cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Self-assembly of mesoscopically ordered chromatic polydiacetylene/silica nanocomposites

Nature abounds with intricate composite architectures composed of hard and soft materials synergistically intertwined to provide both useful functionality and mechanical integrity. Recent synthetic efforts to mimic such natural designs have focused on nanocomposites, prepared mainly by slow procedures like monomer or polymer infiltration of inorganic nanostructures or sequential deposition. Here we report the self-assembly of conjugated polymer/silica nanocomposite films with hexagonal, cubic or lamellar mesoscopic order using polymerizable amphiphilic diacetylene molecules as both structure-directing agents and monomers. The self-assembly procedure is rapid and incorporates the organic monomers uniformly within a highly ordered, inorganic environment. Polymerization results in polydiacetylene/silica nanocomposites that are optically transparent and mechanically robust. Compared to ordered diacetylene-containing films prepared as Langmuir monolayers or by Langmuir-Blodgett deposition, the nanostructured inorganic host alters the diacetylene polymerization behaviour, and the resulting nanocomposite exhibits unusual chromatic changes in response to thermal, mechanical and chemical stimuli. The inorganic framework serves to protect, stabilize, and orient the polymer, and to mediate its function. The nanocomposite architecture also provides sufficient mechanical integrity to enable integration into devices and microsystems.
The effect of peer comparison information in the context of expert recommendations on risk perceptions and subsequent behavior

The present study seeks to understand how social comparison information may be used to provide individuals with information about their level of risk and to promote health behavior. The effect of peer comparison information, presented alone or in the context of expert recommendations, was examined across two studies using distinct experimental manipulations. Study 1 showed that regardless of whether expert standards were available or not, participants who were provided with inflated estimates of peer flossing behavior demonstrated increased behavioral intentions and increased flossing behavior measured 3 months later. This pattern was replicated in Study 2 with effects on attitudes toward flossing and intentions to floss. These findings add to a growing literature identifying comparative feedback as distinct from objective information and are discussed in terms of implications for health promotion and risk communication. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Study of SOFC Anodes Based on Cu-Ni and Cu-Co Bimetallics in CeO2 ­ YSZ

A series of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) with anodes containing mixtures of either Cu and Ni or Cu and Co, prepared by impregnation of the metal salts into porous yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), were examined for operation with both H 2 and n-butane fuels at 973 and 1073 K. The Cu-Ni mixtures formed single-phase alloys; however, anodes prepared with Cu 0.8 Ni 0.2 were found to be unstable in n-butane at 973 K if the alloy was reduced at 973 K, but stable if reduced at 1073 K, indicating a probable change in surface composition with reduction temperature. The addition of Ni to Cu significantly increased the performance of the cells for operation in H 2 , but caused no change in performance for n-butane. Unlike the Cu-Ni system, Cu-Co bimetallics formed two phases. It appears that Cu covers the surface of most of the Co, based on reduced CO adsorption and the fact that Cu 0.5 Co 0.5 mixtures were stable for at least 3 h in n-butane at 973 K. Again, at 973 K, the addition of Co to Cu significantly increased the performance of the cells for operation in H 2 , but caused no change in performance for n-butane. At 1073 K, improved performance was observed for both H 2 and n-butane with anodes based on Cu and Co. The results suggest that bimetallics are worth considering for fuel cells that operate on hydrocarbons.
Hormonal Responsiveness by Immature Rabbit Uterine Epithelial Cells Polarized in Vitro

This paper reports the development of an in vitro cell culture system of polarized uterine epithelial (UE) cells from the immature rabbit. UE cells from immature rabbit were cultured on EHS (Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm) matrix-coated semipermeable filter inserts in a serum-free, phenol red-free defined medium. The cells in primary culture attached, proliferated, formed monolayers, and exhibited structural and functional polarity. Structural differentiation was validated by ultrastructural features, such as apical microvilli, intercellular junctions, desmosomes, and polar organization of apical us. basal membrane domains. TVans-monolayer epithelial resistance, a reflection of functional tight junctions, preferential basal uptake of [36S]methionine, polarized distribution of labeled secretory proteins, and increased secretory activity marked by preferential apical secretion (<90%) of proteins were indices of functional polarity. With the development and maintenance of polarized state by the UE cells, some of the ...
Advanced biofuels from pyrolysis oil…Opportunities for cost reduction

Abstract Hydrocarbon derived from fast pyrolysis of plantation wood is a potential feedstock for the production of transportation fuels. Unfortunately, the cost to produce and upgrade this feedstock is highly uncertain, and its current technological state is not competitive with crude oil. Additional R&D will be needed to achieve the significant cost reductions required for competitiveness. Significant technical hurdles must be overcome to achieve a commercially ready, cost competitive technology. This paper identifies the most promising areas for the needed future research. Identification of a stable upgrading catalyst, definition of the maximum level of oxygen that can be tolerated by the existing refining infrastructure, and improved oxygen removal during the pyrolysis step emerge as the most prospective research areas.
Molecular modeling of interactions of dihydropyridines and phenylalkylamines with the inner pore of the L-type Ca2+ channel.

