cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reason and Understanding in Hegelian Philosophy

This paper will examine a cardinal problem, yet one seldom raised in the existing bibliography of Hegelian philosophy: that of the distinction between reason and understanding. Portraying the objective path of the development of thought, this distinction is pertinent to any cognitive development, ontogenetic and phylogenetic, and can illuminate a number of epistemological puzzles of Hegel's doctrine, such as the construction of totality, the appreciation of contradiction, and the relationship between logic and dialectic. I will begin by locating the problem in the development of German Idealism and showing Hegel's response, based on his metaphysical assumptions that are often overlooked in recent scholarship. In the second section, I will address a number of existing interpretations that do not account for Hegel's dynamic portrayal of thought as thought that is coming to be. The latter problem will be the focus of the final two sections that deal with a realistic reconstruction of the triad sense-understanding-reason and emphasize the unity between concept and intuition.
Supplemental bio-tenodesis improves tibialis anterior allograft yield load in extremely low density tibiae

Improved soft tissue tendon graft mechanical properties have led to their increased use for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Because they do not have an osseous component; however, there are greater concerns regarding tibial graft slippage during early postoperative rehabilitation and activities of daily living, particularly in patients with poor bone mineral density (BMD), such as older patients, women, smokers, and patients undergoing revision ACL reconstruction surgery. This in vitro biomechanical study attempted to determine the effectiveness of supplemental ACL graft fixation in low BMD tibiae. Eight paired knees (16 specimens) were harvested from female cadavers (mean age = 76, range = 60–88 years). Tibiae were assigned to either a combination bioabsorbable interference screw, bio-tenodesis screw group (Group 1, n = 8, apparent BMD = 0.44 ± 0.13 g/cm2) or a bioabsorbable interference screw group (Group 2, n = 8, apparent BMD = 0.44 ± 0.14 g/cm2). Double-strand (single loop) tibialis anterior tendon allografts were fixed in matched diameter tibial tunnels. Using a custom 6° of freedom jig, potted constructs were mounted on to a servo hydraulic device with the axial loading force aligned directly with the tibial tunnel. Constructs underwent progressive cyclic tensile loading from 10 to 150 N with a 25 N load increase every 20 cycles. This was followed by yield load to failure testing (20 mm/min). Groups did not display displacement differences during progressive cyclic loading. Group 1 (312.7 ± 67.5 N) displayed 25% greater yield load at failure than Group 2 (235.0 ± 47.6 N), P = 0.045. Both groups displayed fixation levels well below the previously reported minimal safe threshold estimate for early unrestricted weight bearing, accelerated rehabilitation and activities of daily living. Supplemental bio-tenodesis fixation may improve early tibial-soft tissue tendon graft fixation in patients that have poor tibial BMD, but study results suggest that both methods may require weightbearing, rehabilitation, and activity of daily living restrictions during the early postoperative period to prevent graft slippage.
The effects of divalent cations and insulin on protein synthesis in adipose cells.

Abstract 1. The effects of Ca2+, Mg2+, and other divalent cations on protein synthesis in isolated adipose tissue and isolated adipose cells in the absence and presence of insulin were tested. 2. Both Ca2+ and Mg2+ had significant effects on basal (control) and insulin-stimulated protein synthesis. The isolated cells showed a greater dependence on Ca2+ and Mg2+ than did the tissue. 3. The isolated cells had an absolute requirement for Ca2+ for maximal protein synthesis to proceed. 4. The tissue and isolated cells showed a specificity towards divalent cations. Of those ions tested, the relative effectiveness of the concentrations used was: Ca 2+ > Mn 2+ > Mg 2+ ≅ Sr 2+ ⪢ Ba 2+ ; Zn 2+ ≅ 0 .
Volcano seismology: Forecast from noise

Local changes in the velocity of ambient seismic noise just before volcanic eruptions could indicate increased magma pressure within volcanoes. Continuous monitoring of such changes may therefore prove to be a potent tool for forecasting eruptions.
Does Eddy Feedback Sustain Variability in the Zonal Index

Abstract The dynamics of variability in the zonal index are studied using a simple circulation model. Results from simulations with differing drag suggest that variability in the zonal index involves a positive feedback from transient eddies but that this feedback, which involves the action of surface drag in increasing the baroclinicity of zonal flows, operates only in the presence of strong drag. Model experiments are conducted in which the barotropic component of the zonal flow is held fixed, so that eddy fluxes of heat and momentum cannot be organized by variability in the barotropic zonal flow. The eddy fluxes in these “FBU” experiments do not, for strong drag, display nearly the same persistence as do the fluxes in the control runs. These results clearly demonstrate the presence of a positive eddy feedback for the zonal index but show also that the existence of this feedback is parameter dependent.
Yield, forage quality, and mineral content of six introduced cool-season grass species grown for hay in eastern South Dakota.

