cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structural studies of E73 from a hyperthermophilic archaeal virus identify the "RH3" domain, an elaborated ribbon-helix-helix motif involved in DNA recognition.

Hyperthermophilic archaeal viruses, including Sulfolobus spindle-shaped viruses (SSVs) such as SSV-1 and SSV-Ragged Hills, exhibit remarkable morphology and genetic diversity. However, they remain poorly understood, in part because their genomes exhibit limited or unrecognizable sequence similarity to genes with known function. Here we report structural and functional studies of E73, a 73-residue homodimeric protein encoded within the SSV-Ragged Hills genome. Despite lacking significant sequence similarity, the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) structure reveals clear similarity to ribbon–helix–helix (RHH) domains present in numerous proteins involved in transcriptional regulation. In vitro double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) binding experiments confirm the ability of E73 to bind dsDNA in a nonspecific manner with micromolar affinity, and characterization of the K11E variant confirms the location of the predicted DNA binding surface. E73 is distinct, however, from known RHH domains. The RHH motif is elaborated upo...
A New Species of Pocket Mouse (Perognathus: Heteromyidae) from the Cape Region of Baja California Sur, Mexico

A new species of Perognathus is described from Baja California Sur, Mexico. The new species is a member of the subgenus Chaetodipus resembling Perognathus arenarius but larger sized.
Reference effects in multiattribute evaluations

Abstract The studies reported here examined the differences in evaluative ratings given to pairs of multiattribute alternatives that were, respectively, at the “worst” and “best” plausible levels on one target dimension, but at the same constant level on the remaining dimensions. Results of the first study indicated that evaluative differences were significantly greater when nontarget dimensions were held constant at their “typical” (usually intermediate) levels rather than at their worst levels. In the second study such differences were larger still when the nontarget dimensions were maintained at their best levels. The results are interpreted as evidence of a systematic violation of requirements for linear representations of subjective multiattribute evaluation policies. Supplementary data analyses and simulations of decision situations were conducted to assess the implications of the revealed reference effects for decision analysis procedures. Those results suggested that ignoring reference effects and assuming a linear model lead to prescriptions that may well be inappropriate.
Estimating treatment effects on the marginal recurrent event mean in the presence of a terminating event

In biomedical studies where the event of interest is recurrent (e.g., hospitalization), it is often the case that the recurrent event sequence is subject to being stopped by a terminating event (e.g., death). In comparing treatment options, the marginal recurrent event mean is frequently of interest. One major complication in the recurrent/terminal event setting is that censoring times are not known for subjects observed to die, which renders standard risk set based methods of estimation inapplicable. We propose two semiparametric methods for estimating the difference or ratio of treatment-specific marginal mean numbers of events. The first method involves imputing unobserved censoring times, while the second methods uses inverse probability of censoring weighting. In each case, imbalances in the treatment-specific covariate distributions are adjusted out through inverse probability of treatment weighting. After the imputation and/or weighting, the treatment-specific means (then their difference or ratio) are estimated nonparametrically. Large-sample properties are derived for each of the proposed estimators, with finite sample properties assessed through simulation. The proposed methods are applied to kidney transplant data.
OBSERVATIONS OF MAIN-SEQUENCE STARS AND LIMITS ON EXOZODICAL DUST WITH NULLING INTERFEROMETRY*

We present nulling interferometric observations of six nearby main-sequence stars (α CrB, α Lyr, β Leo, γ Ser, Eri, and ζ Lep). None of the stars show evidence for a positive detection of warm debris in the habitable zone of the systems. Using a scaled up model of solar zodiacal emission, the 3σ upper limits on dust density range from 220 to 104 Zody (1 Zody = the density of our own solar zodiacal cloud) depending on the particular star, corresponding to mass limits of 10–7 to 10–5 M ⊕ of micron-sized dust. These limits contrast with the presence of dust at greater separations from the star, implying a clearing in dust in the inner system. This suggests that the inner circumstellar environment around nearby intermediate-mass main-sequence stars more than several tens of millions of years old are generally cleared of dusty debris. Finally, the well studied nature of the debris disks around Vega, Eridani, and ζ Leporis allows us to place these 10 μm nulling observations in the context of previous studies to determine the physical processes responsible for shaping the debris disk in these particular systems.
Protein threading using PROSPECT: design and evaluation.

