cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Expression, purification and preliminary crystallographic analysis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis CysQ, a phosphatase involved in sulfur metabolism.

CysQ is part of the sulfur-activation pathway that dephosphorylates 3′-phosphoadenosine 5′-monophosphate (PAP) to regenerate adenosine 5′-monophosphate (AMP) and free phosphate. PAP is the product of sulfate-transfer reactions from sulfotransferases that use the universal sulfate donor 3′-phosphoadenosine 5′-phosphosulfate (PAPS). In some organisms PAP is also the product of PAPS reductases that reduce sulfate from PAPS to sulfite. CysQ from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which plays an important role in the biosynthesis of sulfated glycoconjugates, was successfully purified and crystallized in 24% PEG 1500, 20% glycerol. X-ray diffraction data were collected to 1.7 A resolution using a synchrotron-radiation source. Crystals grew in the orthorhombic space group P212121, with unit-cell parameters a = 40.3, b = 57.9, c = 101.7 A and with one monomer per asymmetric unit.
AN EXPERIMENTAL MODEL FOR EVALUATION OF TREATMENT OF MECONIUM ASPIRATION

An experimental model for the study of meconium aspiration has been developed, consisting of injection of 4 ml of a 25% wt/vol suspension of sterile meconium into the trachea of adult rabbits. All lived for 24 hours. The effects of meconium aspiration alone, and aspiration followed by tracheal suction with and without saline lavage were compared to controls who underwent saline lavage and suction, but with no meconium instillation. The groups were compared by measurements of sequential arterial pO2, pH and pCO2, and, after sacrifice at 24 hr., by in situ lung pressure volume curves, total lung volumes, lung wt/body wt ratios and lung anatomy. Animals given intratracheal meconium had lower pO2 values and higher lung wt/body wt ratios than did control animals. No differences in any measurement were found between the groups who had undergone meconium instillation, regardless of the therapeutic approach tested.
Microbial tolerance to alcohols: role of the cell membrane

Abstract The rate of fermentative production of ethanol declines progressively as ethanol accumulates, increasing the time required to complete substrate conversion and limiting the final concentrations which are achieved. In commercial ethanol production, both these factors directly affect the size of the capital investment required for a given plant capacity and the cost of substrate conversion. Despite centuries of experience in ethanol production, we are only just beginning to understand the mechanisms of ethanol inhibition of fermentation. A basic understanding of ethanol actions on cellular metabolism and fermentation offers the potential for developing improved organisms for fermentation.
The effect of controlled surface topographical features on the unlubricated transfer and wear of PEEK

Transfer films play an important role in the tribology of polymers and other sliding contacts where wear debris constitutes a significant portion of the interfacial tribosystem. In addition, counterface topographical features strongly influence the physical and mechanical entrapment of wear debris and influence the growth and propagation of transfer films. In this study, to investigate the effects of topographical features on polymer transfer, a novel scribing apparatus capable of creating controlled surface topography on metallic counterfaces for pin-on-disk testing has been developed. Hardened steel counterfaces were scribed to various surface topographies using this apparatus and three-pin-on-disk wear tests were conducted to assess the effects of certain topographical parameters on the wear and transfer film formation of a high-performance thermoplastic polymer: polyetheretherketone (PEEK). Observations related to the morphology of select transfer films are presented and discussed in light of the results.
Predicting sights from sounds: 6-month-olds' intermodal numerical abilities.

Although the psychophysics of infants’ nonsymbolic number representations have been well studied, less is known about other characteristics of the approximate number system (ANS) in young children. Here three experiments explored the extent to which the ANS yields abstract representations by testing infants’ ability to transfer approximate number representations across sensory modalities. These experiments showed that 6-month-olds matched the approximate number of sounds they heard to the approximate number of sights they saw, looking longer at visual arrays that numerically mismatched a previously heard auditory sequence. This looking preference was observed when sights and sounds mismatched by 1:3 and 1:2 ratios but not by a 2:3 ratio. These findings suggest that infants can compare numerical information obtained in different modalities using representations stored in memory. Furthermore, the acuity of 6-month-olds’ comparisons of intermodal numerical sequences appears to parallel that of their comparisons of unimodal sequences.
A high efficiency offset-fed X/ka-dual-band reflectarray using thin membranes

Modern space-borne applications require large-aperture antennas having capabilities of low mass and high packaging efficiency to overcome the launch vehicle size and weight restrictions. This paper presents a dual-band reflectarray antenna developed for future space inflatable structures with thin membranes. To offset the effects of the thin-membrane substrates required in the inflatable structure, foam layers are inserted below the X and Ka band membranes, allowing broadband CP performance at both bands. More than 50% efficiencies are achieved at both frequency bands, showing potential for even larger high-gain inflatable antennas for future space applications.
An accurate system-wide anonymity metric for probabilistic attacks

