cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effect of son preference on Palestinian fertility

Abstract Background Palestinian fertility has been termed as a demographic puzzle because of the persistence in high fertility even with favourable levels of women's education and urbanisation, and access to contraception and low infant mortality, compared with other Arab countries. Anecdotal evidence shows that the desire to have at least one son drives women to continue to have children even if they have reached their desired number of children. This study aimed to understand the role of son preference and sex distribution of children have on adults' fertility behaviour in the occupied Palestinian territory. Methods This study used data from the birth history calendar in the 2006 Palestinian Family Health survey for married women between the ages of 15 and 54 years with at least one child. Event-history analysis techniques were used to assess if preference for a son and sex distribution of children had an effect on the probability of a subsequent birth. We tested whether women who have more sons at any given parity level (between 1 and 5 births) effected the probability of having a subsequent birth. Findings The sample included 8926 women with a total of 35 285 births. After controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, women with more sons were less likely to move on to a subsequent birth at all parity levels. In women with one daughter, the hazard ratio (HR) of subsequent birth was 1·16 (p Interpretation Even in the context of high fertility and a quite common sex ratio at birth in the occupied Palestinian territory, the sex of children seems to affect individual fertility behaviour, with women without sons or few sons increasingly likely to have subsequent children. Funding Population Studies and Training Center, Brown University.
Mass spectrometry-based metabolomics to assess uptake of silver nanoparticles by Arabidopsis thaliana

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are one of the most commonly utilized engineered nanomaterials in consumer products due to their antimicrobial properties. AgNPs can be introduced into the environment when products containing AgNPs are disposed of in landfills, or leach out from products during washing, eventually reaching wastewater treatment plants. Hence, the usage of reclaimed water can lead to the unintentional exposure of different biological organisms to AgNPs. In addition, biosolids from wastewater treatment plants may contain AgNPs that can end up in the environment when the biosolids are land-applied to fertilize fields. In this study, the impact of citrate- and polyvinylpyrolidone-coated AgNPs on a model plant, Arabidopsis thaliana, was investigated using hydroponic cultures to quantitatively evaluate plant uptake of AgNPs, and to demonstrate the use of a metabolomics approach in assessing sub-lethal effects of AgNPs on plants. Analysis of AgNPs was performed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to quantify total silver concentrations in plant tissues, and metabolite profiling was achieved using liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QToF/MS). Results show silver translocation from roots of Arabidopsis thaliana to leaves and flowering shoots in all plants treated with AgNPs. Furthermore, untargeted and targeted metabolomics results show alterations in the metabolome after treatment, as well as the accumulation of specific phytosphingosines and N-acylethanolamines in silver treated Arabidopsis thaliana. Correlating the silver concentrations in Arabidopsis thaliana and the changes in metabolite profile may provide insights on the mechanism and interactions between nanomaterials and biological organisms. This study lays the groundwork and provides a proof-of-concept on the utilization of mass spectrometry-based metabolomics as a tool for determining the biochemical effects of nanoparticles at sub-lethal concentrations in Arabidopsis thaliana.
The trauma consensus: history method in the age of trauma

Trauma has the potential to change the way we understand, research, and write the histories of settler colonial societies. Indigenous and African-American psychologists and sociologists have used t...
Change in Hierarchically Organized Attitudes

This study tests a theory of attitude change in hierarchies proposed by Hunter, Levine, and Sayers (1976). That theory was verified in that (a) messages input at the top of the hierarchy have an in...
Balancing Precision with Clarity

Einstein’s advice to keep the language as simple as possible, yet no simpler, calls for a balance between being precise and being clear.
Lecture 2: Verbal Comprehension

The ability to understand verbal messages is an exceptionally important dimension of human ability. All but a few severely damaged humans can use speech. At the same time there are substantial individual differences in the ability to respond to the nuances of verbal communication. What sorts of differences exist and how are they related to the general laws describing verbal comprehension ?
Highlights From the 2008 Surviving Sepsis Campaign: Part 2

Previously,' key issues surrounding the 2008 Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC) were examined, 2 including evidence-based ratings, initial resuscitation, antimicrobial therapy, vasopressor support, and the role of the pharmaceutical industry in the SSC. In part 2 of this series, the recommendations for corticotherapy, intensive insulin therapy, activated protein C, blood transfusions, and selective digestive tract decontamination are discussed.
Small-Sample-Support Channel Estimation for Massive Mimo Systems

