cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Can Morningstar Analyst Ratings Predict Fund Performance

This paper analyzes the Morningstar Inc.s new Analyst Ratings that were introduced in November 2011. The ratings are intended to help investors make long-term investment decisions. According to Morningstar, these ratings reflect the long-term risk-adjusted performance of mutual funds. This paper examines whether the Analyst Ratings can predict future fund performance. We assume that the rated funds would have a similar rating in 2010, since they are not based on short-term performance measures, and using quantile regressions, we find that the Analyst Ratings are significantly positively related to future fund performance, measured by Alpha in 2012, that captures the performance over the past three years, 2010, 2011, and 2012. The Analyst Rating is a synthesis of five individual aspects (pillars) of a fund, namely, People, Parent, Process, Performance, and Price. We also find that funds with a higher People Rating will perform better in the future. Since Morningstar contends that the Analyst Ratings are not based on short-term measures of performance, we test this statement also, and using Ordinary Least Squares model find that these ratings are in fact, significantly positively related to contemporaneous fund performance, using the Sharpe Ratio, as a measure. In spite of the assumptions made in this analysis, we argue that these results are important as this paper is the first to analyze the Analyst Ratings and we present some important findings.
Recombinant Factor VIIa for Bleeding in Non-hemophiliac Pediatric Patients

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the use of recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) for the treatment of bleeding in nonhemophiliac children. METHODS This was a retrospective chart review of all patients < 18 years of age who received rFVIIa over a 2 year period. RESULTS Twenty-four pediatric patients received a total of 240 doses of rFVIIa for treatment of bleeding. Recombinant factor VIIa was effective in achieving bleeding resolution in 54% of patients. The mean age of patients in the bleeding non-resolution versus resolution group was 50% younger (5.5 vs. 10.3 years, P = 0.104). CONCLUSIONS Bleeding resolution can be achieved with recombinant factor VIIa using similar doses to those recommended for children with hemophilia. Widespread use of rFVIIa for bleeding in children without hemophilia is not warranted given this efficacy data. Further safety studies are needed with rFVIIa in this population to clarify thrombotic risks.
The influence of stimulus and background colour on signal visibility in the lizard Anolis cristatellus.

Anoline lizards communicate with visual displays in which they open and close a colourful throat fan called the dewlap. We used a visual fixation reflex as an assay to test the effects of stimulus versus background chromatic and brightness contrast on the probability of detecting a moving coloured (i.e. dewlap-like) stimulus in Anolis cristatellus. The probability of stimulus detection depended on two additive visual-system channels, one responding to brightness contrast and one responding to chromatic contrast, independent of brightness. The brightness channel was influenced only by wavelengths longer than 450nm and probably received input only from middle- and/or long-wavelength photoreceptors. The chromatic contrast channel appeared to receive input from three, or possibly four, different classes of cone in the anoline retina, including one with peak sensitivity in the ultraviolet. We developed a multi-linear regression equation that described most of the results of this study to a reasonable degree of accuracy. In the future, this equation could be used to predict the relative visibility of different-coloured stimuli in different habitat light conditions, which should be very useful for testing hypotheses that attempt to relate habitat light conditions and visual-system response to the evolution of signal design.
Happiness and Life Satisfaction in Malaysia

Because of the rich ethnic, racial, religious, and linguistic diversity in Malaysia, a growing number of studies have investigated the subjective wellbeing of Malaysians. Also, the results from past studies suggest that Malaysians are, comparatively, a bit less happy than citizens in Western countries. We examined the average life satisfaction scores for Malaysians compared to Americans using the last wave of data from the World Values Survey (WVS) database. To better understand the predictors of happiness and life satisfaction we compared two regression models using the WVS data. These regression models demonstrate that for the most part, for Malaysia, increased health leads to increased happiness, while increased financial satisfaction leads to increased life satisfaction.
Observations on Feeding and Movement of Tobacco Hornworm Larvae

Eighteen mature potted tobacco plants were set up in isolated rows under constant light in an experimental room held at a mean temperature of 25.6°C and 75% relative humidity. Eggs of the tobacco hornworm moth, Manduca sexta (Johannson), were placed on leaves of 6 plants which were designated P-5, P-10, P-15, P-30, P-60, and P-90, according to the number of eggs placed on the plants. Intraplant movement did not occur until larvae had completed all of the 3rd and part of the 4th instars and had consumed most, if not all, of the leaf where the eggs had been placed. Interplant movement became evident as the plants were denuded and was most evident on plants P-30 P-60, and P-90. Larvae on P-10 and P-15 did not appear to be any more crowded than those on P-5, which was used as the control. The study demonstrated that movement of tobacco hornworm larvae between plants does occur but only under abnormally crowded conditions.
RT-35ELAPSED DAYS AFTER RADIOTHERAPY FOR GLIOBLASTOMA.

