cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and Modification of Ordered Mesoporous Carbons for Resorcinol Removal

Ordered mesoporous carbons (OMCs) show great potenti al for environmental improvement due to their ability to remove inorganic and org anic contaminants from li qui d and g as. OMCs are a promising adsorpti on material for treatment of hygiene and urine waste streams generated during space missions. OMCs’ preparati on invol ves the synthesis of an ordered silica templ ate, introduction of carbon precursors into the silica templ ate, carbonizati on of the carbon and silica composite, and finally, removal of the silica template. The pore size, size distribution, and functional groups on the surface are critical for ads orpti on materials. In this study, OMCs were synthesized under four di fferent temperatures (70°C, 90°C, 110°C and 150°C) to optimize the pore size. X- ray di ffraction (XRD) measurement demonstrated that OMC prepared at 90°C has the highest intensity wi th the largest pore size of 11.0 nm. OMC was modi fied with concentrated nitric aci d to improve the ads orpti on capacity. Fourier transform infrared s pectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis indicated that the carboxyl functional groups were introduced onto the surface of the OMCs. Resorcinol , a typical total organic carbon (TOC) model compound, was selected to eval uate the adsorption behavior of the OMCs. This adsorption study showed that the modified OMC has the highest adsorption capaci ty of 39.2 mg/g for resorcinol, compared to the original OMC and the commerci al Norit acti vated carbon. The nano-structures of the OMC and modi fied OMC were also characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (S EM) –Energy Dispersive x-ray Spectroscopy (EDS ), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and X-ray Diffracti on (XRD).
Early postnatal growth and the development of temperature regulation in the mongolian gerbil, Meriones unguiculatus.

The growth and development of young in 22 litters of Mongolian gerbils, Meriones unguiculatus , were studied for a period of 4 weeks after birth. Data on body weight and on total, body, tail, hind foot, and ear length are given. The early development of the pelage, ears, eyes, teeth, and general behavior are correlated with the development of temperature regulation, as studied in 10 litters. From birth to about day 13 the neonate gerbil is essentially ectothermic. Between days 13 and 14 and weaning, which occurs about day 21, there is a rapid development of endothermy. The latter period is also characterized by the eruption of teeth, opening of the eyes, rapid development of the pelage and hearing, development of grooming patterns, first attempts to eat solid food, and first forays from the nest. Early growth and development of M. unguiculatus is accelerated and similar to that of several other small cricetid rodents.
Role of procaine and washed red cells in the isolated dog heart perfused at 5° C

Isolated dog hearts were perfused for 24 hours at 5° C with one of three solutions: plain Krebs solution, Krebs solution containing 167 mg/L of procaine hydrochloride, or Krebs-procaine solution with washed red cells (hematocrit 2%). Coronary vascular resistance (CVR) of hearts perfused with Krebs solution alone increased sharply between the eighth and the twelfth hours of perfusion and then stabilized. Increase of myocardial firmness paralleled the increase of CVR. The addition of procaine to Krebs perfusate kept the heart flaccid and suppressed the steplike increase in CVR but failed to improve significantly the preservation of the hearts. The addition of washed red cells to Krebs perfusate kept CVR near baseline level, improved coronary perfusion flow, doubled myocardial oxygen consumption, reduced edema formation, and improved left ventricular stroke work (LVSW) of the preserved heart. This improvement seems mostly related to a mechanical effect of red blood cells on capillary flow distribution of the heart.
Field paleoradiography of skeletal material from the early classic period of Copan, Honduras.

OBJECTIVE To perform a radiographic evaluation of the skeletal remains of 2 elite individuals from the Early Classic Period of Copan, namely, K'inich Yax K'uk' Mo' (Hunal Burial 95-2), founder of the Early Classic Dynasty, and the primary female interment from the Motmot tomb (Burial 37-8). Our aims were to document pathologies and subsequent changes in long-bone density resulting from physiologic or functional adaptations, such as disuse atrophy. METHODS Standardized anteroposterior and mediolateral radiographs were obtained using a portable veterinary x-ray unit and Polaroid film. Orthogonal radiographs were used to estimate the cross-sectional biomechanical properties of the long bones. RESULTS In the case of Yax K'uk' Mo', it appears that there was trauma-induced disuse atrophy of the right forearm resulting in an accelerated loss of cortical bone in the right humerus relative to the left humerus. The restructuring of this individual's left shoulder girdle probably resulted in radical structural and functional changes. Although this fracture could have contributed to degenerative changes and paralysis, there was no evidence of disuse atrophy in the left upper limb. The gracile Motmot skeleton showed no signs of osteoporosis, osteopenia or disuse atrophy. CONCLUSIONS The use of radiography in the assessment of the skeletal material described here vastly increased our ability to document the pathologic processes that affected these centuries-old individuals during their lifetimes. In addition, the use of radiographs allowed us to expand our understanding of how these processes may have affected biomechanics and, subsequently, long-bone geometric properties.
Imaging of Transplanted and Native Stem Cells

