cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Subgroups of exceptional groups of Lie type generated by long root elements, II. Characteristic two

Let G be an exceptional group of Lie type over a finite field F,, q = p”, and assume the Weyl rank of G is at least four. Let X be the collection of long root subgroups of G, and r the collection of long root elements of G. In [7,8 J we determined those subgroups L of G generated by long root subgroups with O,(L) = 1. This was done by studying the geometry of G acting on S’, with classification theorems only used in [7] to identify the possible isomorphism classes for L. In Part I [9] of this series we determined those subgroups L of G generated by long root elements with O,(L) = 1 where p > 2. In that paper we used Aschbacher’s powerful result classifying the groups in Chev(p) for p odd (21 in order to identify L. In this paper we complete the determination in the case p = 2, using the theorems of Aschbacher [ 11, Fischer [ 131 and Timmesfeld [ 181 to identify L. The determination of the subgroups of classical groups generated by elements central in a long root subgroup was carried out by Kantor [ 151 in all characteristics using the aforementioned classification theorems. For references on earlier attempts at these determinations for the classical groups see the introduction of [15]. In another paper [ 111 we make use of our results to determine the minimal degree of a permutation representation of an exceptional group. We also foresee these results having application to the more general problem of determining the maximal subgroups of an exceptional group.
Multistep Small-Molecule Synthesis Programmed by DNA Templates

The translation of DNA sequences into synthetic products is a key requirement of our approach to evolving synthetic molecules through iterated cycles of translation, selection, and amplification. Here we report general linker and purification strategies for sequence-specific DNA-templated synthesis that collectively enable the product of a DNA-templated reaction to be isolated and to undergo subsequent DNA-templated reactions. Using these strategies, we have achieved the first multistep nucleic acid-templated small-molecule syntheses to generate two different molecules. In addition to representing a method for translating DNA templates sequence-specifically into corresponding multistep synthetic products, our findings also provide experimental support for previously proposed models invoking multistep nucleic acid-templated synthesis as mediating the prebiotic translation of replicable information into the earliest functional molecules.
Gene expression in arcuate nucleus-median eminence of rats treated with leptin or ciliary neurotrophic factor

Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) and leptin are cytokine-like hormones and act on their corresponding receptors in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC). The present study was designed to assess effects of intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of leptin and CNTF on gene expression in micropunched hypothalamic arcuate nucleus-median eminence (ARC- ME) complex samples from rats. Male Sprague Dawley rats were implanted with lateral cerebroventricular cannulas for administration of control, 10 µg/d leptin or 5 µg/d CNTF for four days. Real-time Taqman RT-PCR was used to quantitatively compare the mRNA levels of selected genes in the ARC-ME complex. Leptin and CNTF increased ARC-ME mRNA levels of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) by 64.5 and 124.7% ( p< 0.01), suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) by 258.9 and 1063.9% ( p< 0.01), cocaine and amphetamine regulated transcript (CART) by 102.7 and 123.1% ( p< 0.01), and proopiomelanocortin (POMC2) by 374.1 and 264.9% ( p< 0.01), respectively. Leptin increased growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) by 309.9% ( p< 0.01), while CNTF increased janus kinase 2 (JAK2) mRNA by 31.7% ( p< 0.01) and decreased gonadotropin releasing hormone 1 (GNRH1) by 59.7% ( p< 0.01), mitogen activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1) by 19.4% ( p< 0.05) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) by 74.5% ( p< 0.05). Significant reduction in daily food intake and body weights by both the treatments was observed. Also, decrease in weights of fat pads was concomitant with lowered serum insulin and leptin levels. Our findings show that leptin and CNTF engage both convergent and divergent pathways involved in feeding, cellular signaling, inflammation, and other related regulatory systems.
Atomistic simulations of kinks in 1/2a screw dislocations in bcc tantalum

Two types of equilibrium core structures (denoted symmetric and asymmetric) for 1/2a screw dislocations in bcc metals have been found in atomistic simulations. In asymmetric (or polarized) cores, the central three atoms simultaneously translate along the Burgers vector direction. This collective displacement of core atoms is called polarization. In contrast, symmetric (nonpolarized) cores have zero core polarization. To examine the possible role of dislocation core in kink-pair formation process, we studied the multiplicity, structural features, and formation energies of 1/3a kinks in 1/2a screw dislocations with different core structures. To do this we used a family of embedded atom model potentials for tantalum (Ta) all of which reproduce bulk properties (density, cohesive energy, and elastic constants) from quantum mechanics calculations but differ in the resulting polarization of 1/2a screw dislocations. For dislocations with asymmetric core, there are two energy equivalent core configurations [with positive (P) and negative (N) polarization], leading to 2 types of (polarization) flips, 8 kinds of isolated kinks, and 16 combinations of kink pairs. We find there are only two elementary kinks, while the others are composites of elementary kinks and flips. In contrast, for screw dislocations with symmetric core, there are only two types of isolated kinks and one kind of kink pair. We find that the equilibrium dislocation core structure of 1/2a screw dislocations is an important factor in determining the kink-pair formation energy.
Quantitative Analysis of Uterine Action Potentials.

