cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reconstructing the origins of praying mantises (Dictyoptera, Mantodea): the roles of Gondwanan vicariance and morphological convergence

A comprehensive taxonomic sampling of Mantodea (praying mantises), covering virtually all higher-level groups, was assembled to reconstruct the phylogeny of the order. Sequence data were generated from five mitochondrial and four nuclear loci (12S rRNA, 16S rRNA, 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, Histone III, Cytochrome Oxidase I '' II, NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4, and Wingless) for 329 mantis exemplars along with seven cockroach and eight termite species. Only seven of 14 families, 14 of 33 subfamilies, and seven of 14 tribes were recovered as monophyletic, indicating that phylogeny is largely incongruent with classification. Mapping biogeographical regions on the phylogeny demonstrated that our results adhere closer to biogeographical distributions than to classification. Specific patterns in distribution suggest that major morphological convergences have confounded taxonomists' ability to reconstruct natural groups. A major revision of higher-level relationships is in order through a comprehensive investigation of morphology and molecular data. We found that major mantis lineages diverged prior to and during the isolation of geographical regions and subsequent ecomorphic specializations within these regions may have led to convergences in morphology. Divergence time estimation places the origin of Mantodea at the beginning of the Jurassic with most modern mantises originating on Gondwana in the Cretaceous. The first major divergence among modern mantises occurred as a result of the north-south splitting of South America and Africa. Subsequent divergences resulted from the breakup of Gondwana. The position of the Indian subcontinent appears to be central to the diversification of Afrotropical and Indomalayan mantises while Antarctica may have served as the conduit for the mantis invasions into South America and Australasia. When India separated from Antarctica and drifted north it distributed mantis lineages back into the Afrotropics and carried a diverse taxonomic assemblage to Asia.
Macroscopic Evaluation of the Second- and Third-Trimester Placenta

In general, tissue removed or spontaneously passed from the body must be sent for pathologic examination. Placentas are the notable exception in that they are the only specimens for which routine examination is not required. The Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Hospitals states that “normal placentas” from “normal deliveries” are not required to be examined or submitted to pathology. However, a definition of what is normal is not forthcoming. Although there are a number of options for placental selection, this task is frequently left to obstetricians or other health care workers involved in the delivery, and thus selection is seldom based on specific criteria. This is the least desirable of the possible options discussed below.
Heterogeneity in bacterial surface polysaccharides, probed on a single-molecule basis.

The heterogeneity in bacterial surface macromolecules was probed by examining individual macromolecules on the surface of Pseudomonas putida KT2442 via single-molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS). Us...
An ehmo study of the interaction of CO molecules absorbed on a Ni(111) surface with neighboring CO molecules, H atoms and O atoms

Abstract The extended Huckel molecular orbital (EHMO) method has been employed to study the stability of clusters of CO, H and O on a Ni(111) surface as proposed by Marzouk, Arunkumar and Bradley [Surface Sci. 147 (1984) 477] from their recent NURS study of this system. A 25 atom nickel cluster is used to represent the metal surface, and 40 coabsorbed groups are examined. While some proposed interacting groups are found to be energetically stable, others are shown to be precursors to formation of new molecules on the surface. Stretching frequencies of the CO molecule in each of the 40 coabsorbed groups are estimated from calibration curves of computed bond orders and known axial stretching frequencies of several metal carbonyls. In most cases considered, our computed CO frequency shifts appear to be quite different from those suggested by Marzouk, Arunkumar and Bradley.
Consciousness Studies: The Emerging Military‐Industrial‐Spiritual‐Scientific Complex

Consciousness studies is not just an academic field, it is an industry as well with active research programs in medicine, business, and the military. As advancements in technology offer more access to the brain, attempts to instrumentalize the resulting knowledge will shift the very definitions of consciousness. Consciousness of this process is a necessary first condition toward keeping consciousness studies from becoming merely a form of social and individual control. Understanding consciousness studies and such important guiding metaphors as information, and dynamics such as power, is an essential part of this process.
A Glass Half Empty: Latina Reproduction and Public Discourse

Latina reproduction and fertility have become ground zero in a political war--not just of words but of public policies and laws. This article builds on a theoretical framework that includes issues of stratified reproduction which characterize some women as reproductive threats to society. From an examination of the discourse found in 10 national magazines over a 35-year period beginning in 1965 emerge three interrelated themes concerning Latina reproductive threat: 1) high fertility and population growth; 2) reconquest; and 3) overuse of medical and other social services. The final section examines data on reproduction and fertility collected from Latinas and Anglo women in Orange County California to explore the "truth claims" associated with Latina reproduction and fertility. The findings suggest that Latinas do not begin sexual activities at a relatively early age nor do they have relatively more sexual partners than Anglo women. Most Latinas have used birth control pills at some point in their lives. Latinas generally have fewer than two children per woman. Mexican-origin women born or raised in the Untied States had fewer children than adult immigrants and their differences from Anglo women were insignificant. Ordinary least squares (OLS) regression finds that age marital status education and language acculturation are more important than ethnicity for understanding fertility. (authors)
Measurement of baryon production in B-meson decay.

