cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Malnutrition: A poverty or a food problem?

Malnutrition, the silent food problem, is a poverty problem and is separate from the overt food problem of scarcities of food in markets. Caloric deficiency is not often revealed by aggregate food consumption data. This paper presents data estimating the orders of magnitude of calorie undernutrition and proposes numerous options as direct approaches to reduce malnutrition in market economies. These options are: (a) consumer education; (b) food market intervention; (c) income earning opportunities for the poor; (d) income redistribution; and (e) target group oriented food distribution measures. Cost-effectiveness analysis indicates that the last of these, a program along the lines of a food stamp program, is the most feasible and most likely to eliminate malnutrition.
Genes, microbes, and T cells--new therapeutic targets in Crohn's disease.

NOD2, a gene conferring susceptibility to Crohn's disease, has been identified on chromosome 16. Homozygosity for a mutation that truncates the gene increases the risk of Crohn's disease by a factor of 20 to 40. No such mutations have been found in patients with ulcerative colitis. NOD2 has a role in apoptosis and in the recognition of microbial endotoxins.
Land Fragmentation in Bulgaria: Reconsidering Its Measurement and Extent

This study investigates the extent of land fragmentation in Bulgaria, where it is considered a major agricultural and land reform issue. Using data from the Bulgaria 2003 Multitopic Household Survey as well as other data sets pertaining to late 19th and early 20th century, the paper shows that the current level of land fragmentation is low-to-moderate in Bulgaria and that fragmentation is at its lowest level in about a century. This finding is in contrast to some of the existing research which has suffered from measurement problems. The paper underlines the significance of differentiating between land fragmentation and farm size to reveal an accurate portrayal of the extent of land use.
T helper type 1 cells in asthma: Friend or foe?

A large body of research supports a pathogenic role for T helper 2 cells in asthma, although T helper 1 cell-type responses may also contribute. Using the principle of T helper cell cross-regulation, investigators have attempted to regulate the pathological effects of T helper 2 cells using regimens that may promote T helper 1 cell-type inflammation. In this review, we propose that the use of factors that promote T helper 1 cell differentiation and activation to treat asthma may be counterproductive, and that alternate regulatory approaches should be explored.
Ethnic Identity and Psychological Adjustment:: A Validity Analysis for European American and African American Adolescents

This research studied the role of ethnic identity as a protective factor among European American (n = 77) and African American (n = 82) adolescents identified either as high risk or successful. Adolescents participated in a multiagent, multimethod assessment of depression, internalizing and externalizing behaviors, competence, and academic achievement. The levels of ethnic identity were the same across ethnic groups but were higher among successful adolescents. Bivariate correlations revealed that ethnic identity was significantly associated with all measures of adjustment in the expected directions. Predicted validities were statistically higher among African American youth than for European Americans on depression, total competence, and GPA. Similar associations were found when comparing ethnic identity to a construct of socioeconomic disadvantage. Findings suggest that ethnic identity is central to the self-system and motivation for youth who develop in contexts that potentially undermine children’s so...
Recurrence phenomena after immunoglobulin therapy for snake envenomations: part 1. Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of immunoglobulin antivenoms and related antibodies

The production of immunoglobulin antivenoms has evolved over the past 50 years, resulting in a choice of source animals and highly purified, target-specific immunoglobulin fragments (IgG, Fab2, and Fab). Differences in pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of these fragments may affect clinical efficacy. For example, both local and systemic recurrences (worsening after initial improvement) with intact or fragmented immunoglobulin antivenoms have been observed. Local recurrence may result in greater tissue injury, and coagulopathic recurrence may result in the risk of hemorrhage. The latter is of particular concern because coagulopathic recurrence usually occurs after patient discharge. Similar phenomena of symptom recurrence have been observed with ovine, digoxin-specific Fab, and with Fab2 and IgG antivenoms from a variety of source animals as well. Recurrence of venom effects in Fab-treated patients appears to be the result of a pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic mismatch between the antivenom and target venom components. That is, tissue penetration and venom neutralization is incomplete, and clearance of unbound antivenom (antivenom that has not bound its venom target) is significantly faster than the clearance of some venom components, allowing signs and symptoms of envenomation to recur. Understanding the relative kinetics and dynamics of immunoglobulins and their targets may allow the physician to anticipate their clinical implications and may suggest modifications of the drug or dose to produce better clinical results.
Soluble fibrin inhibits monocyte adherence and cytotoxicity against tumor cells: implications for cancer metastasis

