cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characteristics and admission patterns of patients presenting with syncope to us emergency departments, 1992-2000

Study objectives: We describe the characteristics and admission patterns of patients with syncope presenting to US emergency departments (EDs). Methods: The ED portion of the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, 1992-2000, was analyzed. Nationally representative weighted estimates for incidence and admission rates were estimated and stratified by demographic variables. Presence of cardiovascular diagnoses on ED discharge was noted. Results: Of the 865 million ED visits during the 9-year study period, an estimated 6.7 million (0.77%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.69% to 0.85%) were related to syncope. Higher incidences of ED visits for syncope were found in elderly, female, and non-Hispanic patients compared with their reference groups. The overall admission rate was 32% (95% CI 28% to 36%). Older, white, and male patients were admitted more frequently than their counterparts. Of patients older than 80 years, 58% (95% CI 49% to 67%) were admitted. Associated cardiovascular International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes for ischemic, structural, and arrhythmic heart disease were noted in 10% (95% CI 8% to 13%) of patients, and 66% (95% CI 56% to 76%) of these patients were admitted. Conclusion: Syncope is a frequent reason for ED visits and admissions. The elderly and patients with associated cardiovascular diagnoses are frequently discharged, and admission practices appear to deviate from consensus panel guidelines.
Iron chelation prevents tissue injury following ischemia

Abstract Damage to a tissue following ischemia appears top occur during its reperfusion with oxygenated blood. This damage is apparently oxidative in nature and is generally considered to be the result of excessive superoxide (O2− and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production. Since neither O2− nor H2O2 cause oxidative damage in the absence of iron, we proposed that the oxidative processes are caused by the released of iron during reperfusion. The damage caused by the iron is exacerbated by hypoperfusion and the loss of calcium homeostasis. Our hypothesis is supported by the finding of significant levels of low molecular weight, chelatable iron in tissues during reperfusion following ischemia. The tissue damage can be ameliorated by techniques that increase the rate of reperfusion (open chest direct heart massage for the cardiac arrest model) and the administration of an iron chelator plus a calcium antagonist. Animals treated in this manner appear to completely recover from 15 minutes of cardiac arrest.
Reactions at Oxide Surfaces. 2. Oxidation of Se(IV) by Synthetic Birnessite

The rates and mechanisms of the reactions between aqueous Se(IV) and synthetic birnessite (δ-MnO2) particles were studied. The experimental results at pH 4 and 25 °C indicate that the initial disappearance of Se(IV)(aq) from solution is rapid with a time scale of minutes. The oxidation product Se(VI)(aq) appears in detectable concentrations after 12 h of reaction and is slowly produced at a constant rate throughout the duration of the experiments (28 days). The extended reaction period results in most of the product Mn(II) being adsorbed by the oxide surface. The lack of oxidation of Se(IV)(aq) in an oxygenated homogeneous solution and the appearance of Se(VI)(aq) in an O_2-free birnessite suspension is evidence for the redox reaction between Se(IV) and Mn(IV). Increasing the pH of the particle suspension from 4 to 7 decreases the initial uptake of Se(IV) and the production of Se(VI). Increasing the temperature of the particle suspension from 25 to 35 °C has little effect on the rate of disappearance of aqueous Se(IV) during the initial 100 h, but after this time period, higher temperatures increase the rate of Se(IV) depletion. Increasing the temperature of the suspension does increase the rate and amount of Se(VI) that is released into solution. These observations suggest the following: (i) birnessite directly oxidizes Se(IV) through a surface mechanism, (ii) the rate-limiting step in the production of Se(VI) is most likely the electron transfer step, and (iii) the reaction products Se(VI) and Mn(II) are released by different steps. The rates and energetics of Se(IV) oxidation by inorganic redox reactions with manganese dioxide are compared to those previously reported for As(III) and Cr(III).
Directed Evolution: Past, Present, and Future

Directed evolution, the laboratory process by which biological entities with desired traits are created through iterative rounds of genetic diversification and library screening or selection, has become one of the most useful and widespread tools in basic and applied biology. From its roots in classical strain engineering and adaptive evolution, modern directed evolution came of age 20 years ago with the demonstration of repeated rounds of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-driven random mutagenesis and activity screening to improve protein properties. Since then, numerous techniques have been developed that have enabled the evolution of virtually any protein, pathway, network, or entire organism of interest. Here, we recount some of the major milestones in the history of directed evolution, highlight the most promising recent developments in the field, and discuss the future challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 1432–1440, 2013
Filamentous alteration in photoreceptors from human eyes with retinoblastoma

Four different types of unusual filamentous profiles were observed in the retina from human eyes with retinoblastoma. Such formations were confined to neuronal perikarya and processes of visual cells, and were not seen in the cytoplasm of the Mueller cells. It is proposed that these alterations resulted from a variation in a coiling of a fundamental 120thick filament. The mechanism which induced the formation of these profiles is unknown. A possible pathological alteration of the normally occurring structures, such as the neurofilaments or microtubules, cannot be ruled out.
Persons, Bodies, and the Constitution Relation

