cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Survival of Four Species of Stored-product Insects Confined with Food in Vacuumized and Unvacuumized Film Pouches

Survival of live insects accidentally packaged with military rations in vacuumized and unvacuumized airtight flexible food pouches was determined for adults and larvae of Cadra cautella (Walker), Lasioderma serricorne (F.), Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), and Trogoderma variabile Ballion. Seven foods and four types of pouches were tested; each food was packaged in a specific type of pouch. Some C. cautella and T. castaneum were found alive in various unvacuumized pouches after 3 weeks of confinement. Most were dead after 6 weeks. T. variabile and L. serricorne survived in some pouches for the duration of the tests (12 weeks). L. serricorne penetrated some of the pouches and escaped. Only L. serricorne survived for 1 week in pouches vacuum-sealed with a vacuum of 48.8 mm Hg; all were dead at 3 weeks. Some pouches with a minimal vacuum (533.0 mm Hg) allowed survival of T. variabile and L. serricorne for 12 weeks. Progeny from adults or insects from tests started with larvae were usually smaller and less developed than those in the controls that had an unlimited supply of air.
The Tea Party in Local Politics

Since 2009 the Tea Party has disrupted and deeply influenced American politics. The force of the movement has been felt not only in the three election cycles since then, but also in the development of public policy. One area where Tea Party influence has been said to be significant is in the area of environmental sustainability. As local governments have moved toward adopting environmental measures aimed at promoting sustainability, there have been some cases where local Tea Parties have emerged as aggressive and strident opponents of related policy changes. How widespread this behavior has been is unclear. In this paper we look broadly at the Tea Party movement across the country and systematically assess its influence in urban America. Based on evidence we’ve gathered for a number of different databases, we find that the Tea Party has not had a measurable impact on city policymaking in the area of sustainability. Moreover, we find that local Tea Party chapters generally have very limited organizational capacity to engage in advocacy. Across 50 large American cities, our findings indicate that the typical Tea Party chapter is at best a modest presence in local politics.
Young’s Modulus and Hardness of Zr0.5Hf0.5CoxRh1−xSb0.99Sn0.01 and Zr0.5Hf0.5CoxIr1−xSb0.99Sn0.01 Half-Heusler Alloys

Mechanical testing was performed to determine the influence of compositional changes on the Young’s modulus and hardness of half-Heusler compounds of the base composition Zr0.5 Hf0.5 CoSb0.99 Sn0.01 . In the efforts to decrease the thermal conductivity of the composition toward the development of thermoelectric materials with high thermal conversion efficiencies, specimens were fabricated with varying amounts of rhodium and iridium at the cobalt site. In addition to the general Zr0.5 Hf0.5 CoSb0.99 Sn0.01 composition, six hot-pressed samples of the Zr0.5 Hf0.5 Cox Rh1−x Sb0.99 Sn0.01 (0.0≤x≤1.0) composition and four hot-pressed samples of the Zr0.5 Hf0.5 Cox Ir1−x Sb0.99 Sn0.01 (0.0≤x≤0.7) composition were synthesized. Indentation measurements were obtained using both microhardness testing and depth-sensing nanoindentation. The general Zr0.5 Hf0.5 CoSb0.99 Sn0.01 composition was observed to have a hardness and elastic modulus around 896HV0.2 and 247GPa, respectively. For all of the compositions tested the hardness range was observed to lie between 347HV0.2 and 951HV0.2. The elastic moduli for these compositions were found to range between 97GPa and 247GPa. The effects of the rhodium substitution and iridium substitution at the cobalt site on the elastic stiffness and hardness are examined.© 2010 ASME
ETLAnow: A Model for Forecasting with Big Data

In this paper we document the ETLAnow project. ETLAnow is a model for forecasting with big data. At the moment, it predicts the unemployment rate in the EU-28 countries using Google search data. The model is publicly available at the ETLAnow’s website, http://www.etlanow.eu. The forecast model is based on the idea that volumes of Google searches could be associated with the current and future level of an economic index. And these data are available earlier than official statistics. The motivation for our approach is that big data could help produce more accurate economic forecasts. Those forecasts would inform better policy and decisions, and help real people—especially during an economic crisis.
The African American urban male’s journey to success: psychoanalytic perspectives on race, gender, and social class

Many citizens believed that President Obama’s election and presidency would be an antidote to America’s corrosive racial society. The pervasiveness of racialized, gendered and class-based dispropor...
Drug Resistance in Cryptococcosis

There are over 30 different Cryptococcus species (spp.), with C. neoformans and C. gattii being the two primary human pathogens responsible for the fungal disease, cryptococcosis. These encapsulated basidiomycetous yeasts have important differences in their geographic distribution, ecological niches, and predilection to cause life-threatening disease in immunocompromised as compared to seemingly immunocompetent hosts.
Biofeedback-Based, Videogame Balance Training in Autism.

