cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diversity, Conflict, and Team Performances Summary of Program of Research

: Increased productivity, creativity, and enhanced morale depends not only on the presence of diverse viewpoints and perspectives but also on the effective management of the conflict that arises due to these forms of diversity and the smooth implementation of the new and improved ideas. My co-authors and I have developed a model that includes a broader range of diversity characteristics and describes the processes by which diversity is beneficial in organizations. I present a summary of five research studies that we have conducted to validate and elaborate this model of diversity and performance. Teams that focus on differences in individual's work experience, educational training, and functional expertise (informational diversity) are able to debate constructively in an accepting setting (task conflict). However, teams that focus on differences in gender, race, and age (social category diversity) are more likely to stereotype and interpret things in a personal manner that is often destructive (relationship conflict). Teams that hold similar values about work and group goals are much less likely to debate about resource and work allocation (process conflict) and less likely to engage in personal attacks (relationship conflict). The summary of our research findings informs managers, team leaders, and organizational theorists.
Loss of a Single N-Linked Glycan Allows CD4-Independent Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Infection by Altering the Position of the gp120 V1/V2 Variable Loops

The gp120 envelope glycoprotein of primary human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) promotes virus entry by sequentially binding CD4 and the CCR5 chemokine receptor on the target cell. Previously, we adapted a primary HIV-1 isolate, ADA, to replicate in CD4-negative canine cells expressing human CCR5. The gp120 changes responsible for CD4-independent replication were limited to the V2 loop-V1/V2 stem. Here we show that elimination of a single glycosylation site at asparagine 197 in the V1/V2 stem is sufficient for CD4-independent gp120 binding to CCR5 and for HIV-1 entry into CD4-negative cells expressing CCR5. Deletion of the V1/V2 loops also allowed CD4-independent viral entry and gp120 binding to CCR5. The binding of the wild-type ADA gp120 to CCR5 was less dependent upon CD4 at 4°C than at 37°C. In the absence of the V1/V2 loops, neither removal of the N-linked carbohydrate at asparagine 197 nor lowering of the temperature increased the CD4-independent phenotypes. A CCR5-binding conformation of gp120, achieved by CD4 interaction or by modification of temperature, glycosylation, or variable loops, was preferentially recognized by the monoclonal antibody 48d. These results suggest that the CCR5-binding region of gp120 is occluded by the V1/V2 variable loops, the position of which can be modulated by temperature, CD4 binding, or an N-linked glycan in the V1/V2 stem.
The Impact of Respite Use on Nursing Home Placement

The results of experimental studies of the effects of respite care have been difficult to interpret because researchers have lacked experimental control over who actually received the treatment. Data from one such study are reanalyzed, focusing on the linear relationship between amount of respite use and probability of nursing home placement at the end of the treatment period. The results indicate a significant negative relationship between amount of respite use and nursing home placement.
Soy consumption and prostate cancer risk in men: a revisit of a meta-analysis

Background: Epidemiologic studies have shown that the consumption of soy foods may be associated with a reduction in cancer risk in humans. Objective: The purpose of this study was to conduct a metaanalysis on the association between soy consumption and prostate cancer risk in men. Design: We systematically reviewed studies obtained through a thorough Medline literature search and identified 15 epidemiologic publications on soy consumption and 9 on isoflavones in association with prostate cancer risk. We extracted the most adjusted relative risks (RRs) and odds ratios (ORs) of the highest and the lowest reported categories of intake from each study and conducted this analysis using a random-effects model in which studies with smaller SEEs are given greater weight in the summary measure. Results: Our analysis of studies on soy intake yielded a combined RR/OR of 0.74 (95% CI: 0.63, 0.89; P ¼ 0.01). When separately analyzed, studies on nonfermented soy foods yielded a combined RR/OR of 0.70 (95% CI: 0.56, 0.88; P ¼ 0.01) and those on fermented soy foods yielded a combined RR/OR of 1.02 (95% CI: 0.73, 1.42; P ¼ 0.92). The analysis of studies on isoflavones yielded a combined RR/OR of 0.88 (95% CI: 0.76, 1.02; P ¼ 0.09). Further separate analyses showed a combined RR/OR of 0.52 (95% CI: 0.34, 0.81; P ¼ 0.01) from studies with Asian populations and 0.99 (95% CI: 0.85, 1.16; P ¼ 0.91) from studies with Western populations. Conclusions: The results of this analysis suggest that consumption of soy foods is associated with a reduction in prostate cancer risk in men. This protection may be associated with the type and quantity of soy foods consumed. Am J Clin Nutr 2009;89:1‐9.
Investigating tip-nanoparticle interactions in spatially correlated total internal reflection plasmon spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy

A new approach for achieving spatially correlated localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging based on through-the-objective white light total internal reflection (TIR) is described. Using this technique, we successfully demonstrate spatially correlated measurements as well as the effect of tip-nanoparticle interactions including the ability to controllably manipulate nanoparticle position. Significant red shifts are observed in the LSPR spectra of single nanoparticles with successive AFM scans in ambient conditions. Identical experiments performed under water conclusively show that the shifts are caused by the small amount of water that collects between the tip and the sample in ambient AFM.
Preoccupied attachment and emotional dysregulation: specific aspects of borderline personality disorder or general dimensions of personality pathology?