Soluble fibrin (sFn) is a marker for disseminated intravascular coagulation and may have prognostic significance, especially in metastasis. However, a role for sFn in the etiology of metastatic cancer growth has not been extensively studied. We have reported that sFn cross-linked platelet binding to tumor cells via the major platelet fibrin receptor αIIbβ3, and tumor cell CD54 (ICAM-1), which is the receptor for two of the leukocyte β2 integrins (αLβ2 and aMβ2). We hypothesized that sFn may also affect leukocyte adherence, recognition, and killing of tumor cells. Furthermore, in a rat experimental metastasis model sFn pre-treatment of tumor cells enhanced metastasis by over 60% compared to untreated cells. Other studies have shown that fibrin(ogen) binds to the monocyte integrin αMβ2. This study therefore sought to investigate the effect of sFn on β2 integrin mediated monocyte adherence and killing of tumor cells. The role of sFn in monocyte adherence and cytotoxicity against tumor cells was initially studied using static microplate adherence and cytotoxicity assays, and under physiologically relevant flow conditions in a microscope perfusion incubator system. Blocking studies were performed using monoclonal antibodies specific for β2 integrins and CD54, and specific peptides which inhibit sFn binding to these receptors. Enhancement of monocyte/tumor cell adherence was observed when only one cell type was bound to sFn, but profound inhibition was observed when sFn was bound to both monocytes and tumor cells. This effect was also reflected in the pattern of monocyte cytotoxicity. Studies using monoclonal blocking antibodies and specific blocking peptides (which did not affect normal coagulation) showed that the predominant mechanism of fibrin inhibition is via its binding to αMβ2 on monocytes, and to CD54 on both leukocytes and tumor cells. sFn inhibits monocyte adherence and cytotoxicity of tumor cells by blocking αLβ2 and αMβ2 binding to tumor cell CD54. These results demonstrate that sFn is immunosuppressive and may be directly involved in the etiology of metastasis. Use of specific peptides also inhibited this effect without affecting coagulation, suggesting their possible use as novel therapeutic agents in cancer metastasis.
[14C]-2-Deoxyglucose Autoradiographic Studies of Dopaminergic Drugs in an Animal Model of Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease is unique among neurological disorders in that all of its cardinal signs and symptoms can be attributed to brain dopamine deficiency and corrected by dopamine replacement. Although great progress has been made, drug treatment of patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease is severely limited by declining efficacy of dopaminergic drugs, the emergence of drug-induced dyskinesias, and the occurrence of complex clinical fluctuations. Two important questions remain regarding dopaminergic therapy: 1) Which dopamine receptors (i.e. anatomic location, receptor subtype) need to be stimulated to achieve an antiparkinson effect? 2) Subsequent to dopamine receptor stimulation, which neural circuits are activated to mediate these effects? Substantive answers to these questions may suggest new treatment strategies for Parkinson’s disease, or alternatively, more rational use of currently available drugs.
Correction: Interactions of L-3,5,3'-Triiodothyronine, Allopregnanolone, and Ivermectin with the GABAA Receptor: Evidence for Overlapping Intersubunit Binding Modes.

Structural mechanisms of modulation of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) type A receptors by neurosteroids and hormones remain unclear. The thyroid hormone L-3,5,3’-triiodothyronine (T3) inhibits GABAA receptors at micromolar concentrations and has common features with neurosteroids such as allopregnanolone (ALLOP). Here we use functional experiments on α2β1γ2 GABAA receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes to detect competitive interactions between T3 and an agonist (ivermectin, IVM) with a crystallographically determined binding site at subunit interfaces in the transmembrane domain of a homologous receptor (glutamate-gated chloride channel, GluCl). T3 and ALLOP also show competitive effects, supporting the presence of both a T3 and ALLOP binding site at one or more subunit interfaces. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations over 200 ns are used to investigate the dynamics and energetics of T3 in the identified intersubunit sites. In these simulations, T3 molecules occupying all intersubunit sites (with the exception of the α-β interface) display numerous energetically favorable conformations with multiple hydrogen bonding partners, including previously implicated polar/acidic sidechains and a structurally conserved deformation in the M1 backbone.
The Influence of Previous Vitamin K Nutrition on Thromboplastic Activity of Brain Extract

Abstract Due do a partial species specificity of thromboplastin (Hecht, 1955; Didisheim et al., 1959) it is requisite to use a chicken thromboplastin extract for prothrombin determinations on chicken blood by the one-stage method (Quick, 1957). Whether thromboplastin extracts from other avian species are equally effective is not perfectly clear (Griminger, 1957; Didisheim et al., 1959). Chicken brain thromboplastin extract is usually employed, although embryo extract and muscle extracts have also been used successfully. Although comparable results may be obtained with various extracts (Griminger, 1962b), the material of choice appears to be a carefully prepared chicken brain extract resulting, with the one-stage method, in prothrombin times of 12 seconds or less. For many years we have been preparing brain thromboplastin extracts from chickens that had previously been fed a vitamin-K-deficient diet. Since we felt some question as to the influence of the level of vitamin K nutriture on the thromboplastic activity…
Modelling, Pricing and Hedging Counterparty Credit Exposure: A Technical Guide, by G. Cesari, J. Aquilina, N. Charpillon, Z. Filipovic, G. Lee and I. Manda