The present study examined the effects of a visual-based biofeedback training on improving balance challenges in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Twenty-nine youth with ASD (7–17 years) completed an intensive 6-week biofeedback-based videogame balance training. Participants exhibited training-related balance improvements that significantly accounted for postural-sway improvements outside of training. Participants perceived the training as beneficial and enjoyable. Significant moderators of training included milder stereotyped and ritualistic behaviors and better starting balance. Neither IQ nor BMI moderated training. These results suggest that biofeedback-based balance training is associated with balance improvements in youth with ASD, most robustly in those with less severe repetitive behaviors and better starting balance. The training was perceived as motivating, further suggesting its efficacy and likelihood of use.
Structure by Death: Social Network Replenishment in the Wake of Confidant Loss

Older adults are disproportionately likely to experience the death or other loss of a close network member. An important question is how their social networks are shaped by these experiences during a period that is already characterized by major life-course transitions. We study this question using longitudinal data on egocentric networks from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP), which covers the period from 2005/6 to 2010/11. The data reveal that the vast majority of respondents added at least one confidant to their network rosters during the study period, and that this tendency did not differ between the youngest and oldest age groups. Across all age groups, the loss of a confidant due to any cause more than doubled the likelihood that one added a new confidant to one’s network. However, how the loss of a network member due to death, specifically, is associated with network recruitment depends on age. While the death of a confidant is not linked to network replenishment in the younger age groups, it is positively associated with network replenishment in the oldest age group. In this group, those who experienced the death of a confidant were 2.4 times as likely to add a new confidant as those who did not. We consider several potential explanations for this set of findings, including the possibility that the oldest adults are more adept at dealing with confidant mortality. We close by discussing some implications of these findings for theories of social-network-related behavior in later life.
Non-Well-Founded Set Theory

The approach to set theory that has motivated and dominated the study presented so far in this book has essentially been one of synthesis: from an initial set of axioms, we build a framework of sets that can be used to provide a foundation for all of mathematics. By starting with pure sets provided by the Zermelo—Fraenkel axioms, and progressively adding more and more structure, we may obtain all of the usual structures of mathematics. And then, of course, we may make use of those mathematical structures to model various aspects of the world we live in. In this way, set theory may be used to provide ways to model ‘mathematical’ aspects of our world.
mm-Wave CMOS Noise Analysis

The range of many wireless communication systems is limited by the sensitivity of their receivers, meaning the minimum amount of signal to noise ratio that the receiver can successfully detect [8]. This sensitivity heavily depends on the noise figure of the entire receiver. However since the noise of each stage is normalized by the total gain of previous stages, as Friis equation predicts, the noise figure of the low-noise amplifier essentially dominates the entire receiver sensitivity [2].
1.85 kV Breakdown Voltage in Lateral Field-Plated Ga 2 O 3 MOSFETs

A 400-nm thick composite field plate oxide, with a combination of atomic layer deposited and plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposited SiO2 layers, is used to enhance the breakdown voltage of spin-on-glass source/drain doped lateral Ga2O3 MOSFET. Three terminal breakdown voltage measured in Fluorinert ambient reaches 1850 V for a ${L}_{\textsf {gd}}= \textsf {20}\,\,\mu \text{m}$ device. This is the first report of lateral Ga2O3 MOSFET with more than 1.8 kV breakdown voltage. For a device with ${L}_{\textsf {gd}}= \textsf {1.8}\,\,\mu \text{m}$ , the average electric field strength is calculated to be 2.2 ± 0.2 MV/cm while the field simulation of the device shows a peak field of 3.4 MV/cm.
Effect of Volumetric Displays on Depth Perception in Augmented Reality

Augmented reality (AR) head-up displays (HUD) have previously been explored as a potential information delivery system for drivers. In driving scenarios, correct perception of virtual object distance assists with effective use of AR HUDs in safety-critical applications (e.g., collision warnings). AR volumetric displays purportedly offer increased accuracy of distance perception through consistent presentation of oculomotor cues such as vergence and accommodation over traditional displays. For this paper, we investigated volumetric AR displays as a mean of enhancing perception of virtual objects registered to the real world, specifically in terms of distance perception as a result of binocular cues. We designed and ran an experiment where participants controlled and placed virtual objects next to real-world counterparts at ranges between 7-12 meters. We found that the volumetric AR display outperformed a traditional fixed focal plane AR HUD when considering distances 5 meters greater than the traditional display's focal depth.
Applying Rapid Whole-Genome Sequencing To Predict Phenotypic Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Results among Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Clinical Isolates.

