cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Surface-grafting of ground rubber tire by poly acrylic acid via self-initiated free radical polymerization and composites with epoxy thereof

Commercially available recycled ground rubber tire (GRT) particles, found to contain persistent mechano-free radicals confirmed by electron paramagnetic spectroscopy for the first time self-initiates free radical polymerization of acrylic acid (AA). The poly acrylic acid (PAA) grafted GRT (PAA-g-GRT) was confirmed by Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Epoxy composites using the PAA-g-GRT as filler were prepared and their mechanical properties were studied. The PAA-g-GRT/epoxy composite showed higher mechanical properties with an increase of modulus up to 180% as compared with the neat GRT/epoxy composite. Surface morphology of GRT, neat GRT/epoxy, and PAA-g-GRT/epoxy composites were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. This technology introduces a new concept to functional and reactive recycling and the cost effective utilization of renewable resource green materials. POLYM. COMPOS., 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers
Multiple genome alignment based on longest path in directed acyclic graphs

In this paper, we present a simple and efficient algorithm for multiple genome sequence alignment. Sequences of Maximal Unique Matches (MUMs) are first transformed into a multi-bipartite diagram. The diagram is then converted into a Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG). Therefore, finding the alignment is reduced to finding the longest path in the DAG, which is solvable in linear time. The experiments show that the algorithm can correctly find the alignment, and runs faster than MGA and EMAGEN. In addition, our algorithm can handle the alignments with overlapping MUMs and has both weighted and unweighted options. It provides the flexibility for the alignments depending on different needs.
Genome-wide association study of cocaine dependence and related traits: FAM53B identified as a risk gene.

We report a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for cocaine dependence (CD) in three sets of African- and European-American subjects (AAs and EAs, respectively) to identify pathways, genes and alleles important in CD risk. The discovery GWAS data set (n=5697 subjects) was genotyped using the Illumina OmniQuad microarray (8 90 000 analyzed single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)). Additional genotypes were imputed based on the 1000 Genomes reference panel. Top-ranked findings were evaluated by incorporating information from publicly available GWAS data from 4063 subjects. Then, the most significant GWAS SNPs were genotyped in 2549 independent subjects. We observed one genome-wide-significant (GWS) result: rs2629540 at the FAM53B (‘family with sequence similarity 53, member B’) locus. This was supported in both AAs and EAs; P-value (meta-analysis of all samples)=4.28 × 10−8. The gene maps to the same chromosomal region as the maximum peak we observed in a previous linkage study. NCOR2 (nuclear receptor corepressor 2) SNP rs150954431 was associated with P=1.19 × 10−9 in the EA discovery sample. SNP rs2456778, which maps to CDK1 (‘cyclin-dependent kinase 1’), was associated with cocaine-induced paranoia in AAs in the discovery sample only (P=4.68 × 10−8). This is the first study to identify risk variants for CD using GWAS. Our results implicate novel risk loci and provide insights into potential therapeutic and prevention strategies.
Endocrine Withdrawal Syndrome and Its Relevance to the Management of Hormone Refractory Prostate Cancer

Therapeutic options for patients with metastatic prostate cancer relapsing from primary hormonal therapy are limited. On the selective discontinuation of flutamide in patients that have relapsed on combined androgen ablation, a third of the patients will show a significant clinical benefit for 4-6 months. A multivariate model has identified prolonged exposure to combined androgen blockade, high baseline alkaline phosphatase and prolonged flutamide exposure as prognostic factors for patients that have a significant prostate-specific antigen (PSA) decline after the withdrawal of flutamide. This phenomenon has also been described with bicalutamide and other antiandrogens, and thus has been more appropriately renamed the endocrine withdrawal syndrome. The molecular basis for this endocrine withdrawal syndrome is not completely understood but data suggest that mutations in the androgen receptor may be responsible for the paradoxical effect observed. Recognition of this syndrome has introduced a non-toxic therapy for advanced prostate cancer patients and has had a dramatic impact on the interpretation and design of clinical trials in patients with 'hormone refractory disease'.
Heterogeneity of phenotype in two siblings with adenosine deaminase deficiency

Abstract Adenosine deaminase (ADA) deficiency is the cause of about one third of the autosomal recessively inherited cases of severe combined immunodeficiency. Disease severity in ADA deficiency is variable, presumably related in part to heterogeneity in the genotypes causing the disease. We now report on two children in a single family with ADA deficiency who presented with distinct clinical courses. One child presented with severe immunodeficiency and recurrent infections that led to the diagnosis of severe combined immunodeficiency and ADA deficiency at 7 months of age. The older child, who was diagnosed at 3 years of age (after the diagnosis of the younger child), did not have a history of serious or opportunistic infections. Although she was lymphopenic, immune responsiveness was intact, in terms of antibody production, delayed-type hypersensitivity and in vitro T-cell function. The difference in clinical course in these two siblings is an important observation and demonstrates that the phenotypic expression of ADA deficiency can vary within a family even in a situation in which protective isolation from infectious pathogens was not a factor in causing the milder course. These observations indicate that expression of disease severity in ADA deficiency may depend to a significant degree on environmental factors and/or on heterogeneity at other genetic loci, which may regulate or modify the expression of the ADA gene or the activity of its product. Furthermore, these observations hightlight the importance of recognizing patients with ADA deficiency who present with less severe disease and support the impression that functional immunity in patients with the "late-onset" form of ADA deficiency can deteriorate over time. In such patients unexplained lymphopenia may be a useful early marker for ADA deficiency even before the onset of severe infections.
Introduction to the Symposium: Animal Consciousness: Historical, Theoretical, and Empirical Perspectives