Using the CLEO detector at the Cornell Electron Storage Ring, we observe {ital B}-meson decays to {Lambda}{sub {ital c}}{sup +} and report on improved measurements of inclusive branching fractions and momentum spectra of other baryons. For the inclusive decay {ital {bar B}}{r arrow}{Lambda}{sub {ital c}}{sup +}{ital X} with {Lambda}{sub {ital c}}{sup +}{r arrow}{ital pK}{sup {minus}}{pi}{sup +}, we find that the product branching fraction {ital B}({ital {bar B}}{r arrow}{Lambda}{sub {ital c}}{sup +}{ital X}){ital B}({Lambda}{sub {ital c}}{sup +}{r arrow}{ital pK}{sup {minus}}{pi}{sup +})=(0.273{plus minus}0.051{plus minus} 0.039)%. Our measured inclusive branching fractions to noncharmed baryons are {ital B}({ital B}{r arrow}{ital pX})=(8.0{plus minus}0.5{plus minus}0.3)%, {ital B}({ital B}{r arrow}{Lambda}{ital X})=(3.8{plus minus}0.4{plus minus}0.6)%, and {ital B}({ital B}{r arrow}{Xi}{sup {minus}}{ital X})=(0.27{plus minus}0.05{plus minus}0.04)%. From these rates and studies of baryon-lepton and baryon-antibaryon correlations in {ital B} decays, we have estimated the branching fraction {ital B}({ital {bar B}}{r arrow}{Lambda}{sub {ital c}}{sup +}{ital X}) to be (6.4{plus minus}0.8{plus minus}0.8)%. Combining these results, we calculate {ital B}({Lambda}{sub {ital c}}{sup +}{r arrow}{ital pK}{sup {minus}}{pi}{sup +}) to be (4.3{plus minus}1.0{plus minus}0.8)%.
Loci and Characteristics of EMG Silent Periods During Masticatory Mandibular Movements in Rats

Frontal plane mandibular movements and the associated superficial masseter EMG signals of six 39-day-old rats were simultaneously recorded and digitized at a rate of 1 kHz by the optoelectronic method in order to investigate the loci and attributes of masseteric silent periods during mastication of hard (pellets) and soft (sluny) food items. The marked silent periods, defined as cessations of EMG activity during the slow-close (SC) phase of single chewing cycles, were analyzed for their (1) onset and offset durations relative to physiological centric occlusion (PCO), (2) frontal vertical (FV) and frontal horizontal (FH) loci relative to PCO, and (3) FV and FH velocities and accelerations of masticatory mandibular movements in relation to PCO. The start (SSP) and end (ESP) of silent period loci relative to PCO moved superiorly as sequences of pellet mastication progressed. All silent period attributes during slurry consumption were significantly different (p ≤ 0.01) from pellet attributes: Sluny SSP and ES...
Validation of the Isis-3D Computer Code for Simulating Large Pool Fires Under a Variety of Wind Conditions

The Isis-3D computational fluid dynamics/radiation heat transfer code was developed to simulate heat transfer from large fires. It models liquid fuel evaporation, fuel vapor and oxygen transport, chemical reaction and heat release, soot and intermediate species formation/destruction, diffuse radiation within the fire, and view factor radiation from the fire edge to nearby objects and the surroundings. Reaction rate and soot radiation parameters in Isis-3D have been selected based on experimental data. One-dimensional transient conduction modules calculate the response of simple objects engulfed in and near the flames. In this work, Isis-3D calculations were performed to simulate the conditions of three experiments that measured the temperature response of a 4.66-m-diameter culvert pipe located at the leeward edge of 18.9-m and 9.45-m diameter pool fires in crosswinds with average speeds of 2.0, 4.6 and 9.5 m/s. The measured wind conditions were used to formulate time-dependent velocity boundary conditions for a rectangular Isis-3D domain with 16,500 nodes. Isis-3D accurately calculated characteristics of the time-dependent temperature distributions in all three experiments. Accelerated simulations were also performed in which the pipe specific heat was reduced compared to the measured value by a factor of four. This artificially increased the speed at which the pipe temperature rose and allowed the simulated fire duration to be reduced by a factor of four. A 700 sec fire with moderately unsteady wind conditions was accurately simulated in 10 hours on a 2.4 GHz LINUX workstation with 0.5 GB of RAM.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Individual Orientation Toward Engagement in Social Action

The issue of how an activist identity develops is one of the core issues in social psychology and social movement research. Because of problems in the measurement of individuals' propensities to engage in social action, however, findings in this area are often equivocal, and cross-study comparisons and conclusions are difficult to draw. Hence, the aim of these studies was to develop a measure to assess individuals' propensities to engage in social action. This measure, the Activism Orientation Scale (AOS), demonstrates strong psychometric properties and allows assessment of activist propensity across a wide continuum of social action behaviors, ideological positions, and movement issues. Additionally, the broad applicability of the AOS allows for its use by researchers, activists, and policymakers.
Cullin-RING ubiquitin ligases: global regulation and activation cycles

