cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Conformational Entropy of the RNA Phosphate-Sugar Backbone

While major contributors to the free energy of RNA tertiary structures such as base pairing, base stacking and charge and counterion interactions have been studied extensively, little is known about the intrinsic free energy of the backbone. To assess the magnitude of the entropic strains along the phosphate backbone and their impact on the folding free energy, we have formulated a mathematical treatment for computing the volume of the mainchain torsion angle conformation space between every pair of nucleobases along any sequence and the corresponding backbone entropy. We compare the computed conformational entropies against a statistical free energy analysis of structures in the crystallographic database from several thousand backbone conformations between nearest-neighbor nucleobases as well as against computer simulations. Using this calculation we have analyzed the backbone entropy of several ribozymes and riboswitches and found that their entropic strains are highly localized. This suggests the folding and stability of the RNA structures are critically dependent on these local entropic strain domains and leave the rest of the sequence relatively flexible. The total entropic penalty in the backbone for the native fold can be as high as 0.7 cal/K/mol per nucleotide for these medium and large RNAs, producing a contribution to the overall free energy of up to 40 kcal/mol for a 200-nucleotide structure. We also look at the correlation of nucleotide conformations along several sample loop sequences to determine the effect of nucleotides beyond the nearest-neighbor.
ATP binding and hydrolysis-driven rate-determining events in the RFC-catalyzed PCNA clamp loading reaction.

Abstract The multi-subunit replication factor C (RFC) complex loads circular proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) clamps onto DNA where they serve as mobile tethers for polymerases and coordinate the functions of many other DNA metabolic proteins. The clamp loading reaction is complex, involving multiple components (RFC, PCNA, DNA, and ATP) and events (minimally: PCNA opening/closing, DNA binding/release, and ATP binding/hydrolysis) that yield a topologically linked clamp·DNA product in less than a second. Here, we report pre-steady-state measurements of several steps in the reaction catalyzed by Saccharomyces cerevisiae RFC and present a comprehensive kinetic model based on global analysis of the data. Highlights of the reaction mechanism are that ATP binding to RFC initiates slow activation of the clamp loader, enabling it to open PCNA (at ∼ 2 s− 1) and bind primer–template DNA (ptDNA). Rapid binding of ptDNA leads to formation of the RFC·ATP·PCNAopen·ptDNA complex, which catalyzes a burst of ATP hydrolysis. Another slow step in the reaction follows ATP hydrolysis and is associated with PCNA closure around ptDNA (8 s− 1). Dissociation of PCNA·ptDNA from RFC leads to catalytic turnover. We propose that these early and late rate-determining events are intramolecular conformational changes in RFC and PCNA that control clamp opening and closure, and that ATP binding and hydrolysis switch RFC between conformations with high and low affinities, respectively, for open PCNA and ptDNA, and thus bookend the clamp loading reaction.
Accurate and continuous non-contact vital signs monitoring using phased array antennas in a clutter-free anechoic chamber

Continuous and accurate monitoring of human vital signs is an important part of the healthcare industry, as it is the basic means by which the clinicians can determine the instantaneous status of their patients. Doppler-based noncontact vital signs (NCVS) sensor systems can monitor the heart and respiration rates without touching the patient, but it has been observed that that the accuracy of these NCVS sensors can be diminished by reflections from background clutters in the measurement environment, and that high directivity antennas can increase the sensing accuracy. Therefore, this work explores a NCVS sensor with continuous data taken inside an anechoic chamber where the background cluttering is negligible. In addition, a high directivity custom-made beam-steerable phased array antenna system is used to improve the performance and functionality of the 2.4GHz NCVS sensor we have built. We believe this work is the 1st systematic study using Doppler-based phased array systems for NCVS sensing performed in a clutter-free anechoic chamber.
Women and Salary Negotiation: The Costs of Self-Advocacy

Introducing the concepts of self- and other-advocacy should prove useful as a means of understanding the different contexts in which women and men can effectively and comfortably exert power and influence when making requests. In this conceptual paper, social psychological research is reviewed demonstrating that women can advocate effectively on behalf of others without incurring costs, but gender-linked stereotypes, roles, and norms constrain them from advocating as freely and effectively for themselves. It is argued that women do not frequently make requests for themselves, because they have learned that they may ultimately lose more than they gain. This gendered difference has implications for ongoing pay and promotion inequities.
Chronic Stress: A Conceptual Perspective:

The case is made for understanding and applying in social work practice current conceptions of chronic stress. Citing literature from the social sciences, the authors develop and describe a comprehensive model of chronic stress, focusing on single mothers that are experiencing economic poverty. The utility of the model lies in its synthesis of concepts that can be used in direct practice, policy development, and program design.
Do Ideal Partner Preferences Predict Divorce? A Tale of Two Metrics

Though people report idiosyncratic desires for particular traits in an ideal romantic partner, few studies have examined whether these ideals predict important long-term relationship outcomes. The ...
RNA editing of the microRNA-151 precursor blocks cleavage by the Dicer–TRBP complex