BACKGROUND: There have been conflicting reports regarding the effect of delayed radiation therapy after surgical resection of glioblastoma (GBM) on outcomes. We sought to investigate whether the timing of adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) impacted survival of patients at our institution. METHODS: We reviewed all patients treated with radiotherapy for GBM at our institution. Variables included in our analysis were age, Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS), type of surgery, length of hospital stay, receipt of temozolomide (TMZ), RT duration, RT technique, total RT dose, interval between surgery and RT, and tumor molecular status including isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH-1) and O-6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT). Survival was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier Method. RESULTS: From 1998 to 2013, 419 GBM patients were treated with radiotherapy of which 239 were men (57.0%). The median age was 60 years (range 18–91). The median survival for the entire cohort was 339 days (11.1 months). 151 patients started radiotherapy after surgery 5 weeks (20.8%). On univariate analysis age, KPS, type of surgery, length of hospital stay, RT duration, RT technique, total dose and interval between surgery and RT were significant predictors of mortality. IDH-1 (p = 0.17) and MGMT (p = 0.18) mutated status showed a trend towards better survival. Patients who started RT 5 weeks after surgery with the 1-year actuarial overall survival: 52.4%, 63.6% and 63.9%, respectively. On multivariate analysis only age, KPS, type of surgery, and total RT dose were significant predictors of survival; while interval between surgery and RT was not. CONCLUSIONS: We observed no detriment to delaying RT after surgical resection of GBM, and in fact, a small benefit to deferring RT until 3 weeks after surgery was observed on univariate analysis.
Acetic acid: A contrast agent in optical imaging and spectroscopy of tissue

Contrast agents are commonly applied to tissue in vitro and in vivo to aid in the extraction of diagnostically useful information from the sample. For example, staining techniques are commonly used to highlight cellular structures when using light microscopy to examine tissue samples. On a more gross level, sensitive differentiation between normal tissue and neoplasia in various tissue sites has been recently demonstrated through the use of 5-aminolevulinic acid induced protoporphyrin IX fluorescence [1].
A taxonomy of state public health preparedness units: an empirical examination of organizational structure.

OBJECTIVE State public health preparedness units (SPHPUs) were developed in response to federal funding to improve response to disasters: a responsibility that had not traditionally been within the purview of public health. The SPHPUs were created within the existing public health organizational structure, and their placement may have implications for how the unit functions, how communication takes place, and ultimately how well the key responsibilities are performed. This study empirically identifies a taxonomy of similarly structured SPHPUs and examines whether this structure is associated with state geographic, demographic, and threat-vulnerability characteristics. DESIGN Data representing each SPHPU were extracted from publically available sources, including organizational charts and emergency preparedness plans for 2009. A cross-sectional segmentation analysis was conducted of variables representing structural attributes. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Fifty state public health departments. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Variables representing "span of control" and "hierarchal levels" were extracted from organizational charts. Structural "complexity" and "centralization" were extracted from state emergency preparedness documents and other secondary sources. RESULTS On average, 6.6 people report to the same manager as the SPHPU director; 2.1 levels separate the SPHPU director from the state health officer; and a mean of 13.5 agencies collaborate with SPHPU during a disaster. Despite considerable variability in how SPHPUs had been structured, results of the cluster and principal component analysis identified 7 similarly structured groups. Neither the taxonomic groups nor the individual variables representing structure were found to be associated with state characteristics, including threat vulnerabilities. CONCLUSIONS Our finding supports the hypothesis that SPHPUs are seemingly inadvertently (eg, not strategically) organized. This taxonomy provides the basis for which future research can examine how SPHPU structure relates to performance measures and preparedness strategies.
Genetics and Synergism of Resistance to Azinphosmethyl and Permethrin in the Colorado Potato Beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

A strain of Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), from Massachusetts was 435 times more resistant to azinphosmethyl than a susceptible strain from North Carolina. Reciprocal backcrosses suggested that resistance is due to a single incompletely dominant autosomal factor. Dominance may be influenced by the genome of the insect strain. Azinphosmethyl was synergized with an esterase inhibitor, S, S, S-tributyl phosphorotrithioate, in susceptible and resistant strains; moderate levels of synergism occurred with the glutathione-S-transferase inhibitor diethyl maleate and the monooxygenase inhibitor piperonly butoxide in only the resistant strains. Permethrin resistance was 55 times greater in the Massachusetts resistant strain compared with the susceptible strain. Reciprocal backcrosses suggested that permethrin resistance is due to a sex-linked, semirecessive factor that appears to confer cross-resistance to other pyrethroids, although not at the same levels as to permethrin. Permethrin was synergized by S, S, S-tributyl phosphorotrithioate and piperonyl butoxide in susceptible and resistant strains, but synergism was enhanced in the resistant strains. Diethyl maleate did not synergize permethrin in the susceptible strain but synergized the Massachusetts strain.
The Prognostic of Acute Lymphoblastic leukemia Affecting by Somatotype

