cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the Mathematics of Income Inequality: Splitting the Gini Index in Two

Income distribution is described by a two-parameter model for the Lorenz curve. This model interpolates between self-similar behavior at the low and high ends of the income spectrum, and naturally ...
Development of an "infusion pump safety score".

In April 2013, the Joint Commission publication Sentinel Event Alert described a patient death that occurred secondary to a delayed response to medical device alarms attributed to alert fatigue.[1][1] Recommendations by the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) and the
Average value criteria for stochastic stability

We have presented here a number of results on the stability of linear systems with stochastic coefficients. Two average value criteria for almost sure stability were derived and we showed how one may use deterministic stability results like the multivariable circle criterion in order to obtain mean square stability criteria in the case the stochastic parameters are white noise processes.
The Importance of Social Support on Glycemic Control in Low-income Latinos With Type 2 Diabetes

Background: The U.S. Latino population exhibits poorer glycemic control than the white population, leading to more frequent health complications and greater disease severity. Social support has been shown a significant factor in health and well-being. Purpose: To determine the association between glycemic control and social support in patients enrolled in the Emory Latino Diabetes Education Program (ELDEP). Methods: A descriptive study of the clinical and social support outcomes of 248 Latino patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes enrolled in a Spanish-language, culturally competent diabetes education program. Hemoglobin A1C, weight, height, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, and level of perceived social support were assessed at baseline and after 3 months of the intervention. Results: Patients with low levels of perceived social support at baseline had higher A1C (9.8%) than those who reported moderate–high levels of support (8.9%); however, both groups lowered their HbA1C during follow-up (9.8% to...
Fault-type identification and fault estimation of the active steering system of an electric vehicle in normal driving conditions:

Fault-type identification and fault estimation for the active steering system of a vehicle are considered in this paper. The vehicle studied is an electric ground vehicle, which operates mainly und...
The use of positrons to survey alteration layers on synthetic nuclear waste glasses

Abstract In order to safeguard society and the environment, understanding radioactive waste glass alteration mechanisms in interactions with solutions and near-field materials, such as Fe, is essential to nuclear waste repository performance assessments. Alteration products are formed at the surface of glasses after reaction with solution. In this study, glass altered in the presence of Fe 0 in aqueous solution formed two alteration layers: one embedded with Fe closer to the surface and one without Fe found deeper in the sample. Both layers were found to be thinner than the alteration layer found in glass altered in aqueous solution only. For the first time, Doppler Broadening Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy (DB-PAS) is used to non-destructively characterize the pore structures of glass altered in the presence of Fe 0 . Advantages and disadvantages of DB-PAS compared to other techniques used to analyze pore structures for altered glass samples are discussed. Ultimately, DB-PAS has shown to be an excellent choice for pore structure characterization for glasses with multiple alteration layers. Monte Carlo modeling predicted positron trajectories through the layers, and helped explain DB-PAS data, which showed that the deeper alteration layer without Fe had a similar composition and pore structure to layers on glass altered in water only.
The Privacy Rights of Non-U.S. Persons in Signals Intelligence

The U.S. faced a tremendous backlash from foreign governments and publics following Edward Snowden’s unauthorized disclosures of classified information. President Barack Obama took the unprecedented step of declaring that “all persons have legitimate privacy interests in the handling of their personal information” regardless of nationality or residence in Presidential Police Directive 28 (PPD-28). PPD-28 amended U.S. signals intelligence (SIGINT) procedures to limit dissemination and retention of non-U.S. persons’ personal information. PPD-28 is the first ever extension of privacy protections to foreigners. U.S. privacy protections have traditionally not been concerned with the privacy interests of foreigners as these individuals are not part of the U.S.’s social contract. Further, there is no basis in international human rights principles or international law for universal privacy rights that constrain legitimate U.S. foreign intelligence efforts targeting non-U.S. persons outside of the United States. Other western nations have not provided privacy protections for foreigners and have actually passed robust, less privacy protective, statutes since PPD-28 was issued. PPD-28’s constraints on U.S. SIGINT enacted to mollify partner government concerns have real security costs that must be taken into account. The new SIGINT restrictions are now connected with important U.S. economic interests, though, and this equity must also be taken into account when analyzing PPD-28’s extension of privacy protections to non-U.S. persons. The U.S. must thoroughly analyze the security costs imposed by PPD-28’s SIGINT restrictions and determine whether these risks are worth the possible foreign policy benefits and economic gains of Privacy Shield. Ultimately, the U.S. should rescind PPD-28’s expansion of privacy protections to non-U.S. persons because of its cost to U.S. intelligence capabilities, which are critical to protecting U.S. national security interests, the American people, and the U.S. Homeland.
Laparoscopic Approach to the Acutely Incarcerated Paraesophageal Hernia