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) mediate translational repression or degradation of their target messenger RNAs by RNA interference (RNAi). The primary transcripts of miRNA genes (pri-miRNAs) are sequentially processed by the nuclear Drosha–DGCR8 complex to approximately 60–70 nucleotide (nt) intermediates (pre-miRNAs) and then by the cytoplasmic Dicer–TRBP complex to approximately 20–22 nt mature miRNAs. Certain pri-miRNAs are subject to RNA editing that converts adenosine to inosine (A → I RNA editing); however, the fate of edited pri-miRNAs is mostly unknown. Here, we provide evidence that RNA editing of pri-miR-151 results in complete blockage of its cleavage by Dicer and accumulation of edited pre-miR-151 RNAs. Our results indicate that A → I conversion at two specific positions of the pre-miRNA foldback structure can affect its interaction with the Dicer–TRBP complex, showing a new regulatory role of A → I RNA editing in miRNA biogenesis.
Returning to competition after a serious injury: The role of self-determination

We tested hypotheses grounded in self-determination theory regarding athletes' cognitive appraisals and emotional reactions when returning to competition following a serious injury. Professional male athletes (N = 225) competing in the Australian Football League were presented with return-to-competition scenarios that varied with respect to: (1) degree of self-determination and (2) salience of re-injury concern. Significant MANOVA main effects were observed for the degree of self-determination on both primary appraisals and emotional responses as well as for the salience of re-injury concern on emotional response. Follow-up ANOVA polynomial trend analyses provided support for the hypothesized trends for greater self-determination in the return to sport to result in more positive appraisals and affect. Findings support self-determination theory contentions and research indicating the psychological benefits of increased self-determination.
Developing Articulated Reading Programs

velop well-articulated reading programs, K-12: (1) The attitudes and goals of instruction; (2) what is to be taught; (3) how the goals of instruction are to be achieved; and (4) how accomplishment of the goals is to be assessed. The attitudes and goals of a reading program, whether school-wide or district-wide, are frequently stated or implied in the "Philosophies of Instruction" prefacing locally developed reading or language arts curriculum guides. These are often presented to visitors by principals or curriculum supervisors. However, the visitor often finds that few classroom teachers have ever seen or read the
Investigating the possibility of using TOEFL scores for university ESL decision-making: Placement trends and effect of time lag

The English Placement Test (EPT) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) is designed to provide an accurate placement (or exemption) of international students into the ESL writing ...
Phase Relationships in the Ternary System CaO─P2O5─H2O at 25°C

The portion of the stable phase diagram for the ternary system CaO-P2O5-H2O involving calcium phosphate phases more basic than Ca(H2PO4)2 has been constructed. Construction involves plotting concentrations as their fifth roots to allow phases having very different solubilities to be represented on a single diagram. Hydroxyapatite is shown to be congruently soluble. The stability region for hydroxyapatite includes compositions having Ca/P ratios extending between 1.5 and 1.67. Calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite forms a stable invariant point with CaHPO4 and a metastable invariant point with CaHPO4. 2H2O. Inspection of the diagram indicates that the compounds CaHPO4 and CaPHO4.2H2O dissolve incongruently. Incongruent dissolution of either CaHPO4 or CaHPO4.2H2O results in the formation of hydroxyapatite during the dissolution process. Such incongruency between these compounds and hydroxyapatite influences their microstructural relationships.
Incorporating NASA space-borne precipitation research products into National Mosaic QPE operational system for improved precipitation measurements

Currently the NSSL/OU National Mosaic Quantitative Precipitation Estimation (NMQ) system incorporates data from all WSR-88D radars and automated rain gauge networks in the conterminous US. These automated rainfall estimates are transferred to forecasters in real time for product evaluation and eventual utilization in creating their operational precipitation products. Despite these recent advances, reliable ground-based precipitation measurements are difficult to obtain over all regions of the world, including many mountainous regions (e.g., Intermountain West of the US), due to the lack of adequate ground radar coverage from intervening terrain blockages. The limitations of rain gauges and weather radar systems and the successor of the more-than-decade-long high-quality space-borne weather radar highlight the attraction of space-based meteorological satellites to obtain seamless regional and global precipitation information from the vantage point of weather forecasting, modeling the hydrological cycle, and climate studies. Also, this study can enable us to continuously incorporate the to-be-upgraded GPM (Global Precipitation Mission) to the future polarimetric NEXRAD-based NMQ system. In this study, we demonstrate the integration of the Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission (TRMM) Precipitation Radar (PR) products (4-km precipitation quantity, types, and 250-meter vertical profile of reflectivity) into the NMQ ground-based rainfall estimation system to fill in gaps with existing NEXRAD radar coverage. We utilize the high resolution (250m) Vertical Profile of Reflectivity (VPR) provided by TRMM PR to improve the current NMQ VPR correction scheme for surface rainfall estimation in mountainous regions where ground radar has coarse resolution or overshooting. It is shown that the combined information helps to better resolve the vertical structure and leads to more accurate surface rainfall estimates.
Cardiovascular recovery from stress and hypertension risk factors: A meta‐analytic review