The computer system PROSPECT for the protein fold recognition using the threading method is described and evaluated in this article. For a given target protein sequence and a template structure, PROSPECT guarantees to find a globally optimal threading alignment between the two. The scoring function for a threading alignment em- ployed in PROSPECT consists of four additive terms: i) a mutation term, ii) a singleton fitness term, iii) a pairwise-contact potential term, and iv) alignment gap penalties. The current version of PROSPECT considers pair contacts only between core (a-helix or b-strand) residues and alignment gaps only in loop regions. PROSPECT finds a globally optimal threading efficiently when pairwise contacts are considered only between residues that are spatially close (7 A or less between the C b atoms in the current implementation). On a test set consisting of 137 pairs of target-template proteins, each pair being from the same superfamily and having se- quence identity < 30%, PROSPECT recognizes 69% of the templates correctly and aligns 66% of the structurally alignable residues correctly. These num- bers may be compared with the 55% fold recognition and 64% alignment accuracy for the same test set using only scoring terms i), ii), and (iv), indicating the significant contribution from the contact term. The fold recognition and alignment accuracy are further improved to 72% and 74%, respectively, when the secondary structure information predicted by the PHD program is used in scoring. PROSPECT also allows a user to incorporate constraints about a target protein, e.g., disulfide bonds, active sites, and NOE distance restraints, into the threading process. The system rigorously finds a globally optimal threading under the specified constraints. Test re- sults have shown that the constraints can further improve the performance of PROSPECT. Proteins 2000;40:343-354. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Optimization of control systems with discontinuities and terminal constraints

The "successive sweep method," a Newton-Raphson algorithm in function space, based upon [1]-[3], is applied to the computation of optimal solutions to control problems which are characterized by terminal constraints and discontinuities in the control functions. The computational technique of using piecewise constant gains is introduced for the successive sweep method in order to reduce computer storage. Two examples are considered. The first example concerns the three-dimensional attitude control of an orbiting vehicle. The second example is the two-dimensional transfer of a low thrust vehicle in a gravitational field.
Liquefaction Hazard near the Ohio River from Midwestern Scenario Earthquakes

Evansville, Indiana, and Henderson, Kentucky, located on the banks of the Ohio River, are susceptible to liquefaction-induced damage in the event of significant earthquake shaking. A sequence of three earthquakes with magnitudes greater than 7 occurred near New Madrid, MO, in 1811–1812, producing ground motions with Modified Mercalli Intensity VII in the Evansville-Henderson area near the Ohio River, 180 km away from the source. In addition, liquefaction evidence has been documented less than 40 km from Evansville from two large earthquakes that occurred within the past 12,000 years in the Wabash Valley. As a complement to recent work on the probabilistic seismic hazard analysis and scenario earthquake ground motions, we have calculated the liquefaction hazard within the 33 × 42–km 2 area containing Evansville and Henderson, based on scenario earthquakes from each of these source regions. Cone penetrometer test data were used to estimate the factor of safety against liquefaction at 58 sites in the study region. Liquefaction potential index ( LPI ) maps were calculated using a probabilistic method to account for the uncertainty due to spatial variability of soil profiles. The site response and peak ground accelerations for the scenario earthquakes vary across the study area, resulting in significant variations in LPI . The LPI is highest in the outwash terraces at the edges of the Ohio River Valley for both scenario earthquakes. However, the probability of liquefaction severe enough to produce lateral spreading ( LPI > 12) was less than 20 percent in most of the study area for both scenarios.
NMR solution structure of the isolated Apo Pin1 WW domain: comparison to the x-ray crystal structures of Pin1.

The NMR solution structure of the isolated Apo Pin1 WW domain (6–39) reveals that it adopts a twisted three-stranded antiparallel β-sheet conformation, very similar to the structure exhibited by the crystal of this domain in the context of the two domain Pin1 protein. While the B factors in the apo x-ray crystal structure indicate that loop 1 and loop 2 are conformationally well defined, the solution NMR data suggest that loop 1 is quite flexible, at least in the absence of the ligand. The NMR chemical shift and nuclear Overhauser effect pattern exhibited by the 6–39 Pin1 WW domain has proven to be diagnostic for demonstrating that single site variants of this domain adopt a normally folded structure. Knowledge of this type is critical before embarking on time-consuming kinetic and thermodynamic studies required for a detailed understanding of β-sheet folding. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biopolymers 63: 111–121, 2002
Beyond New Regionalism, beyond Global Production Networks: Remaking the Sunan Model, China:

I attempt to advance the research on globalization and regional development in China through a study of Kunshan City. I investigate the restructuring process, the structure of foreign direct investment, and the nature of global–local networks to understand trajectories and models of regional development in the context of globalization. I highlight the interactions of the Chinese state, transnational corporations (TNCs), and regional assets in shaping the trajectories of regional development. I argue that Kunshan's pathway to globalizing regional development is state centered and heavily dependent on global forces, which has made Kunshan a TNC satellite district and a dual city segmented between TNCs and domestic firms. I also argue that TNCs' local embeddedness has to be positioned in their global and external networks and that the assessment of regional development has to be conditioned upon a region's specific context. The findings suggest that neither new regionalism nor global production network persp...
Coherent synchrotron radiation calculations using TraFiC/sup 4/: multi-processor simulations and optics scans