Emotional dysregulation and impaired attachment are seen by many clinical researchers as central aspects of borderline personality disorder (BPD). Alternatively, these constructs may represent general impairments in personality that are nonspecific to BPD. Using multitraitmultimethod models, the authors examined the strength of associations among preoccupied attachment, difficulties with emotion regulation, BPD features, and features of two other personality disorders (i.e., antisocial and avoidant) in a combined psychiatric outpatient and community sample of adults. Results suggested that preoccupied attachment and difficulties with emotion regulation shared strong positive associations with each other and with each of the selected personality disorders. However, preoccupied attachment and emotional dysregulation were more strongly related to BPD features than to features of other personality disorders. Findings suggest that although impairments in relational and emotional domains may underlie personality pathology in general, preoccupied attachment and emotional dysregulation also have specificity for understanding core difficulties in those with BPD. Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a painful and debilitating disorder characterized by affective instability, identity disturbance, chaotic relationships, and impulsive self-destructive behaviors such as repeated suicide attempts and nonsuicidal self-injury (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2000). Interpersonal and emotional dysregulation are cen
5 MW 805 MHz SNS RF System Experience

The RF system for the 805 MHz normal conducting linac of the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) accelerator was designed, procured and tested at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), and then installed and commissioned at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The RF power for the room temperature coupled cavity linac (CCL) of the SNS accelerator is generated by four, pulsed 5 MW peak-power klystrons operating with a pulse width of 1.25 ms and a 60 Hz repetition frequency. The RF power from each klystron is divided and delivered to the CCL through two separate RF windows. The 5 MW RF system advanced the state of the art for simultaneous peak and average power. This paper summarizes the problems encountered, lessons learned, and results of the high power testing at LANL of the 5 MW klystrons, 5 MW circulators, 5 MW loads, and 2.5 MW windows.
Theory and Implementation of a Simple Digital Control Strategy for Brushless DC Generators

Permanent magnet drives have frequently been used as a generator for a variety of applications. This is mainly due to their high-power density, reliability, robustness, and wide speed range. However, these systems often use expensive position sensors as well as complex controllers with high computational and memory capacity in order to control the drive at desired performance and operating range. This paper presents the concept of a simple digital control strategy for brushless dc generators. This technique is easy to implement and can be used for variety of applications including renewable energy systems, automotive systems, and flywheels. The control strategy shows satisfying performance, reliability, and robustness for both speed and voltage regulation, which are frequently used for industrial generator applications. Fundamental principles of the control technique have been presented with detailed simulation results. This scheme has been implemented and tested on a laboratory prototype generator to demonstrate feasibility and experimentally verify performance under various operating conditions.
SPOTTED FEVER : II. AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF FIEVRE BOUTONNEUSE.

Several methods for the experimental study of the rickettsial diseases have been applied to fievre boutonneuse. An analysis of the results has indicated that fievre boutonneuse is a variety of spotted fever and that the etiologic agent is a rickettsia which belongs to the genus Dermacentroxenus and to the species rickettsi (Wolbach (6)). The distinctive morphology of the organism and its characteristic intranuclear clustering in ticks and in tissue cultures are the important criteria upon which this conclusion is based. Immunological, histological, and cytological observations of a confirmatory nature are also reported.
Inhibition of Mucopolysaccharide Sulfation Using Rabbit Liver Sulfotransferases

A method of measuring the inhibition of sulfation of mucopolysaccharides employed the coupled-enzyme system of Wortman. The procedure utilized the phenol and mucopolysaccharide sulfotransferases of rabbit liver extract. Compounds tested as inhibitors included substituted salicyclic acids and related compounds, some hydroxamic acids, other agents capable of metal-ion complexation, and miscellaneous compounds, mostly containing sulfur. The most effective inhibitors were vanillin oxime, salicylhydroxamic acid, and other substituted salicylic acid derivatives of weaker acid strength than salicylic acid.
Hypothesis testing via integrated computer modeling and digital fluorescence microscopy

Computational modeling has the potential to add an entirely new approach to hypothesis testing in yeast cell biology. Here, we present a method for seamless integration of computational modeling with quantitative digital fluorescence microscopy. This integration is accomplished by developing computational models based on hypotheses for underlying cellular processes that may give rise to experimentally observed fluorescent protein localization patterns. Simulated fluorescence images are generated from the computational models of underlying cellular processes via a "model-convolution" process. These simulated images can then be directly compared to experimental fluorescence images in order to test the model. This method provides a framework for rigorous hypothesis testing in yeast cell biology via integrated mathematical modeling and digital fluorescence microscopy.
The VERITAS Dark Matter Program