ABSTRACT Standard antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) approaches lead to delays in the selection of optimal antimicrobial therapy. Here, we sought to determine the accuracy of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) determinants identified by Nanopore whole-genome sequencing in predicting AST results. Using a cohort of 40 clinical isolates (21 carbapenemase-producing carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae, 10 non-carbapenemase-producing carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae, and 9 carbapenem-susceptible K. pneumoniae isolates), three separate sequencing and analysis pipelines were performed, as follows: (i) a real-time Nanopore analysis approach identifying acquired AMR genes, (ii) an assembly-based Nanopore approach identifying acquired AMR genes and chromosomal mutations, and (iii) an approach using short-read correction of Nanopore assemblies. The short-read correction of Nanopore assemblies served as the reference standard to determine the accuracy of Nanopore sequencing results. With the real-time analysis approach, full annotation of acquired AMR genes occurred within 8 h from subcultured isolates. Assemblies sufficient for full resistance gene and single-nucleotide polymorphism annotation were available within 14 h from subcultured isolates. The overall agreement of genotypic results and anticipated AST results for the 40 K. pneumoniae isolates was 77% (range, 30% to 100%) and 92% (range, 80% to 100%) for the real-time approach and the assembly approach, respectively. Evaluating the patients contributing the 40 isolates, the real-time approach and assembly approach could shorten the median time to effective antibiotic therapy by 20 h and 26 h, respectively, compared to standard AST. Nanopore sequencing offers a rapid approach to both accurately identify resistance mechanisms and to predict AST results for K. pneumoniae isolates. Bioinformatics improvements enabling real-time alignment, coupled with rapid extraction and library preparation, will further enhance the accuracy and workflow of the Nanopore real-time approach.
EFFECT OF LEVEL OF AMPUTATION ON POSTURAL STEADINESS AMONG LOWER EXTREMITY AMPUTEES

INTRODUCTION Increased rate of fall, reduced balance confidence and increased fear of falling is reported for lower extremity amputees.1 Fall rate also increases at higher levels of amputation1. This study aims to compare postural steadiness of different levels of lower extremity amputees through comparison of time and frequency domain variables of postural sway. Abstract PDF Link: https://jps.library.utoronto.ca/index.php/cpoj/article/view/32015/24434 How to cite: Medema A, Henness D, Steinhorst K, Moauro R, Reuland M, Whelan R, Kester S, Bateni H. EFFECT OF LEVEL OF AMPUTATION ON POSTURAL STEADINESS AMONG LOWER EXTREMITY AMPUTEES. CANADIAN PROSTHETICS & ORTHOTICS JOURNAL, VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2, 2018; ABSTRACT, POSTER PRESENTATION AT THE AOPA’S 101ST NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, SEPT. 26-29, VANCOUVER, CANADA, 2018. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33137/cpoj.v1i2.32015 Abstracts were Peer-reviewed by the American Orthotic Prosthetic Association (AOPA) 101st National Assembly Scientific Committee. http://www.aopanet.org/
The Forward-Looking Role of Subjectivity in Performance and Promotion Evaluations: Evidence from Professional Services

In this study we examine how non-contractible signals, specifically advice-seeking behavior, affect managers’ overall subjective assessments, and whether this effect changes as the employee gains experience in his or her job role. We also study whether these signals have different effects on subjective measures of employee performance and worthiness for promotion (hereafter, 'promotability'). Leveraging the combined strengths of field and experimental methods, we show that subjective performance and promotability assessments are incrementally affected beyond an objective team performance indicator, when advice-seeking provides a forward-looking signal about the employee’s ability and future performance. Specifically, by conducting an experiment with experienced consulting project managers (mean experience = 23.76 years), we find that frequent advice seeking on a range of issues positively affects subjective performance measures both early and late in the employees’ job tenure because it signals learning. We also show that relatively infrequent consultation positively affects performance measures later in the employee’s development, because it is consistent with expectations of self-sufficiency. Finally, we find that promotability assessments are affected positively only by relatively infrequent advice-seeking. As a whole, these results suggest that advice-seeking has divergent effects on managers’ performance and promotability assessments. Specifically, we identify conditions under which promotability measures differ, even when objective and subjective performance measures do not.
Cytotoxicity and Genotoxicity of a New Intracanal Medicament, 2-hydroxyisocaproic Acid-An In Vitro Study.

Abstract Introduction A successful outcome of root canal therapy relies on effective disinfection of the root canal system, including the use of intracanal medicaments, which vary in their bactericidal and cytotoxic properties. Assessing the benefits and risks associated with the use of these medicaments is of extreme importance, especially in regenerative endodontic procedures, because residual stem cells may be harmed. In this study, we tested the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of a novel agent, 2-hydroxyisocaproic acid (HICA), and compared its properties with those of a well-established medicament, calcium hydroxide. Methods Human periodontal ligament fibroblasts were exposed to varying concentrations of HICA (1, 2.5, 5, 10, 20, and 40 mg/mL) for 24 hours, and a dose-response curve was generated using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay. Immunofluorescence for 2 markers of DNA double-strand breaks, phosphorylated γH2AX and 53BP1, was used to establish the genotoxicity of HICA at various half maximal effective concentration (EC50) fractions. Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of HICA and calcium hydroxide at 1 mg/mL were compared at 24 and 48 hours using the same methods. Results At 10 mg/mL and higher, HICA was significantly more cytotoxic and genotoxic than the control (P Conclusions HICA is not cytotoxic and genotoxic at concentrations
Acute Myeloid Neoplasms

