cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neural mechanism of reading

We conducted positron emission tomography studies on reading and found that two distinct areas were activated, i.e. the left fusiform/inferior temporal gyri (posterior inferior temporal cortex, Area 37) by kanji words and the fusiform/inferior occipital gyri (posterior occipital gyri, Area 18/19) by kana words. Clinically, alexia and agraphia for kanji is caused by a posterior inferior temporal cortex lesion. Moreover, pure alexia more impaired for kanji results from a fusiform gyrus lesion, whereas pure alexia for kana occurs because of damage to the posterior occipital gyri. These experimental and clinical findings suggest that impaired letter identification in Area 18/ 19 causes pure alexia for kana, disrupted visual images of words in Area 37 results in alexia with agraphia for kanji, and impaired access to the visual image storage (Area 37) yields pure alexia dominantly disturbed for kanji.
Impact of Oncologists’ Attitudes Toward End-of-Life Care on Patients’ Access to Palliative Care

BACKGROUND It is unclear how oncologists' attitudes toward end-of-life (EOL) care affect the delivery of care. The present study examined the association between oncologists' EOL care attitudes and (a) timely specialist palliative care referral, (b) provision of supportive care, and (c) EOL cancer treatment decisions. METHODS We randomly surveyed 240 oncology specialists at our tertiary care cancer center to assess their attitudes toward EOL care using a score derived from the Jackson et al. qualitative conceptual framework (0 = uncomfortable and 8 = highly comfortable with EOL care). We determined the association between this score and clinicians' report of specialist palliative care referral, provision of supportive care, and EOL cancer treatment decisions. RESULTS Of the 182 respondents (response rate of 76%), the median composite EOL care score was 6 (interquartile range, 5-7). A higher EOL score was significantly associated with solid tumor oncology (median 7 vs. 6 for hematologic oncology; p = .003), a greater willingness to refer patients with newly diagnosed cancer to specialist palliative care (median, 7 vs. 6; p = .01), greater comfort with symptom management (median, 6 vs. 5; p = .01), and provision of counseling (median, 7 vs. 4; p < .001) but not with cancer treatment decisions. We observed a gradient effect, with higher scores associated with a greater proportion of patients referred to palliative care (score 0-4, 27%; 5, 31%; 6, 32%; 7, 35%; and 8, 45%; p = .007). CONCLUSION Greater comfort with EOL care was associated with higher rates of specialist palliative care referral and self-reported primary palliative care delivery. More support and education are needed for oncologists who are less comfortable with EOL care. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE In the present survey of oncology specialists, most reported that they were comfortable with end-of-life (EOL) care, which was in turn, associated with greater provision of primary palliative care and higher rates of referral to specialist palliative care. The results of the present study highlight the need for more support and education for oncologists less comfortable with EOL care because their patients might receive lower levels of both primary and secondary palliative care.
Inquiring about God

Inquiring about God is the first of two volumes of Nicholas Wolterstorff's collected papers. This volume collects Wolterstorff's essays on the philosophy of religion written over the last thirty-five years. The essays, which span a range of topics including Kant's philosophy of religion, the medieval (or classical) conception of God, and the problem of evil, are unified by the conviction that some of the central claims made by the classical theistic tradition, such as the claims that God is timeless, simple, and impassible, should be rejected. Still, Wolterstorff contends, rejecting the classical conception of God does not imply that theists should accept the Kantian view according to which God cannot be known. Of interest to both philosophers and theologians, Inquiring about God should give the reader a lively sense of the creative and powerful work done in contemporary philosophical theology by one of its foremost practitioners.
Sexual Health: Exploring Patient Needs and Healthcare Provider Comfort and Knowledge

Background Sexual health is an important quality-of-life issue for many cancer survivors; however, this issue remains inadequately discussed by healthcare providers (HCPs) and patients. Objectives The purpose of this study is to explore whether clinical oncology HCPs have adequate knowledge and are comfortable addressing sexual health issues, and to explore and describe patients' attitudes, beliefs, and informational needs regarding sexual health. Methods A survey was completed by HCPs and three patient focus groups were conducted to learn more about sexual health. Survey data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and qualitative responses were analyzed using content analysis. Findings The majority of survey respondents reported on the importance of discussing sexual concerns with patients, lacked sexual health training, and were uncomfortable discussing sexual health with patients. Focus group participants wanted access to timely information during treatment, online educational resources, and brochures and handouts; involvement of significant others; support from providers, peers, and survivors; and expert consultation.
Impact of Hydrogen and Halogen Bonding Interactions on the Packing and Ionicity of Charge-Transfer Cocrystals

