cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Islam in the West: Perceptions vs. Reality

Securitizing Islam: Identity and the Search for Security. By Stuart Croft. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2012. 278 pp., $35.99 paperback (ISBN-13: 978-1-107-63286-8). Framing Muslims: Stereotyping and Representation After 9/11. By Peter Morey, Yaquin Amina. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2011. 246 pp., $29 hardcover (ISBN-13: 978-0-674-04852-2). The perceptions that the societal majority have of their counterparts in minority communities are central to the effective integration of such communities within any country. Such perceptions, in turn, are shaped by interactions between those actors, and their characterizations by government officials, politicians, communal leaders, and the media. Regrettably, it is the most negative interactions that drive those representations, particularly when significant acts of violence are involved. Consider, for instance, the effects on societal perceptions of Muslim communities of terrorist attacks carried out by Islamic extremists against targets in the West. Al Qaeda's strikes against the United States on September 11, 2001, represent the most significant example of violence to date. Other examples include smaller-scale attacks by groups and individuals with Islamic extremist motivations, such as the March 2004 and July 2005 bombings of the transportation systems in Madrid and London, respectively, as well as the November 2009 Fort Hood shootings by Maj. Nidal Malik Hassan and the April 2013 Boston Marathon bombings by the brothers Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. The 9/11 attacks shocked Americans and Europeans to an extent that increased the potential for the development of new, if not deepening of existing, negative perceptions suggesting connections between Muslim communities situated in the West and Islamic extremist groups such as Al Qaeda and its affiliates. The subsequent attacks in Western Europe and the United States reinforced past media reports on such connections, rendering the expression of corresponding sentiments by members of the societal majority ever more likely and creating a demand for elected officials to fashion policies designed to mitigate threats posed by Islamic extremism. Some of the policies put in place by Western governments since 9/11 to counter terrorist threats that Islamic extremists justify on the basis of perverted interpretations of the Qur'an and Sunna have exacerbated the …
Psychiatric care management for chronic addictive disorders: conceptual framework.

Coexisting mental and addictive disorders are common, and service systems are not well configured to treat them. Psychiatrists frequently feel lacking in skills to address both the addictive disorder and the mental illness. Although programs for treating "dual disordered" patients have been under development, specialized programs are likely to provide treatment for only a minority of patients. Furthermore, many patients either do not respond to them or simply refuse to participate. This article describes care management, a clinical approach that can be applied to coexisting disorders by any practitioner. Care management complements rehabilitation treatment and completes the continuum of care. (Am J Addict 2001;10: 242-248)
A second-order delay-locked loop of a spread spectrum receiver

The tracking performance of 2nd-order delay-locked loops (DLL) with high gain for PN code chip synchronization is theoretically analyzed and evaluated by means of a Fokker-Planck equation. The results show that the steady state probability density function of normalized delay error of 2nd-order DLL with high gain is similar to that of a lst-order DLL; for the same mean-squared tracking jitter, the former has 10 log (1 + 1/4/spl xi//sup 2/) (db) less signal-to-noise ratio than the latter. Also, some experimental results are presented. Though only DLL is analyzed, the analytical method is valid for other kinds of tracking loops. >
Renal Medulla and Renoprival Hypertension Relationship Between Corticorenal (Renin) And Medullorenal Extracts

A crude extract of renal medulla (medullorenal extract) has been studied in relation to a crude extract of renal cortex which possessed potent renin pressor activity. The medullorenal extract either effected no immediate change in the arterial pressure or caused a mild to moderate pressor effect. The latter was thought to be due to contamination with renin, since precise separation of cortex and medulla may not have been consistent. The medullorenal extract did not display a sustained, acute depressor effect. The extract was not pyrogenic in rabbits. The production of renin pressor effect in nephrectomized dogs did not alter the evolution of renoprival hypertension. The mixture of renin and nonrenal extracts did not alter the evolution of renoprival hypertension in the dog. The medullorenal extract, on the other hand, prevented renoprival hypertension in the presence of daily renin pressor responses. The latter results were similar to those obtained when renin was infused in normal dogs. The results sugge...
PHOTOELECTROCHEMISTRY OF FILMS OF QUANTUM SIZE LEAD SULFIDE PARTICLES INCORPORATED IN SELF-ASSEMBLED MONOLAYERS ON GOLD

Films of AOT-capped (AOT = dioctyl sulfosuccinate) lead sulfide nanoparticles (Q-PbS) were prepared by incorporation into a self-assembled monolayer of hexanethiol on Au. The Q-PbS particles showed either cathodic or anodic photocurrents, depending on the existence of a hole scavenger or an electron scavenger in the contacting solution, on the state of the surface, and on the electrode potential. The electrochemistry of Q-PbS indicated that the anodic dissolution of Q-PbS occurred at about 0.25 V vs SCE and was not particle size dependent, while the cathodic corrosion potentials of Q-PbS ranged from −1.1 V vs SCE to beyond the hydrogen evolution potential and depended on the size of the Q-PbS particles.
Mortality rates due to gynecologic cancers in New York state by demographic factors and proximity to a Gynecologic Oncology Group member treatment center: 1979-2001.

