cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract B115: Parity alters responses to ionizing radiation in the human mammary gland

Abstracts: Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research 2008 B115 Parity is associated with a significant reduction in breast cancer risk. Identification of key pathways, which are altered by parity, will provide important information for the development of chemoprotective agents against breast cancer. Radiation is a potent carcinogen in the mammary gland. It appears to have mutagenic effects through its ability to induce DNA damage, as well as through its ability to induce “bystander effects”. These effects have been shown to be tumor promoting in immortalized cells and involve modulation of various growth factor pathways for stem cell maintenance. We hypothesized that we would be able to obtain important information on parity-induced changes by examining gene expression responses to radiation exposure from the two types of tissue. Methods: Women undergoing elective breast reduction surgery were asked to enroll and donate their excised tissue. Portions of tissue were cultured and then either exposed or not to 5 Gy radiation. The tissue remained in culture for six hours to allow for changes in gene expression. Tissue was fixed for immunohistochemical analysis or RNA was isolated for microarray analysis. Results : A SAM analysis indicated a loose 200 gene signature, which responded to radiation differentially. The breast tissue from nulliparous women showed the most striking changes with increased expression of 80% genes in response to radiation whereas tissue from parous women illustrated no change or decreased expression of these same genes. The other 20% of the genes were strongly down regulated in tissue from nulliparous women in response to radiation, while they were up-regulated or not changed in parous tissue. The major pathways that appeared to be inversely affected in these tissues indicate parity-induced changes in signaling to tissue homeostasis and wound repair, as well as DNA replication and repair. Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2008;1(7 Suppl):B115.
In Vitro Studies on Highly Resistant Small Colony Variants of Staphylococcus aureus Resistant to Methicillin

Methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus are being recognized with increasing frequency in Europe and North America [1-10]. Although these strains are associated with some serious infections, it is uncertain whether they have the same degree of virulence and a different response to adequate doses of methicillin from those of other multiple antibiotic-resistant, but methicillin-sensitive staphylococci. Clinical information is difficult to interpret on these points, because those patients most likely to be infected fall into the category of the compromised host and therefore tend to do poorly when infected with any bacterial pathogen. Furthermore, there are few documented cases in which adequate courses of methicillin or cephalothin proved to be therapeutically ineffective [4, 10, 11], whereas subsequent treatment with an effective bactericidal chemotherapeutic regimen (e.g., either vancomycin or a combination of methicillin or cephalothin and kanamycin) was successful [12]. It is characteristic of methicillin-resistant strains
G43(P) A retrospective study on the impact of contaminated blood cultures

Introduction Blood cultures (BCs) are pivotal in the appropriate management of bacteremic infections in children. Bacteremia has a significant risk of morbidity and mortality and requires prompt hospital admission and treatment with intravenous antibiotics. There is thus a need to ensure that BC results are reliable and accurate. In order to minimise patient discomfort BCs are frequently obtained at the time of intravenous cannulation in the paediatric population, including patients with a low level of suspicion of sepsis. If aseptic techniques are not utilised in obtaining BCs, it is possible to contaminate BC samples with skin flora. Blood must be cultured for five days to rule out bacteremia, thus patients are often discharged home (if clinically well) before the final results are available. Aim The aim of this study was to retrospectively determine the management and outcomes of patients who were called to return to hospital because of positive BCs. Methods The Emergency Department (ED) admission log book was retrospectively studied over a 6 month period (January–July 2013) to identify patients who were called back from home because of positive BCs. All patient notes were then reviewed to obtain demographic, clinical and laboratory data. Results 1066 BCs, equating to 983 children, were obtained in ED during the study time-frame. Eleven patients were phoned to return to ED because of positive BCs. Age ranged from 12 days to 7 yrs with 64% ≤2years. On initial presentation, two patients were pyrexial in ED, one had significantly raised leukocyte count (>15×10 9 /l) and four had a high CRP (>10 mg/l). Four children were prescribed oral antibiotics and one was admitted and subsequently discharged with suspected pertussis. The median time for BC growth was 19.9 h (range 13–54.7 h). When called back to the ED 10 patients were admitted, 54% received IV antibiotics and 36% were observed. All 11 BC results were subsequently deemed contaminants. Conclusions This study highlighted the impact of BC contamination on both patient care and hospital services. In order to standardise optimal patient care the following should be addressed 1) criteria for taking blood cultures 2) guidelines for correct aseptic BC sampling and 3) protocol for following up positive BC results.
Maternal control and early child dysregulation: Moderating roles of ethnicity and child delay status

