularisation

This paper is concerned with model reduction for Markov chain models. The goal is to obtain a low-rank approximation to the original Markov chain. The Kullback–Leibler divergence rate is used to measure the similarity between two Markov chains; the nuclear norm is used to approximate the rank function. A nuclear-norm regularised optimisation problem is formulated to approximately find the optimal low-rank approximation. The proposed regularised problem is analysed and performance bounds are obtained through the convex analysis. An iterative fixed point algorithm is developed based on the proximal splitting technique to compute the optimal solutions. The effectiveness of this approach is illustrated via numerical examples.
VDNA: The Virtual DNA plug-in for VMD

Summary: The DNA inter base pair step parameters (Tilt, Roll, Twist, Shift, Slide, Rise) are a standard internal coordinate representation of DNA. In the absence of bend and shear, it is relatively easy to mentally visualize how Twist and Rise generate the familiar double helix. More complex structures do not readily yield to such intuition. For this reason, we developed a plug-in for VMD that accepts a set of mathematical expressions as input and generates a coarse-grained model of DNA as output. This feature of VDNA appears to provide a unique approach to DNA modeling. Predefined expressions include: linear, sheared, bent and circular DNA, and models of the nucleosome superhelix, chromatin, thermal motion and nucleosome unwrapping. Availability: VDNA is pre-installed in VMD, http://www.ks.uiuc.edu/Research/vmd. Updates are at http://dna.ccs.tulane.edu. Contact: ude.enalut@pohsib
I-PLA2 Activation during Apoptosis Promotes the Exposure of Membrane Lysophosphatidylcholine Leading to Binding by Natural Immunoglobulin M Antibodies and Complement Activation

Deficiency of serum immunoglobulin (Ig)M is associated with the development of a lupus-like disease in mice. Recent studies suggest that classical complement components facilitate the clearance of apoptotic cells and that failure to do so predisposes mice to lupus. Since IgM is a potent activator of the classical complement pathway, we examined IgM binding to dying cells. IgM, but not IgG, bound to apoptotic T cells through the Fab′ portion of the antibody. Exposure of apoptotic cell membranes to phospholipase (PL) A2 increased, whereas PLD reduced, IgM binding and complement activation. Absorption studies combined with direct plate binding assays, revealed that IgM antibodies failed to bind to phosphatidyl lipids, but did recognize lysophosphatidylcholine and the phosphorylcholine head group. Both iPLA2 and cPLA2 are activated during apoptosis. Since inhibition of iPLA2, but not cPLA2, attenuated IgM binding to apoptotic cells, these results strongly suggest that the endogenous calcium independent PLA2, iPLA2, is involved in the hydrolysis of plasma membrane phospholipids and exposure of the epitope(s) recognized by IgM. We propose that recognition of dying cells by natural IgM antibodies is, in part, responsible for complement activation on dying cells leading to their safe clearance.
Simulating a Robotic Arm in a Box: Redundant Kinematics, Path Planning, and Rapid Prototyping for Enclosed Spaces

Robotic arms often perform industrial tasks requiring complex dextrous manipulation within constrained spaces. For example, automobile unibody assembly can require more than 5000 welds, with many performed within the vehicle’s interior. An arm can be designed specifically for this type of task by permuting link lengths and degrees of freedom (DOF) to find a set of feasible designs. Each design can be evaluated for joint-angle displacement, dexterity, simulated speed, and consumption of available redundancy. A heuristic search increases the probability of having the needed kinematic structure. Hyperredundant designs of up to 10 DOF can be created, and searches often yield minimized-DOF designs.The path-planning technique combines pseudo-inverse velocity control with the concept of attractive poles to allow maneuvering through complex enclosures while avoiding many obstacles. This research provides a means of rapid-prototyping robotic arms for enclosed spaces and can yield many designs locally optimized for given tasks and environments.
The CLP(R) language and system: an overview

The basics of the CLP(R) language are reviewed, and some important programming techniques are described. A brief overview of the implementation of the CLP(R) interpreter is given. The operational model of the CLP(R) language is based on the amalgamation of two main procedures: a logic programming engine and a constraint solver for the domain of uninterpreted terms and arithmetic terms. In CLP(R) programs, constraints are used to specify the input parameter, appear dynamically during execution, and are output as answer constraints. Three clearly identifiable paradigms of CLP(R) programming methodology are described: hierarchical reasoning and constraint propagation, constraints as output, and a constrain-and-generate methodology for combinatorial search problems. >
Presentation session: Neuroanatomy, neurogeneration, and modeling: “Relating optical signals induced by infrared neural stimulation to electrophysiology”