Genetic profiling has been central to the diagnosis and taxonomy of hematopoietic neoplasms for over a decade. Acute myeloid leukemias are a heterogeneous subgroup of myeloid neoplasms with an aggressive clinical course, and the majority of these cases are defined by their underlying genetics. Cytogenetic evaluation retains a primary role in the evaluation and subclassification of these entities, but incorporation of molecular sequencing data has quickly become increasingly important for diagnosis, prognosis, and clinical management.
Chapter 4 – Effects of chromium(III) as a nutritional supplement*,†

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the effects of chromium (III) as nutritional supplement on body weight, body fat, and lean mass of healthy humans. The impetus for research to determine the effects of supplemental Cr(III) came from two studies. The first study identifies no effects of supplemental Cr(III) on strength measures. An increased dose of supplemental Cr(III) failed to show any benefit. Lean body mass was maintained despite a 10% decrease in self-reported energy intake. Interestingly, dietary analysis indicated that Cr(III) intake decreased significantly in each treatment group with average intakes of 30–40 μg/day during training. All groups increased strength, neuromuscular performance, and metabolic performance with no effect of Cr(III) supplementation. Supplementation of Cr(III) independently and in conjunction with weight training has been hypothesized to increase muscle mass in the elderly. Another study tested the hypothesis that Cr(III) supplementation decreases body weight and alters body composition when energy intake is constant. Body weight was maintained within 2% of admission values. Body composition, determined at admission and 4 weeks by using dual X-ray absorptiometry, did not change significantly. Thus, under the conditions of constant energy intake, supplemental Cr(III) neither affected body weight nor composition.
Disintegration Schemes of Radioactive Substances. VII. Mn 54 and Co 58

The radiations emitted by ${\mathrm{Mn}}^{54}$ and by ${\mathrm{Co}}^{58}$ have been studied by means of the magnetic lens spectrometer and coincidence techniques. ${\mathrm{Mn}}^{54}$ decays by orbital electron capture to an excited state of ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{54}$, followed by the emission of a 0.835-Mev gamma-ray. A study of the x-rays emitted following the capture process indicates that a large---or even an overwhelming---fraction of the captured electrons are $K$ electrons. Few if any capture transitions lead directly to the ground state. ${\mathrm{Co}}^{58}$ decays to a state of ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{58}$ 0.805 Mev above the ground state which in turn decays by the emission of a single gamma-ray. About 90 percent of the disintegrations of ${\mathrm{Co}}^{58}$ occur by $K$-electron capture. In the remaining 10 percent positrons of maximum energy 0.47 Mev are emitted. This ratio of the two modes of decay is consistent with the idea that the transition takes place with a change of angular momentum of one unit or zero, whether the parity changes in the transition or not, if the tensor theory of beta-decay is the correct one. The lowest known excited states of ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{54}$, ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{56}$, and ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{58}$ have excitation energies differing by less than five percent. The difference between the masses of the neutral atoms of ${\mathrm{Co}}^{58}$ and ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{58}$ should be 2.46\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.03\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$ a.m.u.
Bullying and Victimization of Youth in the Court Systems

In Chap. 8, we discuss how and why youth who are involved in the juvenile justice system and child welfare system are prone to bullying and peer victimization. Research suggests that youth who are detained in juvenile correctional facilities are seriously at risk of bullying and peer victimization as these youth have opportunities to affiliate with peers who engage in such behavior. Although research on bullying involvement of adolescents in the child welfare system is rare, youth who are placed in out-of-home care (e.g., foster care, kinship care, group home, or residential treatment facility) are also prone to bullying and victimization, as they are typically removed from their home due to allegations of maltreatment; as a result, these youths are likely to have difficulty in socialization and forming bonds with “conventional” peers and are likely to be victimized or socially excluded.
TXN, a Xanthohumol Derivative, Significantly Attenuates High-Fat Diet Induced Hepatic Steatosis In Vivo by Antagonizing PPARγ

We previously reported xanthohumol (XN), and its synthetic derivative tetrahydro-XN (TXN) attenuates high-fat diet (HFD) induced obesity and metabolic syndrome in C57BL/6J mice. The objective of the current study was to determine the effect of XN and TXN on lipid accumulation in the liver. Non-supplemented mice were unable to adapt their caloric intake to 60% HFD, resulting in obesity and hepatic steatosis; however, TXN reduced weight gain and decreased hepatic steatosis. Liver transcriptomics indicated TXN might antagonize lipogenic PPAR{gamma} actions in vivo. XN and TXN inhibited rosiglitazone-induced 3T3-L1 cell differentiation concomitant with decreased expression of lipogenesis-related genes. A PPAR{gamma} competitive binding assay showed XN and TXN bind to PPAR{gamma} with an IC50 similar to pioglitazone and 8-10 times stronger than oleate. Molecular docking simulations demonstrated XN and TXN bind in the PPAR{gamma} ligand-binding domain pocket. Our findings are consistent with XN and TXN acting as antagonists of PPAR{gamma}.
The effect of point-of-care ultrasound on length of stay in the emergency department in children with neck swelling