We give a critical analysis of the system-wide anonymity metric of Edman et al. [3], which is based on the permanent value of a doubly-stochastic matrix. By providing an intuitive understanding of the permanent of such a matrix, we show that a metric that looks no further than this composite value is at best a rough indicator of anonymity. We identify situations where its inaccuracy is acute, and reveal a better anonymity indicator. Also, by constructing an information-preserving embedding of a smaller class of attacks into the wider class for which this metric was proposed, we show that this metric fails to possess desirable generalization properties. Finally, we present a new anonymity metric that does not exhibit these shortcomings. Our new metric is accurate as well as general.
Features of infant sounds: the first eight weeks of life

Vocalizations of two female infants, recorded between one and eight weeks of age, were studied. The vocalizations were classified as cry, discomfort and vegetative sounds. Five examples of each sound type were selected randomly from the output of both infants and at each of three age levels (90 vocalizations in all). No changes in features were noted as a result of increasing age. The two infants showed individual feature patterns for all sound types; however, for both infants, certain features were found to be highly typical of cry and discomfort sounds, and certain others of vegetative sounds. The implications for later speech development are discussed.
Proportion of Collagen Types I and III in Four Bovine Muscles Differing in Tenderness

Intramuscular collagen containing both endomysial and perimysial tissue was extracted from four bovine muscles, analyzed for collagen types I and III, and related to total muscle collagen and meat tenderness. Isolated collagen was digested with cyanogen bromide and the proportion of collagen types I and III determined from densitometric scans of peptides resolved by SDS-PAGE. Total collagen was different (P<0.05) for each muscle. However, only the longissimus had more (P<0.05) type III collagen than did the biceps femoris, semimembranosus, and semitendinosus muscles. Percentage type III was correlated with sensory panel connective tissue amount (0.48) and overall tenderness (0.48) scores for the longissimus and biceps femoris muscles.
WHAT TEACHERS DO WHEN THE TEXTBOOK IS TOUGH: STUDENTS SPEAK OUT

The primary purpose of this study was to examine middle and high school students' views of instructional practices teachers may use to facilitate reading of difficult textbooks. One thousand eight hundred nineteen students (776 middle school and 1,043 high school) completed the Student Textbook Adaptation Evaluation Instrument (STAEI). The STAEI consists of a list of 33 textbook adaptations for students to rate in terms of their preference and perceptions of teacher use of the adaptations. A secondary purpose of the study was to compare lower and higher achieving students' responses on the STAEI. To address this purpose, a subset of the initial cohort of students (120 lower achieving and 120 higher achieving) was selected. Results indicate a difference between students' perceptions of the desirability of textbook adaptations (high) and their perceptions of the frequency of use of these adaptations in the classroom (low). Students do not feel they are being exposed to the types of instructional adaptations they need. This is particularly true among high school students and higher achieving students. Discussion focuses on the disparity between student preferences and prevailing practices in secondary school classrooms, as well as the role of students' perceptions in teacher decision making. Since the early 1900s educators have explored instructional practices that enable students to derive information from textbooks that are often difficult (Johnson & Vardain, 1975) and uninteresting (Baldwin, 1985). These instructional practices include teaching and learning strategies (Alvermann & Moore, 1991) and grouping practices (Barr & Dreeban, 1991) that assist students with learning from their textbooks. Considerable evidence documents the effectiveness of instructional practices designed to enhance students' comprehension and retention of text material (Alvermann & Swafford, 1989; Darch, Carnine, & Kameenui, 1986; Swafford, 1991; Swafford & Alvermann, 1989). This quest for instructional strategies and
A mutation that causes muscle defects also affects catecholamine metabolism in Drosophila.

Biochemical analyses, employing HPLC and electrochemical detection, have shown that the mutation adl-1, which causes muscle defects, also induces a temperature-sensitive defect in catecholamine metabolism. The pool sizes of N-acetyldopamine (NADA) and N-β-alanyldopamine (NBAD) in mutant adults incubated at 29o attain only a fraction, dependent on the length of incubation, of those in mutants incubated at 22o or in controls. The differences are more striking in relevant hemizygotes. Notably, dopamine is unaffected. Concomitant examination of behavior revealed a correlation between decreases in NADA and NBAD and decreases in locomotor function. That these observations suggest a requirement for catecholamine metabolism in muscle function is discussed.
Laparoscopic renal oncological surgery in the presence of abdominal aortic and vena caval pathology: 8-year experience.