Paraesophageal hernia (PEH) is an uncommon but increasingly frequent problem. Acute presentation with incarceration or volvulus and impending strangulation is quite rare but life threatening. PEH must be in the differential diagnosis of acute chest pain, dysphagia, or nausea and vomiting to avoid delay in treatment. Expeditious diagnosis, resuscitation, gastric decompression, and medical optimization may mitigate morbidity and allow a subacute surgical repair. Laparoscopic repair in the emergent setting is appropriate in select patients if the surgeon is very experienced. This chapter will review operative indications, considerations, techniques, and strategies to avoid common pitfalls.
A parallel algorithm manager for networked workstations

Difficulties in computer solution of large problems often result from the requirements of the algorithm exceeding the space or time capacity of the computer chosen. A natural resolution of this difficulty is to parallelize the algorithm which can promise either reduc-tion in space or time, or both. However, several obstacles confront the scientist in order to successfully parallelize the algorithm. Time must be invested to study parallel architectures and to learn a parallel language. The cost of a special purpose parallel computer can easily exceed the available budget. One alternative is to use an existing network of workstations as a parallel computer. Although the cost has been eliminated, the task of learning network programming has been introduced. There are software packages which bundle network programming effectively, but provide varying degrees of guidance in the development and management of parallel program applications. To ease the effort required, we introduce a parallel algorithm manager which is developed using a message passing paradigm. An object-oriented design approach has been taken to facilitate distributed parallel program-ming. Base manager and worker classes are inherited by a user to form the instantiable classes to drive the parallel program. An example of a branch and bound algorithm and its resulting distributed form are presented.
Assessing the Relationship Between a Composite Score of Urban Park Quality and Health.

Introduction Walkable access to parks, sufficient park acreage, and investments in park and recreation resources are 3 indicators of quality city park systems. Few studies, however, have examined the collective effects of these indicators on public health outcomes. Methods Combining 3 nationwide public data sets, this study modeled the relationships between a composite score of urban park system quality effects on physical activity and self-reported health while controlling for demographic and lifestyle variables. Data were obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 500 Cities Project, the Trust for Public Land's City Park Facts Report, and the US Census Bureau. Results Regression analyses indicated that the composite park quality score was significantly related to both physical activity levels and physical health across a sample of 59 cities. Higher scores were associated with fewer physically inactive residents but were not significantly associated with better physical health. Conclusion Assessing the collective contribution of park access, park acreage, and investment suggests that improvements to a city's composite score may correspond with greater physical activity, but more research is needed to establish the long-term relationships between park system quality and physical health.
Crime and the Social Control of Blacks: Offender/Victim Race and the Sentencing of Violent Offenders

Research investigating the relationship between the defendant's race and sentence severity has not consistently supported the conflict perspective's contention that blacks will be sentenced more harshly than whites. Hawkins proposes a revision of the conflict perspective to account for the possibility of interaction between defendant race and other predictors of sentence severity and especially between defendant race, victim race, and the type of crime committed by the offender. Research exploring the impact of offender and victim race on criminal justice decision making has generally focused on either homicide or rape cases. There is a substantial body of research demonstrating that blacks who murder whites are much more likely to be sentenced to death than blacks who murder blacks or than whites who murder blacks or whites. Researchers initially analyzed the data using both ordinary least squares regression analysis and probit analysis. Regression analysis of defendants convicted of sex crimes included a control for the rape.
High levels of functional divergence in toxicity towards prey among the venoms of individual pigmy rattlesnakes

Venom is a complex molecular phenotype that shows high levels of variation in expressed proteins between individuals within and between populations. However, the functional significance of this variation in terms of toxicity towards prey is largely unknown. Here, we assessed the relative toxicity of venom from individual pygmy rattlesnakes ( Sistrurus miliarius) on brown anoles ( Anolis sagrei) using a novel assay involving tests of fixed doses of venom from individual snakes on individual lizards. We found high levels of functional variation between individual venoms within populations with individual differences (nested within population) explaining 3.6 times more variation in toxicity than population differences. Our results suggest a previously unappreciated adaptive significance to within-population variation in venom. They argue that selective mechanisms that maintain variation within populations may be of equal or greater importance to divergent selection leading to local adaption between populations as evolutionary explanations of venom variation within species.
Huan Nuoyuan: Exorcism and Transformation in Miao Ritual Drama

Deep in the Wuling Mountains of southwest Hunan, China, a 3,000-year-old ritual, the huan nuoyuan, is performed by the Miao people. The elaborate event is the conclusion of many years of preparatio...
Innate Immune Dysfunction in Rosacea Promotes Photosensitivity and Vascular Adhesion Molecule Expression