Author(s): Caplan, B; Baker, BL | Abstract: BackgroundMaternal controlling behaviour has been found to influence child development, particularly in behavioural and emotional regulation. Given the higher rates of interfering parent control found in mothers of children with developmental delays (DD) and Latina mothers, their children could be at increased risk for behavioural and emotional dysregulation. While studies generally support this increased risk for children with DD, findings for Latino children are mixed and often attributed to cultural models of child rearing. The present study sought to determine the moderating roles of child DD and mother ethnicity in determining the relationships between two types of parent control (supportive directiveness and interference) and child dysregulation over time.MethodsThe present study, involving 178 3-year old children with DD (n = 80) or typical development (n = 98), examined observed parent control (directive versus interfering) of Latina and Anglo mothers as it relates to change in preschool child dysregulation over 2 years.ResultsInterfering parent control was greater for children with DD and also for Latino mothers. Supportive directive parenting generally related to relatively greater decline in child behaviour and emotion dysregulation over time, while interfering parenting generally related to less decline in child behaviour dysregulation over time. In Anglo but not Latino families, these relationships tended to vary as a function of child disability.ConclusionsParent directives that support, rather than deter, ongoing child activity may promote positive regulatory development. These results particularly hold for children with DD and Latino families, and have implications for parenting practices and intervention.
Pedestrian perils on the road to Irish identity in Joyce and Bowen

This article identifies and explores some major facets of an important theme in the works of James Joyce and Elizabeth Bowen that adds to our understanding of the complex ways in which both writers construed Irishness. Striving to acknowledge what they saw as the value of walking without embracing its English nationalist or Romantic associations, these modernists depict walking in late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century Ireland as a beneficial means of expressing and experimenting with different permutations of Irish identity, largely because of the opportunity it presented to negotiate a variety of dangers. By emphasising walking’s taxing and often perilous material realities, Joyce in A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man and Ulysses and Bowen in Seven Winters and The Last September recast the idealised English Romantic view of walking as a darker and more menacing activity that nevertheless offers a useful strategy for articulating fluctuating conceptions of Irishness during the tumultuous perio...
Multispecies Grazing of Beef Cattle and Sheep in Mississippi1

Fifty-four cows and 27 ewes were randomly assigned by breed type, weight, body condition, and age into three replications of two treatments. The CONTROL treatment consisted of 27 cows, and the cow plus sheep (C+SH) treatment consisted of 27 cows and 27 ewes. Each replication consisted of nine cows grazing alone (CONTROL) and nine cows grazing with nine ewes (C+SH). The 3-yr study was conducted from July 1987 to September 1990. There was no effect of treatment on cow weights or cow condition scores. There was no difference in birth weight (38.7 vs. 37.1 kg), actual weaning weight (254.5 vs. 241.3 kg), adjusted 205-d weight (250.7 vs. 238.2 kg), ADG (1.03 vs. 0.98 kg), or weaning weight of offspring per 45.4 kg of dam weight (19.6 vs. 21.2 kg) between CONTROL and C+SH treatments. There was no difference in CP (9.32 vs. 9.50%), IVDMD (51.30 vs. 49.68%), estimated DE (2.68 vs. 2.61 kcal/g DM), or kg DM/ha (1,305.0 vs. 1,086.7). The observed gross income per cow for CONTROL and C+SH was ($118.75 vs. $90.86); however, when the gross income per ewe ($17.97) was added to the C+SH income, the total gross income for both the cow and ewe was $108.83 and this was $10 per cow less than when the cows were grazed without sheep. There were more (P<.05) weeds present in the CONTROL pasture than in the C+SH pasture (55 vs. 37); however, there was no difference in the number of species of weeds due to grazing treatment.
Some commonly used concepts and technical terms in stratigraphy and sedimentology

Based on the analysis of several concepts and technical terms that are easily confused and under recognized in geology,the following conclusions are arrived at that the cycle of sedimentation is not repetitive,the stratigraphic unit should not be followed by the term "strata".The entitlement of technical terms should formal and strict and officially approved to avoid the occurrence that one thing may be named with different terms.Correlation of strata is diverse,so is geological time.Palaeontology,historical geology and stratigraphy are different subjects of geology.To carry on geological researches,it's very important to totally understand and comprehend these concepts and technical terms.
Impact of annual screening and chemotherapy with praziquantel on schistosomiasis japonica on Jishan Island, People's Republic of China

The impact of annual screening and treatment with praziquantel on schistosomiasis japonica was examined on Jishan Island in Po Yang Lake, Jiangxi Province. China. Prevalence of infection in the community decreased from 39% in year 1 to 33% in year 3 with a corresponding decrease in the geometric mean egg count from 51 eggs per gram of stool (epg) to 31 epg. The most dramatic changes in infection status and intensity of infection were observed in younger individuals (0-19 years of age). The prevalence of hepatosplenomegaly also significantly decreased, again primarily in younger individuals. No change in the community prevalence of schistosome-induced hepatic fibrosis was observed as determined by ultrasonography. Longitudinal cohort analysis, however, demonstrated significant improvement in treated individuals with advanced hepatic fibrosis. These data indicate that annual screening and treatment had a significant impact on infection status and morbidity and suggest that community therapy may be an effective approach to control schistosomiasis japonica in lake regions and marshlands in China. Further studies are necessary to determine the optimal and most cost-effective approach for drug delivery.
Reciprocity of Self-Disclosure: A Sequential Analysis