Producers often learn about forage species grown in other regions and inquire about the performance and adaptability in their locale. The objective of this study was to determine yield, forage quality, and mineral concentration of six introduced cool-season grass species grown for hay in eastern South Dakota. We harvested grasses for hay on a common date in 2008 and 2009 using field scale plots and harvest techniques, and included species familiar (smooth bromegrass and intermediate wheatgrass) and unfamiliar (meadow bromegrass, hybrid bromegrass, orchardgrass, and timothy) to producers in the northeastern Great Plains. Orchardgrass and timothy, commonly grown further east, produced less than the other grasses. Forage quality and mineral concentration tended to be superior for orchardgrass because it was observed to be less mature than the other species. Calcium, phosphorus, and sulfur were similar to previous research for cool-season grasses and would meet the nutrient requirements of gestating and lactating beef cattle. Magnesium, copper, and zinc may be too low to meet requirements of beef cattle, especially if in lactation. In this region, we demonstrated that meadow bromegrass and hybrid bromegrass grown for hay in the northeastern Great Plains were equal to intermediate wheatgrass and smooth bromegrass in yield, quality, and mineral concentration.
Controlled Coverage Using Time-Varying Density Functions

Abstract A new approach for controlling a system of multiple agents by choosing a time-varying density function is presented, employing optimal coverage ideas. In this approach, we specify a time-varying density function that represents where it is that want the agents to monitor, and how important it is for each point to be covered. A new algorithm is presented under which the agents track the time-varying density function while providing optimal coverage of the density function. Results from robot implementation show that the proposed algorithm guides the agents well over the chosen density functions, and that the effectiveness of the coverage is higher than other comparable algorithms.
Cigarette Smoking in Building Trades Workers: The Impact of Work Environment

Background Blue-collar workers smoke at higher rates than white-collar workers and the general population. Occupational factors may contribute to smoking behavior in this group. However, little is known about the role of occupational factors in explaining cigarette-smoking patterns. Methods This study used cross-sectional data from the MassBUILT smoking cessation intervention study. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to investigate the association of occupational factors with current cigarette smoking among 1,817 building trades workers. Results Current cigarette smoking was significantly associated with the following occupational factors: union commitment (OR = 1.06; 95% CI: 1.00–1.12); exposure to dust (OR = 1.50; 95% CI: 1.15–1.95), exposure to chemicals (OR = 1.41; 95% CI: 1.11–1.79); and concern about exposure to occupational hazards (OR = 0.93; 95% CI: 0.91–0.95). Conclusion The findings highlight the need to explicate the pathways by which occupational factors may contribute to current smoking behavior among building trades workers. Smoking cessation programs for this population should consider work-related occupational factors along with individual approaches. Am. J. Ind. Med. 55:429–439, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Dollar spot resistance among blends of creeping bentgrass cultivars

Disease is a major problem in creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L.) on golf course putting greens. Genetic composition and uniformity of host populations can affect disease development. This study was conducted to determine the effects of blending creeping bentgrass cultivars on dollar spot (caused by Sclerotinia homoeocarpa F. T. Bennett) severity. 'Penn A-4', 'Crenshaw', 'L-93', 'Mariner', and 'Penncross' were planted in monostands or as two-way or three-way blends in a completely random design with three replications on a sand-based putting green in the field at College Station, TX. Disease severity was determined by the number of infection centers and by total blighted area. Crenshaw was most susceptible, L-93 most resistant, and all other cultivars were moderately resistant to dollar spot in monostands. Cultivar susceptibility in monostands to S. homoeocarpa was representative of each cultivars contribution to dollar spot severity in blends. In blends, L-93 suppressed, whereas Crenshaw increased dollar spot. Penncross, Penn A-4, and Mariner did not affect dollar spot severity across all blend combinations. Number of infection centers and infected area pooled across all monostands were similar when compared to all two- and three-way blends indicating that dollar spot activity in blends was a compromise between resistance levels of individual cultivars. Two-way blends of Penn A-4, L-93, Mariner, or Penncross with Crenshaw, however, resulted in 46 to 67% fewer infection centers and 71 to 98% less blighted area, when compared to the Crenshaw monostand. These data indicated that blending a resistant cultivar with a susceptible cultivar reduced dollar spot severity in the blended population.
Ischemic preconditioning mediates cyclooxygenase-2 expression via nuclear factor-kappa B activation in mixed cortical neuronal cultures.

Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) activation occurs following ischemic preconditioning (IPC) in brain. However, the upstream signaling messengers and down-stream targets of NF-κB required for induction of IPC remain undefined. In a previous study, we demonstrated that epsilon protein kinase c (ePKC) was a key mediator of IPC in brain. Activation of ePKC induced cyclooygenase-2 (COX-2) expression and conferred ischemic tolerance in the neuronal and hippocampal slice models. Here, we hypothesized that IPC-mediated COX-2 expression was mediated by NF-κB. We tested this hypothesis in mixed cortical neuron/astrocyte cell cultures. To simulate IPC or ischemia, cell cultures were exposed to 1 or 4 h of oxygen-glucose deprivation, respectively. Our results demonstrated translocation of p65 and p50 subunits of NF-κB into nucleus following IPC or ePKC activation. NF-κB inhibition with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (10 μM) abolished IPC or ePKC activator-mediated neuroprotection indicating that NF-κB activation was involved in ischemic tolerance. In parallel studies, inhibition of either ePKC or the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK 1/2) pathway reduced IPC-induced NF-κB activation. Finally, inhibition of NF-κB blocked IPC-induced COX-2 expression. In conclusion, we demonstrated that IPC-signaling cascade comprises ePKC activation→ERK1/2 activation→NF-κB translocation to nucleus→COX-2 expression resulting in neuroprotection in mixed neuronal culture.
Development of surface integral equation solutions using the method of moments

Very simple electrostatic problems were being formulated as integral equations and solved using digital computers beginning in the early ‘60’s. By the next decade, researchers were solving wire, cylinder, and body-of-revolution problems in both frequency- and time-domain using many of the now-familiar integral equation formulations. But it was Harrington's 1968 monograph on the Method of Moments (MoM) that generalized, systematized, introduced the terminology, and popularized the projection-based approach. Though the monograph convincingly established MoM's variational character and its applicability to linear operator equations of all types, the combination of its emphasis on the projection method and its immediate application to a variety of scattering and antenna problems led to its becoming almost exclusively associated with integral equation applications. Meanwhile, the finite element method (FEM) developed almost independently, driven largely by the microwave circuits and guided wave communities, and became firmly associated with differential equation formulations based on variational principles. Though the overlapping applicability of MoM, FEM, and related methods are now widely recognized, many of the original associations persist today.
Chemical and biochemical analysis using microfluidic-localized field platforms

Microfluidics offer the advantages of multiplexed analysis on small, inexpensive platforms. We describe herein two distinct optical detection techniques that have the common point of sequestering and measuring analyte signals in highly localized EM fields. The first technique mates a microfluidic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) platform with colloidal-based surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) in order to perform parallel, high throughput vibrational spectroscopy. Spectra are acquired for analytes localized in surface plasmon fields associated with conventional and uniquely synthesized cubic silver colloids. SERS studies such as pH of the colloidal solution, and the type of colloid are used to demonstrate the efficiency and applicability of the method. In addition, a facile passive pumping method is used to deliver Ag colloids and analytes into the channels where all SERS measurements were completed under nondestructive flowing conditions. With this approach, SERS signal reproducibility was found to be better than 7%. A calibration curve for the drug mitoxantrone (resonance enhanced) was generated. The second technique seeks to integrate a passively-pumped, microfluidic, PDMS platform and planar waveguide technology, utilizing magnetic beads as solid supports for fluoro-assays with direct detection of bound analyte within the sample mixture accomplished by selectively driving functionalized beads to a localized evanescent field. Because analyte binding occurs in free solution, the reaction is not diffusion limited and, once magnetically delivered to the evanescent wave, the analyte can be detected with fewer complications arising from non-optically homogeneous, biological matrices. Additionally, the evanescent sensing surface can be easily regenerated by simply removing the bead-retaining magnetic field. Initial testing, optimization and calibration were performed using a model sandwich immunoassay system for the detection of rabbit IgG, with which we demonstrate a linear dynamic range of 3 orders of magnitude and physiologically relevant detection limits of nanograms per milliliter.
Neural Processing during Older Adults’ Comprehension of Spoken Sentences: Age Differences in Resource Allocation and Connectivity

Speech comprehension remains largely preserved in older adults despite significant age-related neurophysiological change. However, older adults’ performance declines more rapidly than that of young adults when listening conditions are challenging. We investigated the cortical network underlying speech comprehension in healthy aging using short sentences differing in syntactic complexity, with processing demands further manipulated through speech rate. Neural activity was monitored using blood oxygen level--dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging. Comprehension of syntactically complex sentences activated components of a core sentence-processing network in both young and older adults, including the left inferior and middle frontal gyri, left inferior parietal cortex, and left middle temporal gyrus. However, older adults showed reduced recruitment of inferior frontal regions relative to young adults; the individual degree of recruitment predicted accuracy at the more difficult fast speech rate. Older adults also showed increased activity in frontal regions outside the core sentence-processing network, which may have played a compensatory role. Finally, a functional connectivity analysis demonstrated reduced coherence between activated regions in older adults. We conclude that decreased activation of specialized processing regions, and limited ability to coordinate activity between regions, contribute to older adults’ difficulty with sentence comprehension under difficult listening conditions.
Inflammation and Hras signaling control epithelial–mesenchymal transition during skin tumor progression

Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is thought to be an important, possibly essential, component of the process of tumor dissemination and metastasis. About 20%–30% of Hras mutant mouse skin carcinomas induced by chemical initiation/promotion protocols have undergone EMT. Reduced exposure to TPA-induced chronic inflammation causes a dramatic reduction in classical papillomas and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), but the mice still develop highly invasive carcinomas with EMT properties, reduced levels of Hras and Egfr signaling, and frequent Ink4/Arf deletions. Deletion of Hras from the mouse germline also leads to a strong reduction in squamous tumor development, but tumors now acquire activating Kras mutations and exhibit more aggressive metastatic properties. We propose that invasive carcinomas can arise by different genetic and biological routes dependent on exposure to chronic inflammation and possibly from different target cell populations within the skin. Our data have implications for the use of inhibitors of inflammation or of Ras/Egfr pathway signaling for prevention or treatment of invasive cancers.
Differential expression of alpha-gustducin in taste bud populations of the rat and hamster.