We consider the problem of blind channel estimation with minimal pilot signaling in multi-cell multi-user MIMO systems with very large antenna arrays at the base station. We develop a least-squares (LS)-type algorithm that iteratively extracts channel and data estimates in short-data record multicell massive MIMO environments with no prior channel state information. The proposed algorithm utilizes a novel initialization step that is based on auxiliary-vector (AV) subspace decomposition. Simulation studies show that for pilot signaling of about 4%, information data extraction can be achieved with lower probability of error than eigendecomposition-based initialization techniques, while for observation records of sufficient length it nearly attains the error rate performance achieved with complete knowledge of the channels.
Clinical Features Contributing to Cortical Thickness Changes in Chronic Migraine - A Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVES The objectives of this cross-sectional pilot study were threefold: to identify regions of cortical thickness that differentiate chronic migraine (CM) from controls, to assess group differences in interregional cortical thickness covariance, and to determine group differences in associations between clinical variables and cortical thickness. BACKGROUND Cortical thickness alterations in relation to clinical features have not been adequately explored in CM. Assessment of this relationship can be useful to describe cortical substrates for disease progression in migraine and to identify clinical variables that warrant management emphasis. METHODS Thirty CM cases (mean age 40 years; male-to-female 1:4) and 30 sex-matched healthy controls (mean age 40 years) were enrolled. Participants completed self-administered and standardized questionnaires assessing headache-related clinical features and common psychological comorbidities. T1-weighted brain images were acquired on a 3T MRI. A whole-brain cortical thickness analysis was performed. Additionally, correlations between all brain regions were assessed to examine interregional cortical thickness covariance. Interactions were analyzed to identify clinical variables that were significantly associated with cortical thickness. RESULTS The whole brain cortical thickness analysis revealed no significant differences between CM patients and controls. However, significant associations between clinical features and cortical thickness were observed for the patients only. These associations included the right superior temporal sulcus (R2 = 0.72, P = .001) and the right insula (R2 = 0.71, P = .002) with distinct clinical variables ie, longer history of CM, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sleep quality, pain self-efficacy, and somatic symptoms. Higher interregional cortical covariance was found in CM compared to controls (OR = 3.1, CI 2.10-4.56, P < .0001), such that cortical thickness between regions tended to be more correlated in patients, particularly in the temporal and frontal lobes. CONCLUSION CM patients have significantly greater cortical covariance compared to controls. Cortical thickness in CM patients was predominantly accounted for by CM duration, PTSD, and poor sleep quality, while improved pain self-efficacy buffered cortical thickness. While it is important to address all CM features and comorbidities, it may be useful to emphasize optimizing the management of certain clinical features that contribute to cortical abnormalities including managing PTSD, early management to shorten duration of CM, and improving pain self-efficacy and sleep quality.
DCAF1 (VprBP): Emerging Physiological Roles for a Unique Dual-Service E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Substrate Receptor

Cullin-RING ligases (CRLs) comprise a large group of modular eukaryotic E3 ubiquitin ligases. Within this family, the CRL4 ligase (consisting of the Cullin4 [CUL4] scaffold protein, the Rbx1 RING finger domain protein, the DNA damage-binding protein 1 [DDB1], and one of many DDB1-associated substrate receptor proteins) has been intensively studied in recent years due to its involvement in regulating various cellular processes, its role in cancer development and progression, and its subversion by viral accessory proteins. Initially discovered as a target for hijacking by the human immunodeficiency virus accessory protein r, the normal targets and function of the CRL4 substrate receptor protein DDB1-Cul4-associated factor 1 (DCAF1; also known as VprBP) had remained elusive, but newer studies have begun to shed light on these questions. Here, we review recent progress in understanding the diverse physiological roles of this DCAF1 in supporting various general and cell type-specific cellular processes in its context with the CRL4 E3 ligase, as well as another HECT-type E3 ligase with which DCAF1 also associates, called EDD/UBR5. We also discuss emerging questions and areas of future study to uncover the dynamic roles of DCAF1 in normal physiology.
Bacterial amyloids promote type I interferon production and accelerate autoimmunity (BA6P.124)

Infections can be pathogenic in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Curli is a bacterial amyloid part of enteric bacterial biofilms, like those of E. coli and Salmonella . We have recently found that curli fibers form highly immunogenic composites with DNA within the biofilm. Here we studied the immune response to curli-DNA complexes in the context of murine SLE. For in vitro studies, we stimulated bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (cDCs) from WT and lupus-prone mice with curli amyloid from S. Typhimurium biofilms. A dose titration of curli amyloid induced robust proinflammatory cytokine and type I-IFN responsive gene expression in cDCs. Using synthetic curli peptide, we found that curli and nucleic acids synergize to activate cDCs. We injected in vivo pre-diseased lupus-prone NZB/W-F1 mice i.p. with curli-DNA complexes and found that they accelerate disease, inducing high titers of anti-dsDNA and anti-chromatin autoantibodies. Curli-DNA complexes induced autoantibodies also in non-autoimmune C57BL/6 mice. Finally, we infected NZB/W-F1 mice i.p. with curli-expressing or curli mutant E. coli or Salmonella . Curli-competent bacteria triggered far higher autoantibody titers than curli mutant strains. In conclusion, biofilm-derived curli-DNA complexes are potent activators of DCs and can rapidly break tolerance and accelerate autoimmunity in mice, suggesting that bacterial amyloids and biofilm-based bacterial infections are important environmental triggers in lupus.
Hybrid Multifunctional Transparent Conductors