article i nfo Objective. To describe trends in mortality rates, in New York State, due to cervical, endometrial and ovarian cancer and to assess how these rates varied with proximity to a comprehensive cancer treatment center or population density (rural/urban). Methods. Data were obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)'s Compressed Mortality Files, Census Bureau records, and online maps. Poisson regression models were fitted to estimate death rates (mean number of deaths per 100,000 women per year) due to gynecologic cancer type. Trends in death rates were compared with respect to driving time to the nearest comprehensive cancer treatment center and population density, controlling for race, county income level, and age at death. Results. Cervical and endometrial but not ovarian death rates declined over time. For both cervical and endometrial cancers, death rates varied significantly with driving time and between rural and urban counties. In the case of cervical cancer, the decline over time was steeper in rural than in urban counties. For endometrial cancer, the decline steepened with increasing distance from a treatment center. Conclusion. Improvements in cervical and endometrial cancer mortality from 1979 to 2001 followed increases in gynecologic cancer treatment research efforts, number of specialists trained to treat such cases, and in the emphasis on gynecologic cancer in the training of physicians in general. Our results are consistent with an interpretation that the progressive actions by leaders in the gynecologic oncology profession during the late 1960's and early 1970's contributed to improvements in mortality rates in subsequent decades.
Gynecological malignancies, brain tumors, and familial adenomatous polyposis

The syndrome of familial adenomatous polyposis has a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations including adenomatous polyps of the colon and small bowel, adenocarcinoma of ampulla of Vater, tumors of the central nervous system, bone lesions, and various soft tissue tumors. The one common denominator is colonic polyposis. It is not known whether this phenotypic heterogeneity is due to various genotypes, or if the entire clinical spectrum is due to one genetic defect. We are reporting the association of gynecologic malignancies with familial adenomatous polyposis as an additional variant of this disease. This report is on two sisters from a family with familial polyposis coli who developed adenomatous polyposis of the colon, central nervous system tumors, and cancers of the ovary and uterus. The gynecological malignancies add another variant to this clinical syndrome.
Thevenin's theorem

The equivalent generator theorem is discussed. It is commonly called Thevenin's theorem, in honor of Leon Charles Thevenin, a French telegraph engineer and educator who proposed it in 1883, but in fact Hermann von Helmholtz proposed it first, in an 1853 paper. Although originally introduced to facilitate the analysis of linear networks of resistances and voltage sources, the theorem subsequently was defined in terms of impedances and voltage sources. As a tool for circuit analysis, it is allied to the superposition theorem. The history of the theorem and how it came to be named for Thevenin are described. >
Capability evaluation of a sinogram error detection and correction method in computed tomography

An iterative method for detecting and correcting errors in sinograms is described and its capability is evaluated. The method is based on the use of a reconstruction-reprojection procedure to check the consistency of a sinogram. Adjustments of the sinogram are made iteratively to satisfy gradually the consistency requirement. The effectiveness of the method for detecting and correcting errors due to scanner detector problems is demonstrated with computer-simulated data and with real data from positron emission tomography. The potential usefulness of the method for quality control of scanners is discussed. >
The cost-effectiveness of repairing ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Abstract Background: Although advances in technology have reduced the operative risk of elective abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair, the surgical repair of ruptured AAAs is associated with a much poorer prognosis and a higher cost. Accordingly, it has been suggested that patients with predictably high rates of morbidity and mortality from ruptured AAA may not benefit from surgical intervention. Methods and Results: A cost-effectiveness analysis was performed with the use of a Markov decision-analytic model to compute long-term survival in quality-adjusted life years and lifetime costs for a hypothetical cohort of patients with ruptured AAAs managed with either a strategy of open surgical repair or no intervention. Probability estimates for the various outcomes were based on a review of the literature. Average costs of (1) the immediate hospitalization ($28,356) and (2) complications resulting from the procedure were based on the average use of resources as reported in the literature and from a hospital's cost accounting system. Our measure of outcome was the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio. For our base-case analysis, the repair of ruptured AAAs was cost-effective with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $10,754. (Society is usually willing to pay for interventions with cost-effectiveness ratios of less than $60,000; for example, the costeffectiveness ratios for coronary artery bypass grafting and dialysis are $9500 and $54,400, respectively.) In sensitivity analyses, the cost-effectiveness of repairing ruptured AAAs was influenced only by alterations in the operative mortality. If the operative mortality exceeded 88%, repair of ruptured AAAs was no longer cost-effective. As an independent variable, increasing age had no substantial impact on the cost-effectiveness, although it is reported to be associated with increased operative mortality. It was necessary that the patient's cost of the initial hospitalization for ruptured AAA exceed $195,000 before repairing ruptured AAAs was no longer cost-effective. Conclusions: Our analysis suggests that despite the high cost and poor outcomes, the surgical repair of ruptured AAAs is still cost-effective when compared with no intervention. The cost of repairing ruptured AAAs falls within society's acceptable limits and therefore should not be a consideration in the management of patients with AAAs. (J Vasc Surg 2000;32:247-57.)
The application of robotics to fluorometric and isotopic analyses of uranium