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses using various modalities for stem cell imaging and their application in kidney diseases. Utilization of stem cells for therapeutic approaches is becoming an attractive alternative to conventional treatments, especially for diseases refractory to other treatments. The main objective of cell-based therapies is to repopulate the damaged tissue with functional cells or to use the cells to administer therapeutic agents to the target tissue. Use of stem cells in animal models has shown to regenerate renal tubular, mesangial, and endothelial cells in kidney diseases such as acute kidney ischemia or glomerulopathy. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are used in the stenotic kidney of a swine model of chronic renal artery stenosis and it is demonstrated that EPCs integrated into renal vascular and tubular structures and improved renal function. A significant body of knowledge is acquired with regard to the biology of stem cells and the potential benefit of their use in tissue and organ regeneration by ex vivo imaging.
Performances of all optical logical gates for packet forwarding

This paper presents an all optical packet forwarding architecture composed of two optical logical gates namely the XOR gate and the AND gate. Error free operation is achieved at 160 Gbps for the AND logic gate as well as the forwarding architecture. And clear eyes diagrams are obtained.
PCR-Based Identification of Oral Streptococcal Species.

The microbial etiology of dental caries is still debated. Among the hypothesized contributors are the “low pH streptococci,” a designation given to unusually acid proficient strains among the primary plaque colonizers S. oralis, S. mitis, S. gordonii, and S. anginosus. However, accurate assignment of species is difficult among the oral streptococci. Our objective was to develop a streamlined method for identifying strains of S. oralis and S. mitis from plaque samples so that they could be analyzed in a separate study devoted to low pH streptococci and caries. Two independent PCR amplifications of a locus highly conserved among streptococci were used for presumptive species identification. Multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) was used to measure accuracy. Sensitivity was 100% for selecting S. oralis and S. mitis among the clones sampled. Specificity was good except for the most closely related species that could not be reliably distinguished even by MLSA. The results with S. oralis and S. mitis were used to identify new primer sets that expanded the utility of the approach to other oral streptococcal species. These novel primer sets offer a convenient means of presumptive identification that will have utility in many studies where large scale, in-depth genomic analyses are not practical.
Scattering of Cell Clusters in Confinement

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) enables scattering of cell clusters and disseminates motile cells to distant locations in vivo during embryonic development and cancer metastasis. Both stiffness and topography of the extracellular matrix (ECM) have been shown to influence EMT. In this work, we examine how the integrity of epithelial cell clusters is regulated by subcellular forces, protrusions, and adhesions for varying ECM inputs, such as stiffness, topography, and dimensionality. Our model simulates multicell networks of defined sizes and shapes in ECMs of varied stiffness and geometry. The integrity of cell clusters is dictated by cell-cell junctions, which depend on subcellular forces and adhesion dynamics within each cell of the cluster. Our simulations demonstrate an enhanced dissociation of cell-cell junctions in stiffer and more confined three-dimensional (3D) environments, consistent with experimental findings. In narrow channels, the cell edges parallel to the axis of channels lose their cell-cell junctions more readily than those oriented in the perpendicular direction. The inhibition of protrusive activity and cell polarity disables confinement-dependent cell scattering. Here, cell adhesion and spreading along channel walls is found to be essential for scattering. The model also predicts that two-dimensional (2D) confinement of clusters restricts cell spreading and simultaneously blunts the confinement-sensitive cell scattering. This new, to our knowledge, multiscale model integrates molecular adhesion dynamics, subcellular forces, cellular deformation, and macroscale mechanical properties of the ECM to predict the state of cell clusters of defined shapes and sizes. The predictions made by our model not only match experimental findings from a number of experimental setups, but also provide a new conceptual framework for understanding mechanosensitive cell scattering and EMT.
Addressing Academic Dishonesty Among the Highest Achievers