As materialists and Darwinians, scientists are compelled to recognize our close animal relatives as being in effect deformed human beings, differing from us only in certain genetic rearrangements that make them grow up funny-looking and stupid. Since our closest relatives have brains, bodies, and behavior that correspond to our own in many ways, it seems reasonable to assume as a null hypothesis that they probably have minds and experiences something like ours. Yet many scientists do not see the world in these terms. Natural scientists in general, and biologists in particular, often adopt some version of the Cartesian presumption that nonhuman animals are insensate machines made of meat. Although our close animal relatives are literally anthropomorphic—that is, human-shaped—scientists are trained to regard psychic anthropomorphism as a serious error. It is axiomatic in the psychology lab that all animals are mindless unless proven otherwise. The image of animals as insensate mechanisms is not something that today's scientists and philosophers have absorbed from the contemporary cultural background. …
The Reification of Irrelevancy: A Comment on "The Reification of Normalcy"

(1999). The Reification of Irrelevancy: A Comment on 'The Reification of Normalcy' Journal of Health Communication: Vol. 4, No. 3, pp. 227-231.
Creating and Maintaining High Quality, Sustainable Healthy Learning Environments for Students, Teachers and Staff in Global Schools

The purpose of the study was examining and exploring ecological issues that emerge from disasters or high poverty schools and UNESCO’S mandate for health conditions in learning environments and 1) teacher and staff effectiveness, 2) student achievement, and 3) health of teachers, staff, and students. A systematic narrative literature method was used to review the effects that technological innovation and ecological conditions have on schools show there is a health risk. Results of preliminary research focused on USA schools revealed a high-quality teaching environment is expected to demonstrate five key conditions and five helping brain-based behaviors in teaching 1) lesson clarity, 2) instructional variety to address diversity, 3) healthy and safe learning environment, 4) engagement in the learning process, and 5) student success. Five helping behaviors included: 1) using student ideas and contributions, 2) structuring, 3) questioning, 4) probing, and 5) teacher competence. Methodology is introduced to gather evidence of the possible relationships between these variables and potential adverse effects of technological and ecological conditions teachers and students. The discussion shares findings on the potential implications for conditions in schools and communities that result from natural disasters. Such conditions include the impact of dampness and mold on individuals in schools or similar settings. This information could advance future research direction to investigate this problem of maintaining safe and healthy environments globally. The argument is that such conditions present thought-provoking implications for transforming learning environments into healthy and safe places for teachers and learners to be active and productive. Preliminary conclusions suggest that while technological and ecological innovations offer necessary advances to education, failure to acknowledge problems involving infrastructure, environmental conditions and the impact on individual’s health could result in adverse effects on teaching and learning.
Transient pharmacologic lowering of Aβ production prior to deposition results in sustained reduction of amyloid plaque pathology.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia among the elderly. Disease modifying therapies targeting Aβ that are in development have been proposed to be more effective if treatment was initiated prior to significant accumulation of Aβ in the brain, but optimal timing of treatment initiation has not been clearly established in the clinic. We compared the efficacy of transient pharmacologic reduction of brain Aβ with a γ-secretase inhibitor (GSI ) for 1–3 months (M) treatment windows in APP Tg2576 mice and subsequent aging of the mice to either 15M or 18M. These data show that reducing Aβ production in a 2-3M windows both initiated and discontinued before detectable Aβ deposition has the most significant impact on Aβ loads up to 11M after treatment discontinuation. In contrast, initiation of treatment for 3M windows from 7-10M or 12-15M shows progressively decreasing efficacy. These data have major implications for clinical testing of therapeutics aimed at lowering Aβ production, indicating that; i) these therapies may have little efficacy unless tested as prophylactics or in the earliest preclinical stage of AD where there is no or minimal Aβ accumulation and ii) lowering Aβ production transiently during a critical pre-deposition window potentially provides long-lasting efficacy after discontinuation of the treatment.
Mathematics, Thermodynamics, and Modeling to Address Ten Common Misconceptions about Protein Structure, Folding, and Stability.

