cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and Purification of NB1-Palmitoyl Insulin

A procedure for synthesizing NB1-palmitoyl insulin for incorporation into liposomes for targeting to hepatocytes was developed. The amino group of the first amino acid phenylalanine on the B chain (B1) of insulin was selected for conjugation with palmitic acid in anticipation that its binding to the insulin receptor would be preserved. Two other free amino groups present in insulin, the first amino acid glycine on the A chain (A1) and the 29th amino acid lysine on the B chain (B29), were first protected with a t-butoxycarbonyloxy (t-Boc) group to yield NA1, B29- di-(t-Boc) insulin. The identity of this di-(t-Boc) insulin was confirmed by amino acid analysis as well as by enzyme hydrolysis coupled with matrix-assisted laser-desorption time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). NA1,B29-Di-(t-Boc) insulin was then reacted with the N-hydroxysuccinimide ester of palmitic acid, followed by deblocking the t-Boc groups, to yield NB1-palmitoyl insulin, the structure of which was further confirmed by MALDI-ToF MS analysis. NB1-palmitoyl insulin was found to interact with the insulin receptor on fat cells, thereby catalyzing the conversion of [14C]glucose into lipids, at reduced efficiency (30 − 40%).
WARCreate: create wayback-consumable WARC files from any webpage

The Internet Archive's Wayback Machine is the most common way that typical users interact with web archives. The Internet Archive uses the Heritrix web crawler to transform pages on the publicly available web into Web ARChive (WARC) files, which can then be accessed using the Wayback Machine. Because Heritrix can only access the publicly available web, many personal pages (e.g. password-protected pages, social media pages) cannot be easily archived into the standard WARC format. We have created a Google Chrome extension, WARCreate, that allows a user to create a WARC file from any webpage. Using this tool, content that might have been otherwise lost in time can be archived in a standard format by any user. This tool provides a way for casual users to easily create archives of personal online content. This is one of the first steps in resolving issues of "long term storage, maintenance, and access of personal digital assets that have emotional, intellectual, and historical value to individuals".
A service logistics model for simultaneous siting of facilities and multiple levels of equipment

Abstract Service Logistics aims at the most efficient utilization of facilities, minimizing the cost of excess capacity, while making the service more responsive to customer demands. Location of facilities and allocation of equipment to facilities is an important decision making area in service logistics. Earlier models [1–3] developed to address this issue either consider all demands to be covered or all demands cannot be covered because of equipment unavailability. Most of the models developed in the literature only consider single type of equipment usage. We develop a model for the multiple facility, multiple levels of equipment problem called the Multiple Equipment Multiple Cover facility Location-Allocation problem (MEMCOLA) which considers maximal coverage of demand, including multiple coverage of demand by equipment of a specific type, given that each equipment has a certain probability of being unavailable. MEMCOLA simultaneously locates a given number of facilities and allocates different types of equipment to the facilities.
An improved TDOA-based location estimation algorithm for large aperture microphone arrays

Location estimation is a vital aspect of a real-time large aperture array system. To date, only time-difference-of-arrival (TDOA) based algorithms run sufficiently fast for a real-time system, so we have been using this kind of locator, LEMSalg, in our real-time environment. We present an improved location estimation algorithm. In the new method, microphone-pair selection is made dynamic, rather than fixed a priori. Dynamic selection requires derivation of parameters and criteria. Here we use theoretical analysis, real system statistics and experimental results to obtain: 1) a suitable range for microphone-pair separation; 2) an ideal length for the TDOA vector; 3) an effective TDOA quality assessment criterion. Experimental results based on real speech recorded in a moderately noisy environment at 5 different SNR levels are given to show the performance improvements.
Contribution of each Trp residue toward the intrinsic fluorescence of the Giα1 protein

Giα1 is the inhibitory G-protein that, upon activation, reduces the activity of adenylyl cyclase. Comparison of the crystal structures of Giα1 bound to GDP•AMF or GTPγS with that of the inactive, GPD-bound protein indicates that a conformational change occurs in the activation step centered on three switch regions. The contribution of each tryptophan residue (W211 in the switch II region, W131 in the α-helical domain, and W258 in the GTPase domain) toward the intrinsic protein fluorescence was evaluated by using W211F, W131F, and W258F mutants. All three tryptophan residues contributed significantly toward the emission spectra regardless of the conformation. When activated by either GDP•AMF or GTPγS, the observed maximal-fluorescence scaled according to the solvent accessibilities of the tryptophan residues, calculated from molecular dynamics simulations. In the GDP•AMF and GTPγS, but not in the GDP, conformations, the residues W211 and R208 are in close proximity and form a π-cation interaction that results in a red shift in the emission spectra of WT, and W131F and W258F mutants, but a blue shift for the W211F mutant. The observed shifts did not show a relationship with the span of the W211-R208 bridge, but rather with changes in the total interaction energies. Trypsin digestion of the active conformations only occurred for the W211F mutant indicating that the electrostatic π-cation interaction blocks access to R208, which was consistent with the molecular dynamics simulations. We conclude that solvent accessibility and interaction energies account for the fluorescence features of Giα1.
Predictors of residency performance: a follow-up study

