cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
From Modernity to Postmodernity: A Historical Discourse on Western Civilization

This paper traces the historical discourse of Western Civilization from the period of Modernity to Postmodernity. Major political, social, moral, and scientific shifts occurred in the Western Civilization during Modernity because of the maturation of underpinning utilitarian and materialistic ethics. Postmodernity is a critique on the ideologies of modernity. The identifiable difference between the two lies in the nature of discourse. The discourse of modernity rests on the transcendent criteria such as ‘progress’ and ‘reason’. Postmodern discourse, on the other hand, analyzes social life in terms of paradox and indeterminacy and rejects all metanarratives and overarching guiding principles, religion, science, objectivity, rationality and the notion of truth. Yet the two are closely related and complement each other by sharing a deep commitment and affinity to empiricism, concrete forms and reductionism.
The Civic Mission of MOOCs: Measuring Engagement across Political Differences in Forums

In this study, we develop methods for computationally measuring the degree to which students engage in MOOC forums with other students holding different political beliefs. We examine a case study of a single MOOC about education policy, Saving Schools, where we obtain measures of student education policy preferences that correlate with political ideology. Contrary to assertions that online spaces often become echo chambers or ideological silos, we find that students in this case hold diverse political beliefs, participate equitably in forum discussions, directly engage (through replies and upvotes) with students holding opposing beliefs, and converge on a shared language rather than talking past one another. Research that focuses on the civic mission of MOOCs helps ensure that open online learning engages the same breadth of purposes that higher education aspires to serve.
Analysis of monitoring results for Vibrio cholerae in Wuzhou city from 2009 to 2010

霍乱是甲类传染病之一,也是国际检疫传染病[1].为了解霍乱在广西梧州市的流行与污染状况,掌握其菌型特征,本研究于2009- 2010年对该市海(水)产品、养殖水、外环境水和食品开展霍乱弧菌污染状况监测. 关键词：霍乱弧菌;监测
Preventing camera recording by designing a capture-resistant environment

With the ubiquity of camera phones, it is now possible to capture digital still and moving images anywhere, raising a legitimate concern for many organizations and individuals. Although legal and social boundaries can curb the capture of sensitive information, it sometimes is neither practical nor desirable to follow the option of confiscating the capture device from an individual. We present the design and proof of concept implementation of a capture-resistant environment that prevents the recording of still and moving images without requiring any cooperation on the part of the capturing device or its operator. Our solution involves a tracking system that uses computer vision for locating any number of retro-reflective CCD or CMOS camera sensors in a protected area. A pulsing light is then directed at the lens, distorting any imagery the camera records. Although the directed light interferes with the camera's operation, it can be designed to minimally impact the sight of other humans in the environment.
Ciona as a Simple Chordate Model for Heart Development and Regeneration

Cardiac cell specification and the genetic determinants that govern this process are highly conserved among Chordates. Recent studies have established the importance of evolutionarily-conserved mechanisms in the study of congenital heart defects and disease, as well as cardiac regeneration. As a basal Chordate, the Ciona model system presents a simple scaffold that recapitulates the basic blueprint of cardiac development in Chordates. Here we will focus on the development and cellular structure of the heart of the ascidian Ciona as compared to other Chordates, principally vertebrates. Comparison of the Ciona model system to heart development in other Chordates presents great potential for dissecting the genetic mechanisms that underlie congenital heart defects and disease at the cellular level and might provide additional insight into potential pathways for therapeutic cardiac regeneration.
Balancing Marketing and Supply Chain Activities

A relationship exists between the supply chain and marketing activities.For most supply chains a balance exists between customer requirements and supply chain capabilities. When marketing activities strain the supply chain’s ability to meet demand,additional costs are incurred. All associated costs should be considered in supply chain planning, and marketing initiatives should be evaluated including the recognition of these costs across the supply chain. Questions related to the timing of marketing activities need to consider the impact on the supply chain and the overall profitability of the initiative.
Does It Pay to Recall Your Product Early? An Empirical Investigation in the Automobile Industry

AbstractDefective products are often recalled to limit harm to consumers and damage to the firm. However, little is known about why the timing of product recalls varies after an investigation is opened. Likewise, there is little evidence on whether recall timing affects stock markets. This study tests the effect of problem severity on time to recall, the role of brand characteristics in moderating this relationship, and the stock market impact of time to recall. The authors test the hypotheses on a sample of 381 recall investigations in the automobile industry between 1999 and 2012. The results show that although problem severity increases time to recall, this relationship is weaker when the brand under investigation (1) has a strong reputation for reliability and (2) has experienced severe recalls in the recent past. However, the relationship between problem severity and time to recall is stronger when the brand is diverse. Importantly, the results reveal that stock markets punish recall delays. The stud...
Biofilm over teeth and restorations: What do we need to know?