To fully understand the roles proteins play in cellular processes, students need to grasp complex ideas about protein structure, folding, and stability. Our current understanding of these topics is based on mathematical models and experimental data. However, protein structure, folding, and stability are often introduced as descriptive, qualitative phenomena in undergraduate classes. In the process of learning about these topics, students often form incorrect ideas. For example, by learning about protein folding in the context of protein synthesis, students may come to an incorrect conclusion that once synthesized on the ribosome, a protein spends its entire cellular life time in its fully folded native conformation. This is clearly not true; proteins are dynamic structures that undergo both local fluctuations and global unfolding events. To prevent and address such misconceptions, basic concepts of protein science can be introduced in the context of simple mathematical models and hands-on explorations of publicly available data sets. Ten common misconceptions about proteins are presented, along with suggestions for using equations, models, sequence, structure, and thermodynamic data to help students gain a deeper understanding of basic concepts relating to protein structure, folding, and stability.
Assessing Proprioceptive Function: Evaluating Joint Position Matching Methods Against Psychophysical Thresholds

Background. The importance of assessing proprioceptive function for rehabilitation after neurological or orthopedic injury has long been recognized. Yet, neither the validity nor the accuracy of the available tests is firmly established. Testing typically involves repeated matching of a given joint position with the same or opposite limb where the difference between the 2 positions indicates proprioceptive acuity. Objectives. The aim of this study was to compare position sense acuity between ipsilateral and contralateral matching methods against a psychophysical threshold method to establish the accuracy and relationships between these models. Design. A repeated-measures design was used. Method. Assessment of forearm position sense for a 10-degree reference position in 27 young adults who were healthy. Results. Psychophysical thresholds were revealed to be the most precise and least variable acuity measure. The mean (SD) threshold (1.05°0.47°) was significantly lower than mean position errors obtained by both joint position matching tasks (ipsilateral: 1.51°0.64°; contralateral: 1.84°0.73°)—a 44% to 75% difference in measurement accuracy. Individual participant position errors correlated poorly with respective thresholds, indicating a lack of concurrent validity. Position errors for both matching methods correlated only mildly with each other. Limitations. The data represent performance of a healthy, young adult cohort. Differences between methods will likely be more pronounced in aging and clinical populations. Conclusions. Threshold testing and joint position matching methods examine different physiological aspects of proprioceptive function. Because threshold testing is based on passive motion, it most closely reflects afferent sensory feedback processing (ie, proprioception). Matching methods require active motion and are consequently influenced by additional sensorimotor processes. Factors such as working memory and transmission between brain hemispheres also influence joint matching task outcomes.
Altered Gastric Emptying and Prevention of Radiation-Induced Vomiting in Dogs

The relation between radiation-induced vomiting and gastric emptying is unclear and the treatment of this condition is not established. We explored, therefore, (a) the effect of cobalt 60 irradiation on gastric emptying of solids and liquids and (b) the possibility of preventing radiation-induced vomiting with the dopamine antagonist, domperidone. Twenty dogs were studied on two separate days, blindly and in random order, after i.v. injection of either a placebo or 0.06 mg/kg domperidone. On a third day, they received 8 Gy (800 rads) whole body irradiation with cobalt 60 γ-rays after either placebo (n = 10) or domperidone (n = 10). Before each study, each dog was fed chicken liver tagged in vivo with 99mTc-sulfur colloid (solid marker), and water containing 111In-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (liquid marker). Dogs were placed in a Pavlov stand for the subsequent 3 h and radionuclide imaging was performed at 10-min intervals. Irradiation produced vomiting in 9 of 10 dogs given placebo but only in 1 of 10 dogs pretreated with domperidone (p
Addressing uncertainty: How to conserve and manage rare or little-known fungi

One of the greater challenges in conserving fungi comes from our incomplete knowledge of degree of rarity, risk status, and habitat requirements of most fungal species. We discuss approaches to immediately begin closing knowledge gaps, including: (1) harnessing collective expert knowledge so that data from professional experiences (e.g., personal collection and herbarium records) are better organized and made available to the broader mycological community; (2) thinking outside the mycology box by learning and borrowing from conservation approaches to other taxonomic groups; (3) developing and testing hypothesis-driven habitat models for representative fungi to provide support for habitat restoration and management; (4) framing ecological questions and conducting field surveys and research more directly pertinent to conservation information needs; and (5) providing adaptive management guidelines and strategies for resource managers to conserve fungi based on incrementally improving knowledge from experience and conservation research.
Collocation analysis for UMLS knowledge-based word sense disambiguation

Background The effectiveness of knowledge-based word sense disambiguation (WSD) approaches depends in part on the information available in the reference knowledge resource. Off the shelf, these resources are not optimized for WSD and might lack terms to model the context properly. In addition, they might include noisy terms which contribute to false positives in the disambiguation results.
Detection and initial management of complicated skin and soft tissue infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Abstract Background: Accurate diagnosis and initial management of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are essential to providing adequate care to patients. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the leading causes of SSTIs, and surgeons and other healthcare providers should assess these infections carefully to improve patient outcomes. Methods: Review of the pertinent literature and recommendations related to diagnosis and initial treatment with a focus on complicated SSTIs (cSSTIs). Results: Patients with SSTIs presenting to the hospital or outpatient setting need to be evaluated carefully. Clinical assessment of infection severity and underlying patient conditions is important. Purulence is a major feature of infections necessitating further assessment and intervention. Culturing and determination of antimicrobial susceptibility are essential. Incision and drainage, debridement, and administration of antimicrobial agents may be required. Immediate hospitalization and treatment ...
Role of surface roughness on wettability and coefficient of restitution in butterfly wings

