cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mutations in ponA, the Gene Encoding Penicillin-Binding Protein 1, and a Novel Locus, penC, Are Required for High-Level Chromosomally Mediated Penicillin Resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Chromosomally mediated penicillin resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae occurs in part through alterations in penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) and a decrease in outer membrane permeability. However, the genetic and molecular mechanisms of transformation of a penicillin-susceptible strain of N. gonorrhoeae to high-level penicillin resistance have not been clearly elucidated. Previous studies suggested that alterations in PBP 1 were involved in high-level penicillin resistance. In this study, we identified a single amino acid mutation in PBP 1 located 40 amino acids N terminal to the active-site serine residue that was present in all chromosomally mediated resistant N. gonorrhoeae (CMRNG) strains for which MICs of penicillin were > or = 1 microg/ml. PBP 1 harboring this point mutation (PBP 1*) had a three- to fourfold lower rate of acylation (k2/K') than wild-type PBP 1 with a variety of beta-lactam antibiotics. Consistent with its involvement in high-level penicillin resistance, replacement of the altered ponA gene (ponA1) in several CMRNG strains with the wild-type ponA gene resulted in a twofold decrease in the MICs of penicillin. Surprisingly, transformation of an intermediate-level penicillin-resistant strain (PR100; FA19 penA4 mtr penB5) with the ponA1 gene did not increase the MIC of penicillin for this strain. However, we identified an additional resistance locus, termed penC, which was required along with ponA1 to increase penicillin resistance of PR100 to a high level (MIC = 4 microg/ml). The penC locus by itself, when present in PR100, increases the MICs of penicillin and tetracycline twofold each. These data indicate that an additional locus, penC, is required along with ponA1 to achieve high-level penicillin resistance.
Outcomes and Predictors of Incisional Surgical Site Infection in Stoma Reversal

Importance Surgical site infection following stoma reversal (SR) poses a substantial burden to the patient and health care system. Its overall incidence is likely underreported and poorly characterized. Improving our understanding of surgical site infection following stoma reversal may help us identify methods to decrease this complication. Objective To evaluate the incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) and identify predictors of SSI following SR. Design A review of computerized hospital records on SR performed from January 1, 2005, until February 27, 2011. Setting An integrated medical system at the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Participants and Intervention All adults undergoing SR during the study period. Main Outcome Measures Rates of SSI and characteristics of patients with and without SSI were compared. A logistic regression model was developed to identify predictors of SSI. Results One hundred twenty-eight patients underwent SR; 46 patients (36.0%) had an SSI. In comparison with no SSI, the infection was associated with seromas (17.4% vs 2.4%, P = .004), fascial dehiscence (15.2% vs 2.4%, P = .01), intensive care unit admission (34.8% vs 17.1%, P = .03), increased hospital length of stay (20 vs 9 days, P = .02), readmission (32.6% vs 13.4%, P = .01), delayed wound healing (91 vs 66 days, P = .02), and reoperation (32.6% vs 13.4%, P = .01). On multivariate analysis, history of fascial dehiscence (odds ratio, 16.9; 95% CI, 1.94-387), colostomy (5.07; 2.12-13.0), thicker subcutaneous fat (2.02; 1.33-3.21), and black race (0.35; 0.13-0.86) were associated with incisional SSI. There was no significant difference in patient satisfaction or functional status in late follow-up (1-73 months). Conclusions and Relevance Surgical site infection is common following SR and is associated with significant morbidity. Four factors are strongly associated with increased risk of SSI in SR: history of fascial dehiscence, thicker subcutaneous fat, colostomy, and white race. Patients with none of these risk factors had a 0% SSI risk; patients with all 4 risk factors had a 100% risk of SSI.
A decision directed adaptive correlator for a direct sequence spread spectrum receiver

An adaptive correlator is presented as the data detector in a direct sequence spread spectrum communication system. The adaptive correlator has the same structure as an least-mean-square (LMS) adaptive filter, but the tapped delay line of the filter is shifted multiple times between each adaptation. This method implements an LMMSE estimator of the transmitted data based on the received samples. The tap weight behavior is predicted for such an estimator in the presence of single tone interference and multipath propagation, and the resulting receiver is simulated to verify convergence. A decision directed receiver using this detector is simulated and is shown to be effective at removing both interference and multipath effects. An efficient serial method for implementing the receiver is also presented. >
Deoxyribonucleic Acid Homology and Relative Genome Size in Mycoplasma

The deoxyribonucleic acid homologies of Mycoplasma laidlawii type A and type B, M. pulmonis (#47 and #63), and M. hominis were determined by membrane methodology. The homology data revealed a difference in genome size between M. laidlawii type A and type B. This difference also held with stringent conditions of annealing (high temperature). Little or negligible homology was shown to exist between the M. laidlawii strains type A and type B and M. pulmonis strains 47 and 63 and M. hominis. M. hominis showed less than 10% homology to the M. pulmonis and M. laidlawii strains. Neither of the M. laidlawii strains showed more than 2% annealing to the M. pulmonis strains. Reaction rate studies are suggested as a means of demonstrating the phylogenetic relationship between the Mycoplasma and other microorganisms.
Use of X-ray Charge Densities in the Calculation of Intermolecular Interactions and Lattice Energies: Application to Glycylglycine, dl-Histidine, and dl-Proline and Comparison with Theory