With an aim of understanding the influence of robust charge-transfer (CT) interactions and auxiliary hydrogen and halogen bonds in tailoring the crystal packing, we have synthesized four CT cocrystals involving 1,5-diaminonaphthalene (DAN) as the donor and fluoranil (FA), chloranil (CA), bromanil (BA), and iodanil (IA) as acceptors. While the CT interactions take the primary role in guiding the three-dimensional assembly in all the cocrystals, N–H···O and C–H···O hydrogen bonds play a significant role as auxiliary interactions in stabilizing the mixed stack arrangement in DAN–FA, DAN–CA, and DAN–BA cocrystals, whereas I···N halogen bonds assist the segregated stack supramolecular packing in DAN–IA. The experimentally determined ionicity values of mixed stack DAN–CA and DAN–BA cocrystals were found to be 0.27 and 0.23 e, indicating significant CT that increases with electronegativity of the halogen substituents.
Towards designing anisotropy for ductility enhancement: A theory-driven investigation in Mg-alloys

Abstract Plastic anisotropy is often invoked to rationalize low formability in strongly anisotropic materials. Analysis based on homogenization theory suggests, however, that certain forms of plastic anisotropy may hinder ductile damage under any triaxial stress state or loading orientation. Here, a proof-of-concept is demonstrated in the case of Mg alloys. Two textures produced by severe plastic deformation of Mg-3Al-1Zn alloy, while keeping the grain sizes nearly the same, are compared with the well-known rolling texture in terms of their anisotropy–ductility correlations at room temperature. For each material, the 3D plastic anisotropy is characterized using tensile and compression specimens whereas the ductility is determined using smooth and round notched tensile bars. A simple micromechanical model is proposed to rationalize the trends. The main finding suggests that plastic anisotropy can be altered to aid ductility. Perspectives for how to harness anisotropy in material design are presented.
Electric Vehicle Explorer

Most HCI research related to electric vehicle adoption has focused on mitigating barriers related to vehicle range and charging infrastructure, while relatively less attention has been given to helping consumers recognize the benefits of electric vehicles. A significant benefit is reduced energy costs; however, the complexity of comparing gasoline and electricity prices makes it difficult for consumers to quantify. This paper describes and evaluates an online tool called EV Explorer that enables users to compare personalized estimates of annual energy costs for multiple vehicles. We assessed the tool through an online experiment, gauging users’ perceptions—before and after using the tool—of their current energy costs, potential savings with electric vehicles, attitude toward electric vehicle charging, and intention to buy or lease an electric vehicle in the future. Statistically significant changes in each of these variables validate the tool as an educational and persuasive strategy to promote electric vehicle adoption.
Predicting the distribution of a parasite using the ecological niche model, GARP

The ecological niche of a parasite exists only at the nexus of certain abiotic and biotic conditions suitable for both the definitive and intermediate hosts....
Adsorption-desorption and degradation of insecticides clothianidin and thiamethoxam in agricultural soils.

Abstract Studied were the adsorption-desorption and degradation of two widely used neonicotinoid insecticides clothianidin and thiamethoxam in three different agricultural soils in the state of Mississippi. The adsorptions of both the neonicotinoids fit a linear isotherm model. In different soils at different depths with different moisture contents, the adsorption distribution coefficients of clothianidin and thiamethoxam were found to be 0.62 to 1.94 and 0.59–2.03 L kg−1, respectively. These distribution coefficients showed strong positive correlations with organic carbon content and pH of the soils. The desorptions of clothianidin and thiamethoxam also followed a linear isotherm, but were irreversible in respect to their adsorption isotherms. The desorption distribution coefficients ranged from 0.14 to 0.62 L kg−1, increased with the decrease of organic carbon content. The degradations of clothianidin and thiamethoxam in the soils were found to be slow with half-lives ranged from 90 to 280 and 65 to 170 d for clothianidin and thiamethoxam respectively. The degradation rates increased with the increase of the organic carbon content in the soils. The moisture content in the soils had a positive effect on the degradation rates. The Groundwater Ubiquity Scores calculated from the adsorption distribution coefficient, organic content, and half-life suggest that clothianidin and thiamethoxam have moderate to high potential to leach to groundwater.
Creating Requirement Documents Using Analysis Tools

This chapter builds on Chap. 7 and outlines a step-by-step procedure for designing and developing specifications that reflect the engineering requirements for building systems. This portion of the book provides the necessary tools that analysts and designers need to provide program developers with detailed, yet creative technical specifications toward the processing portion of the requirements document including data flow diagrams, process flow diagrams, the building of a data dictionary, the writing of algorithms, state transition diagrams, and the introduction to entity relationship diagrams. Validating that an application meets requirements is a most difficult process. This chapter discusses alternative ways of accomplishing this task, including creating checklists, quality assurance procedures, group review sessions, and product simulations. The approach is to focus more on what the software does not do, as opposed to its features and functions. The chapter also emphasizes a review of mathematical calculations, that is, the way in which the system handles formulas and produces results. Results also encompass analysis alternatives, types of outputs, and open systems compatibilities.
Dietary vitamin E in oxidative stress and aging

Aging processes are influenced by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Evidence suggests that sedentary lifestyles, alcohol and drug use and malnutrition may contribute to the aging rate and age-associated diseases. Oxidative stress and aging processes share common ground in biochemical and functional changes that occur with strenuous exercise, alcohol intake and high intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids without adequate antioxidant protection. These extrinsic factors, together with inadequate or unbalanced dietary antioxidants during the lifespan augment the free radical formation and significantly contribute to accelerated aging and age-associated diseases. Evidence suggests that dietary antioxidants such as vitamin E can prevent oxidative stress induced by these extrinsic factors. The elderly may further benefit from changing their lifestyle and supplemental intake of dietary vitamin E to reduce oxidative stress, improve certain bodily functions and reduce their risk of morbidity and mortality.
Association of office-based provider visits with emergency department utilization among publicly insured stroke survivors.