Coherent synchrotron radiation (CSR) is one of the most important effects in the design of high-quality beamlines with small bending radii. For a wide class of problems, numerical simulation is the only method to predict its effects. TraFiC/sup 4/ is one of several simulation codes in existence. In this paper, we describe its extension to multi-processor machines, resulting in a substantial saving of CPU time. Also, we describe a semi-analytical approach to the problem of optics-dependence of emittance growth due to CSR.
Segmentation of medical images using LEGION

Advances in visualization technology and specialized graphic workstations allow clinicians to virtually interact with anatomical structures contained within sampled medical-image datasets. A hindrance to the effective use of this technology is the difficult problem of image segmentation. In this paper, the authors utilize a recently proposed oscillator network called the locally excitatory globally inhibitory oscillator network (LEGION) whose ability to achieve fast synchrony with local excitation and desynchrony with global inhibition makes it an effective computational framework for grouping similar features and segregating dissimilar ones in an image. The authors extract an algorithm from LEGION dynamics and propose an adaptive scheme for grouping. They show results of the algorithm to two-dimensional (2-D) and three-dimensional (3-D) (volume) computerized topography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) medical-image datasets. In addition, the authors compare their algorithm with other algorithms for medical-image segmentation, as well as with manual segmentation. LEGION's computational and architectural properties make it a promising approach for real-time medical-image segmentation.
REACTIONS AT METAL SURFACES INDUCED BY FEMTOSECOND LASERS, TUNNELING ELECTRONS, AND HEATING

Recent experiments with unprecedented spatial and temporal resolutions are beginning to provide us with a direct, microscopic understanding of the mechanisms and dynamics of reactions at metal surfaces. It is found that a unified picture can be used to describe desorption of molecules from a metal surface by conventional heating, radiation from a femtosecond laser, and current from the tip of a scanning tunneling microscope. By adjusting the excitation source, control of the reaction pathways and product yields can be achieved.
Terra, Aqua, and Aura Direct Broadcast-providing Earth Science data for real-time applications

The need for real-time data to aid in disaster management and monitoring has been clearly demonstrated for the past several years, e.g., during fires, the tsunami in Indonesia in 2004, the hurricane Katrina in 2005, and more recently, the Iceland volcano eruption and the oil spill in the gulf off the Louisiana coast. Users want (and often require) the means to get earth observation data for operational regional use as soon as it is captured by satellites. This is especially true during events that can cause loss of human life and/or property. To meet this need, NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS) satellites, Terra, Aqua, and Aura provide real-time data useful to disaster management teams. This paper describes the satellites, their Direct Broadcast (DB) capabilities, the data uses, and the Direct Readout (DR) processing environment required to address decision support systems.
HISTORICAL LINGUISTICS. Herbert Schendl . Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2001. Pp. xi + 130. $12.95 paper.

This brief volume is a contribution to the Oxford introductions to language study series, a set of nontechnical guides to various aspects of the study of language, intended for the general reader with no formal background in linguistics. This book, like the others in the series, is not intended to be a systematic introduction to its subject but rather is designed to give readers a general sense of historical linguistics and to steer them in the direction of further readings. The book is divided into four parts. The first and largest part comprises eight brief essays that treat: (a) the fact that languages evolve over time and attitudes toward them change, (b) data and evidence for reconstructing linguistic history, (c) lexical change, (d) grammatical change, (e) phonological change, (f) language contact, (g) explanations for language change, and (h) recent developments in historical linguistics. The remaining parts of the book contain brief excerpts from readings, further readings, bibliographic references, and a glossary.
Micromachined Particle Filter With Low Power Dissipation

Microfilters for collecting micron-size airborne biological agents are designed and fabricated using a micro-electro-mechanical-system (MEMS) fabrication technology. The thickness of the microfilter ranges from 1-3 μm, and the hole diameter from 5-12 μm. Iterations between experimental and numerical studies are carried out to attain efficient microfilter designs with low pressure drop. Two orders of magnitude reduction of viscous power consumption have been achieved. A design rule of the filter in a low Reynolds-number range was first derived from numerical simulations. Highly accurate measurements of the three-dimensional (3-D) geometry, side-wall profile, and diameter of the micron-size holes are critical in validating and modifying the design rule. The effect of the surface slip is found to be small in the tested Knudsen-number range.
Use of Imaging to Assess Normal and Adaptive Muscle Function

Physical therapists must be able to determine the activity and passive properties of the musculoskeletal system in order to accurately plan and evaluate therapeutic measures. Discussed in this article are imaging methods that not only allow for the measurement of muscle activity but also allow for the measurement of cellular processes and passive mechanical properties noninvasively and in vivo. The techniques reviewed are T1- and T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, MR spectroscopy, cine-phase-contrast MR imaging, MR elastography, and ultrasonography. At present, many of these approaches are expensive and not readily available in physical therapy clinics but can be found at medical centers. However, there are ways of using these techniques to provide important knowledge about muscle function. This article proposes creative ways in which to use these techniques as evaluative tools.
Nickel-rich outflows produced by the accretion-induced collapse of white dwarfs: light curves and spectra