Objective: To analysis the somatotype of acute lymphoblastic leukemia influenced the prognostic,in order to provide basis for clinical treatment.Methods: A retrospective analysis of the clinical data for 36 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in our hospital Jan.2007 to Dec.2010,to compare the prognostic.Results: The rate of first guide CR(X2=1.087,P0.05)and the rate of CR(X2=0.607,P0.05)of ALL-L1、ALL-L2 and ALL-L3 weren't statistical different significantly.The time of reached CR(t=6.001,P0.05)and the rate of 3-year-survied(X2=9.458,P0.05)of ALL-L1,ALL-L2 and ALL-L3 were statistical different significantly.The rate of first guide CR(X2=8.891,P0.05),The time of reached CR(t=6.361,P0.05),the rate of CR(X2=11.892,P0.05)of T-ALL,B-ALL were statistical different significantly.The rate of 3-year-survied(X2=1.536,P0.05)wasn't statistical different significantly.The rate of first guide CR(X2=0.494,P0.05)and the rate of CR(X2=0.405,P0.05)of the three of B-ALL weren't statistical different significantly.The time of reached CR(t=7.007,P0.05)and the rate of 3-year-survied(X2=6.609,P0.05)were statistical different significantly.Conclusion: The prognostic of ALL and the somatotype have relationship,so ALL were crued with individual factors for children.
Association of Prescription Drug Price Rebates in Medicare Part D With Patient Out-of-Pocket and Federal Spending.

The increasing cost of prescription drugs is a burden for patients and threatens the financial stability of the US health care system. Rebates are a form of price concession paid by a pharmaceutical manufacturer to the health plan sponsor or the pharmacy benefit manager working on the plan’s behalf. Proponents argue that rebates result from vigorous negotiations that help lower overall drug costs. Critics argue that rebates have perversely increased the costs patients pay out of pocket, as well as the costs for Medicare as a whole. This special communication discusses how the availability of rebates for drugs covered by the Medicare Part D program may raise costs for patients and Medicare while increasing the profits of Part D plan sponsors and pharmaceutical manufacturers. Two policy alternatives are herein proposed that would reconfigure cost sharing to lower patient out-of-pocket costs and reduce cost shifting to Medicare.
Evidence-Based Instructional Strategies for Adult Learners: A Review of the Literature

Students who are older than age 25 are increasingly becoming a higher portion of enrollments in higher education. These students, known as adult learners, have different educational needs, expectations, and interests than traditional college students because they enter college with life and work experiences as well as responsibilities. Andragogy is the main theory of adult learning that addresses ways to teach adult learners. While the construct of andragogy is subject to debate, the education field draws on its findings to create learning environments for adult learners. Academic libraries can apply andragogy in their library and information literacy instructional practices. This literature review examines articles in education and library science to summarize key strategies in providing evidence-based instructional strategies to address the needs of adult learners, and identifies the need for further studies on applying andragogy in library instruction.
Mammographic abnormalities of the skin and subcutaneous tissues

Primary attention is often directed toward examination of the breast parenchyma rather than the skin and subcutaneous tissue. Important radiographic changes should not be overlooked in this latter area because they may be the only sign of disease within the breast or draw attention to accompanying pathologic change in the underlying breast tissue. Three categories of abnormality are seen in the skin and subcutaneous tissue: (1) skin thickening, either diffuse or focal; (2) calcifications; and (3) subcutaneous masses. Examples of these are illustrated, and imaging strategies, including ultrasound and CT, are discussed.
Iron-sulfur clusters and cysteine distribution in a ferredoxin from Azotobactervinelandii

Abstract In 80% dimethyl sulfoxide/H2O, Azotobacter ferredoxin FeS clusters can be extruded with benzene thiol. The extruded clusters have an absorption spectra maximum at 458 nm which is characteristic of 4Fe4S centers. The amino terminal sequence of the Azotobacter ferredoxin has 7 of the 8 Cys residues at residue numbers 8, 11, 16, 20, 24, 39 and 42. Except for Cys 24, all of these residues can be correlated to homologous Cys residues in other bacterial ferredoxins. Although two thirds of the first 45 residues are identical to or conservative replacements for the first 43 residues of other bacterial ferredoxins, the insertion of Cys-24 indicates a major change in the environment of one of the two 4Fe4S clusters.
Feed intake and weight gain of growing goats fed diets of various energy and protein levels.