Abstract A wide range of optoelectronic devices depend critically on transparent conducting contacts. The range of these applications is increasing due to higher performance and flexible photovoltaic devices; large-area displays and touch screens; and new, flexible, optoelectronic devices based on hybrid materials, including organic, biological, and inorganic materials at the macroscale, mesoscale, and nanoscale. The ability to combine highly conductive, anisotropic nanomaterials such as silver, carbon, and oxide nanowires in an oxide or organic matrix has produced a new class of highly conductive and transparent contacts that can be used in a diverse range of devices and environmental conditions. These solution-depositable contacts can transform large-area devices such as photovoltaics and displays. This chapter summarizes the current state of the art for hybrid nanowire contacts with specific emphasis on their applicability to current and emerging PV technology.
Impact of a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) Intervention on Usual Dietary Intake Among Indiana Adults (P04-025-19)

The goal of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) is to assist low-income households to improve diet quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term effects of SNAP-Ed nutrition education lessons on diet quality and key nutrient and food group outcomes among Indiana SNAP-Ed-eligible adults. The study design was a parallel-arm randomized controlled nutrition education intervention. The intervention consisted of the first 4 lessons of the Indiana adult SNAP-Ed curriculum delivered to participants during the 4 to 10 weeks after their baseline assessment. Participants (≥18 yrs) eligible for SNAP-Ed and interested in receiving nutrition education lessons (direct SNAP-Ed) were recruited from 31 Indiana counties (N = 261) and completed baseline assessments from August 2015 to May 2016. Follow-up assessments were conducted approximately 1-year after baseline from August 2016 to May 2017 (n = 103). Dietary intake was assessed using up to 2 24-hour dietary recalls at each assessment time point. The main outcome measures were mean usual nutrient (calcium; vitamins D, A, C, E; magnesium; folate; potassium; fiber; dairy; fruit; vegetable; whole grains) the proportion meeting Estimated Average Requirements, exceeding Adequate Intakes, or meeting daily recommended servings, and diet quality as measured by the Healthy Eating Index-2010. This study is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03436784. Significance was P ≤ 0.05. Analyses were completed using SAS 9.4. No effect of direct SNAP-Ed was found on diet quality, nutrient, or food group intake in the treatment compared to the control group between baseline and the 1-year follow-up assessment (P > 0.05). Direct SNAP-Ed did not improve long-term diet quality, nutrient, or food group intake among Indiana SNAP-Ed eligible adults. Funding for this research was provided by Purdue University as part of AgSEED Crossroads funding to support Indiana's Agriculture and Rural Development, Purdue University Frederick N. Andrews Fellowship, Purdue University Center for Families Justice Family Nutrition Award, the Purdue University Nutrition Education Program, and a USDA NIFA Hatch Project.
Can the distinguishable cluster approximation be improved systematically by including connected triples

The Distinguishable Cluster (DC) approximation to the coupled cluster (CC) doubles, proposed by Kats and Manby [J. Chem. Phys. 139, 021102 (2013)], can semiquantitatively describe multiple bond dissociation (which is traditionally considered a paradigm of strongly correlated electronic structure methods based on the multideterminant approach) without leaving the single-reference coupled cluster framework. DC is just one of many internally corrected (CC) methods that improve on the parent CC method by approximation. To build on the success of the DC methods, it is important to probe whether they can be systematically improved. To answer this question, we considered a set of methods in the distinguishable cluster family, culminating in the DC singles, doubles, and triples (DCSDT), a DC modification of the parent CC singles, doubles, and triples that maintains exactness for 3-electron systems. Inclusion of the complete treatment of triples leads to systematic improvement over the DCSD for equilibrium correlation energy estimates. However, this improvement is not matched by enhanced accuracy for multiple bond breaking processes.
Enabling direct writing of an epoxy resin with thermo-activated organic thixotropes

Abstract Direct writing a thermosetting resin typically requires a rheological modifier or peripheral reaction rate-modulating equipment to enable shape fidelity during parts fabrication. This work describes the processing and characterization of low molecular weight diamide-based derivatives of hydroxystearic acid to facilitate direct writing of an epoxy resin. These low molecular weight gelators (LMWG) are thermally activated to produce sufficient yield stress for self-supporting, reactive, physical gels. These organic gelators are semi-crystalline and enable two modes of processing to produce form-stable resin formulations – cold processing and melt processing. Physical gelation occurs by assembly of the LMWG into supramolecular morphologies that vary by mode of processing. Flow of the form-stable epoxy resin is induced by yielding of the physical gel structure. When the physical gel is cured at temperatures below the melt transition of the organic gelator, the network structure likely kinetically traps the organic gelator in a metastable state. Recrystallization of the kinetically trapped organic gelator is impeded when the network is post-cured above the melt transition temperature of the organic gelator. The use of low molecular weight agents that physically gel by thermal activation, generates low viscosity solution processability and suggests that this platform may be suitable for high solids loading applications amenable to direct writing.
Native Chromatin Proteomics Reveals a Role for Specific Nucleoporins in Heterochromatin Organization and Maintenance.