Abstract Two laboratory robots provide analytical support to two laboratories within the Analytical Services Organization of the Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant 1 . One system prepares uranium metals and oxides for isotopic analysis by thermal ionization mass spectrometry. The second system prepares and analyzes air filter samples for uranium content. The robots have proven to be excellent assets to the laboratories in productivity improvement, waste reduction, and personnel safety. Robotics and automation will continue to provide substantial benefits to future analytical methodology within the Y-12 Plant.
Living with an accent: a sociological analysis of linguistic strategies of immigrant youth in Canada

This research explores the cultural and linguistic strategies of immigrant youth to negotiate inclusion/exclusion, including language discrimination in Vancouver, Canada. My theoretical framework draws upon the Arendtian notions of ‘public space’, and ‘action and speech’ as well as Bourdieu’s concepts of ‘symbolic violence’ and ‘habitus’. My methodology is a critical qualitative approach. Fourteen immigrant youth, aged 15–25, were involved in this research. The findings of this study indicate that unlike second-generation immigrants, first-generation immigrant youth face cultural and linguistic challenges. Non-recognition of youths’ distinct linguistic and social capitals, the imposition of official languages and the regulation of the education and language market according to the dominant linguistic norms include forms of discrimination against Turkish minority youth in Canada. Taken together, the findings suggest that immigrant youths’ cultural and linguistic experiences of inclusion and exclusion canno...
Atherothrombosis: mechanisms and clinical therapeutic approaches

Eroded or disrupted atherosclerotic plaques act as a substrate for thrombosis, leading to ischemic coronary artery and cerebrovascular disease. Plaques vary greatly in composition, size, and the degree of stenosis they cause. Plaques can be categorized based on these features, which helps to estimate the likelihood of rupture and subsequent thrombosis. Vascular plaques often begin at regions with low and oscillatory shear forces that cause chronic minimal endo- thelial damage or dysfunction. Lipoproteins enter the vessel wall, promoting the recruitment of monocytes, which imbibe lipids and become foam cells. Smooth muscle cells invade these early plaques, producing connective tissue fibrils that form a fibrous cap over the lipid center; rupture of this cap is an important cause of thrombosis. Passive plaque disruption occurs when physical forces cause cap rupture; active disruption occurs when the cap is attacked by macro- phages and proteolytic enzymes. Tissue factor is one of many factors within plaque that stimu- lates thrombosis.
Proof Search in an Authorization Logic

We consider the problem of proof search in an expressive authorization logic that contains a \says" modality and an ordering on principals. After a description of the proof system for the logic, we identify two fragments that admit complete goal-directed and saturating proof search strategies. A smaller fragment is then presented, which supports both goal-directed and saturating search, and has a sound and complete translation to rst-order logic. We conclude with a brief description of our implementation of goal-directed search.
Change of Constitutive Relations due to Interaction Between Strain-Gradient Effect and Material Gradation

For classical elasticity, the constitutive equations (Hooke’s law) have the same functional form for both homogeneous and nonhomogeneous materials. However, for straingradient elasticity, such is not the case. This paper shows that for strain-gradient elasticity with volumetric and surface energy (Casal’s continuum), extra terms appear in the constitutive equations which are associated with the interaction between the material gradation and the nonlocal effect of strain gradient. The corresponding governing partial differential equations are derived and their solutions are discussed. !DOI: 10.1115/1.2041658"
Use of Financial Incentives for Colorectal Cancer Screening By Health Plans in the United States

Screening older adults for colorectal cancer (CRC) has been recommended in U.S. national guidelines for over a decade. Yet CRC screening rates are low, especially relative to screening rates for other preventable diseases such as breast and cervical cancer. Because over half of the U.S. population is enrolled in health plans, these organizations offer a potentially important infrastructure for increasing CRC screening rates. We examined health plans' use of patient and physician financial incentives to promote CRC screening. A survey of U.S. health plans was conducted between November 2005 and April 2006. A random sample of 268 plan executives responded by mail, Internet, telephone, or fax (response rate=65%). Data were weighted to account for sample selection and non-response. 75% of plans cover CRC screening for all eligible enrollees. Although a majority cover all modalities (FOBT, sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, and double-contrast barium enema (DCBE)), plans are somewhat more likely to cover FOBT and sigmoidoscopy than colonoscopy or DCBE. Over half apply patient deductibles in covering sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, and DCBE, while only one-third apply them to FOBT. Most plans also impose patient co-payment requirements, particularly for colonoscopy, and co-payment amounts are higher for sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, and DCBE than for FOBT. Only 15% of plans give incentive payments to physicians based on their clinical performance; 5% offer payments specific to physicians' CRC screening rates. For CRC screening, plans are more likely to place financial requirements on patients than to offer incentive payments to physicians. We currently are modeling and will report on how these incentives and disincentives influence health plans' CRC screening rates. An increasing proportion of health plans in the U.S. provide financial coverage for colorectal screening, but financial disincentives to screening remain for many healthcare consumers.
Glass Cleaning and Characterization of Cleanliness