The G-protein subunit α-gustducin, which is similar to rod transducin, has been implicated in the transduction of both sweet- and bitter-tasting substances. In rodents, there are differences in sensitivity to sweet and bitter stimuli in different populations of taste buds. Rat fungiform taste buds are more responsive to salts than to sweet stimuli, whereas those on the palate respond predominantly to sweet substances. In contrast, hamster fungiform taste buds are more sensitive to sweet-tasting stimuli. Taste buds in the vallate and foliate papillae of both species are sensitive to bitter compounds. These differences in sensitivity should be reflected in the numbers of gustducin-containing cells in different taste bud populations. We examined taste buds in the rat and hamster for immunoreactivity to an antibody against α-gustducin. Immunofluorescence of labeled taste cells was examined by confocal microscopy, and the cells were counted. Gustducin-positive cells were seen in all taste bud regions; they were spindle-shaped, with circular cross-sections and apical processes that extended to the taste pore. Cells with this characteristic shape in rat vallate taste buds are Type II (light) cells. In the rat, taste buds of the fungiform papillae had fewer gustducin-positive cells (3.1/taste bud) than those of other regions, including the posterior tongue and palate (>8.9/taste bud). Hamster fungiform taste buds contained twice as many gustducin-expressing cells (6.8/taste bud) as those of the rat. These data support the hypothesis that α-gustducin is involved in the transduction of both sweet- and bitter-tasting stimuli by mammalian taste receptor cells.
Variational Principles in Continuum Mechanics

This chapter is devoted to the presentation of a representative collection of variational principles of continuum mechanics. Our principal objective is to present a general method for developing such principles, and to illustrate, by examples, its application to a number of different areas of solid and continuum mechanics.
APOLIPOPROTEIN E ALLELES AS RISK FACTORS IN ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

▪ Abstract Alzheimer's disease (AD) is unique in medicine in that millions of people suffer from what appears to be the same form of disease, and unlike most other late-onset diseases, the genetic etiologies have been well identified. Three early onset forms of AD inherited as autosomal dominant traits account for less than 2% of prevalent AD. A major susceptibility locus, apolipoprotein E (APOE, gene; apoE, protein) is associated with risk and age of onset distributions for the common familial and sporadic late-onset AD. The identification of additional genetic susceptibility genes in the etiology of AD and the metabolic mechanisms leading to differences in age of onset and disease pathogenesis are active areas of current research.
Interfacial Behavior and Coalescence of Aluminum Drops in Molten Salts

The recycling/remelting of thin aluminum scrap generally involves melting of these pieces submerged in molten salt. These pieces are originally covered with a thin oxide film. The oxide film must be first removed by molten salts before coalescence between the drops can occur. In this study, two new experimental techniques were designed to study the oxide film removal and the droplet coalescence in the molten salt. The effects of alloy and salt compositions on the oxide film removal and the drop coalescence were studied. Mg content in Al alloy results in a thicker oxide film on the metal piece and its removal was found more difficult. However, the fluoride addition facilitated the oxide film removal. The paper discusses various oxide film removal mechaisms. The second of the two experimental techniques included bringing two molten metal drops together and noting the time required for the drops to coalesce. These experiments provided a quantitative measure of the coalescence ability of various salts. Metal drops could not coalesce in the pure chloride (NaCl-KCl) molten salt. Alloys containing Mg reacted with salt to produce Na or K which makes the surrounding salt as purple bluish in color which is termed as fog. Mg containing alloys produced dense fog and retarded the coalescence of the metal drops, while Mn, Si, and Fe had little effect on fog formation and coalescence.
Using Haptic and Auditory Interaction Tools to Engage Students with Visual Impairments in Robot Programming Activities

The robotics field represents the integration of multiple facets of computer science and engineering. Robotics-based activities have been shown to encourage K-12 students to consider careers in computing and have even been adopted as part of core computer-science curriculum at a number of universities. Unfortunately, for students with visual impairments, there are still inadequate opportunities made available for teaching basic computing concepts using robotics-based curriculum. This outcome is generally due to the scarcity of accessible interfaces to educational robots and the unfamiliarity of teachers with alternative (e.g., nonvisual) teaching methods. As such, in this paper, we discuss the use of alternative interface modalities to engage students with visual impairments in robotics-based programming activities. We provide an overview of the interaction system and results on a pilot study that engaged nine middle school students with visual impairments during a two-week summer camp.
Temperature Preconditioning Affects Glutathione Contentand Glutathione Reductase Activity in Chilled Zucchini Squash