Modelling, Pricing and Hedging Counterparty Credit Exposure: A Technical Guide, by G. Cesari, J. Aquilina, N. Charpillon, Z. Filipovic, G. Lee and I. Manda, Springer Finance (2011). Hardcover. ISBN...
3D network-on-chip architectures using homogeneous meshes and heterogeneous floorplans

We propose new 3D 2-layer and 3-layer NoC architectures that utilize homogeneous regular mesh networks on a separate layer and one or two heterogeneous floorplanning layers. These architectures combine the benefits of compact heterogeneous floorplans and of regular mesh networks. To demonstrate these benefits, a design methodology that integrates floorplanning, routers assignment, and cycle-accurate NoC simulation is proposed. The implementation of the NoC on a separate layer offers an additional area that may be utilized to improve the network performance by increasing the number of virtual channels, buffers size, or mesh size. Experimental results show that increasing the number of virtual channels rather than the buffers size has a higher impact on network performance. Increasing the mesh size can significantly improve the network performance under the assumption that the clock frequency is given by the length of the physical links. In addition, the 3-layer architecture can offer significantly better network performance compared to the 2-layer architecture.
Theory of Micropolar Elasticity

In the four previous chapters we have given the complete theory of 3M continua, with and without E-M interactions. Balance laws, jump conditions, and nonlinear constitutive equations were obtained, so that the theory is complete and closed. Beginning with Chapter 5 we explore applications of these theories. By means of mathematical solutions and experimental observations, we try to exhibit new physical phenomena predicted by microcontinuum theories. The aim here is not to be exhaustive with the discussion of all problems for this is neither possible nor desirable, as there is a very large volume of literature in the field. It is not desirable since a large number of solutions tend to hide the main purpose, namely, the new physical phenomena that are not in the domain of predictions of classical field theories.
Owned policies for information security

In many systems, items of information have owners associated with them. An owner of an item of information may want the system to enforce a policy that restricts use of that information; we call such a policy an owned policy. Owned policies can be used in many contexts, including information flow, access control, and software licensing. In this paper, we introduce and study a general framework for owned policies. Relationships between security policies for a given system may be dependent on system aspects that change between or during system execution. As a result, there may be only partial knowledge of the structure of security policies available when analyzing a system statically. We demonstrate that our framework permits static reasoning about owned policies under partial knowledge, and we also exhibit tractability results for the problem of inferring security policies.
Meditation, Restoration, and the Management of Mental Fatigue

An analysis of the underlying similarities between the Eastern meditation tradition and attention restoration theory (ART) provides a basis for an expanded framework for studying directed attention. The focus of the analysis is the active role the individual can play in the preservation and recovery of the directed attention capacity. Two complementary strategies are presented that can help individuals more effectively manage their attentional resource. One strategy involves avoiding unnecessary costs in terms of expenditure of directed attention. The other involves enhancing the effect of restorative opportunities. Both strategies are hypothesized to be more effective if one gains generic knowledge, self-knowledge, and specific skills. The interplay between a more active form of mental involvement and the more passive approach of meditation appears to have far-reaching ramifications for managing directed attention.
Integration of cover crops and fertilizer rates for weed management in celery

N). Each cover crop treatment was combined with the low or half rate of fertilizer. An additional treatment with bare ground plus the full rate of fertilizer was added as standard practice. Treatments were maintained in the same location for the duration of the study. Major weed species were common chickweed, prostrate pigweed, shepherd’s-purse, common purslane, and yellow nutsedge. Each year, oilseed radish consistently produced the greatest biomass and provided over 98% early season weed biomass suppression. Hairy vetch and cereal rye provided about 70% weed suppression in early spring. Soil fertility level affected weed populations during the 2004 growing season. In 2004, weed biomass in treatments without cover crops or with vetch increased when greater amounts of fertilizer were applied. Within individual fertility levels, higher celery yields were recorded in the oilseed radish plots. For example, in the low fertility rate, celery yield was 34.8, 29.2, 23.9, and 24.4 ton ha 21 in the oilseed radish, cereal rye, hairy vetch, and control plots, respectively in 2003. Overall, the results of this experiment indicate that when included in a system where hoeing and hand-weeding are the only weed control methods, cover crops can successfully improve weed management and celery yield on muck soils, allowing reduced fertilizer inputs. Nomenclature: Common chickweed, Stellaria media (L.) Vill. STEME; common purslane, Portulaca oleracea L. POROL; prostrate pigweed, Amaranthus blitoides S. Wats AMABL; shepherd’s-purse, Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medicus CAPBP; yellow nutsedge, Cyperus esculentus L. CYPES; celery, Apium graveolens L. ‘Dutchess’; cereal rye, Secale cereale L., ‘VNS’; hairy vetch, Vicia villosa Roth, ‘Common’; oilseed radish Raphanus sativus (L.) var. oleiferus Metzg (Stokes), ‘Diakon’.
Calcium uptake in aquatic insects: Influences of phylogeny and metals (Cd and Zn)