Abstract Objective To evaluate the association between visits to office-based providers and Emergency Department (ED) utilization among stroke survivors. Methods We analyzed 12-years of data representing a weighted sample of 3,317,794 publicly insured US adults aged ≥18 years with stroke, using the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Household Component (MEPS-HC), 2003–2014 dataset. We used a negative binomial regression model that accounts for dispersion to estimate the association between office-based and ED visits controlling for covariates. We used a multivariate logistic regression model to identify independent predictors of ED visits. Results Annual mean (SD) ED visits and office based visits for publicly insured stroke survivors were 0.60 (1.10) and 12.2 (19.9) respectively. Each unit increase in office based visits was associated with a 1% increase in ED visit (p = 0.008). Being unmarried (adjusted OR = 1.26; 95% CI: 1.015–1.564) and having several comorbidities (adjusted OR = 1.93; 95% CI: 1.553–2.412) were associated with a higher likelihood of at least one ED visit. The odds for an ED visit for individuals aged 45–64, those aged 65 years and above, and those with a college or higher level of education were respectively 34% (OR = 0.66; 95% CI: 0.454–0.965), 52% (OR = 0.48; 95% CI: 0.330–0.701), and 36% (OR = 0.64; 95% CI: 0.497–0.834) lower than their counterparts. Conclusions Contrary to our expectations, there was a direct relationship between ED visits and office base visits among U.S. stroke survivors. This finding may reflect the difficulties associated with managing stroke survivors with multiple co-morbidities or complex psycho-socio-economic issues.
Large-vessel occlusion stroke after cardiothoracic surgery: Expanding time windows offer new salvage opportunities.

Abstract Objectives Ischemic stroke due to large-vessel occlusion (LVO) is a complication after cardiothoracic surgery (CTS). Recently published endovascular stroke trials have major implications for treating LVO strokes; we evaluated our experience in patients undergoing CTS. Methods Our prospective institutional CTS database was reviewed between July 2013 and April 2018 for ischemic strokes. Patients with LVO were identified and their course and outcomes analyzed. Results A total of 5947 patients were reviewed; 148 (2.48%) had a cerebrovascular complication; 92.5% were ischemic. Of these 10.9% had an LVO. Prolonged aortic crossclamp was associated with LVO (odds ratio, 1.012 for every minute of prolonged aortic crossclamp time; confidence interval, 1.001-1.023) and remained significant in patients with ejection fraction >45%; prolonged cardiac bypass time was only associated with LVO in patients with ejection fraction >45% (odds ratio, 1.012 for every minute of prolonged cardiac bypass time; confidence interval, 1.003-1.021). Patients fell into 2 categories: detection of neurologic deficit in the stable postoperative patient or detection of deficit on emergence from anesthesia. Seven patients met criteria for emergent revascularization, with median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score 15, and shorter times from last seen well to deficit detection compared with patients not meeting criteria (P = .032). Median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale day 7 score improved to 5. There was a trend toward better modified Rankin Scale scores at 3 months in patients who underwent thrombectomy. Conclusions LVO complicates a small proportion of patients after CTS and may be more likely with prolonged aortic crossclamp and cardiac bypass times. Both early and late window endovascular stroke treatment has the potential to positively modify the complication profile of CTS. Greater awareness of this treatment option is needed.
A Theory of Racialized Organizations

Organizational theory scholars typically see organizations as race-neutral bureaucratic structures, while race and ethnicity scholars have largely neglected the role of organizations in the social ...
Beyond the Present Indicative: Lexical Futures as Indicators of Development in L2 Spanish

The present study investigates to what extent first-language (L1) and second-language (L2) speakers use lexical futures, whether such forms provide evidence of development, and whether these forms are constrained differently from the present indicative (PI) according to linguistic predictors. It uses a combined approach through its concept-oriented consideration of an underreported form and analysis of the behavior of individual learners, along with applying variationist methods to determine whether independent linguistic predictors differentiate between lexical futures and a formally similar structure (i.e., the PI). The study includes 120 English-speaking learners of Spanish from 5 course levels and 20 native speakers (NSs) of Spanish. Participants completed an oral production task, in which they responded to 8 personal prompts. Results indicate that NSs used lexical futures robustly and that part of the development associated with the acquisition of future-time expression included increases in the overall rates of lexical future use and the inventory of lexical future periphrases. Mixed-effects models revealed that from the earliest level lexical futures could be differentiated from the PI as predicted by independent variables, and that independent variables patterned in a more target-like way as course level increased.
Clinical characteristics, treatment (Tx) patterns, and overall survival (OS) in advanced (Adv) NSCLC patients (Pts) with and without brain metastases (BM).

