cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analytic holographic superconductor

We investigate a holographic superconductor that admits an analytic treatment near the phase transition. In the dual $3+1$-dimensional field theory, the phase transition occurs when a scalar operator of scaling dimension two gets a vacuum expectation value. We calculate current-current correlation functions along with the speed of second sound near the critical temperature. We also make some remarks about critical exponents. An analytic treatment is possible because an underlying Heun equation describing the zero mode of the phase transition has a polynomial solution. Amusingly, the treatment here may generalize for an order parameter with any integer spin, and we propose a Lagrangian for a spin-two holographic superconductor.
A Lockean argument for universal access to health care

This essay defends the controversial and indeed counterintuitive claim that there is a good argument to be made from a Lockean perspective for government action to guarantee access to health care. The essay maintains that this argument is in some regards more robust than the well-known argument in defense of universal health care spelled out by Norman Daniels, which this essay also examines in some detail. Locke's view that government should protect people's lives, property, and freedom–where freedom is understood as independence and self-determination–justifies government action to ensure access to health care, because (roughly), just as individuals cannot protect themselves from crime and foreign invasion, so individuals are unable to provide for their own health care. Defense from disease is as important as defense from crime, and–although this is arguable–government action to guarantee access to health care does not itself undermine freedom.
An investigation on Fast and Frugal Model for new project screening

Research in psychology is increasingly interested in decision-makers' use of heuristics or rules of thumb because they have accuracies close to more complex decision rules and seem particularly useful in difficult decision-making contexts when uncertainty is high and speed is of the essence. One particularly difficult decision setting is the fuzzy front-end of new product development because a large number of product ideas need to be screened to identify the few that should be developed further. This process is currently poorly supported through decision tools and mainly occurs on the basis of managerial “gut-feel”. This study explores managerial “gut-feel” by investigating the performance of simple project screening heuristics: two so-called Fast and Frugal (F&F) heuristics, Take-the-Best and Tallying, and three logistic regression models with 3, 5, and 7 decision variables are used to screen a simulated dataset of 52 projects. Each model's ability to recognize successful projects and correctly reject poor projects is compared against the predictions of the other decision models. The results how that the logistic regression models outperform the F&F models in overall prediction quality and in the ability to predict project failure. However, the Tallying model has an overall performance that is close to the logistic regression and both F&F models are better at predicting success than the logistic regression model. Furthermore, the regression model that only takes 3 decision variables into consideration performs better than the regression models with 5 and all 7 decision variables. This indicates that a simple “less is more” decision approach, which is the basis of managerial “gut-feel”, can be a successful strategy for front-end screening.
Dynamic matrix cracking in fiber reinforced ceramics

Abstract The dynamic matrix cracking in a fiber reinforced ceramic is studied in this paper. Crack bridging fibers are assumed to undergo viscoplastic deformation. The viscoplastic effects are incorporated in a parametric bridging law in a way that increases the bridging stress under rapid deformation and retains the classic form for rate insensitive sliding fibers under very slow deformation. It is also assumed that the matrix crack grows steadily according to a critical energy release rate criterion. An energy balance relation for dynamic steady-state matrix cracking is derived. The dependence of dynamic matrix cracking stress on crack velocity and viscoplastic effects is determined in terms a nondimensional viscoplastic parameter. It is found that in the absence of rate effects, the matrix cracking stress is independent of crack speed. When the viscoplastic effects are present, the matrix cracking stress increases with crack speed, becoming unbounded when the cracking speed reaches the Rayleigh wave speed cr.
Diminished Cerebral Inhibition in Neonates Associated With Risk Factors for Schizophrenia: Parental Psychosis, Maternal Depression, and Nicotine Use

Diminished inhibitory gating of cerebral auditory evoked responses is transmitted in families with psychoses as an endophenotype related to the genetic risk for these illnesses. To assess whether the endophenotype is already expressed in infants of parents with psychotic illness and to assess effects of other known risk factors for schizophrenia, ie, maternal cigarette smoking and depression, inhibitory gating of cerebral auditory evoked responses was evaluated by comparing the P1 evoked responses to the first and second of paired auditory stimuli. Cerebral evoked responses were recorded during active sleep from 22 infants with a parent diagnosed with a psychotic illness and 129 infants with parents with no such history. Of these infants, 25 were prenatally exposed to nicotine (16 from the comparison group and 9 from the group with parental psychosis). Mothers of 35 infants had diagnoses of major depressive disorder. Parental psychosis (P = .032) and exposure to maternal smoking (P = .012) both resulted in diminished inhibitory gating in infant offspring. Compared to infants of mothers who did not smoke and who had neither parental psychosis nor maternal depression, diminished inhibitory gating was observed in infants with parental psychosis (P = .027) and in infants with maternal depression (P = .049). Diminished inhibitory gating of auditory evoked response in infants who have risk factors for schizophrenia mirrors reports of its familial transmission in adults. The results further indicate that the phenotypic expression of familial genetic and environmental risks for psychosis is already manifest very early in development.
Dynamic maximum power point tracker for photovoltaic applications