In a 1990 study we investigated resident applicant characteristics associated with successful matching into otolaryngology. 1 Of the 175 applicants studied, 87 matched, for a 49.7% success rate. Successful matching was much more likely for applicants with a history of excellent academic achievement in medical school. Of the 88 applicants who did not match during the year that was originally studied, 30 matched to otolaryngology in subsequent years. Of the 58 who never matched in otolaryngology, there is no evidence of board certification for 30. Of the other 28, 12 are board certified in anesthesia; 3 in radiology; 2 each in family medicine, internal medicine, general surgery, psychiatry, and physical medicine, and rehabilitation; and 1 each in pathology, emergency medicine, and dermatology. Of the total of 117 who matched in otolaryngology, 109 began residency training, and 107 finished otolaryngology training. Program directors answered questionnaires about 100 of 107 of these residents, detailing aspects of residency performance. The only correlation found between a highly satisfactory residency performance and characteristics that could be evaluated at the time of interviewing for residency positions was with excellent academic performance in medical school.
Effects of Methapyrilene on Rat Hepatic Xenobiotic Metabolizing Enzymes and Liver Morphology

Abstract Short-term treatment of rats with hepatocarcinogens elicits a consistent pattern of phenotypic changes in hepatic drug metabolizing enzymes, the most striking of which is a marked increase in microsomal epoxide hydrolase (EH) activity. The antihistaminic drug methapyrilene induces a high incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in F-344 rats. The studies reported here were designed to assess the effects of methapyrilene on hepatic EH activity, cytochrome P -450-dependent mixed-function oxidase activities, liver morphology, and liver-derived serum enzymes. Male F-344 rats were treated with three daily oral doses of methapyrilene-HCl, up to 300 mg/kg/day, and were sacrificed 48 hr after the last dose. Hepatic microsomal EH and cytosolic DT-diaphorase activities were increased in a dose-related fashion, to 420 and 230% of control, respectively. Cytochrome P -450 content and benzphetamine- N -demethylase and ethoxycoumarin- O -deethylase activities were concomitantly decreased to 35–50% of control. Serum γ-glutamyl transpeptidase and alanine aminotransferase activities were elevated 22- to 27-fold, and serum bile acids to 36-fold by treatment with methapyrilene. Periportal lesions, characterized by inflammation, nuclear and nucleolar enlargement, bile duct hyperplasia, and hepatocellular necrosis, were observed following methapyrilene administration. The severity of the periportal lesion correlated with elevations in the serum chemistry parameters. The increases noted in microsomal EH activity supports the suggestion that this enzyme may be a useful biochemical marker for exposure to hepatocarcinogens.
Growth Responses of Carya ovata (Juglandaceae) Seedlings to Experimental Sun Patches

Abstract The heterogenous structure of eastern deciduous forest canopies creates an understory light continuum ranging from deep shade to extended periods of direct solar irradiance below large canopy gaps. We designed an experiment to explore how shagbark hickory (Carya ovata (Mill.) K. Koch; Juglandaceae) seedlings respond to changes in both the total amount of available light and the durations of experimental sun patches. Seedlings were grown in a common garden under shadehouses where they experienced one of two light levels (high vs. low light), one of two sun patch durations (short vs. long duration) and 100% light (control). Over the growing season, seedlings responded morphologically to the amount of available light by changes in mean stem height, weight, basal diameter, specific leaf mass, chlorophyll content, taproot length, primary and secondary root weight and root ash weight. Chlorophyll content and stem height were negatively related to the amount of available light whereas the other morpholo...
A Genetic Modifier of the Gut Microbiome Influences the Risk of Graft-versus-Host Disease and Bacteremia After Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Abstract The human gut microbiome is involved in vital biological functions, such as maintenance of immune homeostasis and modulation of intestinal development and enhanced metabolic capabilities. Disturbances of the intestinal microbiota have been associated with development and progression of inflammatory conditions, including graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). The fucosyltransferase 2 (FUT2) gene produces an enzyme that is responsible for the synthesis of the H antigen in body fluids and on the intestinal mucosa. FUT2 genotype has been shown to modify the gut microbiome. We hypothesized that FUT2 genotype influences risk of GVHD and bacterial translocation after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). FUT2 genotype was determined in 150 consecutive patients receiving allogeneic HSCT at our center. We abstracted clinical characteristics and outcomes from the transplantation database. Cumulative risk of any acute GVHD varied by FUT2 genotype, with decreased risk in those with A/A genotype and increased risk in those with G/G genotype. In contrast, the cumulative incidence of bacteremia was increased in those with A/A genotype. We conclude that the FUT2 genotype influences risk of acute GVHD and bacteremia after HSCT. We hypothesize that the mechanisms involve altered intestinal surface glycosylation and microbial composition but this requires additional study.
Pull-out Behavior of Rubber Gasketed Joints