Abstract Objective The goal of this manuscript is to provide an overview of biofilm attributes and measurement approaches in the context of studying biofilms on tooth and dental material surfaces to improve oral health. Methods A historical perspective and terminology are presented, followed by a general description of the complexity of oral biofilms. Then, an approach to grouping measurable biofilm properties is presented and considered in relation to biofilm-material interactions and material design strategies to alter biofilms. Finally, the need for measurement assurance in biofilm and biofilm-materials research is discussed. Results Biofilms are highly heterogeneous communities that are challenging to quantify. Their characteristics can be broadly categorized into constituents (identity), quantity, structure, and function. These attributes can be measured over time and in response to substrates and external stimuli. Selecting the biofilm attribute(s) of interest and appropriate measurement methods will depend on the application and, in the case of antimicrobial therapies, the strategic approach and expected mechanism of action. To provide measurement assurance, community accepted protocols and guidelines for minimum data and metadata should be established and broadly applied. Consensus standards may help to streamline testing and demonstration of product claims. Significance Understanding oral biofilms and their interactions with tooth and dental material surfaces holds great promise for enabling improvements in oral and overall human health. Both substrate and biofilm properties should be considered to develop a more thorough understanding of the system.
Is the Present System of Selection and Appointment of Vice Chancellors in India Throwing up Incompetency

With due respect to the existing Vice Chancellors assigned at various universities in India, efforts have been made to share some worrying thoughts on the subject. We are deliberating on the "system disorder" and not against any individual. The mentions of few examples in general is to depict the existence of incompetence in the system of higher education.
The Biochemistry and Cell Biology of Embryo Storage Proteins

Seed legumes accumulate massive amounts of certain characteristic proteins. These include the 7S and US seed storage proteins, lectins and various 2S proteins. With the advent of molecular cloning techniques, a large and increasing number of primary structures of these proteins from many plants are available in the international databases. This review summarizes and compares sequences of the seed proteins presently available. To the extent that they are known, the genes which encode the proteins and mechanisms involved in their expression are summarized. Strategies involved in the assembly of the 7S and US protein oligomers are discussed, and data that relate existing storage protein to their evolutionary progenitors are described.
Influence of physical activity on the health-related quality of life of young adults with and without autism spectrum disorder.

Background: Health-related quality of life constructs has been used to understand the multiple dimensions (i.e., physical health, psychological, environment and social relationships) that affect a ...
Incorporating population-level genetic variability within laboratory models in toxicology: From the individual to the population

Humans respond to chemical exposures differently due to many factors, such as previous and concurrent stressors, age, sex, and genetic background. The vast majority of laboratory-based toxicology studies, however, have not considered the impact of population-level variability within dose-response relationships. The lack of data dealing with the influence of genetic diversity on the response to chemical exposure provides a difficult challenge for risk assessment as individuals within the population will display a wide-range of responses following toxicant challenge. Notably, the genetic background of individuals plays a major role in the variability seen in a population-level response to a drug or chemical and, thus, there is growing interest in including genetic diversity into laboratory-models. Here we outline several laboratory-based models that can be used to assay the influence of genetic variability on an individual's response to chemicals: 1) genetically-diverse cell lines, 2) human primary cells, 3) and genetically-diverse mouse panels. We also provide a succinct review for several seminal studies to highlight the capability, feasibility, and power of each of these models. This article is intended to highlight the need to include population-level genetic diversity into toxicological study designs via laboratory-based models with the goal to provide and supplement evidence in assessing the risk posed by chemicals to the human population. As such, incorporation of genetic variability will positively impact human-based risk assessment and provide empirical data to aid and influence decision-making processes in relation to chemical exposures.
Clustering of New Cities and the Theory of a Herd Mentality

Newly incorporated municipalities (NIMs) disproportionately are located near other new municipalities. This clustering phenomenon had been previously identified by scholars, but little research had been conducted on why it occurs. Based upon more recent research, new cities seem to cluster together as a result of a herd mentality in which numerous and proximate unincorporated communities follow one another along the path to local self-determination. Additional research has also identified the presence of a pioneer NIM, who clears the numerous hurdles facing a community that wishes to incorporate and blazes a trail for subsequent incorporations within a limited geographic area. In the USA, 57% of the NIMs incorporated since 1990 have done so within a county with at least one additional new municipality. On the extreme end of this spatial pattern lie several hyperclustering counties that witnessed the incorporation of more than four NIMs between 1990 and 2010. These counties include King County, WA; Miami-Dade County, FL and Union County, NC. On the metropolitan wide scale, the Atlanta Metro Region has recently seen the incorporation of 10 NIMs since 2005, with the potential for several more in the coming years. In the end, the grouping of new cities in close geography seems to be a spatial pattern that will continue into the future as unincorporated areas learn from nearby neighbors how and why they can and should incorporate.
Entrepreneurial Ideation and Organizational Performance: Imprinting Effects