Quantitative Analysis of Uterine Action Potentials A fundamental problem in developing therapeutic interventions for uterine dysfunction is that the electrical profile of the myometrium,and how it changes in physiological, let alone pathophysiological,situations is unknown. Excitation-contraction coupling of the myometrium is a central component of healthy functioning of the uterus. Even though proper function of this smooth muscle is fundamental in women’s health, the electrical activity of the uterus is much understudied, and poorly understood.
Does Community-Oriented Policing Help Build Stronger Communities?:

Advocates of community-oriented policing contend that it has great potential to reduce crime and fear because it strengthens community social organization and cohesion. Previous studies of communit...
Language, Culture, and Identity in Online Fanfiction:

This article draws on constructs in second-language acquisition, literacy, cultural, and media studies as theoretical bases for examining how networked technologies and fan culture provide a young English language learner (ELL) with a site for developing her English language and writing skills. During this process, she also develops an online identity as a popular, multiliterate writer. To understand how this happens, the notion of identity is explored as a fluid construct that shifts over time with this ELL's long-term participation in a fan community. Popular and fan culture are also examined as points of affiliation and as dialogic resources that she appropriates, both in her writing and in her interactions with other fans. In so doing, the article demonstrates how popular culture and technology converge to provide a context in which this adolescent ELL is able to develop a powerful, transcultural identity, discursively constructed through the different cultural perspectives and literacies that she and other fans from across the globe bring to this space.
Integrated biological control of bacterial speck and spot of tomato under field conditions using foliar biological control agents and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria

Integration of foliar bacterial biological control agents and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) was investigated to determine whether biological control of bacterial speck of tomato, caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato, and bacterial spot of tomato, caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. vesicatoria and Xanthomonas vesicatoria, could be improved. Three foliar biological control agents and two selected PGPR strains were employed in pairwise combinations. The foliar biological control agents had previously demonstrated moderate control of bacterial speck or bacterial spot when applied as foliar sprays. The PGPR strains were selected in this study based on their capacity to induce resistance against bacterial speck when applied as seed and soil treatments in the greenhouse. Field trials were conducted in Alabama, Florida, and California for evaluation of the eYcacy in control of bacterial speck and in Alabama and Florida for control of bacterial spot. The foliar biological control agent P. syringae strain Cit7 was the most eVective of the three foliar biological control agents, providing signiWcant suppression of bacterial speck in all Weld trials and bacterial spot in two out of three Weld trials. When applied as a seed treatment and soil drench, PGPR strain Pseudomonas Xuorescens 89B-61 signiWcantly reduced foliar severity of bacterial speck in the Weld trial in California and in three of six disease ratings in the Weld trials in Alabama. PGPR strains 89B-61 and Bacillus pumilus SE34 both provided signiWcant suppression of bacterial spot in the two Weld trials conducted in Alabama. Combined use of foliar biological control agent Cit7 and PGPR strain 89B-61 provided signiWcant control of bacterial speck and spot of tomato in each trial. In one Weld trial, control was enhanced signiWcantly with combined biological control agents compared to single agent inoculations. These results suggest that some PGPR strains may induce plant resistance under Weld conditions, providing eVective suppression of bacterial speck and spot of tomato, and that there may be some beneWt to the integration of rhizosphere-applied PGPR and foliar-applied biological control agents.
Long-term outcomes of urgency-frequency syndrome due to painful bladder syndrome treated with sacral neuromodulation and analysis of failures.

Purpose: We present our long-term experience with sacral neuromodulation devices placed in patients with painful bladder syndrome to determine whether the benefit decreases over time.Materials and Methods: Between January 2000 and July 2004, 32 women and 7 men with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome in whom previous conventional therapy failed underwent sacral neuromodulation test stimulation. Before 2003 a percutaneous test lead was placed in the clinic setting. After 2003 a quadripolar permanent lead was placed in the operating room. Permanent generators were implanted if the patient had more than 50% relief from the presenting complaint, which was defined as urinary or pelvic pain, urgency, or urinary frequency. Long-term outcomes included battery depletion, device malfunction, infection or loss of benefit as well as any change in need for medications.Results: Of 39 patients 22 went from test stimulation to permanent generator implantation. There were significant differences in short-term b...
Experimental and numerical study of the thermal destruction of C2H5Cl