The use of a number of different surface analytical techniques for surface characterization of glasses is outlined. Since glass surfaces react with the atmosphere producing surface films which are different from the bulk composition an understanding of the nature of these films is needed in order to understand the meaning of surface cleanliness. The five types of surfaces which can form on glasses are reviewed and examples are given. Glass durability tests require that the surface films be removed prior to testing. A procedure for characterizing the cleanliness of samples for durability tests is reported. The kinetics of silica rich film formation are presented as well as the effects of environmental solution variables on film formation and stability. The use of Auger electron spectroscopy to characterize the cleanliness of glass surfaces cleaned by various procedures is presented. It is demonstrated that sulfuric acid dichromate solution effectively removes surface contamination from glasses.
NKT cell subsets as key participants in liver physiology and pathology

Natural killer T (NKT) cells are innate-like lymphocytes that generally recognize lipid antigens and are enriched in microvascular compartments of the liver. NKT cells can be activated by self- or microbial-lipid antigens and by signaling through toll-like receptors. Following activation, NKT cells rapidly secrete pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, and thereby determine the milieu for subsequent immunity or tolerance. It is becoming clear that two different subsets of NKT cells-type I and type II-have different modes of antigen recognition and have opposing roles in inflammatory liver diseases. Here we focus mainly on the roles of both NKT cell subsets in the maintenance of immune tolerance and inflammatory diseases in liver. Furthermore, how the differential activation of type I and type II NKT cells influences other innate cells and adaptive immune cells to result in important consequences for tissue integrity is discussed. It is crucial that better reagents, including CD1d tetramers, be used in clinical studies to define the roles of NKT cells in liver diseases in patients.
Contrast enhanced diffusion NMR: quantifying impurities in block copolymers for DSA

Block-copolymers (BCPs) offer the potential to meet the demands of next generation lithographic materials as they can self-assemble into scalable and tailorable nanometer scale patterns. In order for these materials to find wide spread adoption many challenges remain, including reproducible thin film morphology, for which the purity of block copolymers is critical. One of the sources of impurities are reaction conditions used to synthesize block copolymers that may result in the formation of homopolymer as a side product, which can impact the quality and the morphology of self-assembled features. Detection and characterization of these homopolymer impurities can be challenging by traditional methods of polymer characterization. We will discuss an alternate NMR-based method for the detection of homopolymer impurities in block copolymers – contrast enhanced diffusion ordered spectroscopy (CEDOSY). This experimental technique measures the diffusion coefficient of polymeric materials in the solution allowing for the ‘virtual’ or spectroscopic separation of BCPs that contain homopolymer impurities. Furthermore, the contrast between the diffusion coefficient of mixtures containing BCPs and homopolymer impurities can be enhanced by taking advantage of the chemical mismatch of the two blocks to effectively increase the size of the BCP (and diffusion coefficient) through the formation of micelles using a cosolvent, while the size and diffusion coefficient of homopolymer impurities remain unchanged. This enables the spectroscopic separation of even small amounts of homopolymer impurities that are similar in size to BCPs. Herein, we present the results using the CEDOSY technique with both first generation BCP system, poly(styrene)-b-poly(methyl methacrylate), as well as a second generation high-χ system.
La Mala Algaraba Church, Monarchy and the Arabic Language in 16th-century Spain

This study examines Spanish Catholic attitudes towards the Arabic language of Spain’s Islamic communities in the sixteenth century. While many studies have located the origins of language policy in Spain in the 18th century, we analyze the main royal decrees and ecclesiastical legislation that address the Arabic language in an earlier period. We depart from the generally-accepted scholarly notion that in the Spanish Church, there existed two positions regarding the Arabic language: first, that Islamic communities should be approached through the Arabic language and, second, that their language should be prohibited in favour of Castilian. To trouble this framework, we examine the attitudes of two Spanish churchmen regarding the Arabic language, whose complex positions pre-vent them from being readily categorized as advocates or opponents of Arabic.
Note on "Forces on a Rigid Magnetized Conductor"

In reply to the criticism by Kennard and Wang of our theory of the torque on a cylindrical magnet through which a current is passing, it is pointed out that there is a rational distinction between the torque exerted by the current on the magnet and that exerted by the magnet on the current passing through it. From the point of view of Ampere's theory of magnetism, the first torque is zero and the second is $\frac{\mathrm{iN}}{2\ensuremath{\pi}}$, in electromagnetic units, both for the case of a symmetrical current sheet and asymmetrical magnetization and for the case of symmetrical magnetization and an asymmetrical current. Therefore on the modern conception that magnetic properties are due to electric currents and not to magnetic charges per se, the torque on a cylindrical magnet carrying a current cannot correctly be ascribed to the action of the current on the magnet in either of the two cases under discussion, contrary to the contention of Kennard and Wang.
Bragg solitons in nonlinear PT -symmetric periodic potentials