Etude de la relation entre la personne humaine et son corps, sachant que celui-ci constitue la personne sans etre identique a elle. Defendant la these de la non-identite, ainsi que l'idee selon laquelle l'approche constitutive de la personne autorise deux objets physiques a couvrir les memes limites spatiales, l'A. examine trois autres positions metaphysiques defendant l'identite de la personne avec son corps, dont deux preservent la theorie du lieu unique pour un objet unique, et montre qu'aucune ne refute la these de la constitution, pas meme les objections qui lui sont opposees (multiplication des parties, des objets, disparition mysterieuse du poids, survenance microphysique)
Prognostic Value of the Consistency of Lateralizing Ictal Features and Ictal EEG in Patients Undergoing Temporal Lobectomy for Refractory Complex Partial Seizures

Purpose: Ictal and postictal clinical manifestations have lateralizing value in the presurgical evaluation of intractable seizures. The consistency and frequency of these signs during seizures and the associated implications for postoperative seizure outcome are unknown. Methods: The videotaped complex partial seizures of 49 patients with known postoperative outcomes greater than 2 years after temporallobectomy were blindly reviewed for: (1) unilateral hand posturing (UHP), (2) unilateral hand automatism (UHA), (3) forced and nonforced head turning (HT), and (4) postictal dysphasia (PID). The presence and laterality of each assessable sign were recorded. Data were analyzed as follows: (1) the prevalence of each sign in patients with Engel class 1 and Engel class 2-4, and (2) the postsurgical outcome when the sign was present in more than or less than 50% of the seizures for each patient. We reviewed patients' presurgical work-up, specifically ictal EEG and MRI. Results: The prevalence of UHP, UHA, HT, and PID was similar for Engel class 1 and Engel class 2-4 patients. Engel class 1 outcome when UHP, UHA, HT, and PID were present for greater than 50% of seizures was no different compared to when these signs were present for less than 50% of seizures. Patients who had concordant ictal EEG and MRI abnormalities had the best postsurgical outcome. Conclusions: The consistency and frequency of ictal manifestations in the presurgical evaluation of complex partial seizures does not predict seizure outcome. The presence of any specific lateralizing sign need not be present in every complex partial seizure for the sign to hold predictive value. Concordant ictal EEG and MRI abnormalities are still the best predictors of outcome.
Constantine the Emperor. By David Potter. (Oxford, England: Oxford University Press, 2013. Pp. xiv, 360. $34.95.)

This imaginative work is a fine contribution to scholarship on Emperor Constantine. Author David Potter consciously avoids the error of focusing too much on the emperor's conversion of his empire t...
Earliest Phases in the Evolution of Sickness and Healing

Sickness and healing constitute the root concepts that center medical anthropological inquiry and give the field its identity. Here, they are held to manifest a biological adaption designed by evolution that requires culture for its final realization. Sickness and healing thus provide anthropology with a bioculturalform that has changed in content and expression during cultural evolution. The early phases of this evolution, those bearing the most apparent influences of the environment of evolutionary adaptedness, are reviewed and analyzed in the article. Some of the implications of this for medical anthropology are discussed.
HLA-DP: a class II restriction molecule involved in epitope spreading during the development of multiple sclerosis.

Abstract ABSTRACT: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. It is widely believed that complex polygenic inheritance patterns involving HLA-DR and -DQ class II genes contribute to MS susceptibility, and current evidence indicates that disease risk vs disease outcome may be associated with distinctly different HLA class II alleles. We have recently shown that the early development of MS is accompanied by an extensive plasticity of myelin self-recognition with the acquisition of neo-autoreactivity, or epitope spreading, as a prominent feature. Although we did not observe a common determinant recognized by patients sharing identical HLA-DR or -DQ class II alleles, we did observe epitope spreading to the p50–63 determinant of myelin proteolipid protein (PLP) in two study subjects showing complete disparity at HLA-DR and -DQ but identity at the HLA-DP allele DPB1∗0301. In the present study we show that self-recognition during the early stages in the development of MS involves HLA-DP class II restricted responses to the PLP 50–63 spreading determinant. Our results suggest that self-presentation by HLA-DP may play an important role in epitope spreading and in the propagation of self-recognition during the clinical progression of MS.
Mechanisms of the formation of PdNix in the cages of NaY