Summary Preconditioning zucchini squash (Cucurbita pepo L., cv. Elite) at 15°C for 2 d prior to storage at 5°C reduced chilling injury and altered glutathione content and glutathione reductase activity. When squash without temperature preconditioning treatment was placed at 5 °C, the contents of total glutathione (TG), reduced form of glutathione (GSH), total non-protein thiol (NPSH), and glutathione reductase (GR) activity increased intially for a short period (2 to 4 d) then declined thereafter. In preconditioned squash, the contents of TG, GSH, and NPSH increased even more after the preconditioning treatment, and the amounts of these substances remained higher in the treated squash than in the control after trans­ fer to 5 0c. GR activity was also higher in the preconditioned squash than in the untreated squash. The oxidized forms of glutathione (GSSG) and non-glutathione thiol (RSH) contents were low in zucchini squash and changed only slightly throughout the storage. Consequently, a higher ratio of GSH to GSSG was found in the preconditioned squash than in the control squash. These results indicate that the protec­ tion of SH-containing enzymes against oxidation and the detoxification of reactive oxygen species may also be a factor contributing to the effectiveness of temperature preconditioning in reducing chilling in­ JUry.
Effect of activity blockade on changes in vibrissae-related patterns in the rat's primary somatosensory cortex induced by serotonin depletion.

Depletion of cortical serotonin (5-HT) during development results in a decrease in the size of the patches of thalamocortical afferents representing the mystacial vibrissae in lamina IV of the primary somatosensory cortex (SI). We previously suggested that this change may be due to a reduction in 5-HT-induced suppression of thalamocortical activity in these animals. The present experiments directly tested the role that modulation of activity may play in the morphologic changes observed after reducing cortical 5-HT concentrations. Serotonin was depleted from the cortex by systemic administration of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT, 100 mg/kg) on the day of birth in animals that also had either tetrodotoxin (TTX)-impregnated or control implants placed unilaterally over the developing SI on this day. Other rat pups were treated with TTX-impregnated or control implants alone. Administration of 5,7-DHT reduced cortical serotonin levels and this effect was not significantly modified by the presence of either control or TTX-impregnated cortical implants. Administration of 5,7-DHT reduced the cross-sectional area of the cortical patches, demonstrated by acetylcholinesterase, corresponding to the vibrissae by 19.9% (P 0.05). None of the treatments significantly altered the overall area of the part of SI devoted to the representation of the long mystacial vibrissae. These results suggest that the effects of 5-HT depletion on the size of the cortical patches representing the long vibrissae are independent of activity that can be blocked by administration of TTX.
The chemistry of xylylenes. XIII. The problem of crystallinity and crosslinking in poly(p‐xylylene)

The problem of crystallinity and crosslinking in poly(p-xylylene) was re-investigated with the use of polymer that was prepared by polymerization of p-xylylene in solution. It was found that amorphous polymer is converted irreversibly to α-crystalline polymer at 50–140°C. The α-form in turn is converted irreversibly to the β-form at 220–260°C. The rate of change and the ultimate proportion of change is dependent upon the temperature. The polymer appears to soften and reharden at 220–250°C. and subsequently to melt at 410–420°C. This is followed by rapid thermal degradation. It was shown that the properties associated with a three-dimensional network are imparted to poly(p-xylylene) by reactions that occur when the mixture of insoluble polymer and residual monomer (<0.01M) is warmed from −78°C. to room temperature. This result appears to be independent of reactions that commonly afford covalent crosslinks. On the other hand, there is a close correlation with the experimental conditions that afford low molecular weight cyclic poly(p-xylylene). It is spectulated that some cycllization might occur in such a way that two or more chains of poly(p-xylylene) from an interlaced structure which might be responsible for the properties of poly(p-xylyene) heretofore attributed to covalent crosslinks.
A timing-reference generator for power-grid-synchronized neutron-spallation facilities

Accelerator-based neutron-spallation facilities often derive their internal timing reference from the AC-power grid. Because the grid-frequency fluctuates, there is an inherent conflict between the performance of accelerator systems and neutron choppers. An optimal solution to this problem is to provide a phase-locked timing-reference signal with enough coupling to the grid to meet accelerator demands and enough de-coupling to meet chopper requirements. This paper describes the design and operation of a LANSCE-12-developed DSP-based timing-reference generator suitable for grid-synchronized facilities. It outputs a phase-locked, nominal 120-Hz pulse train. The amount of grid coupling or output pulse-to-pulse filtering can be set by the user to any of 10 discrete levels. The paper also includes a description of the real-time dual-loop control algorithm running in the DSP, how different loop parameters are used at each control point and performance results.
A task graph centroid