Experimental X-ray charge densities from low-temperature data are used in the evaluation of the intermolecular interactions and lattice energies of crystals of glycylglycine, dl-histidine, and dl-proline. The X-ray analysis leads to a set of atom-centered distributed multipoles, from which electrostatic interactions are calculated. Nonempirical exp-6 atom−atom potentials are used to calculate the smaller contributions of van der Waals interactions. For comparison, parallel theoretical calculations are performed on the molecular dimers (B3LYP) and the periodic crystals (Periodic Hartree−Fock, PHF). The dimer interactions show good agreement with experimental values, except for the strongest interactions in the glycylglycine crystal. The experimental charge density results correlate well with those based on the PHF calculations, but quantitative agreement for the interaction energies is only obtained after application of a scaling factor of ∼0.76 to the PHF values. The discrepancy is attributed to the well-...
Ab initio theory of the Whispering Gallery Mode Carousel Phenomenon

A model of the optomechanical interaction of a nanoparticle and a spherical Whispering Gallery Mode microresonator is derived. The theory furnishes exact equations of motion and describes the observed circular orbits of the particle.
Doxorubicin loaded Polymeric Nanoparticulate Delivery System to Overcome Drug Resistance in Osteosarcoma

Background Drug resistance is a primary hindrance for the efficiency of chemotherapy against osteosarcoma. Although chemotherapy has improved the prognosis of osteosarcoma patients dramatically after introduction of neo-adjuvant therapy in the early 1980's, the outcome has since reached plateau at approximately 70% for 5 year survival. The remaining 30% of the patients eventually develop resistance to multiple types of chemotherapy. In order to overcome both the dose-limiting side effects of conventional chemotherapeutic agents and the therapeutic failure incurred from multidrug resistant (MDR) tumor cells, we explored the possibility of loading doxorubicin onto biocompatible, lipid-modified dextran-based polymeric nanoparticles and evaluated the efficacy.
Suggestion regarding drama, inner creation, and role-taking (empathy). I. Dramatic arts and dramatic dreaming.

-The paper is one of a series dealing with role-taking (empathy) and Rorschach movement responses. Previously, positive correlation was suggested between role-taking (empathy) in its intuitional sense, feeling, experience in its Erlebnis sense, and Rorschach movement response. In this paper the suggestion is expanded to include drama in the sense of the dramatic arts and what is defined as dramatic dreaming. The claim is made that a species incapable of Rorschachian inner creation is a species incapable of Stanislavskian acting, spectator empathy as defined by Langfeld and Jarrert, mimesis as discussed by Plato, make-believe (vision) as defined by Hoffer, and night dreaming as defined by Dement, Foulkes, and other researchers.
THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE BENDING BEAM RHEOMETER; BASICS AND CRITICAL EVALUATION OF THE RHEOMETER

The bending beam rheometer is proposed by the Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP) for direct measurements of the rheological properties of asphalts at the lowest pavement temperatures. The purpose of this paper is to present the basic concepts upon which the rheometer was developed, to describe the testing procedure and the important procedural factors that affect test results, and to discuss the methodology of data interpretation. Typical results from the research program using a large number of asphalts to evaluate the rheometer are presented to illustrate the differences in behavior of asphalts from different sources and of different grades. The paper highlights the features of the testing system and the specimen preparation procedure. The results of the rheometer evaluation indicate that the rheometer is a repeatable test that can be used effectively to characterize the visco-elastic nature of asphalts at the lowest pavement temperatures. The paper includes discussion of the rationale behind selecting the specification parameters and the specification criteria to enhance binder contribution to resistance to thermal cracking.
USING TIME-FREQUENCY AND WAVELET ANALYSIS*' TO ASSESS TURBULENCE/ROTOR INTERACTIONS

Large loading events on wind turbine rotor blades are often associated with transient bursts of coherent turbulent energy in the turbine inflow. These coherent turbulent structures are identified as peaks in the three-dimensional, instantaneous, turbulent shearing stress field. Such organized inflow structures and the accompanying rotor aeroelastic responses typically have time scales of only a few seconds and therefore do not lend themselves for analysis by conventional Fourier spectral techniques. Time-frequency analysis (and wavelet analysis in particular) offers the ability to more closely study the spectral decomposition of short period events such as the interaction of coherent turbulence with a moving rotor blade. In this paper, the authors discuss the initial progress in the application of time-frequency analysis techniques to the decomposition and interpretation of turbulence/rotor interaction. The authors discuss the results of applying both the continuous and discrete wavelet transforms for their application. Several examples are given of the techniques applied to both observed turbulence and turbine responses and those generated using numerical simulations. They found that the presence of coherent turbulent structures, as revealed by the inflow Reynolds stress field, is a major contributor to large load excursions. These bursts of coherent turbulent energy induce a broadband aeroelastic response in the turbine rotor as it passes through them.
Spontaneous hepatocarcinogenesis in farnesoid X receptor-null mice