Rosacea is a chronic skin disease characterized by photosensitivity, abnormal dermal vascular behavior, inflammation, and enhanced expression of the antimicrobial peptide LL-37. We observed that dermal endothelial cells in rosacea had an increased expression of VCAM1 and hypothesized that LL-37 could be responsible for this response. The digestion of double-stranded RNA from keratinocytes exposed to UVB blocked the capacity of these cells to induce adhesion molecules on dermal microvascular endothelial cells. However, a synthetic noncoding snoU1RNA was only capable of increasing adhesion molecules on endothelial cells in the presence of LL-37, suggesting that the capacity of UVB exposure to promote both double-stranded RNA and LL-37 was responsible for the endothelial response to keratinocytes. Sequencing of RNA from the endothelial cells uncovered the activation of Gene Ontology (GO) pathways relevant to the human disease, such as type I and II interferon signaling, cell-cell adhesion, leukocyte chemotaxis, and angiogenesis. Functional relevance was demonstrated as double-stranded RNA and LL-37 promoted adhesion and transmigration of monocytes across the endothelial cell monolayers. Gene knockdown of TLR3, RIGI, or IRF1 decreased monocyte adhesion in endothelial cells, confirming the role of the double-stranded RNA recognition pathways. These observations show how the expression of LL-37 can lead to enhanced sensitivity to UVB radiation in rosacea.
The cytoprotective benefits of a turmeric, quercetin, and rosemary blend through activation of the oxidative stress pathway

Background: An imbalance between oxidative and reductive processes within cells can result in oxidative stress leading to a decrease in cellular survival. Use of natural products with antioxidant properties may reduce this oxidative stress. Objective: The objective of the study is to determine whether a natural product blend of turmeric, pagoda tree seed pod (quercetin), and rosemary (TQR) extracts can protect human liver cells from oxidative stress-induced cytotoxicity. Materials and Methods: HepG2 cells were treated with a blend of botanical extracts of TQR (1:3:5, w: w:w) and expression of genes downstream of nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (NRF2) activation was measured. We also measured the ability of the extract blend to protect DNA and lipids from oxidative stress by measuring via the comet assay and 8-isoprostane production, respectively. Finally, we measured the effect of the extract blend on HepG2 cell protection against oxidative stress-induced cytotoxicity. Results: We provide evidence that the TQR blend activates the NRF2 pathway leading to DNA protection, a decrease in lipid peroxidation, and whole cell protection against oxidative stress. Conclusion: These results suggest that consuming a blend of TQR at the ratio of 1:3:5 could provide benefits against environmental stressors that increase exposure to reactive oxygen species.
Geographic orientation, disorientation, and misorientation: a commentary on Fernandez Velasco and Casati

In this commentary on Fernandez Velasco and Casati’s “Subjective Disorientation as a Metacognitive Feeling” in this journal, I take issue with their distinction between “the objective condition of ...
Density of wild felids in Sonora, Mexico: a comparison of spatially explicit capture-recapture methods

Estimates of population density are crucial for wild felid conservation and are commonly conducted using camera trapping. Spatially explicit capture-recapture (SCR) survey designs often use two cameras per station to photograph both flanks of a spotted felid to confirm identities. However, if the sampling grid is inadequate, and detector devices are unable to capture an animal’s complete movements, density may be overestimated. Density analyses incorporating identification inputs from both flanks derived from unpaired camera stations may offer a cost-effective solution by doubling the number of stations available to researchers. During 2008, we surveyed 164 sites for jaguars, ocelots, and bobcats using unpaired camera stations (mean trap nights per camera = 32.66, inter-trap distance = 800 m) on private ranching lands in Sonora, Mexico. We obtained 15, 52, and 229 detections of jaguars, ocelots, and bobcats from 9, 35, and 87 stations, respectively. SCR density estimates (individuals/100 km2) derived from a maximum likelihood multi-session model and a Bayesian spatial partial identity model (SPIM) were similar: 4.61 and 1.54 (jaguar), 4.66 and 4.33 (ocelot), and 15.22 and 15.88 (bobcat), respectively. Due to insufficient recaptures of jaguars, only SPIM provided a credible estimate of jaguar density. Jaguar density was one of the lowest reported across their distribution, which was expected given Sonora’s location at the periphery of the jaguar’s range. However, ocelot and bobcat populations appear to be healthy in Sonora, even within unprotected ranchlands. We recommend the use of SPIM to estimate the density of spotted felids with any dataset containing few recaptures in unpaired camera surveys.
Capitalism’s Moral and Ontological Dilemmas: Competition, the Inevitably Exploitative Response, and the Crisis of Overproduction

If capitalists are to survive in a truly competitive free market they must maximize productivity or efficiency, which is to say the ratio of output to input. Consequently, wages must be minimized, while any health care, education, housing, and other social benefits, insofar as they do not substantially boost productivity, being therefore at the expense of efficiency, are necessarily precluded. Furthermore, turning from capitalism’s moral dilemma to its ontological dilemma, increased efficiency or productivity, necessary if it is to remain competitive, in driving down wages and benefits, and driving up production, inevitably precipitates a crisis of overproduction in that the economic demand for goods and services is overwhelmed by the supply, thereby threatening profitability. A dialectical contradiction between competitiveness and profitability portending capitalism’s inevitable collapse.
Long-Term Variability in Immunofluorescence Titer of Antibodies to Nuclear Antigens Observed in Clinical Laboratory Proficiency Testing Surveys.