When one is concerned with maximizing overall program throughput, task mapping in a heterogeneous computing environment presents the problem of which computing unit(s) is best suited to perform each task. This paper explores the concept that finding a "better" starting point for the static mapping process will provide a better opportunity for success. A starting point based on a computation task graph centroid, similar to that of masses in the gravity system, is derived such that the centroid of the task graph is the mapping starting point. Comparisons based on experimentation are then made using the HP Greedy mapping technique (Leangsuksun and Potter, 1994) while varying the starting point from beginning, centroid and end of the problem. Results show that the task centroid mapping technique does not increase the complexity of the mapping process but does result in an improved overall program throughput. >
Four-terminal impedance monitoring of cardiac output: an elegant clinical application of a classical engineering trick

This editorial refers to ‘Intracardiac impedance monitors stroke volume in resynchronization therapy patients’ by M. Bocchiardo et al. , on page 702. Nothing is more basic to life than cardiac output. However, an accurate method to monitor cardiac output with an implantable device has long eluded device developers. In this issue of the Journal, Bocchiardo et al. 1 present significant progress toward that end with encouraging human data. Electrical impedance is defined as the ratio of voltage (across) to current (through an object). This is typically measured by a two-terminal method. With the two-terminal method, the same contacts are used to inject the current and measure the voltage (or, equivalently, to impress the voltage and measure the current). This works quite well for most electronic components such as a discrete resistor found at an electronics store. However, in a fluid medium, the two-terminal method can introduce significant errors. Consider a glass aquarium filled with blood that is 20 cm long with a cross section of 10 × 10 cm (giving the cross-sectional area of 100 cm2). With the typical bulk resistivity of 150 Ωcm for blood the resistance, from end to end, of the blood will be: ![Formula][1] Now imagine that we attempt to measure the impedance using 2 mm diameter (1 mm radius) electrodes. The impedance from the electrode to the nearest 1 cm (10 mm) of fluid may be calculated by summing the resistance of the spherical shells which each have a resistance of: ![Formula][2] where ρ is the resistivity of the fluid (150 Ωcm or 1500 Ωmm for blood) and r … *Corresponding author. Tel: +1 805 428 1838; fax: +1 952 471 2482, Email: mark{at}kroll.name [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif [2]: /embed/graphic-2.gif
BadM Is a Transcriptional Repressor and One of Three Regulators That Control Benzoyl Coenzyme A Reductase Gene Expression in Rhodopseudomonas palustris

The rate-limiting enzyme of anaerobic benzoate degradation by Rhodopseudomonas palustris, benzoyl coenzyme A (CoA) reductase, is highly sensitive to oxygen, and its synthesis is tightly regulated. We determined that a previously unknown gene in the benzoate gene cluster, badM, encodes a transcriptional repressor of benzoyl-CoA reductase gene expression. BadM controls gene expression from the benzoyl-CoA reductase promoter in concert with two previously described transcriptional activators.
Exploring Women’s Experience in Ivy League Law School Classrooms

This study seeks to explore the experiences of women in the law school classroom. P articipants from an Ivy League law school were placed in focus groups and asked to reflect on their law classroom experiences as it pertained to their gender. Results indicated that in an environment that adheres to typical law school pedagogy – such as the Socratic method – women experienced a multitude of challenges within the classroom. The issues reported by the focus group participants generally fell into these five main themes: (1) concern about being perceived as overly emotional or speaking from experience, (2) apprehension about discussing women’s issues, (3) gender differences in participation and reinforcement, (4) gendered speech, and (5) differential treatment of female faculty members. This study demonstrates the need for an examination of pedagogical approaches to eradicate unfavorable learning environments for women in law school classrooms.
Informatics: Third World Call For New Order

“Whatever progress is made in redressing inequalities in international news exchange, without self-reliance and sovereign control in the informatics field, equality and independence will remain diplomatic phrases for the presently dependent nations.“
A Biclustering Algorithm to Discover Functional Modules from ENCODE ChIP-Seq Data

A number of biclustering algorithms have been introduced to discover local gene expression patterns in micro array data. Also, High-throughput biological techniques such as ChIP-seq have generated massive genome-wide data and offered ideal opportunities where biclustering can help unveil underlying biological mechanisms. Chromatin immunoprecipitation with massively parallel sequencing (ChIP-seq) has been used to identify how transcription factors (TF) and other chromatin-associated proteins influence binding mechanisms. In the data the peaks indicate binding events with possible binding locations and their strengths. It is essential that the values associated with the peaks be as close as possible to each other in the selected biclusters. Here we present a novel framework capable of finding statistically significant biclusters on this type of real-valued datasets. The ideal biclusters should contain similar values with very low variance. We applied our algorithm on ChIP-seq datasets recently released from the ENCODE project and uncovered meaningful biclusters of genes and TFs which can be interpreted as local combinatorial regulation patterns of TFs. We also compared our proposed method to several competing biclustering algorithms to show that it outperforms others in unveiling this type of patterns.
Insulin resistance after hypertension induced by the nitric oxide synthesis inhibitor L-NMMA in rats.