Recent research has suggested that cardiovascular recovery from stress can play a potential role in hypertension pathogenesis. Sixty-nine studies were included in a meta-analytic review to evaluate the effect of various hypertension risk factors (e.g., race, lack of exercise) on cardiovascular recovery from stress. Small mean effect sizes were observed for studies examining hypertension status and race as risk factors associated with delayed diastolic blood pressure recovery. Lack of fitness was also associated with delayed heart rate recovery. These results revealed that, for the specified risk factors and cardiovascular variables, high-risk individuals exhibited delayed cardiovascular recovery as compared with low-risk individuals. Further, the relationships between hypertension status, race, and cardiovascular recovery were typically associated with the use of "active" laboratory stressors. The relationship between lack of fitness and cardiovascular recovery was also associated with the use of "active" and exercise laboratory stressors.
Thermal plasma crystal growth

A process has been developed for growing crystals of AlN, TiN, and Si/sub 3/N/sub 4/ by reaction from the gaseous phase. In this process aluminum nitride has been prepared by evaporation of the aluminum anode of a free-burning nitrogen arc (P=1 atm, I=100 A). Forty percent of the aluminum is deposited in the form of highly oriented single crystals of AlN with very low oxygen content (0.34%). The rest is synthesized as an ultrafine powder with an average particle diameter of 300 A. AlN crystals nucleate initially on both electrodes in the vicinity of the plasma attachments. The crystals continue to grow parallel to the arc axis, in the shape of a tube, until the entire plasma area is covered. Crystal growth seems to take place only in a narrow temperature range (1400-2000 K) in the vicinity of the plasma. The powder collected from the chamber walls is synthesized from 60% of the evaporated aluminum. This percentage can be increased up to 100% by setting higher arc currents and flow rates. The purity of the AlN powder is less than 80%. By introducing ammonia in the reactor, a purity greater than 95% has been obtained. >
Angiogenesis as a target in rheumatoid arthritis

A ngiogenesis, the growth of new blood vessels, is important in a variety of fibroproliferative disorders, such as diabetic retinopathy, psoriasis, tumour growth, and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We and others have reviewed this subject recently.1–15 Blood vessel growth probably contributes to the proliferation of the inflammatory synovial pannus as well as to the ingress of inflammatory leucocytes into the synovial tissue. The process of angiogenesis is a fine tuned balance between angiogenesis induction and inhibition. In this article, I will review some of the current advances in the angiogenesis field, specifically focusing on understanding angiogenesis in RA (table 1). View this table: Table 1 Some angiogenesis inducers relevant to RA Among the earliest identified angiogenic factors were the fibroblast growth factors. Folkman and colleagues took advantage of the observation that mast cells, which secrete heparin, were often found in proximity to blood vessels.16 Hence, the ability to bind heparin was used as the first method of isolating angiogenic factors. Recently Yamashita and coworkers found that the synovium of patients with RA and joints from rats with adjuvant induced arthritis (AIA) contained increased amounts of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2).17 Moreover, a Sendai virus containing the FGF-2 gene resulted in worse arthritis in rat AIA, but had no effect on normal joints. Hence, it seems that FGF-2 is important in worsening the progression of experimental arthritis rather than being important in the initiation stage of disease. An angiogenic mediator which has attracted much attention recently is VEGF, which is an endothelial selective growth factor.18 VEGF induces vascular permeability as well. In human RA, several groups have described VEGF in the joints and serum of patients.19–28 In the control of VEGF secretion in the RA joint, not only do cytokines like interleukin 1 (IL1) and tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα) induce …
Hsp70 and Antifibrillogenic Peptides Promote Degradation and Inhibit Intracellular Aggregation of Amyloidogenic Light Chains

In light chain (LC) amyloidosis an immunoglobulin LC assembles into fibrils that are deposited in various tissues. Little is known about how these fibrils form in vivo. We previously showed that a known amyloidogenic LC, SMA, can give rise to amyloid fibrils in vitro when a segment of one of its β sheets undergoes a conformational change, exposing an Hsp70 binding site. To examine SMA aggregation in vivo, we expressed it and its wild-type counterpart, LEN, in COS cells. While LEN is rapidly oxidized and subsequently secreted, newly synthesized SMA remains in the reduced state. Most SMA molecules are dislocated out of the ER into the cytosol, where they are ubiquitinylated and degraded by proteasomes. A parallel pathway for molecules that are not degraded is condensation into perinuclear aggresomes that are surrounded by vimentin-containing intermediate filaments and are dependent upon intact microtubules. Inhibition of proteasome activity shifts the balance toward aggresome formation. Intracellular aggregation is decreased and targeting to proteasomes improved by overexpression of the cytosolic chaperone Hsp70. Importantly, transduction into the cell of an Hsp70 target peptide, derived from the LC sequence, also reduces aggresome formation and increases SMA degradation. These results demonstrate that an amyloidogenic LC can aggregate intracellularly despite the common presentation of extracellular aggregates, and that a similar molecular surface mediates both in vitro fibril formation and in vivo aggregation. Furthermore, rationally designed peptides can be used to suppress this aggregation and may provide a feasible therapeutic approach.
On computing the distinguishing and distinguishing chromatic numbers of interval graphs and other results