Gaseous C 2 H 5 Cl (ethyl chloride) was injected into the post-flame zone of a turbulent combustor, with equivalence ratios and residence times in the range of those encountered in hazardous waste incinerators. Temperatures below those normally associated with incineration were selected to simulate incinerator failure modes. Samples were withdrawn from the reactor and analyzed using a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) coupled to a longpath cell (60 cm base path length). For the highest-temperature case (T max =1225 K), destruction of the injected C 2 H 5 Cl was rapid, and the only observable product species were HCl, CO, H 2 O, and CO 2 . For cooler injection temperatures (T max =1012, 932 K), C 2 H 4 , C 2 H 2 , and C 2 H 3 Cl were observed as well, with a C 2 H 3 Cl/C 2 H 4 ratio between 0.25 and 0.5. C 2 H 5 Cl injection was simulated numerically, using the experimental temperature profiles and modeling the reactor as a plug-flow device. The reaction mechanism developed by Karra et al. was expanded to distinguish between chlorinated C 2 isomers. Rates for the modified reactions were chosen so that the combined reaction rate of the isomers was unchanged. This modification greatly improved the agreement between numerical and experimental results for C 2 H 3 Cl, as it opened new channels for its production.
Structural Investigations of the (5×√3) Striped Phase of Annealed 11-Phenoxy Undecanethiol Self-Assembled Monolayers on Au(111)

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of 11-phenoxyundecanethiol on Au(111) were studied using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS), ellipsometry, and contact angle measurements before and after annealing in vacuum. The unannealed phenoxy SAM appeared to be disordered under the STM while RAIRS showed that the SAM has relatively significant organization, indicating there is local disordering of the phenoxy groups at the film surface. After annealing, the SAM formed striped domains with a (5×√3) rectangular structure with respect to the gold substrate. Molecularly resolved STM images of the stripes were obtained, and we were able to see that each stripe consists of two rows of molecules. On the basis of the results from all of the characterization techniques used here, we present a structure for the stripes that involve gauche conformations and the phenyl rings interacting in a favorable edge-to-face configuration. This study shows that mild annealing of aromat...
Tracking Control for an Overactuated Hypersonic Air-Breathing Vehicle with Steady State Constraints (PREPRINT)

The development of an air-breathing hypersonic vehicle employing scramjet propulsion is an ongoing research endeavor. Because of high velocity (>Mach 5), length and positioning of the engine, and relative sleekness, the flexibility of the vehicle is significant and there are strong couplings between thrust and pitch . As a result, control design for such a vehicle is a challenge. In previous works, linear controllers have been designed for a model of the longitudinal dynamics of a specific air-breathing vehicle possessing the same number of inputs and outputs. In this paper we consider a control design for the same vehicle model, but we restrict our attention to controlling only two outputs, namely the altitude and velocity, while we employ as control inputs, the elevator deflection, total temperature change across the combustor and the diffuser area ratio of the combustor. The specific control problem addressed in the paper is the design of a controller that ensures asymptotic tracking of altitude and velocity reference trajectories, while using the redundancy in the inputs to optimize the performance in steady-state. As a matter of fact, since the system is not square, the steady state solutions that enforce perfect tracking are nonunique. The controller employs a parameterization of all possible steady state trajectories that is used for optimization of the steady state input while providing perfect tracking and fulfilment of constraint on the magnitude of the control input. Simulations results are provided to validate the proposed approach.
On the univalence of functions defined by certain integral transforms

Abstract The integral transform F(z) = ∝ 0 z (f′(t)) α ( g(t) t ) β dt , where α and β are real, of pairs of special analytic functions f ( z ) = z + ···, g ( z ) = z + ···, univalent in the open unit disc Δ is studied. The transform and our results extend some recent results due to Shirakova.
Bandwidth Extension [Circuit Intuitions]

i»?Welcome to âCircuit Intuitions!â This is the fifth article of a column series that appears regularly in this magazine. As the title suggests, each article provides insights and intuitions into circuit design and analysis. These articles are aimed at undergraduate students but may serve the interests of other readers as well. If you read this article, I would appreciate your comments and feedback, as well as your requests and suggestions for future articles in this series. Please send your e-mails to ali@ece.utoronto.ca.
Metropolitan Function and Interdependence in the U.S. Urban System

Central to the ecological theory of urban systems is the notion of a territorial division of labor based on differentiation and interdependence and mediated by large urban centers performing metropolitan, i.e., control and coordination, functions. The hypothesis of a positive relationship between performance of metropolitan functions and extensiveness of involvement in the web of interdependence (the latter measured by volume and variety of trade flows and the number of exchange linkages), is here tested directly for the first time. The vertical (metropolitan) dimension of functional differentiation is found to be closely associated with the extensiveness of trade interdependence, but the relationship varies by product type and city size. It is widely recognized that in heavily urbanized societies, characterized by well-developed transportation and communications networks, individual communities do not exist in isolation, but are involved in a larger system of functionally differentiated local populations (Duncan et al.; Hawley, a). The functional aspects of urban systems have often been studied in connection with the development of the metropolitan economy (Bean et al.; Duncan and Lieberson; Duncan et al.; Sutker) and in developing typologies of local functional specializations (Duncan and Reiss; Kass, a). But the structural differentiation of populations as they mediate intercommunity trade has been the subject of only limited investigation-even though evidence suggests that hierarchical position is a useful explanatory tool with respect to various social, economic, and demographic characteristics
A randomized trial on folic acid supplementation and risk of recurrent colorectal adenoma