Domains IIIS5, IIIS6, and IVS6 transmembrane segments of L-type Ca2+ channels participate in dihydropyridine (DHP) and phenylalkylamine (PAA) binding. The inner pore structure of the Cav1.2 channel was reconstructed from coordinates of the transmembrane α-helices of the KcsA channel. S6s were aligned with M2 by comparative analysis of the pore-facing M2 side chains and those required for drug binding. Two neighboring tilted S6 helices of domains III and IV below the selectivity filter formed an interdomain crevice. Docking of DHPs inside this crevice located the DHP ring between Phe-1159 of IIIS6 and Ala-1467 of IVS6, parallel to the pore axis, whereas the 4-aryl ring participated in aromatic and polar interactions with the side chains of Tyr-1152 and Tyr-1463. Nonpolar interactions of the port side ester group with hydrophobic side chains of Ile-1156, Ile-1163, and Ile-1471 on the bottom of the binding cavity, formed by the crossover of IIIS6 and IVS6, could stabilize the channel9s closed/inactivated state. Similar arrangements were found for DHP agonist drugs, except for the absence of hydrophobic interactions with the helical crossing. In this arrangement, DHPs do not physically block the pore. Locating the central amine group of desmethoxyverapamil near the selectivity filter domain III glutamic acid allows one aromatic ring through its CH2CH2 linker to interact with the side chain of Tyr-1463 inside the DHP binding site, whereas the opposite aromatic ring is in contact with the side chain of Ile-1470 of IVS6, blocking the pore.
Degradation of Polystyrene on Silver Substrates During Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) by films of polystyrene adsorbed onto silver island films was investigated. Films that were only a few tens of angstroms in thickness degraded rapidly during laser irradiation to form graphite-like species at the silver surface. However, no degradation was observed while Raman spectra of the solid polymer were obtained, indicating that the graphitization was probably induced by laser heating of the substrate and catalyzed by silver. For thin films of polystyrene, the rate of graphitization was high and was proportional to laser power. However, the degradation reaction was inhibited for thick films or for thin films overcoated with thick films of a second polymer. The Raman spectra were similar for all films thicker than approximately a hundred angstroms, even those overcoated with a thick film of a second polymer having a large Raman scattering cross section, indicating that most of the observed scattering originated from polymer molecules within a few tens of angstroms of the silver surface. It was concluded that SERS can be used to probe the molecular structure of polymer/metal interfaces without interference by scattering from the bulk of the polymer.
Interactions of electrical fields with fluids:laboratory-on-a-chip applications

The area of 'laboratory-on-a-chip', miniaturised or microfluidic analysis systems, is a rapidly developing field. At the microscale, electrokinetic processes become enhanced, and the advent of AC electrokinetics (EK) in recent years further promotes the development of electrokinetic devices for microfluidics. ACEK has demonstrated to manipulate fluids and polarisable particles at low voltages without some of the disadvantages from DCEK, such as electrochemical reactions and the limitation of low ionic strength fluids. The three major mechanisms of ACEK, that is, dielectrophoresis, AC electro-osmosis and AC electrothermal effect, provide versatility and flexibility to interface with many current methods and technologies in multiple biological, chemical and physical disciplines. This paper gives an overview of ACEK and its applications, with an emphasis on fluid manipulation by electric fields.
Overview of anesthetic considerations for Cesarean delivery

Physiologic changes of pregnancy uniquely influence anesthesia for Cesarean delivery. Included is a review of current obstetrical anesthesia considerations for Cesarean delivery and recent changes improving maternal care and outcome.
Image directed lymph node sampling for lung cancer staging

Summary In patients with lung cancer, choosing a method of lymph node sampling depends on anatomy, availability of techniques, amount of tissue needed, cost, and safety. CT and PET imaging are crucial for depicting anatomical relationships and directing the appropriate sampling technique.
Incidence of Diastasis Recti Abdominis During the Childbearing Year

This study was conducted to determine 1) the incidence of diastasis recti abdominis among women during the childbearing year and 2) the location of the condition along the linea alba. Clinicians have long noted its presence, prenatally and postnatally, but the magnitude of the problem is currently unknown. A cross-sectional design was used to test 71 primiparous women placed in one of five groups, based on placement within the childbearing year. A commonly accepted test for diastasis recti abdominis was performed. Palpation for diastasis recti abdominis at the linea alba was performed 4.5 cm above, 4.5 cm below, and at the umbilicus. Diastases were observed at all three places, but most often at the umbilicus. A significant relationship (p less than .05) was found between a woman's placement in her childbearing year and the presence or absence of the condition. Diastasis recti abdominis was observed initially in the women in the second trimester group. Its incidence peaked in the third trimester group; remained high in the women in the immediate postpartum group; and declined, but did not disappear, in the later postpartum group. These findings demonstrate the importance of testing for diastasis recti abdominis above, below, and at the umbilicus throughout and after the childbearing year.
Cerebral vascular adaptation to pregnancy and its role in the neurological complications of eclampsia