Purpose: To our knowledge the outcomes of laparoscopic renal oncological surgery in patients with major aortic and/or inferior vena caval pathology are unknown. We present our experience spanning an 8-year period.Materials and Methods: From March 1998 to October 2006, 1,826 laparoscopic renal procedures were performed for tumor. Of these patients 66 (3.6%) had major abdominal aortic or vena caval pathology concomitantly. Demographics, specific entities of the vascular disease, and intraoperative and postoperative data were reviewed.Results: A total of 66 patients had a history of abdominal aortic disease (54), vena caval disease (9) or both (3). Of the patients 85% had 3 or greater comorbidities, 88% had an American Society of Anesthesiologists score of 3 or greater and 88% were on chronic anticoagulation therapy. A total of 27 patients (41%) had undergone prior surgical treatment for vascular pathology. Laparoscopic renal surgery, which was transperitoneal in 25 cases and retroperitoneal in 41, included ...
Whole brain CT perfusion deficits using 320-detector-row CT scanner in TIA patients are associated with ABCD2 score

Background: Transient ischemic attacks (TIA) are cerebral ischemic events without infarction. The uses of CT perfusion (CTP) techniques such as cerebral blood volume (CBV), time to peak (TTP), mean transit time (MTT) and cerebral blood flow (CBF) provide real time data about ischemia. It has been shown that CTP changes occur in less sensitive CTP scanners in patients with TIA. Larger detector row CTP (whole brain perfusion studies) may show that CTP abnormalities are more prevalent than previously noted. It is also unclear if these changes are associated with TIA severity. Objective: To demonstrate that TIA patients are associated with perfusion deficits using whole brain 320-detector-row CT perfusion, and to determine an association between ABCD2 score and perfusion deficit using whole brain perfusion. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all TIA patients for CTP deficits from 2008–2010. Perfusion imaging was reviewed at admission; and it was determined if a perfusion deficit was present along with vascu...
An instrument design for the accurate determination of the electron beam location in the Linac Coherent Light Source undulator

The linac coherent light source (LCLS), currently under design, requires accurate alignment between the electron beam and each undulator's magnetic centerline. A beam finder wire (BFW) instrument has been developed to provide beam location information that is used to move the undulators to their appropriate positions. A BFW instrument is mounted at each of the 33 magnets in the undulator section. Beam detection is achieved by electrons impacting two carbon fiber wires and then sensing the downstream radiation. The wires are mounted vertically and horizontally on a wire card similar to that of a traditional wire scanner instrument. The development of the BFW presents several design challenges due to the need for high accuracy of the wires' locations and the need for removal of the wires during actual operation of the LCLS (30 microns repeatability is required for the wire locations). In this paper, we present the technical specification, design criteria, mechanical design, and results from prototype tests for the BFW.
An analytical model of scaled RC-dominant wires for high-speed wireline transceiver design

This review paper explains modeling and analysis of RC-dominant wires for high-speed wireline transceiver design. A closed form formula derived from telegrapher's equation accurately describes a frequency response of an RC-dominant wire, yet it is simple and intuitive for designers to easily understand design trade-offs without a complex numerical solver. This paper explains how the model is derived and can help designers in example transceiver designs.
Augustinian Anthropology: Interior intimo meo

Our appreciation and appropriation of Augustine's thought is hindered by assumptions which serious engagement with his thought makes both visible and dubious. His account of the dynamics of human knowing seems, at first glance, a jumble of confusions, but, once better understood, it helps transform both the terms and the framework of our epistemology. His account of human agency seems similarly confused, but also works, once rightly understood, to transform our vision of what agency is. Furthermore, Augustine's different anthropological and metaphysical assumptions provide not only a platform for criticizing what modernity takes for granted but also resources for reconstructing three important issues in Christian ethics. A proper appreciation of Augustinian anthropology offers benefits, then, beyond the merely exegetical.
Characteristics of Palladium Thin Films Deposited by the Ionized Cluster Beam Technique

An ionized cluster beam (ICB) source was used to deposit Pd onto oxidized silicon substrates. The ICB source was operated in both the neutral mode (no ionization and no acceleration) and in the ICB mode with ionization and acceleration voltages at 3 kV and 6 k.V. Also, substrate temperatures were varied between 100°C and 400°C. The Pd film thicknesses were generally between 1, 200A and 1, 800A, with one film thickness about 500A. The films were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), transmission electron diffraction (TED), and x-ray diffraction (XRD). Grain size measurements by TEM and XRD showed that ionization and acceleration of Pd resulted in a slight increase in grain size compared to films deposited without ionization or acceleration at any substrate temperature. However, the grain size increased significantly as the substrate temperature rose. XRD showed that all ICB deposited Pd films have significant (111) texturing as determined by comparison to XRD data for Pd powder. For Pd films deposited at 400°C, almost all grains were oriented with the (111) planes parallel to the substrate surface. The electrical conductivity of all Pd films was comparable to that of bulk Pd.
Gate Material Dependence Of Process Charging Damage In Thin Gate Oxide

Effects of plasma induced charging on dielectric integrity in a CMOS technology with n- and p- type polysilicon gates have been studied in detail. We show that p-gates are much more sensitive to charging than n-gates. Charge to breakdown in capacitors with a large p-type polysilicon plate is also reduced by charging damage, in spite of their low antenna ratios. We attribute this sensitivity of p-type gates to the low QBD of p-type gate capacitors for electron injection from the gate. By optimizing the fabrication processes, the amount of charging damage has been reduced to a negligible value, and good quality gate oxide has been achieved. Care must be exercised when interpreting QBD and leakage data on capacitors, to eliminate the effects of process induced charging.
Performance of Integrated Thin-film Thermoelectrics in cooling “hot-spots” on Microprocessors – Experimental setup and Results