The farnesoid X receptor (FXR) controls the synthesis and transport of bile acids (BAs). Mice lacking expression of FXR, designated Fxr-null, have elevated levels of serum and hepatic BAs and an increase in BA pool size. Surprisingly, at 12 months of age, male and female Fxr-null mice had a high incidence of degenerative hepatic lesions, altered cell foci and liver tumors including hepatocellular adenoma, carcinoma and hepatocholangiocellular carcinoma, the latter of which is rarely observed in mice. At 3 months, Fxr-null mice had increased expression of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1beta mRNA and elevated beta-catenin and its target gene c-myc. They also had increased cell proliferation as revealed by increased PCNA mRNA and BrdU incorporation. These studies reveal a potential role for FXR and BAs in hepatocarcinogenesis.
Judicial Responsiveness to Valence Issues: An Event History Analysis of the Initial Sex Offender Registration and Notification (SORN) Laws

Under what conditions does judicial responsiveness to the public's policy preferences compromise the court's role as a countermajoritarian institution? Scholars have yet to examine whether and how quickly state appellate court justices respond to valence issues. This study investigates the relationship between retention elections and judicial responsiveness to the initial sex offender registration and notification (SORN) laws popularized in the 1990s. Findings show that judges who participated in nonpartisan retention elections exhibited greater democratic accountability by engaging in judicial review of SORN laws earlier than judges in other retention election systems. Valence issues create political challenges for nonpartisan judges who, like their counterparts in other retention systems, are expected to balance majoritarian interests with minority rights.
Distributed Coverage and Exploration in Unknown Non-convex Environments

We consider the problem of multi-robot exploration and coverage in unknown non-convex environments. The contributions of the work include (1) the presentation of a distributed algorithm that computes the generalized Voronoi tessellation of non-convex environments (using a discrete representation) in real-time for use in feedback control laws; and (2) the extension of this method to entropy based metrics that allow for cooperative coverage control in unknown non-convex environments. Simulation results demonstrate the application of the control methodology for cooperative exploration and coverage in an office environment.
High-average-power diode-pumped solid-state laser for industrial applications

There are a number of ongoing programs, teaming LLNL and industry, directed toward commercial applications of diode-pumped solid-state lasers (DPSSLs). Several programs, including direct optical lithography in the near UV, extreme-ultraviolet lithography (EUVL), and materials processing, share similar goals: demonstrating key solid-state laser technologies required for advanced manufacturing tools. These all share similar laser requirements. Specifically, the laser source must be capable of simultaneously producing high average power (300 to 500 W) at high repetition rates (700 Hz to 1.3 kHz) with high beam quality (less than several times the diffraction limit), good pointing stability, and pulse widths varying from (~10 ns to 1 μs).
Effect of Pulsed Current and Mold Material for Pulsed Current Sintering

The effect of a pulsed current on heating in a pulsed current sintering (PCS) was examined. When a graphite mold was used for the PCS, the heating rate of the mold did not depend on a frequency of a pulsed current. The heating rate of graphite applying pulsed current was larger than that of graphite applying direct current, because of the difference of the input of energy between pulsed current and direct current.The heating rate of the mold in a PCS was determined by a mold material. The hard metal with free carbon was heated more quickly than a usual hard metal in the PCS. Moreover, the cast iron including the precipitation of carbon was obtained higher heating rate by applying pulsed current. The heating rate of cast iron was almost unchanged by the morphology of the carbon, such as nodular graphite cast iron and gray cast iron.The metal mold including carbon is suitable for the near net forming of the powder in the PCS because of its machinability.
Renationalization in Argentina, 2005–2013

Since 2002, government nationalizations and contractual breaches in general around the world have surged. South America has witnessed a wave of nationalizations of private enterprises, mostly foreign. Some analysts contend that this trend is shaped by the left-wing ideological orientation of the governments, whereas others argue that a more robust explanation is the combination of economic pressure and constraint factors. This article contributes to the debate by using a nuanced institutional analytical framework based on the concept of company versus government opportunism, applied to the recent nationalization of previously privatized companies. It examines Argentina, a country that in the last two decades has seen radical policy reversals, from sweeping privatization of state-owned enterprises in the 1990s to a renationalization effort with some of the same companies in the early 2000s.
Leadership and the New Science: Learning About Organization from an Orderly University

The article reviews the book “Leadership and the New Science: Learning About Organization from an Orderly University,” by Margaret J. Wheatley.
PS-118 Discerning The Impact Of The Internship Experience For The Basic Specialist Trainee In Paediatrics (bstp)