Abstract Background Ultrasound is the imaging modality of choice in children presenting to the emergency department (ED) with soft tissue neck swelling. Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) has good accuracy when compared to comprehensive radiology department ultrasound (RADUS). POCUS could potentially improve ED length of stay (LOS) by improving efficiency. We aimed to evaluate the LOS of pediatric patients seen in ED with soft tissue neck swelling who received POCUS compared to RADUS. We determined unscheduled 30-day return visit rates in both groups as a balancing measure. Methods We performed a retrospective review of the electronic medical record for our cross-sectional study of discharged patients ≤21 years of age who had a neck ultrasound performed by a credentialed POCUS physician or by the radiology department between July 2014 and January 2020. We included patients who had both POCUS and RADUS in the POCUS group. We compared median ED LOS in both groups using the Mann Whitney U test and proportion of unscheduled return visits to the ED in both groups using odds ratio and 95% CI. Results There were 925 patients: 76 with only POCUS, 6 with POCUS and RADUS, and 843 with only RADUS performed. Median LOS in the POCUS group was 68.5 min (IQR 38.3120.3) versus 154.0 min (IQR 111.0, 211.0) in the RADUS group (p Conclusion Pediatric patients evaluated in the ED for soft tissue neck swelling had a shorter LOS with POCUS than with RADUS without a statistically significant increase in 30-day return visits. We suggest a “POCUS First” approach to the care of these patients.
Stability across the Whole Nuclear Genome in the Presence and Absence of DNA Mismatch Repair.

We describe the contribution of DNA mismatch repair (MMR) to the stability of the eukaryotic nuclear genome as determined by whole-genome sequencing. To date, wild-type nuclear genome mutation rates are known for over 40 eukaryotic species, while measurements in mismatch repair-defective organisms are fewer in number and are concentrated on Saccharomyces cerevisiae and human tumors. Well-studied organisms include Drosophila melanogaster and Mus musculus, while less genetically tractable species include great apes and long-lived trees. A variety of techniques have been developed to gather mutation rates, either per generation or per cell division. Generational rates are described through whole-organism mutation accumulation experiments and through offspring–parent sequencing, or they have been identified by descent. Rates per somatic cell division have been estimated from cell line mutation accumulation experiments, from systemic variant allele frequencies, and from widely spaced samples with known cell divisions per unit of tissue growth. The latter methods are also used to estimate generational mutation rates for large organisms that lack dedicated germlines, such as trees and hyphal fungi. Mechanistic studies involving genetic manipulation of MMR genes prior to mutation rate determination are thus far confined to yeast, Arabidopsis thaliana, Caenorhabditis elegans, and one chicken cell line. A great deal of work in wild-type organisms has begun to establish a sound baseline, but far more work is needed to uncover the variety of MMR across eukaryotes. Nonetheless, the few MMR studies reported to date indicate that MMR contributes 100-fold or more to genome stability, and they have uncovered insights that would have been impossible to obtain using reporter gene assays.
Experimental characterization of model resist materials

New resists are needed to advance EUV lithography. Tailored design of efficient photoresist is impossible without fundamental understanding of EUV induced chemistry. The absorption of an EUV photon by a thin film resist leads to emission of primary and secondary electrons. The electrons may travel up to tens of nanometers before losing their kinetic energy via collisions which initiate chemical reactions. The “blur” of an aerial image is directly related to the distance that electrons are able to travel and initiate chemistry in the resist. Thus, identifying how to measure and influence the absorption of EUV photons, emission of electrons, and distance traveled by the secondary electrons is extremely beneficial to the resist community. In this work, we present several experimental techniques to probe model polymer materials to investigate the impact of specific chemical groups on three critical resist properties: EUV absorption, electron emission, and the electron attenuation length (EAL). EUV absorption dictates the efficiency of the film to absorb photons. Total electron yield (TEY) provides information on the conversion of absorbed EUV photons to electrons, whereas photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) provides information on energies and abundance of generated electrons. The EAL corresponds to the thickness of a material required to reduce the number of emitted electrons to 1/e of the initial value. The EAL reveals the distance the electrons can travel in a resist film, which is directly related to the electron blur. Correlations between the obtained experimental values is discussed.
Bork and Beethoven