Calcium sequestration in the hypo-osmotic freshwater environment is imperative in maintaining calcium homeostasis in freshwater aquatic organisms. This uptake process is reported to have the unintended consequence of potentially toxic heavy metal (Cd, Zn) uptake in a variety of aquatic species. However, calcium uptake remains poorly understood in aquatic insects, the dominant invertebrate faunal group in most freshwater ecosystems. Here, we examined Ca uptake and interactions with heavy metals (Cd, Zn) at low ambient Ca levels (12.5 μmol l(-1)) in 12 aquatic insect species within Ephemerellidae (mayfly) and Hydropsychidae (caddisfly), two families differentially responsive to trace metal pollution. We found Ca uptake varied 70-fold across the 12 species studied. Body mass and clade (family) were found to significantly influence both Ca uptake and adsorption (P≤0.05). Zn and Cd uptake rate constants (ku) exhibited a strong correlation (r=0.96, P<0.0001), suggesting a shared transport system. Ca uptake failed to significantly correlate with either Zn or Cd ku values. Further, neither Zn nor Cd exhibited inhibitory effects toward Ca uptake. In fact, we saw evidence of modest stimulation of Ca uptake rates in some metal treatments. This work suggests that insects generally differ from other freshwater taxa in that aqueous Ca uptake does not appear to be compromised by Cd or Zn exposure. It is important to understand the trace metal and major ion physiology of aquatic insects because of their ecological importance and widespread use as ecological indicators.
Dietary Ascorbic Acid and Resistance to Experimental Renal Candidiasis

Guinea pigs were maintained for various periods of time on low (0.5 mg/day), intermediate (20 mg/day), or high (100 and 500 mg/day) levels of dietary ascorbic acid. Animals in each experimental group were challenged with Candida al- bicans via cardiac injection, and the course of infection in the kidneys was assessed. The results show that the animals receiving only 0.5 mg of ascorbic acid per day were significantly more susceptible to the infection than animals maintained on any higher level of dietary ascorbic acid. The greater susceptibility of the guinea pigs in the 0.5- mg level group was evident, however, only during "early" stages of the infection (until about day 3). Guinea pigs receiving high levels of dietary ascorbic acid were no more resistant at any time after infection, or with any challenge dose, than those receiving an intermediate dietary level. Although these data suggest that vitamin C may be involved in resistance to candidiasis, tissue levels of ascorbic acid do not change sig nificantly with time after infection. These results indicate that low levels of dietary ascorbic acid increase susceptibility to candidiasis, yet high (or "megadose") levels of dietary vitamin C do not show any effect on resistance to this microorganism. J. Nutr. 113: 178-183, 1983.
Measures for Fecal Incontinence, Constipation, and Associated Quality of Life

Fecal incontinence and constipation are benign conditions that can have a significant effect on the lifestyles of those affected. In order for clinicians to better understand a patient's baseline symptoms and, more importantly, to have a measure that can evaluate and compare different treatments and their outcomes, patient-validated self-report tools that assess symptoms and quality of life are essential.
Retroperitoneal Fibrosis: A Rare Cause of Acute Renal Failure

Introduction. Retroperitoneal fibrosis is a rare cause of acute renal failure (ARF) with only a handful of cases reported in literature. We report a case of a 40-year-old male with an incidental finding of retroperitoneal fibrosis. Case Presentation. Patient is a 40-year-old African American male with no significant past medical history who presented with a four-month history of low back pain and associated nausea with vomiting. Physical examination was significant for elevated blood pressure at 169/107 mmhg and bilateral pedal edema. Significant admission laboratory include blood urea nitrogen (BUN) of 108 mg/dL, serum creatinine (Cr) of 23 mg/dL, bicarbonate of 19 mg/dL, and potassium of 6.2 mmL/L. Renal ultrasound showed bilateral hydronephrosis. Post-void residual urine volume was normal. Abdominopelvic CT scan showed retroperitoneal fibrosis confirmed with fine-needle biopsy. He was treated with a combination of bilateral ureteral stent placement, hemodialysis, and steroid therapy. Four months after hospital discharge, his BUN and Cr levels Improved to 18 mg/dL and 1.25 mg/dL, respectively. Conclusion. Retroperitoneal fibrosis should be considered as a differential diagnosis in patients with acute renal failure and obstructive uropathy. Abdominal CT scan is the examination of choice for diagnosis. Full resolution with treatment depends on the duration of obstruction.
Changes in storm tracks and energy transports in a warmer climate simulated by the GFDL CM2.1 model