Background: Evidence from observational studies suggests that inadequate folate status enhances colorectal carcinogenesis, but results from some randomized trials do not support this hypothesis. Objective: To assess the effect of folic acid supplementation on recurrent colorectal adenoma, we conducted a cost-efficient, double-blind, randomized trial among participants of 2 large prospective cohorts, the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study and the Nurses’ Health Study. Design: Participants were randomly assigned to receive folic acid (1 mg/d) (n = 338) or placebo (n = 334) for 3–6.5 y. The primary endpoint was any new diagnosis of adenoma during the study period (May 1996–March 2004). Secondary outcomes were adenoma by site and stage and number of recurrent adenomas. Associations were also examined by plasma folate concentrations at baseline. Results: Incidence of at least one recurrent adenoma was not significantly associated with folic acid supplementation [relative risk (RR): 0.82; 95% CI: 0.59,1.13; P = 0.22]. Among participants with low plasma folate concentrations at baseline (≤7.5 ng/mL), those randomly assigned to receive folic acid experienced a significant decrease in adenoma recurrence (RR: 0.61; 95% CI: 0.42, 0.90; P = 0.01), whereas for subjects with high folate concentrations at baseline (>7.5 ng/mL), supplemental folic acid had no significant effect (RR: 1.28; 95% CI: 0.82, 1.99; P = 0.27, Pinteraction = 0.01). Contrary to findings from another clinical trial, there was no evidence for an increased risk of advanced or multiple adenomas. Conclusions: Our results do not support an overall protective effect of folic acid supplementation on adenoma recurrence. Folic acid supplementation may be beneficial among those with lower folate concentrations at baseline. This trial was registered at clinical trials.gov as {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT00512850","term_id":"NCT00512850"}}NCT00512850.
The history of science in the science classroom: The past is the key to the future in science education

In many science classes, students encounter ‘final form’ science (Duschl 1990, 1994) in which scientific knowledge is presented as a rhetoric of conclusions (Schwab 1962). Incorporation of the history of science in modern science classrooms combats this false image of linear science progression. History of science can facilitate student understanding of the nature of science, pique student interest, and expose the cultural and societal constraints in which a science developed, revealing science's ‘human side’ (Matthews 1994). Carefully selected and researched episodes from the history of science illustrate that scientists sometimes chose incorrect hypotheses, misinterpreted data, and argued about data analysis. Our research documented that historical vignettes can hook students' attention, and past controversies can be used to develop students' analysis and argumentation skills before turning class attention to modern controversial issues. Historical graphics also have educational potential, as they revea...
Spider phylogenomics: untangling the Spider Tree of Life

Spiders (Order Araneae) are massively abundant generalist arthropod predators that are found in nearly every ecosystem on the planet and have persisted for over 380 million years. Spiders have long served as evolutionary models for studying complex mating and web spinning behaviors, key innovation and adaptive radiation hypotheses, and have been inspiration for important theories like sexual selection by female choice. Unfortunately, past major attempts to reconstruct spider phylogeny typically employing the "usual suspect" genes have been unable to produce a well-supported phylogenetic framework for the entire order. To further resolve spider evolutionary relationships we have assembled a transcriptome-based data set comprising 70 ingroup spider taxa. Using maximum likelihood and shortcut coalescence-based approaches, we analyze eight data sets, the largest of which contains 3,398 gene regions and 696,652 amino acid sites forming the largest phylogenomic analysis of spider relationships produced to date. Contrary to long held beliefs that the orb web is the crowning achievement of spider evolution, ancestral state reconstructions of web type support a phylogenetically ancient origin of the orb web, and diversification analyses show that the mostly ground-dwelling, web-less RTA clade diversified faster than orb weavers. Consistent with molecular dating estimates we report herein, this may reflect a major increase in biomass of non-flying insects during the Cretaceous Terrestrial Revolution 125-90 million years ago favoring diversification of spiders that feed on cursorial rather than flying prey. Our results also have major implications for our understanding of spider systematics. Phylogenomic analyses corroborate several well-accepted high level groupings: Opisthothele, Mygalomorphae, Atypoidina, Avicularoidea, Theraphosoidina, Araneomorphae, Entelegynae, Araneoidea, the RTA clade, Dionycha and the Lycosoidea. Alternatively, our results challenge the monophyly of Eresoidea, Orbiculariae, and Deinopoidea. The composition of the major paleocribellate and neocribellate clades, the basal divisions of Araneomorphae, appear to be falsified. Traditional Haplogynae is in need of revision, as our findings appear to support the newly conceived concept of Synspermiata. The sister pairing of filistatids with hypochilids implies that some peculiar features of each family may in fact be synapomorphic for the pair. Leptonetids now are seen as a possible sister group to the Entelegynae, illustrating possible intermediates in the evolution of the more complex entelegyne genitalic condition, spinning organs and respiratory organs.
The Political Economy of Public Debt