The improving performance of microprocessors is increasing the Thermal Design Power [TDP] and cause localized power densities commonly referred to as “Hot-spots”, which reach in excess of 200 W/cm2. The focus of this work is to present Thin-film Superlattice Thermoelectric materials [TFST] as a solution for microprocessor die hot spot cooling. TFST have measured ZT values of ~2 at 300K, response times of the order of 15μs and potential to pump heat flux of several hundred Watts/cm2. TFST devices appear suitable for managing the junction temperatures at such hot spots such that the recommended maximum operational temperature, Tjmax, is not exceeded. This promotes stable processor performance and increased reliability. To test this theory, hot spots were identified on the microprocessor die by infrared (IR) imaging during operation and a suitable TFST module was mounted onto the processor. Thermal transients at the hot spot show that active heat pumping and spreading by TFST significantly reduces the constraints on the thermal design. This investigation suggests that in the future, with the transition of Superlattice material performance into higher module ZT values; these hot spots may be effectively removed.
An atomic force microscope study of surface roughness of thin silicon films deposited on SiO/sub 2/

Atomic force microscope analysis, with a resolution of /spl lsim/1.1 nm, shows that peak-to-peak surface roughness (/spl Delta/h/sub p-p/) of amorphous silicon films thinner than /spl ap/50 nm on silicon dioxide can be controlled to better than 5 nm. Low-pressure, chemically-vapor-deposited silicon films on silicon dioxide initially show an approximately linear increase in the surface roughness due to growing nuclei as the deposition progresses, followed by a decrease in the surface roughness as growth nuclei coalesce. A simple model based on random nucleation and nuclei growth displays similar trends. Films deposited on rougher substrates show more surface roughness. Surface treatment during the predeposition cleaning process does not significantly affect /spl Delta/h/sub p-p/. As a means of producing smooth surfaces, films thinner than about 20 nm are first deposited more thickly than needed, and then etched back to the desired dimension; the use of a binary HNO/sub 3/ and HF etching process improves roughness control. Boron-ion implanted and subsequently crystallized 45-nm-thick Si films show significant smoothing with /spl Delta/h/sub p-p//spl ap/2.2 nm. Thin amorphous silicon films deposited by source evaporation are attractive because they can be deposited at room temperature, and have smoother surfaces (/spl Delta/h/sub p-p//spl ap/2.5 nm) than comparable films produced by chemical vapor deposition.
Ultra Low Voltage Level Shifters to Interface Sub and Super Threshold Reconfigurable Logic Cells

Ultra-low power consumption often comes at the price of reduced performance for energy conscious electronics - particularly reconfigurable circuits. Operating devices at ultra-low voltage levels provides the lowest energy per operation, but can penalize the frequency of operation by several orders of magnitude. A more optimized approach is to segregate the logic based on performance requirements and use multiple voltage levels to supply separate voltage islands in an integrated circuit. The concept can be extended such that the low performance circuits can be supplied with a voltage below the threshold voltage of the transistor (i.e. subthreshold logic), however no analysis has been completed to date with regards to the performance and operation of the level shifters required for communication between voltage islands of such disparate levels. This paper compares a variety of existing level shifters as well as several proposed level shifters in the context of up-converting subthreshold signals to superthreshold levels.
Improved fuzzy control through the inference of difficult to measure parameters

Researchers at the U.S. Bureau of Mines have developed an innovative approach to process control that combines the control capabilities of fuzzy logic, the search capabilities of genetic algorithms, and the modelling capabilities of neural networks. One of the key aspects of this approach to process control is the use of a neural network model to infer information from the physical system that is difficult or expensive to measure directly with sensors. Often this unmeasured information is critical to successful control of the system. The unmeasured system information can be inferred by employing the search capabilities of genetic algorithms. In the approach presented, a genetic algorithm is used in conjunction with a neural network model of a physical system and sensory information that is available to obtain needed information that cannot be measured directly. The effectiveness of this approach is demonstrated on a specific system from the mineral processing industry, a hydrocyclone separating device that is used to achieve physical separation of mineral samples. >
How do astrocytes participate in neural plasticity

Work over the past 20 years has implicated electrically nonexcitable astrocytes in complex neural functions. Despite controversies, it is increasingly clear that many, if not all, neural processes involve astrocytes. This review critically examines past work to identify the commonalities among the many published studies of neuroglia signaling. Although several studies have shown that astrocytes can impact short-term and long-term synaptic plasticity, further work is required to determine the requirement for astrocytic Ca(2+) and other second messengers in these processes. One of the roadblocks to the field advancing at a rapid pace has been technical. We predict that the novel experimental tools that have emerged in recent years will accelerate the field and likely disclose an entirely novel path of neuroglia signaling within the near future.
Uniform Solid and Hollow Metal Spheres: Formation in a Pulsed Micro-Arc and Applications