The accretion-induced collapse (AIC) of a white dwarf to form a neutron star can leave behind a rotationally supported disc with mass of up to ~0.1 M ⊙ . The disc is initially composed of free nucleons but as it accretes and spreads to larger radii, the free nucleons recombine to form helium, releasing sufficient energy to unbind the remaining disc. Most of the ejected mass fuses to form 56 Ni and other iron group elements. We present spherically symmetric radiative transfer calculations of the transient powered by the radioactive heating of this ejecta. We estimate the ejecta composition using nucleosynthesis calculations in the literature and explore the sensitivity of our results to uncertainties in the ejecta kinematics. For an ejecta mass of 10 -2 M ⊙ (3 × 10 -3 M ⊙ , the light curve peaks after ≲1 d with a peak bolometric luminosity ≃2 x 10 41 erg s -1 (≃5 x 10 40 erg s -1 ); the decay time is ≃4(2) d. Overall, the spectra redden with time reaching U - V ≃ 4 after ≃1 d; the optical colours (B- V) are, however, somewhat blue. Near the peak in the light curve, the spectra are dominated by Doppler-broadened Nickel features, with no distinct spectral lines present. At ~3-5 d, strong calcium lines are present in the infrared, although the calcium mass fraction is only ~10 -4.5 . If rotationally supported discs are a common byproduct of AIC, current and upcoming transient surveys such as the Palomar Transient Factory should detect a few AIC per year for an AIC rate of ~10 -2 of the Type Ia rate. We discuss ways of distinguishing AIC from other rapid, faint transients, including .Ia's and the ejecta from binary neutron star mergers.
A General Symbolic Method with Physical Applications

A solution to the problem of unifying the General Relativistic and Quantum Theoretical formalisms is given which introduces a new non-axiomatic symbolic method and an algebraic generalization of the Calculus to non-finite symbolisms without reference to the concept of a limit. An essential feature of the non-axiomatic method is the inadequacy of any (finite) statements: Identifying this aspect of the theory with the "existence of an external physical reality" both allows for the consistency of the method with the results of experiments and avoids the so-called "measurement problem" of quantum theory.
Equivalent Circuit Models for Large Arrays of Curved and Flat Piezoelectric Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducers

Equivalent circuit models of large arrays of curved (spherical shape) and flat piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducers (pMUTs) have been developed for complex pMUT arrays design and analysis. The exact solutions for circuit parameters in the electromechanical domain, such as mechanical admittance, input electrical impedance, and electromechanical transformer ratio, were analytically derived. By utilizing the array solution methods previously established for the thickness-mode piezoelectric devices and capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (cMUTs), the single pMUT circuit model can be extended to models for array structures. The array model includes both the self- and mutual-acoustic radiation impedances of individual transducers in the acoustic medium. Volumetric displacement, induced piezoelectric current, and pressure field can be derived with respect to the input voltage matrix, material, and geometrical properties of each individual transducer and the array structure. As such, the analytical models presented here can be used as a guideline for analyses and design evaluations of large arrays of curved and flat pMUTs efficiently and can be further generalized to evaluate other pMUT architectures in the form of single devices or arrays.
Effects of amebicides on growth of Acanthamoeba sp.

SummaryThree well-known amebicides, carbarsone, emetine and glaucarubin were tested against Acanthamoeba sp., a small free-living soil amoeba. The drugs have an initial lethal effect followed by a lesser inhibition of growth rate. On a molar basis, carbarsone is the most effective agent against Acanthamoeba. The results support the contention that emetine is more potent against the pathogenic E. histolytica than against free-living amoebae, whereas, carbarsone has similar inhibitory effects on the two types. Glaucarubin, although the least effective against Acanthamoeba on a molar basis is most effective when compared to the amebicidal endpoint doses on pathogenic amoebae.
The Police Patrol Vehicle: A Human Factors Analysis

The purpose of the investigation was to provide a human factors analysis of the police patrol vehicle. Anthropometric analyses were conducted of the primary vehicle controls as well as special secondary controls. Comfort variables such as seating and air were also analyzed. A survey questionnaire was administered and data obtained on the frequency of use, importance, and critical incidents related to the special police items in the vehicle. A number of areas were identified where the vehicle was found to be suboptimal and recommendations were made to correct these deficiencies.
Autonomy Mediates the Relationship between Personality and Physical Activity: An Application of Self-Determination Theory