We survey recent theories of public debt that incorporate political decision making in rich dynamic environments. These theories provide a new framework with which to interpret empirical evidence and to assess institutional reforms that may help control political inefficiencies. We discuss the inefficiencies that lead to overaccumulation of debt and their implications for the long-run distribution of debt.
The Law of Other States

The question whether courts should consult the laws of "other states" has produced intense controversy. But in some ways, this practice is entirely routine; within the United States, state courts regularly consult the decisions of other state courts in deciding on the common law, the interpretation of statutory law, and even on the meaning of state constitutions. A formal argument in defense of such consultation stems from the Condorcet Jury Theorem, which says that under certain conditions, a widespread practice, accepted by a number of independent actors, is highly likely to be right. It follows that if a large majority of states make a certain decision, there is good reason to believe that the decision is correct. For the Jury Theorem to apply, however, three conditions must be met: states must be making judgments based on private information; states must be relevantly similar; and states must be making decisions independently, rather than mimicking one another. An understanding of these conditions offers qualified support for the domestic practice of referring to the laws of other states, while also raising some questions about the Supreme Court's reference to the laws of other nations. It is possible, however, to set out the ingredients of an approach that high courts might follow, at least if we make certain assumptions about the legitimate sources of interpretation. Existing practice, at the domestic and international levels, suggests that many courts are now following an implicit Condorcetian logic.
A note on approximation conditions, standard triangularizability and a power set topology

The main result of this article is that for collections of entry-wise non-negative matrices the property of possessing a standard triangularization is stable under approximation. The methodology introduced to prove this result allows us to offer quick proofs of the corresponding results of [B. R. Yahaghi, Near triangularizability implies triangularizability, Canad. Math. Bull. 47, (2004), no. 2, 298--313], and [A. A. Jafarian, H. Radjavi, P. Rosenthal and A. R. Sourour, Simultaneous, triangularizability, near commutativity and Rota's theorem, Trans. Amer. Math. Soc. 347, (1995), no. 6, 2191--2199] on the approximations and triangularizability of collections of operators and matrices. In conclusion we introduce and explore a related topology on the power sets of metric spaces.
Contemporary Treatment of Acute Heart Failure

Heart failure (HF) is a rapidly growing global pandemic. A consequence of the increased prevalence of HF has been an increase in hospitalizations due to acute HF (AHF) in the United States and in many other countries around the world. Despite advances in treatment, morbidity and mortality rates in the post-discharge period after an AHF admission remain unacceptably high. The occurrence of an AHF episode poses a major clinical challenge since current therapeutic options are limited to providing mostly short-term symptomatic relief. Diuretics to relieve congestion, inotropic agents to maintain tissue perfusion and vasodilators to reduce the load on the heart are the primary drug approaches for treating AHF. Determining the most effective way of using these agents has been the focus of several recently completed studies, but success in altering outcomes has proved to be elusive. Results from studies using new experimental agents such as ularitide and serelaxin, however, have been promising and ongoing. Phase 3 clinical trials will determine their role in the therapeutic regimen. This manuscript reviews aspects of medical therapy of AHF for which new insights are available and describes pathophysiologic abnormalities that appear to be amenable to treatment with both currently available therapies and novel agents that are being developed.
Three-dimensional transport theory: Evaluation of analytical expressions of Williams and verification of MCNP

Abstract “Three-dimensional transport theory: an analytical solution of an internal beam searchlight problem, I”, Annals of Nuclear Energy, 36(8), 1256–1261 (2009) by Williams extends the range of analytical solutions, and the associated development of techniques, numerical results and analysis near singularities. The final integrals are not easy to evaluate as the integrands are highly oscillatory, singular and also on infinite range. We report here some further numerical evaluations of expressions of Williams, and also compare these with those of Williams and Ganapol and Kornreich. The numerical results compare very well. The disagreements are very rare, and even then in the fifth decimal place. We are also able to explore the nature of the results near singularities in conformity with the results of Williams. We also verify MCNP-5, the widely used Monte Carlo code against these analytical results. We have found that MCNP is easily able to provide results within 0.1% deviation from the “exact” results for most cases, and within 1% for almost all cases. It is challenged near the singularities, however, where the deviations are larger.
Breast Pain: Engorgement, Nipple Pain, and Mastitis

This review explores current concepts surrounding breastfeeding complications including nipple pain and trauma, breast engorgement, mastitis, and breast abscess. The review discusses possible etiologies, risk factors, incidence, differential diagnosis, and suggested treatment strategies. The evidence that supports these management options is discussed.
Votes and Violence: DEMOCRACY AND ETHNIC VIOLENCE