CONTEXT.— Presence of antibodies to nuclear antigens (ANAs) above a threshold titer is an important diagnostic feature of several autoimmune diseases, yet titers reported vary between laboratories. Proficiency survey results can help clarify factors contributing to the variability. OBJECTIVE.— To determine the contribution of HEp-2 ANA kits from different manufacturers to the variation in titers, and assess whether the differences between kits are consistent over the long term. DESIGN.— HEp-2 ANA titers reported by laboratories participating in the external quality assessment proficiency testing surveys conducted by the College of American Pathologists between 2008 and 2018 were analyzed. The ANA titers reported for each specimen were ranked according to the kits being used by testing laboratories, and the statistical significance of the differences was determined. RESULTS.— The ANA titer results were strongly influenced by the HEp-2 ANA kit used (P < .001). During the 11 years studied, the rank order of the ANA titer for each kit relative to the other kits was remarkably consistent. The rank of ANA titer for individual ANA patterns observed for each kit was similar to the overall rank of that kit. CONCLUSIONS.— Variability in ANA titers was strongly associated with the kits used, and the differences between kits were quite consistent during the 11 years studied. Because the variability is not random, it has the potential to be managed by harmonizing kits, which could lead to improved consistency in reporting ANA titers.
Inquiry in the age of data: a commentary

We appreciate being invited by the guest editors to contribute to this Special Issue of Teaching Education, which takes up the provocative topic, ‘The Village and the World’: Research with, for, an...
Recursive Tree-Structured Self-Attention for Answer Sentence Selection

Syntactic structure is an important component of natural language text. Recent top-performing models in Answer Sentence Selection (AS2) use self-attention and transfer learning, but not syntactic structure. Tree structures have shown strong performance in tasks with sentence pair input like semantic relatedness. We investigate whether tree structures can boost performance in AS2. We introduce the Tree Aggregation Transformer: a novel recursive, tree-structured self-attention model for AS2. The recursive nature of our model is able to represent all levels of syntactic parse trees with only one additional self-attention layer. Without transfer learning, we establish a new state of the art on the popular TrecQA and WikiQA benchmark datasets. Additionally, we evaluate our method on four Community Question Answering datasets, and find that tree-structured representations have limitations with noisy user-generated text. We conduct probing experiments to evaluate how our models leverage tree structures across datasets. Our findings show that the ability of tree-structured models to successfully absorb syntactic information is strongly correlated with a higher performance in AS2.
The Evolving Communicative Value of Popular Music: Music Is Interpersonal Communication in the Age of Digital Media

The current research sought to examine how consuming music on streaming platforms, such as Spotify, and other digital media acts as a form of interpersonal communication. This survey research, whic...
Semantically-based queries with a joint BNC/WordNet database

The British National Corpus (BNC) contains a wealth of data about the frequency and distribution of words and phrases in many different registers of English, yet, via the standard interface, there is not explicit way of investigating the semantic relationship between words. On the other hand, WordNet contains detailed hierarchies about the semantic relation between hundreds of thousands of lexical items, but it has very limited information about the frequency and distribution of these words. My project employs relational databases to join together these two resources, and allow advanced semantically-based queries of the BNC. These include queries that show the relative frequency of all of the synonyms for a given word, which hyponyms (more specific words) or meronyms (part of a whole) of a particular word are more common in the BNC, and all of the specific phrases that express more general semantic concepts.
Applied significance of polyvalent bacteriophages.

Publisher Summary A bacterial virus or bacteriophage is an exogenous submicroscopic particle capable of multiplication only inside specific bacterial cells .Viral reproduction, however, is unique because typical viral particles cannot be found inside infected host cells for some finite period immediately following infection. This eclipse period perhaps constitutes the only useful criterion for differentiating between large viruses and strict intracellular parasites such as rickettsia. The best-known bacterial viruses are Escherichia coli , and until recently, the T-even coliphages held the attention of the vast majority of the microbial virologists. The chapter emphasizes the diversity of bacteriophage behaviour and accordingly chooses examples from a variety of microbial genera.
Uracil-initiated base excision DNA repair synthesis fidelity in human colon adenocarcinoma LoVo and Escherichia coli cell extracts