Summary Spatially and functionally distinct domains of heterochromatin and euchromatin play important roles in the maintenance of chromosome stability and regulation of gene expression, but a comprehensive knowledge of their composition is lacking. Here, we develop a strategy for the isolation of native Schizosaccharomyces pombe heterochromatin and euchromatin fragments and analyze their composition by using quantitative mass spectrometry. The shared and euchromatin-specific proteomes contain proteins involved in DNA and chromatin metabolism and in transcription, respectively. The heterochromatin-specific proteome includes all proteins with known roles in heterochromatin formation and, in addition, is enriched for subsets of nucleoporins and inner nuclear membrane (INM) proteins, which associate with different chromatin domains. While the INM proteins are required for the integrity of the nucleolus, containing ribosomal DNA repeats, the nucleoporins are required for aggregation of heterochromatic foci and epigenetic inheritance. The results provide a comprehensive picture of heterochromatin-associated proteins and suggest a role for specific nucleoporins in heterochromatin function.
Cholinergic receptors on intestine cells of Ascaris suum and activation of nAChRs by levamisole

Cholinergic agonists, like levamisole, are a major class of anthelmintic drugs that are known to act selectively on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) on the somatic muscle and nerves of nematode parasites to produce their contraction and spastic paralysis. Previous studies have suggested that in addition to the nAChRs found on muscle and nerves, there are nAChRs on non-excitable tissues of nematode parasites. We looked for evidence of nAChRs expression in the cells of the intestine of the large pig nematode, Ascaris suum, using RT-PCR and RNAscope in situ hybridization and detected mRNA of nAChR subunits in the cells. These subunits include components of the putative levamisole receptor in A. suum muscle: Asu-unc-38, Asu-unc-29, Asu-unc-63 and Asu-acr-8. Relative expression of these mRNAs in A. suum intestine was quantified by qPCR. We also looked for and found expression of G protein-linked acetylcholine receptors (Asu-gar-1). We used Fluo-3 AM to detect intracellular calcium changes in response to receptor activation by acetylcholine (as a non-selective agonist) and levamisole (as an L-type nAChR agonist) to look for evidence of functioning nAChRs in the intestine. We found that both acetylcholine and levamisole elicited increases in intracellular calcium but their signal profiles in isolated intestinal tissues were different, suggesting activation of different receptor sets. The levamisole responses were blocked by mecamylamine, a nicotinic receptor antagonist in A. suum, indicating the activation of intestinal nAChRs rather than G protein-linked acetylcholine receptors (GARs) by levamisole. The detection of nAChRs in cells of the intestine, in addition to those on muscles and nerves, reveals another site of action of the cholinergic anthelmintics and a site that may contribute to the synergistic interactions of cholinergic anthelmintics with other anthelmintics that affect the intestine (Cry5B).
Miscellaneous Clinical Nuclear Medicine Neuroimaging Studies

This chapter consists of three sections. Section “Brain Death Scintigraphy” devotes to the brain perfusion imaging to help diagnose brain death, which is typically indicated by no appreciable perfusion to the entire brain parenchyma on dynamic, static, and/or SPECT imaging. In addition to the direct imaging evidence of brain death, a “hot nose sign” may or may not be observed as indirect evidence of brain death due to increased perfusion in the peripheral secondary to no perfusion to the brain (Donohoe et al. JNMT 40:198–203, 2012). Section “Spect Brain Perfusion Study of Chronic Lyme Encephalopathy” focuses on scintigraphy of chronic Lyme encephalopathy which is characterized by heterogeneity and multifocal/asymmetric cortical hypoperfusion and/or tubular-like cortical defects, while perfusion to the primary visual cortices and cerebella is often preserved (Logigian et al. J Infect Dis 180:377–383, 1999; Sumiya et al. J Nucl Med 38:1120–1122, 1997). Presented in section “Others” are unique three neuroimaging studies as the following: The Wada test, named after Dr. Juan Wada, is a SPECT brain perfusion study, also referred to as intracarotid sodium amobarbital procedure (ISAP), during which images typically demonstrate global hypoperfusion of the tested brain hemisphere and while normal/preserved perfusion is present in the contralateral brain. These help determine brain hemispheric memory and language dominance as part of pre-surgical evaluation mainly for epileptic patients (Wada Igaku to Seibutsugaki 14:221–222, 1949). The second case shows a patient with known chronic left middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion who had an essentially normal baseline brain perfusion study. After Diamox challenge, however, profound hypoperfusion is demonstrated in the left MCA territory, a finding often referred to as “intracerebral steal phenomenon (ISP),” indicating a poor cerebrovascular reserve (CVR) (Vagal et al. AJNR 30:876–884, 2009). The third case is a brain FDG PET showing diffuse hypermetabolism mainly in the frontal and insular lobes in a 14-year-old male presenting with fever, atypical measles syndrome, altered mental status, and positive Mycoplasma titers, suspicious for Mycoplasma encephalitis.
Chapter 12 – Syngas Conditioning

