cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hierarchical Control of Multi-Domain Power Flow in Mobile Systems: Part II — Aircraft Application

This two-part paper presents the development of a hierarchical control framework for the control of power flow throughout large-scale systems. Part II presents the application of the graph-based modeling framework and three-level hierarchical control framework to the power systems of an aircraft. The simplified aircraft system includes an engine, electrical, and thermal systems. A graph based approach is used to model the system dynamics, where vertices represent capacitive elements such as fuel tanks, heat exchangers, and batteries with states corresponding to the temperature and state of charge. Edges represent power flows in the form of electricity and heat, which can be actuated using control inputs. The aircraft graph is then partitioned spatially into systems and subsystems, and temporally into fast, medium, and slow dynamics. These partitioned graphs are used to develop models for each of the three levels of the hierarchy. Simulation results show the benefits of hierarchical control compared to a centralized control method.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
A Practitioner’s Guide to Prescribing Gabapentin for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities

We developed this gabapentin guideline using drug prescribing ­information and reviewing the available literature on relevant neuropsychiatric disorders in populations without intellectual disabilities because of the dearth of available literature on the population with intellectual disabilities. This guideline includes indications; contraindications; assessments prior to and during treatment; dosing with particular focus on dosing modifications required by drug–drug interactions, personal characteristics; and adverse drug reactions. The procedures contained in this guideline may not fully account for all of the possible risks of treatment in this population because of the limited studies available; thus, there will be a need to periodically update this guideline as new information becomes available. Nevertheless, we believe that this guideline provides a useful resource for clinicians who treat epilepsy in adult individuals with intellectual disabilities. A gabapentin drug utilization review that summarizes this guideline is described.
Ca2+ sensitivity of BK channels in GH3 cells involves cytosolic phospholipase A2

To test the hypothesis that intracellular Ca2+activation of large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BK) channels involves the cytosolic form of phospholipase A2(cPLA2), we first inhibited the expressi...
Solving the Membrane Protein Expression Problem

The expression and purification of integral membrane proteins remains a major bottleneck in the characterization of this important class. Expression levels are currently unpredictable, which renders the pursuit of these targets challenging and highly inefficient. Evidence demonstrates that small changes in the nucleotide or amino-acid sequence can dramatically affect membrane protein biogenesis; yet these observations have not resulted in generalizable approaches to improve expression. In this talk, I will present two different but related approaches we have used to address this issue. For the first, using as a model system the protein TatC, we monitor the effect of sequence changes on experimentally observed expression levels demonstrating a strong correlation with the simulated integration efficiency obtained from coarse-grained modeling, which is directly confirmed using an in vivo assay. For the second, we develop a computational model that predicts membrane protein expression in E. coli directly from sequence. The model, trained on experimental data, combines a set of sequence-derived variables resulting in a score that predicts the likelihood of expression. The overall outcome are tools that will enable further investigation of these difficult to study proteins.
On Differential Stimulation and Differential Reinforcement

Animal psychophysics occupies a special systematic position in psychology. On the one hand, it is obviously a close relative of psychophysical work with humans. Asymptotic performances are studied under precisely reproducible stimulus conditions, and interest centers on responding as a function of carefully specified parameters of stimulation. On the other hand, animal psychophysics must of necessity use information obtained in studies of animal discrimination learning and performance in order to establish and maintain behavior which is sensitive to stimulus variables. Much of the research in animal discrimination learning has been concerned with the effects of conditioning history and reinforcement variables on the acquisition of stimulus control over responding (e. g., Terrace, 1966). Asymptotic discrimination performance has also been studied as a function of the conditions of reinforcement (e. g., Nevin, 1967). Research in this area usually employs stimuli which differ grossly, and are specified in the experimenter’s everyday language (e. g., red, green) rather than in the language of physics. It is widely assumed that the general character of the obtained relations is independent of the selection of particular stimuli.
Prevalence of Recent Antimicrobial Exposure among Elective Surgical Patients.

Abstract Background: The annual prevalence of antimicrobial exposure is high in the outpatient setting and should be a common exposure for surgical patients. Antimicrobials have negative side effects and may be associated with poor outcomes. Logically, one would expect surgical patients to be particularly susceptible to any negative effects of recent antimicrobial exposure. Despite these observations, however, the prevalence of recent antimicrobial exposure among surgical patients remains undefined. The purpose of this study is to define the prevalence of antimicrobial exposure in patients undergoing elective surgical procedures. Methods: Patients presenting for elective operations between August 4, 2015 and August 3, 2016 at our institution were asked prospectively about any antimicrobial exposure in the previous three months. Answers were recorded as either Yes, No, or Unsure. Patients were grouped according to age, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, primary operative service, and post-o...
Alcohol-Induced Increases in Inflammatory Cytokines Are Attenuated by Nicotine in Region-Selective Manner in Male Rats.