Par comparaison aux essais de Singhal, expression analytique pour la force longitudinale maximale
The Effectiveness of Development Policy

AbstractThis paper utilizes a semi-open dualistic model of economic development to explain why African states have in the past chosen to follow comparative advantage defying strategies of development while East and Southeast Asia have chosen comparative advantage following strategies. It will be argued here that the difference in policies chosen by these two regions is partly the result of the poor performance of the food staples sector in the former relative to the latter. Empirical evidence from both regions is provided to support this hypothesis. The policy implication is that the food problem must be solved if development policy is to succeed.
Agent-based resource allocation in dynamically formed CubeSat constellations

In the near future, there is potential for a tremendous expansion in the number of Earth-orbiting CubeSats, due to reduced cost associated with platform standardization, availability of standardized parts for CubeSats, and reduced launching costs due to improved packaging methods and lower cost launchers. However, software algorithms capable of efficiently coordinating CubeSats have not kept up with their hardware gains, making it likely that these CubSats will be severely underutilized. Fortunately, these coordination issues can be addressed with multiagent algorithms. In this paper, we show how a multiagent system can be used to address the particular problem of how a third party should bid for use of existing Earth-observing CubeSats so that it can achieve optical coverage over a key geographic region of interest. In this model, an agent is assigned to every CubeSat from which observations may be purchased, and agents must decide how much to offer for these services. We address this problem by having agents use reinforcement learning algorithms with agent-specific shaped rewards. The results show an eight fold improvement over a simple strawman allocation algorithm and a two fold improvement over a multiagent system using standard reward functions.
Efficacy and Persistence of Chlorpyrifos Residues on Peaches for Control of San Jose Scale (Homoptera: Diaspididae)

Chlorpyrifos 4E at the rate of 0.6 g (AI)/liter provided control of San Jose scale, Quadraspidiotus perniciosus (Comstock), on peaches. Toxic residues persisted for 60 to 80 days on twigs. At harvest, chlorpyrifos residues were 7 to ll-fold higher on twigs than on fruit. Two applications left a residue in the fruit of 0.053 ppm, just over the 0.05-ppm tolerance. Bioassays indicated the minimum lethal concentration (LC95-96) was between 0.51 and 0.73 ppm, or a residue of between 0.098 and 0.141 µg/cm2 of twig surface.
Study on image characteristics and regularity of double-inlet ventricle in color Doppler echocardiography

Objective:To explore the imaging characteristics and regularities of color Doppler echocardiography(CDE) in double-inlet ventricle(DIV).Methods:CDE was used to examine 46 patients with DIV and the imaging characteristics and regularities were observed.Angiocardiography was performed in all cases.Results:Of the 46 patients,42 were correctly diagnosed according to the CDE characteristics(diagnotic accuracy 91.3%),3 were misdiagnosed as double-outlet right ventricle and 1 as complete transposition of great arteries.The CDE characteristics and regularities of DIV were obvious:① Apical four-chamber view of two-dimensional echocardiography(2DE) showed intact interatrial septum and echo dropout in the whole interventricular septum.When the two atrioventricular valves closed during systole,the "cross" was replaced by "T" in the middle of the heart,namely,"T" sign of 2DE;the two atrioventricular valves opened to a common ventricle during diastole.Color Doppler flow imaging(CDFI) showed flow signals from the two atria entered a common ventricle through the two atrioventricular valves;② Type of the ventricle of DIV could be decided according to the features of the common ventricle on apical four-chamber view of 2DE: endocardium and trabecular muscles of the common ventricle showed delicate echo in type A(76.1%) and coarse echo in type B(4.3%).For type C(19.6%),bulboventricular ridge could be seen in the apex of the common ventricle;③ Type of the great arteries could be judged on parasternal short axis view of 2DE.Type Ⅰ showed normal relationship of the two great arteries(10.9%).Type Ⅱ and Ⅲ showed two circular echo signals of the two great arteries and type of transposition could be identified according to the spatial relationship between the two circles: in type Ⅱ (30.4%),the two circles were located in anterior right-posterior left direction and in type Ⅲ(58.7%),the two circles in anterior left-posterior right direction.Comparison of the size of the two circles could help to distinguish between PS and PH: in PS(95.7%),internal diameter of the pulmonary artery was obviously smaller than that of the aorta;in PH(4.3%),internal diameter of the pulmonary artery was obviously bigger than that of the aorta;④ CDFI showed colorful jet flow through pulmonary artery during systole in patients with PS;⑤ Males (78.3%) suffered more DIV than females.Conclusion:CDE shows obvious imaging features and regularities for DIV and has specific value for its diagnosis.
An efficient method for simulation of noisy coupled multi-dimensional oscillators