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the processing technologies required to allow operation of polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells fuelled by reformate, including the final cleanup steps (PrOX, SMET), which are uniquely required for PEM. Selective methanation (SMET) of CO is a viable approach for the removal of CO from hydrogen-rich gas streams to be used with PEM fuel cells. Ru- and Ni-based catalysts are among the most extensively investigated and have shown the most promising performance. The key criteria for good performance include high activity, which allows operation at lower temperatures, and high selectivity, reflecting low activity for CO2 methanation and reverse water gas shift. Catalysts based on these metals tend to be the most selective at the lower operating temperature ranges, generally because CO adsorption predominates and adsorption of CO2 (hence reaction) is minimized. However, in order to obtain full CO conversion, higher temperatures may be required with subsequent loss of selectivity. The performance of these catalysts is strongly dependent on the support, preparation method, metal loading, metal particle size, promoter, and the operating conditions. Finally, some promising SMET strategies have been proposed and demonstrated that show viability for both performances, with CO concentrations below 10 ppmv being achieved, and durability, in which stability has been demonstrated for as long as 800 h on stream.
Size-Tunable Metal–Organic Framework-Coated Magnetic Nanoparticles for Enzyme Encapsulation and Large-Substrate Biocatalysis

Immobilizing enzymes on nanoparticles (NPs) enhances the cost-efficiency of biocatalysis; however, when the substrates are large, it becomes difficult to separate the enzyme@NP from the products wh...
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Studies of Glucose Metabolism in Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus Subjects

Abstract In this review, the results of a series of NMR experiments investigating glucose storage and synthesis in NIDDM patients and normal controls have been summarized. These have shown: 1. The deficit in nonoxidative glucose disposal in NIDDM subjects results from a defect in the muscle glycogen synthesis pathway. 2. Reduced activity of glucose transporter/hexokinase step in this pathway accounts for the reduced rate of glycogen synthesis in NIDDM patients. 3. This reduced activity of GT/Hk is a genetic defect present before the clinical onset of disease in prediabetic descendants of diabetic parents. 4. In muscle from normal, healthy subjects the rate of glycogen synthesis is controlled by the glucose transport/hexokinase activity step and not by the activity of the muscle glycogen synthase enzyme. 5. Hepatic gluconeogenesis is responsible for most hepatic glucose production during an overnight fast in both normal and NIDDM subjects, and increases in gluconeogenic flux are responsible for the increased rate of hepatic glucose production in NIDDM subjects. 6. In contrast to human muscle, where glycogenesis ceases at rest, in the liver gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis are always active. Numerous previous studies were considered prior to embarking in each of these NMR experiments. In the original research articles we published, the earlier studies were discussed in terms of the relevant literature. Here, however, I have chosen to present the NMR data as simply as possible, in the hope of exposing the significance of these studies by disentangling the results from the complexities of NMR methodology.
Vacuum ultraviolet enhanced atomic layer etching of ruthenium films

Vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) enhanced atomic layer etching (ALE) of thin (∼8 nm) Ru films is demonstrated. Oxidation half-cycles of 2–5 min VUV/O2 co-exposure are used to oxidize near-surface Ru to RuO2 at 1 Torr O2 and 100–150 °C. In situ x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements indicate that RuO2 formation saturates after ∼5 min of VUV/O2 exposure at 100 and 150 °C. The depth of Ru oxidation is limited by the rate of oxidation and can be controlled with substrate temperature and exposure time. Etching half-cycles are performed by exposing the oxidized Ru film to HCOOH vapor at 0.50 Torr for 30 s isothermally, which results in the removal of the oxidized Ru layer. The amount of Ru removed per ALE cycle is determined by comparing ex situ x-ray reflectivity (XRR) measurements of the film before and after etching. When using 2 min VUV/O2 co-exposure, approximately 0.8 and 0.9 A of Ru is etched per cycle at 100 and 150 °C, respectively. XRR and atomic force microscopy measurements indicate that the as-deposited and sputtered Ru film surface becomes smoother as ALE is performed. The etch rate decreases with ALE cycles and corresponds to a slowing oxidation rate, which is likely associated with the decrease in surface roughness. Density functional theory is used to study the adsorption of oxidants in a model Ru system, and nudged elastic band (NEB) calculations describe O diffusion into the Ru substrate by following an O “probe” atom as it moves between Ru(002) atomic planes with 0.50 monolayer (ML) O on the surface. NEB results reveal an approximate energetic barrier to diffusion, Ea, of 5.10 eV for O to move through the second and third atomic Ru layers when O, which can form an RuOx species, is subsurface. This Ea is in excess of the energetic gain of 4.23 eV in adsorbing an O atom to Ru(002) with 0.50 ML O. The difference in Ea and the adsorption energy likely contributes to the self-limiting nature of the oxidation and explains the observation that VUV/O2 co-exposure time must be increased to allow additional time for O diffusing into the subsurface as it overcomes the barrier to subsurface O diffusion. The self-limiting oxidation of Ru arising from VUV/O2 at low temperatures, in turn, enables an ALE process for Ru.
An integrative review of simulation, senior practicum and readiness for practice.