Although research shows that higher-achieving students report engaging in cheating behaviors less frequently than lower-achieving students, the cheating rates among this population are still startling. Certain aspects of the context of being a high-achieving student support academic dishonesty. We investigate integrity among the highest achievers using a motivational framework, first examining why these students feel the need to cheat. We discuss personal standards of performance, social comparison and competition, pressure to succeed, and these students’ ability to rationalize cheating behaviors. Finally, we suggest what can be done to combat cheating among high achieving students, including thinking about approaches to pedagogy and assessment, providing clarity and consequences for cheating, and considering the culture of high achievers.
Spectral Analysis in Hilbert Space

From the last result of the preceding chapter, a good deal of nontrivial information can be obtained about self-adjoint operators on Hilbert space, incomparably more than is available for operators in Banach spaces, other than those of special compactness properties, or for arbitrary (non-self-adjoint) operators on Hilbert space. This result fails, however, to give a structure theorem for a self-adjoint operator on a Hilbert space, i.e., a result giving a simple explicit form for the operator, within the isomorphism appropriate to Hilbert space (unitary equivalence). What one would like, of course, is an analog in Hilbert space to the diagonalization of a self-adjoint operator in a finite-dimensional unitary space. Simple examples such as the operation of multiplication by x, acting on L2(0,1), show that a direct analog does not exist: there need be no eigenvalues or eigenspaces whatever. However, this example points the way to an appropriate analog, which is that in which invariant subspaces are decomposed, not into a discrete direct sum of eigenspaces, but into a continuous direct integral of infinitesimal eigenspaces, any one of which corresponds to a point of measure zero in the formation of the direct integral.
Increasing student-content engagement in online courses

BRIEF SESSION DESCRIPTION:Learn how student engagement with an online textbook student resources can increase student learning in an online business course. This session will highlight how student scores and perceptions of learning are impacted by participation in an online textbook companion.________________________________________________________________FULL ABSTRACT: Online course instructors often struggle with how to encourage students to engage with the course content, beyond passive reading of textbooks or viewing of online lecture content.AÂ The presentation will focus on a comparison between an online business class that does engage with an online textbook companion, MindTap, and an online business class that does use MindTap. Rather than just demonstrate how to use the tools, however, the instructor will present the test outcomes comparing two sections of the same online business course, as well as student perceptions of the usefulness of such resources. Does active student engagement with the textbook content increase student outcomes, or is there little difference between these students and those who learn passively? Faculty will be able to see tangible outcomes comparing students learning without online engagement with textbook companion sources, and those students learning with such resources. Can these resources benefit student confidence in the course material and, subsequently, boost student outcomes?
Autophagy and Inflammation

The cellular degradative pathway of autophagy has a fundamental role in immunity. Here, we review the function of autophagy and autophagy proteins in inflammation. We discuss how the autophagy machinery controls the burden of infectious agents while simultaneously limiting inflammatory pathologies, which often involves processes that are distinct from conventional autophagy. Among the newly emerging processes we describe are LC3-associated phagocytosis and targeting by autophagy proteins, both of which require many of the same proteins that mediate conventional autophagy. We also discuss how autophagy contributes to differentiation of myeloid and lymphoid cell types, coordinates multicellular immunity, and facilitates memory responses. Together, these functions establish an intimate link between autophagy, mucosal immunity, and chronic inflammatory diseases. Finally, we offer our perspective on current challenges and barriers to translation.
Using Data to Inform the Science of Broadening Participation

In this article, I describe how data and econometric methods can be used to study the science of broadening participation. I start by showing that theory can be used to structure the approach to us...
Clonal propagation of Leucaena by single bud splice grafting with a new grafting tool, and by modified veneer crown grafting

A simple tool called the graft guide, and its use with a new grafting technique called the single-bud splice (SBS) graft is described. The graft guide assures precise complementary rootstock and scion cuts, and thus ensures good cambial contact necessary for graft union formation. The use of this tool to graft small (3–15 mm) vegetative shoots of Leucaena species and hybrids is illustrated. An overall grafting success rate of 72% was achieved using this technique for several leucaenas. An additional modified veneer grafting technique for use when rootstock is larger in diameter than the scion, achieved 73% success. Graft compatibility results from 961 grafts between scions of 15 Leucaena species and three interspecific hybrids, and rootstocks of two species are presented. Of the 48 scion/rootstock combinations attempted, 43 (90%) were successful.
What Feminism Can Do for Bioethics