We present an efficient computational method for the study of populations of noisy coupled oscillators. By taking a population density approach in which the probability density of observing an oscillator at a point of state space is the primary variable instead of the states of all of the oscillators, we are able to seamlessly account for intrinsic noise within the oscillators and global coupling within the population. The population is assumed to consist of a large number of oscillators so that the noise process is well sampled over the population. Our numerical method is able to solve the governing equation even in the challenging case of limit cycle oscillators with a large number of state variables. Instead of simulating a prohibitive number of oscillators, our particle method simulates relatively few particles allowing for the efficient solution of the governing equation.
Boundaries and Speed Bumps: The Role of Modernized Counties Managing Growth in the Fragmented Metropolis:

Many counties in the U.S. federalist system have morphed from a limited role in service delivery to a workhorse for municipal-style local government. They also facilitate development and sprawl, he...
Scorecard Diplomacy: Grading States to Influence their Reputation and Behavior

What can the international community do when countries would rather ignore a thorny problem? Scorecard Diplomacy shows that, despite lacking traditional force, public grades are potent symbols that can evoke countries' concerns about their reputations and motivate them to address the problem. The book develops an unconventional but careful argument about the growing phenomenon of such ratings and rankings. It supports this by examining the United States' foreign policy on human trafficking using a global survey of NGOs, case studies, thousands of diplomatic cables, media stories, 90 interviews worldwide, and other documents. All of this is gathered together in a format that walks the reader through the mechanisms of scorecard diplomacy, including an assessment of the outcomes. Scorecard Diplomacy speaks both to those keen to understand the pros and cons of US policy on human trafficking and to those interested in the central question of influence in international relations. The book's companion website can be found at www.scorecarddiplomacy.org.
Endogenous protein phosphorylation by resting and activated human neutrophils.

NADPH oxidase is an enzyme in the plasma membrane of the neutrophil that catalyzes the production of O2-, a species central to the oxygen- dependent killing mechanisms of this cell. The oxidase is dormant in resting cells and is activated upon the addition of a stimulus. Neutrophils of patients with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) manifest no oxidase activity when stimulated. The possible role of protein phosphorylation in the activation of NADPH oxidase was examined in normal and CGD neutrophils by measuring the incorporation of 32Pi into proteins as determined by gel electrophoresis followed by autoradiography. Resting neutrophils from normal subjects exhibit at least 40 distinct phosphoprotein bands. The level of phosphorylation of these bands was examined after the addition of phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), opsonized zymosan, digitonin, N-formyl-methionyl- phenylalanine (FMLP), or NaF. PMA and opsonized zymosan increased the phosphorylation of a set of 6 protein bands. Digitonin and FMLP consistently caused the phosphorylation of 4 of these protein bands, while NaF failed to induce increased phosphorylation of any protein band. All activators tested caused the dephosphorylation of one specific protein band. The time course of phosphorylation (dephosphorylation) was examined using PMA as the activating agent. Increased phosphorylation of one protein band was evident by 12 sec after the addition of PMA. The most slowly phosphorylated protein band did not slow evidence of change until 5 min after the addition of PMA. Three of the phosphoproteins examined were phosphorylated either earlier than or concomitant with the activation of NADPH oxidase. CGD neutrophils were compared with normal cells for their ability to phosphorylate proteins in response to PMA. The phosphoprotein banding patterns of CGD neutrophils were identical with those of normal neutrophils in both the resting and activated states. The evidence presented shows that the phosphorylation of proteins is a prominent feature of neutrophil metabolism. The striking similarity of phosphorylation changes induced by the various activators tested suggests that protein phosphorylation may play a role in some aspects of neutrophil activation. Evidence was not obtained, however, regarding a link between protein phosphorylation and activation of NADPH oxidase.
Bromamine Decomposition Revisited: A Holistic Approach for Analyzing Acid and Base Catalysis Kinetics.

Chloramine chemistry is complex, with a variety of reactions occurring in series and parallel and many that are acid or base catalyzed, resulting in numerous rate constants. Bromide presence increases system complexity even further with possible bromamine and bromochloramine formation. Therefore, techniques for parameter estimation must address this complexity through thoughtful experimental design and robust data analysis approaches. The current research outlines a rational basis for constrained data fitting using Bronsted theory, application of the microscopic reversibility principle to reversible acid or base catalyzed reactions, and characterization of the relative significance of parallel reactions using fictive product tracking. This holistic approach was used on a comprehensive and well-documented data set for bromamine decomposition, allowing new interpretations of existing data by revealing that a previously published reaction scheme was not robust; it was not able to describe monobromamine or di...
The Cuban Anti-colonial Revolution

This chapter describes the economic structures of Spanish colonialism and the emergence of an anti-colonial revolution. The revolutionary war of independence of 1868–1878 failed to attain its goals, as a result of internal divisions. In the 1880s, Jose Marti was able to unify the revolution on the basis of the principles of independence from Spain and the creation of an inclusive republic, by all and for the good of all. He led the revolution in the launching of second revolutionary war in 1895, but the US intervention of 1898 prevented its triumph. Under US supervision, the Constitution of 1901 was “made in the USA.” In the first 20 years of the republic, US economic and ideological penetration increased significantly. A neocolonial republic was consolidated.
Production of Human Monoclonal Antibodies Using a Human-Mouse Fusion Partner