Storm tracks play a major role in regulating the precipitation and hydrological cycle in midlatitudes. The changes in the location and amplitude of the storm tracks in response to global warming will have significant impacts on the poleward transport of heat, momentum and moisture and on the hydrological cycle. Recent studies have indicated a poleward shift of the storm tracks and the midlatitude precipitation zone in the warming world that will lead to subtropical drying and higher latitude moistening. This study agrees with this key feature for not only the annual mean but also different seasons and for the zonal mean as well as horizontal structures based on the analysis of Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) CM2.1 model simulations. Further analyses show that the meridional sensible and latent heat fluxes associated with the storm tracks shift poleward and intensify in both boreal summer and winter in the late twenty-first century (years 2081–2100) relative to the latter half of the twentieth century (years 1961–2000). The maximum dry Eady growth rate is examined to determine the effect of global warming on the time mean state and associated available potential energy for transient growth. The trend in maximum Eady growth rate is generally consistent with the poleward shift and intensification of the storm tracks in the middle latitudes of both hemispheres in both seasons. However, in the lower troposphere in northern winter, increased meridional eddy transfer within the storm tracks is more associated with increased eddy velocity, stronger correlation between eddy velocity and eddy moist static energy, and longer eddy length scale. The changing characteristics of baroclinic instability are, therefore, needed to explain the storm track response as climate warms. Diagnosis of the latitude-by-latitude energy budget for the current and future climate demonstrates how the coupling between radiative and surface heat fluxes and eddy heat and moisture transport influences the midlatitude storm track response to global warming. Through radiative forcing by increased atmospheric carbon dioxide and water vapor, more energy is gained within the tropics and subtropics, while in the middle and high latitudes energy is reduced through increased outgoing terrestrial radiation in the Northern Hemisphere and increased ocean heat uptake in the Southern Hemisphere. This enhanced energy imbalance in the future climate requires larger atmospheric energy transports in the midlatitudes which are partially accomplished by intensified storm tracks. Finally a sequence of cause and effect for the storm track response in the warming world is proposed that combines energy budget constraints with baroclinic instability theory.
Covariant non-abelian anomalous commutators

Abstract We derive non-abelian anomalous current commutators in a hamiltonian (fixed-time) formalism. Our results differ from previous computations based on other techniques. Since our regularized currents are explicitly gauge covariant, we associate our results with covariant anomalies.
Fitness Consequences of Nest Desertion in an Endangered Host, the Least Bell's Vireo

Abstract Recent analyses of the impact of cowbird parasitism on host productivity suggest that while parasitism reduces productivity on a per-nest basis, the ability of pairs to desert parasitized nests and renest allows them to achieve productivity comparable to that of unparasitized pairs. This has implications for the management of several endangered species that are highly vulnerable to parasitism and consequently the target of cowbird control programs. I calculated seasonal nesting effort (number of nests per pair) and productivity of 568 pairs of Least Bell's Vireos (Vireo bellii pusillus) monitored over 11 years at the San Luis Rey River in San Diego County, California (where cowbird trapping has reduced, but not eliminated, parasitism), assigning pairs to one of three groups: (1) deserters, (2) rescued (parasitized pairs with nests “rescued” from probable failure by the removal of cowbird eggs), and (3) unparasitized. Parasitized pairs attempted significantly more nests per season than did unparas...
Hyperspectral anomaly detection based on constrained eigenvalue---eigenvector model

Anomaly detection in a large area using hyperspectral imaging is an important application in real-time remote sensing. Anomaly detectors based on subspace models are suitable for such an anomaly and usually assume the main background subspace and its dimensions are known. These detectors can detect the anomaly for a range of values of the dimension of the subspace. The objective of this paper is to develop an anomaly detector that extends this range of values by assuming main background subspace with an unknown user-specified dimension and by imposing covariance of error to be a diagonal matrix. A pixel from the image is modeled as the sum of a linear combination of the unknown main background subspace and an unknown error. By having more unknown quantities, there are more degrees of freedom to find a better way to fit data to the model. By having a diagonal matrix for the covariance of the error, the error components become uncorrelated. The coefficients of the linear combination are unknown, but are solved by using a maximum likelihood estimation. Experimental results using real hyperspectral images show that the anomaly detector can detect the anomaly for a significantly larger range of values for the dimension of the subspace than conventional anomaly detectors.
What Julian Smith hates (and loves) about Facebook: social media parody as self-promotion

Through a case study of Julian Smith, this essay investigates what makes YouTube comedians/entrepreneurs successful. In order to understand the channel juliansmith87 and its connections to social media platforms, I adopt two strategies: focusing on a specific video from the channel called 25 Things I Hate About Facebook; and discussing the channel on a macro-level, looking at it from inception to current state. While 25 Things has not achieved the success of other videos by Smith, it created a formula characterized by a self-reflexive approach to digital media and a high production value. Why are so many users following Smith's work? How did these videos go viral? How did he manage to beat the competition of other users aiming to reach the same visibility? How does he take advantage of our current digital environment and convergence culture? Generally presented in a three to five minute format, Smith's videos are professionally produced with updated digital cameras and editing software and then shared onl...
Ascertained in a Different Way: The Treaty Power at the Crossroads of Contract, Compact, and Constitution