Cullin-RING ubiquitin ligases (CRLs) comprise the largest known category of ubiquitin ligases. CRLs regulate an extensive number of dynamic cellular processes, including multiple aspects of the cell cycle, transcription, signal transduction, and development. CRLs are multisubunit complexes composed of a cullin, RING H2 finger protein, a variable substrate-recognition subunit (SRS), and for most CRLs, an adaptor that links the SRS to the complex. Eukaryotic species contain multiple cullins, with five major types in metazoa. Each cullin forms a distinct class of CRL complex, with distinct adaptors and/or substrate-recognition subunits. Despite this diversity, each of the classes of CRL complexes is subject to similar regulatory mechanisms. This review focuses on the global regulation of CRL complexes, encompassing: neddylation, deneddylation by the COP9 Signalosome (CSN), inhibitory binding by CAND1, and the dimerization of CRL complexes. We also address the role of cycles of activation and inactivation in regulating CRL activity and switching between substrate-recognition subunits.
Understanding the changing faculty workforce in higher education: A comparison of non-tenure track and tenure line experiences

Non-tenure track faculty are a growing majority in American higher education, but research examining their work lives is limited. Moreover, the theoretical frameworks commonly used by scholars have been critiqued for reliance on ideologically charged assumptions. Using a conceptual model developed from Hackman and Oldham’s (1980) Job Characteristics Model (JCM) and prior research on faculty workplace experiences, this study considers the extent to which full-time non-tenure track and tenure line faculty share a professionalized approach to their jobs, working conditions, and how this is associated with their organizational commitment. Findings demonstrate important consistencies in full-time faculty views of their workplaces and jobs across appointment type. Satisfaction with resources, rewards, autonomy and feedback had a significant positive relationship with odds of organizational commitment for all faculty groups. Overall, the results suggest being removed from the tenure track is not associated with faculty viewing their jobs in a substantially different way than those in tenure line positions, which underscores the importance of conceptualizing full-time faculty work as an integrated whole.
A cost model for personal health records (PHRs).

Personal health records (PHRs) are a rapidly expanding area in medical informatics due to the belief that they may improve healthcare delivery and control costs of care. To truly understand the full potential value of a technology, a cost analysis is critical. However, little evidence exists on the value potential of PHRs, and a cost model for PHRs does not currently exist in the literature. This paper presents a sample cost model for PHR systems, which include PHR infrastructure and applications. We used this model to examine the costs of provider-tethered, payer-tethered, third-party, and interoperable PHRs. Our model projects that on a perperson basis, third-party PHRs will be the most expensive followed by interoperable PHRs, and then provider-tethered PHRs and payer-tethered PHRs are the least expensive. Data interfaces are a major cost driver, thus these findings underscore the need for standards development and use in the implementation of PHR systems.
Inefficacy of Dietary Deficiencies of Vitamins A, D3 and Riboflavin on the Reproductive Performance of Mature Cockerels

Abstract Two studies were conducted with 10 caged White Leghorn males per group—5 group s of 62-week-old birds for a 12-week period in Trial 1 and 4 groups of 32-week-old bird s for a 22-week period in Trial 2. In both studies, group 1 males were fed a wheat basal diet calculated to be devoid of vitamins A and D3 and low in riboflavin and supplemented with 4405 U.S.P. units vitamin A, 1652 I.C. units vitamin D3 and 4.05 mg. riboflavin per kg. diet. The group 1 diet was fed to groups 2, 3 and 4 with vitamin A, D3 and riboflavin being omitted from groups 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Group 5 males in Trial 1 were continued on the standard breeder diet. The data in both studies showed no effect of a vitamin deficiency on the reproductive performance of cockerels in terms of body weight gains, feed intake, semen characteristics (semen volume, packed sperm volume, methylene blue reduction time) and duration of fertility and hatchability. Vitamin analyses of feed samples, blood serum, livers and testes of males in the second study indicated that depletion in the male had taken place but that the degree of depletion may not have been severe enough to induce a vitamin deficiency, or that the male chicken has a lower requirement for vitamins A, D3 and riboflavin than the female chicken.
The Biodiversity Heritage Library: sharing biodiversity literature with the world

Ten major natural history museum libraries, botanical libraries, and research institutions in the United Kingdom and the United States joined in 2005 to develop a strategy and operational plan to digitize the published literature of biodiversity held in their respective collections and to make that literature available for open access and responsible use as a part of a global �biodiversity commons.� Headquartered at the Smithsonian Institution Libraries, the Biodiversity Heritage Library (BHL) is one of the cornerstones of the Encyclopedia of Life, a global effort to document all 1.8 million named species of animals, plants, and other forms of life on earth. This paper provides an overview of the BHL and its potential impact on biodiversity research, describes the BHL portal and its innovative search services, and provides a case study of the process from one of the members: the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard University.
Anterior lumbar interbody fusion with integrated fixation and adjunctive posterior stabilization: A comparative biomechanical analysis