A vertex k-coloring of graph G is distinguishing if the only automorphism of G that preserves the colors is the identity map. It is proper-distinguishing if the coloring is both proper and distinguishing. The distinguishing number ofG, D(G), is the smallest integer k so that G has a distinguishing k-coloring; the distinguishing chromatic number ofG, @g"D(G), is defined similarly. It has been shown recently that the distinguishing number of a planar graph can be determined efficiently by counting a related parameter-the number of inequivalent distinguishing colorings of the graph. In this paper, we demonstrate that the same technique can be used to compute the distinguishing number and the distinguishing chromatic number of an interval graph. We make use of PQ-trees, a classic data structure that has been used to recognize and test the isomorphism of interval graphs; our algorithms run in O(n^3log^3n) time for graphs with n vertices. We also prove a number of results regarding the computational complexity of determining a graph's distinguishing chromatic number.
Faculty Development for Teaching Online: Educational and Technological Issues

The purpose of this article is to describe the process of creating a faculty development program for online instruction. Both educational and technological issues are discussed. Factors that will facilitate and barriers that will impede the implementation of online courses are included. Many faculty concerns regarding online courses relate to the issues of quality and student learning. Faculty development activities are directed to ensure that courses are developed using sound educational theory and principles. Online courses are first about student learning; using the technology is second. Thus, faculty development programs must be two-pronged, involving instructional design and technology. It is an ongoing process that must be focused on continual training and development.
ELECTRO-OPTIC INVESTIGATION OF THE PERMANENT AND INDUCED DIPOLES OF MONTMORILLONITE AS AFFECTED BY ELECTROLYTE CONCENTRATION

An electro-optic birefringence technique was employed to study the orientation mechanism of montmorillonite in an electric field. The instantaneous reversal of the field polarity produced evidence of a low voltage permanent dipole and a high voltage induced dipole. This technique was used to study theeffect ofelectrolyte concentration on the rotational diffusion coefficient, a measure of the rate at which the particles rotate or relax, within the solution, from a preferred orientation. Thus, a measure of the immediate environment of the particles was obtained that is not an average effect for the whole system, yet allows for the full development of the clay-cation-water interactions under the experimental conditions. It was found that particle rotation could be accounted for using the measured particle size and normal water viscosity only when the double layer was fully developed, with no free ions or other perturbations. As soon as perturbations were applied, either by adding salts or applying an electric field, the measured particle size and normal viscosity would not account for the data. Either the rotating moiety has to be larger, that is, be a particle plus a water hull, or the viscosity greater, or in some cases both.
Investigation of space flight effects on Escherichia coli and a proposed model of underlying physical mechanisms

Previous investigations have reported that space flight may produce a stimulating effect on microbial metabolism; however, the specific underlying mechanisms associated with the observed changes have not yet been identified. In an effort to systematically evaluate the effect of space flight on each phase of microbial growth (lag, exponential and stationary), a series of experiments was carried out using in vitro suspension cultures of Escherichia coli aboard seven US Space Shuttle missions. The results indicated that, as a result of space flight, the lag phase was shortened, the duration of exponential growth was increased, and the final cell population density was approximately doubled. A model was derived from these cumulative data in an attempt t associate gravity-dependent, extracellular transport phenomena with unique changes observed in each specific phase of growth. It is suggested that a cumulative effect of gravity may have a significant impact on suspended cells via their fluid environment, where an immediate, direct influence of gravity might otherwise be deemed negligible.
Occult Bacteremia in Toxic-appearing, Febrile Infants A Prospective Clinical Study in an Office Setting

The prevalence of occult bacteremia was evaluated prospectively in two groups of infants: those with a toxic appearance and temperature greater than 38.8 C and a comparison group with similar fever but without a toxic appearance. All patients were diagnosed by one physician employed in a suburban, middle-class, private ambulatory pediatric practice. Toxicity scores were assigned based on the results of history and physical examination. Peripheral white blood cell (WBC) counts and blood cultures were obtained for every child. Of 52 toxic infants involved in the study, an infectious source, commonly otitis media, was found in 26 (50%). Eighteen patients (35%) had WBC counts above 15,000. Bacteremia was documented in six patients (12%), due to Streptococcus pneumoniae in five and to group C Streptococcus in one. Five bacteremic infants had toxic, febrile illnesses for which no overt focus could be identified. None of 31 febrile infants without a toxic appearance had bacteremia. We conclude that highly febril...
Compact modeling and robust layout optimization for contacts in deep sub-wavelength lithography