Feminist criticism of health care and of bioethics has become increasingly rich and sophisticated in the last years of the twentieth century. Nonetheless, this body of work remains quite marginalized. I believe that there are (at least) two reasons for this. First, many people are still confused about feminism. Second, many people are unconvinced that significant sexism still exists and are therefore unreceptive to arguments that it should be remedied if there is no larger benefit. In this essay I argue for a thin, "core" conception of feminism that is easy to understand and difficult to reject. Core feminism would render debate within feminism more fruitful, clear the way for appropriate recognition of differences among women and their circumstances, provide intellectually compelling reasons for current non-feminists to adopt a feminist outlook, and facilitate mutually beneficial cooperation between feminism and other progressive social movements. This conception of feminism also makes it clear that feminism is part of a larger egalitarian moral and political agenda, and adopting it would help bioethics focus on the most urgent moral priorities. In addition, integrating core feminism into bioethics would open a gateway to the more speculative parts of feminist work where a wealth of creative thinking is occurring. Engaging with this feminist work would challenge and strengthen mainstream approaches: it should also motivate mainstream bioethicists to explore other currently marginalized parts of bioethics.
Robust Scheduling Problems

In Example 7 of Chapter 2 we introduced the notion of robust scheduling. Schedulers confronted with significant processing time uncertainty often discover that a schedule which is optimal with respect to a deterministic or stochastic scheduling model yields quite poor performance when evaluated relative to the actual processing times. In these environments, the notion of schedule robustness, i.e., determining the schedule with the best worst-case performance compared to the corresponding optimal solution over all potential realizations of job processing times, is a more appropriate guide to schedule selection. The benefits of robust decision making in a scheduling context have been clearly illustrated through an example in Chapter 1 (Section 1.1 and Section 1.2).
Use of the Quinolones in Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Publisher Summary The quinolones as a class of antibiotics are very useful in the treatment of various sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). This is because the quinolones have excellent in vitro activity against various pathogens responsible for STDs. The prevalence of penicillin- and tetracycline-resistant strains of N. gonorrhoeae and sulfonamide-resistant strains of H. ducreyi have also increased, thereby requiring newer agents such as quinolones to treat these organisms. The efficacy of quinolones for many STDs has been established through multiple clinical trials. N. gonorrhoeae has been the most extensively studied disease, and various agents have proved efficacious. A significant problem however, is the emergence of quinolone-resistant N. gonorrhoeae in the developing countries. Thus, whenever quinolones are used for treating gonorrhea, the maximum recommended dose should be used in order to slow the emergence of resistance. Ofloxacin has proven an effective therapy for C. trachomatis , and the early data on sparfloxacin for this infection looks promising as well. Ofloxacin also has been shown to be effective in the treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease. Ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, rosoxacin, and fleroxacin are all effective as single agents for chancroid. There are also preliminary data that suggests that quinolones may be effective for donovanosis as well. Quinolones are also active against the causative agent of chancroid, H. ducreyi . Multidose therapy is currently recommended, as the failure rates may be somewhat higher with single-dose therapy.
Growth Rates and Interface Shapes in Semiconductor Materials Using Real Time Radiographic Imaging

The success of new electronic materials has been due in part to the development of procedures that produce semiconductors of high purity and perfection. These materials have been grown from the gas phase, solution, and melts. The Bridgman technique is a way semiconductor crystals are grown from the melt. With this technique the semiconductor material is usually sealed in a fused silica ampoule, placed inside the tubular furnace, and heated to completely melt the sample. The sample solidifies by cooling the molten material in one of three ways: translating the furnace along the sample, slowly extracting the sample ampoule from the furnace, or uniformly lowering the temperature. The solidification rate is typically only a few millimeters per hour. A diagram of a typical Bridgman furnace is shown in figure 1 and more details of the furnace used in this experiment are found in the literature1. The furnaces used in such procedures are generally opaque to visible radiation.
Historical Perspectives of myc Gene Studies

Much of our current understanding of cancer genes originated from classical studies of avian tumors. The very first documented observation by Rous in 1910 suggested that certain avian sarcomas could be transmitted by a filterable infectious agent.1–4 Subsequently, isolates of the infectious agents were recognized under the electron microscope as membrane bound particles now known as retroviruses. Five of these retroviruses that have been isolated from avian sarcomas and leukemias are known to bear v-myc oncogenes.5,6
Molybdenum Oxide and Molybdenum Nitride Back Contacts for Thin-Film CdTe Solar Cells