A novel process for producing monodisperse metal spheres with diameters from 50 to 1000 μm has been developed. The process involves melting a consumable wire-electrode in a pulsed micro-arc, so that a single metal droplet is formed and separated in each pulse. Subsequent droplet cooling determines the final properties of the metal spheres. Control of the droplet initial temperature from the melting to the boiling point, together with variation of the cooling medium, allows production of metal spheres with unique properties, e.g., solid, internally oxidized, or hollow granules. Uniform diameter spherical particles of Al, Cu, Mo, Ni, Ta, W, Ti, Zr, and some alloys such as stainless steel, nichrome, monel, have been produced. Applications of the process include production of uniform spherical metal particles for metal combustion studies, development of a novel droplet welding technique, and production of particles for experimental simulation of micrometeoroid-surface interactions. Other possible uses may be in energy-absorbing structures, composite materials, metal micro-dosing, and micromechanical device production.
Transparent network services via a virtual traffic layer for virtual machines

We claim that network services can be transparently added to existing unmodified applications running inside virtual machine environments. Examples of these network services include protocol transformations (e.g. TCP to UDT), network connection persistence during long duration unavailability (e.g. wide area VM migration), and network flow modification (e.g. local acknowledgments and Split-TCP). To demonstrate the utility of this concept, and to enable the practical implementations of these examples and others, we have developed VTL. VTL is a framework for packet modification and creation whose purpose is to modify network traffic to and from a VM, doing so transparently to the VM and its applications. We explain how to use VTL to implement the examples mentioned above and others, such as providing anonymized connectivity for a virtual machine through the Tor anonymizing network, and creating cooperative selective wormholing services for network intrusion detection systems.
DIET AND EXERCISE IN TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS

The question is no longer whether diet and exercise can benefit the individual with type 2 diabetes. Rather, the type and duration of exercise the magnitude of the effects on glycemic control, insulin sensitivity, and on risk factors for cardiovascular disease must be considered in determining the feasibility and acceptability of an intervention program. It is now clear that regular physical exercise is important in both the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes. The benefits of exercise are many and include increased energy expenditure, which, combined with dietary restriction, leads to decreased body fat, increased insulin sensitivity, improved long-term glycemic control, improved lipid profiles, lower blood pressure, and increased cardiovascular fitness. Persons with type 2 diabetes often find it difficult to exercise and are at increased risk for injury or exacerbation of underlying diseases or diabetic complications. Therefore, before starting an exercise program, all patients with type 2 diabetes should have a complete history and physical examination, with particular attention to evaluation of cardiovascular disease, medications that may affect glycemic control during or after exercise, and diabetic complications including retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy. Exercise programs should be designed to start slowly, build up gradually, and emphasize moderately intense exercise performed at least three times a week and preferably five to seven times a week for best results.
Crop Utilization of Nitrogen in Swine Lagoon Sludge

Swine lagoon sludge is commonly applied to soil as a source of nitrogen (N) for crop production but the fate of applied N not recovered from the soil by the receiver crop has received little attention. The objectives of this study were to (1) assess the yield and N accumulation responses of corn (Zea mays L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum) to different levels of N applied as swine lagoon sludge, (2) quantify recovery of residual N accumulation by the second and third crops after sludge application, and (3) evaluate the effect of different sludge N rates on nitrate (NO3-N) concentrations in the soil. Sludge N trials were conducted with wheat on two swine farms and with corn on one swine farm in the coastal plain of North Carolina. Agronomic optimum N rates for wheat grown at two locations was 360 kg total sludge N ha−1 and the optimum N rate for corn at one location was 327 kg total sludge N ha−1. Residual N recovered by subsequent wheat and corn crops following the corn crop that received lagoon sludge was...
Landtag Electoral Reform

The three million Socialist ballots cast in the national election of June 1903 — to the dismay of the cartel of Conservatives, Agrarians, Anti-Semites and National Liberals — provoked second thoughts on the three-class franchise in Saxony. Without waiting for the Landtag elections to take place in the fall, the government began to sound out informed opinion on the necessity for electoral reform. Stresemann’s Verband, founded the previous year, was not consulted. Just the same, the new business lobby lost no time in sending the government a memorandum bristling with population and tax statistics to prove gross over-representation of the rural districts in the Second Chamber. Then at a full convention of the Saxon National Liberal Party in September, a reluctant leadership accepted an anticartel platform which contained the reform planks advocated by dissident party factions since 1896 and now by the Verband. These were redistricting and plural balloting to replace malapportionment and the three-class franchise in the “Red Kingdom.”
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Creativity, and the Effects of Methylphenidate