In this paper we propose a new equivalent contact resistance model which accurately calculates contact resistances from contact area, contact position, and contact shape. Based on the impact of contact resistance on the saturation current, we perform robust S/D contact layout optimization by minimizing the lithography variation as well as by maximizing the saturation current without any leakage penalty. The results on industrial 32nm node standard cells show up to 3.45% delay improvement under nominal process condition, 86.81% reduction in the delay variations between the fastest and slowest process corners.
BAX and PKCα Modulate the Prognostic Impact of BCL2 Expression in Acute Myelogenous Leukemia

Previously, we demonstrated that the level of BCL2 expression is prognostic in acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). High levels of BCL2 correlate with an adverse outcome when associated with favorable and intermediate prognosis cytogenetics (FIPC), whereas low levels portend an adverse outcome when associated with unfavorable cytogenetics (UC). Because BCL2 function can be modulated by dimerization with family members, like BAX, or by phosphorylation by protein kinase C alpha (PKCalpha), we hypothesize that the relative expression of these proteins in primary leukemic cells might alter the prognostic impact of BCL2 expression. We therefore measured BAX and PKCalpha protein levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cell lysates from 165 newly diagnosed AML patients and correlated the expression of these proteins with BCL2 expression, patient survival, and remission induction success. Expression levels of BAX and PKCalpha were normalized against a control cell line, K562. BAX and PKCalpha expression levels were heterogeneous and did not correlate with the percentage of blasts in the sample (R2 = 0.01 and <0.01). The median expression of both was similar across FAB groups but the range was greater for M4. A similar distribution of expression was observed in all cytogenetic groups, except that patients with inversion 16 demonstrated lower levels of BAX. Individually, neither PKCalpha nor BAX expression was prognostic of response to induction therapy or survival. A similar outcome was obtained when patients were stratified by cytogenetics into FIPC and UC groups. However, the ratio of either BCL2:BAX (B2:BX) or PKCalpha*B2:BX (PK*B2:BX) was highly prognostic. Patients with FIPC and a lower ratio (less than median) of either B2:BX or PK*B2:BX had a significantly higher remission induction rate (88 versus 69%, P = 0.04) and longer survival (median: 141 versus 80.5 weeks, P = 0.007) compared with those with ratios more than median. For patients with UC, values of either B2:BX or PK*B2:BX below the median had an inferior response rate to induction therapy (35 versus 78%, P = 0.0006) and inferior survival outcomes (median survival: 11 versus 53 weeks, P = 0.00002). Interestingly, FIPC and UC patients with antiapoptotic ratios (defined as B2:BX or PK*B2:BX more than median) had identical response rates and survival outcomes. In multivariate analyses, the compound variables of cytogenetics and B2:BX, or PK*B2:BX were independent predictors of survival. These results suggest that expression levels of proteins that affect the functional status of BCL2 modify the prognostic impact of BCL2 and suggest that the role of apoptosis in different cases of AML varies independently in the different cytogenetic subgroups.
Bulk‐solvent correction in direct‐methods phasing. Erratum

Equation (12) of the paper by Guo et al. [(2000), Acta Cryst. D56, 451–457] was printed incorrectly. The factor (4/3)\pi R_s^3 should be omitted. The correct equation is as follows f_S =\rho_s\textstyle\int\limits_{V_P/N_P}\exp (2\pi i {\bf h\cdot r}) {\rm d}V \simeq Z_s \Phi(2\pi |{\bf h}|R_s). \eqno (12)
COMPARISON OF NORMAL AND ASTHMATIC SUBJECTS' RESPONSES TO SULPHATE POLLUTANT AEROSOLS

Epidemiological studies support an association between elevated levels of sulfates and acute respiratory disease. To determine if these pollutants produce airway hyperreactivity, 16 normal and 17 asthmatic subjects inhaled a control NaCl aerosol and the following sulfates: ammonium sulfate, sodium bisulfate, ammonium bisulfate, and sulfuric acid. A Lovelace generator produced particles with an average MMAD of approx. 1.0 ..mu..m (sigma/sub g/ approx. = 2.0) and concentrations of 0.1 and 1.0 mg/m/sup 3/. By double-blind randomization, all subjects breathed these aerosols for a 16-minute period. To determine if sulfate inhalation caused increased reactivity to a known bronchoconstrictor, all subjects inhaled carbachol following each 16-minute exposure. Before, during, and after exposure, pulmonary function studies were performed. When compared to NaCl, sulfate (1 mg/m/sup 3/) produced significant reductions in airway conductance and flow rates in asthmatics. The two most sensitive asthmatics demonstrated changes even at 0.1 mg/m/sup 3/ sulfate. To a far more significant degree, the bronchoconstrictor action of carbachol was potentiated by sulfates more or less in relation to their acidity in normals and asthmatics.
Social Constructivist Theory and Principles of Inclusion: Challenges for Early Childhood Special Education