In thin-film CdTe solar cells, a high quality back contact is essential for high voltage and fill factor. Properties such as a high work function, stability to air and moisture, and an ohmic contact to the CdTe interface are important considerations. MoO x and MoN x thin films are promising alternative back contacts. Films were deposited with varying composition via DC reactive sputter deposition. Thin film properties were measured through characterization techniques such as four-point probe measurements, profilometry measurements, Hall measurements, XPS, and GAXRD. Devices were compared between current back contact types and alternatives such as molybdenum. Experimental results for MoO x and MoN x as back contact buffer layers are discussed in detail.
Abstract WP73: Brain Health Predicts Outcome in Patients With Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Introduction: Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) results in high mortality and high rate of disability among survivors. The effects of preexisting small vessel disease (SVD) on functional outcomes afte...
The Oldest Olds' Perceptions of Social Robots.

Social robots are gaining attention as potential tool for improving older adults’ social and emotional well-being. A mixed-method study with a panel of older adults 85 years of age and older explored how the oldest old feels about social robots, as well as new technologies in general. Based on responses to a survey and a set of focus groups, it was found that the panel was generally experienced and comfortable regarding use of new technologies. Responses to questions about social robots, however, suggested that there was a mix of perceptions and attitudes. Many participants were able to envision using one, open to interacting with one, and quick to embrace their potential benefits. On the other hand, apprehension to engaging with a social robot was apparent among some participants. Even with some concerns around trust, privacy and security, however, the group overall had no problem understanding the key capabilities and features of social robots, despite having very little to no prior knowledge. The findings indicate the oldest old, although often stereotyped to be slow to accept new technologies, may be open to the possibility of using a social robot as a companion.
CCR6-Positive γδ T Cells Provide Protection Against Intracorneal HSV-1 Infection.

Purpose γδ T cells offer an important early immune defense against many different pathogens, both bacterial and viral. Herein, we examined the capacity of γδ T cell subsets to provide protection in the cornea against herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1). Methods C57Bl/6 (wild-type [WT]), γδ T-cell deficient (TCRδ-/-) and CCR6-deficient (CCR6-/-) mice were infected intracorneally with HSV-1. At multiple time points following infection, corneas were excised, and cells were immunostained for surface markers, intracellular cytokines, and analyzed using flow cytometry. WT and CCR6-/- γδ T cells were adoptively transferred into TCRδ-/- mice and corneal scores and survival were measured. Results Intracorneal infection of mice lacking γδ T cells exhibited increased corneal opacity scores, elevated viral titers, and higher mortality compared with WT mice. Both CCR6+ and CCR6neg γδ T cell subsets were observed in corneas after virus infection. CCR6+ γδ T cells produced IL-17A and were predominantly CD44+CD62L+, consistent with natural IL-17+ γδ T cells. In contrast IL-17A production by CCR6neg γδ T cells was infrequent, and this subset was largely single positive for CD62L or CD44. The CCR6+ subset appeared to provide protection against HSV-1 as follows: (1) CCR6-/- mice had more severe corneal opacity compared with WT mice; and (2) adoptive transfer of γδ T cells from WT mice restored protection in TCRδ-/- mice whereas transfer of γδ T cells from CCR6-/- mice did not. Conclusions γδ T cells in the cornea can be divided into CCR6+ and CCR6neg subsets with the former conferring protection early after intracorneal HSV-1 infection.
Demographics of Men and Minorities in Cosmetic Clinical Trials of Botulinum Toxin and Hyaluronic Acid Fillers.

Background The demographics of men and minorities in clinical studies of nonsurgical cosmetic procedures have not been well described. There is a growing interest in nonsurgical cosmetic procedures. The patients studied in clinical trials may not be reflective of the real-world demographic of patients seeking nonsurgical cosmetic procedures. Objective To examine the demographics of men and minorities in clinical studies of nonsurgical cosmetic procedures. Methods A systematic review of clinical trials of botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) for facial rhytides and hyaluronic acid (HA) injectable fillers for soft-tissue augmentation was performed. Data on ethnicity and sex were collected and examined. Results Nineteen randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on BTX-A and 22 RCTs on HA were included for analysis. Men represented 11.8% of all participants. Men were more represented in the BTX-A RCTs (13.9%) compared with the HA RCTs (6.4%). Caucasian patients represented 67.1% of the total patients. Asian, Hispanic, and black patients represented 16.8%, 6.5%, and 5.4% of study participants, respectively. Conclusion The proportion of men in clinical trials of BTX-A and HA reflects the real-world demographics of men undergoing these procedures. Hispanic and black patients were underrepresented in clinical trials.
Design of Exoskeleton for Paraplegics Walking – Humanoid Robotics Approach