Background. Heavy use of alcohol is commonly associated with heavy smoking (nicotine intake). Although many factors, including mood effects of these two drugs may contribute to their co-use, the exact neurobiological underpinnings are far from clear. It is well known that chronic alcohol exposure induces neuroinflammation that may precipitate depressive-like behavior, which is considered an important factor in alcohol relapse. Nicotine, on the other hand, possesses anti-inflammatory and antidepressant effects. Purpose. In this study, we sought to determine which proinflammatory markers may be associated with the depressogenic effects of chronic alcohol and whether nicotine pretreatment may normalize these changes. Study design. For this purpose, we treated adult male Wistar rats with alcohol (1.0 g/kg, IP), nicotine (0.3 mg/kg, IP) or their combination once daily for 14 days. Two prominent proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and TNF-α) in two primary brain regions, namely the hippocampus and frontal cortex that are intimately involved in mood regulation, were evaluated. Results. Chronic alcohol resulted in increases in both cytokines in both regions as determined by Western blot. Nicotine completely blocked alcohol-induced effects in the hippocampus, but not in the frontal cortex. These data suggest that nicotine may mitigate the inflammatory effects of alcohol in brain-selective region. Hence, the previously observed depressogenic effects of alcohol and the antidepressant effects of nicotine may at least be partially mediated through manipulations of proinflammatory cytokines in the hippocampus. Conclusion. These findings suggest possible therapeutic potential of anti-inflammatory cytokines in combating alcohol-induced depression and/or relapse.
Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve Replacement in Patients With Congenital Heart Disease

Transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement is now a feasible alternative to surgical pulmonary valve replacement in children and adults with dysfunctional right ventricular outflow conduits. Currently, 2 types of valves can be used for this application. This article provides an overview of the procedure and how it is performed, indications and contraindications for transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement, and short- and long-term outcomes. Nursing considerations mainly focus on educating patients, preventing bleeding and infection, monitoring renal function, and preventing injury to the catheter insertion site. This article enhances the knowledge of nurses working in cardiac catheterization laboratories and post-procedure recovery and cardiac units so that the nurses can anticipate interventions and understand the management of patients who have transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement.
High-Frequency Lithium Acetate Transformation of Schizosaccharomyces pombe.

The introduction of ectopic DNA, such as plasmids, into yeast cells has for decades been a critical protocol for the study of this eukaryotic model system. We describe here an efficient transformation procedure for use in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. This method relies on chemical agents (lithium acetate, and polyethylene glycol) and temperature stresses, which ultimately facilitate transfer of the genetic material through the cell wall and plasma membrane without significant impact on the transferred DNA or the recipient cell. Using this protocol, we consistently see transformation efficiencies between 1.0 × 103 and 1.0 × 104 transformants per microgram of the plasmid with 108 S. pombe cells. The principal benefits and advantages of this method are its simplicity, efficiency, and relative speed of completion.
SOGO: A Social Intelligent Negotiation Dialogue System

In this paper, we propose a semi-automatic social intelligent negotiation dialogue system that interweaves task utterance with conversational strategies to engage human users in negotiation. Our two-phase system operates sequentially in a reasoning-and-generation loop: In the task phase, we leverage an off-the-shelf end-to-end dialogue model for negotiation to build a dialogue manager which decides the next system's task intention. Then, during the social phase, we employ a theory-driven, template-based natural language generator to realize the task intention as a genre of social conversational strategy. Subsequently, a set of conversational strategies are presented to a human expert who decides the final sentence to be uttered by the dialogue system. Compared to the baseline system, our proposed social intelligent dialogue system achieves a higher agreement rate and more "good deals" with humans while building interpersonal rapport.
Predicting educators’ use of Twitter for professional learning and development

This paper proposes and tests a conceptual model of educators’ Twitter adoption for professional learning and development based on technology adoption model and related literature. To understand the factors that may affect educators’ adoption of Twitter for professional learning and development, a questionnaire was designed and administered to 305 participants with the majority (88.5%) being 31 or older, and a structural equation model was constructed to examine the relationships among the factors that affect this adoption process. The results suggest that the research framework integrating multiple perspectives provides a comprehensive understanding of educators’ intention and actual use of Twitter for professional learning and development. Specifically, educators’ attitude of adoption and the purpose of Twitter usage had a significant direct effect on educators’ intention and actual use of Twitter for professional learning and development. The study suggests, to encourage educators to adopt Twitter for professional learning and development, we need to help them understand the usefulness of Twitter, whether its usage fits with their learning tasks, as well as for what purposes they are going to use it.
Influence of individual life course and neighbourhood socioeconomic position on dietary intake in African Americans: the Jackson Heart Study.