The VERITAS array of Cherenkov telescopes, designed for the detection of gamma-rays in the 100 GeV-10 TeV energy range, performs dark matter searches over a wide variety of targets. VERITAS continues to carry out focused observations of dwarf spheroidal galaxies in the Local Group, of the Milky Way galactic center, and of Fermi-LAT unidentied sources. This report presents our extensive observations of these targets, new statistical techniques, and current constraints on dark matter particle physics derived from these observations.
IMRT with simultaneous integrated boost and concurrent chemotherapy for locoregionally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Purpose To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of accelerated radiotherapy with concurrent chemotherapy in advanced head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma. Methods and Materials Between April 2003 and May 2008, 43 consecutive patients with advanced head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma received accelerated chemoradiation with concurrent cisplatin or cetuximab. The doses for intensity-modulated radiotherapy with simultaneous integrated boost were 67.5, 60.0, and 54 Gy in 30 daily fractions of 2.25, 2.0, and 1.8 Gy to the planning target volumes for gross disease, high-risk nodes, and low-risk nodes, respectively. Results Of the patients, 90.7% completed chemoradiotherapy as prescribed. The median treatment duration was 43 days (range, 38–55 days). The complete response rate was 74.4%. With median follow-up of 36.7 months (range, 16.8–78.1 months) in living patients, the estimated 1-, 2-, and 5-year locoregional control, overall survival, and disease-free survival rates were 82%, 82%, and 82%; 73%, 65%, and 61%; and 73%, 73%, and 70%, respectively. One treatment-related death occurred from renal failure. Grade 3 mucositis and dermatitis occurred in 13 patients (30.2%) and 3 patients (6.9%), respectively. Grade 2 xerostomia occurred in 12 patients (27.9%). In patients with adequate follow-up, 82% were feeding tube free by 6 months after therapy; 13% remained feeding tube dependent at 1 year. Grade 3 soft-tissue fibrosis, esophageal stricture, osteoradionecrosis, and trismus occurred in 3 patients (6.9%), 5 patients (11.6%), 1 patient (2.3%), and 3 patients (6.9%), respectively. Conclusions Our results show that intensity-modulated radiotherapy with simultaneous integrated boost with concurrent chemotherapy improved local and regional control. Acute and late toxicities were tolerable and acceptable. A prospective trial of this fractionation regimen is necessary for further assessment of its efficacy and toxicity compared with other approaches.
High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Tandem Mass Spectrometry for the Determination of Nine Hallucinogenic 25-NBOMe Designer Drugs in Urine Specimens

We present a high-performance liquid chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS-MS) method for the identification and quantification of nine serotonin 5-HT2A receptor agonist hallucinogenic substances from a new class of N-methoxybenzyl derivatives of methoxyphenylethylamine (NBOMe) designer drugs in human urine: 25H-NBOMe, 2CC-NBOMe, 25I-NBF, 25D-NBOMe, 25B-NBOMe, 2CT-NBOMe, 25I-NBMD, 25G-NBOMe and 25I-NBOMe. This assay was developed for the Virginia Commonwealth University Clinical and Forensic Toxicology laboratory to screen emergency department specimens in response to an outbreak of N-benzyl-phenethylamine derivative abuse and overdose cases in Virginia. The NBOMe derivatives were rapidly extracted from the urine specimens by use of FASt™ solid-phase extraction columns. Assay performance was determined as recommended for validation by the Scientific Working Group for Forensic Toxicology (SWGTOX) for linearity, lower limit of quantification, lower limit of detection, accuracy/bias, precision, dilution integrity, carryover, selectivity, absolute recovery, ion suppression and stability. Linearity was verified to be from 1 to 100 ng/mL for each of the nine analytes. The bias determined for the NBOMe derivatives was 86-116% with a <14% coefficient of variation over the linear range of the assay. Four different NBOMe derivatives were detected using the presented method in patient urine specimens.
Slicing tree is a complete floorplan representation

Slicing tree has been an effective tool for VLSI floorplan design. Floorplanners using slicing tree representation take full advantage of shape and orientation flexibility of circuit modules to find highly compact slicing floorplans. However, slicing floorplans are commonly believed to suffer from poor utilization of space when all modules are hard. For this reason, a large body of literature has recently been devoted to various new representations of non-slicing floorplans to improve space utilization. In this paper, we prove that by using slicing tree representation and compaction, all maximally compact placements of modules can be generated. In conclusion, slicing tree is a complete floorplan representation for all non-slicing floorplans as well.
Noise suppression in auto-regulatory gene networks

Living cells are characterized by small populations of key molecular components that have large stochastic noise associated with them. Various gene network motifs exist within cells that help reduce these stochastic fluctuations. A common such motif is an auto-regulatory gene network where the protein expressed from the gene inhibits its own transcription. Here the transcription rate of the gene is given as some function of the number of protein molecules present in the cell. We refer to this function as the transcriptional response of the gene network. We develop analytical formulas that relate the stochastic fluctuations in protein numbers with the functional form of the transcriptional response. This is done by first approximating the transcriptional response by a polynomial and then using recently developed moment closure techniques to solve for the statistical moments of the protein population. We show that the protein noise level in these auto-regulatory gene networks is related to the stability of the network and increasing (decreasing) stability leads to attenuation (magnification) of protein noise. Using the above formulas we also investigate the transcriptional response of a specific gene network in lambda phage and show that this network is especially effective at reducing stochastic fluctuations in protein levels.
Quantifying routing asymmetry in the Internet at the AS level