Infrared neural stimulation (INS) is well characterized for the peripheral nervous system; however, translation to the central nervous system (CNS) presents a new set of challenges which require us to consider different anatomy, multiple cell types, and the physiology associated with structures in the CNS. This study represents the first attempt to translate INS to in vivo stimulation of the CNS. The results from this study show that INS generates intrinsic optical signals of similar magnitude and shape associated with well characterized mechanical stimuli. Electrophysiology analysis indicates INS evokes inhibitory responses in rat somatosensory cortex. The implications of this work could lead to neural implants which allows for single cell stimulation making it possible to design closed loop neural prosthetics.
West Nile Fever Characteristics among Viremic Persons Identified through Blood Donor Screening

Nucleic acid testing (NAT) of blood donors provides opportunities for identifying West Nile virus (WNV)-infected persons before symptoms develop and for characterizing subsequent illness. From June 2003 through 2008, the American Red Cross performed follow‐up interviews with and additional laboratory testing for 1436 donors whose donations had initial test results that were reactive for WNV RNA; 821 of the donors were subsequently confirmed to have WNV infection, and the remainder were unconfirmed or determined to have false‐positive results. Symptoms attributed to WNV infection were determined by comparing symptom frequency among 576 donors identified with early WNV infection (immunoglobulin M antibody negative) and those with unconfirmed infection. We estimate that 26% of WNV‐infected persons become symptomatic, defined by the presence of at least 3 of 8 indicator symptoms. Nearly one‐half of symptomatic persons sought medical care; only 5% received a diagnosis of WNV infection. Female subjects and persons with higher viral loads detected in the index donation were more likely than other subjects to develop symptoms.
Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans in Human Periodontal Disease: a Cross-Sectional Microbiological Investigation

Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans is a facultative gram-negative bacterium which has been associated with severe oral and nonoral infections. This study examined its occurrence in the oral cavities of 10 normal juveniles, 11 normal adults, 10 juvenile periodontitis patients, and 12 adult periodontitis patients. Four deep periodontal pockets and two normal periodontal sites were sampled in the diseased patients, and six normal periodontal sites were sampled in the healthy individuals. In all subjects samples were obtained from the cheek, tongue, and saliva. Samples from a total of 172 normal periodontal sites, 83 deep periodontal pockets, 42 cheek mucosae, 42 tongue dorsa, and 42 salivas were examined. Isolation was performed by using a medium for selective isolation of A. actinomycetemcomitans (Trypticase soy agar [BBL Microbiology Systems] supplemented with 10% serum and 75 μg of bacitracin per ml). The carrier rates were 20% for normal juveniles, 36% for normal adults, 50% for adult periodontitis patients, and 90% for juvenile periodontitis patients. A. actinomycetemcomitans was on average recovered in about fivefold-higher numbers from infected deep periodontal pockets than from infected normal subgingival areas. Samples of periodontal pockets generally contained 100-fold-more cells of A. actinomycetemcomitans than did samples of the cheek, tongue, and saliva. A. actinomycetemcomitans is commonly isolated from patients with juvenile periodontitis, often isolated from patients with adult periodontitis, and occasionally isolated from normal juveniles and adults. Its primary oral ecological niche appears to be dental plaque and periodontal pockets.
CLIMATE CHANGE AND GRASSLAND RESTORATION IN CALIFORNIA: LESSONS FROM SIX YEARS OF RAINFALL MANIPULATION IN A NORTH COAST GRASSLAND

ABSTRACT Native perennial bunchgrasses have undergone steep declines across much of California but persist in sizable populations along the northern coast. The longer rainy season and less severe summer drought in this region are thought to facilitate bunchgrass persistence in the face of extensive invasion by exotic annual species. Changes in the seasonality and intensity of precipitation that accompany global climate change could critically influence efforts to conserve and restore these plants in California grasslands. We established a large-scale manipulation of rainfall in a protected Mendocino County grassland to investigate how predicted shifts in precipitation affect the performance of three native perennial bunchgrass species in exotic-dominated stands. We added seeds, plugs, and mature tussocks of Danthonia californica, Elymus glaucus, and Elymus multisetus into replicate plots of exotic annual grassland and subjected the plots to one of three experimental precipitation regimes: increased winter...
Survivors of Addiction: Narratives of Recovery, by Mary Addenbrooke

Survivors of Addiction: Narratives of Recovery is a thematically inspired text that draws on the voices brought forth in case studies conducted with persons who sought addiction treatment in a hosp...
Epigenetics of Peripheral B-Cell Differentiation and the Antibody Response