Objective African Americans, especially those in the Southeastern USA, have different dietary behaviours from the general US population, and have the highest prevalence, incidence and mortality of diet-related disease outcomes, such as cardiovascular disease. However, there are scant data regarding factors such as socioeconomic position (SEP) across the life course that influence dietary behaviours in this high-risk population. Our aim was to examine the impact of life course and neighbourhood SEPs on dietary intake among African Americans. Participants and setting Data for this cross-sectional analysis came from the community-based Jackson Heart Study (JHS). We analysed a total of 3948 JHS participants (mean age: 55.4±12.5; 63.9% women), who had complete dietary intake and covariate information. Methods We examined the associations of childhood SEP (CSEP), adulthood SEP (ASEP) and neighbourhood SEP (NSEP) with 10 selected dietary intake measures, using multilevel log-gamma generalised linear regression models. Outcome measures Dietary intake measures include daily saturated fat, sodium, protein, fibre, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, sugar-sweetened beverage, nuts, fish and processed meat. Results In age, sex and total energy intake adjusted models, most dietary intakes were associated with these three SEP measures. After additional adjustment for other SEP measures, most of the significant associations with CSEP and NSEP were attenuated, except for the associations of fibre with CSEP (relative rate [RR] [95% CI] 1.05 [1.00–1.10]) and whole grains with NSEP (RR [95% CI] 1.28 [1.02–1.61]). The associations (shown as RR [95% CI]) between ASEP and sugar-sweetened beverage: 0.70 (0.59–0.83), processed meat: 0.75 (0.63–0.90), sodium: 0.99 (0.94–1.00), fibre: 1.10 (1.03–1.16), protein: 1.05 (1.01–1.09), fruits and vegetables: 1.21 (1.11–1.32), nuts: 2.13 (1.59–2.87), and fish: 1.57 (1.27–1.95) generally persisted after additional adjustment for both CSEP and NSEP. However, the association between ASEP and whole grains was attenuated. Conclusions High ASEP may have a more beneficial influence on dietary practices in African Americans than CSEP or NSEP.
Cases in Precision Medicine: When Patients Present With Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Test Results

As direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic testing grows in popularity, physicians must anticipate that patients will increasingly bring the results to them for interpretation. This article discusses DTC ...
Blunt Trauma: What Is Behind the Widened Mediastinum on Chest X-Ray (CXR)?

BACKGROUND It is commonly taught that a widened mediastinum (WM) on chest X-ray (CXR) is a marker for aortic injury (AI). We sought to describe the epidemiology of injuries for all patients with WM and compare their CXR to those of patients with confirmed AI. METHODS Adults (age ≥ 18) sustaining blunt traumatic injuries from January 2017 to June 2017 with both CXR (supine, anterior-posterior) and chest CT were included. We excluded those whose CT preceded CXR and those with missing data. Basic demographics, injury characteristics, mediastinal width (MW), mediastinal-to-thoracic width ratio (MTR), and all thoracic imaging findings were analyzed. MW > 8 cm was considered WM. We also queried our registry for all AI patients over a 4-year period. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy of WM on CXR for AI were calculated. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with positive traumatic findings, controlling for body mass index (BMI), sex, high-energy mechanism, MTR, and mediastinal width. RESULTS Of 749 included subjects, 502 (67%) had an MW > 8 cm: mean age was 48 ± 20 y, 381 (76%) were men, and BMI was 28 ± 5 kg/m2. Mechanism of injury was motor vehicle crash in 335 (67%); fall in 113 (23%); assault in 31 (6%); other (jet-ski accidents, etc.) in 17 (3%), and unknown in 6 (1%). Only 128 (26%) of patients with WM had positive findings on CT, with the most common [80 (16%)] being nontraumatic findings (pericardial infusion, lymph nodes, etc.), followed by hemomediastinum/pneumomediastinum [32 (6%)], sternal fractures [18 (4%)], multiple findings [15 (3%)], and vertebral fractures [6 (1%)]. Only 2 (1%) had AI. The sensitivity was 100%, specificity was 33%, PPV was 0.4%, NPV was 100%, and accuracy was 33%. From 2013 to 2017, 38 patients had AI: mean age was 46 ± 19 y, 26 (68%) were men, and BMI was 28 ± 4 kg/m2. Motor vehicle crash was the most common mechanism (89%), followed by "other" trauma mechanism (5%), fall (3%), and assault (3%). On univariate analysis, compared with all patients with WM, patients with AI had significantly greater MW (9.5 [8.8-10.4] versus 10.2 [9.1-11.1]; P = 0.042) and MTR (0.31 [0.28-0.34] versus 0.32 [0.31-0.37]; P = 0.001), although the actual differences were not clinically significant. The regression analysis did not identify any factors associated with traumatic CXR findings. CONCLUSIONS Most bluntly injured adults have a WM, and the majority have either no findings or nontraumatic findings. The PPV of a WM for AI is <1%. WM on supine CXR is nonspecific and inaccurate for diagnosing traumatic injuries, especially AI.
Case Study: Challenges and Issues in Teaching Fully Online Mechanical Engineering Courses