The Constitution's Treaty Power is a facially unlimited grant of power to the President and Sentate that, like ordinary legislation, can have the force of internal law. The potential abuse of the Treaty Power as a legislative tool and the limits, if any, that the Constitution imposes thereon have animated debates since the Federal Convention of 1787. The Rehnquist Court's revival of limitations on the Commerce Clause make the Treaty Power a potentially attractive alternative legislative tool. This raises the question: to what extent can the President and Senate constitutionally accomplish by treaty what the President and Congress cannot accomplish by ordinary legislation? This article attempts to describe the constitutional limits on lawmaking by treaty by arguing that the limits of the Treaty Power are, in the words of Justice Holmes, ascertained in a different way from those of ordinary legislation. Specifically, this article argues that the Constitution regards the Treaty Power as a contractual power, not as a legislative power. Because the Treaty Power is a legislative means to contractual ends, not a contractual means to a legislative ends, the limits on the Power are ascertained not by reference to treaty subject matter, but to good faith bargaining between contracting parties.
Strict fathers, competing culture(s), and racialized poverty: white South African teachers’ conceptions of themselves as racialized actors

AbstractThis article focuses in particular on four white South African female practicing P-12 teachers’ narratives about their own racialized understanding of their classroom practice(s) and their (racio-cultural) self-identity. Each of the four participants reported growing up with what they described as ‘strict fathers’ and shared ways in which their self-identified ‘white-Christian-Afrikaner’ upbringing is at times in conflict with their political and pedagogical commitments as practicing teachers in contemporary South Africa. To better understand the concept of ‘strict fathers’ and its/their impact on these teachers I use George Lakoff’s and Kevin Kumashiro’s notions of ‘framing’ to examine teachers’ conceptions of their racial upbringing and how they view this influence on their classroom practice. Through an engagement with whiteness literature from both the US and South Africa I discuss the implications of the simultaneity of both essentialist cultural-deficit racial discourse and socially inclusiv...
Fabrication of Group IIIA Layered Sulfide Semiconductor Nanostructures by Physical Vapor Deposition Process and Their Enhanced Optical and Electronic Properties

We report on the fabrication of various high quality GaS nanostructures (angular nanobelts, nanowedges and nanotubes) and In2S3 nanostructures (tapered nanorods, nanobelts and nanowires) by catalyst assisted thermal evaporation process. The morphology and structures of the products were controlled by temperature and position of the substrates with respect to the source material. The morphologies of GaS and In2S3 nanostructures were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The optical and electronic properties of the synthesized materials were investigated in order to obtain a better fundamental understanding of the structure-property relationships in these materials which can be extended to other layered sulfide materials systems.
Boerhaave syndrome presenting as tension pneumothorax: First reported north American case

Tension pneumothorax is a rare and potentially life-threatening clinical complication. A 43-year-old Caucasian woman with type 1 diabetes mellitus presented with nausea and retching and examination revealed dehydration. Laboratory parameters were consistent with a diagnosis of diabetic ketoacidosis, which responded to therapy. Suddenly, 30 hours later, she developed cardiorespiratory compromise due to a tension pneumothorax. After emergent decompression and catheter placement, computerized tomographic scan of the chest demonstrated esophageal-pleural fistula confirming Boerhaave syndrome as the etiology for the pneumothorax. The patient underwent emergent esophagectomy with pleural washout with a subsequent gastric pull-up surgery. Boerhaave syndrome frequently presents atypically with chest pain, dyspnea, and nausea. It communicates with the left pleural space in 80% to 90% of cases, but <5% of cases involve the right pleural cavity. Unexplained and rapidly progressive pleural effusions have been associated with this entity. Only 4 cases of Boerhaave syndrome causing tension pneumothorax have been reported in the literature so far.
Life Cycle Assessment to Study the Carbon Footprint of System Components for Colorado Blue Spruce Field Production and Use

The contributions of interrelated production system components of a field-grown, 2-m-tall, 5-cm-caliper Picea pungens (colorado blue spruce) in the upper midwestern (liner) and lower midwestern (finished tree) regions of the United States to its carbon footprint were analyzed using life cycle assessment protocols. The seed-to-landscape carbon footprint was 13.558 kg carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e), including sequestration of 9.14 kg CO2e during production. The global warming potential (GWP) from equipment use was the dominant contributor to the carbon footprint of production. Seventy-six percent of the GWP investments during field production occurred at harvest. Querying the model, among other things, revealed that adding one year to the field production phase would add less than3% to the seed-to-landscape GWP ofthe product.The weightedpositive impact ofcarbon(C) sequestration during a 50-year life was 593 kg CO2e. After its useful life, takedown and disposal would result in emissions of 148 kg CO2e, resulting in a net positive, life cycle impact on atmospheric CO2 of ' 431 kg CO2e.
Alternatives for MRSA treatment in the pediatric patient.