Abstract Readiness for practice (RFP) is essential as new nurses will practice in a nursing shortage climate, with high acuity patients and complex technology. Nurse educators are challenged to foster readiness for practice. Aim The aim of this integrative review was to explore the impact of simulation and senior practicum on graduating senior nursing students' readiness for practice. Background Readiness for practice has been a point of concern for healthcare for quite some time. This has led to a need for better understanding for what RFP means including their perceptions of various stakeholders. Further, it is important to address what teaching and learning strategies can be implemented to assist in ensuring the graduating senior nursing student is ready for practice on graduation and for their first professional practice. Readiness for practice is defined as the ability to safely and competently care for patients by synthesizing theory, skills, attitudes and values in applying clinical reasoning in practice settings. Method An integrative review identified 48 published papers on simulation and senior practicum that met the inclusion criteria. Results Themes identified from the senior practicum/preceptor literature included clinical reasoning, skills, barriers to the senior practicum and transition. Themes identified regarding simulation as a strategy included preparation, competence development, clinical reasoning and the number of human patient simulators used. Conclusion Although the evidence is not conclusive, simulation and senior practicums have the promise of preparing graduating nursing students for their first professional practice. However, nurse educators must ensure simulations are well-organized with clear objectives and that preceptors are supported in teaching and assessing students.
Nonlinear Effect of R&D Expenditures and Intangible Assets on Financial Performance: A Panel Threshold Analysis

The financial outcomes of research and development (R&D) expenditures and intangible assets are not instantaneous and straightforward. To explore the varied perspectives of these relationships, this study employs panel threshold analysis. Analysis reveals significant variances in multiple regimes. The findings provide insights in the risk-return paradigm of R&D investment, dynamics of threshold points and the successive return, besides helping the policy makers to settle the priority sector to get the expected result in line with country’s investment policy.
Interactive Game-Based Exploration of an Underwater Paleontological Site

The Yucatan Peninsula contains many cenotes and underwater caves, some of which offer promising opportunities for archeological and paleontological research in the Americas. Here we describe the transdisciplinary research efforts as part of documenting and studying the skeletal deposits in the submerged Ice Age cave site of Hoyo N egro. We translate these efforts into a video game that represents the digital twin of Hoyo Negro for the public to explore. Through this game we seek to excite middle school children about opportunities in science through the rich content at Hoyo Negro and employing next generation science standards so that the game can be tested with middle school students and used as part of science curricula.
Understanding Customer Retrials in Call Centers: Preferences for Service Quality and Service Speed

Problem definition: Customers are likely to initiate retrial calls when their previous contact with a call center fails to deliver a satisfactory resolution. According to industry reports, retrials...
Exploring the duality between product and organizational architectures: A test of the 'mirroring' hypothesis

Abstract A variety of academic studies argue that a relationship exists between the structure of an organization and the design of the products that this organization produces. Specifically, products tend to “mirror” the architectures of the organizations in which they are developed. This dynamic occurs because the organization's governance structures, problem solving routines and communication patterns constrain the space in which it searches for new solutions. Such a relationship is important, given that product architecture has been shown to be an important predictor of product performance, product variety, process flexibility and even the path of industry evolution. We explore this relationship in the software industry. Our research takes advantage of a natural experiment, in that we observe products that fulfill the same function being developed by very different organizational forms. At one extreme are commercial software firms, in which the organizational participants are tightly-coupled, with respect to their goals, structure and behavior. At the other, are open source software communities, in which the participants are much more loosely-coupled by comparison. The mirroring hypothesis predicts that these different organizational forms will produce products with distinctly different architectures. Specifically, loosely-coupled organizations will develop more modular designs than tightly-coupled organizations. We test this hypothesis, using a sample of matched-pair products. We find strong evidence to support the mirroring hypothesis. In all of the pairs we examine, the product developed by the loosely-coupled organization is significantly more modular than the product from the tightly-coupled organization. We measure modularity by capturing the level of coupling between a product's components. The magnitude of the differences is substantial—up to a factor of six, in terms of the potential for a design change in one component to propagate to others. Our results have significant managerial implications, in highlighting the impact of organizational design decisions on the technical structure of the artifacts that these organizations subsequently develop.
IFN-γ stimulated murine and human neurons mount anti-parasitic defenses against the intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii

Dogma holds that Toxoplasma gondii persists in neurons because neurons cannot clear intracellular parasites, even with IFN-γ stimulation. As several recent studies questioned this idea, we used primary murine neuronal cultures from wild-type and transgenic mice in combination with IFN-γ stimulation and parental and transgenic parasites to reassess IFN-γ dependent neuronal clearance of intracellular parasites. We found that neurons respond to IFN-γ and that a subset of neurons clear intracellular parasites via immunity regulated GTPases. Whole neuron reconstructions from mice infected with parasites that trigger neuron GFP expression only after full invasion revealed that ~40% of these T. gondii-invaded neurons no longer harbor parasites. Finally, IFN-γ stimulated human stem cell derived neurons showed a ~ 50% decrease in parasite infection rate when compared to unstimulated cultures. This work highlights the capability of human and murine neurons to mount cytokine-dependent anti-T. gondii defense mechanisms in vitro and in vivo.
Cloning and disruption of CKB1, the gene encoding the 38-kDa beta subunit of Saccharomyces cerevisiae casein kinase II (CKII). Deletion of CKII regulatory subunits elicits a salt-sensitive phenotype.

Abstract Saccharomyces cerevisiae casein kinase II (CKII) contains two distinct catalytic (α and α′) and regulatory (β and β′) subunits. We report here the isolation and disruption of the gene, CKB1, encoding the 38-kDa β subunit. The predicted Ckb1 sequence includes the N-terminal autophosphorylation site, internal acidic domain, and potential metal binding motif (CPX3C-X-CPXC) present in other β subunits but is unique in that it contains two additional autophosphorylation sites as well as a 30-amino-acid acidic insert. CKB1 is located on the left arm of chromosome VII, approximately 33 kilobases from the centromere and does not correspond to any previously characterized genetic locus. Haploid and diploid strains lacking either or both β subunit genes are viable, demonstrating that the regulatory subunit of CKII is dispensable in S. cerevisiae. Such strains exhibit wild type behavior with regard to growth on both fermentable and nonfermentable carbon sources, mating, sporulation, spore germination, and resistance to heat-shock and nitrogen starvation, but are salt-sensitive. Salt sensitivity is specific for NaCl and LiCl and is not observed with KCl or agents which increase osmotic pressure alone. These data suggest a role for CKII in ion homeostasis in S. cerevisiae.
Simulations of gravity wave-induced variations of the OH(8,3), O2(0,1), and O(1S) airglow emissions in the MLT region

We investigate gravity wave-induced airglow intensity variations of the OH(8,3), O2(0,1) atmospheric band, and O(1S) greenline emissions in the mesosphere/lower thermosphere (MLT) region with two two-dimensional, time-dependent, nonlinear models—an OH Chemistry-Dynamics model and a Multiple Airglow Chemistry-Dynamics model. Our simulation results of the wave effects by a small-scale 30 km wave packet show that it induces an ~22% secular increase in the OH(8,3) airglow intensity, a 30% increase in the O2(0,1) atmospheric band, and a 33% increase in the O(1S) greenline. The largest wave-induced airglow intensity fluctuation amplitude is seen in the OH(8,3) emission (~2.4%), followed by the O2(0,1) atmospheric band and O(1S) greenline with comparable maximum wave-induced airglow intensity fluctuation amplitudes of 1%. Our study also shows that the production of atmospheric bands and O(1S) strongly depends on the rate coefficients in the three-body recombination reactions.
The Implementation of Research Findings in the Junior High School Physical Education Program

(1959). The Implementation of Research Findings in the Junior High School Physical Education Program. Journal of Health, Physical Education, Recreation: Vol. 30, No. 2, pp. 23-62.
Seeking a Benefits Balance in the Industrial Design Treaty Revision (Hague Agreement): Fifth Meeting of Experts, Held June 13-16, 1995

The development of a revised intellectual property treaty is a long and challenging process, even with the guidance of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). A group of experts from governments, intergovernmental organizations and non-government organizations meet annually, usually, with WIPO providing a draft text. Technical aspects of draft text provisions are not the only challenges. Political changes occur that can influence the direction and pace of successful treaty revision. Revision of the Hague Agreement for the International Deposit of Industrial Designs (Hague Agreement) is a good case study to illustrate this process. The Hague Agreement revision remains the best avenue for developing a centralized system for filing industrial design applications and establishing uniformity in procedures. The first four meetings, starting in 1991, were very efficient, with most of the technical aspects resolved. The fifth meeting of experts turned its attention to more political aspects, primarily the topic of benefits from adherence to the revised treaty.This article is divided into two main parts. Sections II-IV review the progress made at the fifth meeting on technical aspects, assuming an understanding of prior developments. Sections V-XII analyze the benefits issues, in a realistic perspective, and offer a method and specific proposals for completing the treaty revision. Background information for the treaty work is provided in Sections XII and XIII, respectively, on the second annual Hague Agreement User Meeting and an update of current Hague Agreement use by U.S. related companies.
Intersection forms of toric hyperkähler varieties

This note proves combinatorially that the intersection pairing on the middle-dimensional compactly supported cohomology of a toric hyperkahler variety is always definite, providing a large number of non-trivial L 2 harmonic forms for toric hyperkahler metrics on these varieties. This is motivated by a result of Hitchin about the definiteness of the pairing of L 2 harmonic forms on complete hyperkahler manifolds of linear growth.
Some results on theory revision