2035Background: BM in NSCLC pts are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This analysis describes the frequency and timing of BM development, pt characteristics, systemic txs, and OS...
Elastic Model Design of the B-58 Airplane

Extensive elastic model test program for design of highly redundant structure on B-58 aircraft at Convair, Ft Worth; models from 1/100 scale to full scale were used; several unique methods of obtaining and presenting test data; scale factors for both structure and loadings.
Disruption of ergosterol biosynthesis, growth, and the morphological transition in Candida albicans by sterol methyltransferase inhibitors containing sulfur at C‐25 in the sterol side chain

The sterol substrate analog 25-thialanosterol and its corresponding sulfonium salt were evaluated for their ability to serve as antifungal agents and to inhibit sterol methyltransferase (SMT) activity in Candida albicans. Both compounds inhibited cell proliferation, were fungistatic, interrupted the yeastlike-form to germ-tube-form transition, and resulted in the accumulation of zymosterol and related Δ24-sterols concurrent with a decrease in ergosterol, as was expected for the specific inhibition of SMT activity. Feedback on sterol synthesis was evidenced by elevated levels of cellular sterols in treated vs. control cultures. However, neither farnesol nor squalene accumulated in significant amounts in treated cultures, suggesting that carbon flux is channeled from the isoprenoid pathway to the sterol pathway with minor interruption or redirection until blockage at the C-methylation step. Activity assays using solubilized C. albicans SMT confirmed the inhibitors impair SMT action. Kinetic analysis indicated that 25-thialanosterol inhibited SMT with the properties of a time-dependent mechanismbased inactivator K i of 5 =gmM and apparent k inact of 0.013 min−1, whereas the corresponding sulfonium salt was a reversible-type transition state analog exhibiting a K i of 20 nM. The results are interpreted to imply changes in ergosterol homeostasis as influenced by SMT activity can control growth and the morphological transition in C. albicans, possibly affecting disease development.
GI Tubes and Lines: Nasogastric Tubes, Feeding Tubes

A broad variety of gastrointestinal tract tubes and lines are defined and discussed, including those for diagnostic, functional, and therapeutic uses. The specific imaging findings for each type of device are noted, as are device-specific complications. Salient imaging features are emphasized across imaging modalities.
Gerrymandering by Untimely or Malapportioned Redistricting or Reallocation of Seats

A fixed or multi-member district has the advantage of not needing to be periodically redrawn like a single-member district. This advantage, however, does not avoid the task of accommodating demographic changes. As the Code of Good Practice states, “With multi-member constituencies, seats should be redistributed preferably without redefining constituency boundaries, which should, where possible, coincide with administrative boundaries.”
Story Analysis Using Natural Language Processing and Interactive Dashboards

This paper discusses Story Analyzer, which uses a natural language processing (NLP) library and sophisticated data visualization libraries to produce dashboards of interrelated and user-responsive ...
Learning Huddles- an innovative teaching method

The idea of bringing front-line staff and bedside caregivers together for frequent but short briefings about key patient care safety issues has proven a highly effective method within the Quality Improvement realm. The authors share the design and development of an innovative teaching method: Learning Huddles that has proven effective in improving patient outcomes in a complex quaternary healthcare facility. This 'just in time' teaching method has been successful in helping to promote a learning environment, where the essential 'need to know' is packaged in a format that engages and keeps the front-line caregivers up to date with the knowledge and practices they need in order to provide high quality, safe, compassionate care. The key elements that comprise the design of learning huddles are shared and available for clinical educators to utilize. It is the authors hope that through sharing the success of learning huddles in one complex quaternary facility will result in the design, implementation and sharing of learning huddles across a variety of healthcare settings, ultimately benefiting patients and caregivers alike.
Accelerating oxygen surface exchange

Enhancing the oxygen exchange rate at the surface of oxides through rational design has long been a key goal of researchers pursuing sustainable energy solutions. Now, a simple infiltration method reveals that reaction rates on porous mixed-conducting oxides scale with the acidity of the infiltrate and can be tuned by orders of magnitude.
Express Warranty of Fitness for a Particular Purpose: Extent of Overlap in Same Factual Context with Implied Warranty of Fitness for a Particular Purpose