The cerebral circulation has a central role in mediating the neurological complications of eclampsia, yet our understanding of how pregnancy and preeclampsia affect this circulation is severely limited. Here, we show that pregnancy causes outward remodeling of penetrating arterioles and increased capillary density in the brain due to activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ), a transcription factor involved in cerebrovascular remodeling and highly activated in pregnancy. Pregnancy-induced PPARγ activation also significantly affected cerebral hemodynamics, decreasing vascular resistance and increasing cerebral blood flow by ∼40% in response to acute hypertension that caused breakthrough of autoregulation. These structural and hemodynamic changes in the brain during pregnancy were associated with substantially increased blood-brain barrier permeability, an effect that could promote passage of damaging proteins into the brain and cause the neurological complications of eclampsia, including seizure.
Evaluation of Soil Deposition and Removal Processes: An Interpretive Review

Abstract In each food processing plant, soil deposition and removal constitute unique processes influenced by the food, water supply, processing equipment, and cleaning regimen. Since there are so many complex as well as unique processes, the scientific literature represents many varied approaches to problems related to deposition and removal of soil. This paper considers the role of various constituents in soil residue. Likewise, the various factors contributing to the cleaning process are reviewed. Cleaning processes have changed considerably during recent years because of technological advances in food processing equipment as well as development of specialized cleaning equipment. Generally speaking, better sanitation has been attained. Yet, the exact attainment is commonly ill defined because there is a lack of precise definitions and methodology acceptable among professional sanitarians. Considerable scientific emphasis has been directed to methods of evaluating cleaning processes. The suggested methods involve microbiology, chemical analysis, and amplification of visual inspection. Yet, one of the greatest current needs is a simple, precise method for evaluating the cleaning process. This review of literature is intended to collate thought on soil deposition and removal processes. Together, these thoughts represent available knowledge and suggest possible directions for further research.
Combining hidden Markov model and neural network classifiers

An architecture for a neural network that implements a hidden Markov model (HMM) is presented. This HMM net suggests integrating signal preprocessing (such as vector quantization) with the classifier. A minimum mean-squared-error training criterion for the HMM/neural net is presented and compared to maximum-likelihood and maximum-mutual-information criteria. The HMM forward-backward algorithm is shown to be the same as the neural net backpropagation algorithm. The implications of probability constraints on the HMM parameters are discussed. Relaxing these constraints allows negative probabilities, equivalent to inhibitory connections. A probabilistic interpretation is given for a network with negative, and even complex-valued, parameters. >
A novel approach for miniaturization of circularly polarized patch antennas

A novel approach for highly miniaturizing a patch antenna with circular polarization is presented in this paper. It is shown that the antenna is fabricated by using an anisotropic conductor supporting the proper electric current paths and extreme miniaturization can be accomplished by manipulating its geometry. Anisotropic conductivity is achieved by removing strips of metal from the ordinary patch parallel to direction of desired electric current but keeping two metallic strips at each end connecting all parallel strips. Next, the straight metallic traces are replaced by meandered metallic traces for size reduction. This in effect increases the inductance per unit length of the thin strips. This antenna can only produce linear polarization. To achieve circular polarization a second mode is excited by elongating end strips in a proper fashion and feeding the structure accordingly. It turns out that this miniaturization method enables the ease to control two resonant frequencies corresponding to two orthogonal polarizations, and the size reduction of about 72% as compared to the conventional corner-truncated square microstrip antenna fabricated on the same substrate.
Video threads: asynchronous video sharing for temporally distributed teams

Work teams are often geographically distributed, and in some cases, experience large time-zone differences with no overlap in working hours. We explored the use of asynchronous video in temporally distributed teams. We developed VideoThreads, which provides a novel thread-based visualization of video messages. Based on a deployment to four teams, we offer design recommendations and insights about the benefits of asynchronous video sharing.
Selective right ventricular impairment following coronary artery bypass graft surgery