Epigenetic modifications, such as histone post-translational modifications, DNA methylation, and alteration of gene expression by non-coding RNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), are heritable changes that are independent from the genomic DNA sequence. These regulate gene activities and, therefore, cellular functions. Epigenetic modifications act in concert with transcription factors and play critical roles in B cell development and differentiation, thereby modulating antibody responses to foreign- and self-antigens. Upon antigen encounter by mature B cells in the periphery, alterations of these lymphocytes epigenetic landscape are induced by the same stimuli that drive the antibody response. Such alterations instruct B cells to undergo immunoglobulin (Ig) class switch DNA recombination (CSR) and somatic hypermutation (SHM), as well as differentiation to memory B cells or long-lived plasma cells for the immune memory. Inducible histone modifications, together with DNA methylation and miRNAs modulate the transcriptome, particularly the expression of activation-induced cytidine deaminase, which is essential for CSR and SHM, and factors central to plasma cell differentiation, such as B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein-1. These inducible B cell-intrinsic epigenetic marks guide the maturation of antibody responses. Combinatorial histone modifications also function as histone codes to target CSR and, possibly, SHM machinery to the Ig loci by recruiting specific adaptors that can stabilize CSR/SHM factors. In addition, lncRNAs, such as recently reported lncRNA-CSR and an lncRNA generated through transcription of the S region that form G-quadruplex structures, are also important for CSR targeting. Epigenetic dysregulation in B cells, including the aberrant expression of non-coding RNAs and alterations of histone modifications and DNA methylation, can result in aberrant antibody responses to foreign antigens, such as those on microbial pathogens, and generation of pathogenic autoantibodies, IgE in allergic reactions, as well as B cell neoplasia. Epigenetic marks would be attractive targets for new therapeutics for autoimmune and allergic diseases, and B cell malignancies.
Cigarette Smoking Among Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Young Adults in Association With Food Insecurity and Other Factors.

Introduction Low socioeconomic status is associated with high rates of cigarette smoking, and socioeconomic differences in cigarette smoking tend to emerge during young adulthood. To further our understanding of socioeconomic differences in smoking among young adults, we examined correlates of smoking, with attention to multiple socioeconomic indicators that have not been examined in this population.
Gene expression changes between patent and fused cranial sutures in a nonsyndromic craniosynostosis population.

Objective: Craniosynostosis is a premature fusion of 1 or more cranial sutures. It may occur with additional morphological abnormalities (syndromic) or in isolation. Studies suggest that dysregulation of normal cell proliferation, differentiation, and migration has a role in isolated or nonsyndromic craniosynostosis but the molecular mechanisms remain unknown. The aim of this research is to identify genes differentially expressed in prematurely fused human suture compared to patent suture in nonsyndromic craniosynostosis. Methods: Bone fragments from synostosed and patent sutures of 7 infants with nonsyndromic craniosynostosis were collected during surgical release of fused sutures. RNA was isolated from the fragments (7 patent and 7 fused) and global gene expression profiled using the Illumina WGE-DASL assay and HumanRef 8.0 Beadchip. Results: Comparison of mRNA expression in fused and patent suture identified 68 genes significantly differentially expressed and having fold changes ≤ −2.0 and ≥ 2.0 with a false discovery rate adjusted P value at .10 and 136 with adjusted P value of 0.15. SFRP2 (secreted frizzled-related protein 2) demonstrated the largest decrease in fused sutures. Analysis including only sagittal fused sutures revealed a set of 35 overlapping genes that may be involved in suture patency over all suture types. SPHKAP (sphingosine kinase type 1-interacting protein), a modulator of TGFβ signaling, was significant in the sagittal subset. Conclusion: Differentially expressed genes were identified in fused suture relative to patent in a nonsyndromic craniosynostosis population. SFRP2 is likely important in suture patency. Genes having significant roles in osteoblastogenesis as negative regulators of canonical Wnt pathway were significantly downregulated.
Prisoners' Dilemma and Professional Sports Drafts

(1979). Prisoners' Dilemma and Professional Sports Drafts. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 86, No. 2, pp. 80-88.
Diagnostic efficacy of myocardial creatine phosphokinase using polyacrylamide disk gel electrophoresis.

A method for separating and quantitating the isoenzymes of creatine phosphokinase (EC2.7.3.2ATP: creatine phosphotransferase) using polyacrylamide disk gel electrophoresis is described. Electrophoresis of either tissue homogenates or serum yields clear, well-defined bands representing enzymic activity. Damage to either myocardium or skeletal muscle results in serum isoenzyme patterns similar to those obtained on homogenates of the tissues themselves. An intermediate “cardiac” band was found in specimens from 40 patients with myocardial infarcts documented by clinical, electrocardiographic and other laboratory evidence. In two of these patients the cardiac bands were transient and disappeared within 48 hours after the infarction occurred. The cardiac band was present also in specimens from patients wiuh carbon monoxide poisoning and those with malignant hyperthermia, probably as a result of myocardial damage in these conditions.
Raman mode-selective spectroscopic imaging of coenzyme and enzyme redox states