Every year more engineering programs are looking at online courses as a way to expand their programs and facilitate the educational goals of working professionals. This case study summarizes specific challenges faced by two faculty members in preparing and presenting six mechanical engineering classes, all core classes at either the graduate or undergraduate level, in a fully online format. The challenges discussed involve course preparation and planning, interaction with and among students, lack of student preparation, and exams.
Prevalence, Perceived Benefits, and Perceived Barriers Regarding Breast Cancer Screening Among Three Arab American Women Subgroups:

Introduction: Mammography screening (MS) has been identified as a valuable tool to decrease mortality rates from breast cancer (BC). Arab American women (AAW) have been recognized as an ethnic group that needs further research to promote their participation in BC screening. This study aims to explore MS rates, and investigate differences in attitudes and beliefs about BC screening in AAW. Method: This comparative, cross-sectional study investigated 316 American Muslim and Christian women from three Arab countries. The Arab Culture-Specific Barriers instrument was employed. Results: The results revealed lower MS rates in AAW compared with national screening rates. Cultural and religious benefits and barriers were identified. Discussion: This study was able to provide a better understanding of AAW beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors regarding BC screening based on their unique ethnic identity and religion. Implications of such findings include increasing efforts to improve MS rates and providing cultural training for health care professionals.
Diabetes disclosure strategies in adolescents and young adult with type 1 diabetes

Abstract Objective Adolescence and young adulthood have social and developmental challenges that can impact type 1 diabetes (T1D) management. New relationships (e.g. friends, schoolmates, dating partners, teachers, employers) introduce opportunities for disclosure of T1D status. Characterizing how adolescents and young adults (AYAs) disclose having T1D to others may help inform clinical strategies to help AYAs ensure their safety by obtaining social support. Methods As part of a study about diabetes health-related quality of life across the lifespan, transcriptions of semi-structured qualitative interviews with AYAs with T1D (n = 16, age 12–25 years, mean age 18.7 ± 4.9, 38% female) were coded to derive themes related to T1D disclosure. Results Participants described three disclosure strategies: (1) Open Disclosure: shares T1D status in straightforward, direct manner and readily requests diabetes-related support; (2) Disclosure Hesitancy: reluctant to tell others about or actively hides having T1D; (3) Passive Disclosure: discloses T1D via other people (e.g., parents) or through others’ observation of T1D management tasks. Conclusion AYAs may benefit from guidance in approaches to informing others about having T1D in different contexts. Identifying individuals’ use of these strategies can inform education and intervention strategies aimed at engaging AYAs in healthy T1D-related disclosure to seek and receive support.
Thermoelectric measurements of high-resistance Janus monolayer transition-metal dichalcogenide

The broken reflection symmetry exhibited by the recently reported two-dimensional Janus SMoSe monolayers can lead to unique electronic, thermal, and thermoelectric properties. Thermoelectric measurements of these and other semiconducting materials are often complicated by a loading error associated with a high sample resistance. Here, we report a thermoelectric measurement of a monolayer SMoSe sample with a resistance exceeding 40 MΩ. The loading error associated with the high sample resistance and other contaminations is removed with the use of high-impedance electronics, discrete modulated heating, and Fourier transform analysis of the measured thermoelectric voltage. Under a 20 V gate voltage, the measured Seebeck coefficient of the Janus monolayer changes from −200 µV/K at 350 K to −220 µV/K at 425 K. These results are consistent with an n-type semiconductor behavior of the Janus monolayer sample and demonstrate the effectiveness of this method for thermoelectric measurements of high-resistance semiconductor samples.
Test-retest reliability and minimal detectable change of corticospinal tract integrity in chronic stroke

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) can be used to index white matter integrity of the corticospinal tract (CST) after stroke; however, the psychometric properties of DTI-based measures of white matter integrity are unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine test-retest reliability as determined by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and calculate minimal detectable change (MDC) of DTI-based measures of CST integrity using three different approaches: a Cerebral Peduncle approach, a Probabilistic Tract approach, and a Tract Template approach. Eighteen participants with chronic stroke underwent DTI on the same magnetic resonance imaging scanner 4 days apart. For the Cerebral Peduncle approach, a researcher hand drew masks at the cerebral peduncle. For the Probabilistic Tract approach, tractography was seeded in motor areas of the cortex to the cerebral peduncle. For the Tract Template approach, a standard CST template was transformed into native space. For all approaches, the researcher performing analyses was blind to participant number and day of data collection. All three approaches had good to excellent test-retest reliability for fractional anisotropy (FA; ICCs >0.786). Mean diffusivity, axial diffusivity, and radial diffusivity were less reliable than FA. The ICC values were highest and MDC values were the smallest for the most automated approach (Tract Template), followed by the combined manual/automated approach (Probabilistic Tract) then the manual approach (Cerebral Peduncle). The results of this study may have implications for how DTI-based measures of CST integrity are used to define impairment, predict outcomes, and interpret change after stroke.
Fleeing bodies and fleeting performances: Transience and the nation-state:

This essay examines parallels between the resolidification of German identity and reconfigurations of German national space and nation-state time. From recurring events (refugee-guided tours) to te...
Quitting the quitline: a qualitative study of patient experience of electronic referrals to quitlines