Commentary magazine is distinguished for the lucidity and forthrightness of its articles and for its singleminded advocacy of a "neoconservative" philosophy built around the related themes of conservative social and cultural values, aggressive anti-Communism, and determined opposition to the egalitarian programs espoused by liberal Democrats and university radicals. I have been a faithful reader of the magazine for many years and my strong impression is that it does not knowingly publish articles that deviate from this party line. Yet the February 1990 issue contains two articles that take opposite positions on the issue of "originalism"-that is, interpretive fidelity to a text's understanding by its authors. The tension between the articles is masked by the fact that one is about Robert Bork and the other is about musical performance and by the further fact that both embrace the neoconservative creed. Nevertheless there is a deep and illuminating fissure between them. Bork Revisited, by Terry Eastland,' public relations director of the Department ofJustice for most of the Reagan era, including the period of Bork's unsuccessful run for the Supreme Court, discusses three books about the Bork debacle, including Bork's own.2 Eastland's main purposes are to show that there really was an unprecedented as well as unsavory left-wing campaign against Bork's confirmation, and that the Justice Department should not be blamed for Bork's defeat, since the handling of the confirmation process had been assigned to the White House staff rather than to the Department. The latter point, while important to Eastland's amour propre, is of no general interest, not least because Bork would have been defeated (it is clear in hindsight) even if his campaign had been handled more adroitly, which the Department of Justice might or might not have done. It is a fact that Bork was the target of a scurrilous scare campaign orchestrated by left-wingers, but Eastland is wrong to suppose that this is something new. Notably vicious political battles over Supreme Court nominees took place at the
Quercetin conjugated poly(β-amino esters) nanogels for the treatment of cellular oxidative stress

Abstract PβAE polymers have emerged as highly promising candidates for biomedical and drug delivery applications owing to their tunable, degradable and pH sensitive properties. These polymeric systems can serve as prodrug carriers for the delivery of bioactive compounds which suffer from poor aqueous solubility, low bioavailability and are biologically unstable, such as the antioxidant, quercetin. Using acrylate functionalized quercetin, it is possible to incorporate the polyphenol into the backbone of the polymer matrix, permitting slow release of the intact molecule which is perfectly timed with the polymer degradation. While formulating these quercetin conjugated PβAE matrix into nanocarriers would allow for multiple delivery routes (oral, intravenous, inhalation etc.), well known oil-water nano-emulsion formulation methods are not amenable to the crosslinked hydrolytically sensitive nanoparticle/nanogel. In this work, a single-phase reaction–precipitation method was developed to formulate quercetin conjugated PβAE nanogels (QNG) via reaction of acrylated quercetin (4–5 acrylate groups) with a secondary diamine under dilute conditions using acetonitrile as the reaction medium, resulting in a self-stabilized suspension. The proposed approach permits the post synthesis modification of the spherical nanogels with a PEGylated coating, enhancing their aqueous stability and stealth characteristics. Nanogel size was controlled by varying feed reactant concentrations, achieving drug loadings of 25–38 wt%. Uniform release of quercetin over 45–48 h was observed upon PβAE ester hydrolysis under physiological conditions with its retained antioxidant activity over the extended times. Statement of Significance Here we present the first demonstration of using poly(beta amino ester) chemistry to form nanogels composed of a bioactive polyphenol for the control of cellular oxidative stress. Previous nanogel and nanoparticle approaches, which use a water phase, are not readily amenable to PBAE chemistry due to their hydrolytic sensitivity. Here we demonstrate a simple approach to control particle size, modify surface chemistry and achieve highly regulated controlled release of active antioxidants, which can protect cells against external oxidative stress signals. This work has importance in the area of controlling material biocompatibility through augmenting the antioxidant status of cells.
Low voltage ride through control of modular multilevel converter based HVDC systems

Low Voltage Ride Through (LVRT) is an important grid requirement for Voltage Source Converter (VSC) based HVDC links. This paper studies the performance of the modular multilevel converter (MMC) VSC based HVDC systems during faults or voltage dips and proposes a new control strategy to improve the LVRT performance. The proposed algorithm controls the system to generate the required active and reactive powers that are calculated mathematically based on the ratings of the MMC-HVDC system and LVRT requirements. The injected active and reactive power values obey the LVRT guidelines and are adaptable to different grid codes. The mathematical calculations are presented and EMTDC/PSCAD simulation evaluates the performance of the proposed method.
Leveraged ETFs: Admissible Leverage and Risk Horizon

This paper provides a quantitative risk analysis of leveraged ETFs (LETFs) with a focus on the impact of leverage and investment horizon. From the empirical returns of several major LETFs based on the S&P 500 index, the performance of LETFs generally declines as investment horizon increases, compared to the reference index. The value erosion is more severe for highly leveraged ETFs. To better understand the risk impact of leverage, we introduce the admissible leverage ratio induced by a risk measure, for example, value-at-risk (VaR) and conditional VaR. This idea can help investors exclude LETFs that are deemed too risky. Moreover, we also discuss the concept of admissible risk horizon so that the investor can control risk exposure by selecting an appropriate holding period. In addition, we also compute the intra-horizon risk, which leads us to evaluate a stop-loss/take-proﬁt strategy for LETFs. Lastly, we investigate the impact of volatility exposure on the return of diﬀerent LETF portfolios.
Comparative Effects of Four Uncouplers on the Enthalpy Change for Mitochondrial Oxidation of Succinate by Ferricyanide