Background: The right ventricle (RV) may be selectively impaired following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. We tested this hypothesisintwostudyparts:aprospectivecohortundergoingCABG,andaretrospectivecross-sectionalcohortofheart-failurepatientswithand without a history of CABG. Methods: In the prospective study, 20 patients undergoing CABG had echocardiography prior to surgery and 3 months postoperatively. In the retrospective study, 101 patients with established heart failure underwent echocardiography, 40 of whom had undergone previous CABG and 61 of whom had not. Myocardial tissue Doppler velocities were used as a measure of left and right ventricular function. To adjust for varying degreesof overall cardiac impairment, we calculated the ratio between the velocitiesof the RVand left ventricle (LV). Results: In the prospective study, there was a significantfall in RV:LVratio following CABG surgery. For S 0 , the ratio fell from 2.27to 1.13 (50%,p < 0.0001), forE 0 from1.49to0.94(37%,p < 0.0001)andforA 0 from1.66to1.05(37%,p < 0.0001).Intheretrospectivestudy,theRV:LVratiowaslowerinthe CABG group compared with the non-CABG group for S0 (by 32%, p < 0.001), E0 (by 39%, p < 0.001) and A0 (by 37%, p < 0.001). In the retrospective study, even when the CABG patients were compared with the ischaemic aetiology heart-failure patients without CABG, a similar relative impairment was seen: 25% in S0 (p < 0.001), 34% in E0 (p < 0.001) and by 38% in A0 (p < 0.002). Conclusions: Both prospectively and crosssectionally, thereis evidenceof substantial,selectiverightventricular impairment followingCABG. Thesefeaturescannot beexplainedsimplyby some general feature of ischaemia and, therefore, must be a consequence of surgery.
Temporal effects of progesterone inhibition of occupied nuclear oestrogen receptor retention in the rat uterus.

Previous studies have shown that progesterone rapidly inhibits retention of uterine nuclear oestrogen receptor in several mammalian species. This effect of progesterone may constitute a general mechanism by which progesterone modulates oestrogen action. The objective of the present study was to examine the temporal pattern of progesterone inhibition of retention of occupied nuclear oestrogen receptors in the rat uterus at various sustained serum concentrations of progesterone. Silicone elastomer implants (1 cm) packed with crystalline oestrogen were placed s.c. in the flank region of ovariectomized adult rats. Twenty-four hours after placement of the implants, animals were either injected s.c. with 5 mg progesterone in corn oil every 24 h, treated with 2 x 5 cm implants of progesterone, or treated with 1 x 5 cm silicone elastomer implants of progesterone. Serum concentrations of progesterone at the time of necropsy were 0.47 +/- 0.02, 0.18 +/- 0.02 and 0.10 +/- 0.01 mumol/l respectively. Control animals were given oestrogen implants alone and had a serum progesterone level of 0.03 +/- 0.01 mumol/l. Occupied nuclear oestrogen receptor and cytosolic oestrogen and progesterone receptor levels (pmol/uterus) were measured between 0 and 48 h following progesterone treatment. Cytosolic progesterone receptor levels were suppressed similarly in all progesterone-treated groups compared with controls given oestrogen alone throughout the 48-h test period. Cytosolic oestrogen receptor levels were significantly suppressed at 12 h following progesterone treatment in all groups. Except for the highest (pharmacological) serum progesterone concentration, cytosolic oestrogen receptor exhibited a replenishment phase between 12 and 48 h.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Chemoprevention of Esophageal Tumorigenesis by Dietary Administration of Lyophilized Black Raspberries

Fruit and vegetable consumption has consistently been associated with decreased risk of a number of aerodigestive tract cancers, including esophageal cancer. We have taken a "food-based" chemopreventive approach to evaluate the inhibitory potential of lyophilized black raspberries (LBRs) against N-nitrosomethylbenzylamine (NMBA)-induced esophageal tumorigenesis in the F344 rat, during initiation and postinitiation phases of carcinogenesis. Anti-initiation studies included a 30-week tumorigenicity bioassay, quantification of DNA adducts, and NMBA metabolism study. Feeding 5 and 10% LBRs, for 2 weeks prior to NMBA treatment (0.25 mg/kg, weekly for 15 weeks) and throughout a 30-week bioassay, significantly reduced tumor multiplicity (39 and 49%, respectively). In a short-term bioassay, 5 and 10% LBRs inhibited formation of the promutagenic adduct O(6)-methylguanine (O(6)-meGua) by 73 and 80%, respectively, after a single dose of NMBA at 0.25 mg/kg. Feeding 5% LBRs also significantly inhibited adduct formation (64%) after NMBA administration at 0.50 mg/kg. The postinitiation inhibitory potential of berries was evaluated in a second bioassay with sacrifices at 15, 25, and 35 weeks. Administration of LBRs began after NMBA treatment (0.25 mg/kg, three times per week for 5 weeks). LBRs inhibited tumor progression as evidenced by significant reductions in the formation of preneoplastic esophageal lesions, decreased tumor incidence and multiplicity, and reduced cellular proliferation. At 25 weeks, both 5 and 10% LBRs significantly reduced tumor incidence (54 and 46%, respectively), tumor multiplicity (62 and 43%, respectively), proliferation rates, and preneoplastic lesion development. Yet, at 35 weeks, only 5% LBRs significantly reduced tumor incidence and multiplicity, proliferation indices and preneoplastic lesion formation. In conclusion, dietary administration of LBRs inhibited events associated with both the initiation and promotion/progression stages of carcinogenesis, which is promising considering the limited number of chemopreventives with this potential.
Effects of photoperiod on reproduction and the gonadotropin-releasing hormone-immunoreactive neuron system in the postpubertal male Djungarian hamster.