Surface nano-structure and roughness play a vital role in controlling the wettability and bouncing of water drops on wings of butterfly/moth species. A detailed experimental study was conducted to investigate the effect of nano-structure on static and dynamic contact angle measurements and coefficient of restitution of four different butterfly wing surfaces. Surface characterization at different length scales was performed using atomic force microscopy (AFM), optical profilometry and scanning electron microscopy. The water drop bouncing experiments were conducted on the surface of butterfly wings to investigate the coefficient of restitution. Contact angle measurements reveal that the wings which had high roughness factors resulted high static and dynamic (advancing and receding) contact angles with the exception of Antheraea Polyphemus. The wings that had a combination of scales and hair like microtrichia structure showed increased roughness and hydrophobicity compared to wings that had only either one of them.
TWO BY TWO UNITS

In this paper, we will use outer inverses and the Brown-McCoy shift to characterize the existence of the inverse and group inverse of a 2 × 2 block matrix.
A Rare 33 bp In‐Frame Deletion (α63–74 or α64–74 or α65–75) in the α1‐Globin Gene Causing α+‐Thalassemia: A Second Observation

The most frequent defects resulting in α‐thalassemia (thal) include large deletions that remove one or both of the duplicated α‐globin genes on chromosome 16. Less commonly, α‐thal mutations involve single nucleotide substitutions or micro deletions, leading either directly to decreased α‐globin chain synthesis by the affected allele, or indirectly through production of hyperunstable variant α‐globin chains. Here we describe the characterization of a 33 bp in‐frame deletion within the α1‐globin gene, in a woman with hematological findings consistent with an α‐thal trait. The amino acids predicted to be missing as a result of the 33 bp deletion are at the end of the E helix and the EF corner of the α‐globin protein chain, and are not normally involved in the heme contact, although it is presumed that α‐globin chain folding and hemoglobin (Hb) formation will be disrupted. The observation of inclusion and Heinz bodies indicates the synthesis of some abnormal Hb (or globin chains). An identical mutation has b...
Chemorheological Study of Cured Polysulfide Liquid Polymers.

The effect of curing agents and their reaction products upon the disulfide interchange reaction of cured liquid polysulfide polymers was studied. The curing process involved the oxidation of the mereaptan terminals of the liquid polymer to disulfide linkages or the reaction of these end groups with some polyfunctional reagent. Several different types of cure were attempted on the same batch of the liquid polymer including oxidation by metallic oxides, organic peroxides, and hydroperoxides, p-quinonedioxime, and catalyzed air oxidation. Cures were also obtained by the use of diisocyanates. The disulfide interchange was studied by means of stress relaxation. It was found that the rate of exchange was greatly accelerated by the presence of ionic or alkaline materials. In their absence the exchange reaction proceeded quite slowly. The incorporation of excess sulfur also increased the reaction rate. The mechanism of the reaction is believed to be predominantly ionic.
Composing Web services for large-scale tasks

By making it easy to explore combinations of multiple Web services, Eurasia helps users tackle large-scale information-management tasks and adapt and reuse the steps involved.
The Taxonomy of the Subarctic Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus subarcticus) Nesting in the United States

Oberholser's resurrection of Bubo virginianus occidentalis Stone (considered by Stone himself as a synonym of B. v. subarcticus) has confused the understanding of the distribution of midcontinental populations of the great horned owl. With the clarification of the taxonomy, B. v. subarcticus proved to be the nesting populations in the prairie-parklands of Wyoming, Montana and North Dakota. Introgression with adjacent subspecies occurs at least in western Montana and in South Dakota.
DISCRETE SIMULATION OF POWER LAW NOISE

Power law noise plays an important role in the description of high performance oscillators. Commonly, five types of noise are considered to affect clocks and clock measurements: white phase, flicker phase, white frequency, flicker frequency and random walk frequency. These noise types are distinguished by the slopes of their spectral densities, S,@ =y (on a log-log scale). The noise is inherent both to the oscillators and to the measurement systems and defines the limits of stability of the clocks. Accurate simulation of the noise can be important for testing the measurement system and the characterization software. This paper presents a new algorithm and computer code for simulating power law noises with arbitrary a (it is not restricted to the integer values mentioned above). The general theory of noise simulation is investigated to determine the criteria for evaluating and deriving simulation methods. Past techniques are evaluted and the new method is shown to provide improvements, particularly because it results in non-stationary noise sequences that are also scale- invariant and causal and have the proper autospectral densities and Allan variances.
Iron status of military personnel deployed to Afghanistan.