How does the relationship between the organizational context for venture idea formation and venture performance depend on the venture’s founding team and business environment? Using data from a survey of 2,067 firms, we show that venture ideas emerging from research lab contexts are imprinted in a way that is better aligned with a cooperative commercialization environment. Ideas from industry contexts are aligned with a competitive commercialization environment. We contribute to prior work by showing that imprinting can come both from how a venture idea interacts with the business environment and how those ideas interact with the type of founder.
Shoulder Arthroscopy: New Concepts

Shoulder arthroscopy has undergone dramatic advancements in the past few years. New biomechanical concepts, such as the functional rotator cuff tear, have led to new treatments, such as partial repair of massive rotator cuff tears. Techniques have evolved to repair rotator cuff tears and Bankart lesions arthroscopically. The shoulder with multidirectional instability will likely soon be treatable arthroscopically. Arthroscopic approaches to adhesive capsulitis have been applied successfully. The concepts of instability impingement overlap and internal impingement have allowed better understanding of dysfunction in the shoulders of throwing athletes.
Fabrication of Si Nanostructures for Light Emission Study

Understanding the electronic structures of silicon (Si) nanostructures is essential for exploring their potential applications in opto-electronics. Well behaved and ordered Si nanostrctures are desirable for facilitating the characterization process and the interpretation of experimental results. A combination of high resolution electron beam lithography, anisotropic reactive ion etching (RIE), and thermal oxidation was shown to yield such well behaved Si nanostructures [1][2]. Etched Si nano-wires with diameters less than 20 nm and aspect ratios greater than 20 were fabricated using a RIE process based on NF3 plasma. Thermal oxidation was demonstrated to be a feasible technique for reducing the diameter of the Si nano-wires to below 5 nm. A transmission electron microscopy (TEM) technique was developed to obtain precise structural information from these oxidized Si nanostructures and to study other interesting oxidation related phenomena. A feasible electrical contact technique was proposed and preliminary contact characteristics were obtained. All of these constitute an important first step toward understanding the intrinsic properties of Si nanostructures.
Induced Polarity as an Index of Pollination-Triggered Stylar Activation

Pollen inserted in mid-style of Nicotiana alata (cv. sensation) will grow equally in both directions (i.e. toward the stigma or toward the ovary); but if the mid-style pollination is immediately preceded by a stigmatic one, the pollen tubes will preponderantly grow toward the ovary. The present research is aimed at investigating the causes of this observed induced polarity.
Luminal obstruction in uncomplicated appendicitis: Detection with sonography and potential clinical implications

Purpose To determine the frequency of luminal obstruction on appendiceal graded compression sonography (US) in patients with uncomplicated appendicitis and test the hypothesis that this frequency is similar to the failure rates of primary antibiotic therapy for uncomplicated appendicitis when treatment selection is based on CT findings. Methods Sonograms of 150 consecutive patients with appendicitis diagnosed on ultrasound (US) and proven histopathologically were retrospectively evaluated; 114 (76.0%) had uncomplicated appendicitis, that is, appendicitis without gangrene or perforation, and were evaluated for appendicolithiasis and lymphoid hyperplasia using previously published sonographic criteria, and for luminal obstruction. Results Of the 114 patients with uncomplicated appendicitis, US demonstrated no luminal obstruction in 74 (64.9%) and luminal obstruction in 40 (35.1%, P = .018), the latter including 16 (40.0%) with lymphoid hyperplasia and 24 (60.0%, P = .074) with appendicolithiasis. Conclusions US demonstrated luminal obstruction in 35.1% of patients with uncomplicated appendicitis, similar to the published failure rates of antibiotic therapy when treatment selection is based on CT. This confirms the hypothesis, supporting the possibility that undiagnosed luminal obstruction may account for treatment failures when patients are selected by CT for primary antibiotic therapy, and suggests a role for US in selecting patients without luminal obstruction for antibiotic therapy.
Forecasting in air transport — a critical review of the techniques available

An understanding of the market and the way it is likely to change with time is central to the planning of any business enterprise. Forecasting in air transport is particularly difficult because of the number of factors which influence the potential market (political, economic, social, environmental and technological) and because demand itself is very much influenced by the range of prices and qualities offered to the consumer. The lecture will review the purpose of forecasting and then examine the techniques of forecasting that are available in order to assess their usefulness in airline planning. The preparation of a forecast is not an end in itself: rather it should be an essential and central element of the business activity. It should be part of the systematic search for opportunities and an aid to giving an overall direction to a business enterprise. For these reasons, forecasting should be seen as part of the mainstream of the planning activity and should not be left to isolated individuals in ‘backwater’ departments. Part of its value is in the formal evaluation of market intelligence and the understanding of the forces which are at work in the market place. Much of the benefit of a forecasting exercise will be lost if the ‘intelligence’ it generates is not diffused into the rest of the organisation. Similarly, line departments need to be involved in the forecasting process to help forecasters avoid ‘wishful thinking’ and pure ‘star gazing'.
Dynamical Symmetries and Model Validation