A dynamic process for reaching the maximum power point of a variable power source such as a solar cell is introduced. The process tracks maximum power nearly cycle-by-cycle during transients. Information from the natural switching ripple instead of external perturbation is used to support the maximizing process. The method is globally stable for DC-DC power converters, provided that a switching action is present. A prototype boost power converter that uses this method for control can follow power transients on time scales of a few milliseconds. This performance can be achieved with a simple analog control structure, which supports power processing with minimum loss.
Palmitoylation of Ha-Ras Facilitates Membrane Binding, Activation of Downstream Effectors, and Meiotic Maturation in Xenopus Oocytes

Ras proteins serve as critical relays in signal transduction pathways that control growth and differentiation and must undergo posttranslational modifications before they become functional. While it is established that farnesylation is necessary for membrane binding and cellular functions of all Ras proteins, the significance of palmitoylation is unclear. We have studied the contribution of Ha-Ras palmitoylation for biological activity in Xenopus oocytes. In contrast to wild-type Ha-Ras, which binds to membranes and induces meiosis when microinjected into oocytes, a nonpalmitoylated but farnesylated and methylated mutant mislocalizes to the cytosol and fails to promote maturation. This lack of responsiveness correlates with the inability of the mutant to induce phosphorylation and activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase and maturation promoting factor, which are both strongly activated by wild-type Ha-Ras. Costimulation of oocytes with insulin increases their responsiveness to Ras and partially rescues the biological activity of the palmitoylation-resistant mutant. However, 25-50 times higher doses of mutant were required to elicit responses equivalent to wild-type Ha-Ras. These results suggest that palmitoylation and membrane association of Ha-Ras is necessary for efficient activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade in vivo and are consistent with a biochemical function for Ras as a membrane targeting signal for downstream effectors in this pathway.
Identification of a Novel Benzimidazole that Inhibits Bacterial Biofilm Formation in a Broad Spectrum Manner

Bacterial biofilm formation causes significant industrial economic loss and high morbidity and mortality in medical settings. Biofilms are defined as multicellular communities of bacteria encased in a matrix of protective extracellular polymers. Because biofilms have a high tolerance for treatment with antimicrobials, protect bacteria from immune defense, and resist clearance with standard sanitation protocols, it is critical to develop new approaches to prevent biofilm formation. Here, a novel benzimidazole molecule, named antibiofilm compound 1 (ABC-1), identified in a small-molecule screen, was found to prevent bacterial biofilm formation in multiple Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial pathogens, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, on a variety of different surface types. Importantly, ABC-1 itself does not inhibit the growth of bacteria, and it is effective at nanomolar concentrations. Also, coating a polystyrene surface with ABC-1 reduces biofilm formation. These data suggest ABC-1 is a new chemical scaffold for the development of antibiofilm compounds.
Olanzapine in the treatment of delirium.

Delirium is an organic psychiatric syndrome characterized by fluctuating consciousness and impaired cognitive functioning. Eleven delirious patients were treated with olanzapine (dosage mean ± standard deviation [SD]: 8.2 ± 3.4 mg qhs), and 11 delirious control patients were treated with haloperidol (dosage mean ± SD: 5.1 ± 3.5 mg qhs). Peak response time was similar in both groups. Five of the 11 olanzapine patients showed significant improvement (>50% score reduction) on the Delirium Rating Scale (DRS) and no patients had side effects, whereas 6 of the 11 control subjects showed improvement on the DRS and 5 had extrapyramidal symptoms or excessive sedation. Olanzapine may be a useful alternative to haloperidol in the treatment of delirium in hospitalized patients.
Volatility and commodity price dynamics

Commodity prices are volatile, and volatility itself varies over time. Changes in volatility can affect market variables by directly affecting the marginal value of storage, and by affecting a component of the total marginal cost of production, the opportunity cost of producing the commodity now rather than waiting for more price information. I examine the role of volatility in short-run commodity market dynamics and the determinants of volatility itself. I develop a structural model of inventories, spot, and futures prices that explicitly accounts for volatility, and estimate it using daily and weekly data for the petroleum complex: crude oil, heating oil, and gasoline. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 24:1029–1047, 2004
Eye morphology in cathemeral lemurids and other mammals.