Three mechanisms by which Pd and Ni in the same zeolite enhance each other's reducibility and form bimetallic particles have been identified. Two series of bimetallic samples are compared with monometallic samples and their physical mixtures. In one series Pd2+ ions are initially positioned in sodalite cages, while NiO clusters occupy supercages. Upon reduction Pd atoms that leave the small cages are formed, and some become attached to NiO clusters and enhance their reduction. In the other series Ni2+ and Pd2+ ions are initially located in small cages. In this case two reduction mechanisms have been identified: below 200°C PdNi dimers are formed, which subsequently migrate to supercages; the activation energy for this migration is higher than that for Pd atoms. In a third mechanism unreduced Ni2+ ions start migrating at T > 400°C to Pd or PdNix particles in supercages; subsequent reduction to PdNix particles is fast. This process is reversible; at elevated temperature in an inert atmosphere the protons that were formed during reduction selectively reoxidize Ni atoms of PdNix particles. Rereduction at T > 400°C reproduces the TPR peaks of the above process. The “leaching” of Ni atoms out of PdNix particles is confirmed by the ability of the remaining Pd clusters to form Pd hydride.
Eye Fixations and Latency in a Simplified Search Situation.

-A technique was developed for photographing simultaneously a stimulus field and the points on the field where Ss fixated while searching for a particular scimulus element. The technique used a beam of infrared light reflected from the cornea. The stimulus elements were a single row of solid black circles, with a solid black triangle typically replacing one of the circles. The number of elements in the row and the position of the triangle in the row appeared in a random order from trial to trial. The experiment measuted the number of eye fixations made during the search; it also measured the latency of the locating response. The principal result was that these two measures corresponded closely when plotted against the position of the critical element in the row.
Pseudocritical constants from volumetric data for gas mixtures

A method is presented, based on an extended theorem of corresponding states, to estimate the volumetric properties of pure, nonpolar, or slightly polar fluids with an accuracy of approximates 2% or better. (W.L.H.)
Window subsampling of estimating functions with application to regression models

Abstract We propose a subsampling method for estimating the asymptotic standard error of a statistic β n that is the solution to an estimating equation 1/n Σn j=1 Uj(Y j Xj, β) = 0 where the data Yj may be temporally or spatially correlated and the estimating function may depend on covariates Xj . A key statistic that we consider in detail is a generalized linear model regression coefficient computed under the assumption of independence. The availability of a consistent variance estimator allows semiparametric regression approaches for clustered and longitudinal data to be used with time series and spatial data. The methods that we develop extend the subsampling ideas of Carlstein, Sherman, and Garcia-Soidan and Hall to estimating functions. Our approach provides an attractive alternative to the jackknife method of Lele, particularly for large datasets, because we do not require parameter reestimation.
Concepts of use in contour map processing

Generalized techniques are developed whose use can simplify the solution of problems relating to contour maps. One of these techniques makes use of the topological properties of contour maps. The topology is represented by a graphical structure in which adjacent contour lines appear as connected nodes. Another generalized technique consists of utilizing geometrical properties to determine the characteristics of straight lines drawn on the contour map. Both of these techniques have been applied to the problem of locating the ground track of an aircraft from elevation readings obtained during a flight.
Trends of insulin use among US adults with type 2 diabetes: the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 1995-2007.

Abstract Objective People with type 2 diabetes may need insulin therapy to compensate for their underlying pathogenic abnormalities and to improve glycemic control. We examined trends of insulin use among US adults aged ≥40 years with type 2 diabetes. Methods We analyzed data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System collected annually during 1995–2007. Insulin use was assessed by self-report. Log-linear regression analyses with a robust error variance estimator were performed to estimate the prevalence, prevalence ratios, and their 95% confidence intervals. Results The overall crude and age-standardized proportion of insulin use decreased from 35% and 36% in 1995 to 23% and 22% in 2007, respectively. After adjustments for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education attainment, body mass index, and diabetes duration, the overall prevalence decreased from 33% to 22% ( P P =.23 for interaction between sex and survey year) and race/ethnicity ( P =.35 for interaction between race/ethnicity and survey year). Conclusion The proportion of insulin use decreased from 1995 to 2007 among US adults aged ≥40 years. Continuing efforts may be needed to properly identify those who may need to initiate and maintain insulin therapy among patients with type 2 diabetes as medically indicated.
3′, 5′-cyclic adenosine monophosphate-regulated enhancer binding (CREB) activity is required for normal growth and differentiated phenotype in the FRTL5 thyroid follicular cell line

The thyroid follicular cell requires elevated levels of cAMP for normal growth and optimal expression of the differentiated phenotype. The recent discovery of cAMP-regulated enhancer binding (CREB) proteins prompted us to analyze the possible role of these transcription factors in controlling thyroid cell growth and differentiated phenotype using the FRTL5 thyroid cell line as a model system. FRTL5 cells were stably transfected with an expression vector containing either the gene for wild type CREB (WTCREB) or a dominant negative mutant form of CREB, termed KCREB, which dimerizes with and inactivates endogenous CREB. Transfected clones were found to express the transfected KCREB and WTCREB mRNAs at higher levels than the endogenous CREB mRNA. Transient expression of a somatostatin-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase fusion gene in these clones demonstrated a 60% reduction of cAMP-regulated enhancer-dependent transcriptional activity in the KCREB transfected clones and wild type levels of activity in the WTC...
A percolation treatment of the ac hopping conductivity at low frequencies and dimensionalities