The error frequency of uracil-initiated base excision repair (BER) DNA synthesis in human and Escherichia coli cell-free extracts was determined by an M13mp2 lacZ alpha DNA-based reversion assay. Heteroduplex M13mp2 DNA was constructed that contained a site-specific uracil target located opposite the first nucleotide position of opal codon 14 in the lacZ alpha gene. Human glioblastoma U251 and colon adenocarcinoma LoVo whole-cell extracts repaired the uracil residue to produce form I DNA that was resistant to subsequent in vitro cleavage by E. coli uracil-DNA glycosylase (Ung) and endonuclease IV, indicating that complete uracil-initiated BER repair had occurred. Characterization of the BER reactions revealed that (1) the majority of uracil-DNA repair was initiated by a uracil-DNA glycosylase-sensitive to Ugi (uracil-DNA glycosylase inhibitor protein), (2) the addition of aphidicolin did not significantly inhibit BER DNA synthesis, and (3) the BER patch size ranged from 1 to 8 nucleotides. The misincorporation frequency of BER DNA synthesis at the target site was 5.2 x 10(-4) in U251 extracts and 5.4 x 10(-4) in LoVo extracts. The most frequent base substitution errors in the U251 and LoVo mutational spectrum were T to G > T to A >> T to C. Uracil-initiated BER DNA synthesis in extracts of E. coli BH156 (ung) BH157 (dug), and BH158 (ung, dug) was also examined. Efficient BER occurred in extracts of the BH157 strain with a misincorporation frequency of 5.6 x 10(-4). A reduced, but detectable level of BER was observed in extracts of E. coli BH156 cells; however, the mutation frequency of BER DNA synthesis was elevated 6.4-fold.
TRACKING WORK: RACE-ETHNIC VARIATION IN VOCATIONAL COURSE PLACEMENT AND CONSEQUENCES FOR ACADEMIC AND CAREER OUTCOMES

Data from the National Educational Longitudinal Study (NELS: 88) are used to examine differential student placement and to assess the independent effects of race on academic tracking “within” the vocational program. The study examines how the structure of tracking within the vocational program shapes both academic achievement outcomes and career opportunities among high school students. Student’s placement in the vocational program is argued to function as a unique track program that disadvantage students academically, particularly students of color. Racial-ethnic minority students are disproportionately placed into lower level academic courses. Once so placed, their subsequent enrollment patterns in specific vocational courses may have varying effects on students’ academic and career outcomes. Few studies have attempted to disaggregate how students are further tracked once they are placed into broad high school curriculum tracks. This study analyzes the specific variations in patterns of race-ethnic student placement within vocational programs and examines the consequences of such placement for academic achievement and career attainment outcomes.
Dominantly inherited cystoid macular edema. A histopathologic study.

Background: Dominantly inherited cystoid macular edema was described as a clinically distinct form of macular dystrophy with an onset at approximately age 30 years with slow progression over the ensuing decades. This is the first report of the light and electron microscopic findings in two donor eyes of one of the patients with this clinical entity. Methods: Both eyes were obtained after death and fixed within 24 hours in a buffered 4% formaldehyde-1 % glutaraldehyde solution. For light microscopy, tissue was embedded in paraffin and stained with hematoxylin-eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, colloidal iron for mucopolysaccharides, and an antibody to glial fibrillar acidic protein. For ultrastructural investigation, several blocks of choroidal/retinal tissues from the posterior pole, including both maculae, were embedded in epoxy resin and processed for transmission electron microscopy. Results: Major findings included large retinal cysts in the macula, atrophy and marked disorganization of the inner nuclear layer, advanced degeneration of Muller cells with nodular aggregates of basement membrane-like material, and a preretinal membrane. The retinal vasculature did not show excessive endothelial alterations but was surrounded by deposits of multilayered basement membrane in the perivascular space. Conclusion: The authors believe that the pathologic features of dominantly inherited cystoid macular edema are different from those of macular edema caused by other disease processes. The predominant pathologic changes affected mainly the inner nuclear layer. The possibility of a primary disease of the Muller cell is suggested.
Bayesian Specification Analysis in Econometrics: Comment

The joint distribution displays all that we know regarding both parameter uncertainty and sampling variability of the data. All densities are conditional on A (the assumptions) of the model's specification. The complete specification of the joint distribution of y and 0A allows any economically important function of the data to be simulated, conditional on the model. If one simulates synthetic samples in this way, then one can calculate whatever lack-of-fit measure
The Evolution of Visual Cortex in Primates

Primates and other mammals have at least three visual areas in common, V1, V2, and prostriata, as well as one or more subdivisions of visual temporal cortex. V1 of primates differs from other mammals in laminar and modular organization, and V2 has a modular organization that is unique to primates. Other areas, such as V3 and MT, appear to have emerged with the evolution of the first primates. Those areas and other extrastriate areas may have been modified or differentiated from areas in the nonprimate ancestor of primates. However, all primates have more visual areas than their nonprimate ancestors. Old World macaque monkeys have more visual areas than prosimian primates, and more areas have been identified in humans than in macaques.
Drive voltage optimization controller to improve efficiency