This study was designed to determine the impact of the internship experience on the BSTP. The survey evaluated job allocations, intern education, clinical skills development, and exposure to patient care. A combination of binary responses (yes, no) and Likert scoring (cuing at 1 never/disagree, and at 6 always/strongly agree) were used to code responses. Thirty five trainees responded (all those present at a study day), representing 60% of all trainees. These trainees undertook approximately 130 rotations, with 12 (34%) undertaking a paediatric rotation. Relating to intern education; only 10 (28%) of trainees had a mentor. Education was frequently provided as scheduled (Likert mean (LM) 3.82). The preferred method of teaching was bedside delivered. Interns strongly agreed that time management (LM 5.0, Positive skew (PS) 82%) and communication skills (LM 4.9, PS 71%) were clinical skills developed during intern year Relating to exposure to patient care; Interns were frequently out of their comfort zone in dealing with patients (LM 4.3, PS 41%). Most said they had never been debriefed after attending an emergency situation (LM 1.7, PS 3%). An elevated Early Warning Score (EWS) in Irish hospitals precludes intern assessment however this rule is frequently ignored (LM 4.9, PS 80%). Interns infrequently clerked patients in the emergency department (LM 2.6, PS 14%), although many agreed that interns should be clerking patients (LM 4.4, PS 55%) This survey highlights the variability of the internship experience in Ireland, and highlights some areas where direct improvements could be made.
Facilitation of Pituitary-Induced Frog Ovulation by Progesterone in Early Fall.∗

SummaryIn October, when Rana pipiens ovaries are notoriously insensitive to ovulatory influences, injection of one frog pituitary gland in combination with small dosages of progesterone induced nearly complete ovulation within 24 hours. Progesterone, and to a lesser extent testosterone, also exerted some ovulatory effect when injected alone.
Progress in Mediating Cell Functions on Honeycomb Substratum

The clinic needs of advanced biomaterials for tissue regeneration have driven the study on pores, ridges, fibers, and other microstructured features to mimic the topographies available on basement membranes. Recently, the honeycomb topography with well-ordered pores has drawn increasing attention due to its significant influence on cell functions and the effects can be cell type dependent. To gain potential application in tissue regeneration, we have to obtain good understanding of the interaction between honeycomb pores and cells. In this review article, we will introduce the deep meanings of research on honeycomb topography, review several useful approaches to fabrication of honeycomb patterns, describe topographical influence on application in biomaterials, and discuss the regulation of cell function on honeycomb patterns.
History and Prospect of Muslims in Western Europe

The birth of Islam over fourteen centuries ago was a monumental event in human history with an everlasting effect on humanity. For centuries researchers contemplated on the growth and distribution of Muslims throughout the world. The purpose of this manuscript is to present a reliable estimate of the Muslim population in Western Europe since the inception of Islam at the start of the seventh century to the end of the twenty-first century. The considered region consists of nine countries and territories: Andorra, Belgium, France, Gibraltar, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain. A centennial data estimate for these countries from 600AD to 2100AD (approximately 1H-1500H) of the total population, and corresponding Muslim population and its percentage are provided. Furthermore, the same data in decennial order from 1790 to 2100 (or 1210H-1520H) are provided for each country. These data are summarized to be a reference for other studies and discussions related to the Muslim population.
Clinical features and EEG monitoring of neonatal hypoglycemic brain injury

Objective To investigate the relationship between abnormal electroencephalogram(EEG)results and clinical prognosis in hypoglycemic brain damage(HBD)in neonates,and to provide evidence for HBD diagnosis and prevention.Methods A total of 100 neonates admitted to the hospital were studied and divided into two groups:hypoglycemic group(n = 52)and normal controls(n = 48).Neonates in hypoglycemic group were divided into two subgroups:symptomatic hypoglycemic group(group A,n = 25)and asymptomatic hypoglycemic group(group B,n = 27).Blood glucose was monitored in all neonates immediately after admission and EEG examination was performed 24-72 hours after admission.Repeated EEG examination was performed in hypoglycemic group 2 weeks after admission.Results Hypoglycemic brain damage was commonly associated with seizure,lethargy and decreased muscle tone.Coma and respiratory failure could be observed in some severe cases.HBD could also cause irreversible brain damage and some degree of sequelae including cognitive disorder,epilepsy and cerebral palsy.Abnormal EEG incidence was significantly higher in hypoglycemic group(73.1%,38/52)than in control group(12.5%,6/48)(χ2 = 37.17,P 0.005).Abnormal EEG incidence was significantly higher in symptomatic hypoglycemic group(96%,24/25) than in asymptomatic hypoglycemic group(51.9%,14/27)(χ2 = 10.7,P 0.005).Conclusions Neonatal HBD is closely associated with the severity and duration of hypoglycemia.EEG can objectively and directly reflect the function and lesion extent of damaged brain cells and provide a tool for early evaluating the degree and prognosis of brain damage.
Investigation on organophosphorus pesticide residue in vegetables in Xingtai City