Given that children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more impulsive than peers, this study explored whether they are correspondingly more creative, and whether creativity declines when impulsivity is decreased through methylphenidate (Ritalin) therapy. A repeated-measures quasi-experimental design was used to compare the performance of 19 boys with previously diagnosed ADHD and 21 comparison boys aged 8 through 11 on two administrations of alternate forms of the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking-Figural (nonverbal). Boys with ADHD received prescribed methylphenidate only for the first session. Overall, mean Torrance summary scores for comparison boys (mean = 115.1, SD = 16.1) were higher than for boys with ADHD (mean = 107.6, SD = 12.7). However, the difference between means was small (7%) and did not meet the 25% criterion for a clinically significant difference. No changes in performance over time (comparison group) or medication state (ADHD group) were observed. These data suggest that, when measured nonverbally, the creative thinking performance of boys with ADHD is not superior to that of peers who do not have ADHD. Regarding the effects of methylphenidate, prescribed therapy did not influence performance on this measure of creative thinking.
Negotiation and incorporation on the margins of world-systems: examples from Cyprus and North America

As originally formulated, the world-systems model postulated a relationship in which core states exploited peripheries for raw materials and made the latter into dependent satellites. This approach views indigenous people in peripheries as passive recipients at the mercy of political and economic forces beyond their control. While in many cases the impetus for change was from cores to peripheries, there were certainly instances in which the margins actively (and occasionally successfully) resisted incorporation. At times, they also had the ability to select the precise form of their incorporation. While in many cases this did not alter the consequences for indigenous people, there were occasions when natives not only reacted successfully, but also outlined the terms of the encounter. This is a process that I call negotiated peripherality. Underlying this perspective is a biological analogy: just as biological populations experience the greatest change at the borders of their territories where the effects of gene flow are felt first and most dramatically, so too do cultural changes occur at an accelerated rate in contact zones. This paper explores the nature of negotiated change through two case studies. The archaeological example examines how ancient inhabitants of Cyprus selectively adopted features from the Near Eastern and Greek cultures for whose worldsystems the island served as a marginal periphery. The second example is anethnohistoric study of how Native Americans managed the terms of their involvement in the fur trade with Europeans. Both cases demonstrate the active role of peripheral people as decision-makers.
Treating Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Where Are We?

Unlike estrogen receptor (ER)–positive and HER2-positive breast cancer, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) lacks a repertoire of targeted therapies. Hence, chemotherapy is the only available systemic option in current clinical practice. In general, survival of patients with TNBC is worse than that for those with ER-positive and HER2-positive breast cancer, especially for advanced-stage disease. Thus, a great unmet need exists. Conventional chemotherapeutic agents such as platinumsalts have been examined for specific benefit in TNBC; however, no one agent has yet been shown to offer a differential incremental benefit in metastatic TNBC. The hope is that ongoing research in tar getable molecular pathways will lead to new therapeutic options for TNBC. Because these patients are likely to be increasingly subcategorized using potentially targetable molecular alterations, investigators will need to be mindful of the challenges in designing and conducting clinical trials in smaller subpopulations. The successful incorporation of targeted therapies in routine clinical practice for TNBC, which mirrors the success achieved by anti-HER2 and endocrine therapies, is awaited. (J Natl Compr Canc Netw 2015;13:(e8–e18) and rare types, such as adenoid cystic, metaplastic, apocrine, and neuroendocrine carcinoma. 3 Nevertheless, the clinical utility of this categorization has been robust as a prognostic and predictive biomarker. Patients with TNBC are more likely to have a poor prognosis than those with estrogen receptor (ER)/ progesterone receptor (PR)–positive and/or HER2-positive breast cancer. 4 This is likely partially attributable to a dearth of novel therapeutic options for TNBC, in contrast to the recent expansion of endocrine and antiHER2 therapies (eg, ado-trastuzumab-emtansine, pertuzumab, everolimus with exemestane). 5–7 Therefore, great interest has been shown in exploring potential biomarkers (prognostic and predictive) and developing new therapeutic options. This article reviews current treatment options (“where are we now?”) and ongoing therapeutic research (“where are we going?”) for TNBC.
A Study of Attitudes Toward the Use of Concealed Devices in Social Science Research

psychological concepts, on the one hand, and over dependence on the interactionist point of view, on the other, no attempt is made to dispute the usefulness of these ideas about groups. Rather this paper may be seen as an attempt to emphasize the importance of structure as one of the basic conceptual elements which must be incorporated into our definitions of the group idea. It is believed that insofar as we can succeed in doing this we will succeed in advancing our ideas about the functions of norms in determining the behavior of people in groups.
History of Restless Legs Syndrome, Recently Named Willis–Ekbom Disease

After being recognized as a syndrome, Willis–Ekbom disease (WED) had been essentially ignored for three centuries until the excellent work of Ekbom in the mid-twentieth-century, carefully describing his case series. Shortly thereafter, attention to disorders disturbing sleep increased with advent of the discipline of sleep medicine. The discovery of periodic leg movements in sleep as a common feature of WED and then the serendipitous discovery of dopaminergic treatment both produced increased interest and attention to WED as a neurological disease. It was then appreciated that as Ekbom previously reported: This condition is so common that every physician is almost certain to see these patients in their practice. This has led to a rapid development of measurement instruments, diagnostic standards, approved treatments, and better understanding of the iron and genetic factors of WED. Much more could be considered about the history of assessments regarding social costs, quality of life, sleep, and multiple biological factors in the disease. Suffice it to note that this disease has rapidly progressed in the last half century from one unknown and untreatable to one with good treatment options and clear directions for biologically based improvements in the future.
A New Species of Xenasma