Abstract The enthalpy changes for phosphorylating and nonphosphorylating mitochondrial oxidation of succinate by ferricyanide were studied by heatburst microcalorimetry. The enthalpy change observed with a nonphosphorylating system involving sonically disrupted mitochondria agreed with the calculated enthalpy change. The enthalpy changes for phosphorylating and uncoupled systems involving intact mitochondria, however, were all more negative than calculated. The discrepancies between observed and calculated values for systems involving intact mitochondria appear to be caused by something other than neutralization of protons and it is suggested that they may be caused by the type of experimental system used. The observed enthalpy changes for gramicidin-uncoupled and oleic acid-uncoupled oxidation of succinate were lower and higher, respectively, than for a dinitrophenol-uncoupled system. The observed enthalpy change for a dicoumarol-uncoupled system, however, was the same as a dinitrophenol-uncoupled system. In all cases, the uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation by use of dinitrophenol, dicoumarol, gramicidin, or oleic acid caused the observed enthalpy change to become more negative. These increases in enthalpy change were equivalent to the enthalpy change for the hydrolysis of ATP to ADP and Pi when dinitrophenol, dicoumarol, or gramicidin were used as uncouplers, but was greater than this when oleic acid was used.
Discreet signaling: from the chinese emperors to the internet

For thousands of years, humans have sought means to secretly communicate. Today, ad hoc signaling methods are used in applications as varied as digital rights management for multimedia, content identification, authentication, steganography, transaction tracking, and networking. This talk will present an information-theoretic framework for analyzing such problems and designing provably good signaling schemes. Key ingredients of the framework include models for the signals being communicated and the degradations, jammers, eavesdroppers and codebreakers that may be encountered during transmission.
Helicobacter pylori Alters the Expression of Circadian Clock Components PER2 and BMAL1 During Infection

The circadian clock plays a fundamental role in gastrointestinal (GI) physiology. Moreover, disruption of key components of the molecular oscillator that generates circadian rhythms, such as Per2 a...
Chapter 17. New Antibacterials for Resistant Organisms

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on new antibacterials for resistant organisms. The last decade of the 20th century brought with it vancomycin-resistant S. aureus . These glycopeptide intermediate resistant strains (GISA) may receive the most public attention of the resistant bacteria. The chapter focuses on new antibacterial agents reported in the recent past. New parenteral carbapenem, L-786,392, was reported to have excellent gram-positive activity in vitro . The compound was superior to imipenem in vivo , including efficacy in a vancomycin resistant enterococcal (VRE) thigh model. This is believed to be due to lower plasma clearance and the resulting improved pharmacokinetics. The compound has reduced immunotoxicity in monkeys compared to earlier compounds in the series. A comprehensive review of the chemistry, SAR and mechanism of action of quinolones is also discussed. Several late-stage clinical candidates continued to progress through clinical trials. Trovafloxacin and its iv companion, alatrofloxacin, gained US FDA approval and were launched in late January 1998. Recent developments related to glycylcyclines, macrolides, and oxazolidinones are also discussed in the chapter.
Rethinking modern European intellectual history

In 1861, English jurist Henry Maine published his grand œuvre, a book called Ancient Law. In it, he set out to trace the development of what he called ‘progressive’ societies from pre-modern to mod...
Introduction to Political Analysis Mini-Symposium on Advances in Survey Methodology

Over the last decade the survey environment has been rapidly changing, creating new opportunities and new challenges for survey methodologists. These include: relatively low response among all contact modes and designs; the rapid replacement of landline telephones for mobile and smart phones; the integration of new and different types of data for sampling and new sampling methods; the use of different survey interview modes; how to study behaviors and opinions about sensitive topics; and the development of survey designs for experts and opinion leaders. All have implications for data quality and for our ability to consistently and reliably answer substantive and theoretical questions about politics and society. Obviously, a comprehensive survey of how survey methodologists are advancing new approaches to deal with this vast array of challenges and opportunities is not possible in a mini-symposium in Political Analysis. Nevertheless, in this Mini-Symposium on Advances in Survey Methodology, we include five papers that focus on new directions that survey methodologists, especially those working in political science, are developing in response to the changing environment.
Homologous centromere association of chromosomes 9 and 17 in prostate cancer

Chromosomal loss in cancer cells has been observed by nonisotopic in situ hybridization using pericentromeric probes. Accurate determination of this loss depends upon efficient hybridization and visualization of all probe signals in a two-dimensional field. Close association of homologous centromeres, reported in various normal and tumor tissues, can complicate evaluation and interpretation, resulting in the overestimation of actual chromosome loss. Using pericentromeric FISH probes for chromosomes 9 (classical and β-satellite) and 17 (α-satellite), as well as 17q-specific phage probes, we tested the frequency of homologous centromere association in normal and malignant prostate tissues and lymphoblastoid cells. We found that the pericentromeric region of both chromosomes 9 and 17 associated in prostate tissues, but only chromosome 9 demonstrated association in the lymphoblastoid cells. The association observed for chromosome 9 in both cell types appeared to be limited to the classical satellite III-type of heterochromatic, pericentromeric DNA. Using a single-copy probe along with the chromosome 17-specific pericentromeric probe, we determined that the association did not extend to the chromosome arms, but was limited to the pericentromeric region of chromosome 17. To accurately determine chromosome loss, we advocate the use of single-copy probes in addition to, or in place of, pericentromeric probes.
Photochemistry of ketones in solution--49. A study of photosensitized splitting of dimethylthymine dimers.