[Objective]To understand the status of organophosphorus pesticide residue in vegetables in Xingtai City,provide the basis for protecting the health of residents.[Methods]During the years of 2010-2012,10 sampling points(4 from Qiaodong District and 6 from Qiaoxi District) were selected among the agricultural markets and supermarkets by the method of lattice,and random sampling was conducted.Gas chromatography was used to analyze 23 types of organophosphorus pesticide residue in 8 types of vegetables,including fresh kidney beans,rape,etc.[Results]During the years of 2010-2012,the annual detection rate was respectively 18.5%,18.5% and 22.0%,while the over standard rate was respectively 4.5%,4.0% and 4.0%.Among those sampling vegetables,the detection rates of pesticide residue in cabbage,chives,rape and fresh kidney beans were higher,while the over standard rates in cabbage,rape and chives were higher.Some illegal organophosphorus pesticides(acephatemet and parathion) have been found in vegetable samples.[Conclusion]Pollution in vegetables by organophosphorus pesticides is relatively serious.The related departments should strengthen the management.
Association Between Quality Measures and Mortality in Individuals With Co-Occurring Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders.

Abstract Importance Individuals with co-occurring mental and substance use disorders have increased rates of mortality relative to the general population. The relationship between measures of treatment quality and mortality for these individuals is unknown. Objective To examine the association between 5 quality measures and 12- and 24-month mortality. Design, setting and participants Retrospective cohort study of patients with co-occurring mental illness (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and major depression) and substance use disorders who received care for these disorders paid for by the Veterans Administration between October 2006 and September 2007. Logistic regression models were used to examine the association between 12 and 24-month mortality and 5 patient-level quality measures, while risk-adjusting for patient characteristics. Quality measures included receipt of psychosocial treatment, receipt of psychotherapy, treatment initiation and engagement, and a measure of continuity of care. We also examined the relationship between number of diagnosis-related outpatient visits and mortality, and conducted sensitivity analyses to examine the robustness of our findings to an unobserved confounder. Main outcomes measure Mortality 12 and 24 months after the end of the observation period. Results All measures except for treatment engagement at 24 months were significantly associated with lower mortality at both 12 and 24 months. At 12 months, receiving any psychosocial treatment was associated with a 21% decrease in mortality; psychotherapy, a 22% decrease; treatment initiation, a 15% decrease, treatment engagement, a 31% decrease; and quarterly, diagnosis-related visits a 28% decrease. Increasing numbers of visits were associated with decreasing mortality. Sensitivity analyses indicated that the difference in the prevalence of an unobserved confounder would have to be unrealistically large given the observed data, or there would need to be a large effect of an unobserved confounder, to render these findings non-significant. Conclusions and relevance This is the first study to show an association between process–based quality measures and mortality in patients with co-occurring mental and substance use disorders, and provides initial support for the predictive validity of the measures. By devising strategies to improve performance on these measures, health care systems may be able to decrease the mortality of this vulnerable population.
Impact of the interactions of CYP2B6*6 and CYP2A6 Polymorphisms on the treatment of nicotine dependence

Introduction CYP B and CYP A metabolize nicotine and are involved in nicotine dependence treatment Although evidence suggests they may interact to influence nicotine dependence treatment outcome in terms of nicotine dependence and withdrawal syndromes and therapy types placebo bupropion and NRT the significance of their interaction in nicotine cessation has not been fully substantiated and clarified Methods A total of individuals consisting of Caucasians and African Americans were studied Nicotine dependence and withdrawal syndrome scores were evaluated using the Fagerstr m Test for Nicotine Dependence FTND and Wisconsin Inventory of Smoking Dependence Motives WISDM scales respectively Participants were required to smoke at least ten cigarettes per day and underwent specific therapy types placebo NRT or bupropion over a week period and subsequently reported their quitting status at months post treatment Participants were also screened for SNPs CYP A A rs H rs A rs A rs A rs and CYP B rs for nicotine genotype analysis Results Gene variants were uniformly distributed in the population with p values based on the chi squared test Logistics regression analysis showed CYP A A was most significantly associated to the odds ratio OR of quitting smoking in each treatment group with nicotine dependence syndrome OR CI and A in individuals with nicotine withdrawal syndrome OR CI ANOVA test also showed a strong main interaction effect between CYP B A A and A gene variants in the bupropion group Conclusion CYP A and CYP B may interact to increase the likelihood of a successful outcome of nicotine dependence treatment
Effects of altered atmospheric nutrient deposition from Alberta oil sands development on Sphagnum fuscum growth and C, N and S accumulation in peat