The use of electronic referrals (eReferrals) to state quitlines (QLs) for tobacco-using patients is a promising approach for addressing smoking cessation on a large scale. However, QL contact, enrollment, and completion rates are low. The purpose of this study was to examine the eReferral to QL process from the patient’s perspective in order to inform strategies for improving QL engagement. We conducted interviews with 55 patients who agreed to an eReferral at a primary care visit to 1 of 8 safety-net community health centers in Cuyahoga County, Ohio (September 2017–August 2018). Interviews were designed to explore the experiences of three subgroups of patients who subsequently: 1) declined participation in the QL; 2) were unreachable by the QL; or 3) were enrolled in or had completed the QL program. Analysis was guided by a phenomenological approach designed to identify emergent themes. Reasons for QL program non-completion included changing life circumstances and events making cessation unviable; misunderstandings about the QL; discomfort with telephonic counseling; perceived lack of time for counseling; cell phone barriers; and having already quit smoking. We found that some individuals who were no longer engaged with the QL still desired continued support from the QL. Participants intentionally and unintentionally disengage from the QL for a wide variety of reasons, several of which are mediated by low socioeconomic status. Integrating QL care with community-based resources that address these mediators could be a promising strategy.
Targeting a Pathogenic Cysteine Mutation: Discovery of a Specific Inhibitor of Y279C SHP2

An intriguing challenge of drug discovery is targeting pathogenic mutant proteins that differ from their wild-type counterparts by only a single amino acid. In particular, pathogenic cysteine mutat...
Sidecar Learning: a new e-learning platform for librarians

This article describes how two librarians at the University of Arizona created a new e-learning tool, Sidecar Learning, and implemented tutorials aimed at health sciences students and researchers. Librarians at the University of Arizona have used these interactive tutorials to reach thousands of students. Sidecar Learning was created to provide librarians with a scalable means of teaching thousands of students how to use complicated library databases. Virtual Projects are published on an annual basis in the Journal of the Medical Library Association (JMLA) following an annual call for virtual projects in MLAConnect and announcements to encourage submissions from all types of libraries. An advisory committee of recognized technology experts selects project entries based on their currency, innovation, and contribution to health sciences librarianship.
User acceptance of augmented reality welding simulator in engineering training

The integration of Augmented Reality (AR) in welding training is considered to increase the efficiency, security and time gain in operations, reducing consumable and infrastructures costs. Prior research has examined the integration of AR-simulation in applications, like medical operations or aviation, showing the need for greater usability of these systems. However, research on AR integration in welding training is yet limited. It can help new welders learn effectively and be prepared to work in the industry. The motivation of this study was the ongoing use of AR in manufacturing training and its novelty is the analysis of the most significant factors affecting the actual AR system use. The main objective of this research is to evaluate the use of AR technology in welding training using an innovative model, appropriately extended to consider pedagogy and technology. The contribution of this paper is the exploration and understanding of the factors associated with the AR welding training which can lead to goal fulfillment and, subsequently, impact users’ choice. This study is based on a modified Technology Acceptance Model, extending it by two external variables (perceived enjoyment and system quality) and the sample is 200 trainees. The findings show that the external variables are predictors of perceived usefulness and ease of use. The intention to use AR simulator is positively influenced directly by system quality and perceived ease of use. The findings help AR developers enhance the quality of AR-simulation training systems to enhance users’ experience and their behavioral intention to use them.
Acute Hyperextension “Surfer’s” Myelopathy in a Gymnast: Bending over Backwards for Diagnosis (2369)

Objective: not applicable - case report Background: Acute hyperextension or surfer’s myelopathy is a clinical diagnosis made in the setting of acute onset weakness without frank trauma but often after small, repetitive flexion and extension spine movements in athletes during sports practice. There may be radiology correlate in a non-vascular distribution. The pathophysiology is unknown but hypothesized to be due to transient occlusion of spinal arteries. Pediatric case reports are rare, thus we present a case that adds to the clinical spectrum of this disorder. Design/Methods: not applicable - case report Results: We report a healthy school-aged girl presenting with leg weakness after doing a handstand. She hyper-extended her back to touch the wall and then flexed forward to recover. Initially, she was able to walk, however a few hours later she was crawling due to weakness and back pain. She developed urinary retention with overflow incontinence and constipation. Exam revealed diffuse mild leg weakness, right more than left, a slow, wide-based gait, lower extremity hyper-reflexia, and normal sensation. CSF analysis was normal, including autoantibodies and oligoclonal bands. MRI findings were typical of this myelopathy. She improved over weeks with physical therapy. MRI spine demonstrated hyperintense T2 signal abnormality with cord expansion through the distal spinal cord seen on both sagittal and axial planes. MRI findings completely resolved on follow-up imaging approximately 6 weeks later. Conclusions: While rare, acute hyperextension myelopathy can affect children. There may be radiologic findings, which normalize rapidly. These patients do not require steroids or surgical intervention and they recover rapidly back to baseline. Disclosure: Dr. Levy has nothing to disclose. Dr. Guimaraes has nothing to disclose. Dr. Partap has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with GLG and Bayer.
Animal research unbound: The messiness of the moral and the ethnographer's dilemma.