Growing goats, 45 Alpine and 45 Nubian, were used in a 3 x 3 factorial arrangement to quantify the influence of dietary energy and protein levels on daily DM intake and nutrient utilization for growth. Goats had ad libitum access to complete mixed diets containing either 2.46, 2.77 or 3.05 Mcal/kg ME plus 11.2, 12.7 or 15.1% CP for 16 wk. Dry matter intake decreased curvilinearly as dietary ME density increased (P less than .001). Dry matter intake increased linearly (P less than .05) as dietary CP level increased during all growth intervals except wk 25 to 28 of age. Average daily gain was 115, 113 and 99 g/d for goats fed diets containing 2.46, 2.77 and 3.05 Mcal/kg ME, respectively. Average daily gain was 104, 106 and 117 g/d for goats fed diets with 11.2, 12.7 and 15.1% CP, respectively. Dry matter intake was higher (P less than .01) for Alpine than for Nubian goats, whereas ADG was similar between breeds. Intake of ME was 248, 260 and 198 kcal/(kg.75.d) for goats fed the low- medium- and high-energy diets, respectively. Intake of CP was 9.1, 10.7 and 13.2 g/(kg.75.d) for goats fed low-, medium- and high-protein diets, respectively. Average requirements for growth derived from regression analysis of all data points were 4.6 kcal ME and .26 g CP/g ADG. The prediction equation for intake of growing goats of 4 to 8 mo of age was: DMI, g/d = 1,749 - 496 DE, kcal/g + 18 live weight, kg + 3 ADG, g/d; r2 = .73 (Sy.x = 127, P less than .0001, n = 90). The requirement of ME for growth was 33% lower than the value recommended in 1981 by the National Research Council.
A New, Necessary and Sufficient condition for Hurwitz Stability of a Real Matrix Without Characteristic Polynomial, Using Qualitative Reasoning

In this paper, we present a new, necessary and sufficient condition for Hurwitz stability of real matrix, using qualitative (based solely on sign pattern of the matrix) reasoning. This new stability condition, completely deviates from the age-old quantitative methods such as the Routh-Hurwitz criterion, Lyapunov Matrix Solution criterion and the related Fuller's criterion, which are all constrained by the similarity transformation phenomenon. Put it another way, this new condition does not need the formation of the characteristic polynomial at all and is based on the direct matrix entries' information. We propose a new, necessary and sufficient condition for the Hurwitz stability of any real matrix, in terms of three ‘critical matrix indices' each for the original matrix $A$ and its higher dimensional Bialternate sum matrix (labeled Fuller's matrix), denoted by $\mathscr{B}$ . Thus the new necessary and sufficient condition relies on the behavior of a total six ‘critical matrix indices’. It can be said that through the condition presented in this paper, we are assessing the Hurwitz stability of a real matrix without using the Routh-Hurwitz criterion. Examples are given to illustrate the proposed methodology along with a discussion of the attractive ‘convexity’ property of this new condition which is lacking in the current quantitative methods.
Educational Test Scores, Education Spending, and Productivity in Public Education: National Trends and Evidence Across States and Over Time, 1990-2015

We examine national trends in educational funding, test score outcomes, and productivity as well as variations in funding and test scores over time and across states to assess how changes in educational spending are (or are not) related to changes in educational test score outcomes for states. National trends show small increases in test scores, large increases in educational funding (until the last recession), and a continued fall in educational productivity. The cross-state, over time analysis indicates a statistically significant but very small association of state funding to test scores; so small that large changes in funding have little effect on scores. This is consistent with the continued decline in educational productivity. We also find similar results for black students, implying that the increased funding has not served to reduce racial inequality. We suggest that the continued decline in productivity of public schools adds further reason to question the ability of non-competitive, public organizations to improve educational performance and to look for alternatives that embrace or emulate private-sector, competitive organizations.
Using Rasch analysis to investigate the validity of the Everyday Discrimination Scale in a national sample.

The Everyday Discrimination Scale (EDS) is a widely used measure of discrimination. Rasch analysis was used to examine the psychometric properties of the EDS based on a national sample (N = 2666). ...
Wrist Fractures and Osteoporosis

Distal radial fractures account for up to 18% of all fractures in patients over 65 years of age, and osteoporosis is a predominant factor in these fractures. Fracture treatment may include closed reduction and casting/splinting, external fixation, and open reduction and internal fixation.
A Matter of Experience? Understanding the Decline in Group Lending

Group lending, often considered a key innovation driving the successful expansion of microcredit across the world, appears to be on the decline. Using MIX data on microfinance institutions (MFIs), we study this time trend, focusing on macroeconomic predictors of group lending and MFI experience. Results suggest that any movement away from group lending is better explained via MFIs gaining experience rather than a secular time trend. We also find that group lending is used more extensively in poorer and low‐growth economies. We argue that these findings can be understood within established views of group lending, and carry important implications for the historical and continuing importance of group lending.
The Way Forward: Food Systems for Enabling Rural Prosperity and Nutrition Security

In this chapter, we sum up policy recommendations required for creating robust food systems and for moving the country towards a nutrition secure future. In our food systems approach, policy recommendations made are multi-sectoral with an emphasis on (a) improving agricultural productivity with a view to increasing viability of smallholder agricultural systems; (b) increasing economic growth to ensure greater structural transformation and regional prosperity; and (c) linking agriculture and nutrition to ensure health and welfare growth go hand in hand. This approach takes into account the need to integrate efforts to increase rural prosperity, food production, nutrient availability, human capital, urban food security and employment with efforts towards climate change mitigation & adaptation. Such initiatives will be key to eliminate both regional and inter-personal inequality by 2050.
Hope, with Teeth: On “Black Museum”