The visual systems of cathemeral mammals are subject to selection pressures that are not encountered by strictly diurnal or nocturnal species. In particular, the cathemeral eye and retina must be able
Inpatient Pediatric Consultation-Liaison: A Case-Controlled Study

Objective To conduct a prospective case-controlled study of pediatric inpatients referred for consultation in a tertiary care children’s medical center. Method Referrals (n = 104) were matched with nonreferrals (n = 104) for age (4 to 18 years), gender, and illness type/severity and completed parent- and self-report (dependent on age) behavioral rating scales to assess for adjustment/functioning. Nurses completed in-hospital ratings of behavioral/adjustment difficulties. Goal attainment and satisfaction ratings were obtained from the referring physicians, parents/guardians, and the consultant. Results Referrals exhibited more behavior/ adjustment/coping difficulties than nonreferrals by parent, nurse, and self report. Frequently employed interventions included coping-strategies intervention, cognitive and behavioral therapies, and case management. Referring physician and consultant ratings of goal attainment were high, as were physician ratings of satisfaction and parent/guardian ratings of overall helpfulness. Conclusions Pediatric inpatients referred by their physicians had significantly more internalizing and externalizing disturbances than their nonreferred hospitalized peers. Many of the behavioral and adjustment problems that lead to in-hospital consultation referral were evident in global behavior difficulties prior to hospitalization. Referring pediatricians, parents/guardians, and consultants rate the outcome as benefiting the patients via assisting in the overall management of their health concerns, coping, and adjustment.
Increased left ventricular mass after thoracotomy and pericardiotomy. A role for relief of pericardial constraint

BACKGROUND Myocardial stretch and increased ventricular filling can lead to increased rates of myocardial protein synthesis. In animal studies, left ventricular mass increases after pericardiectomy, suggesting relief of a biologically meaningful restraining role and a resultant stimulus for growth. The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that combined thoracotomy and pericardiotomy leads to left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with normal left ventricular ejection fraction undergoing elective bypass surgery. METHODS AND RESULTS Twenty-five patients with normal left ventricular ejection fraction without active myocardial ischemia underwent Doppler and quantitative two-dimensional echocardiography 1 day before and 6 weeks and 7 months after elective coronary artery bypass surgery. The pericardium was left widely incised in all patients. Left ventricular end-systolic volume, end-diastolic volume, stroke volume, ejection fraction, end-systolic circumferential wall stress, and mass were measured. Left ventricular end-diastolic volume index increased from 51 +/- 11 mL/m2 to 62 +/- 14 mL/m2 (p CONCLUSIONS Patients with normal left ventricular ejection fraction develop increases in left ventricular end-diastolic volume and mass after coronary artery bypass surgery. These findings support the hypothesis that the increase in left ventricular end-diastolic volume associated with thoracotomy and pericardiotomy leads to myocardial growth and an increase in left ventricular mass.
THE FEMA TRAILER PARKS: NEGATIVE PERCEPTIONS AND THE SOCIAL STRUCTURE OF AVOIDANCE

In recent years, negative media attention has fostered the impression that Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) parks are social wastelands filled with criminal elements and other undesirables. FEMA parks have subsequently come to be viewed by some as a major threat to the safety and quality of life of the local communities in which they are situated. This analysis addresses attitudes toward FEMA trailer parks in Baton Rouge after Hurricane Katrina among Baton Rouge residents. Drawing on the Locally Undesirable Land Use/Not in My Backyard (LULU/NIMBY) literature, the contact hypothesis, and a broad paradigm of social status and social control, we hypothesize that spatial proximity, contact, and social status will influence negative perceptions of the parks, while these same factors along with the negative perceptions will influence avoidance behaviors. The results indicate that living near a FEMA park is associated with less negative perceptions, while actually seeing trailer park residents is assoc...
On resident duty hour restrictions and neurosurgical training: review of the literature

Within neurosurgery, the national mandate of the 2003 duty hour restrictions (DHR) by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) has been controversial. Ensuring the proper education and psychological well-being of residents while fulfilling the primary purpose of patient care has generated much debate. Most medical disciplines have developed strategies that address service needs while meeting educational goals. Additionally, there are numerous studies from those disciplines; however, they are not specifically relevant to the needs of a neurosurgical residency. The recent implementation of the 2011 DHR specifically aimed at limiting interns to 16-hourduty shifts has proven controversial and challenging across the nation for neurosurgical residencies—again bringing education and service needs into conflict. In this report the current literature on DHR is reviewed, with special attention paid to neurosurgical residencies, discussing resident fatigue, technical training, and patient saf...
The estimation of the gradient of a density function, with applications in pattern recognition

Nonparametric density gradient estimation using a generalized kernel approach is investigated. Conditions on the kernel functions are derived to guarantee asymptotic unbiasedness, consistency, and uniform consistency of the estimates. The results are generalized to obtain a simple mcan-shift estimate that can be extended in a k -nearest-neighbor approach. Applications of gradient estimation to pattern recognition are presented using clustering and intrinsic dimensionality problems, with the ultimate goal of providing further understanding of these problems in terms of density gradients.
Electronic voting machines versus traditional methods: improved preference, similar performance