Our objective is to quantify the extent of routing asymmetry in the Internet: the measure of the difference between the forward and backward paths between two end points. Routing asymmetry has not been studied extensively. Most previous studies only consider asymmetry in terms of length and there is a lack of a systematic approach for quantifying asymmetry. One of the challenges in quantifying asymmetry is the formulation of an appropriate set of metrics that can effectively capture various notions of asymmetry. We point out that asymmetry could be of various types. We propose a framework to quantify the routing asymmetry between end hosts and propose two new metrics: absolute asymmetry and length-based normalized asymmetry. Our metrics capture the differences in router/AS identities, their appearing sequences and path lengths in a seamless way. We apply our framework to real Internet measurement data and examine routing asymmetry at the autonomous system (AS) level. We deduce the routing asymmetry distribution based on our framework, and we find that about 14% of pairs of routes considered display AS level routing asymmetry. Furthermore, our studies demonstrate that the routing asymmetry exhibits a skewed distribution, since a few end-points are consistently members of asymmetric pairs.
GRASPs in Golgi Structure and Function.

The Golgi apparatus is a central intracellular membrane organelle for trafficking and modification of proteins and lipids. Its basic structure is a stack of tightly aligned flat cisternae. In mammalian cells, dozens of stacks are concentrated in the pericentriolar region and laterally connected to form a ribbon. Despite extensive research in the last decades, how this unique structure is formed and why its formation is important for proper Golgi functioning remain largely unknown. The Golgi ReAssembly Stacking Proteins, GRASP65 and GRASP55, are so far the only proteins shown to function in Golgi stacking. They are peripheral membrane proteins on the cytoplasmic face of the Golgi cisternae that form trans-oligomers through their N-terminal GRASP domain, and thereby function as the “glue” to stick adjacent cisternae together into a stack and to link Golgi stacks into a ribbon. Depletion of GRASPs in cells disrupts the Golgi structure and results in accelerated protein trafficking and defective glycosylation. In this minireview we summarize our current knowledge on how GRASPs function in Golgi structure formation and discuss why Golgi structure formation is important for its function.
Transistor Switching Regulators

As discussed in Chapter 1, possibly the most important unique aspect of power electronics is switching operation. When the transistor is operated as a switch, it is possible to control relatively large amounts of power with little transistor dissipation. In fact, with an ideal switch having negligible leakage current when off, negligible voltage drop when on, and zero switching time, there is negligible power loss in the switch. With practical transistors, the dissipation in the transistor switch can be a very small fraction of the load power controlled.
Quantum Computing since Democritus: P, NP, and friends

We've seen that if we want to make progress in complexity, then we need to talk about asymptotics: not which problems can be solved in 10000 steps, but for which problems can instances of size n be solved in cn 2 steps as n goes to infinity? We met TIME( f ( n )), the class of all problems solvable in O( f ( n )) steps, and SPACE( f ( n )), the class of all problems solvable using O( f ( n )) bits of memory. But if we really want to make progress, then it's useful to take an even coarser-grained view: one where we distinguish between polynomial and exponential time, but not between O( n 2 ) and O( n 3 ) time. From this remove, we think of any polynomial bound as “fast,” and any exponential bound as “slow.” Now, I realize people will immediately object: what if a problem is solvable in polynomial time, but the polynomial is n n 50 000 ? Or what if a problem takes exponential time, but the exponential is 1.000 000 01 n ? My answer is pragmatic: if cases like that regularly arose in practice, then it would’ve turned out that we were using the wrong abstraction. But so far, it seems like we’re using the right abstraction. Of the big problems solvable in polynomial time – matching, linear programming, primality testing, etc. – most of them really do have practical algorithms. And of the big problems that we think take exponential time – theorem-proving, circuit minimization, etc. – most of them really don't have practical algorithms. So, that’s the empirical skeleton holding up our fat and muscle.
An efficient method for NIR fluorescent/PET probe synthesis based on 18F-bodipy dye