Reading through the various accounts presented in this book of how local politicians in India and elsewhere foment ethnic riots in order to win elections, some readers might begin to feel pessimistic about the prospects for stability in multiethnic democracies. My findings about the relationship between political competition and communal violence in India might seem to lend empirical support to Rabushka and Shepsle's argument that “The plural society, constrained by the preferences of its citizens, does not provide fertile soil for democratic values or stability.” Much recent research in development economics and political science has indeed found that ethnic heterogeneity is generally associated with higher levels of political instability and violence, as well as lower levels of economic growth (which is in turn is linked to more instability and violence). However what this book ultimately shows, I believe, is that violence is far from being an inevitable by-product of electoral competition in plural societies. My central finding is that high levels of electoral competition can reduce as well as precipitate ethnic violence. This is consistent with other research that has found the interparty competition for minority votes (what Horowitz terms “vote-pooling” is the best guarantor of ethnic peace. I have shown that in states with high levels of party fractionalization, such as Bulgaria, Malaysia, and the Indian states of Bihar and Kerala, governments will protect minorities in order to hold their existing coalitions together as well as preserve their coalition options for the future.
Differentiating infectious and noninfectious ventilator-associated complications: A new challenge.

Background The purpose of this study was to develop an electronic search algorithm which reliably differentiates infectious and noninfectious ventilator-associated events (VAEs). This was a retrospective cohort study used to derive a predictive model. It took place at a tertiary care hospital campus. Methods Participants included all ventilated patients who met the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Health Safety Network definitions for VAEs between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2013. There were 164 patients who experienced 185 VAEs in the study period. Results The most predictive variables were fever 2 days before VAE onset, oxygenation changes, and appearance of respiratory secretions. No other variable, including laboratory tests, radiologic findings, and vital sign values, reached statistical significance. A multivariate regression model was constructed, with 68% sensitivity and 75% specificity (receiver operator characteristic area under the curve [ROC-AUC], 0.83). This was modestly better than the clinical pulmonary infection score (CPIS), which had sensitivity of 50%, specificity of 59%, and ROC-AUC of 0.60. Conclusions Although diagnosis of VAEs remains challenging, our data indicate that clinical signs and symptoms of a VAE may be present up to 2 days before they screen positive. Sputum, fever, and oxygenation requirements all were indicative, but aggregate models failed to create a sensitive and specific model for differentiation of VAEs. The existing clinical tool, the CPIS, is also insufficiently sensitive and specific. Further research is needed to create a clinically viable tool for differentiating VAE types at the bedside.
Effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and sustainability of integrated care models for elderly complex patients: a systematic review

Background Integrated care models respond to the complexities of long terms conditions, in particular the increasing prevalence of multiple morbidity and poly-pharmacy. The integration of care across primary, intermediate and secondary care providers could help reducing duplication or gaps in services, emphasize the continuity and coordination of care, improve the efficiency of care for both health professionals and patients. For complex patients (eg. elderly) were experienced in most European countries. This study is aimed at …
Complete endobronchial excision of leiomyoma of the bronchus.

A leiomyoma of the left main-stem bronchus was diagnosed and resected bronchoscopically. At repeat bronchoscopic examination and biopsy 14 months later, there was no evidence of any residual or recurrent leiomyoma. The previous world-wide experience is reviewed, and the salient features of the lesion are discussed. The importance of early diagnosis and conservative therapy are emphasized.
Effect of monitoring of cleaning and disinfection of endoscopes in 6 hospitals of Jiaxing in 2009-2011

OBJECTIVE To awareness the situation of current administration of cleaning and disinfection of endoscopes in hospitals of Jiaxing,strengthen the disinfection quality management,and normalize the action of cleaning and disinfection in the hospitals so as to effectively reduce the incidence of nosocomial infections.METHODS The field survey and sampling examination were used to monitor the cleaning and disinfection effect of endoscopes in 6hospitals in 3years.RESULTS The cleaning and disinfection management of endoscopes in hospitals of Jiaxing was nearly eligible.In 3 years,a total of 105 samples were examined continually.The average eligible rate of cleaning and disinfection effect of endoscopes was 91.2%.The eligible rates in 2009-2011 were 79.4%,94.3%,and 100.0% respectively,and the difference was significant(P0.01).Among the different types of endoscopes,the qualified rates of the disinfection of the gastroscopes lumen and the enteroscopes were 77.3% and 77.8%,respectively,the difference between the two was not significant;the difference in the qualified rate of monitoring of disinfection quality of the endoscopes among the three years was significant(P0.01);both the concentration of the disinfectants and the hygienic quality were qualified.CONCLUSION The qualified rate of the monitoring of disinfection quality of the endoscopes is increased year by year in the 6 hospitals in Jiaxing,the disinfection quality is significantly improved,but there are still some problems which need to be improved.
The Effects of Amphetamine and Methamphetamine on Brain Activity-Related Immediate Early Gene Expression