In the 2006 U.S. election, it was estimated that over 66 million people would be voting on direct recording electronic (DRE) systems in 34% of the nation's counties [8]. Although these computer-based voting systems have been widely adopted, they have not been empirically proven to be more usable than their predecessors. The series of studies reported here compares usability data from a DRE with those from more traditional voting technologies (paper ballots, punch cards, and lever machines). Results indicate that there were little differences between the DRE and these older methods in efficiency or effectiveness. However, in terms of user satisfaction, the DRE was significantly better than the older methods. Paper ballots also perform well, but participants were much more satisfied with their experiences voting on the DRE. The disconnect between subjective and objective usability has potential policy ramifications.
Left Ventricular Systolic Unloading and Augmentation of Intracoronary Pressure and Doppler Flow During Enhanced External Counterpulsation

Background— Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) is a noninvasive, pneumatic technique that provides beneficial effects for patients with chronic, symptomatic angina pectoris. However, the physiological effects of EECP have not been studied directly. We examined intracoronary and left ventricular hemodynamics in the cardiac catheterization laboratory during EECP. Methods and Results— Ten patients referred for diagnostic evaluation underwent left heart catheterization and coronary angiography from the radial artery. At baseline and then during EECP, central aortic pressure, intracoronary pressure, and intracoronary Doppler flow velocity were measured using a coronary catheter, a sensor-tipped high-fidelity pressure guidewire, and a Doppler flow guidewire, respectively. Similar to changes in aortic pressure, EECP resulted in a dramatic increase in diastolic (71±10 mm Hg at baseline to 137±21 mm Hg during EECP; +93%; P<0.0001) and mean intracoronary pressures (88±9 to 102±16 mm Hg; +16%; P=0.006) with a...
Is there a single biochemical adaptation to anhydrobiosis

SYNOPSIS. Even though water is required for the maintenance of biological integrity, numerous organisms are capable of surviving loss of virtually all their cellular water and existing in a state known as anhydrobiosis. Over the past three decades we and others have established that disaccharides such as trehalose and sucrose are almost certainly involved in stabilizing the dry cells. We discuss here some of the evidence behind the mechanism of this stabilization. Until the past few years this mechanism has been sufficiently appealing that a consensus has been developing that acquisition of these sugars in the cytoplasm may be both necessary and sufficient for anhydrobiosis. We show here that there are other routes to achieve the effects conferred by the sugars and that other adaptations are almost certainly required, at least in environmental conditions that are less than optimal. Under optimal storage conditions, the presence of the sugars alone may be sufficient to stabilize even mammalian cells in the dry state, findings that are already finding use in human clinical medicine. Water is usually thought to be required for the continuation of life, but numerous organisms are nevertheless capable of surviving complete dehydration. The dry organisms, said to be in a state of anhydrobiosis, may persist in this unique state for years or even centuries, but resume active metabolism when they are rehydrated. Some such organisms are familiar, since they include seeds of agriculturally important plants. Others, including many species of soil-dwelling micrometozoa are less familiar in this regard, even though van Leeuwenhoek reported this phenomenon three centuries ago (see Keilin, 1959 for an interesting historical account). We set out decades ago to elucidate the mechanisms
Diffraction of Water Waves by Isolated Structures

A diffraction theory based upon the method of Green functions is presented and compared to existing exact solutions and an approximate one. The solution is obtained by approximating an integral equation for the wave potential by a set of linear equations. Wave-height distributions have been analyzed in order to determine the affect of structure geometry upon the diffraction process. The wave-height topography in the wave-lee of four separate, geometrically-different cylinders (of the same size) has been calculated and compared to laboratory measurements. The distance is established beyond which the wave-height topography is independent of the geometrical features of the wave-diffracting obstacle. Laboratory measurements were performed in the wave-lee region from 1/2 to 20 wavelengths from the structure. At large distances from the structure experimental wave heights are significantly greater than indicated by theory.
Abstract WMP76: Predictors of Systemic Inflammatory Response in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients Treated with IV tPA

Background: Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) is a generalized inflammatory state in which cytokines are elevated. SIRS in the setting of AIS has been associated with poor outcomes. Ho...
Natural Toxins in Plant Foods

Certain plants - notably soya bean and cassava - contain substances which can produce adverse physiological effects in human beings. People have in some instances learnt to deal with these effects by cooking and other forms of preparation.
Weather support for terminal area icing weather information