A theory for the low frequency conductivity, σ(ω), in strongly disordered insulators is applied to systems of limited dimensionality. The dominant relaxation times of impedance clusters are determined, and σ(ω) is calculated by a summation over cluster contributions. As ω approaches 0, the size of the most important clusters diverges. In one dimension, known results for σ(ω are recovered for two classes of systems.For thin films σ(ω) is calculated both parallel, σ∥(ω), and perpendicular, σ⊥(ω), to the film. The two cases differ markedly; σ⊥(ω) − σ⊥(0) ∝ ω0.5 + ω0.9 while σ∥(ω) − σ∥(0) ∝ ω2.
An improved method for the liquid scintillation counting of 14CO2.

Abstract A method has been described which permits the determination of the specific activity of 14CO2 with an accuracy limited only by the accuracy of the liquid scintillation counter. Its principal idea is the selective conversion of CO2 to nonvolatile organic compounds, such as benzoic acid. While this method is applicable quite generally it has been applied with particular success in connection with the Schmidt degradation of samples as small as 0.2 mmole where contamination of the evolved CO2 is serious due to the necessarily large excess of reactants.
Vibration-reducing gloves: transmissibility at the palm of the hand in three orthogonal directions

Vibration-reducing (VR) gloves are commonly used as a means to help control exposures to hand-transmitted vibrations generated by powered hand tools. The objective of this study was to characterise the vibration transmissibility spectra and frequency-weighted vibration transmissibility of VR gloves at the palm of the hand in three orthogonal directions. Seven adult males participated in the evaluation of seven glove models using a three-dimensional hand–arm vibration test system. Three levels of hand coupling force were applied in the experiment. This study found that, in general, VR gloves are most effective at reducing vibrations transmitted to the palm along the forearm direction. Gloves that are found to be superior at reducing vibrations in the forearm direction may not be more effective in the other directions when compared with other VR gloves. This casts doubts on the validity of the standardised glove screening test.Practitioner Summary: This study used human subjects to measure three-dimensional...
Aldose reductase modulates cardiac glycogen synthase kinase-3β phosphorylation during ischemia-reperfusion

Earlier studies have demonstrated that aldose reductase (AR) plays a key role in mediating ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Our objective was to investigate if AR mediates I/R injury by influenci...
The modulation of topoisomerase I-mediated DNA cleavage and the induction of DNA–topoisomerase I crosslinks by crotonaldehyde-derived DNA adducts

Crotonaldehyde is a representative a,b-unsaturated aldehyde endowed of mutagenic and carcinogenic propertiesrelatedtoitspropensitytoreactwithDNA. Cyclic crotonaldehyde-derived deoxyguanosine (CrA-PdG) adducts can undergo ring opening in duplex DNA to yield a highly reactive aldehydic moiety. Here, we demonstrate that site-specifically modified DNA oligonucleotides containing a single CrA-PdG adduct can form crosslinks with topoisomerase I (Top1), both directly and indirectly. Direct covalent complex formation between the CrA-PdG adduct and Top1 is detectable after reduction with sodium cyanoborohydride, which is consistent with the formation of a Schiff base between Top1 and the ring open aldehyde form of the adduct. In addition, we show that the CrA-PdG adduct alters the cleavage and religation activities of Top1. It suppresses Top1 cleavage complexes at the adduct site and induces both reversible and irreversible cleavage complexes adjacent to the CrA-PdG adduct. The formation of stable DNA–Top1 crosslinks and the induction of Top1 cleavage complexes by CrA-PdG are mutually exclusive. Lastly, we found that crotonaldehyde induces the formation of DNA– Top1complexes inmammaliancells,whichsuggests a potential relationship between formation of DNA– Top1 crosslinks and the mutagenic and carcinogenic properties of crotonaldehyde.
Minimally-immersive interactive volumetric information visualization

This paper describes a minimally immersive volumetric interactive system for information visualization. The system, SFA, uses glyph-based volume rendering, enabling more information attributes to be visualized than traditional 2D and surface-based information visualization systems. Two-handed interaction and stereoscopic viewing combine to produce a minimally immersive interactive system that enhances the user's three-dimensional perception of the information space, capitalizing on the human visual system's pre-attentive learning capabilities to quickly analyze the displayed information. The paper describes the usefulness of this system for the visualization of document similarity within a corpus of textual documents. SFA allows the three-dimensional volumetric visualization, manipulation, navigation, and analysis of multivariate, time-varying information spaces, increasing the quantity and clarity of information conveyed from the visualization as compared to traditional 2D information systems.
A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Proteasome