We investigate the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra of flavin monoucleotide (FMN) in its different redox states and in a redox active enzyme, nitric oxide synthase. Incubated with silver nanoparticles coated with silica, spectra for oxidized and reduced FMN are obtained at different electrochemical potentials. Dominate Raman mode shifts at 1623/1610, 1567/1550, and 1502/1492 cm−1, belonging to typical redox-sensitive region of FMN, are observed and analyzed, and they show a consistence with the results of spectral calculation by using the density function theory (DFT) method. We assign mode at 1500 cm−1, composed of N5―H bending, N1C10a stretching and the asymmetric C4a―N5―C5a stretching, as a spectroscopic indicator for the redox states of FMN, because it shows a significant downshift (1502/1492 cm−1) and non-linearly correction with potentials when FMN gets reduced from its full oxidized state electrochemically. Isolated FMN domain from a wild type neuronal nitric oxide synthase enzyme (nNOS) is also studied with the same experimental approach. We have observed similar Raman mode down-shifting as that of the pure FMN, which further supports our conclusion that the mode at ~1500 cm−1 indicates redox states for FMN, the coenzyme of nNOS, even in redox protein matrix. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
SU-D-202-03: Statistical Segmentation On Quantitative CT for Assessing Spatial Tumor Response During Radiation Therapy Delivery

Purpose: Develop a method to segment regions of interest (ROIs) in tumor with statistically similar Hounsfield unit (HU) values and/or HU changes during chemoradiation therapy (CRT) delivery, to assess spatial tumor treatment response based on daily CTs during CRT delivery. Methods: Generate a three region map of ROIs with differential HUs, by sampling neighboring voxels around a selected voxel and comparing to the mean of the entire ROI using a t-test. The cumulative distribution function, P, is calculated from the t-test. The P value is assigned to be the value at the selected voxel, and this is repeated over all voxels in the initial ROI. Three regions are defined as: (1-P) < 0.00001 (mid region), and 0.00001 < (1-P) (mean greater than baseline and mean lower than baseline). The test is then expanded to compare daily CT sets acquired during routine CT-guided RT delivery using a CT-on-rails. The first fraction CT is used as the baseline for comparison. We tested 15 pancreatic head tumor cases undergoing CRT, to identify the ROIs and changes corresponding to normal, fibrotic, and tumor tissue. The obtained ROIs were compared with MRI-ADC maps acquired pre- and post-CRT. Results: The ROIs in 13 out of 15 patients’ first fraction CTs and pre-CRT MRIs matched the general region and slices covered, as well as in 6 out of the 9 patients with post-CRT MRIs. The high HU region designated by the t-test was seen to correlate with the tumor region in MR, and these ROIs are positioned within the same region over the course of treatment. In patients with poorly delineated tumors in MR, the t-test was inconclusive. Conclusion: The proposed statistical segmentation technique shows the potential to identify regions in tumor with differential HUs and HU changes during CRT delivery for patients with pancreas head cancer.
Monitoring and control of animal cell bioreactors: biochemical engineering considerations.

This chapter focuses on the manipulation of cell metabolism using the measurement of on-line sensors such as pH and dissolved oxygen probes. It discusses the unique features of monitoring and controlling pH and dissolved oxygen in cell culture processes, since the accurate measurement and control of these parameters is essential for the estimation of process variables. The control of chemical and physical parameters in animal cell reactors is similar to that in microbial fermentations. Animal cell processes, despite their close resemblance to conventional microbial fermentation, have some unique features; three are probably most directly related to the development of instrumentation for on-line monitoring and control: a large time constant for growth and metabolism, a slow response to control action, a more stringent requirement for the chemical environment. Because of these features, the control actions usually taken to control physical and chemical variables also show some variation from those for microbial processes.
Membrane damage and viability loss of Escherichia coli K-12 and Salmonella enteritidis in liquid egg by thermal death time disk treatment.

Bacterial injury, including leakage of intracellular substance and viability loss, of Escherichia coli K-12 (ATCC 23716) and Salmonella Enteritidis (ATCC 13076) inoculated in liquid egg white and liquid whole egg was determined by thermal death time disk. E. coli K-12 and Salmonella Enteritidis were inoculated in liquid egg white and liquid whole egg to a final count of 7.8 log CFU/ml and were thermally treated with thermal death time disks at room temperature (23°C), 54, 56, 58, and 60°C from 0 to 240 s. Sublethal injury, leakage of intracellular substances, and viability loss of E. coli K-12 and Salmonella Enteritidis was investigated by plating 0.1 ml on selective trypticase soy agar containing 3% NaCl, 5% NaCl, sorbitol MacConky agar, and xylose lysine sodium tetradecylsulfate and nonselective trypticase soy agar. No significant (P >0.05) differences on percent injury or viability loss for E. coli K-12 and Salmonella populations were determined in all samples treated at 23°C. Sublethal injury occurred...
C-band polymorphism and structural rearrangements detected in common wheat (Triticum aestivum)