It is shown that slow Bragg soliton solutions are possible in nonlinear complex parity-time (PT ) symmetric periodic structures. Analysis indicates that the PT -symmetric component of the periodic optical refractive index can modify the grating band structure and hence the effective coupling between the forward and backward waves. Starting from a classical modified massive Thirring model, solitary wave solutions are obtained in closed form. The basic properties of these slow solitary waves and their dependence on their respective PT -symmetric gain/loss profile are then explored via numerical simulations.
Door Sealing Water Leakage Factors and Solutions

This paper introduces the structure and function of automobile door sealing door sealing leakage phenomenon, combined with a mini car appeared, the influencing factors of door sealing leaks and solutions. Have realistic directive significance to repair the solutions to the door sealing leaking phenomenon.
Evaluation and Analysis on Performance of No.1 and 2 Cooling Tower in Power Plant

Cooling performance test for No.1 and 2 cooling tower in a power plant is carried out.Based on the calculation of the test data,cooling effectiveness of No.1 and 2 cooling tower is analyzed and evaluated.According to the existing problems,some improvement proposals are put forward to improve the economic operation performance of power units.
HNF-1 alpha and HNF-1 beta expression in mouse intestinal crypts

Hepatocyte nuclear factors 1 alpha and 1 beta (HNF-1 alpha and HNF-1 beta) are homologous homeodomain-containing transcription factors that form homodimers or heterodimers that bind the same consensus sequence in the promoters of several genes expressed in liver. Many of these genes, including the mouse alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) gene, are also expressed in the intestinal epithelium. AFP expression is restricted to the enteroendocrine cell lineage in the adult small intestine, and we have investigated the distribution of HNF-1 alpha and HNF-1 beta mRNA in the mouse intestine to determine whether expression of either of these regulatory factors colocalizes with AFP. We found that transcripts encoding both factors are expressed at the highest levels in crypts of small and large intestine. Quantitation shows that the relative ratio of HNF-1 alpha to HNF-1 beta mRNAs appears lower in the colon, where AFP is not expressed. Alterations in the ratio of HNF-1 alpha to HNF-1 beta along the length of the intestine may influence HNF-1 dimer formation and expression of target genes. Although HNF-1 is necessary for transcription of the AFP gene, other factors must be involved in eliciting the cell type-specific pattern of AFP expression in the intestine.
Time in pediatric emergency departments

In paediatric emergency departments, the notion of time is felt differently by children, parents and the caregivers. Within this specific context revolve management of the emergency, waitingtime, care and communication, with the aim of offering quality care for the young patient and the family.
Ketone Body Formation and Utilization

Overview • Ketone bodies (acetoacetate and β-OH-butyrate) are small, water-soluble circulating lipids produced by the adult liver, that cross the blood-brain-barrier, as well as the placental barrier.
Examining preservice teachers' conceptual and practical understandings of adopting iPads into their teaching of young children

Abstract Education stakeholders across the globe continue to call for teachers to learn how to incorporate technology into their teaching. Yet, incorporating new technology into teacher training programs is quite difficult and does not necessarily lead to teachers developing the skills and beliefs required to implement such technology into their classrooms. Thus, there is a need for teacher educators to better understand how their students conceptualize and implement such technology into their teaching. The study examined in this article addresses this issue by examining how a sample of preservice teachers conceptualized incorporating iPads into their current and future teaching of children.
Synthesis and Spectrochemical Characterization of the Heavy Alkali Metal 1,2-Propanediaminetetraacetatocobaltate (III) Complexes

Abstract The potassium, rubidium, and cesium complexes of the racemic and optically active forms of 1,2-propanediaminetetraacetatocobaltate(III) monohydrate were prepared stoichiometrically in an essentially nonaqueous system. The complexes were characterized by elemental analyses and UV-VIS absorption spectroscopy. The optically rotatory dispersion and circular dichroism spectra were obtained on the optically active complexes. The complexes were stable and displayed similar physical properties.
Enantioselective Conversion of Achiral Cyclohexadienones to Chiral Cyclohexenones by Desymmetrization

The enantioselective reduction of prochiral 4,4-disubstituted 2,5-cyclohexadienones to chiral 2-cyclohexenones has been accomplished by the use of a carefully selected chiral bisphosphine–CuI complex and diisobutylaluminum hydride–hexamethylphosphoric triamide complex. This reagent has provided access to a key bicyclic intermediate for the total synthesis of the natural enantiomer of the pentacyclic sesterterpene retigeranic acid that involves spatial discrimination between CH3 and CH2CH2R substituents, an operation that has been elusive previously. In addition, a second method for desymmetrization is described using catalytic enantioselective [4 + 2]-cycloaddition of cyclopentadiene to prochiral 4,4-disubstituted 2,5-cyclohexadienones.
Staking reputation on stakeholders: How does stakeholders’ Facebook engagement help or ruin a company’s reputation?