(1982). Reciprocity of Self-Disclosure: A Sequential Analysis. Annals of the International Communication Association: Vol. 6, Communication Yearbook 6, pp. 506-533.
LAMMPS integrated materials engine (LIME) for efficient automation of particle-based simulations: application to equation of state generation

We describe the development, accuracy, and efficiency of an automation package for molecular simulation, the large-scale atomic/molecular massively parallel simulator (LAMMPS) integrated materials engine (LIME). Heuristics and algorithms employed for equation of state (EOS) calculation using a particle-based model of a molecular crystal, hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-s-triazine (RDX), are described in detail. The simulation method for the particle-based model is energy-conserving dissipative particle dynamics, but the techniques used in LIME are generally applicable to molecular dynamics simulations with a variety of particle-based models. The newly created tool set is tested through use of its EOS data in plate impact and Taylor anvil impact continuum simulations of solid RDX. The coarse-grain model results from LIME provide an approach to bridge the scales from atomistic simulations to continuum simulations.
3D-printed semi-soft mechanisms inspired by origami twisted tower

This paper presents a novel modeling and fabrication technique of semi-soft mechanisms inspired by the origami twisted tower. The twisted tower is a modular origami structure consisting of multiple octagon-shaped layers. This structure can generate linear contraction, extension, and bending. A special geometric construct of this design allows each layer to fully collapse by twisting π/4°. Inspired by this unique feature, the design was further diversified to use any regular polygon with m sides, where m ≥ 3 and resulting maximum twisting within a single layer is 2π/m. This design diversification broadens potential applications of this mechanism. Such complex origami designs, however, faces one fundamental problem, i.e. manufacturability. There is no current manufacturing technique available for automating complex sequences of paper folding and assembling. To address this challenge, the twisted tower design was converted into a 3D printable model. 2-layer towers based on a triangle, square, pentagon, hexagon, and octagon were printed using the PolyJet™ 3D printing technology. For the octagon-based design, an additional 10-layer tower was printed to demonstrate the range of motions preserved from the hand-folded origami tower.
Factors associated with household contacts' tuberculosis testing and evaluation.

Purpose No research has been done in New York City that shows the demographic characteristics of household contacts testing, evaluation, and treatment of LTBI. The objective of the study was to identify demographic factors associated with household contacts' TB testing, evaluation, and LTBI treatment. Design and methods A retrospective analysis of the New York City (NYC) TB registry data that examined the factors (gender, age, country of birth, race/ethnicity, and borough of residence) associated with TB testing, evaluation, and LTBI treatment. The study sample included all household contacts of TB cases identified from 2010 to 2014 (N = 3,008). The data set was chosen when nurses were the primary case managers at chest centers in the department of health. Descriptive and inferential analysis was used to identify factors associated with testing, evaluation, and LTBI treatment. Results The demographic characteristics of household contacts associated with testing, evaluation, and LTBI treatment were consistent with those of TB cases in NYC from 2010 to 2014. Those not tested, not fully evaluated, and refusing LTBI treatment were most often aged 18-44 years and were non-US born. Males were significantly more likely than females not to be fully evaluated. Among racial/ethnic groups, Asian and Hispanic persons were at higher risk of not being fully evaluated, and residents of Queens had the highest risk among the five boroughs. In multivariate analyses, age was a significant predictor of behavior, such that the older the person the less likely to get TB testing or to accept LTBI treatment. Non-US country of birth was associated with lower likelihood of being fully evaluated but more likely to accept LTBI treatment when fully evaluated, while Asian or Hispanic race/ethnicity was associated with higher likelihood of both behaviors. Conclusions Findings on age from this study will enable public health agencies and public health nurses to plan for effective strategies that will increase the number of household contacts who accept TB testing and evaluation, as well as the numbers who will accept and complete LTBI treatment.
Cognitive Behavior Modification with Psychotic Children

I am sure that many of you may be wondering how cognitive approaches could be applied to such a severely disturbed population. My first reaction to the appropriateness of such an approach was one of skepticism, but the conceptual understanding and application strategies that emerge from a cognitive social learning perspective are quite exciting.
Semi-Classical Theory of Spin Wave Excitations in Amorphous Ferromagnets

The Landau-Lifshitz theory of ferromagnetic spin waves is generalized to amorphous ferromagnetic materials. It is shown that this theory predicts the existence of both extended and localized spin-wave states. The localized states are due to the randomness of the ferromagnet. It is postulated that the localized spin waves can be resonantly excited by means of a time-varying electromagnetic field. The anomalously large widths of the resonance lines observed in recent spin wave resonance experiments performed on amorphous thin nickel films can be explained in terms of the localized spin-wave states.
Binomial Logistic Models, Transaction Costs, and Joint Ventures: A Methodological Note

This paper discusses the use of binomial logit models by researchers trying to explain the choice made by foreign direct investors between entering a foreign market with wholly-owned subsidiaries or with joint ventures. The paper first discusses the theory of the optimal level of equity stake a parent should take in its foreign affiliates. I then critically examine the methodology chosen by researchers attempting to test this theory, and specifically the use of binomial logit models, the operationalization of the dependent variable as a categorical variable, and the data collection techniques. The paper then examines the practical problems and limitations faced in conducting such research, “using my 1991 Management Science study” of the ownership policies of Japanese foreign direct investors in the United States as an example. I conclude by suggesting areas for future research.
Brutality or Benevolence in Plantation Archaeology