Abstract Background Interbody fusion cages with integrated fixation components have become of interest due to their ability to provide enhanced post-operative stability and mitigate device migration. A recently approved anterior lumbar interbody fusion cage with integrated fixation anchors has yet to be compared in vitro to a standard polyetheretherketone cage when used in combination with an interspinous process clamp. Methods Twelve human cadaveric lumbar segments were implanted at L4–L5 with a Solus interbody cage (n = 6) or standard polyetheretherketone cage (n = 6) following Intact testing and discectomy. Each cage was subsequently evaluated in all primary modes of loading after supplementation with the following posterior constructs: interspinous process clamp, bilateral transfacet screws, unilateral transfacet screw with contralateral pedicle screws, and bilateral pedicle screws. Range of motion results were normalized to Intact, and a two-way mixed analysis of variance was utilized to detect statistical differences. Findings The Solus cage in combination with all posterior constructs provided significant fixation compared to Intact in all loading conditions. The polyetheretherketone cage also provided significant fixation when combined with all screw based treatments, however when used with the interspinous process clamp a significant reduction was not observed in lateral bending or axial torsion. Interpretation Interbody cages with integrated fixation components enhance post-operative stability within the intervertebral space, thus affording clinicians the potential to utilize less invasive methods of posterior stabilization when seeking circumferential fusion. Interspinous process clamps, in particular, may reduce peri-operative and post-operative comorbidities compared to screw based constructs. Further study is necessary to corroborate their effectiveness in vivo .
2 How Material Culture Acted on the Ancient Maya of Yucatan, Mexico

This paper looks at how materiality in a specific sense (e.g., aspects of raw materials) contributes to materiality in a broader sense (e.g., the mutually constitutive relations between people and things). We embark from the point that common materials, such as stone and perishable containers (baskets, gourds), shape people's social interactions and their physical sensibilities. The use of very large stones for buildings in and around Uci, a local political center in the northern Maya Lowlands of Yucatan, Mexico, required people to draw on a large web of social relations in order to get access to the right stone and the right labor. Furthermore, hauling such stones and placing them in walls required a very literal form of physical dialogue between laborers that is otherwise quite rare, akin to carrying a couch. We believe that the closely coordinated and intimately shared physical maneuvers required to haul and place a 150 kg stone intensified the bonds between co-actors, who were likely part of the same household. This suggests that the stability of households depends not just on what people do, but how they do these things together. Many households at two sites near Uci—Kancab and 21 de Abril—depended heavily on baskets and gourds since pottery was scarce. Aspects of the making of these tools, such as the procurement of materials for baskets, sent people beyond their homes and into contact with many others. Thus, we argue that discussions of materials in craftwork should expand to consider the social entanglements entailed in the procurement of materials. Furthermore, we argue that the specific tactile characteristics of perishable goods such as baskets and gourds help create different kinds of people. In households with less pottery, day to day use of baskets and gourds would have inculcated non-discursive senses of touch that rose to discursive consciousness at community wide occasions at households that served meals on pottery. Such events would have been diacritical, making participants aware of the differences between themselves. In sum, raw materials such as stone and gourds play a large role in making actors who they were and creating social networks.
The Marvelous Consequences of Hardy Spaces in Quantum Physics

Dynamical differential equations, like the Schrodinger equation for the states, or the Heisenbergequa tion for the observables, need to be solved under boundary conditions. The original boundary condition of von Neumann, the Hilbert space axiom, required that the allowed wave functions are Lebesgue square integrable. This leads by a mathematical theorem of Stone-von Neumann to the unitary group evolution meaning the time t extends over \( -\infty\,<\,t\,<\,+\infty \). Physicists do not use Lebesgue integrals but followed a different path usinga lmost exclusively the Dirac formalism and well-behaved (Schwartz) functions. This led the mathematicians to Schwartz- Rigged Hilbert spaces (Gelfand triplets), which are the mathematical core of Dirac’s bra-ket formalism. This is insufficient for a theory that includes resonance and decay phenomena, which requires analytic continuation in energy E in order to accommodate exponentially decayingG amow kets, Breit-Wigner (Lorentzian) resonances, and Lippmann-Schwinger kets. This leads to a pair of Rigged Hilbert Spaces of smooth Hardy functions, one representing the prepared states of scatteringe xperiments (preparation apparatus) and the other representingd etected observables (registration apparatus). A mathematical consequence of the Hardy space axiom is that the time evolution is asymmetric given by the semi-group, i.e., \( t_0\,\leq\,t\,<\,+\infty \), with a \( t_0 \). What would the meaningo f that \( t_0 \) be?
Kissin' Cousins: Political Science and Public Administration

Emerging from common roots, the fields of political science and public administration diverged over the course of the past century. As their priorities took different routes, their theoretical approaches, professional organizations, and training programs constructed semi-permeable walls that differentiate each other yet maintain somewhat of a connection. This paper traces the evolution of this connection.
Enzyme-Catalyzed Lipid Oxidation in Muscle Microsomes

Oxidative processes in muscle foods are a major cause of spoilage and can lead to changes in texture and water-holding capacity (Dyer et al., 1956; Desai and Tappel, 1963), flavor (Baur et al., 1977), color (Weber and Grosch, 1976; Orthoefer and Dugan, 1973), and nutritive properties of the material (Gruger and Tappel, 1970). Although the occurrence of lipoxygenase has long been recognized in plant tissues as a significant cause of food spoilage, the widely held opinion is that lipid oxidation in muscle foods is carried out via non-enzymic processes (Gardner, 1975). It is important to know whether you are dealing with a non-enzymic or an enzymic reaction in food spoilage since the approaches to minimize these changes could be greatly influenced by the mechanism of the reaction.
Effects of asset market structure on welfare and trading volume