Interspecies intimacy defines an inescapable reality of lab animal research. This essay is an effort to disentangle this reality’s consequences—both in and outside the lab—as framed by the quandaries of ethnographic engagement. Encounters with lab staff and, in turn, with audiences unfamiliar with laboratory life, together provide crucial entry points for considering how the “messiness of the moral” might facilitate an “unbounded” approach to lab animal worlds. Within the lab, one encounters specialized ethical principles—often codified as law—that delimit strict boundaries of in/appropriate human thought and action. Such principles determine quotidian practices of welfare and care that, in peculiar ways, privilege animal health (as key to reliable data) while obscuring, erasing, or denying human forms of self care. As such, they presuppose a regulatory ability to formulate, shape, and (re)direct human action. Yet attentiveness to the “messiness of the moral” of lab work exposes other realities: indeed, lab personnel regularly engage in a host of subversive responses that test or cross the boundaries of mandated behavior that (re)invigorate the meaning of moral acts of care as interspecies responsibility. The ethnographer’s ability to witness, record, and write about these actions within the lab rests comfortably on the relativist principle of suspended judgment. Once one moves outside the lab, however, I ask, wherein lies ethnographic responsibility, when one's accounts of the moral messiness of quotidian lab practices become unbounded and go public? I argue that a dialectical inter- and intraspecies framework—inspired by the existential anthropologist Michael Jackson—offers the ethnographer (and still other scholars) possibilities for forging a productively “unbounded” methodological analytic in and beyond domains of animal science.
Public Interest Comment on the Department of Homeland Security’s Proposed Rule: Collection and Use of Biometrics by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

The George Washington University Regulatory Studies Center improves regulatory policy through research, education, and outreach. As part of its mission, the Center conducts careful and independent analyses to assess rulemaking proposals from the perspective of the public interest. This comment on the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) proposed rule regarding the collection and use of biometrics by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) does not represent the views of any particular affected party or special interest but is designed to evaluate the effect of DHS’s proposal on overall consumer welfare. This public interest comment begins by summarizing the proposed rule and discussing the statutory authority delegated to DHS. It then evaluates the department’s regulatory impact analysis, emphasizing the rule’s failure to comply with established requirements for regulatory analysis. Then, our comment argues that the rule’s 30-day comment period should be reopened to allow the public to have a meaningful opportunity to comment. We conclude by summarizing the key recommendations included in the comment.
New Adaptive 802.11 MAC Protocol to Enhance Throughput and Fairness in Multihop Wireless Networks

Multihop Wireless Networks (MWNs) suffer from contention over the medium between nodes, resulting in a decrease of end-to-end throughput. Also, nodes with multiple hops away from the gateway experience additional throughput degradation caused by high collisions from competing nodes, resulting in more packet loss. It has been shown that packets' fragmentation at the (Medium Access Control) MAC layer plays an important role in improving nodes' throughput. Inspired by this idea, we propose an algorithm to estimate more suitable fragmentation threshold for various nodes in the network based on their locality. Although various fragmentation thresholds achieve better end-to-end throughput, it does not improve the fairness problem in such networks. To address the fairness problem, we propose changing also the transmission rates to nodes across the network. In this work, we propose a new scheme called Adaptive Transmission Rate and Fragmentation Size (ARFS) that can be implemented on top of the 802.11 MAC protocol. ARFS computes the collision probability of each node based on its interfering range and its distance from the gateway. It then uses these values as weights to compute new fragmentation threshold and transmission rate of each node in the MWN. We show that ARFS significantly outperforms the standard 802.11 MAC protocol in regarding fairness and end-to-end throughput.
The Molecular Basis of Glucose Galactose Malabsorption in a Large Swedish Pedigree.

Glucose-galactose malabsorption (GGM) is due to mutations in the gene coding for the intestinal sodium glucose cotransporter SGLT1 (SLC5A1). Here we identify the rare variant Gln457Arg (Q457R) in a large pedigree of patients in the Vasterbotten County in Northern Sweden with the clinical phenotype of GGM. The functional effect of the Q457R mutation was determined in protein expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes using biophysical and biochemical methods. The mutant failed to transport the specific SGLT1 sugar analog α-methyl-D-glucopyranoside (αMDG). Q457R SGLT1 was synthesized in amounts comparable to the wild-type (WT) transporter. SGLT1 charge measurements and freeze-fracture electron microscopy demonstrated that the mutant protein was inserted into the plasma membrane. Electrophysiological experiments, both steady-state and presteady-state, demonstrated that the mutant bound sugar with an affinity lower than the WT transporter. Together with our previous studies on Q457C and Q457E mutants, we established that the positive charge on Q457R prevented the translocation of sugar from the outward-facing to inward-facing conformation. This is contrary to other GGM cases where missense mutations caused defects in trafficking SGLT1 to the plasma membrane. Thirteen GGM patients are now added to the pedigree traced back to the late 17th century. The frequency of the Q457R variant in Vasterbotten County genomes, 0.0067, is higher than in the general Swedish population, 0.0015, and higher than the general European population, 0.000067. This explains the high number of GGM cases in this region of Sweden.
Phosphorylation of CREB at Serine 142 and 143 Is Essential for Visual Cortex Plasticity.