Giemsa C-banding allows for the identification of all 21 chromosome pairs of hexaploid wheat. However, variation in banding patterns of individual chromosomes and structural rearrangements exist between different cultivars making chromosome identification more difficult. The paper summarizes the available data on C-band polymorphism and structural rearrangement present in wheat cultivars and germplasms.
Factor Structure of the Urban Hassles Index

Objective:This study examined the factor structure and psychometric properties of the Urban Hassles Index (UHI).Method:Exploratory factor analyses (EFAs) were conducted via principal axis factoring...
End-of-life parental communication priorities among bereaved fathers due to cancer.

Abstract Objectives To elicit widowed fathers’ perspectives on which domains of parenting-related communication they consider most important for dying parents to discuss at the end of life (EOL). Methods Two hundred seventy nine fathers widowed by cancer completed a survey about their own depression and bereavement symptoms, their wife’s illness, and EOL parental communication priorities. Chi square and Fisher’s exact tests and logistic regression were used to evaluate relationships between maternal EOL characteristics and fathers’ responses to parenting-related EOL communication priorities. Results Fathers identified raising children in a manner that reflected maternal wishes, whether/how to talk with children about their mother’s death, and how the mother wanted to be remembered as the most important EOL communication domains. Fathers who reported that their dying wives were worried about the children were more likely to prioritize raising children in ways that reflect her wishes (p = 0.01). Other EOL characteristics were not associated with communication domains. Conclusions Communicating with children and maintaining emotional connection with the deceased parent are important priorities for bereaved fathers who lost a spouse to cancer. Practice implications Health care providers working with seriously ill parents may improve family outcomes by supporting communication at the EOL between co-parents.
Diaporthe soft tissue infection in a heart transplant patient

Infections caused by Diaporthe species are very uncommon. We describe a heart transplant recipient 14 years post transplant who developed a soft tissue fungal infection due to a Diaporthe species that responded well to surgical excision and posaconazole therapy. The Aspergillus galactomannan index was markedly elevated, and returned to normal following treatment. Solid organ transplant patients remain at risk of infection long after transplantation and should be counseled about risk avoidance.
Spine rod straightening as a possible cause for revision

In a previous study, the authors examined the elastic and short-term anelastic springback of Ti6Al4V, CoCrMoC and A316L stainless steel spine rods to observe how the rods mechanically respond in OR contouring. In that study rods were 200 mm long and only the movement at the tip was recorded. The implication of that work was that rods will straighten in-vivo, however, in order for the mechanism of straightening to be determined, the movement of individual bends over time must first be elucidated. Spine rods used were, commercially pure titanium (CP Ti) a primarily α-phase; Ti-6Al-4V; α/β-phase titanium alloy from two different suppliers (denoted by, Ti-6Al-4V (L) and Ti-6Al-4V); β-phase titanium (TNTZ) and CoCrMoC. Following contouring the rods were aged unconstrained, in normal atmosphere or simulated body fluid (SBF) in a CO2 incubator for up to 288 h. Elastic springback is significantly different between alloys with different microstructures. Both types of Ti6Al4V rods, while meeting the ASTM F136 industry standard, have significantly different properties, most importantly yield strength, flexural modulus, and springback. Environment showed no significant impact on anelasticity. The anelastic response of Ti6Al4V L sample, which has relatively more beta phase than the Ti6Al4V sample, follows the pure beta phase TNTZ in its extended time response. CoCrMoC and CP Ti have a very reduced anelastic response compared to the other alloys. This potentially can have unanticipated effects on the outcome of spine procedures, as the surgeon is reliant on the rods having similar properties to achieve a desired outcome.
Days of Action or Restraint? How the Islamic Calendar Impacts Violence

Does the religious calendar promote or suppress political violence in Islamic societies? This study challenges the presumption that the predominant impact of the Islamic calendar is to increase violence, particularly during Ramadan. This study develops a new theory that predicts systematic suppression of violence on important Islamic holidays, those marked by public days off for dedicated celebration. We argue that militant actors anticipate societal disapproval of violence, predictably inducing restraint on these days. We assess our theory using innovative parallel analysis of multiple datasets and qualitative evidence from Islamic insurgencies in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan from 2004 to 2014. Consistent with our theory, we find that important Islamic holidays witness systematic declines in violence—as much as 41%—and provide evidence that anticipation of societal disapproval is producing these results. Significantly, we find no systematic evidence for surges of violence associated with any Islamic holiday, including Ramadan.
Principles and Equations for Multidimensional Phenomena