Abstract The majority of studies in public relations continue to examine organization-public relationships from only the organization’s perspective, with few studies focusing on the other side of the communication loop: stakeholders. The current study takes the stakeholders’ perspective to investigate the relationship between active stakeholders’ online behavior and corporate reputation. Modeling 5-year longitudinal social media data, a content analysis was conducted for Fortune 500 companies in the context of Facebook. By examining stakeholders’ Facebook engagement at the two levels of shallow engagement and profound engagement, significant associations were discovered. Active stakeholders’ Facebook-based interactions as leaving positive or negative comments with a company are significant predictors of the company’s reputation score. The findings bring new insights to existing literature and also practical implications to public relations professionals.
Cotargeting mTORC and EGFR Signaling as a Therapeutic Strategy in HNSCC

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) are frequently altered along the PI3K/AKT/mTORC signaling axis. Despite excellent preclinical data, the use of compounds targeting this pathway as monotherapy has been underwhelming in initial clinical trials, and identification of predictive biomarkers remains challenging. To investigate mTORC-specific inhibition, we tested catalytic mTORC (AZD8055) and PI3K/mTORC (NVP-BEZ-235) inhibitors ± cetuximab in a panel of HNSCC cell lines and patient-derived xenografts (PDX). Cell lines were assayed for response to all agents and siRNA knockdown of targets by multiple approaches. All cell lines showed similar response to both drug and siRNA inhibition of both PI3K and mTORC pathways, with anti-EGFR combination producing modest additive effect. Five PDX models that presented PIK3CA mutation or intrinsic cetuximab resistance were treated with a combination of cetuximab and AZD8055. In vivo single-agent mTORC inhibition inhibited growth of one PIK3CA-mutant cancer, but had little effect on any PIK3CAWT or a second PIK3CA-mutant model. In all models, the combination therapy showed greater growth delay than monotherapy. The uniform ability of PI3K and mTORC inhibition to suppress the growth of HNSCC cells highlights the pathway's role in driving proliferation. Although single-agent therapy was largely ineffective in vivo, improved response of combination treatment in an array of PDXs suggests the potential for adding a catalytic mTORC inhibitor to cetuximab therapy. Overall, these results add to a growing body of evidence, suggesting that approaches that attempt to match biomarkers to the optimal therapy in HNSCC remain complex and challenging. Mol Cancer Ther; 16(7); 1257-68. ©2017 AACR.
Variations in the endogenous fluorescence of rabbit corneas after mechanical property alterations.

Keratoconus is an eye disease in which the cornea progressively deforms due to loss of cornea mechanical rigidity, and thus causes deterioration of visual acuity. Techniques to characterize the mechanical characteristics of the cornea are important to better monitor changes and response to treatments. To investigate the feasibility of using the endogenous fluorescence of cornea for monitoring alterations of its mechanical rigidity, linear tensiometry was used to quantitate stiffness and Young’s modulus (YM) after treatments that increase cornea stiffness (collagen photocross-linking) or decrease stiffness (enzymatic digestion). The endogenous ultraviolet fluorescence of cornea was also measured before and after these treatments. The fluorescence excitation/emission spectral ranges were 280 to 430/390 to 520 nm, respectively. A correlation analysis was carried out to identify fluorescence excitation/emission pairs whose intensity changes correlated with the stiffness. A positive correlation was found between variations in fluorescence intensity of the 415-/485-nm excitation/emission pair and YM of photocross-linked corneas. After treatment of corneas with pepsin, the YM decreased as the fluorescence intensity at 290-/390-nm wavelengths decreased. For weakening of corneas with collagenase, only qualitative changes in the fluorescence spectrum were observed. Changes in the concentration of native or newly created fluorescent molecular species contain information that may be directly or indirectly related to the mechanical structure of the cornea.
Ultrafine particle number concentrations and size distributions around an elevated highway viaduct

Abstract High-traffic roadways substantially contribute to UFP number concentrations and size distributions within many urban areas and may contribute to excess urban mortality and morbidity. A number of previous studies have quantified near-road concentrations of UFP and the decay with horizontal displacement from highways and indicated rapid decreases to near background levels within 300 m of the line-source. However, the majority of those previous studies have focused on ground-level highways and so herein we present data from sampling perpendicular to an elevated highway viaduct. Measurements taken during morning rush hour and non-rush hour periods using a bicycle-mounted TSI Nanoscan scanning mobility particle sizer within distances of 200–300 m from the freeway are lower than those from previous studies of ground-level highways, but the decay of UFP number concentrations with distance from the highway is more gradual. A linear mixed-effects model indicates only distance from I-81 and air temperature are significant predictors of near I-81 UFP concentrations, but wind speed and direction and vehicle counts on the street where the measurements were conducted exhibit the expected sign of dependence.
The Powers of Evaluation: The Understanding and Practice of Evaluation in youth Ministry Communities of Practice in Illinois:

Evaluation is a powerful tool for improvement yet is often perceived as simply a rearview mirror into the past. A two-tier qualitative method was used to uncover the practice and understanding of e...
Cultura y desarrollo global

This paper argues on behalf of a proper understanding of culture (as something like self-formation [ Bildung ]) as a basis for supporting the concept of development, instead of the conception proposed by many economists and social scientists.
Effects of magnetic fields on living systems