Archaeologists working on plantation sites have typically ignored the role that violence played in the lives of enslaved African-Americans. By drawing together examples from archaeological publications in which violence has been mentioned, the commentary illustrates not only both the types and scale of violence endured by African-Americans, but also how archaeologists have effectively sanitized their publications on plantation life. In order to understand the African-American experience on the plantation, archaeologists must recognize that violence played a significant role in plantation society, and integrate it explicitly into all our models and interpretations of plantation life.
Nonconservative Lifted Convex Conditions for Stability of Discrete-Time Switched Systems Under Minimum Dwell-Time Constraint

In this note, a novel conception called virtual clock, which is defined by an artificial timer over a finite cycle, is introduced for stability analysis of discrete-time switched linear systems under minimum dwell-time constraint. Two necessary and sufficient conditions associated with a virtual clock with a sufficient length are proposed to ensure the global uniform asymptotic stability of discrete-time switched linear systems. For the two nonconservative stability criteria, the lifted version maintains the convexity in system matrices. Based on the lifted convex conditions, the extensions to $\ell _2$ -gain computation and $\mathcal {H}_\infty$ control problems are presented in the sequel. In particular, a novel virtual-clock-dependent controller is designed, which outperforms the traditional mode-dependent and common gain controllers. Several numerical examples are provided to illustrate our theoretic results.
Pd-Catalyzed Oxidative Heck Reaction of Grignard Reagents with Diaziridinone as Oxidant.

A novel Pd-catalyzed oxidative Heck reaction with readily available Grignard reagents using di-t-butyldiaziridinone as an oxidant has been developed. Various substituted olefins were obtained in 46...
Conversion of Fe-NH2 to Fe-N2 with release of NH3.

Tris(phosphine)borane ligated Fe(I) centers featuring N2H4, NH3, NH2, and OH ligands are described. Conversion of Fe–NH2 to Fe–NH3+ by the addition of acid, and subsequent reductive release of NH3 to generate Fe–N2, is demonstrated. This sequence models the final steps of proposed Fe–mediated nitrogen fixation pathways. The five-coordinate trigonal bipyramidal complexes described are unusual in that they adopt S = 3/2 ground states and are prepared from a four-coordinate, S = 3/2 trigonal pyramidal precursor.
Responding to a Health Crisis on Facebook: The Effects of Response Timing and Message Appeal

Abstract This study examined the effects of timing and message appeal of a crisis response on organizational perceptions and behavioral intentions on social media. Using a health crisis scenario, a 3 (one hour vs. one day vs. one week after the crisis) × 2 (emotional vs. rational appeal) between-subjects experiment (N = 502) found that a crisis response posted one day after the crisis on Facebook elicited greater trust towards the hospital in crisis compared to a response posted in one week. The one-hour response and one-day response did not show differential effects on trust towards the hospital. The effect of timing was mediated by perceived credibility of the crisis response. In addition, the emotional appeal triggered greater trust, perception of reputation, and intention to “like” the post; whereas the rational appeal elicited greater intention to share and comment on the post. The study provides both theoretical and practical implications.
Simultaneous imaging of H and OH in flames using a single broadband femtosecond laser source

Abstract Atomic hydrogen (H) and hydroxyl radical (OH) are two key intermediate species in the combustion of hydrocarbon fuels. For example, the spatial and temporal distribution of H is useful to better understand the ignition/extinction processes, whereas OH distribution profiles can yield flame structure and reaction zone in different flames conditions. In the present study, simultaneous laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) measurements of H and OH are obtained using a single ultrashort femtosecond-duration laser pulse near λ=307.7 nm for 3pLIF of H. Measurements are performed in CH4-air and C2H4-air flames stabilized over the Hencken burner. Recently developed three-photon LIF (3pLIF) technique is used for H, whereas the same excitation laser pulse can simultaneously excite OH A2Ʃ+←X2Π (0,0) transition. Red-shifting the excitation wavelength to 307.7 nm as opposed to commonly used two-photon excitation using 205 nm deep-ultra-violet (DUV) laser pulses enables the reduction of absorption losses of excitation laser pulse energy when transmitting through thick optical windows of high-pressure vessels, for example. Furthermore, the efficiency of the fs wavelength generation scheme of commercial optical parametric devices is approximately a factor of two higher near 307.7 nm as compared to 292 nm for 3pLIF of H. In this study, H and OH number densities have been reported for a range of flame equivalence ratios in CH4/air and C2H4/air flames established over the Hencken burner. Simultaneous imaging of H and OH in the premixed Bunsen flame is presented . Prospective improvements for increasing the signal-to-noise and hence potential kHz-rate simultaneous single-shot imaging are also discussed.
Right-Wing YouTube: A Supply and Demand Perspective

YouTube is the most used social network in the United States and the only major platform that is more popular among right-leaning users. We propose the “Supply and Demand” framework for analyzing p...
Changes in handgrip strength in children with cystic fibrosis compared to children without cystic fibrosis.