We will not analyze new phenomena in this chapter, nor will we develop new analytical techniques. Rather, our objective is to create the foundation for study of a variety of phenomena that do not fit the planar wave model. One possible difference is that the wavefront, which is the locus of points at which the acoustic disturbance was generated at a common time, is not planar.
A hybrid AC and DC distribution architecture in data centers

DC distribution is emerging as a solution for data centers, however the optimal system architectures have not been established in the industry. This paper first reviews the most recent studies, products and activities of DC distribution in data centers. A hybrid AC and DC distribution architecture is introduced by using both 415V AC and 380V DC together to achieve the data center reliability requirements. The hybrid architecture is quantitatively compared with five state-of-the-art AC and DC architectures in terms of efficiencies, reliabilities and cost. The evaluations are based on the most recent AC and DC distribution component data of efficiency, reliability and cost, meanwhile taking into account the entire power distribution path from Medium Voltage (MV) AC input to server 12V DC. The evaluation shows the hybrid architecture uses fewer power conversion components to achieve the same equivalent reliability requirements of data center system, which results in significant reliability and cost benefits in a data center case study.
The trouble with having standards

The uniqueness thesis states that for any body of evidence and any proposition, there is at most one rational doxastic attitude that an epistemic agent can take toward that proposition. Permissivism is the denial of uniqueness. Perhaps the most popular form of permissivism is what I call the Epistemic Standard View (ESV), since it relies on the concept of epistemic standards. Roughly speaking, epistemic standards encode particular ways of responding to any possible body of evidence. Since different epistemic standards may rationalize different doxastic states on the same body of evidence, this view gives us a form of permissivism if different agents can have different epistemic standards. Defenders of the ESV, however, have not paid sufficient attention to what it means to have a particular epistemic standard. I argue that any theory of epistemic standard possession must satisfy two criteria to adequately address the broader needs of the ESV. The first criterion is the normative criterion: a theory of standard-possession should explain why agents are rationally required to form beliefs in accordance with their own (rational) epistemic standard, rather than any other (rational) standard. The second criterion is the applicability criterion: a theory of standard-possession should rule that agents have the epistemic standards we intuitively think they have. I then argue that no extant theories of standard-possession can satisfy both these criteria. I conclude by diagnosing why these criteria are so hard to jointly satisfy. Defenders of the ESV are thus left with a serious obstacle to forming a complete and plausible version of their view.
Weak-pairing higher order topological superconductors

Conventional topological superconductors are fully gapped in the bulk but host gapless Majorana modes on their boundaries. We instead focus on a new class of superconductors, second-order topological superconductors, that have gapped, topological surfaces and gapless Majorana modes instead on lower-dimensional boundaries, i.e., corners of a two-dimensional system or hinges for a three-dimensional system. Here, we propose two general scenarios in which second-order topological superconductivity can be realized spontaneously with weak-pairing instabilities. First, we show that $({p}_{x}+i{p}_{y})$-wave pairing in a (doped) Dirac semimetal in two dimensions with four mirror-symmetric Dirac nodes realizes second-order topological superconductivity. Second, we show that $p+id$ pairing on an ordinary spin-degenerate Fermi surface realizes second-order topological superconductivity as well. In the latter case, we find that the topological invariants describing the system can be written using simple formulas involving only the low-energy properties of the Fermi surfaces and superconducting pairing. In both cases, we show that these exotic superconducting states can be intrinsically realized in a metallic system with electronic interactions. For the latter case, we also show it can be induced by proximity effect in a heterostructure of cuprate and topological superconductors.
Influence of vorticity distribution on singularities in linearized supersonic flow

The linearized steady three-dimensional supersonic flow can be analyzed using a vector potential approach which transforms the governing equation to a standard form of two-dimensional wave equation. Of particular interest are the canonical horseshoe line-vortex distribution and the resulting induced velocity field in supersonic flow. In this case, the singularities are present at the vortex line itself and also at the surface of the cone of influence originating from the vertices of the horseshoe structure. This is a characteristic of the hyperbolic nature of the flow which renders the study of supersonic vortex dynamics a challenging task. It is conjectured in this work that the presence of the singularity at the cone of influence is associated with the step-function nature of the vorticity distribution specified in the canonical case. At the phenomenological level, if one considers the three-dimensional steady supersonic flow, then a sudden appearance of a line-vortex will generate a ripple of singularities in the induced velocity field which convect downstream and laterally spread, at the most, to the surface of the cone of influence. Based on these findings, this work includes an exploration of potential candidates for vorticity distributions that eliminate the singularities at the cone of influence. The analysis of the resulting induced velocity field is then compared with the canonical case, and it is observed that the singularities were successfully eliminated. The manuscript includes an application of the proposed method to study the induced velocity field in a confined supersonic flow.
DESIGN PARAMETERS DETERMINING SOLID HOLD-UP IN FAST FLUIDIZED BED SYSTEM