Based on its pharmacokinetic and safety profiles, linezolid offers a therapeutic alternative for resistant gram-positive bacteria.
Systemically Important Asset Managers: Perspectives on Dodd-Frank's Systemic Designation Mechanism

In the aftermath of the global financial crisis, Congress significantly broadened the reach of various regulatory entities through the Dodd-Frank Act. One particular power, found in section 113 of the Act, gives the newly formed Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) the authority to designate nonbank financial institutions (NBFIs) as sys­temically important financial institutions (SIFIs). Once designated, these nonbank SIFIs are placed under the supervision of the Federal Reserve and subject to enhanced prudential regulation. In 2013, after designating four NBFIs — AIG, GE Capital, Prudential Financial, and MetLife — as systemically important, FSOC turned its attention to the asset management industry. This Note examines the efficacy of the legal framework underlying section 113 for regulating systemic risk when it arises in asset managers. By aligning the enhanced prudential stan­dards mandated by systemic designations with the unique charac­teristics of the asset management industry, this Note identifies a mis­match created by deploying bank regulatory principles to address systemic risk in nonbank sectors. Ultimately, this Note argues that a better solution to the systemic oversight problem may be to limit FSOC’s role as systemic regulator to that of an information-gathering and coor­dinating device, while leaving prudential regulatory authority with primary regulators.
Numerical methods for solution of Volterra and Fredholm integral equations for functions with values in L-spaces

We consider Volterra and Fredholm integral equations for functions with values in L-spaces. This includes corresponding problems for set-valued functions, fuzzy-valued functions and many others. We prove theorems of existence and uniqueness of the solution for such equations and suggest some algorithms for finding approximate solutions. We get initial results in the approximation of functions with values in L-spaces by piecewise linear functions and we also get the error estimates of trapezoidal quadrature formulas. We apply these results for analysis of convergence of suggested algorithms.
2.14 – Wear of Hard Ceramics

A general introduction to the science of tribology and behavior of advanced ceramics is discussed in this chapter. The influences of chemical, physical, mechanical and microstructural properties along with the effect of test methods and experimental conditions on tribological characteristics are described. Wear mechanisms exhibited under different testing conditions are presented and the diverse wear behavior of various ceramics is documented. Oxides, nonoxides, ceramic-metal and ceramic-ceramic composites as well as laminated structures are discussed.
Relative Energetics of C44 Fullerene Isomers

We have carried out an exhaustive search of the energetics of all 87 isomers of the fullerene C44 using an empirical potential function. We find no single structural isomer with exceptional stability, suggesting that the enhanced abundance of this cluster observed in some studies may be due to a mixture of different molecules. We find in general that smaller, more spherical clusters and clusters whose pentagons are more isolated tend to be more stable, although the energy differences are not sufficiently large with our classical potential function to identify a particular criterion that distinguishes the stability of various similar isomers.
ENTERING THE REALM OF MINERALIZED BONE PROCESSING : A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE AND TECHNIQUES

The extensive literature describing protocols for mineralized bone and the many special techniques like processing schedules, histomorphometry, fluorochrome labeled bone, ground histology, microtom...
Use of a Smoothed Model for Pipe Friction Loss

AbstractThis note examines a globally smooth approximation for friction loss in pipelines suggested by Burgschweiger et al. The approximation contains five parameters, two of which are open to selection. A method is provided for choosing these based on laminar conditions near zero flow. Using the proposed approach, approximation accuracy is reported in terms of relative roughness and Reynolds number.
IMPROVING OUTCOMES OF LATERAL UNICOMPARTMENTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY WITH ROBOTIC-ASSISTED SURGERY

Introduction Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) has seen renewed interest in recent years due to improved surgical techniques and prosthetic design, and the desire for minimally invasive surgery. For patients with limited degenerative disease, UKA offers a viable alternative to total knee arthroplasty. Historically, the outcomes of lateral compartment UKA have been inferior to medial compartment UKA, with suboptimal patient satisfaction and increased revision rates. Robotic-assisted UKA has been shown to improve precision and accuracy of component placement, which may improve outcomes of lateral UKA. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcome of robotic-assisted UKA to conventional UKA for degenerative disease of the lateral compartment. The hypothesis of the study was that robotic-assisted lateral UKA results in superior outcomes compared to conventional UKA. Materials and methods A search of the institution9s joint registry was conducted to identify patients who underwent UKA for limited degenerative disease of the lateral knee compartment. A total of 130 lateral UKAs were identified that were performed between 2004 and 2012. The mean age of the patients was 63.1 years (range, 20 to 88); patients had a mean BMI of 29.9 (range, 18 to 48). The medical records of all patients were reviewed and assessed for the type of surgical procedure used (robotic-assisted versus conventional), length of hospital stay, Oxford knee score, and occurrence of revision surgery. Results A total of 93 robotic-assisted and 37 conventional UKA were analysed. At a mean follow-up 35 months (range, 1 to 107 months), the mean Oxford scores in the robotic-assisted and conventional group were similar (39.6 versus 35.9, p=0.135). The length of stay was significantly shorter after robotic-assisted UKA (1.7 days) compared to conventional UKA (2.3 days, p Conclusions The findings of this study revealed a decreased revision rate in robotic-assisted lateral UKAs compared to conventional lateral UKA. Furthermore, patients who received robotic-assisted UKAs had a shorter postoperative hospital stay compared to patients who received conventional UKA. However, overall surgical outcomes were similar in both patient cohorts based on similar postoperative Oxford scores. UKA is a technically challenging procedure with limited joint visualisation and less tolerance for acceptable component position; a two-degree error may lead to UKA failure. Malaligned components may lead to impaired joint biomechanics causing pain and disease progression to other knee compartments. Robotic-assisted UKA systems offer increased accuracy of component placement with objective soft-tissue balancing. Improved component positioning with robotic-assisted UKA systems may improve the long-term survival of UKA in patients with limited lateral degenerative disease, which is performed less often than medial UKA.
Substantially reinforcing plant oil-based materials via cycloaliphatic epoxy with double bond-bridged structure