We quantitatively explore how asset market structure affects risk-sharing, welfare, and trading volume in stylized rational expectations models. We examine five market structures: perfect asset trading, only bonds and equity, only equity, only bonds, and autarchy. We find a variety of results. First, trade in a single asset, either bond or stock, achieves most of the utility gain from going to perfect markets. Second, the value of adding a bond (stock) to the stock (bond) only economy is generally quite small, and has negligible price effects. Third, even in our simple model, the addition of a new asset may harm many traders. Fourth, adding a new asset may increase trading volume in old assets. Fifth, completing the market beyond a stock and bond may have substantial price and welfare effects, indicating that adding assets like options can have significant economic effects.
Oxidative Stability and Shelf Life of Crackers, Cookies, and Biscuits

Abstract Cookies, crackers, and biscuits are foods that contain substantial amounts of lipid (i.e., fat). Introductory comments will be provided to define cookies, crackers, and biscuits. The introduction will be followed by a discussion on the ingredients and issues related to ingredients common to the aforementioned products. Product stability and strategies to control the oxidation through the use of antioxidants and packaging will be presented. Whenever possible, hypothesized mechanisms of oxidation and antioxidant activity supporting research are provided wherever necessary and in some cases the authors may include some comments. The chapter information is based on literature after 1990 with only a few exceptions. The authors recommend the reader conduct a search for references prior to 1990 as some of the foundation for antioxidant, in particular synthetic, application in crackers can be traced to the 1950s.
THREE AGES: Keaton's burlesque of the ‘mythic ages’ genre

Keaton's first feature‐length comedy, Three Ages (1923), has been interpreted as a parody of D. W. Griffith's Intolerance (1916). It has also been identified as having a salvageable three‐part structure that would have allowed it to be re‐edited into three short (two‐reel) films. Both claims, I argue, are questionable. First, Keaton's comic focus is much broader than just a parody of Intolerance. He burlesques a whole genre of films—the ‘mythic ages’ genre—which was developing in the 1910s and early 1920s. I analyze the characteristics of this multi‐narrative generic form and discuss various examples, particularly some films directed by Cecil B. DeMille from 1916 to 1923. Second, the three narrative lines in Three Ages (Stone Age, Roman Age and Modern Age) could not have been successfully re‐edited as three separate films. Instead of presenting them as separate episodes, as Griffith does, Keaton intercuts the narrative lines into gag forms. Thus the film's humor depends upon these intercut gags. If the fi...
Plant antitumour agents-XV: Isolation and x-ray crystal structure of a new antileukaemic quassinoid undulatone from Hannoa undulata

Abstract The structure of Undulatone, a new antileukaemic quassinoid from Hannoa undulata was determined by spectral means and confirmed by single crystal X-ray analysis of the methanol solvate.
Some Species of the Genus Scutellinia

In the past it has been customary to treat all, or nearly all, of the small, operculate discomycetes with conspicuous hairs as members of a single large genus under the name Lachnea (Gillet 1879, Saccardo 1889, Phillips 1887, Massee 1895, Rehm 1896, Svrrcek 1948) or Patella (Morgan 1902, Seaver 1928). More recently some authors (Le Gal 1953, Kanouse 1958), feeling the need to recognize the diversity that exists within the group, have turned to the re-examination of the generic concepts suggested by the brilliant work of Boudier (1885). The present paper is a contribution to the latter trend. It attempts to establish the validity of the genus Scutellinia (Cke.) Lambotte (Ciliaria Boudier 1885) and designate its limits. Although a number of species are described, including those most commonly collected in eastern North America, this paper does not constitute a comprehensive monograph even of those species occurring in North America. The writer wishes to thank the following individuals and their respective institutions for their cooperation in loaning specimens or providing information about specimens in their collections: Dr. Donald P. Rogers and Dr. Clark T. Rogerson, New York Botanical Garden; Miss
α2-Adrenergic receptors increase cell migration and decrease F-actin labeling in rat aortic smooth muscle cells

Vascular wound healing and such pathologies as atherosclerosis and restenosis are characterized by migration and proliferation of the smooth muscle cells of the media after denudation of the intima...
How Do Business Owners Perceive the State Business Climate?: Using Heierarchical Models to Examine Business Climate Perception and State Rankings

State business climate rankings are popular and can be influential in policymaking. Past academic studies have criticized those rankings for being based on some subjective criteria and on state-level data. However, in this article, we propose, first, that a business climate is an individual perception, and second, that a business climate is a case-specific condition depending on industries and stages of firm development. Thus, it is critical to measure the business climate at the decentralized, individual level. We employ a newly released survey of over 3,600 small business owners and conduct hierarchical models to control both individual and state variables, and to examine within and between state covariates. Regression results demonstrate that most state rankings are null even for individual perception of business climate, and in fact some rankings are negatively associated. Moreover, contrary to the conventional understanding, personal income, corporate income, and sales taxes are not reflected in the perception, but property taxes are. These findings suggest a need for fundamental reconsideration of how policymakers use business climate rankings.
Reflections on Humanities-oriented Education at Higher Vocational Schools

