cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Re-Evaluating the Transition Paradigm

As described in Chapter 1, the transition paradigm currently utilized by the international community is built upon a belief in the correctness of institutionalism, which proposes that decision-making and power can be controlled through the establishment of democratic institutions. Thus current methods employed by the UN focus on security, institution-building and processes as the inputs to a political system while treating leadership as an output. The findings from the preceding case studies allow for broader conclusions to be drawn about the transition paradigm and its outcomes, and raise serious questions concerning the role of the local leadership. The most important factor to note is that not one of the three internationally led transitions studies resulted in a democratic government based on the liberal definition explicit in the UN framework and therefore utilized for this study. While they may correspond to a hybrid peace in that there was an overlying liberal framework created that was then infused with illiberal institution, they did not result in a political system with strong democratic institutions. Although the idea of hybridity is important and extremely relevant in peacebuilding today, hybridity itself is not an indication of success — especially when the hybrid governance is weighted toward autocracy. One may argue that true democratic transitions require time, perhaps decades, but the three cases also seem to be moving closer to the authoritative end of the spectrum.
Effects of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Diet and Sodium Intake on Serum Uric Acid

Objective Randomized trial data guiding dietary recommendations to lower serum uric acid (UA), the etiologic precursor of gout, are scarce. We undertook this study to examine the effects of the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet (a well-established diet that lowers blood pressure) and levels of sodium intake on serum UA. Methods We conducted an ancillary study of a randomized, crossover feeding trial in 103 adults with prehypertension or stage I hypertension. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either the DASH diet or a control diet (typical of the average American diet) and were further fed low, medium, and high levels of sodium for 30 days, each in random order. Body weight was kept constant. Serum UA levels were measured at baseline and following each feeding period. Results Trial participants were 55% women and 75% black with a mean ± SD age of 51.5 ± 9.7 years and a mean ± SD serum UA level of 5.0 ± 1.3 mg/dl. The DASH diet reduced serum UA (−0.35 mg/dl [95% confidence interval (95% CI) −0.65, −0.05], P = 0.02), with a higher effect (−1.29 mg/dl [95% CI −2.50, −0.08]) among participants (n = 8) with a baseline serum UA level of ≥7 mg/dl. Increasing sodium intake from the low level decreased serum UA during the medium sodium intake period (−0.3 mg/dl [95% CI −0.5, −0.2], P < 0.001) and during the high sodium intake period (−0.4 mg/dl [95% CI −0.6, −0.3], P < 0.001). Conclusion The DASH diet lowered serum UA, and this effect was greater among participants with hyperuricemia. Moreover, we found that higher sodium intake decreased serum UA, which enhances our knowledge of urate pathophysiology and risk factors for hyperuricemia.
Providing Sustainable Performance in Thermally Constrained Mobile Devices

State-of-the-art smartphones can generate excessive amounts of heat during high computational activity or long durations of use. While throttling mechanisms ensure safe component and outer skin level temperatures, frequent throttling can largely degrade the user-perceived performance. This work explores the impact of multiple different thermal constraints in a real-life smartphone on user experience. In addition to high processor temperatures, which have traditionally been a major point of interest, we show that applications can also quickly elevate battery and device skin temperatures to critical levels. We introduce and evaluate various thermally-efficient runtime management techniques that slow down heating under performance guarantees so as to sustain a desirable performance for maximum durations. Our techniques achieve up to 8x longer sustainable QoS.
Sustainable Development in Law Practice: A Lens for Addressing All Legal Problems

While it is widely recognized that lawyers have an important role to play in fostering sustainable development, and while a growing number of lawyers describe themselves as doing sustainability work, it is less clear what they actually do. This article, which is based on interviews with 26 lawyers who practice or have practiced law related to sustainability, provides a first assessment of what this work actually entails. It describes what these lawyers understand sustainability or sustainable development to mean — both as defined and as applied. It explains who their clients are and what they do for them, and provides insight into the dynamics of attorney-client conversations related to sustainability. It describes key personal and professional qualities of these lawyers — how they became interested, and what they like and do not like about doing work related to sustainability. Finally, by exploring what these lawyers see as obstacles to sustainability and where the jobs are in sustainability-related law, it sheds light on the future of sustainability in law practice.
Optimization of acquisition energy windows and relative injected activities for Dual-Isotope stress Tc-99m/rest Tl-201 myocardial perfusion SPECT using the ideal observer