A new species of Xenasma is described from three collections made in California by Dr. Kenneth Wells and sent to the author for identifica? tion and description. These collections are deposited in the mycological herbarium of Illinois State University (ISU). Names of other herbaria where fragments have been deposited are abbreviated as in the fifth edition of the Index Herbariorum (1). Xenasma californicum Liberta, sp. nov. Fig. 1 Fructificatio effusa, tenuissima, in sectione 20-40 p crassa, caesia, sub lente cereo-pruinosa; hyphae haud clarae, glutinosae, substrato parallelae, nodoso-
The MEAM parameter calibration tool: an explicit methodology for hierarchical bridging between ab initio and atomistic scales

We developed a software package that incorporates integrated computational materials engineering principles to enable rapid development of new state-of-the-art atomistic potentials for metal behavior driven by ab initio and experimental data. The software features hand-tuning abilities as well as automated calibration of parameters to flexible target properties. Molecular statics simulations of target properties are done using a built-in LAMMPS library module to boost performance. The potential calibration method is flexible and intuitive allowing users to quickly develop potentials for complex alloys capturing a wide variety of behaviors. We demonstrate the validity of the software and technique by calibrating a new robust Mg potential.
Analysis of the Pulmonary Tuberculosis Surveillance Results in Pixian from 2010 to 2014

OBJECTIVE To analyze the 2010-2014 Pixian tuberculosis(TB) incidence,understand the epidemiological characteristics of TB and provide basis for making the preventive measures.METHODS A descriptive design was used for TB epidemic in Pixian from 2010 to 2014.RESULTS There were 1 490 TB cases reported in Pixian from 2010 to 2014,with an average annual incidence rate of 40.56/100 000,which was decreasing;the age of patients was mainly concentrated in the 15 to 44 age group(64.16%);the male(68.19%) was more than the female;the top three occupations were peasants(37.18%),unemployed(23.83%)and worker(8.32%);only d people died for d years.CONCLUSION The epidemic of TB in Pixian was still relatively serious,there were many floating population and students,complicated infection epidemic factors.It was necessary to focus on the key and high-risk population' s propaganda to further control the epidemic of TB.
Inluence of exercise on aging and brain

Given the aging populations in many countries throughout the world,there is an increasing interest in lifestyle factors and interventions that will enhance the cognitive vitality of older adults and reduce the risk for age-related neurological disorders.Numerous cross-sectional and longitudinal studies have examined the effects of physical activity on cognitive performance in aging humans recently.Extensive research on humans suggested that physical could have benefits for overall health and cognitive functions,particularly in later life.In the current article,we identified a number of neurobiological and psychological mechanisms by which physical activity modifies brain function and help to reduce the deleterious effects of aging on cognitive functions and brain structures.The present article also provided a review that has investigated the relationship between physical activity,brain health and cognitive performance.To this end,we critically concluded with a discussion of the gap in the literature and suggestions for future research.
Atypical Meigs' syndrome and bilateral ovarian stromal hyperplasia. A case report.

BACKGROUND: Atypical Meigs' syndrome has been observed in patients with dermoid tumors, struma ovarii, uterine leiomyomata and other benign pelvic tumors except for ovarian fibromas. Meigs' and atypical Meigs' syndrome present management decisions complicated by a high index of suspicion for malignancy. CASE: A 43-year-old woman, gravida 1, para 1, with ascites; a pleural effusion; radiologic evidence of enlarged, cystic adnexa; and a normal CA-125 level was found to have cortical stromal hyperplasia on bilateral ovarian pathologic evaluation. CONCLUSION: This is the first case of cortical stromal hyperplasia presenting with bilateral involvement of small ovaries, ascites and a pleural effusion. Meigs' syndrome and its variants develop with clinical pictures suggestive of malignancy. Thorough evaluation and individualized treatment are necessary.
Characterizing safety-net providers’ HPV vaccine recommendations to undecided parents: A pilot study

Abstract Objective Although provider recommendation is a key predictor of HPV vaccination, how providers verbalize recommendations particularly strong ones is unknown. We developed a tool to describe strength and content of provider recommendations. Methods We used electronic health records to identify unvaccinated adolescents with appointments at six safety-net clinics in Dallas, Texas. Clinic visit audio-recordings were qualitatively analyzed to identify provider recommendation types (presumptive vs. participatory introduction; strong vs. weak), describe content communicated, and explore patterns between recommendation type and vaccination. Results We analyzed 43 audio-recorded discussions between parents and 12 providers. Most providers used a participatory introduction (42 discussions) and made weak recommendations (24 discussions) by using passive voice or adding a qualification (e.g., not school required). Few providers (11 discussions) gave strong recommendations (clear, personally-owned endorsement). HPV vaccination was lowest for those receiving only weak recommendations and highest when providers coupled the recommendation with an adjacent rationale. Conclusion Our new tool provides initial evidence of how providers undercut their recommendations through qualifications or support them with a rationale. Most providers gave weak HPV vaccine recommendations and used a participatory introduction. Practice implications Providers would benefit from communication skills training on how to make explicit recommendations with an evidence-based rationale.
New modeling for thermionic emission in ideal graphene/n-Si schottky solar cells