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on certification of aircraft for operation in supercooled large drop (SLD) icing conditions with a final rule expected in 2014. One likely consequence of the rule is new limitations on takeoff andlanding in freezing drizzle and/or freezing rain conditions for new aircraft that are not fully certified to operate in these conditions as described in the new regulation. This will impact terminal area operations for airports in icing weather conditions and will require that local, highly-resolved, real-time icing condition information be made available for aircraft take-off and landing guidance for all decision-makers: air traffic control, weather dispatchers, ground de-icing facilities, airline operators, and flight crews. To address these issues, the FAA has begun funding research under a new project known as the Terminal Area Icing Weather Information for NextGen (TAIWIN), the goal of which is to improve measurements of icing conditions within the airport terminal area both at the ground and aloft. The initial focus of this project has been on three different areas; feasibility of automated detection of freezing drizzle at the surface using the Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS), development of new data quality control procedures for liquid water equivalent (LWE) gauge measurements, and assessment of snowfall variability across the terminal area and. Initial results from all three areas are presented.
Relative hydrodynamic dispersal potentials of soft-shelled turtle elements; implications for interpreting skeletal sorting in assemblages of non-mammalian terrestrial vertebrates

Current velocities required to transport skeletal elements from a modern soft-shelled turtle (i.e., competent velocities) were measured in flume tests to allow the inference of their relative hydrodynamic dispersal potentials. The competent velocities of many turtle elements vary considerably when the elements are placed in different initial orientations with respect to current direction. In addition, competent velocities of some elements are highly variable even in the context of a single orientation. Thus, in contrast to data from previous experiments on mammalian bones, competent velocities of turtle elements correlate poorly with bone density. Bone shape, however, appears to exert a strong influence on the hydrodynamic dispersal of many turtle elements. Turtle bones vary considerably in their height above the substrate; consequently, for turtle species of intermediate size, the dispersal of many flat elements may be delayed by interactions with the layer of reduced flow velocity near the stream bed, while the dispersal of taller elements will not be so hindered. These results were applied to an assemblage of softshelled turtles from the Upper Cretaceous (Campanian) of Montana, in order to assess the degree of hydrodynamic sorting at the site. The relative dispersal potentials of many of the turtle bones tested are very different from those observed in previous flume tests of homologous elements in large and small mammals. These differences, at least in part, probably result because the boundary layer interactions of elements were likely much less variable within each of the large and small mammal species examined in earlier studies than they were among the intermediate-sized and diverselyshaped turtle elements tested here. Uncritical application of mammalian hydrodynamic sorting patterns, thus, may generate misleading interpretations of the relative abundances of skeletal elements in non-mammalian assemblages.
Mental Model Assessments: Is There Convergence Among Different Methods?

Knowledge elicitation and mental model assessment methods are becoming increasingly popular in applied psychology. However, there continue to be questions about the psychometrics of knowledge elicitation methods. Specifically, more needs to be known regarding the stability and consistency of the results over time (i.e., whether the methods are reliable) and regarding the degree to which the results correctly represent the underlying knowledge structures (i.e., whether the methods are valid).This paper focuses on the convergence among three different assessment methods: (a) pairwise relatedness ratings using Pathfinder, (b) concept mapping, and (c) card sorting. Thirty-six participants completed all three assessments using the same set of twenty driving-related terms. Assessment sequences were counterbalanced, and participants were randomly assigned to one of the six assessment sequences. It was found that the three assessment methods showed very low convergence as measured by the average correlation acros...
Cathy's “Masculinity” as Survival in Steinbeck's EAST OF EDEN

In East of Eden, John Steinbeck portrays Cathy as a woman lacking in traditional feminine emotions and motherly instinct. Indeed, the narrator in East of Eden believes that Cathy was born a monster...
INTERPRETATION AND DESIGN APPLICATION OF POWER SPECTRAL GUST RESPONSE ANALYSIS RESULTS

A review is made of the progress and findings that have been obtained in a study aimed at the development of gust design procedures based on power spectral techniques. Included is a consideration of atmospheric turbulence makeup. A corresponding discussion is given of the aircraft structural parameters that are needed in spectral evaluation and on the practical aspects of their evaluation. Emphasis is given to the spectral design procedures that have evolved from the study, and a new hypothesis for fatigue considerations is advanced, cast in the notation of gust loads design. Ease of application, interpretation and implication to design, present and future, and comparison with past design procedures are covered.
Simulation and Analysis of OFDM System

The technology of Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing(OFDM)has been applied widely in the transmission of high-speed data,especially in wireless access and mobile communication,where OFDM has very wide perspectives.The mobile fading channel leads to inter-symbol interference and inter channel interference,which severely influence the performance of communication.OFDM is a multi-carrier modulation technique which has better performance in the mobile fading channel,then OFDM simulation system is constructed on Matlab platform furthermore the power and bit load arithmetic is adopted in the simulation.The bit error rate under different SNR is presented ultimately.At the same time the result of simulation is given.At last,the performance of OFDM system using different modulation modes is analyzed.The results indicate that OFDM system can reduce multi-path fading and has good BER performance.
Dietary sodium and nocturnal blood pressure dipping in normotensive men and women.