The present study tested the hypothesis that photoperiodic control of reproductive function in the postpubertal Djungarian hamster is associated with changes in the number, morphology, or distribution of GnRH-immunoreactive cell bodies in the brain. To initiate or arrest sexual maturation, males were reared in long (LD, 16L:8D) or short (SD, 10L:14D) days from birth. In two other groups that were chronologically past the normal onset of puberty, males were transferred at 30 days of age from LD to SD or from SD to LD to arrest or initiate reproductive function, respectively. At 40, 60, or 90 days of age, 4-6 hamsters in each of the four photoperiod treatment groups were killed by intracardiac perfusion. Testes weights were significantly increased in males exposed to long days (LD and SD-to-LD groups) compared to those treated with short days (SD and LD-to-SD groups). Serum FSH concentrations at 40 days of age were also increased in the two groups of males in long days compared to those in both groups in short days (p < 0.05, ANOVA); LH concentrations were unaffected by photoperiod treatments. Brain sections (60 microns) from the corpus callosum decussation to the suprachiasmatic nucleus in the anterior hypothalamus were processed for GnRH immunocytochemistry. In brain regions that contained the majority of GnRH neurons, i.e., the medial preoptic area and diagonal band of Broca, the numbers of GnRH-immunoreactive cell bodies were the same among the four treatment groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Reciprocal regulation of nuclear factor kappa B and its inhibitor ZAS3 after peripheral nerve injury.

Background NF-κB binds to the κB motif to regulate transcription of genes involved in growth, immunity and inflammation, and plays a pivotal role in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines after nerve injuries. The zinc finger protein ZAS3 also binds to the κB or similar motif. In addition to competition for common DNA sites, in vitro experiments have shown that ZAS3 can inhibit NF-κB via the association with TRAF2 to inhibit the nuclear translocation of NF-κB. However, the physiological significance of the ZAS3-mediated inhibition of NF-κB has not been demonstrated. The purpose of this study is to characterize ZAS3 proteins in nervous tissues and to use spinal nerve ligation, a neuropathic pain model, to demonstrate a functional relationship between ZAS3 and NF-κB.
Fragmented water quality governance: Constraints to spatial targeting for nutrient reduction in a Midwestern USA watershed

Spatially targeted interventions improve the effectiveness of environmental policy, but are challenged by implementation constraints and coordination among governments. Spatial targeting research rarely acknowledges the diversity of actors navigating complicated institutional dynamics to deploy environmental policy instruments. We mapped 35 nutrient reduction interventions by federal, state, county, and municipal governments and interviewed 15 policymakers and agency staff in Wisconsin's Yahara Watershed, USA to understand how multilevel governance impacts spatial targeting and implementation of water quality policy. Our Geographic Information System database showed that county governments implemented the most policies, while the state promulgated the most rules, with uneven application of policy interventions across the landscape. Spatial targeting differed between agricultural and non-agricultural policies and by type of tool (land acquisition, direct management, incentive, and regulation). We found a negative correlation between areas of policy intervention and phosphorus yield across government levels (p < 0.001), with the strongest negative correlations by implementing agency. Interviews revealed that for government agencies, spatial targeting is constrained by program and funding requirements and data limitations for soil and land use practices. In order to target the highest phosphorus yielding subwatersheds, governments will need to alter the spatial location of their efforts.
C-reactive protein and ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction discordance.

In this issue of the Journal, Cristell et al. ([1][1]) performed a novel study to test the prevalence of elevated circulating high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) immediately prior to ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). This was accomplished in 887 patients with STEMI as well as
Teaching sociocultural issues to pre-service physical education teachers: a self-study

The purpose of this study was to examine how two teacher educators integrated sociocultural issues within their undergraduate physical education teacher education (PETE) programs. We engaged in self-study to examine challenges and barriers to teaching sociocultural issues to pre-service teachers (PSTs). After discussing social justice in PE at a research conference, we discussed future research to understand what and how we were explicitly addressing issues of social justice in programs, and how we were educating PSTs to teach K-12 students about social justice and social inequalities. A collaborative self-study over the course of one academic year allowed us to explore our teaching practices by investigating teaching materials and pedagogical methods during the teaching process. We identified three salient themes that were prevalent between both of our pedagogical approaches: using self as an example, responding to teachable moments and questioning whether we are doing enough. Barriers to incorporating s...
My Memory of Ken Wilson

In this article, I will talk about the impact Kenneth Geddes Wilson (1936-2013) had on my career.
Novel recordings of renal sympathetic nerve activity in conscious fetal sheep and newborn lambs

This study describes a technique for measuring efferent renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) during the perinatal period. Experiments were carried out in four chronically instrumented fetal sheep (gestational age, 134–140 days) and 6 newborn lambs (postnatal age, 3–7 days). Surgery, performed under halothane anesthesia, consisted of routine catheter insertions and placement of a Doppler flow probe around the left renal artery. In addition, bipolar platinum electrodes were placed on a branch of the left renal postganglionic nerve. At least 24 h after surgery RSNA was measured in conscious fetal and newborn animals. RSNA was pulse synchronous, reduced with pressor agents, and completely inhibited during ganglionic blockade. Using this method, we have provided direct evidence of efferent renal sympathetic nerve traffic in utero and in the immediate postnatal period. This technique opens new avenues into the investigation of the role of the sympathetic nervous system during the perinatal period.
Managing peak performers.