Current theoretical and practical conceptualizations in the field of early childhood special education are limited in their attention to the sociocultural context in which development occurs. This article argues for a paradigmatic shift away from the individualistic models of development and learning to a social constructivist model that stems from views of learning and development first articulated by Vygotsky and since expanded upon by Rogoff and others. Such a shift is supportive of the current press for more inclusive classroom practices through an emphasis on the sociocultural context, the role of social activity—including instruction—in learning, and the contributions of learners to their own development. Principles for inclusive early childhood practice are explicated based on the concepts of classrooms as communities, learning as socially mediated, curriculum as contextually relevant and problem based, and assessment as authentic and personally meaningful.
Comparison of adaptive blind equalizers

A new adaptive blind equalizer has been developed and analyzed on the basis of the channel estimation standard (CES). It is also simulated for a QAM transmission system. The results are compared with the performances of other blind equalizers both theoretically and experimentally. >
Childhood Obesity Incidence in the United States: A Systematic Review

Abstract Background: This systematic review synthesizes the literature on incidence of obesity during childhood. Methods: We searched PubMed, Excerpta Medica database (EMBASE), and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and used the Web of Science tool in June 2015. Studies were included if they were published in English, presented results from primary or secondary analyses, used data about children in the US, provided obesity incidence data on children 0 to 18 years born after 1970, and did not pertain to clinically defined populations (disease, medication use, etc.). Author(s), study year, study design, location, sample size, age, and obesity incidence estimates were abstracted. Results: Nineteen studies were included, three of which used nationally representative data. The median study-specific annual obesity incidences among studies using U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) growth charts were 4.0%, 3.2%, and 1.8% for preschool (2.0–4.9 years), school aged ...
Stress-Induced Potentials in Moist Bone in Vitro

Moist bovine cortical bone specimens were milled to exact dimensions and subjected to bending stress under carefully controlled conditions. The surface under compression was consistently electronegative with respect to that under tension, and potentials up to 7.6 millivolts were recorded. With loads above one kilogram the relationship of peak voltage to load was nearly linear while the relationship of voltage to rate of load was non-linear, the increments in voltage being small beyond a certain rate. Under constant load there was a steady-state potential that was directly proportional to the load but not dependent on the rate of loading. A mathematical equation was derived relating voltage to time, load, and load rate. Although the potentials were clearly stress-induced, and perhaps more accurately strain-related, their origin could not be determined from these studies.
Consumer Reactions to Unethical Service Recovery

Ethical business practices have been widely prescribed, but why? Consumer’s views on unethical business practices have been studied, but possibly more important to marketers and researchers are consumer actions and reactions to unethical business practices and the businesses themselves. Do consumers react negatively, or in such a way as to "punish" the unethical business? If so, what is the nature and extent of the punishment? This research seeks answers to these questions by examining consumer reactions, such as complaining and switching, to instances of unethical business practices. Using equity theory, this research proposes that consumers should be willing to tolerate some unethical behavior as long as they feel their investments and outcomes remain proportionately equal. Consumers who perceive that their outcome/investment ratio is proportionately unequal to their comparison other will respond by switching or complaining. In this research consumers were exposed to two types of service failures with different levels of service recovery in vignettes. Costs incurred by the consumer during the service transaction were also manipulated in the vignettes. Significant differences were found for complaint behavior in the failure recovery vignettes tested. Specifically, voice complaint was higher in the high cost service encounters in both types of services tested. The recovery attempt used (ethical, unethical, or none) led to significance differences in the variables of complaint, voice complaint, satisfaction, and quality. Higher satisfaction and quality ratings were found for the ethical recovery attempt and higher intentions to use complaint and voice complaint in the unethical recovery attempts. One significant interaction between cost and recovery attempt was found. Intentions to use voice complaint were higher in the high cost situations of ethical and unethical recovery, while approaching equality at the no recovery attempt.
An Examination of Determinants of Corporate Social Responisbility Disclosure Strategies

An increasing number of companies are voluntarily disclosing their social, environmental and economic impact. These efforts have allowed corporate leaders to demonstrate to society that their companies are behaving in a socially desirable manner (Gray et al. 1988). The use of reporting standards like those produced by the Global Reporting Initiative have become an integral part of firms’ CSR disclosure strategy (KPMG 2011). The GRI’s G3 Guidelines provide firms an option to declare a specific application level based on what they choose to report. Firms also have the option of 3rd party assurance to assure stakeholders that requirements have been met. (Moneva et al. 2006; Gamerschlag et al. 2011; GRI 2011).
Variation in Fecundity of Greenbug (Homoptera: Aphididae) Biotypes on Resistant and Susceptible Barley

Variation in fecundity of apterous adults of three greenbug, Schizaphis graminum (Rondani), biotypes on seedlings of resistant and susceptible barley was studied in an environmental chamber programmed for 25:20°C and 16:8 (L:D) h. The objective of the test was to obtain baseline data on variability of biotypes B, C, and E on resistant and susceptible cultivars. Fecundity distributions for three biotypes (B, C, and E) on susceptible ‘Wintermalt’ were normal, but non-normality was evident for the three biotypes on resistant ‘Post’. For the non-normal distributions, significant skewness values were found in the direction of higher fecundity. Greenbug reproduction on some plants of ‘Post’ barley was greater than expected, but whether this was caused by variation in greenbug populations or variation in the host plants is unclear.
Influence of intraarterial norepinephrine on cerebral hemodynamics of newborn pigs.