In man, the use of antigen-specific antibodies is an important clinical tool for diagnostic testing (e.g., blood typing for transfusion, tissue typing for transplantation) and for therapy (e.g., prophylaxis of Rh hemolytic disease of the newborn and zoster immune plasma) (Yankee et al., 1969; Grumet et al., 1982; Davey and Zipursky, 1979; Ross, 1962; Zaia et al., 1983). The limited availability or specificity of many of these reagents has placed an important restraint on their use. The production of hybrids between myeloma cell lines and lymphocytes from immunized hosts appears to make possible the unlimited production of monoclonal antibodies to predefined antigens (Kohler and Milstein, 1975). Successful application of this technique, primarily with rodents, is of limited clinical use because xenogeneic immunization with human cells mainly yields antibodies against monomorphic, species-specific antigens rather than polymorphic alloantigens. Moreover, rodent hybridomas have a theoretical limitation for therapeutic use because their secreted antibody would be treated by human recipients as a foreign protein with potential for inducing serum sickness.
Morphological Agreement in Minimalist Grammars

Minimalist Grammars provide a useful tool for modeling natural language syntax by defining grammar fragments in a very precise way. As a formalization of the Minimalist Program, they can accommodate linguistic analyses from the field of generative syntax. However, they have no machinery for encoding agreement; while morphology can be simulated by multiplying lexical items, there is no systematic way to state generalizations and implement actual proposals. This paper extends Minimalist Grammars with morphological features and operations on them. As a proof of concept, I show how Icelandic dative intervention can be encoded in the modified formalism.
A modified discriminant sparse representation method for face recognition

Recently, a new discriminative sparse representation method for robust face recognition that uses l 2 -norm regularization was reported. In this paper, direct data-driven calculation of the balance parameter used in the objective function is presented. The modified system preserves the advantages of the original method while improving the recognition accuracy and making the system more automated, i.e., less dependent on the user's input. Extensive simulations are performed on six face databases, namely, ORL, YALE, FERET, FEI, Cropped AR, and Georgia Tech. Sample results are given demonstrating the properties of the modified system.
Emotional arousal deficit or emotional regulation bias? An electrophysiological study of age-related differences in emotion perception

Background/Study context: Adult age differences in emotion processing have been attributed to age-related decline in earlier emotional perception and age-related bias in later emotional regulation....
Magmatic processes leading to compositional diversity in igneous rocks: Bowen (1928) revisited

Here we present a perspective on the evolution of thought on the origin of compositional diversity in igneous rocks, starting with the pioneer Norman Levi Bowen. In pursing this question of diversity, which was first clearly identified by Daly (1914), Bowen established the utility of experimentally determined phase equilibria as an aid to understanding geologic processes. His work ultimately led him to attribute igneous rock diversity to a singular path of fractional crystallization. We summarize the evolution of understanding acquired by petrologists during and after Bowen9s time. Experimentalists beyond Bowen were crucial in furthering the understanding of the origin of the diversity of igneous rocks by discovering that more than one fractional crystallization path can occur in nature: at a minimum, differentiation can either be dry (tholeiitic) or hydrous (calc-alkaline). We also reassess the five alternative igneous processes that may give rise to compositional diversity that Bowen considered, but found to be wanting. These are magma mixing, liquid immiscibility, Soret diffusion, compositional gradients in liquids, and contamination of magma by foreign material (assimilation). These processes play important roles in igneous petrogenesis, that is, roles larger than Bowen envisioned, yet fractional crystallization remains fundamentally important.
Resident Wellness and Social Support: Development and Cognitive Validation of a Resident Social Capital Assessment Tool.

Objective The purpose of this study is to develop and generate validity evidence for an instrument to measure social capital in residents. Design Mixed-methods, phased approach utilizing a modified Delphi technique, focus groups, and cognitive interviews. Setting Four residency training institutions in Washington state between February 2016 and March 2017. Participants General surgery, anesthesia, and internal medicine residents ranging from PGY-1 to PGY-6. Results The initial resident-focused instrument underwent revision via Delphi process with 6 experts; 100% expert consensus was achieved after 4 cycles. Three focus groups were conducted with 19 total residents. Focus groups identified 6 of 11 instrument items with mean quality ratings ≤4.0 on a 1-5 scale. The composite instrument rating of the draft version was 4.1 ± 0.5. After refining the instrument, cognitive interviews with the final version were completed with 22 residents. All items in the final version had quality ratings >4.0; the composite instrument rating was 4.8 ± 0.1. Conclusions Social capital may be an important factor in resident wellness as residents rely upon each other and external social support to withstand fatigue, burnout, and other negative sequelae of rigorous training. This instrument for assessment of social capital in residents may provide an avenue for data collection and potentially, identification of residents at-risk for wellness degradation.
Divergent Paths of Development: The Modern World-System and Democratization in South Africa and Zambia