The transcription factor CREB is involved in a myriad of cellular functions in the central nervous system. For instance, the role of CREB via phosphorylation at the amino-acid residue Serine (Ser) 133 in expressing plasticity-related genes and activity-dependent neuronal plasticity processes has been extensively demonstrated. However, much less is known about the role of CREB phosphorylation at Ser 142 and 143. Here, we employed a viral vector containing a dominant negative form of CREB, with serine-to-alanine mutations at residue 142 and 143 to specifically block phosphorylation at both sites. We then transfected this vector into primary neurons in vitro or intra-cortically injected it into mice in vivo, to test if these phosphorylation events were important for activity-dependent plasticity. We demonstrated by immunohistochemistry of cortical neuronal cultures that the expression of Arc, a known plasticity-related gene, requires triple phosphorylation of CREB at Ser 133, 142, and 143. Moreover, we recorded visually-evoked field potentials in awake mice before and after a 7-day period of monocular deprivation to show that, in addition to CREB phosphorylation at Ser 133, ocular dominance plasticity in the visual cortex also requires CREB phosphorylation at Ser 142/143. Our findings suggest that Ser 142/143 phosphorylation is an additional post-translational modification of CREB that triggers the expression of specific target genes and activity-dependent neuronal plasticity processes. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The transcription factor CREB triggers the expression of numerous different gene clusters in response to different cellular stimuli. Previous studies have shown that CREB can be activated by phosphorylation at several of its serine residues. We discovered that ocular dominance plasticity, a type of activity-dependent plasticity in the visual cortex, requires the phosphorylation of three different serine residues on CREB (Ser133, Ser142, and Ser143). The expression of the critical early gene Arc also requires this triple phosphorylation pattern. Elucidating such phosphorylation patterns of CREB required for activity-dependent gene expression could help us better understand the mechanisms of neuronal plasticity.
Does dialect matter in the expression of motion? Ways of encoding manner and path in Babao and standard Mandarin

Abstract The expression of motion events has been examined in standard dialects of typologically distinct languages, but the effect of dialect-based variation remains relatively unexamined. The present study focused on Chinese—a relatively understudied language—asking whether patterns of motion expression differed between its two dialects, Mandarin and Babao. We examined motion descriptions produced by adult native speakers of Mandarin (n = 15; Mage = 20) and Babao (n = 14; Mage = 65), who first watched and then described animated motion events with salient manner and path components (e.g., “crawl across carpet”) in a structured interview format. The results showed differences between the two dialects in patterns of motion expression. Mandarin showed a greater preference for conflated descriptions by synthesizing manner and path components into a single clause typically in a serial verb construction (e.g., “crawl-pass carpet”). Babao speakers, in contrast, showed a greater preference for separated expressions, expressing each component in separate clauses (e.g., “crawl,” “pass carpet”). These patterns were accompanied by greater use other linguistic elements (i.e., deixis) among Babao speakers, thus allowing them to further specify path in their motion descriptions. Overall, our study highlights dialect as an important source of variability in the expression of motion events.
Understanding the Stress Management Needs and Preferences of Latinas Undergoing Chemotherapy.

This exploratory study provides insights into everyday realities, concerns, and cultural perspectives of Latinas undergoing chemotherapy, and elicits information on stress management and information needs. Informed by a community-based participatory research approach using qualitative methods, we conducted ten interviews with providers, and two focus groups (n = 13) and 20 in-depth interviews with Latinas recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Providers and Latina patients acknowledged multiple physical and emotional stressors associated with cancer treatment, viewed a positive aspect of the cancer experience to include connection with God and enhanced spirituality, saw family as a motivating factor for recovery, and expressed a need to draw on existing coping strategies. Findings show considerable overlap between providers and Latina cancer patients’ perceptions of stressors during chemotherapy. However, a few notable differences in perceptions of stress management needs during this treatment period emerged. While Latina cancer patients mentioned similar social/structural stressors (e.g., economic problems, lack of information) they tended to emphasize more of the interpersonal stressors related to family communication and relationships (e.g., providing and caring for family, distance from family), and intrapersonal stressors such as fear, changes in physical appearance, and side effects of chemotherapy. Our study illustrates the importance of including multiple perspectives. The information gained by including both providers and patient perspectives yielded a more complete understanding of the stress management needs of Latinas undergoing chemotherapy. Findings suggest that stress management educational interventions should aim to develop self-care skills, be culturally relevant and language-specific, and build upon stress-reducing strategies Latinas may already employ.
Career adaptability and academic satisfaction: Examining work volition and self efficacy as mediators