42 Objectives Dual-isotope simultaneous-acquisition (DISA) rest-stress myocardial perfusion SPECT protocols offer a number of advantages over separate acquisition. However, crosstalk contamination, where photons emitted by one radionuclide contribute to the image of the other, degrades image quality. In this work, we investigated the optimization of the rest Tl-201 acquisition energy window width and relative injected activities (the ratio of Tc-99m and Tl-201 activities) using the ideal observer (IO), a realistic digital phantom population and Monte Carlo simulated Tc-99m and Tl-201 projections as a means to improve image quality. Methods We varied Tl-201 acquisition energy window widths from 4 keV to 40 keV with the center fixed at 72 keV. We investigated 7 different relative injected activities while keeping the total effective dose constant at 13.5 mSv. For each energy window and relative injected activity, the IO test statistics were computed using a Markov Chain Monte Carlo method for an ensemble of 1,620 triplets of fixed-defect and reversible-defect, and no-defect noisy images modeling realistic background variations. The volume under the 3-class receiver operating characteristics surface (VUS) was estimated and served as the figure of merit. Results For simultaneous acquisition, relative injected activities of 2.6-5 and acquisition energy window widths of 16-22% were optimal. For separate acquisition, we observed a broad range of optimal relative injected activities from 2.6 to 12.1 and acquisition energy window of widths 16-22%. A negative correlation between Tl-201 injected activity and the width of the Tl-201 energy window was observed in these ranges. Conclusions DISA methods provided task performance as good as that obtained with separate acquisition. Current clinical protocols provided better performance at a cost of approximately double the effective radiation dose. Research Support This work was supported by the National Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering of the National Institutes of Health under award numbers R01EB00288 and R01EB016231.
The substrate specificity of acid α-glucosidase from rabbit muscle

1. Acid alpha-glucosidase was purified 3500-fold from rabbit muscle. 2. The enzyme was activated by cations, the degree of activation varying with the substrate. Enzyme action on glycogen was most strongly activated and activation was apparently of a non-competitive type. With rabbit liver glycogen as substrate, the relative V(max.) increased 15-fold, accompanied by an increase in K(m) from 8.3 to 68.6mm-chain end over the cation range 2-200mm-Na(+) at pH4.5. Action on maltose was only moderately activated (1.3-fold, non-competitively) and action on maltotriose was marginally and competitively inhibited. 3. The pH optimum at 2mm-Na(+) was 4.5 (maltose) and 5.1 (glycogen). Cation activation of enzyme action on glycogen was markedly pH-dependent. At 200mm-Na(+), the pH optimum was 4.8 and activity was maximally stimulated in the range pH4.5-3.3. 4. Glucosidase action on maltosaccharides was associated with pronounced substrate inhibition at concentrations exceeding 5mm. Of the maltosaccharides tested, the enzyme showed a preference for p-nitrophenyl alpha-maltoside (K(m) 1.2mm) and maltotriose (K(m) 1.8mm). The extrapolated K(m) for enzyme action on maltose was 3.7mm. 5. The macromolecular polysaccharide substrate glycogen differed from linear maltosaccharide substrates in the kinetics of its interaction with the enzyme. Activity was markedly dependent on pH, cation concentration and polysaccharide structure. There was no substrate inhibition. 6. The enzyme exhibited constitutive alpha-1,6-glucanohydrolase activity. The K(m) for panose was 20mm. 7. The enzyme catalysed the total conversion of glycogen into glucose. The hydrolysis of alpha-1,6-linkages was apparently rate-limiting during the hydrolysis of glycogen. 8. Enzyme action on glycogen and maltose released the alpha-anomer of d-glucose. 9. The results are discussed in terms of the physiological role of acid alpha-glucosidase in lysosomal glycogen catabolism.
Thermotolerance and heat shock proteins: Possible involvement of Ku autoantigen in regulating Hsp70 expression

Here we characterize and compare the phenomenon of thermotolerance and permanent heat resistance in mammalian cells. The biochemical and molecular mechanisms underlying the induction of thermotolerance, and the role that heat shock proteins play in its development and decay are discussed. Finally, we describe a novel constitutive HSE-binding factor (CHBF/Ku) that appears to be involved in the regulation of the heat shock response.
Short-term fructose ingestion affects the brain independently from establishment of metabolic syndrome

Chronic fructose ingestion is linked to the global epidemic of metabolic syndrome (MetS), and poses a serious threat to brain function. We asked whether a short period (one week) of fructose ingestion potentially insufficient to establish peripheral metabolic disorder could impact brain function. We report that the fructose treatment had no effect on liver/body weight ratio, weight gain, glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, was sufficient to reduce several aspects of hippocampal plasticity. Fructose consumption reduced the levels of the neuronal nuclear protein NeuN, Myelin Basic Protein, and the axonal growth-associated protein 43, concomitant with a decline in hippocampal weight. A reduction in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 alpha and Cytochrome c oxidase subunit II by fructose treatment is indicative of mitochondrial dysfunction. Furthermore, the GLUT5 fructose transporter was increased in the hippocampus after fructose ingestion suggesting that fructose may facilitate its own transport to brain. Fructose elevated levels of ketohexokinase in the liver but did not affect SIRT1 levels, suggesting that fructose is metabolized in the liver, without severely affecting liver function commensurable to an absence of metabolic syndrome condition. These results advocate that a short period of fructose can influence brain plasticity without a major peripheral metabolic dysfunction.
Perioperative management of the obese surgical patient.