This study sought to examine tenets of Self-Determination Theory by testing a mediation model of physical activity and personality via autonomy. A total of 290 adults were recruited to complete a one-time online survey of exercise habits and individual characteristics. Surveys assessed personality, autonomy, and physical activity. A measurement model specifying direct effects between personality dimensions and physical activity and indirect effects operating through autonomy provided an excellent fit to the data (Χ2 = 0.66, df = 3, p = 0.88, RMSEA(90% CI) = 0.00 (0.00–0.05), CFI = 0.99, SRMR = 0.01). Results indicated significant (p < 0.05) effects of Extroversion (β = 0.42), Conscientiousness (β = 0.96), and Emotional Stability (β = 0.60) on autonomy, which in turn, was significantly associated with physical activity (β = 0.55). No significant effects were observed for Agreeableness or Intellect. None of the personality constructs were found to be directly associated with physical activity. This model accounted for 27% of the variance in physical activity. The results of this study suggest that autonomy is significantly associated with physical activity. Therefore, attempts to improve autonomy in individuals may be a useful intervention strategy in improving physical activity levels.
Preparation Method and Characteristic Surface Morphology of Free Sustained Aluminum Film System

A nearly free sustained aluminum (Al) film system has been successfully fabricated by vapor phase deposition of Al atoms on liquid surface and its characteristic surface morphology has been observed and studied. The experiment shows that an unusual type of band-shaped patterns appears in the continuous Al films, which is composed of a large number of rectangle-shaped domains and grows from the film edge to the central region of the sample. As the film thickness increases, both the maximum length and maximum width of the rectangle-shaped domains increase first, and then they decrease steadily. Further analysis indicates that the above phenomena mainly result from the characteristic interaction between the liquid substrates and the solid films.
Nano-sized precipitate stability and its controlling factors in a NiAl-strengthened ferritic alloy

Coherent B2-ordered NiAl-type precipitates have been used to reinforce solid-solution body-centered-cubic iron for high-temperature application in fossil-energy power plants. In this study, we investigate the stability of nano-sized precipitates in a NiAl-strengthened ferritic alloy at 700–950 °C using ultra-small angle X-ray scattering and electron microscopies. Here we show that the coarsening kinetics of NiAl-type precipitates is in excellent agreement with the ripening model in multicomponent alloys. We further demonstrate that the interfacial energy between the matrix and NiAl-type precipitates is strongly dependent on differences in the matrix/precipitate compositions. Our results profile the ripening process in multicomponent alloys by illustrating controlling factors of interfacial energy, diffusivities and element partitioning. The study provides guidelines to design and develop high-temperature alloys with stable microstructures for long-term service.
Follicular and Hürthle cell carcinoma of the thyroid.

Follicular and Horthle cell thyroid cancers account for about one fifth of thyroid cancers in the United States. Diagnosis can be difficult, despite the use of fine needle biopsy, and surgery is often necessary to make a definitive diagnosis. Total thyroidectomy is the treatment of choice, and in the case of follicular cancer, radioiodine ablation is usually performed. Distant metastatic disease can also be treated with radioiodine. For Horthle cell tumors, radioiodine therapy is unlikely to be beneficial.
Courage, Context, and Contemporary Health Care.

A commentary on “Must We Be Courageous?,” by Ann Hamric, John Arras, and Margaret Mohrmann, and on “Patient-Satisfaction Surveys on a Scale of 0 to 10: Improving Health Care, or Leading It Astray?,” by Alexandra Junewicz and Stuart J. Youngner , bothin the May-June 2015 issue.
A Review of “Constantine the Emperor”

In Constantine the Emperor, David Potter aims to explore the reign of Constantine in relation to the politics and policies of his immediate predecessors. He also seeks to examine the intended and u...
Valuation consequences of the decision to divest in the globalized world

Abstract This study documents a significant difference between the positive announcement returns associated with the divestitures of domestic and foreign assets by U.S. publicly traded firms. On average, the announcements of foreign divestitures lead to 3-day cumulative returns 0.55% lower than the announcements of domestic asset sell-offs. Significant leakage is documented prior to the announcement of domestic asset sell-offs, but not foreign. Accounting for the information leakage during the 30 days prior to the announcement increases the foreign divestiture discount to almost 2%. The difference in the pre- and within- announcement returns is consistent with the information asymmetry faced by the investors. As the relative deal size increases, investors have more incentives to discover the true value of the divestiture, leading to a stronger market reaction. A reduction of information frictions through cultural proximity and common language also leads to higher returns for the seller. The asset’s and the acquirer’s country-level characteristics influence the seller’s returns.
How food insecurity contributes to poor HIV health outcomes: Qualitative evidence from the San Francisco Bay Area