Regulated degradation of proteins is essential for viability and is involved in the control of many signal transduction pathways. von Arnim discusses a new model for how substrates destined for degradation by the 26S proteasome may be presented to the proteasome through a physical interaction between the proteasome and a complex consisting of the substrate and a ubiquitin-ligase. The new model suggests that the SCF (Skp1/cullin/F-box) protein complex may physically associate with the proteasome and that this interaction may be regulated by posttranslational modifications, such as phosphorylation or the covalent attachment of the Nedd8 protein, called neddylation. Additionally, other proteins may compete with the SCF complexes for binding to the proteasome and thus present another layer of regulation for controlling substrate targeting for ubiquitin-mediated degradation.
Amoxicillin-related postextraction bleeding in an anticoagulated patient with tranexamic acid rinses†

This report describes a patient who had significant postoperative bleeding 4 days after undergoing surgery while using a tranexamic acid (4.8%) mouth rinse protocol for local control of hemostatis. Patients undergoing dentoalveolar surgery who are receiving chronic oral anticoagulants are treated with a tranexamic acid mouth rinse at our hospital. No systemic modification of their coagulation status is attempted. The postoperative bleeding problem that developed was determined to be caused by an antibiotic-induced vitamin K deficiency rather than a failure of the tranexamic acid protocol.
Proactive network-fault detection [telecommunications]

To improve network reliability and management in today's high-speed communication networks, the authors propose an intelligent system using adaptive statistical approaches. The system learns the normal behavior (norm) of the network. Deviations from the norm are detected and the information is combined in the probabilistic framework of a Bayes network. The proposed communication system thereby can detect unknown or unseen faults. As demonstrated on real network data, this method can detect abnormal behavior before a fault actually occurs, giving the network management system (human or automated) the ability to avoid a potentially serious problem.
Ferric iron species in alkali aluminosilicate glasses during fusion

The luminescence spectra of Fe3+ in alkali aluminosilicate glasses indicate that several species of Fe3+ are present during early stages of melting. When the glass has been heat-treated for periods of time on the order of 20 h at 1400°C, the luminescence spectra simplify to that of a single species which is interpreted as due to Fe3+ in the glass-forming framework.
Network exception handlers: host-network control in enterprise networks

Enterprise network architecture and management have followed the Internet's design principles despite different requirements and characteristics: enterprise hosts are administered by a single authority, which intrinsically assigns different values to traffic from different business applications.We advocate a new approach where hosts are no longer relegated to the network's periphery, but actively participate in network-related decisions. To enable host participation, network information, such as dynamic network topology and per-link characteristics and costs, is exposed to the hosts, and network administrators specify conditions on the propagated network information that trigger actions to be performed while a condition holds. The combination of a condition and its actions embodies the concept of the network exception handler, defined analogous to a program exception handler. Conceptually, network exception handlers execute on hosts with actions parameterized by network and host state.Network exception handlers allow hosts to participate in network management, traffic engineering and other operational decisions by explicitly controlling host traffic under predefined conditions. This flexibility improves overall performance by allowing efficient use of network resources. We outline several sample network exception handlers, present an architecture to support them, and evaluate them using data collected from our own enterprise network.
A mechanism for plasma waves at the Harmonics of the plasma frequency in the Electron Foreshock Boundary

A bump-on-tail unstable reduced velocity distribution, constructed from data obtained at the upstream boundary of the electron foreshock by the GSFC electron spectrometer experiment on the ISEE-1 satellite, is used as the initial plasma state for a numerical integration of the 1D-Vlasov-Maxwell system of equations. The integration is carried through the growth of the instability, beyond its saturation, and well into the stabilized plasma regime. A power spectrum computed for the electric field of the stabilized plasma is dominated by a narrow peak at the Bohm-Gross frequency of the unstable field mode but also contains significant power at the harmonics of the Bohm-Gross frequency. The harmonic power is in sharp peaks which are split into closely spaced doublets. The fundamental peak at the Bohm-Gross frequency is split into a closely spaced triplet. The mechanism for excitation of the second harmonic is shown to be second order wave-wave coupling. Previously announced in STAR as N83-17315
American Academy of Pediatrics Recommendations for Complementary Feeding

Recommendations for complementary feedings of infants and young children have not varied significantly over the past 40 years. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the introduction of solid foods at …
Multimedia teaching modules in the engineering K-Ph.D. program at Duke University

The Engineering K-Ph.D. Program at Duke University is a partnership between the Pratt School of Engineering and N.C. elementary, middle and high schools. The mission of this program is to promote passionate interest in science and engineering in students, teachers and parents of all ages from kindergarten to Ph.D. The Engineering K-Ph.D. program leverages our NSF funded GK-12 program: Duke-NCSU Engineering Teaching Fellows in GK-12, a new Burroughs Wellcome funded program: Techtronics: Hands-on Exploration of Technology in Everyday Life, and the Pratt Multimedia Laboratory. This paper presents one aspect of our Program: multimedia module creation.
An Ex-Post Investigation Of Interest Rate Parity In Asian Emerging Markets