The 1990s constitute a watershed decade for change in postcolonial Africa as one-party states have crumbled and old authoritarian leaders have stepped down or been removed. The ?rst few years of the 1990s saw about half of the countries in sub-Saharan Africa either install, or prepare for, multiparty rule (Widner 1994:1; van de Walle 1999a:21). Of course, not all change has been positive and it is not clear whether the current democratic wave can be sustained as the latter part of the decade has brought both severe setbacks and continued success (Bratton and van de Walle 1997:3; Diamond 1999:269270; Baker 2000: 9). Considering the precarious nature of African democratization, it is necessary to further investigate its future prospects.
Soft-Targets and Incentive Compensation in Non-Profit Organizations

Monetary targets are highly prevalent in fundraising campaigns. Although some theoretical research has been conducted to explain why fundraising organizations set such targets when charities are raised to fulfill certain capital requirements, there has been no literature that can suitably answer why a target is still announced when such capital requirements are not present. On the other hand, empirical studies have shown that performance-based incentive compensation has become more and more prevalent in the nonprofit sector. Based on the empirical observations, the author theorizes that fundraising organizations implement incentive compensation that is dependent on whether a soft target is reached, in order to motivate the fundraising staff to exert more effort in reaching out to potential donors. This paper presents a theoretical model using a game theory framework to account for the existence of “soft targets” in the fundraising industry. TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of
Comparison of Three Quantum Correction Models for the Charge Density in MOS Inversion Layers

In order to obtain high density integration for MOS devices, it is necessary to reduce the gate oxide thickness and increase the substrate doping concentration. This results in a narrow and deep potential well in which electrons are confined at the semiconductor-insulator interface and it becomes necessary to take quantum mechanical (QM) effects into consideration. In this study, we compare three well established quantum correction models, i.e., the Hansch model (Hansch W. et al. 1989. Solid State Electronics 32(10): 839–849), the modified local density approximation (MLDA) model (Paasch G. and Ubensee H. 1982. Phys. Stat. Sol. (b) 113: 165–178), and the density-gradient (D-G) model (Ancona M.G. and Tiersten H.F. 1987. Physical Review B 35(15): 7959–7965; Ancona M.G. 1997. JTCAD 97–100) in terms of accuracy for predicting the inversion layer charge distribution.
Finger-Loop Domains and Trace Metals

Certain DNA-binding proteins that regulate gene expression contain ‘Zn-fingers’,— single or multiple copies of short polypeptide sequences, approximately 30 residues long, containing four cys or his residues at defined spacing, so that Zn2+ is complexed in tetrahedral coordination with thiol-sulfur or imidazole-nitrogen atoms. The Zn2+ serves as a ‘strut’ that stabilizes folding of the domain into a ‘finger-loop’, which is capable of site-specific binding to double-stranded DNA. Since finger-loops provide a molecular means to control genetic transcription, finger-loop domains have been highly conserved during evolution. This paper reviews (a) the several classes of finger-loops that have been identified, (b) the essentiality of Zn2+ for the physiological functions of finger-loops, (c) the evidence that foreign metal ions (e.g., Cd2+, Co2+, Ni2+) can substitute for Zn2+ in finger-loop domains, and (d) the speculation that such substitutions might represent a molecular basis for genotoxicity and carcinogenicity of certain metal ions. Finally, this paper suggests that, since Zn finger-loops are present in DNA-binding regions of the human glucocorticoid-, mineralocorticoid-, estrogen-, progesterone-, androgen-, thyroid-, vitamin D-, and retinoic acid-receptor proteins, as well as the recently discovered ‘testis determining factor’, depletion of Zn2+ from such domains could be involved in the endocrine manifestations of zinc deficiency.
The African Interregnum: The “Where,” “When,” and “Why” of the Evolution of Religion

Anatomically modern humans (AMH) emerged about 200,000 years before present (ybp) in Africa , initially differing little from other hominin species . Sometime after 100,000 ybp, Neanderthals displaced AMH from the Levant region of the Middle East, ending their first excursion out of their African homeland. About 60,000 ybp, a more socially sophisticated strain of AMH expanded once again out of Africa and replaced all resident hominins worldwide. A crucial aspect of their increased social sophistication was religion. It was during the time between their retreat from the Levant to their conquest of the world (The African Interregnum) that religion emerged. Using archeological, anthropological, psychological, and primatological evidence, this chapter proposes a theoretical model for the evolutionary emergence of religion – an emergence that is pin-pointed temporally to the ecological and social crucible that was Africa from about 80,000 to 60,000 ybp, when Homo sapiens (but for the grace of God?) nearly vanished from the earth.
Proteolytic inactivation of blood coagulation factor IX by thrombin