The escalation in the prevalence of obesity throughout the world has led to an upsurge in the number of obese surgical patients to whom perioperative care needs to be delivered.After determining the scope of the review, the authors used PubMed with select phrases encompassing the words in the scope. Both preclinical and clinical reports were considered.There were no controversies regarding preoperative management and the intraoperative care of the obese surgical patient.Is there a healthy obese state that gives rise to the obesity paradox regarding postoperative complications?This review considers how to prepare for and manage the obese surgical patient through the entire spectrum, from preoperative assessment to possible postoperative intensive care.What results in an obese patient developing 'unhealthy' obesity?
Glucagon, insulin, and growth hormone in the regulation of metabolism in dairy cows during lactation and ketosis

60 INTRODUCTION 61 MATERIALS AND METHCDS 63 Feeding and management 63 Blood sampling 65 Analysis of plasma constituents 66 Statistical analysis 66 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 67 Feed intake, body weight, milk yield, and milk composition 67 Metabolites 72 Insulin, growth hormone, and glucagon 79
Health behavior practice among understudied Chinese and Filipino Americans with cardiometabolic diseases.

Abstract Lifestyle modification and health behavior practice among the individuals with cardiometabolic diseases (CMD) are important for secondary prevention and disease control. This study was designed to investigate and compare health behavior practices among Chinese and Filipino Americans with CMD. Three hundred seventy-four Asian Americans (211 Chinese and 163 Filipino) who reside in the greater Philadelphia region and had either CMD or no identified disease were included in the study. Information on smoking, alcohol intake, physical activity, and salt and sweets consumption was collected, as well as demographic and acculturative characteristics. Of the 374 participants, 241 (64.4%) had CMD and 133 (35.6%) had no identified disease. The majority of Chinese and Filipino Americans with CMD failed to meet the dietary and physical activity guidelines, and only a small percentage of them restricted their amount of salt added to food and amount of sweets consumption. Compared to participants with no disease, Chinese participants with CMD were more likely to “never” add salt to food (AOR 4.42 compared to “frequently”). Filipino Americans with CMD were less likely to be those who “never” consume sweets than those who frequently consume sweets (AOR = 0.12). Among the participants with CMD, Chinese participants with CMD were less likely to restrict drinking (AOR 0.11) than Filipinos with CMD. The findings suggest that tailored interventions for Chinese and Filipino Americans with CMD should be developed to enhance their compliance to behavioral guidelines to prevent further disease progression and complications.
Visibility computation for efficient walkthrough of complex environments

In many virtual reality applications as well as general computer graphics we need to consider large numbers of objects to render one image. In many cases rendering can be preceded by a culling phase that employs simple mechanisms to reject most of the objects. As a result, only a very small portion of the model has to go through the time-consuming process of hidden object removal. We report on such a culling mechanism that is based on regular space subdivision into cells followed by cell classification into interior, exterior, and wall cells. A special cell-to-cell visibility algorithm is then activated between every two nonexterior cells. Only the objects in the potentially visible set of cells are actually submitted to the hidden object removal algorithm. We report on the implementation of the algorithm and its performance for walkthrough of various environments.
Building applications for mobile devices with microsoft visual Studio.NET: tutorial presentation

The term "mobile device" has a broader meaning these days. In the past, mobile devices were limited to PDAs running Windows CE or the Palm OS. With the introduction of multifunctional cellular phones of all shapes and sizes, and PDAs that connect to the internet, a mobile device, these days, incorporate everything from PDAs to Smartphones and pagers. Microsoft Visual Studio.NET offers a development environment that allows developers to create and simulate applications that can run on a variety of mobile devices.
The impact of a intervention program on the knowledge and behaviors of school-age children in Alabama regarding nutrition and physical activity

For many years, the prevalence of increased health problems due to unhealthy eating and physical inactivity has become a huge concern. In study after study, the residents in the state of Alabama have ranked high in such dubious categories as obesity, diabetes, and lack of exercise (Trust for America’s Health, 2008). This concern has gained national attention. With this in mind, organizations such as the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System have begun developing and implementing programs for children and youth that focus on healthy eating and being active. Nevertheless, over the past few years little has been done to develop intervention programs centered on knowledge and behaviors of school-age children in Alabama. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the impact of an intervention program on the knowledge and behaviors of school-aged children who participated in two North Alabama Boys and Girls Clubs for ages 10, 11, and 12. Specifically, the study examined the degree to which CHAMPION (Community Health Aerobic Motivational Program Initiating Optimal Nutrition) increases positive nutrition knowledge and healthy physical activity behaviors. Permission and assent were obtained from 82 school-age children in two North Alabama Boys and Girls Clubs (Control, N=39; Experimental, N=43). Findings of the study indicated a positive impact on knowledge and physical activity behaviors of those participants who received the intervention (Club 1). It is recommended that more intervention programs are implemented that mirror this study.
Looking Real and Making Mistakes