— Several high energy ketone triplet sensitizers, e.g. carvone, camphor, 3-methylcyclohexanone, benzoin and 3-methylindanone, were studied as photosensitizers for the splitting of dimethylthymine dimers. The absence of splitting in all cases and the lack of quenching of benzoin and 3-methylindanone triplets by the trans-anti dimer of dimethylthymine strongly suggests that cleavage of dimethylthymine dimers cannot be achieved by a triplet mechanism on irradiation at Λ> 300 nm. The absence of optical rotation in the recovered chiral cis-anti dimethylthymine dimer after sensitized photolysis (12% splitting) in the presence of (—)-tryptophan suggests that. in highly polar solvents, such as methanol, where reaction probably takes place according to an electron transfer mechanism involving ion-pair intermediates, close approach of the sensitizer and substrate does not occur. To the extent that these results can be extrapolated to sensitized cleavage of cis-syn pyrimidine dimers in DNA brought about by action of photoreactivating enzyme or conventional photosensitizers, a mechanism involving dimer triplet states appears highly unlikely.
Effects of zebra mussel attachment on the foraging behaviour of a larval dragonfly, Macromia illinoiensis

1. Larvae of Macromia illinoiensis Walsh are often colonised by the zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha Pallas, a recent invader to North America. To determine how mussel attachment affects an individual's foraging behaviour, we quantified capture of Hexagenia limbata Hexes mayfly prey and the distance moved by newly-molted final instars before and after an individual's colonisation with zebra mussels. 2. In night trials, larvae sprawled above the sand, and caught more mayflies than individuals in daytime trials, but the estimated distance travelled did not differ. When resting under a layer of sand with only its eyes exposed during the day, an individual could capture a mayfly prey using a sit-and-wait ambush strategy. When sprawled above the sand, some larvae caught prey that rested on their legs. 3. When mussel-free, individuals captured more prey than they did when carrying zebra mussels, although mussel attachment per se did not affect the estimated distance that a larva moved. 4. During day trials, but not night ones, the increasing mussel load of colonised individuals decreased prey capture and the distance moved in an apparent step-wise function. Although the number of mussels carried did not differ, night foragers carried a heavier load. Independent of time of the day, the distance an individual travelled when mussel-free was predictive of the number of prey it caught when colonised, suggesting that the greater general activity of some individuals helped mitigate negative effects that mussel attachment had on prey capture. 5. Our results add to a growing number of negative effects of zebra mussel colonisation on sprawling and hiding dragonfly larvae. Although the impact of these costs on dragonfly populations remains to be determined, a decrease in this guild of predators whose life cycle spans aquatic and terrestrial habitats might have cascading effects across ecosystems.
Learning New Technologies: The Effect of Ease of Learning

ABSTRACT: Service professionals are often confronted with situations where they have the choice about whether to learn a new technology that could create efficiencies on both current and future engagements. We investigate how the perception of ease of learning affects this decision to voluntarily learn a new technology in the post-adoptive context. Using the elaboration likelihood model as a framework, we predict and find evidence that ease of learning perceptions drive the level of processing undergone by the potential user. When technology is easy to use, potential users rely on their situational learning dispositions. However, when the technology is difficult, suggesting a greater risk of failure, situational goal orientations are less influential, and potential users rely more on dispositional goal orientations. Our findings have implications for future research on technology acceptance and use, as well as ramifications for encouraging technology use “on the job.” Data Availability: Full instrument p...
Current practices in the evaluation of US industrial modernization programs

Abstract The expansion of public policies and programs to promote the technological modernization of small and mid-sized manufacturing enterprises in the United States has been accompanied by an increased interest in assessing the effectiveness and impact of these initiatives. This article examines current practices used in the evaluation of US industrial modernization programs at state and national levels, drawing on interviews with program managers, site visits, and scrutiny of available studies. Issues related to the meaning of evaluation in the context of industrial modernization, the scale and scope of existing programs, and the definition of metrics are considered. A series of evaluation approaches, methods, and studies are identified and reviewed, including the role of program monitoring, customer valuation, external reviews, economic impact studies, control groups, and assessments of best practice. The authors address the use of evaluation results and discuss key challenges and directions relevant to the development of more robust evaluation procedures.
Rural household energy use in China

Abstract We first review the literature on rural household energy consumption. China's household energy consumption is studied, based on a large household-energy survey. The consumption of fuels is determined by income, resource availability, household size, and coal prices. The feasibility of substituting biomass for commercial energy is examined.