Humanities-oriented education is an important part of higher vocational education.Apart from the common significance,humanities-oriented education should be helpful for realizing the goal,combating the utilitarian tendency,and promoting the long-term development of higher vocational education.At present, the present situation is far from satisfactory in China,and the lack of humanities exists in most vocational school students.We should take the issue seriously,adopt correct methods,and create a sound campus culture with humanities spirit to change the present situation.
The Application of Modified Early Warning Score in Quantitative Disease Condition Evaluation of Emergency Patients

Objective: To explore the curative effect of modified early warning score(MEWS)on the quantitative condition evaluation of emergency patients. Method: One hundred emergency patients in the hospital from January 2010 to December 2012 were selected, and according to different nursing methods,divided into the intervention group and the control group. Fifty cases in the control group took the routine nursing, and 50 cases in the intervention group took the modified early warning stratified intervention of nursing measures. The patients in two groups were compared for differences in the rate of accidents, and evaluation on nursing satisfaction of patients. Result: MEWS of 30 cases were below 4 points, and these patients were cured after the treatment or specialist treatment. Of these patients,only 1 patients(3.3%) had dynamic condition changes,and no death occurred. MEWS of 12 cases were 5-8 points. Among them,3 cases(25.0%) had dynamic condition changes, and 1 cases(8.3%) died. MEWS of 8 cases were greater than or equal to 9 points,of whom there were 7 cases(87.5%) died. The accident rate of the intervention group was 10%,significantly lower than that of control group(32.0%), and the difference between the two groups were statistically significant(P0.05). Nursing satisfaction rate of the intervention group was 96.0%, higher than that of the control group(80.0%), and the difference between the two groups were statistically significant(P0.05). Conclusion: Modified early warning score is conductive to disease condition stratification of emergency patient, and giving targeted nursing intervention by different disease condition and preferential treatment and care of critically ill patients. At the same time, the modified early warning score helps to reduce the accident rate, improve patients,nursing satisfaction, promote the patient recover,increase their compliance with treatment, worthy of clinical choice.
Brassica cover crop effects on nitrogen availability and oat and corn yield

Cover crops are used to scavenge residual soil nitrate, with the goal of reducing N losses from agricultural fields and increasing subsequent N availability. Two experiments were conducted to determine fall-planted brassica cover crops’ effect on N availability for rotational crops. The first evaluated five species—brown mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czern], hybrid turnip (Brassica rapa L. × B. napus L.), radish (Raphanus sativus L.), rapeseed (Brassica napus L.), and white mustard (Sinapis alba L.)—in rotation with oat (Avena sativa L.). The second evaluated radish in rotation with corn (Zea mays L.). End of season cover crop biomass averaged 1160 to 6170 kg ha–¹ across experiments, locations, and years. Biomass did not differ by species. Nitrogen accumulation was generally greater than 70 kg ha–¹ (range 31–136 kg ha–¹). In the subsequent spring and summer, brassica cover crops reduced soil nitrate N levels relative to a no-cover control by 0 to 132 kg ha–¹. In Exp. 1, all brassicas reduced oat N accumulation by ≥77 kg ha–¹ and oat biomass by ≥1255 kg ha–¹ in June 2012, relative to the control. Mustards reduced oat grain yield by 505 kg ha–¹ in 2011, while radish increased oat yield by ≥578 kg ha–¹ in each year. In Exp. 2, radish did not affect corn V8 biomass N concentration, grain yield, or response to N fertilizer. Nitrogen taken up by brassica cover crops often is not available when the subsequent crop needs it.
Optimization of Enzymatic Hydrolysis Whole Apricot(Armeniaca sibirica) Kernel and Biological Activities of Its Hydrolysate

By using single factor and orthogonal array designs,the optimized hydrolysis conditions of whole apricot kernel employing papain for improved degree of hydrolysis were obtained as hydrolysis temperature of 50 ℃,initial pH of 7.0,hydrolysis time of 8.0 h,and enzyme concentration of 6.0%.Under these conditions,the maximum experimental value of hydrolysis degree of 26.43%was achieved,agreeing with the predicted value of 27.85%.This paper also reports on the antioxidant activity and α-glucosidase inhibitory effect of the enzymatic hydrolysate.The scavenging rates of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical(DPPH),superoxide anion radical(O_2~-·),and hydroxyl radical(·OH) with the hydrolysate at a concentration of 10.00 mg/mL were 50.44%,65.22%and 22.78%,respectively.When the concentration increased to160.00 mg/mL,the absorbance value for reducing power was 1.072.Four peptides extracted from the hydrolysate were separated by ultrafiltration as 5,5-10,10-30 and 30 kD.The inhibitory rates of a-glucosidase by the four peptides at 10.00 mg/mL were 3.65%,4.43%,7.94%and 10.00%,respectively.Then,the peptide fraction with molecular weight less than 5 kD,the most active against a-glucosidase,was further separated into three components by gel filtration chromatography,with inhibitory rates on a-glucosidase of 11.52%,10.65%and 9.67%,respectively.The results showed that the peptides derived from enzymatic hydrolysate of whole apricot kernel have good antioxidant activity and a-glucosidase inhibitory effect in vitro,exerting improved health-protective effects than native apricot kernel.
Independent desensitization of beta-adrenergic receptor-regulated magnesium transport and cyclic AMP accumulation.