“Black Museum,” the fourth season finale of Black Mirror (2011–), establishes for the first time that all the episodes of the series are in fact taking place in a single narrative storyworld. This chapter thus reads “Black Museum” as Black Mirror’s first articulation of its overall series mythology: the development and enslavement of artificially intelligent minds called “cookies,” digital copies of human minds whose rights and freedoms are incredibly precarious and a site of ongoing political struggle. “Black Museum” tells us the story of one of the main architects of this sociotechnological regime, as well as the story of the young black woman who seeks him out both for revenge and to liberate the enslaved cookie of her deceased father; the episode thus unites Black Mirror’s typical meditation on the emergence of transhuman technologies with new questions of anti-racist and anti-capitalist struggle. The episode is also singular in the context of Black Mirror for its complex but overall happy ending, exemplifying the strange notion of “hope with teeth” that China Mieville argues is necessary for utopian thinking in the present.
A Dual Process Theory Explanation for Door-in-the-Face Effectiveness

AbstractTwo field experiments demonstrate that additive effects of heuristic and systematic processing can explain door-in-the-face technique (DITF) compliance. In Study 1, additive effects of heur...
School Websites: A Physical Education and Physical Activity Content Analysis.

Background Schools are important venues for providing and promoting physical activity, but little is known about how school websites are being used for these purposes. Completing a content analysis of existing school websites is essential to understanding their function and value relative to supporting physical education (PE) and physical activity. Methods We conducted a quantitative, cross-sectional, systematic content analysis to analyze and identify correlates of the website features of 990 private elementary schools located in 325 California cities/localities. Results Nearly all schools (98%) had a functioning website, but PE and physical activity content were displayed sparsely and inconspicuously. Regression models identified 10 predictors of website PE/physical activity content, including religious affiliation and having a separate webpage for PE. Conclusions Websites can serve many functions, including providing information on the school vision/goals, curriculum content, class schedules, extracurricular activities, and core topics. This study is among the first to carry out a systematic analysis of school websites relative to PE and physical activity. Schools did not use the full potential of their websites to inform constituents about physical activity or to promote it. Schools should scrutinize their websites to ensure content and messaging are consistent with enabling students to engage in sufficient health-promoting physical activity.
EVIDENCE OF FIXED ISTHMUS BOUNDARIES FOR HUMAN REENTRY DURING SINUS RHYTHM:VALUE OF DIFFERENTIAL PACING WITH IMPLICATIONS FOR CATHETER ABLATION OF VENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA

It is controversial whether the isthmus boundaries for reentrant ventricular tachycardia (VT) are due to fixed or functional lines of block. Ninety-four scar-related VTs in 70 patients were retrospectively analyzed. We investigated the correlation between localized lines of block (LOB) (split
EXPRESSION OF ECM COMPONENTS IN THE LEFT VENTRICLE AT THE ANASTOMOSES SITE OF SWINE CABG MODEL

Heart diseases, especially myocardial infarction (MI), is the leading cause of global death. Although therapeutic advances, including coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery, have been made immediately following a MI, the role of extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling post-MI remains largely
Anal Incontinence: Etiology and Clinical Treatment

Fecal incontinence is a potentially debilitating condition that can have a grave impact on quality of life. Patients may be fearful to participate in their normal social activities and it is not uncommon for patients to report that they avoid leaving their house due to fear of embarrassment due to accidental bowel leakage. Unfortunately, the epidemiology of the disease is challenging to pinpoint given variations in definitions of incontinence and the reliance on self-reporting of the condition. Moreover, there is a wide range of etiologic factors that may result in fecal incontinence. Treatment of the disease starts with medical therapy and physical therapy but may also involve surgical management.
A linear input dependence model for interdependent networks.

We consider a linear relaxation of a generalized minimum-cost network flow problem with binary input dependencies. In this model the flows through certain arcs are bounded by linear (or more generally, piecewise linear concave) functions of the flows through other arcs. This formulation can be used to model interrelated systems in which the components of one system require the delivery of material from another system in order to function (for example, components of a subway system may require delivery of electrical power from a separate system). We propose and study randomized rounding schemes for how this model can be used to approximate solutions to a related mixed integer linear program for modeling binary input dependencies. The introduction of side constraints prevents this problem from being solved using the well-known network simplex algorithm, however by characterizing its basis structure we develop a generalization of network simplex algorithm that can be used for its efficient solution.
Scan-Multiplying Lens suitable for use with Small Phased Arrays

Here, we outline the development of a lens like structure that allows a single planar phased array antenna to provide hemispherical coverage. The device employs an inhomogeneous dielectric dome and complex element phase excitations to achieve the goal.
LIM Domain and Its Binding to Target Proteins