ABSTRACTIron is a micronutrient necessary for energy metabolism and for oxygen transport and delivery. Depletion of iron stores (iron deficiency [ID]) may lead to iron deficiency anemia (IDA), which affects mood, cognitive function, and physical performance. Previous studies indicated that iron status may decline during military training. This study assessed the iron status and prevalence of ID and IDA in military personnel deployed to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan (1492 m). Within the pool of 294 participants (149 male and 145 female), 2 males (1%) and 8 females (6%) presented with ID. Although IDA was not observed in males, 3 females (2%) met the criteria for IDA. Female sex (p = 0.05) and self-reported history of anemia (p < 0.05) were associated with diminished iron status. Amenorrhea was associated with higher ferritin (p < 0.05) and hemoglobin (p < 0.05) levels. Although ID and IDA did not affect a large portion of the deployed population assessed in this study, findings suggest that risk factors inc...
Acquiring domain specific knowledge and coreference cues for coreference resolution

Current Coreference Resolution systems utilize a broad range of general knowledge features to make resolutions in a general setting. These approaches ignore coreference knowledge found in domain specific collections and how coreferent entities interact in different domains. This research addresses these issues by developing knowledge bases of coreference characteristics drawn from annotated and unannotated domain texts and utilizing lexical and discourse information to improve resolution.
COLREGS-compliant target following for an Unmanned Surface Vehicle in dynamic environments

This paper presents the autonomous tracking and following of a marine vessel by an Unmanned Surface Vehicle in the presence of dynamic obstacles while following the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) rules. The motion prediction for the target vessel is based on Monte-Carlo sampling of dynamically feasible and collision-free paths with fuzzy weights, leading to a predicted path resembling anthropomorphic driving behavior. This prediction is continuously optimized for a particular target by learning the necessary parameters for a 3-degree-of-freedom model of the vessel and its maneuvering behavior from its path history without any prior knowledge. The path planning for the USV with COLREGS is achieved on a grid-based map in a single stage by incorporating A* path planning with Artificial Terrain Costs for dynamically changing obstacles. Various scenarios for interaction, including multiple civilian and adversarial vessels, are handled by the planner with ease. The effectiveness of the algorithms has been demonstrated both in representative simulations and on-water experiments.
The Management Challenges of World Fisheries

By now the realization that an additional third of the globe has passed to national control, in the wake of the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), has sunk in. Implications of this unprecedented “enclosure movement,” as it affects the world’s fisheries, have been recognized since at least 1978: Our concern is that the scientific and technological communities will be insufficiently prepared to deal with the ramifications of the world enclosure movement… Fishery management systems will have to face regimes amounting to national property rights in various stocks of fish, as opposed to the open access of the past… It is therefore necessary for national and international marine policies to be formulated and implemented in a more coherent and coordinated fashion than they have been in the past (Ross and Miles, 1978).
Integrated Method for Online Calibration of Real-Time Traffic Network Management Systems

This paper presents an integrated method for online calibration of real-time traffic network simulation models. The method integrates a time-dependent demand adjustment module and a link-based traffic flow propagation model calibration module. These modules use available real-time traffic observations to minimize inconsistency between the model estimation results and real-world observations. The modules are integrated into a real-time traffic network management system that was developed for the US-75 corridor in Dallas, Texas. Results illustrate that the online calibration method is effective in enhancing the model’s consistency in the different operational conditions.
The Credibility of Witnesses

This chapter provides an overview of the field of witness credibility. The credibility of witnesses is based on more than the substantive content of witness testimony. Ideally, the probative value of testimony by both lay and expert witnesses would contribute to understanding, would help triers of fact move toward conclusions, and would stand alone to be assessed clearly for what it is. Nonetheless, the credibility of witnesses is based on other aspects of witness testimony that make a difference in how substantive content is perceived by triers of fact. Trial consulting has emerged in the last 30 years and has a major investment in witness preparation. At its best, the trial consultation field seeks to relieve witnesses’ anxiety and intensely prepare witnesses without compromising the substantive content of their testimony. Source credibility is discussed since it has been the foundation for much of the research on the credibility of witnesses. A number of typologies have been organized to identify the component elements that make up source credibility and expert witness credibility. Research supports the conclusion that women experts are particularly likely to receive personally intrusive questions over men experts, and an evaluation of how these questions affect perceptions of experts is offered. The use of neuroscience in the courtroom has a long and controversial history and is briefly discussed, as well as its impact on juror decision-making in terms of witness credibility.
A Review of: “Community College Faculty: Overlooked and Undervalued By Barbara K. Townsend and Susan B. Twombly”

As stated by Monroe (1977), “…after the student, the most important element in the community college is the faculty” (p. 2). However, according to Townsend and Twombly, “…at best, community college...
Electronic Structure of Rare-Earth Pnictides for Metallization of Semiconductors