Full-text article is also available at the web site for the International Business & Economics Research Journal, (2007) 6(2), 29-48. http://journals.cluteonline.com/index.php/IBER/article/view/3342/3389
A Critical Analysis of SocINDEX and Sociological Abstracts Using an Evaluation Method for the Practicing Bibliographer

This study provides a database evaluation method for the practicing bibliographer that is more than a brief review yet less than a controlled experiment. The author establishes evaluation criteria in the context of the bibliographic instruction provided to meet the research requirements of undergraduate sociology majors at Queens College, City University of New York. Applying the criteria to critically analyze SocINDEX and Sociological Abstracts finds that Sociological Abstracts better meets the needs of sociology undergraduates and concludes that Sociological Abstracts is the more inherently reliable and authoritative bibliographic resource for the indexing, abstracting, and researching of scholarly sociological literature.
A Three-Dimensional Physical Model for $V_{\rm th}$ Variations Considering the Combined Effect of NBTI and RDF

Aggressive transistor scaling affects the threshold voltage Vth in two ways: space and time. Transistors on the same die can have different Vth due to random dopant fluctuations (RDFs). On the other hand, Vth of a specific transistor can randomly shift in time due to random position of dangling bonds and random motion of atomic H or H2 molecules in the oxide [negative bias temperature instability (NBTI)]. These two random effects are not totally independent because the dissociation rate of Si-H bonds at the silicon-oxide interface depends on the nonuniform electric field. In this paper, we describe the combined effect of RDF and NBTI on Vth using stochastic differential equation. In this paper, we are able to examine the effect of RDF on critical NBTI parameters such as kf, kr, and temperature and the correlation among these parameters. The efficacy of the proposed model is evaluated by performing Monte Carlo simulations on various transistors under different direct-current stress and obtained distributions for NIT and Vth.
A new framework for machine learning

The last five years have seen the emergence of a powerful new framework for building sophisticated real-world applications based on machine learning. The cornerstones of this approach are (i) the adoption of a Bayesian viewpoint, (ii) the use of graphical models to represent complex probability distributions, and (iii) the development of fast, deterministic inference algorithms, such as variational Bayes and expectation propagation, which provide efficient solutions to inference and learning problems in terms of local message passing algorithms. This paper reviews the key ideas behind this new framework, and highlights some of its major benefits. The framework is illustrated using an example large-scale application.
Diversity of the spinach (Spinacia oleracea) spermosphere and phyllosphere bacterial communities.

The bacterial diversity of seeds, transmission of bacteria from seed to phyllosphere, and fate of seed-transmitted bacteria on mature plants are poorly characterized. Understanding the dynamics of microbial communities is important for finding bio-control or mitigation strategies for human and plant pathogens. Bacterial populations colonizing spermosphere and phyllosphere of spinach (Spinacia oleracea) seedlings and plants were characterized using pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons. Spinach seed microbiota was composed of three bacterial phyla: Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Actinobacteria, belonging to > 250 different operational taxonomic units (OTUs). Seed and cotyledon bacterial communities were similar in richness and diversity. Richness of 3-4 leaf-stage of development plants increased markedly to > 850 OTUs classified within 11 phyla. Although some bacterial OTUs were detected on seeds, cotyledons and plants, the breadth of new sequences indicates the importance of multiple sources outside the seed in shaping phyllosphere community. Most classified sequences were from previously undescribed taxa, highlighting the benefits of pyrosequencing in describing seed diversity and phyllosphere bacterial communities. Bacterial community richness increased from 250 different OTUs for spinach seeds and cotyledons, to 800 OTUs for seedlings. To our knowledge this is the first comprehensive characterization of the spinach microbiome, complementing previous culture-based and clone library studies.
Extension of the Neoclassical Theory of Capillarity to Advanced Cubic Equations of State

The neoclassical Redlich–Kwong (RK) theory of capillarity is extended to the Soave–Redlich–Kwong (SRK) and Peng–Robinson (PR) equations of state. Use of the SRK and PR fluid models results in poorer predictions of interfacial tension compared to the RK model because the RK overpredicts vapor densities to a greater extent than SRK or PR, reducing the corresponding RK interfacial tension predictions to be in better agreement with accepted values. The limits of the theory applied to cubic equations are reached by proposing modified SRK and PR fluid models based on a known interfacial tension datum and knowledge of the fluid molecular structure. These modified fluid models provide improved accuracy in interfacial tension predictions of 6% (SRK) and 10% (PR) for the fluid set in this study when compared to applying the RK model (17%). These modified fluid models also provide improved predictions of bulk liquid density, but sacrifice accuracy in pressure and vapor density predictions.
Arsenic in drinking water causes gene expression changes in the liver related to inflammation and metabolic dysfunction and accelerates atherosclerosis in APOE-/- mice