What happens when a Virtual Human makes a mistake? In this study we investigate the impact of a VH’s conversational mistakes in the context of persuasion. Users interacted with a VH that told persuasive information, and they were given the option to use the information to complete a problem-solving task. The VH occasionally made mistakes such as not responding, repeating the same answer, or giving an irrelevant reply. Results indicated that a VH who makes conversational mistakes is capable of social influence. Individual differences also shed light on the cognitive processes of users who interacted with error-prone VHs. We discuss the implications of these results with regard to VH design.
Expression and Indication in Ethics and Political Philosophy

We sometimes have reasons to perform actions due to what they would communicate. Those who have discussed such reasons have understood what an action ‘communicates’ as what it conventionally expresses. Brennan and Jaworski argue that when a convention ensures that expressing the appropriate thing would be costly, we should change or flout the convention. I argue that what really matters is often what attitudes we indicate rather than conventionally express, using social science to show that indicating our attitudes is often unavoidably costly, and sometimes worth the cost. I use this account to defend communicative arguments for egalitarian distributive policies.
Forest structure and regeneration responses 15 years after wildfire in a ponderosa pine and mixed-conifer ecotone, Arizona, USA

Accelerated vegetation changes are predicted for Southwestern forests due to changing disturbance regimes and climate. The 2001 Leroux Fire burned across a landscape with pre-existing permanent plots during one of the most extreme drought periods over the last few decades, providing a rare opportunity to assess wildfire−drought interactions. The wildfire burned with variable severity across a mountainous transition zone. We took advantage of this opportunity to re-measure plots originally established in 2000, and extend the temporal scale of response data to 15 years post-fire. Although fire severity classification adequately described initial effects, tree mortality was indistinguishable among the burned plots between 2002 and 2016, ranging from 38 to 41%. Our results indicated extensive secondary tree mortality that nearly equaled initial mortality in three of four fire severity classes. Mortality from 2002 to 2016 varied by species, with quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) experiencing disproportionately higher mortality (46 to 62% tree loss) than other species across all fire severities. Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Engelm.) mortality (34% tree loss) between 2002 and 2016 on unburned plots, along with similar mortality on moderate- and high-severity plots, show that even the most drought-tolerant species on our site was affected by exceptionally warm and dry conditions. Regeneration immediately post fire was dominated by aspen sprouts across all fire severities. By 2016, however, aspen densities were lower than pre-fire observations in unburned, moderate- and high-severity plots, and conifer seedlings primarily established in unburned plots. Ponderosa pine seedlings established between 2011 and 2016 and were observed in only one unburned plot in 2016. The lack of pine regeneration and the relatively small size of high-severity patches in the Leroux Fire suggest that factors other than seed dispersal limited ponderosa pine regeneration. Substantial mortality (68% tree loss) and 39% basal area reduction over the 15-year study, plus variable aspen regeneration and sparse conifer regeneration, led to non-forested conditions and isolated aspen stands. Although small in size, the Leroux Fire provided an example of continuing post-fire forest community changes driven by temperature increases and drought. Thus, wildfire and climate change interactions may accelerate shifts in structure and composition in Southwest forest ecosystems.
Impact of a same-day breast biopsy program on disparities in time to biopsy.

6508Background: While screening rates have improved among minorities, racial/ethnic disparities in diagnosis and treatment persist. Many steps in the diagnostic pathway can delay tissue diagnosis, ...
Patient Factors Associated with Successful Incentive Spirometry.

Background Incentive spirometers (IS) are commonly prescribed after various surgical procedures with the intended effect of reducing postoperative pulmonary complications. Factors associated with correct use of IS by postoperative patients has not previously been studied. Methods A cross-sectional analysis of postoperative patients was completed to assess whether patients knew how to correctly inhale on their IS. For each patient, the following variables were collected: whether the device was within arm's reach of the patient, if the patient reported having used their IS, if they considered the IS to be helpful, and if they felt more confident using IS after a brief educational intervention was performed by study investigators. Results A total of 26.2% (11/42) of patients failed to use their IS correctly, and 38.1% (16/42) denied ever using the device in their postoperative care. Device location, perceived benefit, and previous use were identified as statistically significant determinants of successful use. Following a brief educational intervention by a physician, 73.8% (31/42) of patients were more confident in their ability to use IS during the remainder of their care. Discussion A substantial portion of postoperative patients failed to correctly utilize their IS. Device proximity to the patient, patient perspectives on potential benefits of IS, and previous use of the device may affect correct use. Patient education and optimization of device placement should be considered to increase compliance during IS implementation.
RE-EVALUATION OF ISOMETRIC TRAINING METHODS AND RESULTS, A MUST.

(1964). Re-Evaluation of Isometric Training Methods and Results, A Must. Research Quarterly. American Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation: Vol. 35, No. 2, pp. 215-216.
Regulation of γδ T Cell Effector Diversification in the Thymus.