Coagulation factor IX is a vitamin K-dependent glycoprotein that circulates in blood as a precursor of a serine protease. Incubation of human factor IX with human alpha-thrombin resulted in a time and enzyme concentration-dependent cleavage of factor IX yielding a molecule composed of a heavy chain (mol wt 50,000) and a doublet light chain (mol wt 10,000). The proteolysis of factor IX by thrombin was significantly inhibited by physiological levels of calcium ions. Under nondenaturing conditions, the heavy and light chains of thrombin- cleaved factor IX remained strongly associated, but these chains were readily separated by gel filtration in the presence of denaturants. Amino-terminal sequence analyses of the isolated heavy and light chains of thrombin-cleaved human factor IX indicated that thrombin cleaved peptide bonds at Arg327-Val328 and Arg338-Ser339 in this molecule. Comparable cleavages were observed in bovine factor IX by bovine thrombin and occurred at Arg319-Ser320 and Arg339-Ser340. Essentially, a complete loss of factor IX procoagulant activity was associated with its cleavage by thrombin. Furthermore, thrombin-cleaved factor IX neither developed coagulant activity after treatment with factor XIa nor inhibited the coagulant activity of native factor IX. These data indicate that thrombin cleaves factor IX near its active site serine residue, rendering it incapable of activating factor X. Whether or not this reaction occurs in vivo is unknown.
Ion Velocity in the Discharge Channel and Near-Field of the HERMeS Hall Thruster

NASA is continuing the development of a 12.5-kW Hall thruster system, which is baselined in a phased exploration concept to expand human presence to cis-lunar space and eventually to Mars. The development team is transitioning knowledge gained from the testing of the government-built Technology Development Unit (TDU) to the contractor-built Engineering Development Unit (EDU). A new laser-induced fluorescence diagnostic that is compatible with the testing of engineering hardware was developed to obtain data for thruster model validation in the lowest background pressure achievable. Prior to performing the test on the EDU, the team performed a functional checkout test of this new diagnostic using the TDU. In addition to providing a checkout of the diagnostic, this test provided data that can be correlated to electron mobility for comparison to the EDU at a later date. A number of technical challenges related to large test facilities and interfacing with engineering hardware were overcome while implementing the new laser diagnostic system. The initial data set was in good agreement with prior optical and non-optical diagnostics data collected on the TDU thrusters. This data set also revealed the spatial origin of high angle ions that have been of concern for spacecraft integration.
GIS Gives Communities Economic Edge

Geographic Information Systems, commonly known by the acronym GIS, integrate hardware, software managing and analyzing data at different geographies and is displayed in the form of maps. In its application, GIS has proven to be very useful in site selection, impact analysis, suitability analysis and many other studies needed for economic development by government and private industries. There are a number of varying ways in which we all can and do utilize GIS as an economic development tool.
Family Members’ Perceptions of and Attitudes toward Elder Abuse:

The author examines the nature of the relationship between elders and their primary caregivers by comparing their attitudes toward the definition, criminalization, and treatment of elder abuse. Eld...
Retrieval of a MitraClip from the left atrium using a two‐snare technique: Case report and review of the literature

MitraClip is used for reduction of mitral insufficiency in patients who are not good surgical candidates, but with expanding indications, the use of MitraClip and the number of complications will increase. Here is presented a case of a single leaflet device attachment that worsened the patient's mitral insufficiency, as well as the technique for stabilizing the valve followed by retrieval of the device. A special focus is placed on removing the using a two-snare technique to avoid the need for a surgical cutdown and repair.
A Prospective Cohort Study of the Effect of Receiving versus Being Denied an Abortion on Educational Attainment

Abstract Background Research on the effects of unintended childbearing has been limited in its ability to disentangle the direct effects of childbearing from common selection factors that predispose women to both unintended childbearing and lower educational attainment. Methods Using data from a 5-year prospective cohort study of 876 individuals seeking abortion care, some of whom were denied care because they presented beyond a facility's gestational age limit, we used discrete time survival models to estimate the hazard of graduating and dropping out among those enrolled in high school, college, or other type of school (n = 280). We also examined cluster-adjusted bivariable differences in degrees completed by receipt versus denial of a wanted abortion. Results Participants denied an abortion who parented were equally likely to be in school as compared with women who received a wanted abortion (33 vs. 28%; p = .19); however, they were more likely to be seeking a high school diploma (40 vs. 24%; p = .05) than a higher degree. In adjusted models, there were no differences in the hazard of graduating (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.76; 95% confidence interval, 0.36–1.61) or dropping out (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.12; 95% confidence interval, 0.67–1.88) between those who were denied versus received an abortion. Among graduates, participants denied a wanted abortion less often completed a postsecondary degree (27%) compared with those who received a wanted abortion (71%; p = .002). Conclusions Unintended childbirth was not associated with graduating or dropping out in this population, a finding that is at least partially explained by differences in degrees sought at the time of abortion seeking.
Federally qualified health center use of the Nebraska TobaccoQuitline