The problem of Theory Revision is to “add” a formula to a theory, while preserving consistency and making only minimal changes to the original theory. A natural way to uniquely determine the process is by imposing an order of “epistemic entrenchment” on the formulae, as done by Gardenfors and Makinson. We improve their results as follows: We define orders which generate unique revision processes too, but in addition, 1) have nice logical properties, 2) are independent of the theory considered, and thus well suited for iterated revision and computational purposes, 3) have a natural probabilistic construction. Next, we show that the completeness problems of Theory Revision carry over to a certain extent to an approach based on revising axiom systems. In the last section, we consider a more general situation: First, we will have only a partial order (on axioms) at our disposal. Second, the underlying logic will be non-monotonic. Ideas taken from defeasible inheritance will help us solve the problem.
The Information Content of Commercial Paper Rating Downgrades: Further Evidence:

In this paper, we study the association between commercial paper rating downgrades and expectations of the level and variability of future earnings. Our examination shows that such rating downgrade...
A simple 'linearized' learning algorithm which outperforms back-propagation

A class of algorithms is presented for training multilayer perceptrons using purely linear techniques. The methods are based upon linearization of the network using error surface analysis, followed by a contemporary least-squares estimation procedure. Specific algorithms are presented for estimating weights node-wise and layer-wise and for estimating the entire set of network weights simultaneously. In several experimental studies, the node-wise method was superior to backpropagation and to an alternative linearization method due to M. Azimi-Sadjadi et al. (1990) in terms of number of convergences and convergence rate. The layer-wise and network-wise updating offer further improvement. >
Motion planning using fuzzy logic control with minimum sensors

A new exploratory motion planning technique for a mobile robot is described and demonstrated using a fuzzy logic control (FLC) approach with two distance sensors. The fuzzy logic controller determines steering direction for a four wheel mobile robot based on distance from each sensor to the nearest obstacle ahead of the robot. Changes in steering direction are developed using Mamdani's Minimum Operation Rule and Center of Area (COA) defuzzification. The overall motion planning strategy is described and results from testing are discussed. It is believed that the FLC approach may offer advantages over other exploratory methods.
Taxation in a Small Country: Review of Sven-Olof Lodin's 'The Making of Tax Law - The Development of Swedish Taxation'

Imagine that a single person had been responsible for all US tax reforms enacted from 1969 to 2010. Such was the position of Seven-Olof Lodin, the former President of the International Fiscal Association. For over 40 years, Professor Lodin was the most influential voice in Swedish tax policy. This was not in an official governmental capacity, but rather as a member of over twenty Government Commissions and working parties on taxation, which were responsible for all the major changes in Swedish tax law in recent decades, including the “Tax Reform of the Century” in 1991. In this insightful and important book, Prof. Lodin describes in detail how the Swedish tax system evolved from 1948 to 2010. As a result, the reader gains a deep understanding of the Swedish political process and how it led to tax policy changes. Prof. Lodin also provides interesting descriptions of all the major political players.
Global cities, cosmopolitanism, and geographies of tolerance

Scholarly attention devoted to global cities has emphasized their economic and political significance. Yet global cities are also deeply cultural and ideological in nature. Contrary to a long tradition of urban studies that views urban life as inherently alienating, this essay argues that the social and cultural diversity of global cities renders them mechanisms for the generation of tolerance and empathy. It opens with a brief review of global cities. Second, it traces the contours of cosmopolitanism as an ideology that fosters respect for social and cultural differences and a wider community of caring. Third, it reviews the empirical evidence of American global cities to make the case that their diversity leads them to generate a progressive cosmopolitan ethnics. It draws on the literature of social psychology, the work of Richard Florida, and indices of immigration, religious and linguistic diversity, homophobia, and voting patterns to substantiate the claim that cosmopolitan values are most evident an...
Formation of adrenaline in the iris-ciliary body from adrenalone diesters.

Abstract Many diesters of adrenalone have high ocular sympathomimetic activity although adrenalone itself, even if delivered intraocularly, is parctically inactive. Thus these diesters cannot be considered pro-drugs of adrenalone, since adrenalone is not a drug. The mechanism of action of these adrenalone derivatives was studied on the selected, potent diisovaleryl adrenalone. It was found that adrenaline is formed from the diester, but not from adrenalone. While the inactive adrenalone is also formed hydrolytically and found in every compartment of the eye, the active epinephrine (adrenaline) was found only in the iris-ciliary body, as a result of a reduction-hydrolytic steps sequence. Thus the adrenalone diesters represent a type of site-specific delivery system for epinephrine.
Cultural differences, nonverbal regulation, and classroom interaction: Sociolinguistic interference in American Indian education

(1983). Cultural differences, nonverbal regulation, and classroom interaction: Sociolinguistic interference in American Indian education. Peabody Journal of Education: Vol. 61, The transcultural education of American Indian and Alaska native children: Teachers and students in transaction, pp. 16-33.