A warranty of fitness for a particular purpose is implied in a sale of goods where, at the time of contract, the seller knows or has reason to know of the buyer's particular purpose for purchasing the goods “and that the buyer is relying on the seller's skill or judgment to select or furnish suitable goods.” Given these facts, not only should they create an implied warranty of fitness for a particular purpose under U.C.C. § 2-315 but it seems that they may reasonably be construed by the trier of the facts to also create an express warranty under U.C.C. § 2-313(1)(a). Thus viewed against the existence of these particular background facts -- i.e., words and conduct by the parties that satisfy the factual criteria of U.C.C. § 2-315 -- it seems that the seller is promising the buyer as part of their agreement that the goods that the seller is furnishing will accomplish the buyer's intended purpose in making the purchase. In other words, a promise by the seller that the goods offered for sale will be fit for the buyer's particular purpose may be inferred from the same factual circumstances that give rise under U.C.C. § 2-315 to an implied warranty of fitness for a particular purpose.
Large-scale neural interfaces for optogenetic actuators and sensors in non-human primates

Optogenetics is a powerful tool for relating brain function to behavior, as it enables cell-type specific manipulation and recording of neurons with high spatial and temporal precision. Although optogenetics has been used successfully in nonhuman primates, reliable techniques had not been developed for large-scale, bi-directional study of neural circuits in these animals. Here we present practical and stable interfaces for stimulation and recording of large-scale cortical circuits. To obtain optogenetic expression across a broad region, spanning large cortical areas (5 cm2 ), we used convection-enhanced delivery of the viral vector, with online guidance from magnetic resonance imaging. To record neural activity across this region, we used micro-electrocorticographic (μECoG) arrays designed to minimally attenuate optical stimuli. Lastly, we have incorporated the capability of producing focal and modular photochemical ischemic lesions in these interfaces enabling us to stimulate the cortex around the site of injury and monitor functional recovery via change in blood flow, neurophysiology and behavior. These interfaces offer powerful tools for studying circuit dynamics and connectivity across cortical areas, for long-term studies of neuromodulation, and for linking these to behavior. Currently we are using these technologies towards developing therapeutic interventions for neurological disorders such as stroke.
Anonymous and positively responsive aggregation rules

Abstract May’s Theorem characterizes simple majority rule with the conditions of anonymity, neutrality, and positive responsiveness. We characterize the class of rules satisfying anonymity and positive responsiveness using the concept of a strong quota pair system.
Effects of Local Economic Conditions On Poverty Status of U.S. Rural Husband-Wife Households

In the mid-1960s, poverty in the United States became a major national issue (Danziger and Weinberg 1986). An official definition was adopted and new programs were initiated to eradicate poverty. According to official sources the poverty rate fell from 22.2 percent in 1960 to 12.1 percent in 1969; the rate started rising in 1979.-'' The poverty rate among the nonmetropolitan population is higher than for the metropopulation- (USDA 1987). Although differences between the two rates narrowed during 1967-79, it widened again during 1979-85. The poverty rate (ignoring in-kind transfers) of the nonmetro-population did not start to decline again until after 1985
Artificial neural networks for pattern recognition

The predominant type of cells found in intelligent biological structures, like those responsible for vision in humans, are called neurons (Simpson, 1990). A biological neuron is illustrated in Fig. 4.1. Neurons are cells that consist of a cell body or soma that has appendages called dendrites that receive signals (inputs) from other neurons. The neuron cell has another appendage called the axon, along which the neuron sends its activation signal (output). The axon typically connects to the dendrites of many other neurons through junctions called synapses. Some of these synapses, when activated by the axon, tend to excite the receiving neuron into greater activity, while others tend to inhibit its activity. The human nervous system consists of approximately 1011 neurons, massively interconnected by a total of approximately 1014 synapses, with some connections extending over a meter in length (Wasserman, 1989).
The t-Vertex Cover Problem: Extending the Half Integrality Framework with Budget Constraints

In earlier work we defined a class of integer programs with constraints that involve up to three variables each and showed how to derive superoptimal half integral solution to such problems. These solutions can be used under certain conditions to generate 2-approximations. Here we extend these results to problems involving budget constraints that do not conform to the structure of that class. Specifically, we address the t-vertex cover problem recently studied in the literature. In this problem the aim is to cover at least t edges in the graph with minimum weight collection of vertices that are adjacent to these edges.
A Parallel Approach to Unified Cognitive Modeling of Language Processing within a Visual Context

To study the benefit of using an explanatory parallel mechanism for cognitive processing, we propose a model which allows human performance and introspective theories to be tested in a unified way. The approach is verified by showing how it can be used to study natural language learning and understanding at both the utterance and discourse level within the context of coordinated visual stimuli. This study demonstrates that the validity of the underlying theories can be demonstrated by their ability to work together to form a unified explanatory model of the performance of a young language user.
Fitting Position Latent Cluster Models for Social Networks with latentnet