Impaired nocturnal blood pressure (BP) dipping (i.e., 0.05). Systolic BP dipping was not different between men (11.4±1.0%) and women (11.2±0.9%); (P>0.05). During the HS diet, 24 h urinary sodium excretion increased compared with the LS diet in men (LS=31.7±4.6 mmol per 24 h vs HS=235.0±13.9 mmol per 24 h, P 0.05) or women (LS=10.3±0.8% vs HS=10.5±0.8%, P>0.05). Among normotensive men and women, HS does not blunt nocturnal BP dipping.
Triboelectricity Generation from Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanotube Arrays

We explore the use of vertically aligned carbon nanotube (VACNT) arrays as an electrode in a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) that harvests mechanical energy and converts it to electrical energy. When VACNT arrays 1 cm2 in area are mechanically contacted with PET and PTFE counter electrodes in vertical contact–separation mode, currents up to 0.16 and 0.21 μA and voltages up to 1.42 and 3.20 V are obtained, respectively. The VACNT TENG output remains stable even after more than 20 000 continuous contact cycles. A 0.47 μF capacitor is successfully charged to 4.5 V in 60 s using a VACNT-PTFE triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) prototype.
Storming Zion: government raids on religious communities, by Stuart A. Wright and Susan J. Palmer, New York, Oxford University Press, 2015, xii + 288 pp., ISBN 978 019 539889 2, US$99.00 (cloth); ISBN 978 019 539890 8, US$29.95 (paperback)

Stuart Wright and Susan Palmer have counted and catalogued 116 instances of government raids on religious communities in 17 different countries. These religious communities are ‘nontraditional,’ of...
3D data acquisition sampling strategies for dedicated emission mammotomography for various breast sizes

The dedicated emission mammotomography system developed in our lab is in preparation for initial patient studies. As a preliminary step, we evaluate the effect of breast size and lesion location on this paradigm. The hemispherical positioning gantry allows ample flexibility in sampling a pendant, uncompressed breast. Recently acquired, realistic anthropomorphic torso (which includes the upper portion of the arm) and breast phantoms emphasize the necessity of employing unique camera trajectories (orbits) rather than simple VAOR camera trajectories. Several novel 3D orbits have been implemented with fully contoured radius-of-rotation capability to compensate for the positioning demands that are required for different breast sizes. While a general orbit design may remain the same between two different breasts, the absolute polar tilt range and ROR range may vary. We have demonstrated that with increased polar camera tilt, employing 3D data acquisition camera trajectories, lesions near the chest wall can he visualized for both large and small sized breasts.
Role of DNA Methylation in Genome Stability

Abstract Genome instability is detrimental to cell survival. It is manifested by high mutation frequencies driven by changes in nucleic acid sequences, chromosome rearrangement, or aneuploidy. In close association with these genetic events is the malfunction in DNA damage–repair pathways, as they generally correct mutations or prevent them from taking place through a series of supervising and correcting mechanisms. Epigenetic modifications, especially DNA methylation, contribute to maintaining genetic content in multiple ways. Base mismatch errors arising from replication and homologous recombination are recognized and repaired mainly through the DNA mismatch repair (MMR) system. DNA methylation and DNA methyltransferases assist in recognizing mismatches while also contributing to genome stability by regulating MMR gene transcription. Intensive DNA methylation at heterochromatin repeats stabilizes such domains from translocation and undesired spreading, ensuring the appropriate functions of centromeres and telomeres, as well as genetic integrity. This chapter aims to review the major influences of DNA methylation on sustaining genetic stability.
The Role of Ligand-Binding as a Determinant of the Structure and Activation of the Estrogen Receptor

The dissociation of estradiol from the estrogen receptor occurs in two kinetic phases: a fast component having a half-time of approximately 3 min and a slower, or second, dissociating component having a half-time of approximately 95 min at 28°. The fast component is produced by the dissociation of estradiol from the nonactivated 4 S receptor, a monomer. Thus, the magnitude of the fast component of the [3H] estradiol biphasic dissociation curve is proportional to the fraction of the receptor in the non-activated state. The slow component is the estradiol dissociating from the activated 5 S receptor, a dimer. The salt-extracted estrogen receptor isolated from uterine nuclei shows a single, slow dissociating component equal to the slower component of the cytoplasmic biphasic dissociation curve. Estradiol binding shifts the receptor equilibrium from the low affinity nonactivated 4 S receptor toward the high affinity activated 5 S receptor. The kinetics of estriol dissociation from the receptor shows a larger fractional magnitude for the fast component and a faster second dissociating component than estradiol. This suggests that estriol transforms a smaller fraction of the receptor to the activated state and that the activated estriol receptor has a shorter halftime than estradiol. The biphasic dissociation kinetics of an estrogen from the receptor provides a new and sensitive criterion for measuring receptor activation.
Do Independent Women Participate in Demonstrations More? Empowerment and Politics in Predicting Activism Among Mexican Women:

The influence of Latinos on all aspects of the American political landscape has increased dramatically in recent years. However, research on political participation among Latinas has been scarce. T...
An Approach for the Development and Implementation of an Assessment Tool for Interprofessional Education Learning Activities

The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education Standards 2016 state that colleges of pharmacy must assess student achievement and readiness to contribute as a member of an interprofessional collaborative patient care team. There are a limited number of assessment tools available to achieve this part of the Standards. The purpose of this Case Study Report is to describe the process that one college of pharmacy took to develop an interprofessional education (IPE) assessment tool to be used for their longitudinal assessment approach for IPE in the didactic portion of the curriculum. Strategies for the development of an assessment tool are provided through three themes: continuous refinement, collaboration and streamlining. Next steps for the implementation of the assessment tool, as well as evaluating its validity and reliability, are discussed. Type: Case Study
Revisiting the Paleoproterozoic Baraboo interval in southern Wisconsin: Evidence for syn-depositional tectonism along the south-central margin of Laurentia

Abstract The Statherian Baraboo Quartzite (1710–1650 Ma) is present in the Baraboo Ranges, Wisconsin, USA. It is one of several isolated quartzites outcropping across the southern Lake Superior region. Collectively, these quartzites are known as Baraboo interval quartzites, and they record a history of basin development followed by regional deformation along the south-central Laurentian margin. Baraboo interval stratigraphy above the Baraboo Quartzite in the Baraboo Ranges is unresolved, limiting understanding of the style and history of basin formation, sedimentation, and deformation, as well as correlation between regional quartzites. New Precambrian geologic mapping within the core of the Baraboo syncline, Baraboo Ranges, WI, confirms early interpretations of local stratigraphy. The Baraboo interval section includes two upward-fining sequences separated by an angular unconformity. The lower sequence comprises the Baraboo Quartzite, Seeley Slate, and Freedom Formation. The upper sequence comprises the Dake Quartzite and Rowley Creek Slate. The depositional age of the upper sequence is poorly constrained, but could be nearly 200 million years younger than the underlying units. U-Pb detrital zircon ages for the lower conglomeratic Baraboo Quartzite and the Dake Quartzite are dominated by nearby basement ages between 1800 and 1750 Ma and 1900–1835 Ma, suggesting a restricted drainage system tapping proximal basement sources. Subsidence modeling of the lower sequence demonstrates at least 1.28 km of subsidence is required to generate the accommodation necessary to deposit the Baraboo Quartzite, Seeley Slate and Freedom Formation. These results support a model where deposition of the lower sequence between ca. 1710–1650 Ma occurred along a tectonically active plate margin. The lack of coeval magmatism in the Baraboo interval suggests deposition did not occur in a convergent, arc setting. However, coeval orthoquartzite deposition in Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico along the southwestern margin of Laurentia (1700–1650 Ma) occurred synchronous with arc volcanism, requiring a component of plate margin convergence to the southwest. To reconcile these differences, a model where the entire southern margin of Laurentia between 1710 and 1650 Ma was dominated by strike-slip motion is favored, varying from highly oblique convergence in the southwest to dominantly strike-slip motion in the southern Lake Superior region.
Incidence and contributing factors for uterine rupture in patients undergoing second trimester termination of pregnancy in a large tertiary hospital - a 10-year case series.

Abstract Introduction Uterine rupture is a rare complication in second trimester termination of pregnancy (TOP) with an overall incidence of up to 1.1%. There are concerns that patients with previous caesarean section(s) were at an increased risk of uterine rupture. However, there is no published data in our local population to date. This study aims to identify the incidence and contributing factors for uterine rupture in women undergoing TOP in Singapore. Study Design This is a retrospective review of all women who had TOP between 14+0 weeks to 23+6 weeks gestation from January 2005 to December 2014 in a large tertiary hospital. Patients’ characteristics and details of TOP were retrieved from pre-existing hospital databases. The gestation age and dose of gemeprost used were retrieved from an internal hospital audit conducted from December 2012 to July 2016. Results A total of 3385 patients underwent TOP from 2005 to 2014. An estimated 339 patients had a scarred uterus. Seven cases of uterine rupture were identified, with an overall incidence of 0.21% (7/3385). The incidence of uterine rupture in patients with scarred uterus was 2.1% (7/339). Contributing factors identified included higher mean dose of abortifacient, usage of multiple abortifacients and methods, advanced gestation age and short interval between last caesarean section and current TOP. Conclusion Second trimester TOP on scarred uterus warrants careful usage of abortifacient with minimal cumulative dosage and should be carried out in early second trimester gestation whenever feasible. Prostaglandin analogues appeared to be safe for TOP in unscarred uteruses.
Hormonal Influences on Hypothalamic Sensitivity during Aging in Female Rodents