Associated with the development of the oil sands resource in northern Alberta, Canada are elevated emissions of NOx and SOx from diesel-fueled vehicle and upgrader stack emissions. Ultimately these emissions are returned to regional terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems in the form of elevated atmospheric N and S deposition. About 30 % of the regional landscape is covered with peatlands, including ombrotrophic bogs that receive nutrient inputs solely from the atmosphere. From 2009 to 2014 we examined the effects of N and S deposition on Sphagnum fuscum growth and on recent net accumulation of C, N, and S in peat in six bogs, located between 11 and 251 km from the oil sands industrial center. Averaged across all sites and years, average deposition of NH4 +–N, NO3 −–N, DIN, SO4 2−–S, Ca2+, Mg2+, and ortho-P was 0.52, 0.64, 1.17, 7.70, 10.04, 3.29, and 0.15 kg ha−1 year−1. Deposition of NO3 −–N, DIN, SO4 2−–S, Ca2+, and Mg2+ decreased exponentially with distance from the industrial center. Averaged across all sites and years, vertical growth and NPP of S. fuscum was 16.6 ± 0.6 mm and 259 ± 9 g m−2 per growing season, increasing exponentially with proximity to the industrial center. Correlations suggested that climatic factors, and in particular late growing season precipitation and the growing season Aridity Index (potential evapotranspiration to precipitation ratio) may be more important than the chemistry of atmospheric deposition in affecting S. fuscum growth. Across all sites and years, net C, N, and S accumulation in peat over the most recent 25 years averaged 67, 1.29, and 0.30 g m−2 year−1 and increased with proximity to the industrial center. Over the past 25–50 years, net C, N, and S accumulation in peat was lower than in surface peat, with only net S accumulation exhibiting an increase with proximity to the industrial center. In a region where bogs have persisted on the landscape for millennia with low atmospheric deposition of elements, changing precipitation chemistry, and in particular elevated deposition of N, S, Ca and Mg, related to oil sands development is influencing bog function, as evidenced by S. fuscum growth and biogeochemical responses.
Baffled Apocalypse: Heartbreak House and Back to Methuselah

The anti-sublime is not to be found again in any major effort by Shaw. (I say ‘major’ because the minor late sketch, ‘Why She Would Not’, captures a little of its spirit.) It is certainly true that the theme of romantic disappointment — heartbreak — informs his next important play, begun in 1913 though not completed until the war was well along and had left its mark upon it. But, despite a certain similarity of theme between Pygmalion and Heartbreak House, the two plays are fundamentally different in tone.
Self-directed Learning: a conceptual and methodological exploration

(1985). Self-directed Learning: a conceptual and methodological exploration. Studies in the Education of Adults: Vol. 17, No. 1, pp. 19-32.
Redefining Offer in Contract Law

A fundamental question of contract law is: What facts create the legal relationship called a contract (and hence create a legal duty to perform the promise or promises within that relationship)? Every judge, lawyer, and law student knows that the manifestation of mutual assent ordinarily takes the form of an offer and an acceptance and includes the element of consideration. There should thus be a clear distinction between these three elements. Contract law's generally accepted definition of offer, however, overlaps with the element of consideration by incorporating the proposal of a bargain, potentially resulting in confusion when analyzing contract formation. The author argues that at least for the purpose of using contract elements as a tool for determining formation, contract law's definition of offer should be changed and any reference to proposing a bargain should be removed along with other revisions.
Hypermethylation of antisense long noncoding RNAs in acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Aim: Long noncoding RNAs serve critical regulatory functions highly specific for a tissue and its developmental stage. Antisense long ncRNA (AS-lncRNA) methylation changes in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) versus normal pre-B-cell lymphoblasts were evaluated to identify potential differential methylation in this group of genes. Materials & methods: The methylome of ALL and normal lymphoblasts was examined by the methylated CpG island recovery assay followed by NGS. Conclusion: The potential effect of trans regulation by AS-lncRNA through DNA/RNA binding is significant as sequence alignment analysis of the 25 most differentially methylated AS-lncRNAs revealed 368 genes containing highly similar sequences with a median nucleotide identity of 90.8% and binding span of 122 base pairs. Regulation of biological processes and anatomical structure development were over represented. ALL classification schemes based on AS-lncRNA methylation can provide new insights into its pathogenesis and treatment.
Pain Management in Penile Prosthetic Surgery: A Review of the Literature.

Abstract Introduction The literature on perioperative pain control and management in inflatable penile prosthesis placement is not firmly established. Because inflatable penile prosthesis placement is an elective procedure, pain can be one of the many issues that influence patient decision making. Pain control also presents a unique challenge to providers in an era of widespread opiate abuse. Aim To review published data on pain management before, during, and after penile prosthetic surgery. Methods Peer-reviewed literature and conference abstracts were analyzed for all relevant publications related to this issue. Results The past several decades have seen a shift from general to local anesthesia for penile prosthetic surgery. This has been well characterized and is seen as successful with different local anesthetic options and techniques. To date, only one study has provided follow-up for longer than 1 week regarding postoperative pain management for prosthetic surgery. Conclusion Perioperative pain management for the patient receiving a penile prosthetic is well characterized; postoperative pain management is not. Although periprocedural local anesthesia has been well described for penile prosthesis surgery, a standardized postoperative pain management plan does not exist. This review highlights the need for further characterization of postoperative pain and the subsequent development of an algorithmic approach for management. Reinstatler L, Shee K, Gross MS. Pain Management in Penile Prosthetic Surgery: A Review of the Literature. Sex Med Rev 2018;6:162–169.
Stress and Coping in Homeless Children