LIM domain is a unique double-zinc finger motif found in a variety of proteins such as homeodomain transcription factors, kinases, and adaptors. The LIM-containing proteins are involved in diverse biological processes including cytoskeleton organization, cell lineage specification and organ development. Dysfunctions of LIM domains induce pathological effects including muscle detachment, embryonic lethality, and oncogenesis. Acting as a protein-protein interaction motif, the LIM domain has a conserved scaffold but highly variable mode in recognizing diverse target proteins. This chapter describes the structure and function of LIM domain proteins and discusses the molecular basis by which the domain mediates protein-protein interactions.
The concept of "collapsed electrodes" for glassblown spherical resonators demonstrating 200:1 aspect ratio gap definition

We report a technique for defining high aspect ratio electrostatic gaps in micromachined glassblown spherical resonators. The approach is based on intentionally allowing a physical contact between the resonator and electrode structure, hence “collapsed electrodes”, then releasing and metalizing the electrodes and resonator. We utilized 500 um SOI electrodes in the glassblowing fabrication process, allowing to define narrow (2 um) and thick (400 um) electrostatic actuators (200:1 aspect ratio). We demonstrated a spherical resonator integrated with electrodes, blurring the boundary in complexity of fabricating conventional (2D) and glassblown (3D) resonators. The test resonator demonstrated 866kHz, 1.46MHz and 1.59MHz for N=1, N=2, and N=3 modes and the corresponding Q-factors of 1500, 1300 and 1600, all in vacuum of 0.4mT.
On the accuracy of absorbing boundary conditions for wave propagation

In practical calculations it is often essential to truncate the computational domain by introducing artificial boundaries. The manner in which boundary conditions are approximated has an important influence on the accuracy of the results. In this paper we present a time domain technique to quantify the spurious reflection of waves from an artificial boundary, obtained by using a nonreflecting boundary condition based on rational approximations.
An Interview with Fred Frith: The Teaching of Contemporary Improvisation

An interview with Fred Frith, guitarist/composer/improviser and the founder of the Master of Fine Arts Contemporary Improvisation program at Mills College in Oakland CA. The interview covers areas regarding gender representaiton, institutionalization of improvisation, and the difficulties and considerations of creating and establishing an improvisation program at a higher education institute.
Michael Jordan, Michael Vick, or Michael Who?: Activating Stereotypes in a Complex Media Environment

Visitors to news websites are greeted with a complex combination of images and text, any of which could serve as a prime that biases subsequent evaluations, even if those evaluations are seemingly unrelated to the initial prime. In fact, previous research has demonstrated that media are able to serve as an effective tool at activating racially related stereotypes and that activation can influence judgments both related and unrelated to race. The purpose of this research is to build upon these previous studies by exploring the effectiveness of a stereotype-related prime based on its modality, valence, and distinctness. Results suggest stereotype activation is most pronounced when the prime's image and text are redundant in valence, provided the image is familiar in nature. There is also some support for a negativity bias. Findings are discussed in light of second-generation priming questions regarding when primes will yield effects as well as with regards to stereotype activation.
Creating Effective Community Partnerships for School Improvement: A Guide for School Leaders

Chapter 1: Issues Facing Educators Chapter 2: Identifying Key Constituents as Partners Chapter 3: Creating Structures for Community Involvement Chapter 4: High School Bound: Transitioning From Middle School to High School Chapter 5: Bridging the Gaps: Higher Education Institutions and the School System Chapter 6: Parents and Community Building in Urban Areas Chapter 7: Private Foundations in School/College Partnerships Chapter 8: The Importance of the Classroom Teacher And Support Staff In Collaborative Programs Chapter 9: The Collaborative Leader and Partnership Building Chapter 10: Keeping Students on Track: Customization through Collaboration Chapter 11: Building Community through Professional Development Chapter 12: Some Concluding Thoughts
What Should a Democratic Leader Be Willing to Do

This essay considers what the possession of strong moral character might imply for political action, and whether democratic leaders should possess character of that sort. Democratic citizens ought to put forth people of strong moral character for high office, I argue, instead of engendering leaders who lack such character or who are less constrained in thought, feeling, or action.I provide an account of the nature of character, clarifying its meaning and noting its importance for moral and political analysis. I subsequently describe the idea of strong moral character, and consider what it entails for deliberation and action on the part of those who possess it. Strong moral character can prompt high officials to avoid committing acts that are deeply morally troubling, and leaders who enjoy character of that kind need not be politically ineffective. I distinguish reasons why strong moral character for leaders is preferable to alternatives, and forestall a short series of objections to the case, prior to closing.
New Techniques to Reject DC-Link Voltage Ripple in PWM Inverters