γδ T cells are the first T cell lineage to develop in the thymus and take up residence in a wide variety of tissues where they can provide fast, innate-like sources of effector cytokines for barrier defense. In contrast to conventional αβ T cells that egress the thymus as naive cells, γδ T cells can be programmed for effector function during development in the thymus. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that determine γδ T cell effector fate is of great interest due to the wide-spread tissue distribution of γδ T cells and their roles in pathogen clearance, immunosurveillance, cancer, and autoimmune diseases. In this review, we will integrate the current understanding of the role of the T cell receptor, environmental signals, and transcription factor networks in controlling mouse innate-like γδ T cell effector commitment.
Comparison of Protein Precipitation Ability of Structurally Diverse Procyanidin-Rich Condensed Tannins in Two Buffer Systems.

The protein precipitation (PP) of bovine serum albumin (BSA), lysozyme (LYS), and alfalfa leaf protein (ALF) by four procyanidin-rich condensed tannin (CT) samples in both 2-[N-morpholino]ethanesulfonic acid (MES) and a modified Goering-Van Soest (GVS) buffer is described. Purified CT samples examined included Vitis vinifera seed (mean degree of polymerization [mDP] 4.1, 16.5% galloylated), Tilia sp. flowers (B-type linkages, mDP 5.9), Vaccinium macrocarpon berries (mDP 8.7, 31.7% A-type linkages). and Trifolium pratense flowers (B-type linkages, mDP 12.3) and were characterized by 2D NMR (>90% purity). In general, CTs precipitated ALF > LYS ≥ BSA. PP in GVS buffer was 1 to 2.25 times greater than that in MES buffer (25 °C). The GVS buffer system better reflects the results/conclusions from the literature on the impacts mDP, galloylation, and A-type linkages have on PP. Determinations of PP using the MES buffer at 37 °C indicated that some of these differences may be attributed to the temperature at which GVS buffer determinations are conducted. In vitro PP studies using the GVS buffer may offer better guidance when selecting CT-containing forages and amendments for ruminant feeding studies.
Collaborative Learning and Formative Assessment in Astronomy

Collaborative learning is students working together to solve a problem or complete a task. Assessments are formative if they occur while learning is still in progress, when knowledge can still be added to or revised. Individually, these are both forms of active learning; in both, a student is actually doing something, engaged in learning, and not passively listening to a lecture. Together, collaborative learning and formative assessment can be a basis for active learning pedagogies and powerful instructional tools.
In memoriam: Napoleon A. Chagnon

Abstract Anthropologist Napoleon A. Chagnon was a central figure in the development and foundation of evolutionary approaches to human behavior. We highlight his ethnographic fieldwork, contributions to studies of kinship and marriage, and his foundational role in the development of evolutionary approaches to human behavior. As a holistic anthropologist Chagnon led anthropology toward the integration of cultural and evolutionary theory. Finally, his leadership was central in the foundation of the Human Behavior and Evolution Society. Epigraph Ricardo, a Brazilian Protestant missionary who was assisting the scientific team and who has worked with the Yanomami for over 25 years … told me to run and get my camera. “There's going to be a fight,” he said. Then he turned to leave. “Aren't you going to stay?” I asked. “Nah, happens all the time. You stay, you're an anthropologist, should be interesting. Call me if anyone gets hurt.”
Use of quantitative trait loci to develop stress tolerance in plants

Abstract Quantitative trait loci (QTLs) refer to a specific region on chromosomes, which harbors gene(s) controlling the traits. QTL mapping tries to identify stretches of DNA closely linked to genes underlying a specific trait by performing statistical analysis of molecular markers and traits in populations of controlled crosses. QTL mapping provides a starting point for dissecting complex traits into its component alleles. It helps to quantify the relative effects of alleles on the traits and locates genomic regions responsible for marker–trait association. Finally, it provides a foundation of marker-assisted selection (MAS) that expedites the breeding process given the proper estimation of position and the effects of QTLs. QTLs that are detected in multiple environments are called stable QTL and are reliable QTL for MAS. Mapping loci in genome requires a population that segregates for the target traits. QTL analysis is performed by estimating the correlation between phenotype data with genotype (markers) data of segregating populations. The primary types of segregating population for QTL mapping include F2, recombinant inbred lines, BC1, double haploid lines, near-isogenic lines, and full-sib F1 (pseudo-testcross).
Research on Dynamic Characteristics of Furnace in 670 t/h Ultra-high Pressure Pulverized Coal Furnace after Burner Transformation

The power field characteristics of a 670t/h boiler in a power plant were studied after the burner transformation. The results show that the size of the aerodynamic fluid in the hearth of the burner is appropriate, the furnace is full, and the center of the strong wind ring is basically in the center of the hearth. The wind speed of the wall around the water-cooled wall is within a reasonable range; there is a certain wind speed deviation on the side, and the angle of the SOFA reverse wind can be adjusted appropriately to eliminate the residual rotation existing at the furnace outlet. The research results can provide a reference for the transformation of burners of the same type.
Aerobic radical polymerization mediated by microbial metabolism