latentnet is a package to fit and evaluate statistical latent position and cluster models for networks. Hoff, Raftery, and Handcock (2002) suggested an approach to modeling networks based on positing the existence of an latent space of characteristics of the actors. Relationships form as a function of distances between these characteristics as well as functions of observed dyadic level covariates. In latentnet social distances are represented in a Euclidean space. It also includes a variant of the extension of the latent position model to allow for clustering of the positions developed in Handcock, Raftery, and Tantrum (2007). The package implements Bayesian inference for the models based on an Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithm. It can also compute maximum likelihood estimates for the latent position model and a two-stage maximum likelihood method for the latent position cluster model. For latent position cluster models, the package provides a Bayesian way of assessing how many groups there are, and thus whether or not there is any clustering (since if the preferred number of groups is 1, there is little evidence for clustering). It also estimates which cluster each actor belongs to. These estimates are probabilistic, and provide the probability of each actor belonging to each cluster. It computes four types of point estimates for the coefficients and positions: maximum likelihood estimate, posterior mean, posterior mode and the estimator which minimizes Kullback-Leibler divergence from the posterior. You can assess the goodness-of-fit of the model via posterior predictive checks. It has a function to simulate networks from a latent position or latent position cluster model.
“The Continuity of Married Companionship”: Marriage, Sympathy, and the Self in Middlemarch

Victorian writers often focus questions of ethics through scenes of sympathetic encounters that have been conceptualized, both by Victorian thinkers and by their recent critics, as a theater of identification in which an onlooking spectator identifies with a sufferer. George Eliot's Middlemarch (1871–72) critiques this paradigm, revealing its negation of otherness and its corresponding fixation of the self as an identity, and offers an alternative conception of relationship that foregrounds the presence and distinctness of the other and the open-endedness of relationship. The novel develops its critique through an analysis of women's experience of courtship and marriage, insisting upon the appropriateness ofmarriage as a site for the investigation of contemporary ethical questions. In her depiction of Rosamond, Eliot explores the identity-based paradigm of the spectacle of others, and shows how its conception of selfhood leaves the other isolated, precluding relationship. Rosamond's trajectory in the novel enacts the identity paradigm's relation to skeptical anxieties about self-knowledge and knowledge of others, and reveals such anxieties to occur with particular insistence around images of femininity. By contrast, Dorothea's development in ethical self-awareness presents an alternative to Rosamond's participation in the identity paradigm. In Dorothea's experience the self emerges as a process, an ongoing practice of expression. The focus on expression in the sympathetic or conflictual encounter, rather than on identity, enables the overcoming of the identity paradigm's denial of otherness, and grounds a productive sympathy capable of informing ethical action.
Fabric development in experimentally sheared quartzites

Abstract A fine-grained quartzite was deformed under a combination of simple shear and axial compression to varying amounts of shear strain (1.3 to 2.9). The experiments were conducted at 800 °C, 1500 MPa, and an axial strain rate of 10−6/s, in the dislocation creep regime. Shear zone boundaries were oriented at 45° or 30° to the compressior axis. The progressive development of deformation microstructures, including planar fabrics and c axis preferred orientations, was studied as a function of increasing shear strain. Elongate original grains define a foliation (S) which rotates from 45° to 0° to the shear zone boundary with increasing strain, producing a sigmoidal foliation in a single shear zone. A second foliation, invariant in orientation, is defined by elongate recrystallized grains, which lie at about 30°–40° to the shear zone boundaries. No C-surfaces, parallel to the shear zone boundaries, were observed. However, extensional crenulation cleavages (C'), defined by parallel zones of recrystallized grains as well as impurity and melt segregations, were observed even at low strain, lying at approximately 30° to the shear zone boundaries, and these could easily be mistaken for C-surfaces. C axis preferred orientations of original grains define symmetric type I crossed circle girdles at low strain (γ 2), with the greater concentration of c axes in the direction of shear. These features are very similar to those observed in natural ductile shear zones.
The los Alamos Proton Storage Ring (PSR) Injection Deflector System

We describe a pulsed magnetic deflector system planned for the injection system of the PSR. Two sets of magnets, appropriately placed in the optical systems of both the ring and the injection transport line, provide control of the rate at which particles are injected into a given portion of transverse phase space and limit the interaction of stored beam with the injection stripping foil. High-current modulators that produce relatively complex waveforms are required for this purpose. Solid-state drivers using direct feedback to produce the necessary waveforms are discussed as replacements for the more conventional high-voltage tube technology.
Microbubble-enhanced hemorrhage control using high intensity focused ultrasound.

Abstract Our objective was to investigate whether hemorrhage control can be achieved faster when high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is applied in the presence of ultrasound contrast agents (UCA) as compared to HIFU only application. Incisions (3 cm long and 0.5 cm deep) were produced in the livers of anesthetized rabbits. UCA Optison (0.18 ml/kg) was injected into the mesenteric vein. A HIFU applicator (5.5 MHz, 6800 W/cm2 in situ) was scanned at a rate of 1–2 mm/s in one direction over the incision (with multiple passes if needed), until hemostasis was achieved. Hemostasis times were 59 ± 23 s (n = 21) in the presence of Optison and 70 ± 23 s (n = 29) without Optison. The presence of Optison produced on average 37% reduction in hemostasis times normalized to initial bleeding rates (p
An Efficient Silver Etchant for the Fabrication of Active Nanowires Using Anodized Aluminum Oxide Templates