Summary Background & aims Cystic Fibrosis (CF) may impact nutritional status. Handgrip strength (HGS) may be used for nutrition assessment. The objective of the study was to evaluate changes in HGS over time in children with CF compared to children without CF. A secondary purpose was to analyze the relationship of clinical characteristics of CF with HGS. Methods A prospective, longitudinal study was conducted. The non-CF group (n = 76) was recruited from a school and the CF group (n = 75) from an accredited CF center. Height, weight, mid-upper arm circumference, triceps skinfold, and HGS were measured at baseline and approximately three and six months in both groups. Data for pulmonary function, nutrition risk, enteral supplementation, CF transmembrane conductance regulator modulator, steroids, antibiotics, vitamin levels, CF related diabetes (CFRD), and recent hospitalization were collected for the CF group. A mixed model determined the difference in the change in HGS between the CF group and the non-CF group. For all analyses, p= Results The rate of change in HGS z-score in the CF-group (0.18 ± 0.05) versus the non-CF group (0.06 ± 0.06) was not significant (p = 0.15). Initial mean dominant HGS z-score was significantly lower (p = 0.02) in those with vitamin D deficiency (−1.35 ± 0.09) versus those without (−1.02 ± 0.11). HGS z-score significantly (p = 0.02) decreased over time in children with CFRD (−0.19 ± 0.22) versus children without CFRD (0.32 ± 0.14), p = 0.02. Conclusion Serial measurements of HGS may help detect changes in muscle function related to CFRD and vitamin D deficiency. Further investigation is warranted to elucidate HGS's role in nutrition assessment of children with CF.
Factors Associated With Perceived Trust of False Abortion Websites: Cross-sectional Online Survey.

Background: Most patients use the internet to search for health information. While there is a vast repository of searchable information online, much of the content is unregulated and therefore potentially incorrect, conflicting, or confusing. Abortion information online is particularly prone to being inaccurate as antichoice websites publish purposefully misleading information in formats that appear as neutral resources. To understand how antichoice websites appear neutral, we need to understand the specific website features of antichoice websites that impart an impression of trustworthiness. Objective: We sought to identify the characteristics of false or misleading abortion websites that make these websites appear trustworthy to the public. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study using Amazon’s Mechanical Turk platform. We used validated questionnaires to ask participants to rate 11 antichoice websites and one neutral website identified by experts, focusing on website content, creators, and design. We collected sociodemographic data and participant views on abortion. We used a composite measure of “mean overall trust” as our primary outcome. Using correlation matrices, we determined which website characteristics were most associated with mean overall trust. Finally, we used linear regression to identify participant characteristics associated with overall trust. Results: Our analytic sample included 498 participants aged from 22 to 70 years, and 50.1% (247/493) identified as female. Across 11 antichoice websites, creator confidence (“I believe that the creators of this website are honest and trustworthy”) had the highest correlation coefficient (strongest relationship) with mean overall trust (coefficient=0.70). Professional appearance (coefficient=0.59), look and feel (coefficient=0.59), perception that the information is created by experts (coefficient=0.59), association with a trustworthy organization (coefficient=0.58), valued features and functionalities (coefficient=0.54), and interactive capabilities (coefficient=0.52) all demonstrated strong relationships with mean overall trust. At the individual level, prochoice leaning was associated with higher overall trust of the neutral website (B=−0.43, 95% CI −0.87 to 0.01) and lower mean overall trust of the antichoice websites (B=0.52, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.99). Conclusions: The mean overall trust of antichoice websites is most associated with design characteristics and perceived trustworthiness of website creators. Those who believe that access to abortion should be limited are more likely to have higher mean overall trust for antichoice websites.
Obstacle avoidance algorithm based on monocular vision for quad-rotor helicopter

For bad real-time ability and poor accuracy rate of the monocular obstacle avoidance algorithm for quad-rotor helicopters in practical engineering applications,a new monocular obstacle avoidance algorithm based on Pyramid Lucas-Kanade optical flow and moving optical flow was proposed and the mathematical derivation process of the algorithm was given.The algorithm was established and implemented on a ArduCopter quad-rotor helicopter equipped with a 320pixel×240pixel camera and many experiments was done to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the algorithm.In the process of vehicle autonomous flight,the vanishing points were used for navigation and a neural net PID was used to control flighting adaptively.As compared with the monocular Synchronous Location Mapping(SLAM)obstacle avoidance algorithm,Horn-Schunck optical flow obstacle avoidance algorithm and the image segmentation obstacle avoidance algorithm,the proposed algorithm shows better real-time ability and accuracy rate,and can meet the requirements of obstacle avoidance in real time for quad-rotor helicopters.
Autograft Root Dilation After the Ross Procedure Is Not Benign