The results of first-principles calculations of the electronic band structures, equilibrium lattice constants, cohesive energies, bulk moduli, and magnetic moments are presented for the rare-earth pnictides with the rocksalt structure and chemical formula RX, where R = Gd, Er and X = N, P, As. Some of these materials are semimetals and are suitable for metallization of III-V semiconductors. The results for the lattice constants are in good agreement with experimental data. For ErAs, which is closely lattice-matched to GaAs, the calculated magnetic exchange splittings, electron and hole concentrations, Fermi surface cross-sectional areas and cyclotron masses are found to be in satisfactory agreement with the available experimental data.
The Preparation and Characteristics of Fe_3O_4/Chitosan Core-Shell Magnetic Microspheres

Monodisperse high magnetic Fe 3O 4/Chitosan core shell microspheres were prepared by means of reverse phase suspension process using Fe 3O 4 as core and glutaric dialdehycle as dispersed medium. Reaction conditions of preparation of magnetic Fe 3O 4 core and microspheres properties are also studied in this paper.
Epidemiological analysis of syphilis in Shuyang County from 2008-2012

[Objective]To analyze the prevalence and development trend of syphilis in Shuyang County of Jiangsu Province from 2008-2012,to discuss its epidemic law,and provide basis for developing control measures. [Methods]The method of descriptive epidemiology was adopted to analyze the syphilis surveillance data of Shuyang City from 2008-2012.[Results]A total of 401 syphilis cases were reported,with average annual incidence of 4. 64 /100 000 and the average growth rate of 27. 17%. Most cases were latent syphilis,accounting for 31. 92%. Age distribution showed 70. 07% aged 20-49 years. The ratio of male to female was 1∶ 1. 3. Occupational structure indicated peasants and the unemployed occupied 48. 38%. Regional distribution showed 21. 70% and 78. 30% from county town and small towns.[Conclusion]Syphilis incidence is increased annually in Shuyang County. therefore,effective medical and behavior intervention should be adopted among high risk group and the key group to control syphilis prevalence.
Emerging Scripts of Global Speech

As work regimes become global, social communication increasingly occurs across locations far apart. In the absence of a common national, ethnic, or organizational culture across continents, what makes communication possible among social worlds technologically integrated in real time? Taking India’s global call centers as the focus of analysis, this article attempts to solve the riddle of communication by showing how transnational business practices rely on the transmutation of cultural communication into global communication through the processes of neutralization and mimesis. Neutralization refers to attempts at pruning unwanted cultural particulars, whereas mimesis refers to simulating desired cultural elements.
Advances in detection methods for Vibrio cholerae infection

Vibrio cholerae infection leads to severe diarrhea as part of cholera and has the potential to cause a worldwide pandemic.Speedy and accurate detection of Vibrio cholerae is critical for the prevention and control of cholera.So far,many effective diagnostic methods have been established.The application of molecular biotechnology in the identification of Vibrio cholerae has made major changes in this area.The current review discusses the recent advances in the detection technology of Vibrio cholerae.
Saliva Concentrations of Manganese and Urine Concentrations of Homovanillic Acid in Welders with Occupational Exposure to Manganese

[Objective] To identify the biomarkers of early occupational manganese exposure by analyzing the alterations of saliva concentrations of manganese and urine concentrations of homovanillic acid among welders exposed to different levels of manganese. [Methods] Welders(n=234) from 24 manganese enterprises in Qingpu District were selected as the exposure group. Samples of air manganese were collected by personal long-time sampling techniques. Further subgrouping was conducted according to the air manganese levels, workers were assigned to the low concentration group(TWA0.15 mg/m3, n=113) and the high concentration group(TWA≥0.15 mg/m3, n=121), and those without manganese exposure history were selected as the control group(n=135). Saliva manganese and urine homovanillic acid of each group were measured. [Results] The average saliva manganese concentration of the exposure group was(7.65±5.57) μg/L, higher than that of the control group(P 0.01). The average saliva manganese concentration of the high concentration group was(13.38±15.36) μg/L, higher than that of the low concentration group(P 0.01). The average saliva manganese concentration of those exposed to manganese for more than 5 years in the high concentration group was(16.94±19.81) μg/L, which was higher than those exposed to manganese for less than 5 years in this group(P 0.05). The average urine concentration of homovanillic acid of the exposure group was(6.79±1.01) μg/L, higher than that of the control group(P 0.01). The average urine concentration of homovanillic acid of the high concentration group was(7.58±0.92) μg/L, higher than that of the low concentration group(P 0.01). [Conclusion] Saliva manganese could be a potential biomarker of occupational manganese exposure. Urine homovanillic could be a potential effect biomarker of occupational manganese exposure, and its concentration is increased in early exposure stage.
The ontogeny of the renin-angiotensin system.