Abstract Rationale Food-insecure people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) consistently exhibit worse clinical outcomes than their food-secure counterparts. This relationship is mediated in part through non-adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART), sub-optimal engagement in HIV care, and poor mental health. An in-depth understanding of how these pathways operate in resource-rich settings, however, remains elusive. Objective We aimed to understand the relationship between food insecurity and HIV health among low-income individuals in the San Francisco Bay Area using qualitative methods. Methods Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 34 low-income PLHIV receiving food assistance from a non-profit organization. Interviews explored experiences with food insecurity and its perceived effects on HIV-related health, mental health, and health behaviors including taking ART and attending clinics. Thematic content analysis of transcripts followed an integrative inductive-deductive approach. Results Food insecurity was reported to contribute to poor ART adherence and missing scheduled clinic visits through various mechanisms, including exacerbated ART side effects in the absence of food, physical feelings of hunger and fatigue, and HIV stigma at public free-meal sites. Food insecurity led to depressive symptoms among participants by producing physical feelings of hunger, aggravating pre-existing struggles with depression, and nurturing a chronic self-perception of social failure. Participants further explained how food insecurity, depression, and ART non-adherence could reinforce each other in complex interactions. Conclusion Our study demonstrates how food insecurity detrimentally shapes HIV health behavior and outcomes through complex and interacting mechanisms, acting via multiple socio-ecological levels of influence in this setting. The findings emphasize the need for broad, multisectoral approaches to tackling food insecurity among urban poor PLHIV in the United States.
“Mar de Lama”: O Anticomunismo como oposição ao Trabalhismo nas eleições de 1958 no Rio Grande do Sul

Este artigo propoe uma analise acerca das estrategias anticomunistas utilizadas pela Frente Democratica, apoiadora do candidato Walter Peracchi Barcelos, contra o trabalhismo de Leonel de Moura Brizola nas eleicoes ao Governo do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul no ano de 1958. Nosso ponto de partida e um poema, intitulado O Mar de Lama, que contem informacoes relativas ao inicio do trabalhismo na Europa, acusacoes contra o PTB e suas aliancas politicas, ao passado do fundador e maior nome do partido – Getulio Vargas – como ditador do Estado Novo, alem de insinuacoes quanto ao parentesco de Leonel Brizola com o entao Vice Presidente Joao Goulart, de ligacoes do candidato petebista ao Partido Comunista e panfletos de apoio, por parte de orgaos publicos, como a Brigada Militar, representada por seus oficiais, ao candidato Walter Peracchi Barcelos. Seguiremos no campo da Nova Historia Politica, baseados nos conceitos de Cultura Politica e Imaginario Anticomunista, para assim identificar a ideologia dos atores envolvidos na eleicao e as estrategias utilizadas para o combate do outro, o qual, na maioria das vezes, era identificado ou associado a grupos comunistas. A partir desta analise, entendemos o anticomunismo nao como conviccao ideologica neste momento, mas como discurso de mobilizacao das massas, utilizado pela Frente Democratica com o intuito de denegrir a campanha trabalhista frente ao eleitorado rio-grandense e a instituicoes como a Igreja Catolica, alem de colocar o candidato da Frente Democratica em um patamar de combatente ao perigo que o Comunismo representava a sociedade do Rio Grande do Sul.
The Cultural Transformation of Emerging Markets (Extended Abstract)

The rise of emerging markets is one of the most important features of the global economy. Emerging market accounted for only 37 % of the global GDP in 2000, but their share of the global GDP increased rapidly to over 50 % by the end of 2013. In essence, emerging economies increased their share of global GDP by an average of 0.6 % every year over the last 33 years. Consequently, in the last two decades, emerging markets have become the focus of continued research and as a result a literature base has started to build on various business issues in emerging markets. This growing literature base focuses on several critical business matters including market liberalization, deregulation, internationalization, financial management, and so on. One glaring void in the extant literature is the lack of studies on cultural changes that are currently sweeping some of the larger emerging markets such as Brazil, China, and India. This research is an attempt to fill this research void.
Automatic software summarization: the state of the art

While automatic text summarization has been widely studied for more than fifty years, in software engineering, automatic summarization is an emerging area that shows great potential and poses new and exciting research challenges. This technical briefing provides an introduction to the state of the art and maps future research directions in automatic software summarization. A first version was presented at ICSE'17 and now it is updated and enhanced, based on feedback from the audience.
System Identification Using Prony Methods For Digital Control Systems

Abstract This paper extends previous results on transfer function identification using Prony signal analysis methods. Recent work resulted in a generalized Prony identification method that incorporates piecewise continuous system input signals; between points of discontinuity, the input is characterized by input eigenvalues and input residues. The two major phases of the Prony method are modified to account for the sampled-and-held input; a major contribution is made to the way in which the residues are fit to corresponding eigenvalues in the second phase.
Influence of chronic inflammation on Bcl‑2 and PCNA expression in prostate needle biopsy specimens