To explore the relationship between insulin resistance and hypertension, we examined whether acute induction of hypertension can engender insulin resistance. For this purpose we measured rates of insulin-mediated glucose uptake in awake unstressed rats with the euglycemic hyperinsulinemic (12 microns.kg-1.min-1) clamp technique during infusions of saline alone or after induction of hypertension by bolus administration of NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA, 30 and 15 mg/kg), a competitive inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase. Arterial pressure was approximately 20% greater with L-NMMA bolus than with saline alone. Isotopically determined steady-state rates of glucose uptake were 36 +/- 1 mg.kg-1.min-1 during saline alone and 26 +/- 2 and 19 +/- 1 mg.kg-1.min-1 with low- and high-dose L-NMMA (P < 0.001 vs. saline), respectively. To rule out that insulin resistance induced by L-NMMA was adrenergically mediated, clamp studies were repeated with alpha- and beta-blockade. Rates of glucose uptake remained approximately 20% below those observed with saline alone (P < 0.001). A significant inverse correlation was observed between the height of the blood pressure and the rate of glucose uptake (r = 0.32, P = 0.04). In conclusion, acute induction of hypertension with L-NMMA can cause marked insulin resistance. We postulate that reduced skeletal muscle perfusion and/or sympathetic nervous system activation may contribute to insulin resistance induced by L-NMMA.
A rational choice model of the biased recall of information

This study introduces a rational choice model for a behavioral phenomenon known as differential retrievability, or biased recall. The phenomenon is characterized by the fact that individuals are more likely to recall information which is consistent with their initial preference, expectation, or belief. The model endogenizes the recall of information and ascribes utility functions to agents who must allocate scarce memory resources to pieces of information that are relevant to a future decision. While the biased recall of information was a detriment to groups in a group decision paradigm known as the hidden profile problem, this work shows that this is due to the discrepancy between the subjects' priors and the skewed information structure they were presented. A second model finds the optimal bias in information recall for a single decision maker who must use information from two distinct times to make a policy decision.
Impact of storage conditions and variety on quality attributes and aroma volatiles of pitahaya (Hylocereus spp.).

Abstract Pitahaya are increasing in popularity but knowledge on the effects of storage and the potential impact of variety on subsequent quality following storage is incomplete, particularly in terms of the potential effects on sensory acceptability. In this study six varieties of pitahaya, having white, pink, and red internal flesh coloration, were harvested and evaluated for sensory and quality attributes at harvest and following storage for two weeks at either 5 °C or 10 °C. Storage did not influence overall visual liking or color of the external portion of the fruit as discerned by the panelists. Alterations in the internal flesh color, such as a slight darkening, were noted to occur by instrumental measurement, but these differences were not noticeable to the panelists. Losses in sugars and acids occurred in the flesh during storage at both storage temperatures and were related to declines in fructose, glucose and malic acid. In contrast, antioxidant activity was reduced by storage at 5 °C but was unchanged at 10 °C, with betacyanin concentration not differing from that determined at harvest. Aldehydes were the most abundant aroma volatiles detected in juice from the flesh, with storage increasing total aldehyde amount, particularly at 10 °C. Total alcohols, on the other hand, were reduced by storage, the amount of reduction not dependent on storage temperature. Regardless of the storage-induced changes in the various components measured, panelists did not report any significant differences in overall liking, flavor, sweetness, tartness or texture. There were substantial varietal differences in sensory and quality attributes, regardless of the impact of storage. ‘Cebra’ had very low sweetness relative to the other varieties and had low flavor and overall liking scores. Panelist perception of flavor quality was most closely linked with varietal differences in SSC and TA, although there were clear differences in aroma volatiles as well. Mexicana, a white-fleshed variety, had the lowest antioxidant activity, corresponding to low amounts of the red betacyanin pigments. The study indicated that storage, and particularly that at 10 °C, caused a variety of measureable changes in a range of pitahaya quality parameters but that these changes did not substantially alter the sensory quality of the fruit. Further research is needed to determine whether or not varietal or storage-induced differences in aroma volatile content have an impact on pitahaya flavor.
The Impact of Transitional Justice in Post-Conflict Environments

Transitional justice provides a potential contribution to the statebuilding process that is both forward-looking and backward-looking. In post-conflict situations, there are often demands for justice for past human rights abuses. A range of transitional justice measures, such as trials, truth commissions, and reparations programs, have emerged around the globe as tools to meet these demands. Post-conflict governments, however, are often confronted with perpetrators who remain powerful and who may have been promised amnesty as a precondition of laying down their arms. A range of other practical and political considerations also frequently come into play in the construction of transitional justice policies. As such, there is potential tension between transitional justice and statebuilding with respect to how these measures are structured and the motivations of their architects.
Treatment of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder: Therapeutic Challenges

Emotional, behavioral, and physical symptoms that occur in the premenstrual phase lie on a continuum. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), categorized in Depressive Disorders in the DSM-5, repre...
Effect of Intravenous Injections of Peritoneal Fluids Recovered from Dogs Dying of Experimental Intestinal Strangulations.