This article reviews the seven components of the renin-angiotensin system —renin, renin substrate, angiotensin I, converting enzyme, angiotensin II, angiotensin III, and angiotensinases — and emphasizes current knowledge of this system during development.
Ethical Decision Making in Managing Trauma

The major changes in health care delivery today further cloud the perspectives of patient autonomy, participation, and justice and the ideals of the virtuous practice of medicine. A Workable Integrative Negotiation approach with COAST permeating the medical setting and health agenda, however, can help promote effective and ethical participatory communication in medicine. Clearly, instituting such change in a non-surgical decision-making procedure requires a new culture among all participants. The case of traumatic injury provides an excellent back-drop for employing ethical decision making which in the long term can help usher in the most efficacious, ethical treatment for the individual, physician, and society. Additionally, today's omnipresent changes in medicine can help advance ethical directions in health-care decision making. For example adding ethical decision making and negotiation education in curricula for those in medicine, along with allied health professionals, and those who might become patient advocates or serve on ethics committees, can initiate a change in medical decision making. Full-fledged tort reform that allows all alternatives protects physicians and patients when the appropriate decision "to not treat or intervene" is rendered can be an important step toward a healthier society. Instituting an outcome-based reimbursement system among government and providers can serve as a quasi-selection process based on the superseding objectives of the community at large. Finally, a participatory citizenry (from physicians to patients to society-at-large) that balances violence prevention, communication, innovation, community involvement, and appropriate treatment could advance optimal civic health. The challenge is to initiate such change with the communication principles outlined herein.
The Effect of Vector Silencing during Picornavirus Vaccination against Experimental Melanoma and Glioma

Virus vector-based vaccination against tumor-specific antigens remains a promising therapeutic approach to overcome the immune suppressive tumor microenvironment. However, the extent that the desired CD8 T cell response against the targeted tumor antigen is impacted by the CD8 T cell response against the virus vector is unclear. To address this question, we used picornavirus vaccination with Theiler’s murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) as our vector against tumor-expressed ovalbumin (OVA257-264) antigen in both the B16-OVA murine melanoma and GL261-quad cassette murine glioma models. Prior to vaccination, we employed vector silencing to inhibit the CD8 T cell response against the immunodominant TMEV antigen, VP2121-130. We then monitored the resulting effect on the CD8 T cell response against the targeted tumor-specific antigen, ovalbumin. We demonstrate that employing vector silencing in the context of B16-OVA melanoma does not reduce tumor burden or improve survival, while TMEV-OVA vaccination without vector silencing controls tumor burden. Meanwhile, employing vector silencing during picornavirus vaccination against the GL261-quad cassette glioma resulted in a lower frequency of tumor antigen-specific CD8 T cells. The results of this study are relevant to antigen-specific immunotherapy, in that the virus vector-specific CD8 T cell response is not competing with tumor antigen-specific CD8 T cells. Furthermore, vector silencing may have the adverse consequence of reducing the tumor antigen-specific CD8 T cell response, as demonstrated by our findings in the GL261-quad cassette model.
Peer Grading Development Cycle

The overall goal of the “Peer Grading Development Cycle” workshop is to disseminate an innovative development cycle for student peer grading of exams that will work with any curriculum in engineering.
Identification of Burrowing Shrimp Food Sources Along an Estuarine Gradient Using Fatty Acid Analysis and Stable Isotope Ratios

Two species of burrowing shrimp occur in high densities in US West Coast estuaries, the ghost shrimp, Neotrypaea californiensis, and the blue mud shrimp, Upogebia pugettensis. Both species of shrimp are considered ecosystem engineers as they bioturbate and irrigate extensive galleries within the sediment. While their burrows comprise a dominant habitat type in west coast estuaries, little is known about these shrimps’ diet and their role in estuarine food webs. The primary goals of this study were to identify major components of burrowing shrimp diets and detect variation in these diets along an estuarine gradient using combined fatty acid (FA) and stable isotope (SI) analyses. Shrimp and potential food sources including eelgrass blades, epiphytes, Ulva, sedimentary particulate organic matter (SPOM), burrow walls, and particulate organic material (POM) were sampled at different locations within Yaquina Bay, Oregon in August 2012. Both SI and FA analyses indicated differences in food resources assimilated by shrimp along the estuarine gradient. SI values showed that diets for U. pugettensis consisted of carbon sources derived primarily from POM and SPOM, while POM and epiphytes were primary carbon sources for N. californiensis. Shrimp from lower estuarine sites had high levels of 16:1ω7 and 20:5ω3 FAs suggesting their diet is enriched with marine diatoms. Shrimp from upriver showed greater proportion of FA associated with dinoflagellates and terrestrial sources as indicated by a high percentage of C18 polyunsaturated FAs (PUFAs). This is the first study to evaluate diets of these two shrimp species using complimentary FA and SI approaches.
Angewandte Landschaftsökologie — Betrachtungen zu einem zentralen Ansatz der Umweltforschung