We have previously shown that β-adrenergic inhibition of Mg 2+ transport in cultured S49 lymphoma cells is not mediated by cyclic AMP (Maguire, M. E., and J. J. Erdos. J. Biol. Chem. 255 : 1030-1035 (1980). We now report that the rate of Mg 2+ but not Ca 2+ influx is decreased immediately upon the addition of (-)-isoproterenol and remains decreased at a constant rate for approximately 25 min in both wild-type and kinase - clones in the continued presence of agonist. The rate of Mg 2+ influx gradually increases between 30 and 60 min, and complete desensitization to (-)-isoproterenol occurs after about 60-70 min. In contrast, cyclic AMP accumulation after the addition of (-)-isoproterenol peaks within 3 min in wild-type S49 cells. The calculated rate of cyclic AMP synthesis in intact wild-type cells falls to zero after 3 min of incubation even though biologically active agonist is still present at a high concentration. This acute desensitization is not due to activation of phosphodiesterase since identical time courses are obtained either in wild-type cells with a phosphodiesterase inhibitor or in kinase - S49 cells which have little or no detectable phosphodiesterase activity. These results indicate that β-adrenergic stimulation of cyclic AMP accumulation and therefore adenylate cyclase desensitizes independently of β-adrenergic inhibition of Mg 2+ influx. Thus, not only is inhibition of Mg 2+ transport by β-adrenergic receptor occupancy not mediated by cyclic AMP, but this receptor-modulated transport event appears to be regulated independently of adenylate cyclase.
ATP stimulates lysosomal sulphate transport at neutral pH: evidence for phosphorylation of the lysosomal sulphate carrier

ATP markedly stimulated sulphate uptake by rat liver lysosomes that had been treated with N-ethylmaleimide to block the effects of the lysosomal proton-translocating ATPase (H+-ATPase). Maximal stimulation required millimolar concentrations of ATP and neutral buffer pH. ATP-stimulated transport exhibited saturation kinetics with a Km of 175 microM, identical with the Km for lysosomal sulphate uptake at pH 5.0, a process that does not require ATP. The requirement for ATP was specific: other nucleotides such as AMP, ADP, CTP, GTP, ITP and UTP failed to stimulate transport. Adenosine 5'-[beta,gamma-imido]triphosphate, the non-hydrolysable analogue of ATP, also failed to stimulate sulphate uptake, suggesting a requirement for ATP hydrolysis. Lysosomal pH, membrane potential and glucose transport were unchanged by the presence of ATP under the experimental conditions, consistent with a direct effect of ATP on the sulphate transporter. Exposure of lysosomes to protein kinase A and protein kinase C inhibitors did not alter the stimulation of sulphate transport by ATP. The lysosomal sulphate transport protein might be subject to regulation by a phosphorylation pathway that is not dependent on protein kinase A or protein kinase C.
Hemorrhagic Cystitis Due to Adenovirus Infection Following Bone Marrow Transplantation

Immunocompromised patients are at significant risk for infection with adenovirus. We report 3 cases of hemorrhagic cystitis in patients following bone marrow transplantation. Of the patients 2 had positive viral urine cultures and 1 had positive stool culture but negative urine culture and biopsy proved viral cystitis. Diagnosis of adenovirus should be considered when gross hematuria follows bone marrow transplantation even when urine culture is negative for adenovirus.
The meaning of it all: evaluating knowledge of Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID) among chiropractic students.

INTRODUCTION Patient-reported outcome measures are frequently used to monitor patient progress during chiropractic care, yet student interns utilizing such assessments are unfamiliar with what magnitude of change (MCID) is considered beneficial to the patient. OBJECTIVE This work seeks to determine chiropractic intern knowledge of MCID. METHODS A five-item survey was administered to 104 chiropractic student interns. RESULTS Nearly one-third of the interns correctly defined the MCID acronym, and approximately one-third of the interns knew at least one MCID value for the outcome assessments in the EHR. Surprisingly, 20% of the interns reported knowledge of at least one MCID value, but answered incorrectly pertaining to the MCID acronym. CONCLUSION Student interns value patient perception, but have limited knowledge of MCID values. Addressing this gap will improve their understanding of patient progress and inform their treatment decisions both in the outpatient clinic and in their practices following graduation.
The veil of philanthropy: Kant on the political benefits of dissimulation and simulation:

Kant has traditionally been read as an excessively moralistic critic of lying in his ethics and politics. In response, recent scholars have noted that for Kant we have an ethical duty not to be com...
Specular Reflection by Contacting Crack Faces