Progress in chemically vapor deposited graphene layers on semiconductors (Si) offers new avenues for graphene based Schottky contact solar cells. Direct CVD graphene on silicon forms intimate (ideal) Schottky contact solar cells. Under illumination, thermally excited carriers from the majority and the graphene side regions may overcome the contact barrier and generate non-zero current through the junction. We propose a new model for thermionic currents in Graphene/n-Si Schottky solar cells, and predict direct dependence on T3/2 instead of T2 through a new Richardson constant A∗∗ that includes the thickness of the graphene layer, the contact barrier and the electronic Fermi velocity through graphene's linear density of states. Based on this, we derive explicit Voc and J sc for such solar cells.
A GaN-based partial power converter with MHz reconfigurable switched-capacitor and RF SEPIC

This paper investigates a new reconfigurable switched-capacitor (SC) based partial power architecture which enhances the performance of radio frequency (RF) resonant DC/DC converters with gallium nitride (GaN) power devices. The proposed architecture has a comprehensive compatibility with existing RF and SC topologies and improves the performance of RF converters through partitioning of energy conversion stage and output regulation stage. Emerging new wide bandgap devices like GaN FETs enable a higher power density DC/DC converter design. A wider input range, larger voltage conversion ratio, smaller size, and excellent transient performance are expected. The prototype of the proposed GaN reconfigurable SC-based partial power RF converter comprises of a 20 MHz resonant single-ended-primary-inductor-converter (SEPIC) as a regulated stage and a high-efficiency 2 MHz reconfigurable SC as an unregulated stage. The GaN RF resonant SEPIC regulates the output using a robust ON/OFF control scheme, which enables fast transient responses. The high-efficiency GaN reconfigurable SC provides 1:1, 2:1 and 3:1 voltage conversion ratio which widens the input voltage range. The power stage of the prototype achieves a peak efficiency of 93 % and a power density of 963 W/in3 at 91.5 W.
Enhancing estimation accuracy by applying cross-correlation image tracking to self-sensing including evaluation on a low saliency ratio machine

Image tracking self-sensing, which utilizes cross-correlation to detect the rotor position by evaluating the orientation of the current image across a full injection cycle can enhance estimated accuracy and improve tolerance to noise. Cross-correlation over a full injection cycle replaces the classical heterodyning demodulation used in traditional point-tracking methods and is known to produce significant harmonic content. Image tracking mitigates dynamic degradation since there is no longer a need for low pass filtering of the harmonic content. Cross-correlation also handles complex images well. This paper will document how by the careful consideration of the machine properties at an operating point, details of the current response can be used to generate a complex image over the full injection cycle. This paper will also show how cross-correlation of the sampled image over each full injection cycle with this detailed model, allows for a more accurate estimate of position when compared to traditional point-tracking methods. These methods are evaluated experimentally on a low saliency ratio SPM and compared to classical rotating and pulsating point-tracking HFI methods.
A Multinational Analysis of Mutations and Heterogeneity in PZase, RpsA, and PanD Associated with Pyrazinamide Resistance in M/XDR Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Pyrazinamide (PZA) is an important first-line drug in all existing and new tuberculosis (TB) treatment regimens. PZA-resistance in M. tuberculosis is increasing, especially among M/XDR cases. Noted issues with PZA Drug Susceptibility Testing (DST) have driven the search for alternative tests. This study provides a comprehensive assessment of PZA molecular diagnostics in M/XDR TB cases. A set of 296, mostly XDR, clinical M. tuberculosis isolates from four countries were subjected to DST for eight drugs, confirmatory Wayne's assay, and whole-genome sequencing. Three genes implicated in PZA resistance, pncA, rpsA, and panD were investigated. Assuming all non-synonymous mutations cause resistance, we report 90% sensitivity and 65% specificity for a pncA-based molecular test. The addition of rpsA and panD potentially provides 2% increase in sensitivity. Molecular heterogeneity in pncA was associated with resistance and should be evaluated as a diagnostic tool. Mutations near the N-terminus and C-terminus of PZase were associated with East-Asian and Euro-American lineages, respectively. Finally, Euro-American isolates are most likely to have a wild-type PZase and escape molecular detection. Overall, the 8-10% resistance without markers may point to alternative mechanisms of resistance. Confirmatory mutagenesis may improve the disconcertingly low specificity but reduce sensitivity since not all mutations may cause resistance.