Die globalen Umweltprobleme fordern immer dringender abgestimmtes Handeln der Staatengemeinschaft. Internationale Organisationen und Umweltkonferenzen versuchen, durch Kommunikation wenigstens die grobsten Verstandigungsschwierigkeiten abzubauen. Diese bestehen nicht nur zwischen Nord und Sud oder Armen und Reichen, sondern auch zwischen Wissenschaft und Praxis und zwischen Okologie und Okonomie. Es entsteht der Eindruck, es gebe anstatt zu wenig Wissen uber Mensch und Umwelt eher zuviel. Ordnungsprinzipien sind erahnbar, aber nicht hinreichend operational und direkt einsetzbar. Der als Globalproblem in einem komplexen Kontext erkannte Mensch-Umwelt-Zusammenhang scheint eigenen Entwicklungsregeln zu folgen. Vor diesem Hintergrund spielt sich im Bereich Okologie — Umwelt — Okonomie eine Wissensexplosion schlechthin ab, die sich allerdings mit einer Spezialisierung verbindet. Uber immer feinere und kleinere Sachverhalte weis die Wissenschaft immer mehr. Sie tut sich jedoch damit schwer, diese Details methodisch in einen Gesamtzusammenhang zu bringen, in welchem ja unsere Welt funktioniert.
On the Inhibition of Gluconeogenesis by 1-β-Phenyl-Ethylbiguanide in the Perfused Guinea Pig Liver

Summary Altschuld and Kruger (1967) reported that gluconeogenesis from lactate was inhibited by phenethylbiguanide (DBI) in the perfused guinea pig liver. The authors attributed this effect to a concomitant suppression of the ATP/ADP ratio. We found that glucose formation from pyruvate, alanine and fructose was also lowered by biguanides in the isolated perfused guinea pig liver. Under our experimental conditions 2 × 10-5 M DBI reduced gluconeogenesis from lactate about 20%. The pattern of hepatic metabolites indicated a crossover phenomenon between 3-phosphoglycerate and glyerinaldehyde-phosphate. The pyruvate metabolism was also affected, however, no clear-cut results were obtained with regard to pyruvate carboxylation. The glutamate/2-oxoglutarate × NH4 ratio rose almost 300% in the presence of 2 × 10-5 M DBI, whereas the ATP/ADP-, lactate/pyruvate- and 3-hydroxybutyrate/acetoacetate ratio were not changed. We therefore assume that small variations of the intramitochondrial redox state are probably not reflected by the lactate/pyruvate and the 3-hydroxybutyrate/acetoacetate ratio in the perfused guinea pig liver. As the hepatic citrate and 2-oxoglutarate concentrations were decreased by DBI, the activity of the citric acid cycle seemed to be affected. Whether the crossover phenomenon observed in the gluconeogenic pathway can be attributed to an inhibitory effect of the biguanides on cell respiration could not be decided from the metabolite pattern. A decrease of the ATP/ADP ratio was not the cause of the crossover phenomenon, however, it may have played an additive role if it occurred with increasing doses of the biguanides. The influence of the biguanides on hepatic glucose output was dependent on the time the animals had been starved prior to the liver perfusion and on the hydrogen concentration in the perfusion medium. Alkalinization of the perfusate increased the action of DBI.
Computational model-based assessment of baroreflex function from response to Valsalva maneuver.

We introduce two methods to assess baroreflex function from data recorded from human subjects performing the Valsalva maneuver. Results demonstrate that the baroreflex response time tends to increa...
Using Consumer Data to Inform Marketing Strategies for Chlorhexidine for Umbilical Cord Care Programming in Kenya and Nigeria

Introduction:To date, distribution and communication channels being used at the country level for the introduction of 7.1% chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX) for umbilical cord care have been selected...
Trends and Gaps: A Meta-Review of Representative Bureaucracy:

The representative bureaucracy theoretical framework explores the link between bureaucrats’ social and demographic characteristics and their likelihood to take actions that benefit citizens with wh...
Cerebral venous thrombosis: Associations between disease severity and cardiac markers

Background Plasma cardiac troponin (cTn) elevation occurs in acute ischemic stroke and intracranial hemorrhage and can suggest a poor prognosis. Because acute cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) might lead to venous stasis, which could result in cardiac stress, it is important to evaluate whether cTn elevation occurs in patients with CVT. Methods Inpatients at Johns Hopkins Hospital from 2005 to 2015 meeting the following criteria were included: CVT (ICD-9 codes with radiologic confirmation) and available admission electrocardiogram (ECG) and cTn level. In regression models, presence of ECG abnormalities and cTn elevation (>0.06 ng/mL) were evaluated as dependent variables in separate models, with location and severity of CVT involvement as independent variables, adjusted for age, sex, and hypertension. Results Of 81 patients with CVST, 53 (66%) met the inclusion criteria. Participants were, on average, aged 42 years, white (71%), and female (66%). The left transverse sinus was most commonly thrombosed (47%), with 66% having >2 veins thrombosed. Twenty-two (41%) had cTn elevation. Odds of cTn elevation increased per each additional vein thrombosed (adjusted OR 2.79, 95% CI [1.08–7.23]). Of those with deep venous involvement, 37.5% had cTn elevation compared with 4.4% without deep clots (p = 0.02). Venous infarction (n = 15) was associated with a higher mean cTn (0.14 vs 0.02 ng/mL, p = 0.009) and was predictive of a higher cTn in adjusted models (β = 0.15, 95% CI [0.06–0.25]). Conclusions In this single-center cohort study, markers of CVT severity were associated with increased odds of cTn elevation; further investigation is needed to elucidate causality and significance.