An adaptive digital controller with maximum efficiency point tracking to optimize the FETs' switches driving-voltage is presented in this paper. The driving-voltage-optimization (DVO) method adaptively changes the FETs driving voltage magnitude while tracking the converter minimum input current/power (maximum efficiency) point. The DVO digital controller continuously finds the optimum FETs driving voltage that will result in a minimum total combined FETs driving and conduction losses while converter parameters and conditions vary. In this paper, the DVO method is discussed analyzed, and its digital control algorithm and experimental implementation are presented.
The Role of Consciousness in Schopenhauer and Four Contentions from Nietzsche

Schopenhauer presents us with a fascinating look into the power of the unconscious. However, the leading theme in his discussion, as detailed in The World as Will and Representation, is freedom from this unconscious. Nietzsche, heavily influenced by Schopenhauer, recognizes the great importance of the unconscious mind. However, he disagrees with Schopenhauer’s evaluation (that freedom from the unconscious is desirable), and he believes that such emancipation is impossible. Nietzsche does not believe consciousness can be severed (or that it can function when severed) from the unconscious drives.In this essay, I discuss Schopenhauer’s philosophy, beginning with a very brief discussion of the similarities and differences between Schopenhauer’s and Kant’s metaphysics, and leading to Schopenhauer’s ultimate description of how consciousness (or the intellect) can free itself from the drives. First, I describe the role of consciousness in the normal individual to then contrast it with its role in the genius or exceptional individual, as according to Schopenhauer’s philosophy. I also discuss the bodily basis he formulates between the normal and exceptional individual. Finally, I briefly articulate how Schopenhauer conceives of the act of emancipation of the drives by the exceptional individual. I then conclude the essay by presenting four contentions that Nietzsche gives against four claims found in the discussed aspects of Schopenhauer’s philosophy.
Addressing posttraumatic stress among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and significant others: an intervention utilizing sport and recreation.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an existing “couples” adaptive sport and recreation program called Higher Ground developed by Sun Valley Adaptive Sports to reduce symptoms of PTSD, facilitate posttraumatic growth, and enhance marital satisfaction for veterans with PTSD and their significant others. The sample consisted of two experimental groups (Group A five couples, Group B six couples) and a control group (six couples). ANCOVA analysis indicated significant decreases in PTSD symptoms and increases in marital satisfaction among the experimental groups following participation in the recreation program. Findings support the use of recreation programs to help veterans with PTSD and their significant others, through specific program elements.
Development of R&A in Korea

Summary form only given. Automation is an evolutionary process in the manufacturing industry throughout the world. In my view, therefore, automation will continue as long as it is economically justifiable. The characteristics of automation, however, will change drastically over the next decade. Even today, automation, which was originally introduced to replace or supplement human labor, has become capable of replacing or supporting even the thinking process. Computers can support and enhance human capabilities of judgment, control, and communication. With these initial observations, I focus on the issues of why and in which areas R&A will continue to develop.
Identification of amino acid residues involved in substrate specificity of plant acyl-ACP thioesterases using a bioinformatics-guided approach

Background The large amount of available sequence information for the plant acyl-ACP thioesterases (TEs) made it possible to use a bioinformatics-guided approach to identify amino acid residues involved in substrate specificity. The Conserved Property Difference Locator (CPDL) program allowed the identification of putative specificity-determining residues that differ between the FatA and FatB TE classes. Six of the FatA residue differences identified by CPDL were incorporated into the FatB-like parent via site-directed mutagenesis and the effect of each on TE activity was determined. Variants were expressed in E. coli strain K27 that allows determination of enzyme activity by GCMS analysis of fatty acids released into the medium.
Scintillation Detectors for Small-Animal Imaging

The detection of high energy photons (i.e. gamma rays or X-rays) is one of the main tools in small animal imaging. Imaging systems with external radiation sources (e.g., X-ray computed tomography—CT) and internal sources (e.g., single photon emission computed tomography—SPECT; and positron emission tomography—PET) are used routinely in pre-clinical investigations and are under active development both commercially and in research laboratories. In all cases, the detection process requires conversion of the energy carried by the photon into some sort of electrical signal. Further, the conversion process needs to be efficient and provide information on the amount of energy deposited (to allow discrimination of events by the amount of energy carried by the photon). For imaging systems, the detector must also provide spatial position information (e.g., the point in the detector that the photon interacted). For this chapter, we will not address optical light systems, but focus only X-ray and gamma ray technologies.
An update on community-associated MRSA virulence