If one accepts the notion that essentially all chemical reactions or conformational changes in molecules are accompanied by the transfer or spatial rearrangement of electric charge, it is hardly surprising that electric fields are effective in changing the physiological or biochemical activity of a variety of organisms. One of the principal difficulties in the experimental or practical use of electric fields is the method of application. Except for capacitative coupling, which often involves the use of large and potentially dangerous potential differences to induce small internal fields, the use of electric fields involves the introduction of electrodes into the cell, tissue, or whatever. One is then confronted with the problems of faradaic effects, including corrosion and production of toxic substances, and of mechanical disruption or stimulation produced by the implants. We will now turn our attention to a non-invasive method of introducing energy into a living system — magnetic fields. As is known from basic physics, the use of a time-varying magnetic field in the vicinity of a conductor, or moving a conductor through a static magnetic field will induce electric currents of predictable amplitude and shape in the conductor. A review of any graduate level physics text on electricity and magnetism will familiarize the reader with the appropriate laws and formulae.
D-fining DarR: a LysR-type transcriptional regulator that responds to D-aspartate.

ABSTRACT Work by Jones et al. (R. M. Jones, Jr., D. L. Popham, A. L. Schmidt, E. L. Neidle, and E. V. Stabb, J Bacteriol 200:e00773-17, 2018, https://doi.org/10.1128/JB.00773-17) describes a d-aspartate-sensing system in proteobacteria. d-Amino acids are critical components of peptidoglycan and other structures. The new study identifies the LysR-type transcriptional regulator DarR, which activates the aspartate racemase RacD. The overexpression of RacD enables it to synthesize d-glutamate and restore normal peptidoglycan in a Vibrio fischerimurI mutant. This study contributes to the understanding of emerging roles for d-amino acids and how they are synthesized under distinct conditions.
Altered sexual differentiation of hepatic uridine diphosphate glucuronyltransferase by neonatal hormone treatment in rats

The hepatic microsomal enzyme UDP-glucuronyltransferase undergoes a complex developmental pattern in which enzyme activity is first detectable on the 18th day of gestation in rats. Prepubertal activities are similar for males and females. However, postpubertal sexual differentiation of enzyme activity occurs in which male activities are twice those of females. Neonatal administration of testosterone propionate or diethylstilboestrol to intact animals resulted in lowered UDP-glucuronyltransferase activity in liver microsomal fractions of adult male rats, whereas no changes were observed in the adult females and prepubertal male and female animals. Neonatal administration of testosterone propionate and diethylstilboestrol adversely affected male reproductive-tract development as evidenced by decreased weights of testes, seminal vesicles and ventral prostate. Diethylstilboestrol also markedly decreased spermatogenesis. Hypophysectomy of adult male rats resulted in negative modulation of microsomal UDP-glucuronyltransferase and prevented the sexual differentiation of enzyme activity. In contrast hypophysectomy had no effect on female UDP-glucuronyltransferase activity. A pituitary transplant under the kidney capsule was not capable of reversing the enzyme effects of hypophysectomy, therefore suggesting that the male pituitary factor(s) responsible for positive modulation of UDP-glucuronyltransferase might be under hypothalamic control in the form of a releasing factor. Neonatal testosterone propionate and diethylstilboestrol administration apparently interfered with the normal sequence of postpubertal UDP-glucuronyltransferase sexual differentiation.
On Making Fleshly Difference: Humanity and Animality in Gregory of Nyssa

This essay explores the theological stakes of differentiating humanity from animality in Gregory of Nyssa’s treatise De hominis opificio . Gregory’s conviction that the imago dei names an essential affinity to the angelic in human beings corresponds to his need to categorically differentiate humanity from animality. Yet, human affinity to God and the angels persistently threatens to collapse into beastly behavior and dispositions. Despite all Gregory’s efforts to shore up human uniqueness, human animality plays an indispensable (though disavowed) role in his theological anthropology.
Papers don't write themselves: Creating a system to support writing productivity

Abstract Introduction To be a successful academic writer, we need a strong awareness of the circumstances that support our writing productivity. Commentary First and foremost, writing requires time-on-task. To obtain focused, effective writing time, we may need to increase our accountability related to writing. In addition, each writer needs a writing system - a set of processes that helps them to reliably complete their writing work. To build an effective writing system, we advocate for observation, reflection, and experimentation related to our writing processes. In particular, examination of the what, where, when, and how of writing is critical. Strategies for optimizing productivity during writing sessions are also needed. Implications Strengthening writing productivity requires mechanisms for accountability, awareness of our writing process, and strategies to enhance the effectiveness of each writing session.
An efficient finite-rate chemistry model for a preconditioned compressible flow solver and its comparison with the flamelet/progress-variable model