ABSTRACT The solid holdup in a fast fluidized bed has already been shown to be a function of system solid inventory as well as gas velocity and rate. In this paper experimental results are reported which show that the solid hold-up is also strongly influenced in a complex fashion by system design. Entrance and exit configurations as well as system air supply characteristics all interact in determining the solid hold-up.
Representing concurrent actions in extended logic programming

Gelfond and Lifschitz introduce a declarative language A for describing effects of actions and define a translation of theories in this language into extended logic programs(ELP's). The purpose of this paper is to extend the language and the translation to allow reasoning about the effects of concurrent actions. Logic programming formalization of situation calculus with concurrent actions presented in the paper can be of independent interest and may serve as a test bed for the investigation of various transformations and logic programming inference mechanisms.
Knowledge of HIV/AIDS among nurses in southwestern Nigeria.

The study was conducted to find out how much this group of nurses from .south-western Nigeria knew about the HIV/AIDS phenomenon. A survey questionnaire was distributed to two population convenient samples of nurses: one group at a university teaching hospital and the other at a post-basic institution of higher learning. The respondents stated that many of them knew quite a hit about HIV/AIDS but only a few affirmed that they were taught in formal classroom setting. Many of the nurses were able to identify the HIV as the culprit in causing the infection that leads to AIDS. The sources of information about HIV/AIDS vary. The nurses attributed the spread of HIV/AIDS to promiscuous teenage girls predominantly as well as older men due to infidelity. Many of the nurses stated that sex education should he given to children as young as five years old and as old as over sixteen years of age. It is recommended that curricular infusion should he done to incorporate HIV/AIDS education in the nursing schools in south-western Nigeria. (authors)
Medicare means-testing: a skeptical view.

ABSTRACT: In response to claims that Medicare is unsustainable over time, Mark Pauly has suggested a means-testing approach as a solution to its financing problems. To obtain enough resources in th...
Evaluation of dough conditioners and bran refinement on functional properties of intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium)

Abstract Cultivating perennial crops such as intermediate wheatgrass, (IWG) (Thinopyrum intermedium), benefits the environment, e.g. by reducing nitrogen run-off compared to cultivation of annual crops like wheat. However, IWG's ability to form a gluten-network is low, and processing modifications may be needed to improve it. Our objective was to study the effect of bran reduction and addition of dough conditioners (wheat protein isolate, vital wheat gluten, ascorbic acid, xylanase, transglutaminase) on extensibility, resistance to extension and protein secondary structures of IWG dough. Grain kernels were analyzed for dimensions and chemical composition. IWG from two locations was used, hard red wheat served as reference. IWG kernels were thinner, lighter, and of lower bulk density than wheat; flour contained more insoluble dietary fiber, protein and ash; and dough was less extensible. Growing location affected fiber and protein content, and was associated with structural and rheological differences. Bran addition increased β-sheets and resistance to extension, but decreased β-turns and extensibility. Transglutaminase increased resistance to extension and affected protein conformation, especially α-helices. Wheat proteins addition had similar, but less pronounced effects. Future studies to evaluate different levels and combinations of dough conditioners, and their effects on bread characteristics, are needed.
The Women Take Over: Oral argument, rhetorical skepticism, and the performance of feminist jurisprudence in Whole Women’s Health v. Hellerstedt

ABSTRACTWhole Women’s Health v. Hellerstedt was the most important abortion case to come before the United States Supreme Court in 25 years. It was also the first time that three women were seated ...
Bacterial cellulose/hyaluronic acid nanocomposites production through co-culturing Gluconacetobacter hansenii and Lactococcus lactis in a two-vessel circulating system

Abstract Bacterial cellulose (BC) based composites have been widely studied in the biomedical field. In this study, the BC/HA (hyaluronic acid) nanocomposites in the pellicle form were directly produced through co-culturing Gluconacetobacter hansenii ATCC 23769 and Lactococcus lactis APJ3 in a novel two-vessel circulating system. The concentration of HA secreted by L. lactis was controlled through adjusting the constant feed rate of glucose. The dynamic growth of the strains revealed that L. lactis was mainly growing within 48 h while G. hansenii started to grow after 48 h. XRD analysis indicated the presence of HA would not affect the crystallinity of cellulose but increase the crystalline sizes. The FESEM images showed that more ribbons within the width of 20–40 nm and larger ribbons between 180 and 360 nm were observed in BC/HA. The strain at break and the water holding capacity of BC/HA increased with the concentration of HA.
Robust Design for Accelerated Life Tests: Weighted Clustering Approach