I introduce a new method for validating models—including stochastic models—that gets at the reliability of a model’s predictions under intervention or manipulation of its inputs and not merely at its predictive reliability under passive observation. The method is derived from philosophical work on natural kinds, and turns on comparing the dynamical symmetries of a model with those of its target, where dynamical symmetries are interventions on model variables that commute with time evolution. I demonstrate that this method succeeds in testing aspects of model validity for which few other tools exist.
Epigenetics and the vaginal microbiome: influence of the microbiota on the histone deacetylase level in vaginal epithelial cells from pregnant women.

BACKGROUND Histone deacetylase (HDAC) influences the acetylation status of histones at gene promotor loci, providing an epigenetic mechanism that regulates gene expression. METHODS We determined if variations in the composition of the vaginal microbiome in pregnant women were associated with alterations in the level of HDAC1 in vaginal epithelial cells and whether this influenced the concentration of compounds present in vaginal fluid. Vaginal epithelial cells were obtained from 150 women in their first trimester of pregnancy, lysed and assayed for HDAC1 by ELISA. Composition of the vaginal microbiome was determined by classification of sequences amplified from the V1-V3 region of bacterial ribosomal 16S rRNA genes. Vaginal secretions were assayed for total protein, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8, the 70kDa heat shock protein (hsp70) and the D- and L-lactic acid isomers. RESULTS Lactobacilli were numerically dominant in 119 (79.3%) of the women, with Lactobacillus crispatus being the most prevalent (45.3% of women). Gardnerella was the most prevalent non-Lactobacillus species (10.7% of women). The median HDAC1 level in epithelial cells was 6.1 ng/mL when lactobacilli predominated vs. 20.5 ng/mL when non-lactobacilli were dominant (P=0.0039). Levels were lowest when L. crispatus was dominant (3.8 ng/mL) and highest with Streptococcus dominance (38.1 ng/mL). The concentration of HDAC1 was negatively correlated with the D-lactic acid level (P=0.0183) and positively correlated with concentrations of MMP-8 and hsp70 (P<0.0001) in the vaginal fluid. CONCLUSIONS We propose that the composition of the vaginal microbiome and level of D-lactic acid, by influencing the HDAC1 level in vaginal epithelial cells, may epigenetically contribute to variations in the concentration of compounds in vaginal fluid.
Talazoparib beyond BRCA: A phase II trial of talazoparib monotherapy in BRCA1 and BRCA2 wild-type patients with advanced HER2-negative breast cancer or other solid tumors with a mutation in homologous recombination (HR) pathway genes.

3006Background: Talazoparib, a PARP inhibitor, is active in germline BRCA1/2 mutant advanced HER2-negative breast cancer, but its activity beyond BRCA1/2 is unknown. We conducted a single instituti...
An Electronic Instrument for Measurement of the Charge and Energy of Cosmic-Rays in High-Altitude Balloons

In this paper, we present an electronic instrument that is intended for measurement of the charge and energy of cosmic rays. Built with state-of-the art electronic hardware and custom software, the instrument is capable of measuring energy up to a practical upper limit of 20 GeV/nucleon. Design details are presented as general guidelines for others to further develop a similar instrument as needed. Examples of test results in our laboratory are presented that confirm proper functioning of the instrument. This instrument has recently completed its mission of successfully collecting data as intended during a 5-hour long flight at afloat altitudes of ~150,000 ft on the 60MCF Test #1 flight provided by NASA’s Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility.
Have the Effects of SOX Section 404(b) Compliance Changed Over Time

We use regression discontinuity design to evaluate the effects of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) on audit costs and financial reporting and how these effects have changed over time. While audit fee premiums associated with 404(b) compliance were substantial in the initial years of compliance, we find that the premiums declined until 2010 before reversing and returning to early SOX levels by 2015. We also find that the likelihood that a company selects a Big 4 auditor is greater for 404(b) compliers and that this drives a portion of the audit fee premium. Although we find some evidence that compliance results in more effective internal controls, this effect is confined to the initial years following the extension of management internal control reporting to non-accelerated filers. We find no evidence that the audit of internal controls over financial reporting yields more informative internal control reports. Together, while evidence suggests that audit fees associated with internal control audits have not materially and sustainably declined since inception, we find no evidence that the increased audit effort is associated with improved internal control quality or reporting. Our findings directly respond to calls from regulators and academics for research on the updated Section 404(b) compliance rules recently introduced by the SEC and should be of interest to a variety of corporate stakeholders.
3D Printed Magneto-Electric Phased Array Antenna for Various 5G New Radio Bands