Effects of intraarterial norepinephrine on cerebral hemodynamics were investigated in conscious newborn pigs. Intracarotid infusion of norepinephrine (100 ng/min) increased cerebral blood flow from 72 +/- 5 to 82 +/- 8 ml/100 g.min. The norepinephrine-induced increase in cerebral blood flow was accompanied by an increase in cerebral oxygen consumption from 2.75 +/- 0.17 to 3.11 +/- 0.29 ml O2/100 g.min. Both the increase in cerebral oxygen consumption and the increase in cerebral blood flow were blocked by propranolol and unchanged by combined prazosin and yohimbine treatment. These data show that intraarterial norepinephrine increases cerebral blood flow and cerebral oxygen consumption in newborn pigs. beta-Adrenergic stimulation increases cerebral oxygen consumption. This increase may produce the increase in cerebral blood flow caused by the norepinephrine.
Learning Considerations with Economic Order Quantity

Abstract A method for the consideration of learning impacts on economic order quantity is presented for the simple inventory model. The developed techniques can be applied to the analysis of more complex and generalized inventory systems.
Challenges and opportunities in treating inflammation associated with pulmonary hypertension.

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Inflammatory cells are present in the lungs from patients with many, if not all, forms of severe pulmonary hypertension.Areas covered: Historically the first inflammatory cell identified in the pulmonary vascular lesions was the mast cell. T and B lymphocytes, as well as macrophages, are present in and around the pulmonary arterioles and many patients have elevated blood levels of interleukin 1 and 6; some patients show elevated levels of leukotriene B4. An overlap between collagen-vascular disease-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and idiopathic PAH exists, yet only a few studies have been designed that evaluate the effect of anti-inflammatory treatments. Here we review the pertinent data that connect PAH and inflammation/autoimmune dysregulation and evaluate experimental models of severe PAH with an emphasis on the Sugen/athymic rat model of severe PAH.Expert commentary: We postulate that there are several inflammatory phenotypes and predict that there will be severa...
Feasibility study on aquathermal pyrolysis of heavy oil by geo-catalysis

The concept of geo-catalysis based on reservoir mineral is introduced into heavy oil recovery process through aquathermal pyrolysis.Laboratory experiment has been conducted for aquathermal pyrolysis of heavy oil by geo-catalysis. The result shows that adding reservoir minerals has doubled the rate of viscosity reduction from 10.6% to 23.4%.Analysis of mineral catalysis mechanism verifies the feasibility of aquathermal pyrolysis reaction for recovering heavy oil by using reservoir minerals as catalyst.
Implications of the Vulvar Sensitive Skin Syndrome After Menopause

Many women suffer from vulvar burning and skin sensitivity. The fragile nature of the skin in that area is reflected by high transepidermal water loss and a high friction coefficient, in comparison to other body sites. Abrasion from clothing and harsh toilet paper, chemical injury from urine and various medicated creams and lubricants, hard water, and soap are a few of the persistent irritants that cause burning and vulvar pain. Irritant avoidance may be a difficult challenge for women with sensitive vulvar skin.
Enhanced Computational Sampling of Perylene and Perylothiophene Packing with Rigid-Body Models

Molecular simulations have the potential to advance the understanding of how the structure of organic materials can be engineered through the choice of chemical components but are limited by computational costs. The computational costs can be significantly lowered through the use of modeling approximations that capture the relevant features of a system, while lowering algorithmic complexity or by decreasing the degrees of freedom that must be integrated. Such methods include coarse-graining techniques, approximating long-range electrostatics with short-range potentials, and the use of rigid bodies to replace flexible bonded constraints between atoms. To understand whether and to what degree these techniques can be leveraged to enhance the understanding of planar organic molecules, we investigate the morphologies predicted by molecular dynamic simulations using simplified molecular models of perylene and perylothiophene. Approximately, 10 000 wall-clock hours of graphics processing unit-accelerated simulat...
Human Predators And Prey Mortality

Drawing from a wide variety of human societies and prey species, this book seeks to validate the importance of mortality studies for understanding modern and prehistoric human ecology. In a presentation that sets out to be both methodologically and theoretically innovative, the contributors combine archaeological and actualistic approaches with seasonal and longer-term demographic cycles and the controlled integration of mortality data with other classes on information. The aim is to offer detailed accounts of how age patterns in death assemblages can be influenced by human technology, biological and physiological characteristics of prey species, food distributions and nutritional returns.
Computer interest differences in preschool children according to sex and psychological sex-typing

The computer interest of 3- and 4-year-old children attending a university-affiliated day care center was assessed via their participation in self-selected computer activities. Computer participation involved a 3-step process culminating in terminal interaction: proximity, observation, and working. Results of 2-way analyses of variance unexpectedly indicated higher computer interest scores for females than males; however, no effects were found for age. Pearson correlations indicated a pattern of negative relationships between boys’ preference for the adult male role and the computer interest variables.
Rosiglitazone Regulates TLR4 and Rescues HO-1 and NRF2 Expression in Myometrial and Decidual Macrophages in Inflammation-Induced Preterm Birth.