1041 Objectives We have demonstrated that the boron dipyrromethene (Bodipy) is a promising scaffold to achieve a PET/optical probe in a single radiolabeling step. In this study, NIR fluorescent/PET dual modality imaging probes are developed using the bodipy boron center as a site for radiofluorination. Methods NIR Bodipy dye (Bodipy-665) that emits at 665 nm was employed for radiofluorination. Various reaction temperature, time, solvent, and additive, were explored to optimize the labeling reaction with 18F. After radiolabeling, a PEGylated dimeric RGD peptide (PEG3-RGD2) was conjugated with 18F-BODIPY-665. The resulted NIR fluorescent/PET probe, 18F-BODIPY-RGD, was evaluated in U87MG tumor bearing mice. Results 18F labeled NIR BODIPY dye could be obtained in good yield using anhydrous 18F-fluoride in the presence of facilitating agents. In borate buffer (pH 8.5), 18F-BODIPY-665 was conjugated with PEG3-RGD2 to give 18F-BODIPY-RGD in 85% decay corrected RCY. MicroPET quantification analysis shows the U87MG tumor uptake is 3.58 ± 0.45 and 2.64 ± 0.32 %ID/g at 1 h and 2 h post injection, respectively. The specificity of 18F-BODIPY-RGD towards integrin αvβ3 was further confirmed by effective blocking of U87MG tumor uptake in the presence of 10 mg kg-1 of unlabeled c(RGDyK) peptide. As expected, we did not observe obvious bone uptake even at 2 h post injection, which is consistent with the reported high stability of bodipy dyes. Right after each microPET scan, optical images were obtained using the Xenogen Lumina XR. Similar to PET images, the probe preferentially localized in the U87MG tumor at all the time points examined. Ex vivo images of 18F-BODIPY-RGD were used to validate the in vivo fluorescence imaging data at 2 h post injection. The tumor, liver, and kidneys demonstrated high uptake, which is consistent with microPET imaging results. Conclusions Our findings demonstrated the effectiveness and feasibility of preparing dual modality imaging probes based on radiolabeled NIR bodipy scaffold. The resulting PET and fluorescent imaging probe also has great potential for clinical translation.
Self-mutilation in a new mother: a strategy for separating from her infant.

A primiparous mother, aged 25 years, first presented for treatment when her infant was three months of age. A comprehensive case history disclosed that the mother had experienced two prior full-fle...
Unconventional endocannabinoid signaling governs sperm activation via the sex hormone progesterone

Steroids regulate cell proliferation, tissue development, and cell signaling via two pathways: a nuclear receptor mechanism and genome-independent signaling. Sperm activation, egg maturation, and steroid-induced anesthesia are executed via the latter pathway, the key components of which remain unknown. Here, we present characterization of the human sperm progesterone receptor that is conveyed by the orphan enzyme α/β hydrolase domain-containing protein 2 (ABHD2). We show that ABHD2 is highly expressed in spermatozoa, binds progesterone, and acts as a progesterone-dependent lipid hydrolase by depleting the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2AG) from plasma membrane. The 2AG inhibits the sperm calcium channel (CatSper), and its removal leads to calcium influx via CatSper and ensures sperm activation. This study reveals that progesterone-activated endocannabinoid depletion by ABHD2 is a general mechanism by which progesterone exerts its genome-independent action and primes sperm for fertilization.
Crossbred steer temperament as yearlings and whole genome association of steer temperament as yearlings and calf temperament post-weaning

cattle often have the reputation for a poor or dangerous temperament. Identification of genomic regions that associate with temperament of such cattle may be useful for genetic improvement strategies. The objectives of this study were to evaluate subjective temperament scores (1 to 9; higher scores indicated more unfavorable temperament) for aggressiveness, nervousness, flightiness, gregariousness, and overall temperament of one-half steers in feedlot conditions at 1 yr of age and compare those scores of those steers when evaluated approximately 1 mo postweaning, and conduct whole genome association analyses using SNP markers and the temperament traits of those steers at 1 yr of age and for temperament traits of all calves at weaning. Contemporary groups ( 0.63; 0.1). Five SNP on BTA 1, 24, and 29 had suggestive associations (0.17 < [adjusted for FDR] < 0.24) with aggressiveness, nervousness, or flightiness at evaluation postweaning and 13 SNP on 11 chromosomes had suggestive associations (0.07 < [adjusted for FDR] < 0.24) with aggressiveness, nervousness, flightiness, or overall temperament score of steers at 1 yr of age. Genes close to these loci with roles in neural systems of various organisms included synaptotagmin 4 (BTA 24), FAT atypical cadhedrin 3 (BTA 29), tubulin tyrosine ligase-like 1 (BTA 5), spermatogenesis associated 17 (BTA 16), stanniocalcin 2 (BTA 20), and GABA receptor γ 3 (BTA 21).
Redox mediator effect on water oxidation in a ruthenium-based chromophore-catalyst assembly.

The synthesis, characterization, and redox properties are described for a new ruthenium-based chromophore–catalyst assembly, [(bpy)2Ru(4-Mebpy-4′-bimpy)Ru(tpy)(OH2)]4+ (1, [RuaII-RubII-OH2]4+; bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine; 4-Mebpy-4′-bimpy = 4-(methylbipyridin-4′-yl)-N-benzimid-N′-pyridine; tpy = 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine), as its chloride salt. The assembly incorporates both a visible light absorber and a catalyst for water oxidation. With added ceric ammonium nitrate (CeIV, or CAN), both 1 and 2, [Ru(tpy)(Mebim-py)(OH2)]2+ (Mebim-py = 2-pyridyl-N-methylbenzimidazole), catalyze water oxidation. Time-dependent UV/vis spectral monitoring following addition of 30 equiv of CeIV reveals that the rate of CeIV consumption is first order both in CeIV and in an oxidized form of the assembly. The rate-limiting step appears to arise from slow oxidation of this intermediate followed by rapid release of O2. This is similar to isolated catalyst 2, with redox potentials comparable to the [-Rub-OH2]2+ site in 1, but 1 is more rea...
Survey on textual notations for the Unified Modeling Language