Abstract Widespread abuse of amphetamine and methamphetamine remains a significant global health problem. Intervention efforts to reduce its use have focused on developing treatments that reverse or mitigate the neurological effects of these drugs that support addictive behaviors. Exposing rodents to amphetamine or methamphetamine and analyzing their brain tissue for genetic responses has proven to be a valuable tool for identifying the most relevant brain circuits for targeted treatment of drug abuse. Immediate early genes (IEGs), including transcription factors that coordinate stimulus-driven effects across a range of genes and signaling pathways, have been widely studied in efforts to map the neural responses to psychoactive drugs. This chapter provides an overview of studies that have examined the effects of amphetamine and methamphetamine treatment on expression patterns of the IEGs c-fos , arc , zif/268 , and bdnf to characterize the neural effects of acute and chronic drug exposure.
Immunotherapeutic Approach to Cancer with Cutaneous DNA Vaccination

Innovations for the development of cancer vaccines are emerging from advances in molecular immunology and cancer biology (1). Of these, DNA-based vaccination has become a powerful and potentially versatile method for eliciting an immune response against cancer. One method for DNA immunization involves the delivery of plasmid DNA by particle bombardment. Originally developed for plant hybridization, this approach has proven to be readily transferable to mammalian applications (2-3). Otherwise known as the gene gun, this method allows for the introduction of exogenous "naked" DNA into skin (4) (Fig. 1). Fig. 1. Photograph of the helium-driven gene gun. This is a hand-held device attached to a high pressure helium line and electrical source which operates the trigger. As shown, plastic bullets containing gold particles coated with plasmid DNA are measured and cut to fit within a cartridge. The cartridge, filled with 12 bullets, is easily placed within the barrel of the gun.
Influence of Trap Height and Bait Type on Abundance and Species Diversity of Cerambycid Beetles Captured in Forests of East-Central Illinois.

We assessed how height of panel traps above the forest floor, and the type of trap bait used, influenced the abundance and diversity of cerambycid beetles caught in forested areas of east-central Illinois. Panel traps were suspended from branches of hardwood trees at three heights above the ground: understory (∼1.5 m), lower canopy (∼6 m), and midcanopy (∼12 m). Traps were baited with either a multispecies blend of synthesized cerambycid pheromones or a fermenting bait mixture. Traps captured a total of 848 beetles of 50 species in the cerambycid subfamilies Cerambycinae, Lamiinae, Lepturinae, and Parandrinae, and one species in the closely related family Disteniidae. The species caught in highest numbers was the cerambycine Anelaphus pumilus (Newman), represented by 349 specimens. The 17 most abundant species (mean ± 1 SD: 45 ± 80 specimens per species) included 12 cerambycine and five lamiine species. Of these most abundant species, 13 (77%) were attracted to traps baited with the pheromone blend. Only the cerambycine Eburia quadrigeminata (Say) was attracted by the fermenting bait. Three species were captured primarily in understory traps, and another five species primarily in midcanopy traps. Variation among cerambycid species in their vertical distribution in forests accounted for similar overall abundances and species richness across trap height treatments. These findings suggest that trapping surveys of native communities of cerambycids, and quarantine surveillance for newly introduced exotic species, would be optimized by including a variety of trap baits and distributing traps across vertical strata of forests.
Beetles (Coleoptera) of Peru: A Survey of the Families. Anthicidae Latreille, 1824

ABSTRACT: Fifty-four species of Anthicidae in five subfamilies and ten genera are listed for Peru, with ten species being newly recorded from Peru and fourteen species known only from Peru at this time. Additionally the data for 25 species that are either undescribed or unplaceable at this time are recorded.
Health Care Reform: Impact on Total Joint Replacement.

The US health care system has been fragmented for more than 40 years; this model created a need for modification. Sociopoliticomedical system-related factors led to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and a restructuring of health care provision/delivery. The ACA increases access to high-quality "affordable care" under cost-effective measures. This article provides a comprehensive review of health reform and the motivating factors that drive policy to empower arthroplasty providers to effectively advocate for the field of orthopedics as a whole, and the patients served.
Phosphate-Induced Immobilization of Uranium in Hanford Sediments

Phosphate can be added to subsurface environments to immobilize U(VI) contamination. The efficacy of immobilization depends on the site-specific groundwater chemistry and aquifer sediment properties. Batch and column experiments were performed with sediments from the Hanford 300 Area in Washington State and artificial groundwater prepared to emulate the conditions at the site. Batch experiments revealed enhanced U(VI) sorption with increasing phosphate addition. X-ray absorption spectroscopy measurements of samples from the batch experiments found that U(VI) was predominantly adsorbed at conditions relevant to the column experiments and most field sites (low U(VI) loadings, 25 μM) and phosphate loadings. While batch experiments showed the transition of U(VI) uptake from adsorption to precipitation, the column study was more directly relevant to the subsurface environment because of the high solid:water ratio in the column and...
Platelet Interaction with Bone Marrow Derived CD34 + Stem Cells: Potential Role of Chemoattractant Chemerin