In this paper several new techniques to reject dc-link voltage ripple in PWM inverters are examined in detail. It is demonstrated how continuous elimination of harmonics is achieved at the inverter output while simultaneously rejecting the dc-link voltage ripple. Thus with the proposed techniques it is possible to guarantee high quality inverter output voltage even with substantial low frequency voltage ripple on the dc-link. A thorough modeling of these techniques along with the tradeoffs involved in acquiring the immunity to dc-link ripple is illustrated in detail. Potential applications of these techniques are in fixed and variable frequency inverters for power supplies and ac motor drives which experience voltage ripple in the dc-link such as when fed from a weak ac system which is frequently unbalanced. Suitable design equations along with a digital implementation procedure of the proposed technique is described in detail. Finally, selected results are verified experimentally on a laboratory inverter.
Constraint programming and a usability quest

In 2004, Jean-Francois Puget presented [2] an analysis of the "simplicity of Use" of Constraint Programming from which he articulated a series of challenges to make Constraint Programming systems accessible and easier to use. The core of the argument was a contrast between mathematical programming and constraint programming tools. Mathematical programming adopts a model and run paradigm, rely on a simple vocabulary to model problems (i.e., linear constraints), support standard formats for sharing models and benefit from extensive documentation on how to model [5]. Constraint programming features a model and search paradigm, rich modeling languages with combinatorial objects and has a distinctive flavor of programming. While it can be construed as CP's Achilles' heel, it is also its most potent strength and is supported by modeling aids [3,4]. The very existence of sophisticated parameter tuning solutions for SAT solvers and Math Programming solvers to determine ideal parameters (e.g., ParamILS [1]) certainly cast a major shadow on the potency of the model and run mantra that is evolving into model and search for the right parameters.
Activation of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase A common step in vasopressin- and hypertonicity-induced water flow☆

Abstract Water flow across the amphibian urinary bladder can be induced by either vasopressin or serosal hypertonicity. In an effort to determine the common intracellular steps mediating both responses, we determined the in situ activation of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase in bladders stimulated by vasopressin or hypertonicity. Treatment of bladders with vasopressin (1 mU/ml) caused in situ activation of cytosolic cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase of epithelial cells, with a rise in the kinase ratio and cyclic AMP content. Similarly, hyperonicity increased the kinase ratio, but this occured without a measurable increase in cyclic AMP content per mg protein. Because of the hypertonicity-induced cell shrinkage, epithelial cell water decreased by 20%, which may result in a proportionate increase in cyclic AMP concentration (per ml cell water). Furthermore, cell shrinkage also increases intracellular electrolyte concentration, which, in turn, should delay reassociation and consequent inactivation of the predominant Type II cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase of the epithelial cells. Thus activation of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase during hypetonicity may be the result of cell shrinkage, with an associated increase in cyclic AMP and electrolyte concentrations. Studies with prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors and colchicine, a microtubule disrupting agent, also indicated common pathways for vasopressin and hypertonicity. Both naproxen and meclofenamate significantly enhanced the hypertonicity response. Colchicine pretreatment, on the other hand, caused a small (18%) but significant inhibition of the hypertnicity response, similar to its effect on the vasopressine response (25% inhibition). Thus, the increased water permeability of the toad bladder in response to both vasopressin and hypertonicity follows a similar pathway. Activation of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase represents the first common step yet identified.
Negative Differential Resistance and Hysteresis through an Organometallic Molecule from Molecular-Level Crossing

Analogous to a quantum double-dot system, diblock structured molecules could also show negative differential resistance (NDR). Using combined density functional theory and nonequilibrium Green function technique, we show that molecular-level crossing in a molecular double-dot system containing cobaltocene and ferrocene leads to NDR and hysteresis.
A survey ol digital picture coding

The steady growth of modern communication requirements has resulted in a steady increase in the volume of pictorial data that must be transmitted from one location to another. In some cases, although image transmission to a remote location is not necessary, one does need to store the images for future retrieval and analysis.
Exploring the Use of Massive Open Online Courses for Teaching Students with Intellectual Disability

In this paper, we report on a qualitative study that investigates the impact of using a popular Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) to complement the vocational training of students with intellectual disability (ID). We have been investigating this problem for several months in partnership with a Brazilian NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) for people with ID. Our methodology integrates different aspects of human-computer interaction (i.e., requirement gathering sessions and observation of real subjects). Potential users were involved since the beginning of this research, starting with focus groups and interviews with experts, followed by the observation of a traditional vocational training session, and then the assessment of a popular MOOC in the classroom. In this paper, we discuss the process and present our preliminary results, providing some indications on how MOOCs could better support instructors and students with ID.
X-ray microtomography as a fast three-dimensional imaging technology using a CCD camera coupled with a CdWO4 single-crystal scintillator

A high spatial-resolution transmission x-ray tomographic microscope (XTM) has been developed as a 3D visualization technique at the Advanced Proton Source at Argonne National Laboratory. Using brilliant synchrotron radiation, the XTM can collect a complete set of 2D data for a 3D reconstruction within a fairly short time. The 2D transmission data were taken with a cryogenically cooled CCD camera coupled with an optical microscope with 32x magnification and a single cadmium tungstate crystal screen with a thickness of approximately 60 micrometers . For experiments performed with 20 keV x-ray energy on gold specimens, the XTM produced 2D transmission data with a resolutions of approximately 1 micrometers . A series of 90 projections taken over a range of 180 degree projection angle was taken within a half hour. The reconstruction, with support of a filtered back-projection algorithm, demonstrates the ability of the XTM to provide fast 3D structural information about a specimen from 2D projection data with approximately 1 micrometers resolution and more than 15 percent local image contrast.
Determining the scale of interest regions in videos