Autograft root dilation is common after the unsupported Ross procedure. In the absence of valvar incompetence, and with the perception that dissection is exceedingly rare, expectant management of a...
Critical infrastructure literacies and/as ways of relating in big data ecologies

Abstract In response to the numerous ethical issues involving big data, this article positions the infrastructural dynamics of big data storage and circulation as a concern for social and environmental justice. After identifying how big data accumulate in place-based ecologies that are made vulnerable to sustain ever-increasing quantities of data, the author explains how most, if not all, digital writing practices are relationally tethered to often distant places. In response, the author argues for developing and sustaining critical infrastructure literacies where big data infrastructures are not perceived as ethereal, cloud-like entities, but as materialities with relations to place, land, water, history, climate, culture, nation, and much else. Attending to infrastructure with a cultural rhetorics orientation attentive to relationality, accountability, and story, the article details four critical practices that place digital citizens within relational matrices where they are asked to account for how data practices affect a constellation of people, places, and environments.
Ligand-induced changes in dynamics mediate long-range allostery in the lac repressor

Allostery, broadly defined as a proteins functional response to distal perturbations, is fundamental to biological regulation. In classical models, allosteric ligand binding produces a defined set of structural changes in the protein, resulting in a different low-energy conformation. Proteins that undergo ligand-induced allostery with few observable structural changes therefore frustrate interpretations by classical models. Here we used hydrogen-deuterium exchange with mass spectrometry (HDX/MS) to map the allosteric effects in a paradigm ligand-responsive allosteric transcription factor, the lac repressor (LacI). X-ray crystal structures of the core domain of LacI bound to different small molecule ligands, or the DNA operator, show less than 1.5 [A] difference in the protein all-atom root-mean-square-deviation (RMSD) between any two structures. Despite this high degree of similarity among static structures, our HDX/MS experiments reveal widespread and unexpected differences in the flexibility of secondary structures in the LacI core domain in each functional state. We propose a model in which ligand binding allosterically switches the functional response of the repressor by selectively changing the dynamics of particular secondary structure elements relative to each other, shifting the conformational ensemble of the protein between mutually incompatible DNA-bound and inducer-bound states. Our model also provides a mechanistic context for the altered functions of thousands of documented LacI mutants. Furthermore, our approach provides a platform for characterizing and engineering allosteric responses in proteins.
Support Vector Machines

This chapter gives a short introduction to support vector machines, the basic learning method used, extended, and analyzed for text classification throughout this work. Support vector machines [Cortes and Vapnik, 1995][Vapnik, 1998] were developed by Vapnik et al. based on the Structural Risk Minimization principle [Vapnik, 1982] from statistical learning theory. The idea of structural risk minimization is to find a hypothesis h from a hypothesis space H for which one can guarantee the lowest probability of error Err(h) for a given training sample S $$({\vec x_1},{y_1}), \ldots ,({\vec x_n},{y_n}) {\vec x_i} \in {\Re ^N},{y_i} \in \{ - 1, + 1\}$$ (3.1) of n examples. The following upper bound connects the true error of a hypothesis h with the error Err train (h) of h on the training set and the complexity of h [Vapnik, 1998] (see also Section 1.1).
Counterparty Risk in Material Supply Contracts

This paper explores the sources of counterparty risk in material supply relationships. Using long-term supply contracts collected from SEC filings, we test whether three sources of counterparty risk — financial exposure, product quality risk, and redeployability risk — are priced in the equity returns of linked firms. Our results show that equity holders require compensation for exposure to all three sources of risk. Specifically, offering trade credit to counterparties and investing in relationship-specific assets increase the firm’s exposure to counterparty risk. Further, we show that contracts with protective financial covenants and product warranties mitigate the transmission of risk. Overall, we provide evidence on the channels of supply-chain risk, and we show that shareholders recognize the role of contractual features in mitigating counterparty risk.
Genetics of Carney Complex

Carney complex (CNC) is an autosomal dominant multiple neoplasia and lentiginosis syndrome characterised by spotty skin lesions, cardiac and other myxomas and different types of endocrine tumours. The PRKAR1A gene, which codes for the regulatory subunit type 1-alpha of the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-activated protein kinase A, is responsible for more than two-thirds of the cases of CNC described to date. Currently, more than 120 different disease-causing PRKAR1A sequence variants have been reported. Other involved genes for adrenal hyperplasias include phosphodiesterases PDE11A and PDE8B. Additional genes are likely to be identified that may expand our understanding on the pathophysiology of the cAMP signalling pathway and how genetic defects cause CNC and its individual components such as adrenal tumours. Key Concepts: Inactivating PRKAR1A mutations cause CNC because PRKAR1A haploinsufficiency leads to uncontrolled PKA activity. The majority (∼80%) of PRKAR1A mutations causing CNC result in an early stop codon generation and degradation of the mutant RNA through nonsense-mediated RNA decay (NMD). Recently, novel types of PRKAR1A mutations have been described: large gene rearrangements and small indels resulting in an elongated protein through downstream shift of the stop codon. The penetrance of PRKAR1A mutations is more than 95% by the age of 50 years. PDE11A and PDE8B genetic defects contribute to the CNC phenotype, but they may also independently cause forms of adrenal hyperplasia, mainly isolated micronodular adrenocortical disease (iMAD). Genotype–phenotype correlation is limited, but there are certain mutations that cause more frequently certain endocrine manifestations such as isolated Cushing syndrome. The use of new genomic techniques has led to the identification of new genetic defects in PRKAR1A and related genes in CNC. Keywords: Carney complex; PRKAR1A; mutations; PDE11A; PDE8B; genotype-phenotype correlations
Normal Neurocognitive Aging