Non-linear relations are postulated between the transmitted tractions and the crack opening displacements across contacting rough crack faces. For the opening mode these relations take into account that a crack easily opens, but that the resistance to crack closure increases rapidly as the rough crack faces come in contact. For the sliding mode they account for initial elastic resistance as well as for frictional sliding resistance, with a maximum transmissible sliding traction whose magnitude strongly depends on the averaged contact pressure on the crack faces. For an incident pulse the nonlinear ordinary differential equations for crack-opening-displacements have been solved numerically. A Kirchhoff-type approximation to the representation integral has been used to compute the specular reflection. Results of para- metrical studies are presented.
International Trade Policy Issues

Another widely supported major point of Adam Smith is that international division of labor is as desirable as intranational specialization. Chapter 2 indicated that much international trade economics demonstrates that the principles of economic efficiency are independent of whether or not the dealings take place across borders.
Lactic acid accumulation in the tumor microenvironment suppresses 18F-FDG uptake

The process by which tumor cells take up 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) is heterogeneous and influenced by a multitude of factors. In mouse tumor grafts, the core of the tumor often presents lower FDG uptake than the periphery. Whether this pattern is caused by the intrinsic avidity of individual cells for FDG, the density of viable cells in the tumor, or the perfusion of the radiotracer remains unknown. In this study, we used radioluminescence microscopy to measure FDG uptake in single cells isolated from the core and periphery of the tumor and found that differences in FDG uptake persist on the level of single cells. Single cells from the core of 4T1 and MDA-MB-231 tumors grafts took up 26−84% less FDG than those from the periphery. These differences were observed in mice with large tumors (> 8 mm diameter) but not in those with smaller tumors. To explain the origin of these differences, we examined the influence of three microenvironmental factors on FDG uptake. Hypoxia was ruled out as a possible explanation because its presence in the core would increase and not decrease FDG uptake. Higher cell proliferation in the periphery was consistent with higher FDG uptake but there was no evidence of a causal relationship. Finally, lactate was higher in the core of the tumor and it suppressed FDG uptake in a dose-dependent fashion. We therefore conclude that lactic acidosis-the combination of lactate ion buildup and acidic pH-can increase the heterogeneity of FDG uptake in MDA-MB-231 and 4T1 tumor grafts.
Use of immunological methods to the detection of toxoplasmosis and heat shock protein HSP70 in men.

Toxoplasmosis is a contagious infection caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, affecting many different body organs, and its effect varies depending on the location of the infection and the condition of the host’s immune system, this study was the first experiment in Al-Qadisiyah governorate to detect toxoplasmosis and thermal shock protein in males. 200 male students between the ages of 18–23 years at University of Al-Qadisiyah were persuaded to perform the examination, the immunological method ELISA showed to presence of T. gondii in 39/200 (19.5%), (10%) positive IgG antibodies and (6%) positive for IgM, statistical analysis indicates that there are significant differences between antibody presence rates between control and infection group, due to the inaccuracy of serological tests in some cases due to the reliance on the presence of antibodies, the present study used molecular methods to examine the samples again as a step to confirmation and to reach the most accurate results, depending on the gene B1 special for the parasite by using real-time PCR technique, and the results indicated a positive proportion was 15/200 (7.5%) as modern infection, the study also assessed the level of the heat shock protein HPS70 in the positive samples of infection and showed a high concentration of HPS70 in the blood samples for infected males (28.21) ng/ml compared with control group (6.96) ng/ml, statistical analysis showed significant differences between them.
Visual Acuity Assessment and Vision Screening Using a Novel Smartphone Application.

Objectives To evaluate a smartphone-based application's (Peek Acuity) ability to assess visual acuity and screen for ocular conditions in children, we compared visual acuity assessment between Peek Acuity and the pediatric ophthalmology examination and evaluated Peek Acuity's ability to identify children with referable ocular conditions. Study design We prospectively recruited 111 children age 3-17 years, presenting to a pediatric ophthalmology clinic, who could follow instructions. Monocular visual acuity assessments by Peek Acuity and standard clinical methods were performed in randomized order. We compared visual acuity assessments between methods using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and evaluated Peek Acuity's ability to identify children with referable ocular conditions. Results ICC comparing visual acuity assessed between methods was 0.88 (95% CI 0.83-0.92) for first and 0.85 (95% CI 0.78-0.89) for second eyes examined. ICC among 3 to 5-year-olds (preschool-age children) was 0.88 (95% CI 0.77-0.94) for first and 0.45 (95% CI 0.13-0.68) for second eyes examined. Peek Acuity had a sensitivity of 83%-86% for decreased vision and 69%-83% for referable ocular disease. Sensitivity was highest among 3 to 5-year-olds with decreased vision, 93%-100%. Conclusions Overall, Peek Acuity visual acuity assessment correlated well with visual acuity assessed by standard clinical methods, though preschool-age children appeared more susceptible to examination fatigue. Peek Acuity performed adequately as a screening tool and had the greatest sensitivity among those with decreased vision and preschool-age children. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov : NCT03212222 .
At the Crossroads of Three Worlds (1943)* By Frederick/Bedřich Fried, New York

Translated, annotated, and introduced by Jacob Ari Labendz.1[T]he Jews are waning in the collective historical sense; they are losing in many cases the daily aspect of practical life, a sense for t...