The association between inflammation and cancer has been established in certain forms of human malignancies; however, its role in prostate cancer remains unclear. The present study investigates a possible association between chronic inflammation and the development of epithelial neoplasia in the prostate. Needle biopsy specimens were obtained from patients with serum prostate-specific antigen levels >4 ng/ml, evaluated for morphological findings, and immunostained for Bcl-2 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Bcl-2 is a survival protein that appears to lie at a nodal point in pathways involved in cell survival, carcinogenesis, and development of therapeutic resistance in certain cancer types. Similarly, PCNA is a critical protein for DNA replication, repair of DNA damage, chromatin structure maintenance, chromosome segregation and cell-cycle progression. The association between these two proteins was examined in prostate tissues with and without chronic inflammation, as well as tissues with and without evidence of neoplastic changes. Of the 106 needle biopsies examined, 18% exhibited atrophy with inflammation. Proliferative inflammatory atrophy/post-atrophic hyperplasia were observed in 42%, high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) in 8%, prostatic adenocarcinoma in 11%, and 2% had atypical acinar proliferation suspicious for malignancy. A total of 36 specimens were stained for Bcl-2 and PCNA. Bcl-2 was expressed widely in inflammatory and epithelial tissue; however, more intense expression was observed in the areas of chronic inflammation, predominantly in infiltrating immune cells. The highest proliferation index was observed in the epithelia of HGPIN and cancer. An inverse correlation between the expression of Bcl-2 and the expression of PCNA was observed in the epithelium. The areas of chronic inflammation were associated with increased Bcl-2 expression, whereas the highly proliferative epithelium minimally expressed Bcl-2. These results suggest that Bcl-2 alters the phenotype of particular epithelial cells with a gain in neoplastic characteristics, leading to a likely precursor that may later progress into HGPIN and cancer.
GHB, GBL Intoxication

History, chemical profile Gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid is a general anesthetic. It was first synthetized in France by Henri Laborit. Its chemical structure is close to GABA therefore explaining both its euphoric and sedative profile by way of action on GABA receptors. GHB’s medical use today is limited to narcolepsy. Gamma-Butyrolatone results from dehydration of GHB. It has no action of its own. It behaves as a pro-drug of GHB. Lactonase transforms GBL back into GHB. Because of its fat solubility, GBL has a higher potency and faster onset of action. 1,4-Butanediol or 1,4BD is another close parent to GHB and GBL but is less potent. The main metabolism steps of GHB, GBL, and 1,4BD use alcohol deshydrogenase and aldehyde deshydrogenase. This pathway is shared with alcohol. This explains the cumulative effect of these drugs and alcohol. How does the drug present, how is it consumed? GHB and GBL both present as a salt. The powder is most often ingested after dissolution in water or another liquid. Some users inject dissolved GHB although this is rare. GHB is often dissolved in alcoholic beverages in the party context. This also allows to mask its salty taste. GBL is sometimes sold as a dietary supplement, although illegal in most developed countries. Context of using and desired effect At low dose, GHB provokes euphoria, disinhibition, increased empathy, interest in sex. It is sometimes labelled as “liquid ecstasy.” “Chemsex” or “PNP/Party and Play” parties constitute typical contexts of using where GHB is used to increase/enhance sexual performances. At higher does, GHB is sedative. Sleep inducing can be the desired effect. GHB is used by athletes as a doping agent. It has been shown to increase Growth Hormone secretion in men. GHB has been called the “rape drug.” Dissolved in the victim’s drink, it can allow the perpetrator to take advantage of his/her victim who will have limited to no recollection of events.
Complications associated with surgical treatment of sleep-disordered breathing among hospitalized U.S. adults.

Abstract The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to examine the relationship between surgical treatments for sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) and composite measure of surgical complications in a nationally representative sample of hospital discharges among U.S. adults. We performed secondary analyses of 33,679 hospital discharges from the 2002–2012 Nationwide Inpatient Sample that corresponded to U.S. adults (≥18 years) who were free of head-and-neck neoplasms, were diagnosed with SDB and had undergone at least one of seven procedures. Multivariate logistic regression models were constructed to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), controlling for age, sex, race/ethnicity, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and obesity diagnoses. Positive associations were found between composite measure of surgical complications and specific procedures: palatal procedure (aOR = 12.69, 95% CI: 11.91,13.53), nasal surgery (aOR = 6.47, 95% CI: 5.99,6.99), transoral robotic assist (aOR = 5.06, 95% CI: 4.34–5.88), tongue base/hypopharynx (aOR = 4.24, 95% CI: 3.88,4.62), maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) (aOR = 3.24, 95% CI: 2.74,3.84), supraglottoplasty (aOR = 2.75, 95% CI: 1.81,4.19). By contrast, a negative association was found between composite measures of surgical complications and tracheostomy (aOR = 0.033, 95% CI: 0.031,0.035). In conclusion, most procedures for SDB, except tracheostomy, were positively associated with complications, whereby palatal procedures exhibited the strongest and supraglottoplasty exhibited the weakest association.
Capillary Forces on Partially Immersed Plates

Writings describing the floating of objects on a liquid surface date from long prior to the starting year of the currently accepted calendar. About 350 bc Aristoteles described observations of objects that sink when fully submerged in water but which nevertheless can be made to float at the water surface. That is in striking contrast to the requirements for floating formulated by his countryman Archimedes during the following century, which specifically exclude such behavior. Two thousand years later the French physicist and priest Mariotte (1620–1684) observed and attempted [1] to explain the remarkable tendency of two floating balls either to attract or repel each other. In retrospect it cannot be surprising that the attempted explanations were at once incomplete and inconsistent; it is now generally accepted that such phenomena are closely linked with surface tension, the concept of which was initially introduced over half a century following Mariotte’s decease. And an adequate description could hardly be feasible without the Calculus, which may well not have been accessible to that thinker during his lifetime.
Applications in Data-Intensive Computing