Abstract A diepoxide ((E)-1,2-di(7- oxabicyclo [4.1.0]heptan-3-yl)ethane, named DCE), possessing two cyclohexane rings bridged by a double bond was obtained via self-metathesis approach. This unique epoxy structure shows great potential in substantially overcoming the poor performances of plant oil materials in thermal and mechanical aspects. The molecular structure of DCE is more compact and regular than the commercial 3,4-epoxycyclohexylmethyl-3,4- epoxycyclohexanecarboxylate (ECHM) and was evidenced by the small-/wide-angle X-ray scattering. After conetwork was built between epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) and DCE, stiff crosslinks were created through the double bonds of DCE, which restricts the backbone rotation of ESO (P-ESO) networks. DCE-rich domains with dimensions ranging from 0.5 to 2 μm were observed with the increase of DCE, revealed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) phase image and voltage-distance curve. These DCE-rich domains act as micro-scale reinforcements homogenously dispersed in the ESO matrix, effectively sustaining the applied stress and preventing the chain break from high force loading. Compared to P-ESO, the co-polymerized ESO-DCE at 30 wt % DCE loading showed tensile strength of 62 MPa and glass transition temperature of 163 °C that are much higher than 4 MPa and 10 °C for P-ESO, respectively. ECHM also showed significant reinforcement effects on the thermal and mechanical properties of ESO, but DCE's reinforcement effects is doubled compared to ECHM.
The Optimal Assignment of Spontaneous Volunteers.

Spontaneous volunteers are ordinary citizens who assist in disaster relief efforts, while they are a great resource they also pose a difficult logistical challenge. Unlike classical labor assignment problems, the management of these volunteers is characterized by uncertainty regarding the size, availability, and commitment of the labor pool. We model this problem as a multi-server queueing system with both stochastic server arrival and abandonment. This model is intended to be applied to the relatively stable work associated with recovery efforts, e.g., debris clearing. We model this system as a continuous time Markov decision process and compare the optimal policy to several common-sense heuristics; one of which performs close to optimal and makes a practical alternative. We conduct extensive sensitivity analysis around model parameters and assumptions.
Propionibacterium skull base osteomyelitis complicated by internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysm.

The microbiology of skull base osteomyelitis (SBO) is evolving. We present here the first case of SBO caused by Propionibacterium acnes leading to the development of a pseudoaneurysm of the internal carotid artery. Otolaryngologists should recognize this pathogen as a potential cause of invasive temporal bone infection to optimize prompt diagnosis and treatment. Laryngoscope, 127:2337–2339, 2017
Fault Diagnosis Schemes for Low-Energy Block Cipher Midori Benchmarked on FPGA

Achieving secure high-performance implementations for constrained applications such as implantable and wearable medical devices are a priority in efficient block ciphers. However, security of these algorithms is not guaranteed in the presence of malicious and natural faults. Recently, a new lightweight block cipher, Midori, has been proposed that optimizes the energy consumption besides having low latency and hardware complexity. In this paper, fault diagnosis schemes for variants of Midori are proposed. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there has been no fault diagnosis scheme presented in the literature for Midori to date. The fault diagnosis schemes are provided for the nonlinear S-box layer and for the round structures with both 64-bit and 128-bit Midori symmetric key ciphers. The proposed schemes are benchmarked on a field-programmable gate array and their error coverage is assessed with fault-injection simulations. These proposed error detection architectures make the implementations of this new low-energy lightweight block cipher more reliable.
Wading Tiger Swimming Dragon: A Study on Comparative Indo-Sino Naval Development

AbstractIn this article, I study the newly commissioned ships and ships in development in the Chinese and Indian navies to analyze how the Chinese People’s Liberation Army–Navy (PLA-N) and the Indi...
Optimization-based Quantification of Simulation Input Uncertainty via Empirical Likelihood

We study an optimization-based approach to construct statistically accurate confidence intervals for simulation performance measures under nonparametric input uncertainty. This approach computes confidence bounds from simulation runs driven by probability weights defined on the data, which are obtained from solving optimization problems under suitably posited averaged divergence constraints. We illustrate how this approach offers benefits in computational efficiency and finite-sample performance compared to the bootstrap and the delta method. While resembling robust optimization, we explain the procedural design and develop tight statistical guarantees of this approach via a generalization of the empirical likelihood method.