Abstract An efficient finite-rate chemistry (FRC) model is developed for a preconditioned compressible flow solver. The model uses a point-implicit stiff ODE solver and a correlated dynamic adaptive chemistry algorithm. With respect to the conventional FRC model using the double precision variable coefficient stiff ODE solver, the present work achieves an 8.6 times speed-up for chemistry calculation, and 6.4 times for total computation, when using a 20-species kinetics mechanism for methane/air flames. As an example problem, a piloted partially premixed methane/air jet flame (Sandia Flame D), with a relatively low level of local extinction and re-ignition, is considered, and both the new FRC-large eddy simulation (LES) and flamelet/progress-variable (FPV)-LES are conducted. The FRC-LES approach predicts larger time-averaged flame length, and better agrees with the measured value. This is because the instantaneous high-temperature zone for the FPV-LES case is significantly smaller than it's FRC-LES counterpart, especially in the downstream region. For spatial distribution of time-averaged statistics, the FPV-LES result agrees with the experimental data better. For conditional statistics in the mixture fraction space, the FRC-LES approach provides significantly better predictions. Near the stoichiometric region, in comparison with experimental data and the FRC-LES results, the FPV-LES approach predicts higher radical generation, but lower CO generation and heat release.
Structural and mechanistic insights into Hsp104 function revealed by synchrotron x-ray footprinting

Hsp104 is a hexameric AAA+ ring translocase, which drives protein disaggregation in nonmetazoan eukaryotes. Cryo-EM structures of Hsp104 have suggested potential mechanisms of substrate translocation, but precisely how Hsp104 hexamers disaggregate proteins remains incompletely understood. Here, we employed synchrotron X-ray footprinting to probe the solution-state structures of Hsp104 monomers in the absence of nucleotide and Hsp104 hexamers in the presence of ADP or ATPγS (adenosine 5′-O-(thiotriphosphate)). Comparing side-chain solvent accessibilities between these three states illuminated aspects of Hsp104 structure and guided design of Hsp104 variants to probe the disaggregase mechanism in vitro and in vivo. We established that Hsp104 hexamers switch from a more-solvated state in ADP to a less-solvated state in ATPγS, consistent with switching from an open spiral to a closed ring visualized by cryo-EM. We pinpointed critical N-terminal domain (NTD), NTD-nucleotide–binding domain 1 (NBD1) linker, NBD1, and middle domain (MD) residues that enable intrinsic disaggregase activity and Hsp70 collaboration. We uncovered NTD residues in the loop between helices A1 and A2 that can be substituted to enhance disaggregase activity. We elucidated a novel potentiated Hsp104 MD variant, Hsp104–RYD, which suppresses α-synuclein, fused in sarcoma (FUS), and TDP-43 toxicity. We disambiguated a secondary pore-loop in NBD1, which collaborates with the NTD and NBD1 tyrosine-bearing pore-loop to drive protein disaggregation. Finally, we defined Leu-601 in NBD2 as crucial for Hsp104 hexamerization. Collectively, our findings unveil new facets of Hsp104 structure and mechanism. They also connect regions undergoing large changes in solvation to functionality, which could have profound implications for protein engineering.
Association between Maternal Serum Hormones along the Maternal-Fetal Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis and Successful Vaginal Delivery Measured Prior to Labor Induction.

Objective This study aimed to evaluate if maternal serum hormones along the maternal–fetal hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, when drawn prior to labor induction, differed between women who delivered vaginally and those who underwent cesarean. Study Design This was a prospective observational study at a single perinatal center performed from August 2017 to May 2018. Nulliparous women with uncomplicated singleton pregnancies ≥39 weeks had maternal serum collected prior to induction. Corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) was measured by ELISA; dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), cortisol, estriol (E3) estradiol (E2), and progesterone (P4) were measured by chemiluminescent reaction. Mean analyte concentrations as well as three ratios (E2/P4, E3/P4, and E2/E3) were compared between women who had a vaginal versus cesarean delivery. Logistic regression was used to model the relationship between CRH and the odds of vaginal birth. We estimated that a sample size of 66 would have 90% power to detect a 25% difference in mean CRH levels assuming a vaginal:cesarean ratio of 2:1 with a baseline CRH concentration of 140 (standard deviation = 36) pg/mL. Results Of the 88 women who had their serum analyzed, 27 (31%) underwent cesarean. Mean maternal serum CRH levels were similar between the vaginal delivery and cesarean groups (122.6 ± 95.2 vs. 112.3 ± 142.4, p = 0.73). Similarly, there were no significant differences in any other maternal serum analytes or ratios. Logistic regression showed a nonsignificant odds ratio for successful vaginal birth (p = 0.69) even when evaluating only the 16 women who had a cesarean for an arrest disorder (p = 0.08). Conclusion In low-risk nulliparous women undergoing full-term labor induction, there were no differences noted in a broad array of other maternal-fetal HPA-axis hormones between women who had a vaginal or cesarean delivery.
Transmission lines in computer engineering

As digital circuit devices continue to increase in speed, interconnection techniques are becoming a crucial element in a system's overall speed and reliability. This work is a guide to state-of-the-art interconnection design and layout, containing practical information and illustrations. The book features thorough explanations of crosstalk on transmission lines, a topic which is often difficult to understand.