The possible moderating effects of social support and self-competence on the relationship between stressful life events and behavior problems were examined in 49 homeless children residing in shelters in New York City. The children's mothers were administered measures of their children's stressful life events, social support, and behavior problems; the children themselves were administered measures of their social support and perceived self-competence. There was support for the buffering hypothesis for social support, with the mothers' perceptions of their children's social support moderating a relationship between stressful life events and behavior problems. Social support also was related to self-competence and to behavior problems. The children's perceived self-competence did not function as a moderator. Implications for preventively oriented interventions with homeless children are discussed.
Models, models, models: a deflationary view

In this essay, I first consider a popular view of models and modeling, the similarity view. Second, I contend that arguments for it fail and it suffers from what I call “Hughes’ worry.” Third, I offer a deflationary approach to models and modeling that avoids Hughes’ worry and shows how scientific representations are of apiece with other types of representations. Finally, I consider an objection that the similarity view can deal with approximations better than the deflationary view and show that this is not so.
Freedom in the Night, Antebellum Slave Life After Dark

The movement of slaves during the night is not an area that seems to have generated much conversation among scholars. The main narrative that slaves fall into is that of the brutality and oppression they endured in the South. While that narrative is important to reconstruct, the movements and actions of slaves after their work hours is just as crucial to our understanding. Looking at slave choices during the night can speak to what male and female slaves wanted for themselves as well as their families. Stephanie Camp and Deborah White both speak at great lengths in their books of the slave’s nights, especially those of female slaves. Larry Hudson’s book, To Have and To Hold, focuses on the nuclear slave family and included descriptions of their activities during the hours of darkness. The topic of slavery brings about many questions, but observing slave movements occurring at night may answer some of those questions. What roles did men take on during the night? What were the responsibilities of women after work hours? Did night play a significant role in slaves attempting or successfully running away? What was the reaction of white Southerners to slave mobility during the dark and did this mobility threaten daytime work? What were the sleeping conditions of slaves? In the antebellum South, nighttime offered slaves more than sleep. Night for slaves allowed them greater freedom such as white men experienced during the day. A sense of freedom existed for slaves, both male and female, during the hours of darkness: freedom not just from exhaustive hours of labor, but the freedom of choice in how to spend their time without the watchful eye of overseers.
Referenced MR thermometry using three-echo phase-based fat water separation method.

Abstract A three-point image reconstruction method for internally referenced MR thermometry was developed. The technique exploits the fact that temperature-induced changes in the water resonance frequency are small relative to the chemical shift difference between water and fat signals. This property enabled the use of small angle approximations to derive an analytic phase-based fat-water separation method for MR thermometry. Ethylene glycol and cream cool-down experiments were performed to validate measurement technique. Over a cool-down temperature range of 20 °C, maximum deviation between probe and MR measurement (averaged over 1.3 cm3 region surrounding probe) was 0.6 °C and 1.1 °C for ethylene glycol and cream samples, respectively.
Electrode redox reactions with polarizable molecules

A theory of redox reactions involving electron transfer between a metal electrode and a polarizable molecule in solution is formulated. Both the existence of molecular polarizability and its ability to change due to electron transfer distinguish this problem from classical theories of interfacial electrochemistry. When the polarizability is different between the oxidized and reduced states, the statistics of thermal fluctuations driving the reactant over the activation barrier becomes non-Gaussian. The problem of electron transfer is formulated as crossing of two non-parabolic free energy surfaces. An analytical solution for these free energy surfaces is provided and the activation barrier of electrode electron transfer is given in terms of two reorganization energies corresponding to the oxidized and reduced states of the molecule in solution. The new non-Gaussian theory is, therefore, based on two theory parameters in contrast to one-parameter Marcus formulation for electrode reactions. The theory, which is consistent with the Nernst equation, predicts asymmetry between the cathodic and anodic branches of the electrode current. They show different slopes at small electrode overpotentials and become curved at larger overpotentials. However, the curvature of the Tafel plot is reduced compared to the Marcus-Hush model and approaches the empirical Butler-Volmer form with different transfer coefficients for the anodic and cathodic currents.
Common problems in the emergency department in a child with known heart disease

Children with underlying heart disease often present to the emergency department (ED) with common pediatric illnesses. In addition to the morbidity from the illness itself, these illnesses can further alter the fragile cardiovascular physiology in children with underlying heart disease placing them at a higher risk for complications and mortality. In this chapter, we will provide case-based scenarios of common pediatric conditions such as bronchiolitis, croup, and acute gastroenteritis in children with underlying heart disease to provide a framework for their management. We will also review the changes in the cardiovascular physiology secondary to such illness and their implications in the management of such patients.
Analysis of Classical and Alternate Hexacopter Configurations with Single Rotor Failure

This study examines hexacopter performance in hover and forward flight with single rotor failure. A classical configuration (adjacent rotors spinning in opposite directions) and an alternate config...
Construction and Computation of a New Set of Orthogonal Polynomials