Managers who are successful in performance coaching are often individuals who are trustworthy, comfortable with self and others, and active listeners. They regularly spend time with their employees to motivate, direct, reward, develop, and praise them and give constructive feedback while driving
Barriers to the Self-Definition of the Chicana: Gina Valdes and There Are No Madmen Here

Many Chicano novels portray the Chicana's acquiescence or resignation to the multiple oppressions that she faces without acknowledging their specificity or examining those oppressions in detail; the female characters in these novels, almost always wives and mothers, can be found praying to saints, making tortillas and tending the kitchen fires, and waiting until their husbands and children have finished before sitting down to eat. They are, like the narrator's mother in Rudolfo Anaya's Bless Me, Ultima, devout Catholics, models of morality who exist to serve the needs of others. Poor, compliant, heterosexual, passive, and obedient, these women are the victims of their own benevolence. Individual identities which they might have developed are sacrificed to the roles of wife and mother. Gina Valdes, a writer whose greatest strength is her acute awareness of the specific multiple oppressions facing Chicanas, takes a different approach. In There Are No Madmen Here, she tells the story of a woman who, after having tried to do things the "right" or acceptable way according to the conventions of society, breaks away from those traditions-and in doing so, grows, enabling her to give her three daughters some options that she herself never had. The novel opens, appropriately enough, with a vignette concerning one of Maria Portillo's daughters. This is fitting because the barriers to the Chicana's self-definition and growth start when, as a girl, she is bombarded with racist teachings in a California classroom. There she is formally taught that her feelings and perceptions are invalid because they are not those of the dominant culture. Maria's daughter Yoli and her Chicana school friend Mirasol are in their high school history class when the teacher tells them that next week they'll "be studying about a violent man who terrorized the southwest, who tried by all illegal means to take advantage of the people" and asks if anyone knows who he's talking about (Valdes 13). "Sam Houston," Mirasol answers, naming an Anglo instrumental in taking Mexico's land from her not-so-distant relatives. Refusing
Parallel developments: the Mandarin of Chinese Muslims and Jewish languages

Judeo-Italian, a typical Jewish language, is a group of closely related dialects consisting of a basically Italian vocabulary and grammar but including a component of words of Hebrew or Aramaic origin and occasionally words borrowed from other languages, e.g orsai ‘anniversary of a death’ from Yiddish and negro ‘wretched’ from Ladino. The language was traditionally written in the Hebrew alphabet but today is written in Latin letters.Xiao’erjing is a group of closely related dialects spoken by Chinese Muslims living in Mandarin-speaking parts of China. Its vocabulary is largely Chinese, but it includes words borrowed from Arabic. It was written in the Arabic alphabet but today is almost always written in Chinese characters. The borrowings from Hebrew and Arabic frequently are for terms connected with religion, such as cascer in Judeo-Italian and kosher in Yiddish are analogous to halal in Xiao’erjing for food that is ritually permitted. However, the borrowings are not restricted to religion but may fall in...
The Combined Effects of Brand and Store Reputation on Consumer Perceived Risk and Confidence

Research dealing with consumer perceived risk is very extensive. Most research studies investigated the consumer perceived risk phenomena either in the context of brand purchase behavior or store choice behavior. This research study reports the combined effects of both brand and store reputation on consumer perceived risk and confidence in the purchase of consumer non-durable products. Four research hypotheses were formulated and tested. Empirical research results supported all four research hypotheses. Implications of the research results are also discussed.
Blame the shepherd not the sheep: Imitating higher-ranking transgressors mitigates punishment for unethical behavior

Do bad role models exonerate others’ unethical behavior? Based on social learning theory and psychological theories of blame, we predicted that unethical behavior by higher-ranking individuals changes how people respond to lower-ranking individuals who subsequently commit the same transgression. Five studies explored when and why this rank-dependent imitation effect occurs. Across all five studies, we found that people were less punitive when low-ranking transgressors imitated high-ranking members of their organization. However, imitation only reduced punishment when the two transgressors were from the same organization (Study 2), when the transgressions were highly similar (Study 3), and when it was unclear whether the initial transgressor was punished (Study 5). Results also indicated that imitation affects punishment because it influences whom people blame for the transgression. These findings reveal actor-observer differences in social learning and identify a way that unethical behavior spreads through organizations.
All-digital comparator using device-ratio programmable triggering levels

A novel digital comparator topology is presented. Using transistors' ratio, a new fixed comparison level that can be programmed is introduced. An all-digital flash A/D converter is built using the proposed comparator topology. Building an N-bit flash A/D converter using the proposed M-bit digital A/D converters reduces the needed power and area by a factor of 2M; as compared to old topologies. It is shown that a 9-bit resolution flash A/D converter, built using 2-bit digital A/D converters, needs only the area and power of a 7-bit A/D converter that is constructed using old comparator topologies. Further reduction can be achieved if a 4-bit digital A/D converter is used to build the 9-bit flash A/D converter, where the required power and area are divided by 16.
Midbrain neurotransmitters in acute hypoxic ventilatory response.