Abstract Chemerin is a 16 kDa chemoattractant circulating in blood in an inactive form (prochemerin). Its chemotactic activity is released following proteolytic cleavage of its labile carboxyl-terminal amino acids by proteases of the coagulation, fibrinolytic and inflammatory cascades. Chemokine-like receptor 1 (CMKLR1) is a chemerin receptor expressed on plasmacytoid dendritic cells, natural killer cells and tissue macrophages. We identified the expression of CMKLR1 on mouse CD34 positive (CD34+) bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMSC) using anti-mouse CMKLR1 antibody by FACS. Fluorescein-labeled CD34+/CMKLR1+ BMSC adhered to immobilized chemerin dose-dependently. The EC50 of BMSC adhesion to human and mouse chemerin is 2.5 and 5 ug/mL respectively. BMSCs also adhered to SDF-1 (stromal cell-derived factor-1) with EC50 of 0.3 ug/mL, but did not bind to immobilized fibronectin. We have previously reported that platelets express chemerin and release it upon activation. CMKLR1 is also expressed on platelet surface as demonstrated by FACS. Immobilized chemerin could induce platelet adhesion and CD62P (p-selectin) expression as detected by fluorescein-labeled anti-CD62P antibody. BMSC formed complexes with both resting and activated platelets as demonstrated by fluorescein-labeled washed platelets incubated with unlabeled mouse CD34+/CMKLR1+ BMSCs using FACS analysis. Both anti-chemerin and anti-CD62P antibodies could partially block BMSCs binding to immobilized platelets at 50% and 35% respectively. In conclusion, chemerin directly mediates platelets interaction with BMSCs. Chemerin also facilitates platelet/BMSC complex formation by inducing platelet p-selectin (CD62P) expression. Platelet-derived chemerin, similar to SDF-1, may be involved in tissue regeneration by inducing progenitor cells mobilization and differentiation.
English -sion, -tion nouns

This study presents a partial analysis of nouns ending in orthographic - sion, -tion (or - ion) and morphophonemic variations between these nouns and related stems. It deals with an area traditionally called derivation. The frame of reference is that of Trager and Smith, Outline of English Structure, supplemented by subsequent revisions and additions to the general theory developed by the authors in their teaching. For the purposes of this study the morphemic analysis will be limited to “postmorphemes,” i.e., morphemes occurring at the end of the word. Everything which precedes the postmorpheme(s) will be called the “stem” and will not be further segmented. The “stem” may occur elsewhere as an independent word (mutation: mutate) or in composition with different postmorpheme(s) (ambition: ambitious) . The following special symbols will be used: √ … “morphemes”; √ … “allomorphs”; √ …/ “morphophonemes”; ∽ “varies with.” In three cases (Y, T, S) a small capital letter is used as a morphophonemic symbol; these are denned below.
Validation of COBRA-SFS with Measured Temperature Data from Spent-Fuel Storage Casks

The COBRA-SFS thermal-hydraulic code has been incorporated into the Used Nuclear Fuel-Storage, Transportation & Disposal Analysis Resource and Data System tool as a module devoted to spent-fuel-pac...
Addressing social skills deficits in adults with Williams syndrome

Abstract Background Individuals with Williams syndrome (WS) are hypersocial; yet, they experience social difficulties and trouble with relationships. This report summarizes findings from three studies examining the social functioning of adults with WS and the feasibility of a social skills training program for adults with WS (SSTP-WS) through the examination of performance on initial lesson plans. Method Study 1: 114 parents of adults with WS completed the Social Responsiveness Scale-2. Study 2: 10 adults with WS and 12 of their parents participated in focus groups to further describe the deficits identified in Study 1 and to discuss a SSTP-WS. Study 3: 30 adults with WS were randomly assigned to 2 lessons on either conversations or relationships and pre-post change in social skills knowledge was assessed. Results Study 1 indicates adults with WS experience severe social impairments in social cognition, and mild-moderate impairments in social awareness and social communication. Qualitative results in Study 2 indicate a SSTP-WS should address conversation skills and relationships. In Study 3, participants showed gains in social skills knowledge following completion of lessons. Implications A SSTP-WS may be beneficial for adults with WS. Future research should describe the social needs of individuals with WS at different ages and should further develop a SSTP-WS.
Neural correlates of the lexicality effect in children.

Abstract The comparison of words and pseudowords has been extensively used in adult neuroimaging studies to inform neurocognitive models of reading but has rarely been used to inform models of reading acquisition. Using a rhyming judgment task, the current study examined age-related differences in the spelling to sound mapping mechanisms involved in word and pseudoword reading. We hypothesized a developmental increase in specialization of the brain mechanisms engaged for word and pseudoword processing. Consistent with adult studies, children in the current study demonstrated a greater activation for words as compared to pseudowords in the anterior left ventral occipito-temporal cortex (vOT). Inconsistent with adult studies, children also showed greater activation for words as compared to pseudowords in the mid-posterior left vOT, indicating a robust semantic influence on orthographic processing in young readers. Furthermore, our results did not indicate a lexicality by age interaction for 8- to 13-year-old children, suggesting that the adult-like specialization in the left vOT only appears later in development.