Performing radical polymerizations under ambient conditions is a major challenge because molecular oxygen is an effective radical quencher. Here we show that the facultative electrogen Shewanella oneidensis can control metal-catalysed living radical polymerizations under apparent aerobic conditions by first consuming dissolved oxygen via aerobic respiration, and then directing extracellular electron flux to a metal catalyst. In both open and closed containers, S. oneidensis enabled living radical polymerizations without requiring the preremoval of oxygen. Polymerization activity was closely tied to S. oneidensis anaerobic metabolism through specific extracellular electron transfer proteins and was effective for a variety of monomers using low (parts per million) concentrations of metal catalysts. Finally, polymerizations survived repeated challenges of oxygen exposure and could be initiated using lyophilized or spent (recycled) cells. Overall, our results demonstrate how the unique ability of S. oneidensis to use both oxygen and metals as respiratory electron acceptors can be leveraged to address salient challenges in polymer synthesis.
Former neonatal intensive care unit fathers' involvement 4 years later: A qualitative study

Abstract Purpose To explore the experience of fathering a previous Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) infant four years after hospitalization. Design and methods Nineteen fathers of former NICU infants were interviewed using a semi-structured schedule. Results Most of the fathers had children with ongoing health issues (84%). The median age of the fathers was 38 years old. Racial demographics included 12 white fathers (63%), 5 black fathers (26%), and 2 Hispanic fathers (11%). Themes that emerged included adjustments, prepared for anything, closeness, ambivalent normalcy, and vigilance. These fathers of former infants with health issues made ‘adjustments’ in their lives to be available and better fathers for their children. They familiarized themselves with their children's ongoing health issues so they could be better protectors and be ‘prepared for anything’, but considered their children ‘normal kids’ while still maintaining ‘vigilance’ for future health needs. Fathers described that the experience of having an infant with health issues helped them to develop ‘closeness’ with the child and boosted their confidence as fathers. Conclusion This involvement/confidence pattern is critically important to establishing and maintaining fathering, especially for fathers of children with disabilities. Practice implications Pediatric practitioners can continue to encourage this pattern after the initial hospital stay.
Suffering: The Capacity to Endure Suffering

Suffering is inextricably intertwined with loss and its consequent pain. A distinction is made between existential suffering in the face of necessary losses and pains and neurotic suffering in the face of unnecessary or self-inflicted losses and pains. Awareness of and exposure to our aloneness, castratedness, decisional responsibleness, finitude, inevitable disintegration, decay, and death, failure to live up to the standards of our better selves, limitedness, loneliness, (potential) loss of loved ones, transitoriness, vulnerableness, and relational sloppiness result in the experience of existential anxiety and existential suffering. Becoming mature involves learning to bear existential suffering, tolerate existential anxiety, and accept social reality. In the spirit of dialectical living, this we can do by being good, by being truthful, and by being attuned to and refining that which is beautiful in our lifeworld, all to offset that which is bad, untruthful, and ugly in life. This is a primary purpose in life.
Speech Recognition Outcomes in Adults With Slim Straight and Slim Modiolar Cochlear Implant Electrode Arrays.

ObjectiveTo compare differences in audiologic outcomes between slim modiolar electrode (SME) CI532 and slim lateral wall electrode (SLW) CI522 cochlear implant recipients.Study DesignRetrospective ...
SU-E-T-338: Dosimetric Study of Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) and Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) for Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) in Early Stage Lung Cancer

Purpose: This study evaluates the dosimetric differences using volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) in patients previously treated with intensity modulated radiation therapy IMRT for stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) in early stage lung cancer. Methods: We evaluated 9 consecutive medically inoperable lung cancer patients at the start of the SBRT program who were treated with IMRT from November 2010 to October 2011. These patients were treated using 6 MV energy. The 9 cases were then re-planned with VMAT performed with arc therapy using 6 MV flattening filter free (FFF) energy with the same organs at risk (OARS) constraints. Data collected for the treatment plans included target coverage, beam on time, dose to OARS and gamma pass rate. Results: Five patients were T1N0 and four patients were T2N0 with all tumors less than 5 cm. The average GTV was 13.02 cm3 (0.83–40.87) and average PTV was 44.65 cm3 (14.06–118.08). The IMRT plans had a mean of 7.2 angles (6–9) and 5.4 minutes (3.6–11.1) per plan. The VMAT plans had a mean of 2.8 arcs (2–3) and 4.0 minutes (2.2–6.0) per plan. VMAT had slightly more target coverage than IMRT with average increase in D95 of 2.68% (1.24–5.73) and D99 of 3.65% (0.88–8.77). VMAT produced lower doses to all OARs. The largest reductions were in maximum doses to the spinal cord with an average reduction of 24.1%, esophagus with an average reduction of 22.1%, and lung with an average reduction in the V20 of 16.3% The mean gamma pass rate was 99.8% (99.2–100) at 3 mm and 3% for VMAT with comparable values for IMRT. Conclusion: These findings suggest that using VMAT for SBRT in early stage lung cancer is superior to IMRT in terms of dose coverage, OAR dose and a lower treatment delivery time with a similar gamma pass rate.
Do Extant Clauses Limiting Auditor Liability Impair Reporting Quality