In control ventilation, chemical stimuli are paramount in setting the level of ventilation. These are primarily changes in concentration of hydrogen ions, as well as changes in PO2 and PCO2. A number of receptors, both in the periphery and in the central nervous system, respond to these changes. Of the three socalled “chemical” stimuli, the response to CO2 is most prominent and for any 1 mm change in PCO2, ventilation changes by about 2 to 2.5 L/min. The ventilatory response to hypoxia becomes quite prominent once arterial PO2 has reached values of about 60 mm Hg. It has been well documented that the primary effect of hypoxia is stimulation of the carotid chemoreceptors with transmission of signal to the NTS. With acute hypoxia, there is a biphasic ventilatory response with an initial hyperventilation followed by a fall in ventilation, the so-called “roll-off”, to values above those in the pre-hypoxic level. This biphasic response is present in man as well as in a large number of other mammals tested and central neurotransmitters are essential in this response (4,5,7-10). This presentation will concentrate on the effects of acute hypoxia on the ventilatory response in anesthetized dog and rat, and the relationship between the ventilatory response and the release of neurotransmitters in the central nervous system, but in particular, in the medial chemosensitive area on the ventral surface of the medulla and summarizes the work from our laboratory from the past decade. The amino acids of interest are those that excite ventilation, which are primarily glutamate and aspartate; and those that depress ventilation, which include GABA, taurine, and glycine (3). Earlier work from this laboratory showed that inhibition of glutamate by intravenous administration of the specific NMDA receptor antagonist MK801 in anesthetized dog leads to a significant reduction in the hyperventilatory response to hypoxia (1). The subsequent studies in anesthetized rat showed that ventricular cisternal perfusion of MK801 abolished hyperventilatory response of acute hypoxia and infusion of GABA antagonist bicuculline caused augmentation of the hyperventilatory response to acute hypoxia and the “roll-off” was no longer observed (10).
FREDERICK WINSLOW TAYLOR'S CONTRIBUTIONS TO COST ACCOUNTING

This article is to introduce the cost accounting system that Frederick Winslow Taylor installed at the Tabor Manufacturing Company sometime in the 1890s. A comparative analysis between this system and Captain Henry Metcalfe's Cost of Manufactures is also made in order to investigate their sources and influences. It is concluded that Taylor was a pioneer in many aspects of cost accounting, but his most important contribution was the development of the managerial approach that paved the way for modern managerial accounting.
When Antitrust Becomes Pro-Trust: The Digital Deformation of U.S. Competition Policy

U.S. antitrust authorities soberly acknowledge that the centripetal accumulation of data, money and power at massive technology firms is likely to be indefinite without government action. However, they are doing very little about the problem, citing legal doctrine and economic analysis that blesses digital platforms' abusive practices as the culmination of market rationality. That quiescence is based on several misconceptions about platforms, consumers, and markets. Contemporary scholarship on competition in digital industries is far more sophisticated than the approaches now commonly adopted at the Federal Trade Commission's Bureau of Competition and the Antitrust Division at the Department of Justice. To remain relevant in an era when international authorities are at the cutting edge of competition enforcement, these agencies will need to acquaint themselves with cutting edge research. This essay offers a brief introduction to that work.
Introduction: Varicoceles: a contemporary perspective

In this Views and Reviews section, four groups of authors address the timely and highly relevant issue of varicoceles across the male life spectrum. Varicoceles are very prevalent among men presenting for an infertility workup. While reduction in bulk semen parameters (including sperm concentration, motility, and morphology) has long been recognized as a deficit caused by varicoceles, in recent years a number of investigators have shown that varicoceles can have broader, multi-faceted effects on male reproductive health. Sperm DNA integrity and other aspects of sperm function appear to be impacted by the presence of varicoceles, and varicocele correction can result in significant improvement in not only semen parameters, but also fertilization and pregnancy rates.
Association of race and socioeconomic status with automatic external defibrillator training prevalence in the United States.