Staphylococcus aureus is a major health problem worldwide and the leading cause of bacterial infections in the United States. Historically, the success of S. aureus as a human pathogen has been facilitated by a strong propensity to develop antibiotic resistance and multidrug resistant strains are endemic in hospitals. However, one of the most striking developments in recent bacterial infectious disease history was the rapid emergence of community-associated methicillin-resistant S. aureus (CA-MRSA). First reported in the 1990s, CA-MRSA has since emerged worldwide and is epidemic in the United States. The pathogen is characterized by its ability to spread rapidly and cause infections in otherwise healthy individuals. This review focuses on current progress toward understanding the enhanced virulence properties of CA-MRSA, with an emphasis on Panton-Valentine leukocidin, alpha-hemolysin, and the recently discovered alpha-type phenol-soluble modulins.
Characterization of the Xylella fastidiosa PD1671 gene encoding degenerate c-di-GMP GGDEF/EAL domains, and its role in the development of Pierce's disease.

Xylella fastidiosa is an important phytopathogenic bacterium that causes many serious plant diseases including Pierce’s disease of grapevines. X. fastidiosa is thought to induce disease by colonizing and clogging xylem vessels through the formation of cell aggregates and bacterial biofilms. Here we examine the role in X. fastidiosa virulence of an uncharacterized gene, PD1671, annotated as a two-component response regulator with potential GGDEF and EAL domains. GGDEF domains are found in c-di-GMP diguanylate cyclases while EAL domains are found in phosphodiesterases, and these domains are for c-di-GMP production and turnover, respectively. Functional analysis of the PD1671 gene revealed that it affected multiple X. fastidiosa virulence-related phenotypes. A Tn5 PD1671 mutant had a hypervirulent phenotype in grapevines presumably due to enhanced expression of gum genes leading to increased exopolysaccharide levels that resulted in elevated biofilm formation. Interestingly, the PD1671 mutant also had decreased motility in vitro but did not show a reduced distribution in grapevines following inoculation. Given these responses, the putative PD1671 protein may be a negative regulator of X. fastidiosa virulence.
Wear and gouge formation in brittle faulting

Considerable amounts of data indicate that the thickness of the gouge zone for brittle faults increases linearly with total slip. This implies that gouge is produced continuously and at a steady rate as faulting progresses. A simple model of wear which accounts for gouge formation predicts a constant thickness/slip ratio for a given rock type and normal stress. The model is compared with measurements of gouge production in friction-sliding experiments, and there is satisfactory agreement. Natural faults have higher wear rates than found in the experiments, probably because of their greater roughness. Estimates are also made of the fraction of the energy of faulting that goes into gouge production, and it is found to be 10 −3 –10 −4 of the frictional work in both the experimental and natural cases. The model predicts that fault zones should thicken with depth in simple cases.
Lessons from history: coastal cities and natural disaster

Purpose – This paper aims to connect the history of San Francisco's urban development, particularly the use of artificial fill along the coast, with the city's seismic history in order to explore whether San Franciscans have learned from recurrent natural disasters.Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses historical analysis of primary sources, particularly scientific reports related to the 1906 and 1989 earthquakes. The theoretical approach draws on environmental history and natural disaster studies.Findings – San Franciscans failed to learn lessons from earthquakes in 1868 and 1906. After the 1989 earthquake, experts reported that much of the damage had been predictable. Both policymakers and laypeople were surprised to discover the extent of scientific knowledge, given the poor preparation and outcomes.Research limitations/implications – The brief treatment by no means represents a thorough review of the literature; the paper is intended to be provocative rather than comprehensive.Practical implica...
Effect of classification-specific treatment on lumbopelvic motion during hip rotation in people with low back pain

Increased and early lumbopelvic motion during trunk and limb movements is thought to contribute to low back pain (LBP). Therefore, reducing lumbopelvic motion could be an important component of physical therapy treatment. Our purpose was to examine the effects of classification-specific physical therapy treatment (Specific) based on the Movement System Impairment (MSI) model and non-specific treatment (Non-Specific) on lumbopelvic movement patterns during hip rotation in people with chronic LBP. We hypothesized that following treatment people in the Specific group would display decreased lumbopelvic rotation and achieve more hip rotation before lumbopelvic rotation began. We hypothesized that people in the Non-Specific group would display no change in these variables. Kinematic data collected before and after treatment for hip lateral and medial rotation in prone were analyzed. The Specific group (N = 16) demonstrated significantly decreased lumbopelvic rotation and achieved greater hip rotation before the onset of lumbopelvic rotation after treatment with both hip lateral and medial rotation. The Non-Specific group (N = 16) demonstrated significantly increased lumbopelvic rotation and no change in hip rotation achieved before the onset of lumbopelvic rotation. People who received treatment specific to their MSI LBP classification displayed decreased and later lumbopelvic motion with hip rotation, whereas people who received generalized non-specific treatment did not.
A recording microindentation instrument for in situ study of crack initiation in glass