The regulation of gonadotropins by ovarian steroids in laboratory rats and mice becomes progressively impaired during aging, as exemplified by the diminished LH surge observed by 8–14 months at proestrus, or in animals which were ovariectomized and treated with steroids to induce an LH surge. Apparently, similar impairments in the LH surge can be precociously induced in young adult female rodents by intensive exposure to estradiol. Since some impairments of gonadotropin regulation can be delayed by chronic ovariectomy, a major mechanism in reproductive aging may involve the long-term, possibly cumulative impact of estradiol or other hormones on the hypothalamus. We will discuss these phenomena with particular focus on the early stages of reproductive senescence. We do not discuss here the significant literature describing alterations of hypothalamic neurotransmitters with age in female rodents, e.g., Simpkins et al. (1977); Reymond and Porter (1981); Demarest et al. (1982).
Summary Remarks: Discussions During the Conclusion of the Conference

There are two obvious reasons why nuclear energy sources must be emphasized. One is that in the not-too-distant future, let us say, the year 2100, the world’s energy demand is apt to be at least ten times the present energy production, and presently known methods will not suffice with the only exception of nuclear energy. The second reason is that present worries about harmful environmental consequences are almost certainly justified if present methods are used and the amounts are increased by a factor ten.
Characterization of Flexible Solar Panels for sustainable smart solar powered apparel

This research is designed to investigate several consumer concerns about solar-powered apparel, including: (a) are they durable enough?, (b) are they washable?, and (c) are they thermally comfortable? Flexible solar panels were found to be strong enough to be incorporated into apparel. The very high elastic modulus was concerning about flexibility, which may impose design restrictions in the final products. The panels were also washable, which implies that they could be permanently attached to garments, thereby simplifying design requirements for solar-powered apparel. A clothing ensemble with a high value of thermal resistance is preferred in winter because it ensures less heat loss from the human body to the environment. The low value of the thermal insulation of the solar panels indicated that heat will not remain in the panels and overheated issue will not happen in the solar panels area.
Genome-wide repressive capacity of promoter DNA methylation is revealed through epigenomic manipulation

The scientific community is increasingly embracing open science. This growing commitment to open science should be applauded and encouraged, especially when it occurs voluntarily and prior to peer review. Thanks to other researchers9 dedication to open science, we have had the privilege of conducting a reanalysis of a landmark experiment published as a preprint with data made available in a public repository. The study in question found that promoter DNA methylation is frequently insufficient to induce transcriptional repression, which appears to contradict a large body of observational studies showing a strong association between DNA methylation and gene expression. This study was the first to evaluate whether forcibly methylating thousands of DNA promoter regions is sufficient to suppress gene expression. The authors9 data analysis did not find a strong relationship between promoter methylation and transcriptional repression. However, their analyses did not make full use of statistical inference and applied a normalization technique that removes global differences that are representative of the actual biological system. Here we reanalyze the data with an approach that includes statistical inference of differentially methylated regions, as well as a normalization technique that accounts for global expression differences. We find that forced DNA methylation of thousands of promoters overwhelmingly represses gene expression. In addition, we show that complementary epigenetic marks of active transcription are reduced as a result of DNA methylation. Finally, by studying whether these associations are sensitive to the CG density of promoters, we find no substantial differences in the association between promoters with and without a CG island. The code needed to reproduce are analysis is included in the public GitHub repository github.com/kdkorthauer/repressivecapacity.
Conflicts of Interest, Baselga, and Clinical Trialists

A working relationship between academia and industry is often required for progress, and the proper reporting of potential financial conflicts of interest in consideration of such relationships is essential. In light of the recent resignation of Dr. Jose Baselga, this editorial reflects on the current system for reporting disclosures and calls for greater transparency.
The Professional Exploration Program: An Alternative Law School Admission Process

An article that explores the success of an alternative law school admissions process. Law school applicants that were denied admission based on their entering credentials (undergraduate GPA and LSAT score) had their LSAT writing samples evaluated and scored according to a ruberic developed by the law school. Those samples that received a threshold score were invited to participate in a week-long program to determine whether they would be granted admission to the law school based on their performance in the conditional admission program. Of the 55 programs that were held between 2003 and 2012, 78% of those granted admission and who matriculated, were successful (as of the date the article was written). This seems to indicate that the program is working and is worth continuing. The program is accurately predicting three out of four individuals who will be successful in law school, despite being initially denied admission.
Facing Adulthood: Helicopter Parenting as a Function of the Family Projection Process

ABSTRACTHelicopter parenting is a relatively new phenomenon that describes a specific kind of overparenting that is focused on the well-being and success of children that can impact young adults’ g...