A dual linear polarized 3D printed magneto-electric phased array antenna for various 5G New Radio (NR) frequency bands is proposed and its beam steering performance is investigated. The magneto-electric radiating element exhibits a well-defined stable pattern quality, low variation in the impedance over a wider bandwidth and high port to port isolation in a dual polarization configuration. The analog beamforming network (BFN) of the array is also designed. The fabricated board will be combined with the 3D printed array aperture for experimental verification of the scan performance.
Coupled Cluster Green's function formulations based on the effective Hamiltonians

We demonstrate that the effective Hamiltonians obtained with the downfolding procedure based on double unitary coupled cluster (DUCC) ansatz can be used in the context of Green's function coupled c...
Human Presencing in the Techne of a Contemplative Space

In our colleges and universities, spaces are designated and set aside for specific uses. Students eat in dining halls, not in libraries; they sleep in dorm rooms, not in classrooms. The order and cleanliness of these space, along with the hospitality of the people within these spaces impact the overall experience of those within them. As a contemplative practitioner and educator, I am aware of the importance of creating and cultivating a hospitable, ordered, clean, uncluttered space — both externally and internally to support student learning and development. However, during the spring semester of 2017, an unexpected move from a traditional classroom to a contemplative space within the Interfaith Center for my “Writing about Yoga” course highlighted just how impactful a contemplative space is on student learning. As students learned about the yoga tradition, practiced yogic postures, reflected on and integrated what they had learned and practiced, they not only became more present in writing about their subjective experiences, they engaged with each other in intersubjective experiences. In the process, they became more present and began cultivating a community of care.
Trends in Regionalization of Emergency Care for Common Pediatric Conditions.

BACKGROUND: For children who cannot be discharged from the emergency department, definitive care has become less frequent at most hospitals. It is uncertain whether this is true for common conditions that do not require specialty care. We sought to determine how the likelihood of definitive care has changed for 3 common pediatric conditions: asthma, croup, and gastroenteritis. METHODS: We used the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample database to study children RESULTS: Referral rates increased for each condition in all volume quartiles. Referral rates were greatest in the lowest pediatric volume quartile. Referral rates in the lowest pediatric volume quartile increased for asthma (13.6% per year; 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.6%–22.2%), croup (14.8% per year; 95% CI 2.6%–28.3%), and gastroenteritis (16.4% per year; 95% CI 3.5%–31.0%). Changes over time in patient age, sex, comorbidities, weekend presentation, payer mix, urban-rural location of presentation, or area income did not account for these findings. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing referral rates over time suggest decreasing provision of definitive care and regionalization of inpatient care for 3 common, generally straightforward conditions.
From exclusion to excellence: building restorative relationships to create inclusive schools: by Michal Razer and Victor J. Friedman, Rotterdam, Sense Publications, 2017, 159 pp., $54.00 (paperback), ISBN 978-94-6300-486-2; $99.00 (hardback), ISBN 978-94-6300-487-9; $99.00 (e-book), ISBN 978-94-6300-488-6

There is no shortage of books written for educators and other education professionals designed to help us improve our efficacy and set us on the path to greatness. There is also no shortage of shor...
Nasal rustle: The retrospective and prospective investigation of effects of bubbling of secretions on speech.

Abstract Objective “Nasal rustle” is a type of nasal emission associated with a small velopharyngeal (VP) gap and distracting loud noise. Currently, the mechanisms behind noise generation are unclear. In this study, we use a combination of retrospective and prospective data to test the hypotheses that bubbling of secretions could be a source of audible noise. Design Retrospective: Nasopharyngoscopy records of 151 patients with nasal rustle were reviewed to determine if bubbling occurred during their nasopharyngoscopy examination. Prospective: Nine children with nasal rustle and bubbling of secretions were suctioned with the scope in place to assure removal of secretions. The Nasometer II was used to record the children's production of oral sentences prior to and post suctioning. All sentences were analyzed for the presence or absence of noise, nasalance scores, and Cepstral Peak Prominence (CPP). Intra-and inter-judge reliability of coding was high. Results Retrospective: 70% of the patients with nasal rustle had bubbling of secretions during nasopharyngoscopy. Prospective: Percentages of audible noise were reduced significantly post suctioning (Friedman's Test, Chi-square = 24.5, p = 0.001) with the greatest decrease in syllables with fricatives and bilabial stops (p Conclusions Retrospective: The high percentage of patients with nasal rustle had bubbling of secretions when producing speech in nasopharyngoscopy evaluations. Prospective: The incidence of audible noise was reduced as a result of suctioning. This suggests that the presence of secretions contributes to the production of nasal rustle.
Prospective applications of nanometer-scale pore size biomimetic and bioinspired membranes