Abstract The total quantity of digital information in the world is growing at an alarming rate. Scientists and engineers are contributing heavily to this data “tsunami” by gathering data using computing and instrumentation at incredible rates. As data volumes and complexity grow, it is increasingly arduous to extract valuable information from the data and derive knowledge from that data. Addressing these demands of ever-growing data volumes and complexity requires game-changing advances in software, hardware, and algorithms. Solution technologies also must scale to handle the increased data collection and processing rates and simultaneously accelerate timely and effective analysis results. This need for ever faster data processing and manipulation as well as algorithms that scale to high-volume data sets have given birth to a new paradigm or discipline known as “data-intensive computing.” In this chapter, we define data-intensive computing, identify the challenges of massive data, outline solutions for hardware, software, and analytics, and discuss a number of applications in the areas of biology, cyber security, and atmospheric research.
Contradictory effects of religiosity on subjective well-being

AbstractThis article provides empirical evidence for the contradictory effects of religiosity on subjective well-being (SWB). While a number of empirical studies demonstrate that higher religiosity is associated with higher happiness at the level of the individual, the published lists of happiest countries indicate that these countries are not religious. In this article, the empirical analysis is conducted at the level of the individual using a respondent-based dataset with 347,947 subjects in 96 countries as well as at the level of the country using a cross-section dataset including the same 96 countries. The empirical results at the respondent level indicate that happier people are likely to be female, younger, and healthier with higher social status and a stronger sense of control over their lives. Additionally, higher religiosity is associated with higher levels of SWB. At the country level, while religiosity tends to lose its statistical significance or negatively affect SWB, institutional quality em...
Fifty years after surgeon general’s report: cultural cognition, biased assimilation, and cigarette smoking risk perceptions among college students

Research suggests that cultural worldviews bias how and what people think about various societal risks. But how does this mechanism manifest when people receive balanced information about a highly ...
Youths’ Perceptions of Features of a Museum-Based Youth Development Program That Create a Supportive Community Context: A Qualitative Case Study:

Supportive community contexts are critical to positive youth development. Out-of-school time (OST) programs serve as supportive community contexts, and participation in OST programs is associated w...
Near-Field Radiant Heat Flux from Open-Air Gasoline and Diesel Pool Fires: Modified Point Source and Discretized Solid Flame Models

This paper proposes novel modifications to existing solid flame and point source models to better predict the spatial contour of near-field, steady-state radiant heat flux from large circular pool fires (with diameters ranging from 1 m to 20 m) with gasoline and diesel fuel. The proposed models account for partial smoke obscuration of the flames, and the emissive power of the visible flame layer is calculated via a radiative fraction of the fire’s heat release rate as a function of the pool size. The modified discretized solid flame model uses a cylinder + cone shape combination whose surfaces are discretized to enable a flexible summation of total radiative energy emission. The modified point source model places its radiating point at the mid-height of the visible flame layer to capture the location of maximum radiation intensity. Predictions from both proposed models are benchmarked against available data from pool fire experiments, calibrated against computational fluid dynamic simulations, and compared with existing analytical solutions for a range of pool fire diameters at varying standoffs and gauge heights. The results demonstrate that the proposed models can effectively predict the spatial contour and peak value of radiant heat flux on nearby targets (i.e., at distances less than 2.5 times the pool diameter) with low computational effort.
Relationship Between Where a Spent Shell Casing Lands and the Shooter's Location Based on Type of Gun

Often times, when spent shell casings are found at a crime scene, the location of the shell casing is used to indicate the location of the shooter. The assumption is that semi-automatic rifle shell casings land to the right and in front of the shooter and that semi-automatic handgun shell casings land to the right and behind the shooter. The author of this study investigated if there is a trend between the shooter’s location and the angle and/or distance of a spent shell casing for both a semi-automatic rifle and semi-automatic handgun. Each firearm was fired ninety times, ten trials, each with nine rounds, from the same distance from the target, same surface and same shooting form. The results emphasized a consistency with the assumptions that semi-automatic rifle shell casings land to the right and in front of the shooter and that semi-automatic handgun shell casings land to the right and back of the shooter. The results also draw attention to the fluctuating distances and angles of the spent shell casings. These results demonstrate that determining a shooter’s location solely on the location of spent shell casings can only lead to a cautious location of the shooter.
Ocrelizumab after natalizumab in JC-virus positive relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis patients.

Ocrelizumab is often used as an alternative therapy in natalizumab-treated MS patients at risk for progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). Our objective was to assess efficacy and safety ...