The Unified Modeling Language (UML) has become the lingua franca of software description languages. Textual notations of UML are also accessible for visually impaired people and allow a more developer-oriented and compact presentation. There are many textual notations that largely differ in their syntax, coverage of the UML, user editing experience, and applicability in teams due to the lack of a standardized textual notation. The available surveys do not cover the academic state of the art, the editing experience and applicability in teams. This implies heavy effort for evaluating and selecting notations. This survey identifies textual notations for UML that can be used instead of or in combination with graphical notations, e.g. by collaborating teams or in different contexts. We identified and rated the current state of 16 known notations plus 15 notations that were not covered in previous surveys. 20 categories cover the applicability in engineering teams. No single editable textual notation has full UML coverage. The mean coverage is 2.7 diagram types and editing support varies between none and 7 out of 9 categories. The survey facilitates the otherwise unclear notation selection and can reduce selection effort.
An Analysis on Current Status and Trends of Political Blogs

From the perspective of politics,this paper discusses the origins,development and trends of political blogs,and recapitulates its main features and major types and the modes that influence the political life.Combined with the reality of the development of web-politics,it explores the trends of future development of political blogs.With the development of network technology and the leap of blogs,the times of "we media" of political communication has come.The political bloggers can throroughly express their political views to influence the process of democracy,while at the same time,they need to take the corresponding social responsibilities.
The Utility of the Transition from Deterministic to Probabilistic Weather Forecasts—Verification and Application of Probabilistic Forecasts

Given the nonlinear and complex nature of atmospheric system combined with the uncertainties associated with initial conditions and models,it is not only a requirement from science but also a necessity to better serve user community to transit weather prediction from deterministic to probabilistic format. However,the reason behind the transition is not clear but full of debate and confusion to many including public,end-users and even meteorologists themselves.To clarify some of these and to expedite the transition, a few issues were discussed.The ensemble forecasting which is a central technique to facilitate such a transition has been discussed in the companion paper of this article.In this paper,a few other issues related to ensemble-based probabilistic forecasts were discussed,which include(1)how to measure the merits of a probabilistic forecast?(2)how to use probabilistic information in decision-making process? and(3) why an ensemble-based probabilistic forecast has,in general,more utility or economical value than a single-value deterministic forecast does? To be easily understood and applicable to real world situations by readers especially forecasters and end-users,plain language illustrated with examples was used to explain the related concepts.
Epidemiological Characteristics of Salmonella species in Ningxia area during 2007 to 2011

The purpose of this study is to investigate the characteristics of Salmonella serotype distribution and PFGE patterns isolated from different areas of Ningxia,to control Salmonella infection effectively,and to manage the problem of food poisoning caused by Salmonella infection.Fifty-six strains were tested by the API 20E bacterial identification system,and then the serotype was detected by the Kauffman-White Salmonella's antigen schema.The above strains were classified by pulsed field gel electrophoresis(PFGE) analysis.Results showed that among the 56 strains of Salmonella 14 serotypes were detected,of which Salmonella enteritidis was the main strain.The 33 strains of Salmonella enteritidis were classified into 11 different genotypes by PFGE analysis.It indicates the characteristics of Salmonella serotype distribution is different in various areas of Ningxia,among which the Salmonella enteritidis is the epidemic strain.
Morphologic and biologic correlation of hyperplastic and neoplastic renal lesions occurring in Buffalo and Fischer strain rats ingesting n-4-(4'-fluorobiphenyl) acetamide.

Hyperplastic and neoplastic lesions of the kidney induced in inbred Buffalo and Fisher strain rats with 0.04% N-4-(4'-fluorobiphenyl) acetamide were transplanted s.c. to rats of the same strain. Hyperplastic renal lesions ("areas" or nodules) did not survive and grow. Carcinomas of the kidney grew and killed the animals. Growth was related to the size and the degree of differentiation of the carcinoma. It is concluded that the histologic pattern of hyperplastic and neoplastic lesions of the kidney can be correlated with the results obtained on transplantation.
Report of Partial findings from the National Toxicology Program Carcinogenesis Studies of Cell Phone Radiofrequency Radiation in Hsd: Sprague Dawley® SD rats (Whole Body Exposure)