Regulators and shareholders generally oppose any restriction on clients’ rights to sue their auditors, believing such restrictions would impair reporting quality. However, we find evidence suggesting that extant liability limiting agreements (LLAs) between the audit firms and their clients could constitute an efficient risk-sharing equilibrium and that the opposition to LLAs is likely unwarranted. Specifically, we find evidence suggesting that LLAs are beneficial to clients by lowering audit fees, and no evidence that LLAs impair reporting quality in general, although we find some evidence that they could cause auditors to become less conservative. If anything, the evidence indicates that overall reporting quality improves when clients’ rights to sue auditors are limited. That is, contracts that increase clients’ rights to sue auditors seem to actually impair reporting quality, even when the auditors might become more conservative.
The Art of Laboratory Experimentation

1 Why do Laboratory Experiments? 2 Planning and Conducting a Laboratory Experiment 3 Concluding Comments
The Social Responsibility Movement among Law Librarians: The Debate Revisited

This article examines the social responsibility movement in the public library and law library communities. The paper explains the struggle within each library association when determining whether to take official positions on social issues of the day, or remain neutral and focus on providing the public with informational and educational materials.The article also discusses the development of the social responsibility movement in the library systems separately. History of the early developments in the public library movement is discussed. as well as the debates that took place among ALA members in the 1960s and 1970s regarding the appropriate role the library association should play in regards to social and education issues. The second half of the article focuses on similar debates within the law library movement between the 1960s and 1980s. The article points out that the law library associations have been more likely to take an official stand on areas involving sex discrimination and racial discrimination however, other social issues remain hotly debated. One exception to this general rule is the 1985 support for a nuclear freeze. Mr. Torres recommends follow up studies be conducted to determine the impact the library social responsibility movement has had on society.
Severe Mental Disorders

It is generally agreed that effective interventions with persons experiencing severe and persistent mental disorders are based upon a multidisciplinary, multilevel set of treatments which can occur in an inpatient or outpatient setting, ideally integrated via case management through a myriad of community support services. The philosophy of treatment is embedded in a rehabilitation framework. The effective interventions most frequently cited are psychoactive medications and psychiatric rehabilitation technologies.
Are Bank Loan Ratings Relevant

We analyze the relatively new phenomenon of ratings on syndicated loans. We examine whether credit ratings on these loans convey information to the capital markets. Our event study results show that while initial ratings and upgrades do not inform the market, downgrades do. The market anticipates loan downgrades to some extent, however. We also examine whether a set of observable variables reflecting the default characteristics of the borrower can explain the cross-sectional variation in syndicated loan ratings and find that ratings are only partially predictable. Our evidence also suggests that the loan and bond rating processes differ. Finally, we estimate a credit spread model incorporating bank loan ratings and other factors reflecting default risk, information asymmetry, and agency problems. We find that ratings are related to loan rates, given the impact of other influences on yields, suggesting that the rating agencies provide information not reflected in financial information. In particular, ratings may capture information about recovery rates in default. Our results also reveal that the borrower's equity volatility affects loan ratings and the credit spread, the latter result confirming the findings of Campbell and Taksler (2003) for the bond market.
An Endostomal Tracheostomy Tube for Leakproof Retention of the Blom-Singer Stomal Valve

Patients in whom fistula speech has developed after laryngectomy usually have to occlude their stoma with a finger to talk. This prevents the air that is needed to activate the fistula from being exhaled through the stoma. In order to free the hand, Blom and Singer devised a diaphram-valved stomal device known as the tracheostoma valve. This device snaps into a flexible retention housing that must be carefully cemented to the skin. Some patients who have undergone near-total laryngectomy (and others with tracheo-esophageal voice prostheses) are unable to use their devices because the moisture and pressure around their stomas break the seal. Since air that is used to produce voice with the valve tends to lift the housing away from the stoma, a better housing design would assure that this motion would improve the seal.
Encounter Satisfaction in E-tailing: Are the Relationships of Order Fulfillment Service Quality with its Antecedents and Consequences Moderated by Historical Satisfaction?