A recording microindentation instrument equipped with optical observation and acoustic emission detection was built and used to examine, in situ, the crack initiation behavior of a commercial soda-lime-silica based float glass from contact with a Vickers diamond indenter. Indenter motion was provided by a piezoelectric actuator, while a strain gage load cell and capacitance displacement gages simultaneously monitored the indenter load and displacement, respectively, on the glass. It was found that both the maximum load and total indenter contact time influence the initiation behavior. Crack initiation occurred more readily when the total contact time and maximum load were increased. Increasing the maximum load from 0.2 kgf to 4 kgf resulted in the initiation of median-radial cracks on unloading at 6% Fmax up to 50% Fmax, respectively. In contrast, the initiation of lateral cracks was not significantly affected by the total contact time or the maximum load. Examination of the indentation cross-sections beneath 1 and 4 kgf indentation sites revealed well-developed median-radial and lateral crack systems.
Transfer of Graduating Residents’ Continuity Practices

To the Editors:— We applaud Caines et al.1 for addressing an important patient safety topic, year-end resident continuity clinic handoffs, that has received little attention thus far.2 The high percentage of patients lost to follow-up is astounding, highlighting that clinic handoffs are a vulnerable time for patients. Because very few patients who were lost to follow-up were in fact scheduled for an appointment, it is critical to explore if more effective scheduling may improve this transition of care. In addition to more effective scheduling, we wondered if patient factors or patterns of care may explain why patients did not follow up. For instance, among the 29% of patients lost to follow-up because they did not keep their appointment, it would be important to understand whether these patients had a history of missing appointments. In other words, did they miss the appointment because of the handoff or because they tend to miss appointments? The distinction is important since patients who miss appointments generally may require even more intense follow-up and coaching during the handoff to overcome barriers to visiting their physician. Patients deemed to be high risk may also be more likely to be lost to follow-up in their resident clinic because they present elsewhere to emergency departments or hospitals for acute care. Therefore, understanding the acute care utilization patterns of these patients both before and after the handoff is important to consider for future studies. Lastly, defining high-priority patients as those requiring follow-up within 1 year may be too crude a measure given the chronic illness burden of resident clinic patients. It has previously been demonstrated that US residents take care of underserved populations who are at risk for poor outcomes.3 Moreover, guidelines recommend that patients with certain conditions, such as diabetes, should be seen every 3 months, making certain high-risk patients in need of more frequent care than once a year. Understanding what constitutes a high-risk patient given the increasing complexity of primary care and already high illness burden for resident clinic patients is critical. Rebalancing case loads after a year-end clinic handoff to ensure appropriate workloads and illness burden has been a strategy used in other disciplines.4
The effects of Cr, Al, Ti, Mo, W, Ta, and Cb on the cyclic oxidation behavior of cast Ni-base superalloys at 1100 and 1150 C

A series of cast nickel-base y/y′ superalloys as systematically varied at two nonzero levels of Cr, Al, Ti, Mo, Cb, W, and Ta with nominally fixed levels of 10 at. % Co, 0.06 at. % C, 0.05 at. % Zr, and 0.05% B. A 1/4-replicate 27-factorial statistical design supplemented by 18 additional alloys was used to estimate main effects and all two-factor interactions. The cyclic oxidation resistance was determined from specific weight change data as a function time for 1-hr cycles in static air at 1100 and 1150°C. A derived oxidation attack parameter, Ka, was fitted by multiple linear regression over the alloy sample space at each temperature. At the levels tested, Al was the most important alloy addition. The lowest Ka was achieved at the highest (13 at. %) test level of Al and the lowest (10 and 2 at. %, respectively) test levels of Cr and Ti. The results for the refractory metal additions were somewhat ambiguous, but the most oxidation-resistant composition was estimated to be 3 at. % Mo-1 at. % Cb-3 at. % W-3 at. % Ta for the compositions tested. X-ray diffraction analysis of the alloy scales indicated that at the lowest Ka value, most oxidation resistant alloys were associated with alumina-aluminate spinel formation at the high Al levels. Higher boron contents, which were unintentionally varied, were clearly detrimental even for the most resistant compositions. High boron contents apparently trigger nonprotective NiO formation. In addition, tri-rutile type oxides were found on all test alloys, but these were not considered to be harmful to oxidation resistance.
A Note on Several Low-Layer Features of Hurricane Eloise (1975)

Abstract Low-level flight data from a small cloud-free area along the periphery of Hurricane Eloise (1975) reveal the existence of a well-mixed boundary layer which is capped by a near-isothermal layer. The isothermal layer is probably created by the combined effect of subsiding air and surface-induced turbulence.