ARSENIC IN DRINKING WATER CAUSES GENE EXPRESSION CHANGES IN THE LIVER RELATED TO INFLAMMATION AND METABOLIC DYSFUNCTION AND ACCELERATES ATHEROSCLEROSIS IN APOE-/MICE.
Evidence of superconductivity in doped graphite and graphene

We have observed evidence of superconductivity at temperatures in the vicinity of 260 K in phosphorus-doped graphite and graphene. This evidence includes transport current, magnetic susceptibility, Hall effect and (pancake) vortex state measurements. All of these measurements indicate a transition which is that of a type II superconductor with no type I phase until below the limits of our measurement capabilities. Vortex states are inferred from periodically repeated steps in the resistance versus temperature characteristics of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite and exfoliated doped multilayer graphene. Magnetic susceptibility measurements have shown results qualitatively similar to those expected (and experimentally observed by others) for ultra-thin (thickness λ L) films. The magnetization is negative for field-cooled and zero-field-cooled measurements. The magnetization for field cooled and zero-field-cooled measurements begin to diverge at approximately 260 K. Hall effect measurements show a sign reversal in the Hall voltage as the temperature is reduced from 300 K to 78 K.
Solution-Binding and Molecular Docking Approaches Combine to Provide an Expanded View of Multidrug Recognition in the MDR Gene Regulator BmrR

Solution-binding and molecular docking have been combined with a diverse collection of chemical probes to further elucidate multidrug (MD) recognition in BmrR. Whereas previous efforts have focused on structural elucidations of MD binding, the present study examines features imparted by structure, including the recognition properties of the ligand-pocket, ligand structural requirements, and key factors that define and influence binding. Whereas MD-pockets are generally believed to be featureless and very hydrophobic, log KD-clog P correlations observed for BmrR and other polyspecific proteins suggest polar contributions are required for broad-spectrum recognition of amphipathic ligands. We show that molecular docking simulations recapitulate key features of MD recognition and have been employed to further inform contributions from structure. In addition to elaborating our understanding of the structures and functional roles of pocket elements that dictate broad-spectrum binding, molecular docking has implication additional features that likely play major roles, including ligand dynamics and multiple ligand-binding modes.
Bidder Behavior in a Common Value Simultaneous Ascending Auction

We develop and experimentally test a model of bidder behavior in a simultaneous ascending auction for heterogeneous common value goods. The model follows the "straightforward" strategy developed by Milgrom (2000) while accounting for the adverse selection effect and the potential for the winner's curse. When this model is evaluated against laboratory results, we find that bidders deviate from the predicted price path as we observe extensive jump bidding and lower final prices than predicted. We observe that jump bidding generally increases prices and decreases earnings, suggesting that jump bids are based on bidder impatience rather than strategic motivations. Despite the failure of the model to predict bidder behavior, it does offer significant predictive power regarding the final allocation of goods and avoidance of the winner's curse.
Beyond the Consumer: Parents, Privatization, and Fundraising in US Urban Public Schooling.

Given recent budgetary gaps in public education, many civic and educational leaders have relied upon private sources of funding for US public schools, including funds raised by parents. Yet parents’ role as economic actors in public education has been largely unexplored. Drawing from a qualitative study of parent engagement, fundraising, and school change in Chicago public schools, I explore the educational investments of a largely White group of middle- and upper middle-class parents and how they understand their collective engagement in relation to educational disparities. The findings show that parents were not only consumers through school choice, but also economic brokers of private capital via their fundraising efforts and producers of urban school change. Despite their stated commitments to public education and desire for diversity, most parents worked with and for a more selective public in their school change efforts, exacerbating resource disparities in the segregated urban district. The finding...
Cursive and Gelastic Epilepsy: Case Report

A child with cursive and gelastic epilepsy is reported. This particular case in unique in that the patient had no underlying neurological disease, his running and laughing seizures represented his only seizure type; and recorded ictal episodes originated bilaterally and anteriorly.
Working memory load predicts visual search efficiency: Evidence from a novel pupillary response paradigm

An observer's pupil dilates and constricts in response to variables such as ambient and focal luminance, cognitive effort, the emotional stimulus content, and working memory load. The pupil's memory load response is of particular interest, as it might be used for estimating observers' memory load while they are performing a complex task, without adding an interruptive and confounding memory test to the protocol. One important task in which working memory's involvement is still being debated is visual search, and indeed a previous experiment by Porter, Troscianko, and Gilchrist (Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology, 60, 211-229, 2007) analyzed observers' pupil sizes during search to study this issue. These authors found that pupil size increased over the course of the search, and they attributed this finding to accumulating working memory load. However, since the pupil response is slow and does not depend on memory load alone, this conclusion is rather speculative. In the present study, we estimated working memory load in visual search during the presentation of intermittent fixation screens, thought to induce a low, stable level of arousal and cognitive effort. Using standard visual search and control tasks, we showed that this paradigm reduces the influence of non-memory-related factors on pupil size. Furthermore, we found an early increase in working memory load to be associated with more efficient search, indicating a significant role of working memory in the search process.
Utility of CD34+ Progenitor-Based Flow Cytometric Assay in Diagnosis of Myelodysplastic Syndromes in Patients Who Developed Cytopenia Post-Treatment for Primary Cancer