The optimal experimental design for an Accelerated Life Test (ALT) depends on the true life-stress relationship. It is however difficult to obtain exact coefficient values for an assumed regression model. Incorrect prior knowledge of the model coefficients may give rise to a very inefficient test outcome. Hence, it is beneficial to construct an ALT plan which is robust to the uncertainty of such planning values. In this paper, a new approach to construct a robust ALT plan is described by using a weighted clustering, which can be seen as a deterministic alternative to the original clustering approach. While the original clustering method requires a large number of locally optimal designs based on random samples of coefficient values, only a few of locally optimal designs are needed for the proposed method. A case study illustrates that the robust design constructed by the weighted clustering reveals more efficient measure in terms of the D-optimality criterion compared to the sampling based method while it substantially reduces the number of optimization procedures.
Catholic Social Ethics: Enlightening the Role of Solidarity in Global Bioethics

One of the major concepts of Ubuntu emphasizes the role of solidarity. Considering the Roman Catholic ethical tradition can enlighten the meaning of the role of solidarity in global bioethics. I have selected Roman Catholic Socio-ethical tradition as an example of one of the oldest and organized discourse in global bioethics and ethics of care. Even though the actual names of such discourses have seldom been used in catholic social teaching literature, the substance of the teaching by large concerns ethics of care and global bioethics.
Mathematical Modeling of Neurostimulation for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: A Migration Towards Multiscale Modeling to Assess Neural Response to Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Treatments

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a neurological condition which results from a traumatic experience caused by physiological shock or physical harm. Clinical results show success in combating the symptoms of PTSD with a neurostimulation treatment called transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS). Though effective, the underlying mechanisms of the treatment and its success are not fully comprehended. In order to elucidate reasons for its efficacy, a mathematical model of tDCS has been implemented to quantify the electrical energy delivered by this treatment. Computational simulation results of various PTSD-focused electrode montages on a three-dimensional, MRI-derived cranial cavity with biologically-based tissue conductivities parallel results from published literature and clinical experiments. Specifically, regions of the brain thought to be targeted by tDCS treatments are confirmed with in silico experiments. Finally, an extension of this model to a unique multiscale mathematical model of tDCS is presented, which adds the ability to quantify neural tissue response via tDCS-induced transmembrane voltage polarization, the first of its kind for tDCS simulations for PTSD.
Social Functioning in Youth with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Sluggish Cognitive Tempo

The current review summarizes the research to date on social functioning for youth with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with a focus on three key domains: peer rejection, friendship, and social information processing. The review extends past reviews by examining the research to date on how the presence of sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) symptoms, a common correlate of ADHD, affects the social presentation of youth with ADHD. Overall, youth with ADHD show significant difficulty with peer rejection, forming and maintaining friendships, and abnormalities in how they process and respond to social information. Further, the presence of SCT symptoms results in great social withdrawal and isolation. Future studies are needed to better understand the social difficulties of youth with ADHD, particularly using experimental approaches that can manipulate and isolate mechanisms within the social information processing model. In addition, novel intervention approaches are needed to more effectively ameliorate the social difficulties of youth with ADHD and those with co-occurring SCT symptoms.
Initial Response of Mature, Experienced Runners to Barefoot Running: Transition to Forefoot Strike.

Introduction Forefoot strike has been advocated for many runners because of the relatively lower impact and push-off forces compared to a heel strike. The purpose of this study was to explore the ability of mature (> 30 years old), experienced runners to transition from a heel foot strike to a forefoot strike when first introduced to barefoot running on a treadmill. We hypothesized: 1) mature runners who heel strike while wearing traditional training shoes would persist in heel striking immediately following a switch to barefoot, 2) mean shoe heel-to-toe drop would be significantly greater in runners who persist in heel striking when running barefoot compared to those who transition to a forefoot strike pattern, and 3) there would be a significant decrease in heel striking in the barefoot condition as running speeds increased. Methods This was a controlled crossover laboratory study. Thirty-three experienced runners (average 23.4 miles per week) with an average age of 45.6 years were recruited for this study. The participants first ran in their standard running shoes and subsequently barefoot. A motion capture system was utilized to detect and analyze any transition from heel strike to forefoot strike made by study participants. Results Of the 26 participants who were classified as heel strike runners in their running shoes, 50% (13/26, p = 0.001) transitioned to forefoot strike when changing from running in shoes to running barefoot. Conclusions The injuries associated with transition from standard running shoes to barefoot running or minimalist shoes may be influenced by the persistence of heel striking in mature runners. Older experienced runners may have limited ability to transition from heel to forefoot striking when first introduced to barefoot running. Mature runners should be cautious when beginning a minimalist shoe or barefoot running regimen.
The LCHC polyphonic autobiography as a wiki: why not a book?

This article offers a discussion of some advantages and disadvantages afforded by the format collaborators chose to create and launch the Laboratory of Comparative Human Cognition (LCHC) Polyphonic...