Introduction Promoting cessation services like quitlines is important to reduce tobacco-related morbidity and mortality. A critical need exists to improve clinical staff's awareness of tobacco quitlines and reduce barriers in recommending and referring tobacco-using patients. The purpose was to obtain information on the use of the Nebraska Tobacco Quitline (NTQ) by Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) clinical staff at FQHC settings with tobacco-using patients. Specific aims were: 1) identify FQHC clinical staff and setting characteristics that influence current tobacco cessation assessment and interventions, and 2) identify barriers and facilitators that influence future use of NTQ by FQHC clinical staff and settings. Methods This study recruited participants from seven FQHC settings. All FQHC provider and non-provider clinical staff were recruited to complete a Clinical Staff Survey. The Medical Director, Associate Medical Director, or Nurse Manager at each FQHC was asked to provide setting information through the Setting Survey. Descriptive statistics were used to report percentages and qualitative data were analyzed using pattern coding. Results The main findings include insufficient awareness and insufficient perceived effectiveness of NTQ, non-providers reporting a limited role in tobacco cessation efforts beyond assessment of tobacco use, and the lack of supportive setting processes for intervention use. Conclusions Targeted efforts are needed to increase awareness and perceived effectiveness of NTQ, for role expansion for non-providers, and to add Electronic Health Record (EHR) prompts and e-referral capability to increase cessation interventions including NTQ referrals. Future research is suggested to better understand patient-specific barriers in using NTQ.
Vinyl Iodide Containing Polymers Directly Prepared via an Iodo-yne Polymerization

Postpolymerization modifications are a prominent route for tuning polymer properties and diversifying materials. Thus, polymers containing robust chemical handles are desirable. Vinyl iodide functi...
Can We Estimate the Amount of Malrotation in Supracondylar Humerus Fractures After CRPP

Background Acceptable amounts of malrotation after CRPP for pediatric supracondylar humerus fracture (SCHFx) have yet to be defined. This is an attempt to correlate radiographic parameters of a malrotated SCHFx with degrees of rotational malalignment to assist intraoperative assessment of reduction. Methods 3D models of a left distal humerus were printed, simulating a transverse SCHFx with 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 degrees of malrotation. Four different scenarios were developed: (1) lateral cortical axis of rotation, (2) medial cortical axis of rotation, (3) centroid of the humerus longitudinal axis with the medial condyle rotated posteriorly, and (4) centroid of the humerus longitudinal axis with the medial condyle rotated anteriorly. Anteroposterior and lateral fluoroscopic views were taken with a consistent image profile. Five observers measured the amount of metaphyseal overhang on the lateral view and the width of the distal humerus just proximal to the fracture to establish amount of overhang as a percentage of distal humerus width. Regression analysis established "best fit" lines for the 4 scenarios. Ten observers used the observed characteristics of each type of malrotation and "best fit" lines to estimate axis and degrees of malrotation using the same fluoroscopy of the 24 models. Results The intraclass correlation coefficient of reliability for percentage of metaphyseal overhang ranged from 0.775 to 0.987. Observers correctly predicted axis of malrotation in 76% and correctly predicted amount of malrotation in 75% of models. Conclusions Estimation of axis of malrotation and degrees of malrotation within 5 degrees in SCHFx can be predicted in 75% of our 3D printed models.
Voltage-Controlled Topological Spin Switch for Ultralow-Energy Computing: Performance Modeling and Benchmarking

This research on a fully voltage-driven spin-based computing device, the ``vTOPSS'', could promote significant gains in energy efficiency, beyond the state of the art. Thus far the challenge in spin-based devices has been related to the large electric current required, and the associated Joule heating. A vTOPSS overcomes such limitations by driving a magnetic insulator via spin accumulation, generated by applying an electric field across a proximal topological insulator. Current flows perpendicular to the surface of the topological insulator and perpendicular to the applied electric field, making it nondissipative. For binary switching operations, a vTOPSS could consume mere attojoules.
Saving Nature Under Socialism: Transnational Environmentalism in East Germany, 1968 – 1990

When East Germany collapsed in 1989–1990, outside observers were shocked to learn the extent of environmental devastation that existed there. The communist dictatorship, however, had sought to confront environmental issues since at least the 1960s. Through an analysis of official and oppositional sources, Saving Nature Under Socialism complicates attitudes toward the environment in East Germany by tracing both domestic and transnational engagement with nature and pollution. The communist dictatorship limited opportunities for protest, so officials and activists looked abroad to countries such as Poland and West Germany for inspiration and support. Julia Ault outlines the evolution of environmental policy and protest in East Germany and shows how East Germans responded to local degradation as well as to an international moment of environmental reckoning in the 1970s and 1980s. The example of East Germany thus challenges and broadens our understanding of the 'greening' of post-war Europe, and illuminates a larger, central European understanding of connection across the Iron Curtain.