Abstract Biomimetic and bioinspired membranes (BBMs) have garnered significant attention as innovative platforms for membrane-based separations and purification. These membranes typically consist of highly permeable biological or bioinspired pore structures or channels with well-defined pore geometries. The pore structures are embedded in a relatively impermeable synthetic membrane matrix, and the overall membrane demonstrates high performance, functionality, and selectivity originating primarily from the pore properties. The channels utilized have well-controlled and uniform inner pore diameters, leading to a completely uniform pore size distribution, in direct contrast to the wide pore size distribution common in current commercial membranes. Biomimetic membranes thus have the potential to target specific separations that require precise selectivity, particularly in the challenging sub-nanometer to nanometer size ranges. So far, the discussion around BBMs has largely focused on water purification. However, these membranes could provide significant benefits in other potential applications, such as antibiotic separations, homogeneous catalyst retention, organic acid separations, gas separations, organic solvent nanofiltration, food processing, protective and breathable fabrics, and ion/ion separations. This review first illustrates the importance of monodisperse pore size distribution to selectivity in nm-scale separations, and then discusses potential applications of BBM membranes. Provided that defect-free biomimetic membranes compatible with the environments used in these applications can be engineered, these membranes may provide a path to move beyond the permeability-selectivity tradeoff that limits the separation properties of current synthetic membranes.
Synthesis and Characterization of Cationic Dendrimer‐PDMS Hybrids

A modular strategy for the synthesis of dendron-linear polymer hybrids comprised of a flexible polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) midblock with cationic 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid (bis-MPA) dendron end groups is developed. The invention of a scalable methodology to access quaternary ammonium carboxylate building blocks and their direct use in esterification chemistry enables rapid access to cationic bis-MPA dendrons. The convergent click coupling of highly charged dendrons to hydrophobic PDMS chain-ends gives a 12-membered family of hybrids that are comprised of different dendron generations (G1-3) and quaternary ammonium alkyl chain lengths (C4 , C8 , C12 , C16 ). This provides a library of materials with variable hydrophobicity, charge density, and chain-end valency. The physical behavior of the dendron-linear PDMS hybrid copolymers significantly changes after introduction of the cationic dendron end-groups and leads to soft-solid materials as a result of inhibited chain mobility. These PDMS-dendron hybrids are expected to behave as surface-active antimicrobial additives in bulk cross-linked silicone systems.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Secondary Syphilis in Women

Secondary syphilis develops approximately 3 to 12 weeks following undetected and untreated primary syphilis. Despite historically low rates of syphilis infection in 2000, the United States is now experiencing an alarming resurgence in primary, secondary, and congenital syphilis. This case report describes an unexpected presentation in a young woman presenting for an initial well-woman examination. Social and behavioral drivers of syphilis infection, diagnosis, and treatment are presented. Implications for women's health are examined. The need for new and more effective preventive health strategies is reviewed.
Mourning: The Capacity for Mourning and Working Through Loss

Loss and its consequent pain is an inescapable universal human experience. To mourn means to be able to bear the pain and to come to terms with loss. The impulse to evade the pain is ubiquitous. The price for such evasion is pathology.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art as an Adjunct of Factory: Richard F. Bach and the Resolution Between Gilman’s Temple and Dana’s Department Store

Abstract This article examines the metaphors used by museum leaders in the early twentieth century. Richard F. Bach’s metaphor for the Metropolitan Museum of Art as an adjunct of factory is positioned as a philosophical resolution between those of two prominent contemporaries: Benjamin Ives Gilman’s metaphor of the art museum as a temple and John Cotton Dana’s metaphor of the museum as a department store, which are often viewed by historians in a dichotomy of unresolved tension. While examining differences in institutional agendas suggested by these metaphors, this article illuminates the common goal among them: Museums explicitly saw themselves as serving an essential role in American society to refine public taste and the aesthetic sophistication of their audiences. A close analysis of the metaphors reveals three historical models that offered varying visitor experiences for exercising good taste.
So Then Why Did You Do It

What causes unethical behavior and what can we learn from those individuals who have had spectacular ethical lapses? The profiles of six prominent individuals, including Dennis Levine, Charles Keating, and Robert Citron are examined to try to provide some insight into what lead them down the slippery slope to criminal and unethical behavior. What we found is that all six certainly knew that they were breaking the law and most went to extra-ordinary lengths to cover up what they were doing. Additionally, we found that each individual had attained a position of authority that enabled them to break the law without being seriously challenged by others who knew, or suspected, what was being done. Each person was highly compensated for their efforts, yet, they choose to engage in unethical and illegal activities in the pursuit of just a little more money or power.
"Ignoring the violence": healthcare policy recommendations for the prevention of community violence re-victimization.