A number of action recognition methods make use of spatio-temporal features. These features often consist of local spatio-temporal descriptors centered at locations provided by an interest point detector. The extracted descriptors will then serve as input to classification algorithms. The correct scale of these descriptors is an essential parameter to be determined. Improved information quality has been achieved from recently developed entropy-based spatio-temporal feature descriptors. In this paper, we present an approach for determining scales of the sub-volumes of interest given the locations of spatio-temporal features. Our method works by measuring the average variations of local motion content calculated on subsequences of motion filter responses. We design a filter-specific data prior that allows to determine the scales of the informative neighborhoods. We demonstrate that features calculated at the scales provided by or method allow for noticeable performance improvements of action recognition algorithms.
Effect of pretreatment with other dialkylnitrosamines on excision from hepatic DNA of O6-methylguanine produced by dimethylnitrosamine.

Abstract Pretreatment with diethylnitrosamine or dipropylnitrosamine increased the amount of labelled O 6 -methylguanine found in liver DNA 4 and 24 h after injection of 10 μg/kg [ 3 H] dimethylnitrosamine. Dibutylnitrosamine treatment had a similar, though smaller effect at 4 h but was ineffective when measurements were made 24 h after the dimethylnitrosamine was given. These pretreatments did not affect 7-methylguanine levels in the DNA showing that the metabolic conversion of dimethylnitrosamine into a methylating agent was not altered. Previous studies have shown that O 6 -methylguanine is rapidly removed from hepatic DNA after methylation to a small extent but removal is less efficient after higher amounts of methylation. Therefore, the most probable explanation for the present findings is that these longer dialkylnitrosamines produce a similar product in DNA which interferes with the loss of O 6 -methylguanine. This hypothesis was supported by experiments showing that diethylnitrosamine did give rise to O 6 -ethylguanine which was lost from the DNA at a rate comparable to the observed loss of O 6 -methylguanine in diethylnitrosamine pretreated rats. This method may, therefore, be of value for determination of whether other nitrosamines, not available in a radioactively labelled form, react with DNA at external oxygen atoms. The present results also suggest that different dialkylnitrosamines might have additive effects in prolonging damage to DNA which could be important in carcinogenesis.
Retinal inhomogeneity. III. Circular-retina theory.

By introducing a local contrast-sensitivity function, defined as the Fourier transform of the local point-spread function, we have constructed a model of retinal inhomogeneity that predicts the contrast sensitivity for circular homogeneous or inhomogeneous sinusoidal targets up to 16° in diameter. This model assumes that (1) contrast sensitivity is mediated by a standard, receptive-field-type filter function (one that fits our data somewhat better than available receptive-field models); (2) retinal inhomogeneity is circularly symmetric; i.e., receptive-field size varies only with eccentricity; (3) this size variation is governed by a linear scaling factor out to at least 8° eccentricity; and (4) the local contrast sensitivities at different parts of the retina combine in accord with a fourth-power probability-summation rule. The parameters of the model were determined by fitting contrast-sensitivity data for a new class of stimulus patterns: locally sinusoidal, circularly symmetric targets with radially varying spatial frequency (but constant amplitude). The model also fits contrast thresholds for circular cosine disks and annuli of various sizes and eccentricities. (Predictions for noncircular patterns require a minor extension.) The results suggest that the uniform, homogeneous sinusoidal patterns used throughout the literature provide surprisingly little information about the form of receptive fields.
Sesquiterpenes from Flourensia cernua

Abstract The common western shrub Flourensia cernua has yielded the eremophilane sesquiterpene flourensic acid and a new aromadendrane sesquiterpene flourensadiol. The toxic component(s) of the plant were found in a petrol-soluble fraction.
Non-nephrotic children with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis: are steroids indicated?

Alternate-day steroids are currently recommended to treat children with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN). This recommendation is based largely on uncontrolled studies demonstrating improved renal survival with steroid therapy. We reviewed the outcome of 39 children who presented with MPGN between 1968 and 1990; 27 children were treated with steroids and 12 children received no drug therapy. Life-table analysis comparing renal survival of treated versus untreated children demonstrated no difference by log rank analysis. Treated and untreated groups were compared on the basis of nine features at presentation: age, sex, type of MPGN, presence and type of hematuria, hypocomplementemia, renal insufficiency, hypertension, and nephrosis. Treated children were likely to be female (P 3 g/dl, and were normotensive. These data suggest that non-nephrotic children with MPGN may forego steroid treatment without compromising long-term renal function. The current common practice of treating all children with MPGN with steroids should be re-examined.