We report an efficient silver etchant in the fabrication of active nanowire structures by the electroplating technique using an anodized aluminum oxide template. These active nanowires include solder materials (low melting point metals or metal alloys) and magnetic materials. Single- or multisegmented nanowires with these active materials have been prepared using the new etching solution. A conducting polymer such as polypyrrole can also be fabricated onto these nanowires to enable hybrid structures and interfaces. These multisegmented active nanowires open a new platform in the fabrication and integration of nanowire-based electronics and hybrid devices.
Optical Spectroscopy of Inhomogeneities in the Winds of Wolf-Rayet Stars

Recent high quality spectra in the wavelength range 5300–6000A of 9 WR stars of different subtypes are presented to study the intrinsic variability of the WR winds. These data clearly show variable subpeaks superimposed on the emission lines of all stars. The global level of variability of the lines decreases while more subpeaks are seen for stars with faster winds. The spectroscopic variations are associated to the presence of perturbations in the stellar winds. An inhomogeneity model is developed to study the dynamic and the physical characteristics of the wind perturbations. In the case of HD193793, for which more structures have been detected, a comparison with the general velocity law gives β > 3. The internal velocity dispersion is larger in the direction of propagation than perpendicular to it. A histogram of the flux of the inhomogeneities indicates a larger number of wind structures with small flux. A power law fitted to the flux histogram of each stars gives an average exponent which is compatible with the one seen for giant molecular clouds where supersonic turbulence prevails. The physical representation of the WR winds and the origin of the perturbations is questioned.
Heavy-atom modified near-IR fluorescent dyes for DNA sequencing applications: synthesis and photophysical characterization

A series of near-IR fluorescent dyes have been prepared which contain an intramolecular heavy atom for altering the photophysics to produce a set of probes appropriate for single lane DNA sequencing applications. The identification of the terminal nucleotide base will be affected by temporal discrimination using fluorescence lifetime determination. The heavy-atom modification consists of an intramolecular halogen (mono- or disubstituted) situated on a remote section of the chromophore in order to minimize the perturbation on the photophysics. The series of dyes prepared showed similar absorption and emission maxima as well as fluorescence quantum yields that were similar. However, the lifetimes of these dyes were found to vary with the identity of the halogen substitution, yielding an apparent inverse heavy atom effect, with the heavier atom showing the longest fluorescence lifetime. Nanosecond flash photolysis spectroscopy of these dyes indicated that the intersystem crossing rates in the series increased with the heavier atom, consistent with known heavy-atom effects. The apparent inverse heavy atom effect resulted from decreases in the internal conversion rate of the base chromophore, with the heavier atom showing a smaller rate of internal conversion compared to that of the dye with the lighter heavy-atom modification.
Identification of Acoustic Emissions From Porosity and Waviness Defects in Continuous Fiber Reinforced Composites

The manufacturing of composite structures can result in manufacturing defects such as fiber waviness and porosity. These can have a significant and usually adverse impact on the mechanical and non-mechanical properties. In this study, we propose the use of an acoustic emission methodology to study the acoustic signature when porosity and fiber waviness are present in a composite structure. The methodology shows the possibility of identifying the signals near regions of high stress concentration in specimens subject to quasi-static loading. The analysis of the acoustic waveforms is performed through temporal characterization of the acoustic emissions and individual waveform analysis. The study reveals that the presence of fiber waviness and local porosity can be detected by the time at which major events start to occur and from the recorded magnitudes of cumulative energy and counts against time. However, the combined presence of porosity and waviness results in increased difficulties in the interpretation of the acoustic emission signals. A fast Fourier transform analysis of the captured waveform is examined in order to decouple the acoustic emissions and understand the defect modes present.
Diversity in the C3b Convertase Contact Residues and Tertiary Structures of the Staphylococcal Complement Inhibitor (SCIN) Protein Family

To survive in immune-competent hosts, the pathogen Staphylococcus aureus expresses and secretes a sophisticated array of proteins that inhibit the complement system. Among these are the staphylococcal complement inhibitors (SCIN), which are composed of three active proteins (SCIN-A, -B, and -C) and one purportedly inactive member (SCIN-D or ORF-D). Because previous work has focused almost exclusively on SCIN-A, we sought to provide initial structure/function information on additional SCIN proteins. To this end we determined crystal structures of an active, N-terminal truncation mutant of SCIN-B (denoted SCIN-B18–85) both free and bound to the C3c fragment of complement component C3 at 1.5 and 3.4 Å resolution, respectively. Comparison of the C3c/SCIN-B18–85 structure with that of C3c/SCIN-A revealed that both proteins target the same functional hotspot on the C3b/C3c surface yet harbor diversity in both the type of residues and interactions formed at their C3b/C3c interfaces. Most importantly, these structures allowed identification of Arg44 and Tyr51 as residues key for SCIN-B binding to C3b and subsequent inhibition of the AP C3 convertase. In addition, we also solved several crystal structures of SCIN-D to 1.3 Å limiting resolution. This revealed an unexpected structural deviation in the N-terminal α helix relative to SCIN-A and SCIN-B. Comparative analysis of both electrostatic potentials and surface complementarity suggest a physical explanation for the inability of SCIN-D to bind C3b/C3c. Together, these studies provide a more thorough understanding of immune evasion by S. aureus and enhance potential use of SCIN proteins as templates for design of complement targeted therapeutics.
Maxwell equations in nonuniformly moving media