Morphologic atypia is a common finding in the bone marrow of patients who have received cytotoxic chemotherapy for cancer. The diagnosis of therapy-related myelodysplastic syndromes (t-MDS) is challenging without ancillary tests. We tested a CD34+ progenitor-based flow cytometric immunophenotypic (FCI) assay in patients who had received different treatment and presented with cytopenia(s), with a goal of …
Racial discrimination predicts greater systemic inflammation in pregnant African American women.

Abstract Purpose Chronic exposure to racial discrimination by pregnant African American women may lead to allostatic overload; thereby, predisposing women to systemic inflammation. Thus, the goal of this study was to examine if experiences of racial discrimination are related to systemic inflammation in pregnant African Americans. Methods A sample of 96 African American women from Chicago completed questionnaires and had blood drawn during the second trimester of pregnancy (19.7±2.5 weeks). Results Experiences of racial discrimination were associated with higher cytokine levels of interleukin (IL)-4 ( B =2.161, 95% CI=1.02–3.30, p p =.004) when controlling for covariates. Conclusion These findings suggest that experiences of racial discrimination may cause physiological wear and tear on the body leading to alteration of immune functions. Nurses should inquire about women's experiences of racial discrimination and make referrals for community or church support groups for women who report racial discrimination.
Rethinking corporate social responsibility in the age of climate change: a communication perspective

In the winter of 2015 world leaders presented plans for keeping the global temperature rise below 2 °C due to projected climate change threats. These threats present organizations, communities, and citizens with the need to change viewing corporate social responsibility (CSR) as a voluntary luxury to being a necessity. This essay proposes refocusing CSR efforts in light of projected climate challenges and expanding our investigation into the role of communication in such efforts. Communication is more than a tool to craft a positive corporate image so as to gain or protect legitimacy. It is the means through which CSR sustainability-related initiatives are created and disseminated within organizations and among their key stakeholders (i.e., governments, communities, competitors, supply chains, employees). Suggestions for future research exploring CSR, sustainability, and communication are offered.
‘Domestic Inefficiency’ and Conditional Protection

Meade’s assumption that the domestic economy operates under conditions which he defined as ‘modified laissez-faire’ does not reflect reality. Probably one the greatest weaknesses of neoclassical economic analysis is its assumption that competition is effective and pervasive, so that output is produced with minimum inputs and/or at minimum cost. In terms of the traditional argument for free trade, this failing would not be important, since foreign competition will presumably always have a beneficial effect on any imperfections which exist in the domestic economy. For example, a domestic monopoly can only be weakened, and its distorting effect only reduced, by foreign competition. In addition to the assumption of modified laissez-faire, Meade’s analysis, like all those cited in the preceding chapter, is set in static equilibrium so that historical time is not allowed to intrude upon the analysis. The exclusion of historical time effectively excludes the possibility of reversible disturbances from the set of conditions to which the free-trade argument applies.
Friedman Twoway Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) by Ranks

The Friedman Twoway Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) by Ranks Test is often viewed as the nonparametric equivalent of the parametric Twoway Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Both the nonparametric Friedman Test and parametric Twoway ANOVA are used to determine if there are statistically significant differences for comparisons of multiple groups, with different factors for each group. However, it may be too convenient to view these tests as being mere complements of each other. The Friedman Test, as a nonparametric test, is used with ranked data, particularly for when: (1) the data do not meet the rigor of interval data, (2) there are serious concerns about extreme deviation from normal distribution, and (3) there is considerable difference in the number of subjects for each breakout group. The use of a block-type research design, a factorial design typically associated with ANOVA, is introduced in this lesson. This lesson also reinforces the many quality assurance measures that should be attempted before actual implementation of this type of inferential analysis.
Calling all volunteers: The role of stewardship and involvement in volunteer-organization relationships

Abstract Millions of people in the U.S. volunteer, and understanding how organizations can retain and deepen relationships with these individuals is critical to the sustainability of the nonprofit sector. The relationship maintenance strategies of stewardship may help nonprofit organizations strengthen relationships with their volunteers, particularly if organizations are able to influence volunteers’ feelings of involvement. An online survey of volunteers was conducted to see the relationships between stewardship, involvement, and organization-public relationship (OPR) outcomes. Our path analysis model indicates that stewardship strategies can positively contribute to volunteers’ involvement and their evaluations of OPR outcomes. One of the few to test this model, this study contributes new theory to public relations literature and better informs the practice.