This study focuses on whether historical satisfaction with an e-tailer (HSat) moderates baseline relationships in order fulfillment service quality models. HSat is defined as satisfaction with the e-tailer spanning all transactions except the current encounter. Encounter satisfaction (ESat) is defined as the consumer's satisfaction with the current transaction. In the baseline model, four order fulfillment service quality (OFSQ) dimensions managerially relevant to consumer e-tailing are examined: timeliness, availability, condition, and billing accuracy. The baseline structural model results support that OFSQ dimensions impact ESat, which in turn predicts two key consequences—repurchase intention and word-of-mouth. Adaptation theory is used to model the role of HSat, while controlling for transaction recency, vendor familiarity, and competitive pricing. HSat is shown to have pervasive main and interaction effects upon all baseline model relationships. These moderation effects have great managerial relevance. For example, the results illustrate a phenomenon similar to the service recovery paradox, wherein when a negative service encounter is followed by a highly positive service recovery event, previously dissatisfied consumers, as compared to previously satisfied consumers, respond with higher levels of current satisfaction. For managers, this finding is encouraging because policies that create highly positive events for consumers can thus supersede past negative experiences. Our results show however that HSat cannot be completely superseded by current OFSQ or current ESat.
Initiation of bacterial spore germination.

To investigate the problem of initiation in bacterial spore germination, we isolated, from extracts of dormant spores of Bacillus cereus strain T and B. licheniformis, a protein that initiated spore germination when added to a suspension of heat-activated spores. The optimal conditions for initiatory activity of this protein (the initiator) were 30 C in 0.01 to 0.04 m NaCl and 0.01 m tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (pH 8.5). The initiator was inhibited by phosphate but required two co-factors, l-alanine (1/7 of Km for l-alanine-inhibited germination) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (1.25 × 10−4m). In the crude extract, the initiator activity was increased 3.5-fold by heating the extract at 65 C for 10 min, but the partially purified initiator preparation was completely heat-sensitive (65 C for 5 min). Heat stability could be conferred on the purified initiator by adding 10−3m dipicolinic acid. A fractionation of this protein that excluded l-alanine dehydrogenase and adenosine deaminase from the initiator activity was developed. The molecular weight of the initiator was estimated as 7 × 104. The kinetics of germination in the presence of initiator were examined at various concentrations of l-alanine and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide.
Limitations of the Single-Age Sample for Research on Birth Order

Summary.-A simulated completed family popularion model was used to illustrate bias in single-age samples which results from changes in population ' growth rate. The model comprised 100 families or 238 individuals who ranged from 2 to 22 yr. in age. IQ-codes from a normal distribution were assigned to these individuals so that IQ correlatcd -.25 with family size and -.39 with occupational level. This produced a correlation of -.27 between birth order and IQ. A random sample, stratified random sample, and a random family unit sample estimated this lasc correlation quite closely. But esdmares of chis same correlation were spuriously high for 6 of the 11 single-age groups. These results were linked to an excess of early-borns in small families and an excess of later-borns in large families. It has been difficult to show a consistent relationship between birth order and intelligence despite numerous scudies. An early reviewer (Jones, 1933) cited frequent failure to control for the confounding of birth order and intelligence with family size or with social class. Differences in sampling methods and age biases in the different intelligence tests used were also noted. Quite similar criticisms have been made by more recent reviewers (Adams, 1972; Schooler, 1972; Warren, 1966). This study focuses on the possible bias associated with the widely used single-age sample, where individuals of about the same age are used to determine birth-order correlations with intelligence or other traits. Hare and Price (1969) drew attention to the sensitivity of single-age samples to yearly changes in population growth rate. For example, during periods of rapid growth, more new families are started and the proportion of first-borns to other birth ranks increases. Conversely, the relative proporrion of later-borns increases during periods of decreasing population growth rate, when fewer new families are started. Over-all population growth is also affected by changes in family size, but such changes are not equivalent for all family-size groups. This unevenness results in some tendency for single-age samples to overrepresent early-borns From smaller families and later-borns'from larger families. Given the well-documented tendency (Anastasi & Foley, 1949) for lower socioeconomic groups to have larger families and to score somewhat lower on intelligence tests, we should expect the birth order-intelligence relationship to be confounded with family size, social class, or both. Further, if single-age samples
Oxidation-based materials selection for 2000°C + hypersonic aerosurfaces: Theoretical considerations and historical experience

Hypersonic flight involves extremely high velocities and gas temperatures with the attendant necessity for thermal protection systems (TPS). New high temperature materials are needed for these TPS systems. A systematic investigation of the thermodynamics of potential materials revealed that low oxidation rate materials, which form pure scales of SiO2, Al2O3, Cr2O3, or BeO, cannot be utilized at temperatures of 1800°C (and above) due to disruptively high vapor pressures which arise at the interface of the base material and the scale. Vapor pressure considerations provide significant insight into the relatively good oxidation resistance of ZrB2- and HfB2-based materials at 2000°C and above. These materials form multi-oxide scales composed of a refractory crystalline oxide (skeleton) and a glass component, and this compositional approach is recommended for further development. The oxidation resistance of ZrB2-SiC and other non-oxide materials is improved, to at least 1600°C, by compositional modifications which promote immiscibility in the glass component of the scale. Other candidate materials forming high temperature oxides, such as rare earth compounds, are largely unexplored for high temperature applications and may be attractive candidates for hypersonic TPS materials.