The US National Toxicology Program (NTP) has carried out extensive rodent toxicology and carcinogenesis studies of radiofrequency radiation (RFR) at frequencies and modulations used in the US telecommunications industry. This report presents partial findings from these studies. The occurrences of two tumor types in male Harlan Sprague Dawley rats exposed to RFR, malignant gliomas in the brain and schwannomas of the heart, were considered of particular interest, and are the subject of this report. The findings in this report were reviewed by expert peer reviewers selected by the NTP and National Institutes of Health (NIH). These reviews and responses to comments are included as appendices to this report, and revisions to the current document have incorporated and addressed these comments. Supplemental information in the form of 4 additional manuscripts has or will soon be submitted for publication. These manuscripts describe in detail the designs and performance of the RFR exposure system, the dosimetry of RFR exposures in rats and mice, the results to a series of pilot studies establishing the ability of the animals to thermoregulate during RFR exposures, and studies of DNA damage. Capstick M, Kuster N, Kuhn S, Berdinas-Torres V, Wilson P, Ladbury J, Koepke G, McCormick D, Gauger J, Melnick R. A radio frequency radiation reverberation chamber exposure system for rodents Yijian G, Capstick M, McCormick D, Gauger J, Horn T, Wilson P, Melnick RL and Kuster N. Life time dosimetric assessment for mice and rats exposed to cell phone radiation Wyde ME, Horn TL, Capstick M, Ladbury J, Koepke G, Wilson P, Stout MD, Kuster N, Melnick R, Bucher JR, and McCormick D. Pilot studies of the National Toxicology Program9s cell phone radiofrequency radiation reverberation chamber exposure system Smith-Roe SL, Wyde ME, Stout MD, Winters J, Hobbs CA, Shepard KG, Green A, Kissling GE, Tice RR, Bucher JR, Witt KL. Evaluation of the genotoxicity of cell phone radiofrequency radiation in male and female rats and mice following subchronic exposure
The effect of parental monitoring on trajectories of disordered eating attitudes and behaviors among adolescents: An individual growth curve analysis.

The primary aim of the present study was to examine whether parental monitoring, as reported by adolescents and their parents, predicts more or less favorable trajectories of disordered eating behavior and attitudes over the course of one year in a sample of adolescent males and females. An additional aim was to explore whether these trajectories vary when study analyses are limited to females. Participants included 87 adolescents (mean age = 15.5 ± 1.4) in mental health treatment and their parents. Self-report measures included the Parental Monitoring Questionnaire, completed at baseline, and the Eating Attitudes Test-Dieting Subscale, completed at baseline as well as 6-month and 12-month follow-ups. Individual growth curve (IGC) analyses were used to examine change in disordered eating behavior and attitudes. Adolescents who reported lower parental monitoring showed trajectories characterized by increases in disordered eating attitudes and behaviors. The same pattern emerged when using parent report of monitoring, though only a trend was evident. When analyses were restricted to females, the main effect of parental and adolescent report of monitoring on disordered eating were equally strong. Results may suggest that parents who are less knowledgeable about their adolescents' daily lives, may be less aware of potential disordered eating attitudes and behaviors, and thus less likely to intervene. Findings could be used to inform family-based interventions for this population.
A New Reliability Defeater for Evolutionary Naturalism

The author identifies the structure of Sharon Street's skeptical challenge to non-naturalist, normative epistemic realism (NNER) as an argument that NNER is liable to reliability defeat and then argues that Street's argument fails, because it itself is subject to reliability defeat. As the author reconstructs Street's argument, it is an argument that the normative epistemic judgments of the realist could only be probabilistically sensitive to normative epistemic truths (if there any) by sheer chance. The author then recaps Street's own naturalist translation of normative epistemic judgments into purely descriptive, contingent probability statements, and argues that, on her own terms, the reasoning that leads her to rationally believe in evolutionary theory (and other scientific theories) could only be probabilistically sensitive to the relevant purely descriptive, contingent probabilities by sheer chance. The author's argument is addressed to Street, but it applies to all evolutionary naturalist accounts of epistemic rationality. The author explains how his argument differs from Plantinga's Evolutionary Argument Against Naturalism (EAAN) and shows how it avoids the objections to Plantinga's EAAN. The author closes with the outline of an explanation of how evolution could have made human reasoning probabilistically sensitive to metaphysically necessary normative epistemic standards, even though those standards did not exert and, indeed, could not have exerted any kind of causal influence on the evolutionary process.
Riedel's thyroiditis association with IgG4-related disease

Context IgG4-positive (+) plasma cells have been reported in both Riedel's thyroiditis (RT) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). These cells are the hallmark of IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD). Objective We sought to determine whether RT is part of IgG4-RD spectrum. Design, setting and patients This was a case-control study performed at a tertiary medical centre. We included RT cases from the period 1958 to 2008 that had sufficient paraffin-embedded tissue for IgG4 immunostaining. Controls were patients with HT, age and gender matched, with similar pathology criteria. Main outcome measure The main outcome measures were the intensity of the IgG4 staining and the clinical and histological correlates with IgG4-RD. Results Six pairs of RT and HT were analysed. The mean age was 44·7 years. In both groups, 5/6 cases had positive IgG4 staining. The mean number of IgG4 + cells/ HPF, normalized to the degree of inflammation, was 3·2 ± 3·0 SD (RT) vs 0·9 ± 0·7 (HT), P = 0·15, for fibrotic areas and 2·1 ± 2·3 SD vs 1·0 ± 0·8 (P = 0·39) for areas with lymphoid aggregates. We found the number of IgG4 + cells in RT to be inversely correlated with the duration of disease (P = 0·046). Three RT cases had associated comorbidities from the IgG4-RD spectrum while none of the HT cases had such conditions. Conclusions Riedel's thyroiditis is a component of IgG4-RD with the density of the IgG4 + lymphocytic infiltrate being time dependent. In this small study, we did not identify differences in IgG4 infiltration between RT and HT, minimizing the utility of this marker in RT diagnosis.
DYNAMICS OF DISLOCATIONS IN THIN COLLOIDAL CRYSTALS