Aging in the absence of neurodegenerative disease is frequently accompanied by deficits in memory and other cognitive capacities. Although relatively modest in severity, these changes diminish the quality of life and pose a significant challenge to independent living. Substantial effort has been directed toward understanding both the basis of decline and the mechanisms that support successful outcomes. Key advances include the recognition that cognitive aging can occur in the absence of dramatic, diffusely distributed neuron death, and that the preservation of normal cognition can reflect active adaptations to aging, not simply the perpetuation of youthful function. Frequently examined via static snapshots acquired under resting conditions, increasing emphasis has focused on plasticity properties, aimed at determining the effects of aging on dynamic, experience-dependent dimensions of brain and behavioral function. Here we review the current status of basic research, predominantly in animal models, addressing these and related issues in the study of normal neurocognitive aging. The overall aim is to draw attention to the critical translational challenge of enabling optimally healthy cognitive outcomes. Keywords: memory; hippocampus; prefrontal cortex; morphometry; neurophysiology; epigenetics
RURAL DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH UNDER SCRUTINY

Second thoughts about the assigned title of this paper (Rural Development Research—One Perspective) prompted a change — there is a not too subtle implication that the “one perspective” may not be the correct perspective. Also, I had envisioned assimilating a number of perspectives attributable to others into my own – and at least attempting not to miss the target altogether. However, such would be a rather placid and inappropriate approach to the topic. Consequently, I propose to confront the topic of rural development research more directly, scrutinizing it as closely as possible, and attempting to make a contribution to a better understanding of the problems facing rural development researchers and those concerned with action programs in “rural development.”
Relationship between the Development of Outer Hair Cell Electromotility and Efferent Innervation: A Study in Cultured Organ of Corti of Neonatal Gerbils

Outer hair cell (OHC) electromotility, which powers the cochlear amplifier, develops at a later stage of hearing ontogeny. There has been speculation whether efferents play a necessary role in directing or achieving OHC maturation in mammals. In this study, we examine whether the development of OHC motility depends on the establishment of efferent innervation of the cells' synaptic pole by measuring electromotility of OHCs grown in cultures, deprived of efferent innervation. Tissue cultures of the organ of Corti were prepared from the cochleas of newborn gerbils. Solitary OHCs were obtained from 4- to 15-d-old cultures by enzymatic digestion and mechanical trituration. Length changes evoked by transcellular electrical stimulation were detected and measured with a photodiode sensor. Results show that OHCs develop electromotility between 6 and 13 d in culture without the presence of efferent innervation. The timetable for the onset of OHC electromotility is comparable with that in vivo. This demonstrates that the ontogeny of OHC electromotility is an intrinsic process that does not require the influence of efferent innervation.
An Exploratory Comparison of the Casual Dining Experience: Chain versus Independent Restaurants

Abstract Chain restaurants in the United States now represent the majority of dollars spent in terms of overall sales when compared to independent restaurants. As a result, independents struggle to remain competitive in the marketplace. This paper reports the findings of an exploratory study that was conducted to compare consumer perceptions toward the casual dining experience between chain and independent restaurants. The results clearly show consumers view dining experiences at chain units more favorably than dining experiences at independent units. Food quality has the greatest impact on satisfaction levels in terms of chain restaurants, whereas, server responsiveness is the driving force behind satisfaction as it relates to independent restaurants.
Kinship and Inbreeding

Inbreeding results when makes are genetically related. This principle can be used to calculate degrees of kinship between individuals.
Investigations of several interference effects in high frequency plasmas of analytical importance

Investigations of the extent to which certain inter-element or interference effects occur in a radiofrequency-excited inductively coupled plasma (ICP) are reported. Under conditions normally employed for analytical purposes, it is shown that: (a) two solute vaporization interferences often observed in flames are eliminated or reduced to negligible proportions in the plasma; (b) increasing concentrations of an easily ionizable element (Na) up to concentrations of 6900 ..mu..g/ml exerted an unusually low influence on the observed emission intensities of three selected elements (Ca, Cr, and Cd) of widely differing degrees of ionization. The high degree of freedom from interelement effects of this analytical technique is further documented by the observation that a variety of matrices did not affect the emission intensity of Mo to a significant extent. A comparison of the degree to which several interference effects are observed in a microwave-excited single electrode plasma (SEP) and in an ICP shows that the severe changes observed in the SEP are small or negligible in the ICP. The spectral interferences arising from stray light and from the wings of broadened emission lines in atomic emission spectrometry are discussed. Experimental evidence is presented showing various forms of stray light originating from defects in themore » optical components, design and engineering of optical spectrometers. Experimental evidence is also presented demonstrating that the wings of certain spectral lines emitted by high temperature sources may contribute a significant continuum at wavelengths as far removed as 10 nm or more from the line center.« less
The solvolytic disproportionation of mixed-valence compounds: II. Tb11O20