Abstract The covariant Maxwell equations for material media in arbitrary motion are derived by means of a statistical average of the microscopic equations. Special-relativistic considerations are used throughout, even though accelerated motion is treated. The Minkowski form, originally derived for uniform motion only, is found to be generally valid for nonuniform motion, if the macroscopic quantities are suitably defined. In particular, the covariant polarization is defined in terms of the molecular electromagnetic dipole moments.
HYBRID WIND/PV/DIESEL SYSTEM EXPERIENCES

The past ten years have seen significant developments in the design, analysis and installation of hybrid (wind/PV/diesel) power systems. This paper presents a summary of recent progress on this subject in the United States with emphasis on the analytical and experimental work carried out at the University of Massachusetts. Topics discussed here include: 1) System configuration and hardware, 2) Modeling and design tools, and 3) Recent applications.
The formation of ‘giant’ mitochondria in the fibrillar flight muscles of the house fly, Musca domestica L.

Mitochondria in the fibrillar flight muscles of higher insects are of unusually large size and are reported to undergo age-related changes in size and number. Fibrillar flight muscles of adult male house flies ranging from 1 to 9 days of age were examined by electron microscopy in order to study the mitochondrial changes with age. In longitudinal sections of the muscle from 1-day-old flies mitochondria are elongated, 2 μ or less in length, and lie parallel to the longitudinal axis of the myofibrils. In cross-sectioned muscles of 1-day-old flies, 3–6 ovoid mitochondria surround each myofibril. Several profiles representing mitochondrial fusion are observed in flies 2 days of age. Longitudinal sections of the muscle in 9-day-old flies reveal highly elongated mitochondria ranging up to 15 μ in length. In cross sections, mitochondria form broad sleeve like structures in close apposition with the myofibrils. The bulky mitochondria in 9-day-old flies seem to be formed by the end-to-end, as well as side-to-side, fusion of smaller mitochondria. Histometric comparison indicated that the mitochondria in the flight muscle of 9-day-old flies are significantly larger in size and fewer in number than those of 1-day-old flies. It is suggested that the “giant” mitochondria in the flight muscles of the house fly arise primarily by an age-related fusion of smaller mitochondria.
Mechanics of rubber particle cavitation in toughened polyvinylchloride (PVC)

Abstract The toughening mechanisms and their sequence in rubber modified plastics is determined experimentally through the use of a multi-axial testing combined with and a rubber-modified material with favorable properties. The multi-axial testing was achieved by internally pressurizing and uniaxially loading hollow cylinders. This test allows independent control of the mean stress (volume change) and octahedral shear stress (shape change) between regions of uniaxial compression and equal biaxial tension. The rubber-modified material consists of a methacrylate–butadiene–styrene (MBS) core-shell modifier dispersed in polyvinylchloride (PVC). The whitening behavior of this material during deformation is favorable, since it provides optical verification of cavitation or debonding. In situ light transmission measurements of the MBS modified PVC in the multi-axial stress state test allows the mechanics associated with rubber particle cavitation to be evaluated. The onset of whitening in these systems occurs at a constant octahedral shear stress under a positive mean stress prior to yielding. This behavior is in disagreement with recent models, which predict cavitation occurring at a constant positive mean stress in MBS modified PVC.
MORPHOLOGICAL RESPONSES OF LIRIODENDRON TULIPIFERA L. SEEDLINGS TO ACUTE FAST NEUTRON RADIATION AND REDUCED LIGHT.

Dormant seedlings of yellow poplar ( Liriodendron tulipifera L.) were irradiated acutely with fast neutron radiation from an unshielded fast reactor and grown postirradiation in light environments of 100, 50 and 25 per cent sunlight. Several morphological responses were monitored for a period of up to two growing seasons with the objectives of determining the separate and interacting effects of ionizing radiation and reduced light. Morphological responses measured were: diameter increment, terminal and lateral growth and bud formation. Terminal and lateral bud mortality, and complete stem kill were independent of reduced light treatments. Other parameters examined were found to interact variously with responses to reduced light. Terminal growth of the seedlings was independent of reduced light at a dose higher than 300 rad. Below 300 rad, terminal growth was stimulated. Growth of lateral shoots was increased following irradiation and shading, but the same treatments decreased the number of lateral buds developing per seedling—differences in total lateral growth among radiation doses were undetectable because of the interacting responses.