Suspensions of µm-size colloidal particles form structures similar to those formed by atoms (vapor, liquid, glass, crystal). Since they can be observed optically in real time on the particle scale, colloids can be used to study the dynamics of these structures. Large single crystals of hard-sphere-like colloidal particles can be grown in the f.c.c. structure on a (100) template. They contain vacancies, stacking faults and dislocations. The stacking faults are extended because of their negligible energy and are bounded by Shockley partial dislocations. Dislocations are introduced by lattice mismatch at the template or by deformation (e.g., indentation). Their strain fields are imaged by laser diffraction microscopy (geometrically similar to electron microscopy) and their cores by confocal optical microscopy. The critical thickness of the epitaxial crystal, the rate of introduction of the interfacial dislocations and their offset from the template are accurately predicted by continuum dislocation theory.
Orthography and Modality Influence Speech Production in Adults and Children.

Purpose The acquisition of literacy skills influences the perception and production of spoken language. We examined if orthography influences implicit processing in speech production in child reade...
Comparing Plastic Surgery and Otolaryngology Management in Cleft Care: An Analysis of 4,999 Cases:

Care for patients with cleft lip and palate is best managed by a craniofacial team consisting of a variety of specialists, including surgeons, who are generally plastic surgeons or otolaryngologists trained in the United States. The goal of this study was to compare the surgical approaches and management algorithms of cleft lip, cleft palate, and nasal reconstruction between plastic surgeons and otolaryngologists. We performed a retrospective analysis of the American College of Surgeons' National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Pediatric database between 2012 and 2014 to identify patients undergoing primary repair of cleft lip, cleft palate, and associated rhinoplasty. Two cohorts based on primary specialty, plastic surgeons and otolaryngologists, were compared in relation to patient characteristics, 30-day postoperative outcomes, procedure type, and intraoperative variables. Plastic surgeons performed the majority of surgical repairs, with 85.5% (n = 1,472) of cleft lip, 79.3% (n = 2,179) of cleft palate, and 87.9% (n = 465) of rhinoplasty procedures. There was no difference in the age of primary cleft lip repair or rhinoplasty. However, plastic surgeons performed primary cleft palate repair earlier than otolaryngologists (p = 0.03). Procedure type varied between the specialties. In rhinoplasty, otolaryngologists were more likely to use septal or ear cartilage, whereas plastic surgeons preferred rib cartilage. Results were similar, with no statistically significant difference in terms of mortality, reoperation, readmission, or complications. Significant variation exists in the treatment of cleft lip and palate based on specialty service with regard to procedure timing and type. However, short-term rates of mortality, wound occurrence, reoperation, readmission, and surgical or medical complications remain similar.
A network of cis and trans interactions is required for ParB spreading

Most bacteria utilize the highly conserved parABS partitioning system in plasmid and chromosome segregation. This system depends on a DNA-binding protein ParB, which binds specifically to the centromere DNA sequence parS and to adjacent non-specific DNA over multiple kilobases in a phenomenon called spreading. Previous single-molecule experiments in combination with genetic, biochemical and computational studies have argued that ParB spreading requires cooperative interactions between ParB dimers including DNA bridging and possible nearest-neighbor interactions. A recent structure of a ParB homolog co-crystallized with parS revealed that ParB dimers tetramerize to form a higher order nucleoprotein complex. Using this structure as a guide, we systematically ablated a series of proposed intermolecular interactions in the Bacillus subtilis ParB (BsSpo0J) and characterized their effect on spreading using both in vivo and in vitro assays. In particular, we measured DNA compaction mediated by BsSpo0J using a recently developed single-molecule method to simultaneously visualize protein binding on single DNA molecules and changes in DNA conformation without protein labeling. Our results indicate that residues acting as hubs for multiple interactions frequently led to the most severe spreading defects when mutated, and that a network of both cis and trans interactions between ParB dimers is necessary for spreading.
Natural Right and Political Philosophy: Essays in Honor of Catherine Zuckert and Michael Zuckert: , edited by Lee and Ann Ward, Notre Dame, IN: University of Notre Dame Press, 469 pp., ISBN: 978-0268044275, Publication Date: 2013

In the burgeoning scholarship on political thought both ancient and modern, the work of Catherine and Michael Zuckert stands out for its perspicacity and range. Through their teaching and scholarsh...
Test set identification for improved delay defect coverage in the presence of statistical delays

Due to statistical gate delays, the critical probability of a testable path varies among its test patterns. Thus, the delay defect coverage of a selected set of critical paths depends on the selected test set. A new framework to select a test set for improved delay defect coverage is presented. It uses an algorithm that computes the critical probability of a path by a test pattern and machine learning to identify a small test set that maximizes the combined delay defect coverage. Experimental results show a significant improvement in delay defect coverage over existing static critical path approach.
Varied Levels of Support for Constructive Activity in Hypermedia-Based Learning Environments

Although we are not confirmed constructivists, our experience as researchers, practitioners, and teachers of instructional design and hypermedia has made us very aware of the limitations of conventional instructional development paradigms for creating hypermedia-based educational products.