Abstract The chemical transformation corresponding to the equation Pb 3 O 4 ( s )+4 H + aq = PbO 2 ( s )+2 Pb 2+ (aq) +2 H 2 Ol ) has been studied chemically but especially by high-resolution electron microscope (HREM) observations on specimens quenched at regular intervals during reaction. It was determined that attack by the acid solution is most rapid along {101} directions with a substantial component along [001]. “PbO” as well as PbO2 go into solution as Pb2+ and water. This requires electrons to be supplied to the reacting surface. As a consequence, a receding (101) edge, free of PbO2 precipitate, is usually maintained thin by the reaction. The precipitation of PbO2 occurs as an independent process separated spatially from the dissolution reaction according to the equation Pb 2+ ( aq )+2 H 2 O ( l )= PbO 2 ( s )+4 H + ( aq )+2e − . This reaction is reversible and the rapid exchange between Pb2+(aq) and PbO2 promotes simultaneous and continuous recrystallization. This mechanism, elucidated by HREM techniques, is also consistent with the gross chemical kinetic and X-ray studies.
In Vitro Models of the Blood–Brain Barrier

The chapter provides an introduction and brief overview of currently available in vitro blood-brain barrier models, pointing out the major advantages and disadvantages of the respective models and potential applications. Bovine brain microvessel endothelial cell isolation, culture, and transendothelial permeability measurement procedures are discussed in detail as a model system for a laboratory to begin brain vascular investigations.
The effects of traits of Bacillus megaterium onseed and root colonization and their correlation withthe suppression of Rhizoctonia root rot of soybean

Bacillus megaterium strainB153-2-2 is a potential bacterial biocontrol agentagainst Rhizoctonia solani isolate 2B12(ISG-2B). To study the role of antagonism (Ant),chemotaxis (Che), motility (Mot), and sporulation(Spo) of the biocontrol agent during seed and rootcolonization and the correlation between rootcolonization and the suppression of soybean (Glycine max) root rot caused by R. solani,strain B153-2-2(Che+Mot+Ant++Spo++) and the sevenderived mutants with altered antagonism, chemotaxis,motility, and/or sporulation were used. The bacterialcells were introduced into soil separately either asa soybean seed coating or soil application. Two soilmixtures defined as coarse and fine soil were used. The bacterial cell chemotactic response to soybeanroot and seed exudates and antagonism to R.solani were significantly (p = 0.05) correlatedwith root and seed colonization in some but not alltreatments. The sporulation-defective mutants had lowcell populations immediately after application and,therefore, reduced root colonization. The differencesin root colonization diminished among the mutants andstrain B153-2-2 when R. solani was present inthe soil or, as seedlings grew older. Soybean seedlingroots grown in coarse soil had significantly greatercolonization by B153-2-2 or its mutants and a lowerdisease index than that in fine soil. There was asignificant positive correlation (r 2 = 0.78)between root colonization by strain B153-2-2 or itsmutants and suppression of Rhizoctonia root rot.
Of Home and Remembrance: Two Recent Works of Cuban-American Literature

IT IS A TRUISM that Latino/a writers are obsessed with the past; from the first blossoming of Chicano literature in the 30s and 40s with the fiction of Am?rico Paredes, to the more recent crop of memory-laden works by Julia Alvarez and Pulitzer winner Oscar Hijuelos, Latino/as have often shown a penchant for reminiscence. Much recent Cuban-American literature especially bears this mark of memory, this compulsion to re construct worlds within what Harold Augenbraum and Ilan Stavans have dubbed "an air of nostalgia." And indeed, two of the newest additions to the Cuban-American canon (for those of us who believe in such things) exhibit just such a predilection for the past: Gustavo P?rez Firmat's Next Year in Cuba, a moving, lyrical memoir of the author's exile from Cuba as a child and his experiences growing up in the U.S.; and The Secret of the Bulls, the debut novel by Jos? Ra?l Bernardo, a powerful and in tensely earthy rendering of one Cuban family's joys and struggles in pre-Fidel (and pre-Batista) Cuba. At first glance these titles would seem to have little in common be yond the ethnicity of their authors and their common good fortune at having attracted the attention of major publishers; they do not share an interest in a particular historical period, a writing style, or even a genre (although generic distinctions become increasingly irrelevant as one reads the texts). What they do share, however, is a desire to remember, to re construct a heritage and a history from the fragments left them by experiences of loss and exile. Far from constituting mere chronicles of (and longing for) the "good old days" of pre-Castro Cuba, that is, far from being sat isfied with nostalgia, these are works that seek to examine a turbulent