ConclusionsThe peritoneal fluid obtained from dogs dying of strangulation obstruction is non-toxic. R hen injected intravenously into normal dogs providing the strangulated loop is not ruptured or about to rupture and the fluid does not give off a foul odor. We do not deny that the peritoneal fluid may contain toxic products, but they are not demonstrable, at least on injection into other dogs until rupture of the loop.
OP0302 Moderate to High Disease Activity in Psoriatic Arthritis is Associated with Elevated Total Cholesterol and Triglycerides

Background Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is associated with a higher frequency of abnormal lipids and obesity compared with healthy controls and rheumatoid arthritis. There is also an increased risk of developing PsA in obese individuals, perhaps related to the inflammatory milieu provided by excess adiposity. It is also known that inflammatory cytokines contribute to derangements in lipid metabolism. However, the relationship between disease activity and lipid profiles in PsA is not well studied. Objectives To assess the cross-sectional relationship between PsA disease activity and lipid profiles in the Consortium of Rheumatology Researchers of North America (CORRONA) Registry. Methods We analyzed PsA patients followed in CORRONA between 6/2008 and 10/2012 with complete data for lipids and disease activity. Moderate to high disease activity was defined as CDAI>10 and/or presence of enthesitis/dactylitis. Abnormal lipids were defined as: total cholesterol (TC)>200 mg/dl (5.17 mmol/L), High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) 100 mg/dl (2.59 mmol/L), Triglycerides (TG)>150 mg/dl (1.7 mmol/L), and atherogenic ratio (TC/HDL) >5. Models were adjusted for gender, duration of PsA, mHAQ, disease-related medication use, smoking, body mass index (BMI), diabetes (DM), use of cholesterol medications and fish oil. Results Of the 725 PsA patients included in this study, 284 (39%) had moderate to high disease activity. Compared to the low disease activity group, the moderate to high disease activity group had a higher proportion of women (57% vs 46%, p=0.006) and smokers (12.7% vs 7.7%, p=0.029), higher log ESR (2.44 vs 2.13, p=0.003) and log CRP (1.63 vs 1.31, p=0.002), and shorter disease duration (mean 8.7 vs 11.2 years, p=0.001). Those with moderate to high disease activity were more likely to be prescribed prednisone (13% vs 4.5%, p Moderate to high disease activity was associated with higher odds of TC>200 mg/dl, OR 1.6 (1.1, 2.2 95%CI), p=0.010, and higher odds of TG>150 mg/dl, OR 1.6 (1.2, 2.3 95% CI), p=0.005. Enthesitis/dactylitis was positively associated with TC>200 mg/dl, OR 1.6 (1.1, 2.5), p=0.02. There was no significant association found between disease activity and other lipid measures in the moderate to high disease vs low disease groups. Conclusions Moderate to high disease activity in PsA is associated with increased levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides, suggesting a commonality between PsA disease mechanisms and lipid metabolism that deserves further exploration. The implications of this association for cardiovascular disease in PsA need to be studied further. Disclosure of Interest None Declared
Optimal Mechanism Design for Construction Project Bidding Based on Mechanism Design Theory

Based on analysis of the characteristics of construction project transaction,this paper constructs a construction project bidding model by using mechanism design theory,with the minimum total cost of the tenderee as objective function,while participation constraint,incentive compatibility constraint,technical ability,and control price etc.as constraints.According to the characteristics of construction project transaction,this paper then analyzes the model with the help of Myerson's optimal auction theory,and puts forward the corresponding simplified model.Finally,according to the construction and analysis process,this paper proposes the application steps of the optimal bidding mechanism,and discusses the calculation method of the related parameters.The research results provide a general framework for the mechanism design of construction project bidding,while the detailed design still needs further study.
Fluorophore- and chromophore-based fiberoptic biosensors.

This chapter focuses on fiberoptic biosensors (FOB) in which a chemical mediation step is not required to link the biochemical reaction with the optical measurement. For enzyme-based sensors the immobilized enzyme catalyzes either the production or consumption of a fluorophore or chromophore and the resulting fluorescence or absorbance is measured through the fiberoptic probe. The general design of an enzyme-based nonmediated FOB includes an enzyme layer immobilized at the distal end of a fiberoptic sensing probe. The analytical performance of the lactate dehydrogenase-based FOB depends on the pH of the sample solution, the concentration of the cosubstrate, and amount of active enzyme immobilized at the sensor tip. Nonmediated anti-body-based FOB has been developed based on light scattering, absorbance, and fluorescence measurements. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide accumulates according to the amount of lactate present and the corresponding fluorescence is measured. The concept of the internal enzyme biosensor has been demonstrated with a FOB for ethanol.