Abstract Aim of the study Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) improve survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), however bystander use remains low. Limited AED training may contribute to infrequent use of these devices, yet no studies have assessed AED training nationally. Given previously documented racial disparities among Latinos in CPR provision and OHCA outcomes, we hypothesized that racial and socioeconomic differences exist in AED training, with Whites having increased training compared to Latinos and higher socioeconomic status being associated with increased training. Methods We administered a random digit dial survey to a nationally-representative adult sample. Using survey-weighted logistic regression adjusted for location, we assessed race and socioeconomic status of individuals trained in AEDs compared to never-trained individuals. Results From 09/2015–11/2015, 9022 individuals completed the survey. Of those, 68% had never been AED trained. Self-identified Whites and Blacks were more likely to have AED training compared to Latinos (OR: 1.90, 95% CI: 1.43–2.53 and OR: 1.73, 95% CI: 1.39–2.15, respectively). Higher educational attainment was associated with an increased likelihood of training, with an OR of 4.36 (95% CI: 2.57–7.40) for graduate school compared to less than high school education. Increased household income was not associated with an increase in AED training (p = .08). Conclusions The minority of respondents reported AED training. Whites and Blacks were more likely to be trained than Latinos. Higher educational attainment was associated with an increased likelihood of training. These findings highlight an important opportunity to improve training disparities and layperson response to OHCA.
Mosquito Cell Culture

Publisher Summary This chapter presents an overview of the mosquito cell culture. Mosquito cell culture has matured to a technique that enables the use of continuous cell lines as substrates for cultivation of mosquito-borne pathogens of man and animals or as prototype insect cells for studies on the physiology, molecular biology, and genetics of eukaryotic cells. Today, the isolation and maintenance of continuous cell lines has become a routine based on standardized techniques. A number of media have been formulated, including those that support the growth of the cells under reduced serum or serum-free conditions. Although it is not yet possible to isolate lines of specific cell types from a given tissue or organ, suitable sources of seed cells for the general isolation and establishment of cell lines have been identified. Cells from several species of mosquitoes are now in continuous culture and some of the lines are well characterized. The chapter presents the current knowledge of mosquito cell culture and describes the characteristics of the more commonly used lines.
Signal Interaction and the Devil Function

Abstract It is common in signal processing to model signals in the logpower spectrum domain. In this domain, when multiple signalsare present, they combine in a nonlinear way. If the phases ofthe signals are independent, then we can analyze the interactionin terms of a probability density we call the “devil function,”after its treacherous form. This paper derives an analytical ex-pression for the devil function, and discusses its properties withrespect to model-based signal enhancement. Exact inference inthis problem requires integrals involving the devil function thatare intractable. Previous methods have used approximations toderive closed-form solutions. However it is unknown how theseapproximations differ from the true interaction function in termsof performance. We propose Monte-Carlo methods for approx-imating the required integrals. Tests are conducted on a speechseparation and recognition problem to compare these methodswith past approximations. 1. Introduction Signals are often analyzed and classiﬁed using models of theirlog power spectra. In the context of noise, or any other inter-fering signal, such model-based classiﬁers must compensate forthe noise in some way. Model-based noise compensation re-quires a signal interaction model, which describes the effect ofadding two signals on the resulting acoustic features. Tradition-ally the inﬂuence of phase has either been ignored through theuse of approximate interaction models, or has been diminishedby averaging, especially when working in the log spectrum do-main.We describe and illustrate the signal interaction model, whichwe call the “devil function.” Exact inference using this func-tion is difﬁcult because the required integrals are intractable.Even efﬁcient approximate inference can be elusive. Just howimportant it is to accurately model this signal interaction is anempirical question. To address this question we perform exper-iments using accelerated Monte Carlo simulations that can ap-proximate inference arbitrarily well if enough samples are used,and compare the results to simpler approximations on a speechseparation and recognition task.
CLIM: An Interactive Tabletop for Landscape Modeling

In this paper we describe our development of an interactive touch tabletop user interface for a landscape design tool. The user interface provides a view of the data, which combines the affordances of a multi-touch tabletop display with a vertical screen for real-time feedback. While the table metaphor fits well with the concepts of a top down view of land-scape, approachable from any direction, the board metaphor provides a clear, shared orientation for reading output charts. We also present a data model for landscape projects, which provides a knowledge-based approach to design decision making. We discuss the sourcing of the datasets that drive our landscape model.
Developing educational interventions and clinical tools to improve risk-based prevention and management of tumor lysis syndrome (TLS).

e18811Background: TLS is a potentially life-threatening consequence of cancer treatment resulting from massive tumor cell lysis (Cairo et al, BJH, 2004). The best way to manage this oncologic emerg...
Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in advanced stage mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome: a concise review.

Mycosis fungoides and Sezary syndrome encompass over 70% of all cases of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). While early stage disease has excellent long-term survival rates, advanced stage disease (IIB–IV) carries a poor prognosis with a median 5-year overall survival rate of approximately 50%. Early stage and advanced stage disease have different treatment algorithms with systemic therapy being indicated upfront in the later. The role of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) has gained considerable interest in recent years as a treatment option for CTCL given the increasingly promising long-term outcomes in an otherwise incurable disease. Herein, we provide a brief update on the current advances in HSCT followed by a concise review of the role of HSCT for CTCL. We conclude with our recommendations to approaching HSCT as a curative treatment option for CTCL.