Medical centers see 1.4 million serious violent crime victims every year and are the most likely places to intervene for preventing and reducing violence. However, very few medical centers evaluate patients beyond physical conditions, and very few complete toxicology or psychosocial screens to evaluate for substance abuse and psychological conditions as a result of trauma. Unfortunately, victims of violence are given medical assistance and discharged without recognition of the serious after effects of trauma both for themselves and their families. This manuscript discusses the chronicity and consequences of violent victimization, related health care policies that impede violence prevention and victim intervention, and concludes with a proposal for improved policies in the health care arena.
The Marketing of Philanthropy and the Charitable Contributions Deduction

This article takes a fresh look at the rationale and doctrinal tests for the charitable contributions deduction under Section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code, specifically in the context of certain kinds of "named" or "commemorative" gifts subject to fee schedules (e.g., University chairs; commemorative bricks). The article concludes that the best explanation for the deduction is an auxiliary funding device for tax-exempt charities, and that as a result, the doctrinal tests for deductibility should be tied closely to and advance the core rationales for tax exemption. Under the "community benefit" theory of exemption, deductions for commermorative-type gifts subject to fee schedules should be allowed, since presumably these gifts advance the mission of the exempt organization and run little or no risk of tax-base impairment or unfair competition, while under economic theories of exemption, these gifts should not be deductible, because the "fee schedule" structure of the gift is designed to overcome free riding, which is the basic economic rationale for government subsidization of exempt organizations.
Calorimetric versus Growth Microbial Analysis of Cellulase Enzymes Acting on Cellulose

Assay of cellulase enzymology on cellulose was investigated by two methods: (i) plate colony counting to determine microbial growth and (ii) microbial calorimetry. These methods were chosen because they accept raw samples and have the potential to be far more specific than spectrophotometric reducing sugar assays. Microbial calorimetry requires ca. 0.5 to 1 h and 10 to 100 μM concentrations of cellulolytic lower sugars (glucose and cellobiose). Growth assay (liquid culture, plating, colony counting) requires 15 to 20 h and ca. 0.5 mM sugars. Microbial calorimetry requires simply aerobic metabolism, whereas growth assay requires completion of the cell cycle. A stripping technique is described for use in conjunction with the calorimetric method to enable separate analysis of the two sugars. Mixtures of glucose and cellobiose are equilibrated with Escherichia coli and spun out to remove glucose. The supernatant is calorimetrically combusted with Klebsiella sp. to quantitate cellobiose, and the same organism combusting the nonstripped mixture gives heat proportional to the sum of the two sugars. Calorimetry of cellulolysis products from individual exo- and endocellulases, and from their reconstituted mixture, was carried out to develop a microbial calorimetric means for demonstrating enzyme synergism.
Effects of thyrotropin on thyroid chromatin: Enhanced sensitivity to micrococcal nuclease and increased nuclear protein phosphorylation

Abstract Thyroid slices were incubated with or without TSH for 2 or 5 h. Nuclei were then prepared, subjected to mild digestion with micrococcal nuclease, and centrifuged at 1200 × g . The amount of DNA in 1200 × g supernatants was increased by TSH at 5 h, but not at 2 h. In parallel studies, thyroid slices were incubated with 32 P i and labeling of acid-soluble nuclear proteins was examined. TSH-dependent increases in labeling of histones H1 and H3, and of the high mobility group protein HMG 14, were observed at 2 h; however, there were no apparent changes in TSH-dependent labeling between 2 and 5 h, in nuclease-sensitive or in bulk chromatin. These results suggest that the observed TSH-dependent changes in the micrococcal nuclease-sensitivity of thyroid nuclear chromatin were not induced directly by changes in the phosphorylation of the histones or HMG 14.
Using an educational census to reach educational technology tipping point

In the United States, the use of educational technology is mandated by accredited teacher preparation programs and by state accrediting departments of education. Yet the majority of teacher education faculty fail to infuse educational technology procedures into their courses at substantial levels (Mitchell, Dipetta & Kerr, 2001), and teachers fail to infuse technology into their teaching (Anderson & Speck, 2001). For educational technology to become firmly entrenched in our educational systems, educational technology must become a part of the culture of our schools. This paper reports the attitudes and opinions gathered from interviews, questionnaires, and classroom artefacts from two groups of practicing teachers (n=31) enrolled in a ‘teacher leader’ graduate program. This paper represents only the first phase of a census-like assessment of a much larger group of undergraduate (n=133) students, graduate level teachers (n=92), information technology directors and college faculty (n=32) from twelve colleges and universities.
Los servicios públicos domiciliarios y el Estado regulador

La regulacion economica por parte del estado constituye una alternativa para conciliar la busqueda del bienestar social y la equidad con la eficiencia del sistema de mercado. Sin embargo, la excesiva generacion de normas por parte del Estado puede terminar siendo ineficaz y ocasionar crisis entre el sistema politico y el juridico. El articulo explora el problema y propone una linea de investigacion centrada en el sector de servicios publicos domiciliarios y basados en una nueva perspectiva que da prioridad a la percepcion de los operadores.
Enhanced survival by vitamin A supplementation during a retrovirus infection causing murine AIDS.