Introduction: Elevated inflammation accounts for approximately 30% of preterm birth (PTB) cases. We previously reported that targeting the peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) pathway reduced the incidence of PTB in the mouse model of endotoxin-induced PTB. The PPARγ has proven anti-inflammatory functions and its activation via rosiglitazone significantly downregulated the systemic inflammatory response and reduced PTB and stillbirth rate by 30% and 41%, respectively, in our model. Oxidative stress is inseparable from inflammation, and rosiglitazone has a reported antioxidative activity. In the current study, we therefore aimed to evaluate whether rosiglitazone treatment had effects outside of inflammatory pathway, specifically on the antioxidation pathway in our model. Methods: Pregnant C57BL/6J mice (E16.5) were treated with phosphatebuffered saline (PBS), rosiglitazone (Rosi), lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 10μg in 200μL 1XPBS), or LPS + Rosi (6 hours after the LPS injection). The myometrial and decidual tissues were collected and processed for macrophage isolation using magnetic cell sorting and F4/80+ antibody. Expression levels of antioxidative factors—Nrf2 and Ho-1—along with the LPS receptor Tlr4 were quantified by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The protein levels were assessed by immunofluorescence staining. Results: Both the decidual and myometrial macrophages from the LPS-treated animals showed significantly lowered expression of Ho-1 and Nrf2 and higher expression of Tlr4 when compared to the PBS control group. The macrophages from the animals in the LPS + Rosi group had significantly elevated expression of Ho-1 and Nrf2 and downregulated expression of Tlr4 when compared to the LPS group. Conclusion: Rosiglitazone administration prevents PTB by downregulating inflammation and upregulating antioxidative response.
Experiments and modeling on effects of temperature on electrical performance of a betavoltaic

Abstract Betavoltaic cells’ electrical performance was assessed by measuring current-voltage properties (I-V curves) and determining short-circuit current and open-circuit voltage. These properties were obtained on three betavoltaics under temperature cycles between −30 °C and 70 °C. Results indicated that the open-circuit voltage decreased as temperature increased and changes in short-circuit current were negligible, but betavoltaic cells were operational in the tested temperature range. In addition, a semi-empirical method to predict betavoltaic performance was developed. An I-V curve of the betavoltaic cell is taken at a reference temperature where the open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current is derived. Variations in the semiconductor’s band gap energy are used to predict the open-circuit voltage at various temperatures within 10% error and was compared with City Labs’ NanoTritium™ batteries.
Morphological effects of insect growth regulating compounds on Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) larvae

Abstract Cuticular development of Aedes aegypti larvae was examined by electron microscopy and comparisons were made between larvae exposed to methoprene, isopropyl (E, E)-11-methoxy-3, 7, 11-trimethyl-2, 4-dodecadienoate, those treated with the fluorescent insect growth regulator, 5-[[[5-(dimethylamino)-1-naphthalenyl]-sulfonyl]amino]-1, 3-benzodioxole (DNSAB), and untreated larvae. Larvae of all three groups were routinely fixed at 24, 48, and 72 hr posttreatment. Thin sections of the sixth-abdominal segment, anal papillae, midgut tissue, and Malpighian tubules were examined for morphological variations from controls.
Increasing Mortality in Adults With Diabetes and Low Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate in the Absence of Albuminuria.

OBJECTIVE Improved blood pressure control and use of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockers have altered the clinical presentation or phenotype of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in U.S. adults with diabetes. These changes may influence mortality. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) 1988–2006 were used to examine mortality trends in adults with diabetes, defined as physician diagnosis, fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dL, HbA 1c >6.5% (48 mmol/mol), or use of glucose-lowering medications. Mortality trends by CKD phenotype (estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] and urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio [ACR] level) were obtained via linkage with the National Death Index through 31 December 2011 while accounting for the complex survey design. RESULTS From 1988 to 2006, adults with an eGFR 2 and an ACR 2 and an ACR CONCLUSIONS ACR values are decreasing in U.S. adults with diabetes, but optimal management strategies are needed to reduce mortality in those with a low eGFR and an ACR
The angel of living history: Theatricality and representations of the past:

Living history performances attempt to create “authentic reproductions,” presentations that aim to present the past in the present as accurately as possible. Such performances have a tendency to pr...