In this paper we will discuss how to construct and compute a new set of orthogonal polynomials from an existing one. For a given pair of positive integers (n, r) and a given positive measure dσ(t), we will construct a set of orthogonal polynomials corresponding to the modified measure \( d\hat \sigma \left( t \right) = {\left( {{\pi _n}\left( t \right)} \right)^{2r}}d\sigma \left( t \right)\). For r = 2 and the first-kind Chebyshev measure we are able to find explicit formulas for the recurrence coefficients of the new set of polynomials. A conjecture is made on those coefficients for any positive integer r and the first-kind Chebyshev measure. For r = 2 and arbitrary measures, a computational method is proposed. Other results are also stated.
Money: Anthropological Aspects

From its traditional concern with ‘primitive’ moneys and definitional quandaries over the nature of money in small-scale and nonmarket societies, anthropology more recently has considered money's meanings in multiple, overlapping spatial, cultural, and temporal milieu, as well as the pragmatics of money – what it does and how it signifies, rather than what it is or what it signifies. Early twenty-first century business interests in divesting the state of its monopoly over the legitimate means of exchange open new frontiers for the anthropology of money and value.
Nonsmooth Analysis and Free Boundary Problems for Potential Flow

New approach to some Free boundary problems, is introduced. Those problems are studied first by Alt and Caffarelli [2] in the case of a potential flow. Their approach seem not to be possible to extend to the case of a Stokes flow. In this paper, the variable domain problem is relaxed so that it becomes a nonsmooth optimization problem on the fixed domain for the somewhat singular state equation. State equation is considered, and the multivalued generalized gradient of the variational functional is studied. Here, we considered Potential flow.
Dispersion-Controlled Regioselective Acid-Catalyzed Intramolecular Hydroindolation of cis-Methindolylstyrenes To Access Tetrahydrobenzo[ cd]indoles.

Readily prepared cis-β-(α′,α′-dimethyl)-4′-methindolylstyrenes undergo acid-catalyzed intramolecular hydroindolation to afford tetrahydrobenzo[cd]indoles. Our experimental and computational investigations suggest that dispersive interactions between the indole and styrene preorganize substrates such that 6-membered ring formation is preferred, apparently via concerted protonation and C–C bond formation. When dispersion is attenuated (by a substituent or heteroatom), regioselectivity erodes and competing oligomerization predominates for cis substrates. Similarly, all trans-configured substrates that we evaluated failed to cyclize efficiently.
Pure autonomic failure presenting as Harlequin syndrome.

Abstract Pure autonomic failure (PAF) is a progressive syndrome of neurogenic orthostatic hypotension, widespread anhidrosis, urinary retention, and constipation without other neurologic manifestations. It is generally considered a peripheral ganglionic synucleinopathy. Natural history studies have described risk factors for the conversion of PAF to Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, or dementia with Lewy bodies, yet the early stages of PAF are not well characterized. We present a patient with unilateral anhidrosis, contralateral facial flushing and hyperhidrosis consistent with Harlequin syndrome that, over 6 years, progressed to PAF, suggesting that PAF may present with focal autonomic impairment prior to generalized autonomic failure.
Inositol Trisphosphate Kinase and Diphosphoinositol Pentakisphosphate Kinase Enzymes Constitute the Inositol Pyrophosphate Synthesis Pathway in Plants

ABSTRACT Inositol pyrophosphates (PP-InsPs) are an emerging class of “high-energy” intracellular signaling molecules containing one or two diphosphate groups attached to an inositol ring, with suggested roles in bioenergetic homeostasis and inorganic phosphate (Pi) sensing. Information regarding the biosynthesis of these unique class of signaling molecules in plants is scarce, however the enzymes responsible for their biosynthesis in other eukaryotes have been well described. Here we report the characterization of the two Arabidopsis VIP kinase domains, a newly discovered activity of the Arabidopsis ITPK1 and ITPK2 enzymes, and the subcellular localization of the enzymes involved in the synthesis of InsP6 and PP-InsPs. Our data indicate that AtVIP1-KD and AtVIP2-KD act primarily as 1PP-specific Diphosphoinositol Pentakisphosphate Kinases (PPIP5) Kinases. The AtITPK enzymes, in contrast, can function as InsP6 kinases, and thus are the missing enzyme in the plant PP-InsP synthesis pathway. Together, these enzyme classes can function in plants to produce PP-InsPs, which have been implicated in signal transduction and Pi sensing pathways. We measured a higher InsP7 level (increased InsP7/InsP8 ratio) in vip1/vip2 double loss-of-function mutants, and an accumulation of InsP8 (decreased InsP7/InsP8 ratio) in the 35S:VIP2 overexpression line relative to wild-type plants. We also report that enzymes involved in the synthesis of InsPs and PP-InsPs accumulate within the nucleus and cytoplasm of plant cells. Our work defines a molecular basis for understanding how plants synthesize PP-InsPs which is crucial for determining the roles of these signaling molecules in processes such as Pi sensing. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Inositol pyrophosphate signaling molecules are of agronomic importance as they can control complex responses to the limited nutrient, phosphate. This work fills in the missing steps in the inositol pyrophosphate synthesis pathway and points to a role for these molecules in the plant cell nucleus. This is an important advance that can help us design future strategies to increase phosphate efficiency in plants.