Abstract Infection by LP-BM5 murine leukemia virus (MuLV) produces and AIDS-like condition in mice. The viral infection suppressed the percentage of peripheral blood cells showing surface markers for macrophages, activated macrophages, T lymphocytes and activated lymphoid cells. High diatary vitamin A (retinyl palmitate) caused increased numbers of activated macrophages. It also increased the percentage of cells with markers for Ia+ cells and macrophages in the retrovirally infected mice compared to infected controls. In uninfected mice retinyl palmitate stimulated the percentage of cells with activated lymphocytes bearing IL-2R, and T cytotoxic cells. These were associated with a retarded death rate during infection with LP-BM5 murine leukemia in C57BL/6 mice. By 25 weeks of infection and 20 weeks of retinyl palmitate supplementation 71.3% survived, while 45.0% virally infected controls survived. The mice also had elevated numbers of B cells measured in the blood after 4 and 8 weeks of dietary treatment. Vitamin A stimulation may play a role in the slower death rate for retrovirally infected mice.
Acute Hemodynamic Effects of Intravenous Fat Emulsion in Dogs

An intravenous infusion of Intralipid-10% was observed to exert a negative inotropic effect on left ventricular performance in a canine isovolumetric left heart preparation. There was no effect on diastolic compliance, however. Intravenous fat emulsion also produced significant decreases in systemic vascular resistance. The mechanism of these actions has not been elucidated, but it is postulated that free fatty acid (FFA) components or their metabolites directly affect the contractile properties of both myocardium and smooth muscle. These results suggest that until suitable clinical studies can be obtained, caution should be exercised in administering intravenous fat emulsions, particularly at maximum rates of infusion or in conjunction with sodium heparin in patients with known cardiac dysfunction.
Liberalization policy, production and cost efficiency in Taiwan's telecommunications industry

Many economists, policy-makers, and corporate managers have long believed that the operational performance of private enterprises is much more efficient than that of public utilities. However, some researches on changes in efficiency before and after privatization contradict this. The purpose of this paper is to analyze changes in technical and cost efficiency in Chunghwa Telecom Company (CHT) before and after partial privatization. The input-orientation Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Cost-DEA were the research tools used in this study, and the findings showed that the technical efficiency, allocation efficiency, and cost efficiency become worse after partial privatization. Additionally, we found that CHT cannot achieve any significant improvement in cost management under its partial privatization environment. CHT is still restricted by government policies and regulations, thus undermining its ability to achieve any significant improvement in its cost management. In order to improve efficiency for CHT, the government needs to eliminate some regulations and relax its control over CHT, thus creating a completely privatized environment.
User-oriented data base management systems and their selection

Abstract Data base management systems, introduced in the early 1970s, are accepted tools in the development of application systems in industry and government today. More recently, user-oriented data base management systems (UDBMSs) have been developed for smaller computers and as part of general purpose statistical analysis packages. This paper describes the basic concepts and potential of a UDBMS. principal criteria in UDBMS selection, and introduces common systems in use.
Optimal size integer division circuits

Division is a fundamental problem for arithmetic and algebraic computation. This paper describes Boolean circuits (of bounded fan-in) for integer division (finding reciprocals) that have size O(M(n)) and depth O(lognlog logn), where M(n) is the size complexity of O(logn) depth integer multiplication circuits. Currently, M(n) is known to be O(nlogn log,n), but any improvement in this bound that preserves circuit depth will be reflected by a similar improvement in the size complexity of our division algorithm. Previously, no one has been able to derive a division circuit with size O(n logcn) for any c, and simultaneous depth less than O(log2n). Our circuits are logspace uniform; that is, they can be constructed by a deterministic Turing machine in space O(log n).Our results match the best known depth bounds for logspace uniform circuits, and are optimal in size.The general method of high order iterative formulas is of independent interest as a way of efficiently using parallel processors to solve algebraic problems. In particular, our algorithm implies that any rational function can be evaluated in these complexity bounds.As an introduction to high order iterative methods we also present a circuit for finding polynomial reciprocals (where the coefficients come from an arbitrary ring, and ring operations are unit cost in the circuit) in size O(PM (n)) and depth O(log n log log n), where PM(n) is the size complexity of optimal depth polynomial multiplication.