Abstract The present study examined the relation between the four components of career adaptability – concern, control, curiosity, and confidence (Savickas & Porfeli, 2012) – and academic satisfaction. Drawing from a diverse sample of 412 undergraduate students, all four components moderately correlated with academic satisfaction. In an effort to explain these relations, work volition and career decision self-efficacy (CDSE) were examined as potential mediator variables. Using structural equation modeling, work volition significantly mediated the control to satisfaction relation and CDSE significantly mediated the concern, control, and confidence to satisfaction relations. After including all variables in the model, none of the career adaptability components significantly related with academic satisfaction. These results suggest that for undergraduate students, feeling adaptable in one's career may link to greater levels of academic satisfaction due, in part, to greater feelings of control and confidence in one's career decision making.
Osmotic mass exchangers for power generation and energy recovery: analysis and analogy to heat exchangers

By integrating the solution-diffusion equation for water transport through an osmotic membrane along the axis of a mass exchanger, we find closed form expressions which relate the performance of a ...
Effect of aluminum chloride and dietary phytase on relative ammonia losses from swine manure.

Ammonia (NH 3 ) losses from swine manure contribute to odor problems, decrease animal productivity, and increase the risk of acid rain deposition. This study was conducted to determine whether aluminum chloride (AlCl 3 ) or dietary manipulation with phytase could decrease relative NH 3 losses from swine manure. Twenty-four pens of nursery pigs were used in two trials, and the pigs were fed normal or phytase-supplemented (500 IU/kg) diets. Aluminum chloride was added to manure pits (1.9 x 1.2 x 0.5 m) under each pen at 0, 0.25, 0.50, or 0.75% (vol:vol) of final manure volume. Manure pH and NH 3 losses (measured by relative NH 3 flux) were determined twice weekly. The addition of AlCl 3 at 0.75% decreased (P < 0.05) manure pH from 7.48 to 6.69. Phytase decreased (P < 0.05) manure pH to 7.07 compared with 7.12 in the normal diet manure. Aluminum chloride administered at 0.75% without phytase reduced (P < 0.05) relative NH 3 losses 52% for the entire 6-wk period. Relative NH 3 losses were decreased (P < 0.05) from 109 mg of NH 3 /(m 2 .h) in pens containing pigs fed the normal diet without AlCl 3 to 81 mg of NH 3 /(m 2 .h) in pens housing pigs administered the phytase diet, a 26% reduction. When the phytase diet and 0.75% AlCl 3 additions were used in combination, relative NH 3 losses were reduced (P < 0.05) by 60% compared with pens of pigs fed the control diet without AlCl 3 . Decreases in manure pH were likely responsible for the observed reduction in NH 3 losses. Multiple regression was performed with relative rates of NH 3 losses as the dependent variable and rate of AlCl 3 addition, diet, and manure pH as independent variables. The model was tested using a stepwise regression (P < 0.001), and results indicated that the most important factors determining NH 3 losses were manure pH and diet. However, the contribution of AlCl 3 cannot be discounted. When manure pH was regressed against AlCl 3 and dietary phytase, AlCl 3 levels accounted for 64% of the variation in manure pH (P < 0.001). Dietary manipulation with phytase and application of AlCl 3 to manure are promising management practices for the reduction of NH 3 from swine facilities.
PUTTING THE CIVIL SOCIETY SECTOR ON THE ECONOMIC MAP OF THE WORLD

ABSTRACT**: The past twenty-five years have witnessed a spectacular expansion of philanthropy, volunteering, and civil society organizations throughout the world. Indeed, we seem to be in the midst of a ‘global associational revolution,’ a worldwide upsurge of organized private voluntary activity. Despite the promise that this development holds, however, the nonprofit or civil society sector remains the invisible subcontinent on the social landscape of most countries, poorly understood by policymakers and the public at large, often encumbered by legal limitations, and inadequately utilized as a mechanism for addressing public problems. One reason for this is the lack of basic information on its scope, structure, financing, and contributions in most parts of the world. This lack of information is due in part to the fact that significant components of the nonprofit sector fall within the non-observed, or informal, economy, and in part to the way even the observed parts of this sector have historically been treated in the prevailing System of National Accounts (SNA). This paper provides an overview of a series of steps that have been taken over the past 20 years by researchers at the Johns Hopkins University in cooperation with colleagues around the world and, more recently, with officials in the United Nations Statistics Division and the International Labour Organization to remedy this situation, culminating in the issuance and initial implementation of a new United Nations Handbook on Nonprofit Institutions in the System of National Accounts and the forthcoming publication of a new International Labour Organization Manual on the Measurement of Volunteer Work. Taken together, these efforts point the way toward putting the civil society sector on the economic map of the world for the first time in a systematically comparative way.