Paraplegics are a type of Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) disabled persons who need walking support for day-to-day mobility. Stability is a major concern while designing walking support systems. This research is an attempt to design an Exoskeleton with necessary walking stability based on humanoid bipedal robot. A parallel-serial chain of 25 joint axes legs-only exoskeleton named Lower Extremity Exoskeleton Robot (LEE Robot) is modeled and simulated for walking stability using posture adjustment and the law of balance techniques. It includes PD controllers for posture adjustment and walking balance. Zero Moment Point (ZMP) technique is implemented in the simulation to test the Exoskeleton walking stability.
Embodied Synchronization and Complexity in a Verbal Interaction

Previous research has found that spontaneous synchronization of bodily movements emerges when people interact. This dynamic interactional synchrony occurs in all kinds of everyday movements and has been demonstrated empirically in a variety of social contexts. The objective of this study is to advance our understanding of the dynamical processes that enable the spontaneous and fluid coordination of movements in more naturalistic social interactions. We measured the degree of interactional synchrony of 44 dyads who enacted a series of knock-knock jokes together and we manipulated the perceptual information available (using auditory occlusion) and the individuals' dynamical motor 'signatures' by weighting their limbs. Our analyses using relative phase and fractal/multifractal measures support the conclusion that both local and global dynamical synchronization processes sustain the interactional fluidity seen in conversational exchanges and provide an embodied foundation for how humans connect and cooperate socially.
Six candidate miRNAs associated with early relapse in pediatric b-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia

BACKGROUND/AIM Few studies have evaluated the role of miRNAs in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) relapse and a consensus of a clinically significant miRNA signature is yet to be identified. In this study, we evaluated miRNAs associated with pediatric B-ALL early relapse in two independent sample sets. MATERIALS AND METHODS We performed global miRNA profiling on diagnostic bone marrow specimens from six early relapse (≤3 years after diagnosis) and six age- and cytogenetics-matched prolonged remission (≥4 years) patients (first set) and an independent set of 14 early relapse and 14 matched prolonged remission specimens (second set). RESULTS Twelve and 39 top differentially expressed miRNAs were observed in the first and second sets, respectively; however, there was no overlap between the top candidates. In post-hoc analyses six miRNAs (miR-101-3p, miR-4774-5p, miR-1324, miR-631, miR-4699-5p and miR-922) among the top candidates in the second, but not the first set, were consistently upregulated in early relapse compared to remission specimens in both first (fold change=1.13-2.19, q<0.38) and second (fold change=1.48-4.78, all q<0.05) sets. Four (miR-631, mir-101-3p, miR-922 and miR-1324) of these miRNAs have been previously implicated in key functional oncogenic pathways in adult cancers. CONCLUSION This study suggests that six candidate miRNAs, not previously implicated in pediatric ALL, are associated with early relapse in pediatric B-ALL. Validation and investigation of mechanistic roles of these miRNAs in a larger cohort are warranted, so that they may be used as prognostic markers for early relapse of pediatric B-ALL.
Dead-End Ultrafiltration and DNA-Based Methods for Detection of Cyclospora cayetanensis in Agricultural Water.

ABSTRACT Cyclospora cayetanensis is a protozoan parasite that causes foodborne and waterborne diarrheal illness outbreaks worldwide. Most of these outbreaks are associated with the consumption of fresh produce. Sensitive and specific methods to detect C. cayetanensis in agricultural water are needed to identify the parasite in agricultural water used to irrigate crops that have been implicated in outbreaks. In this study, a method to detect C. cayetanensis in water by combining dead-end ultrafiltration (DEUF) with sensitive and specific molecular detection was developed and evaluated. Triplicates of 10-liter agricultural water samples were seeded with 200, 100, 25, 12, and 6 C. cayetanensis oocysts. Surface water samples were also collected in the Mid-Atlantic region. All water samples were processed by DEUF and backflushed from the ultrafilters. DNA was extracted from concentrated samples and analyzed by quantitative PCR (qPCR) targeting the C. cayetanensis 18S rRNA gene. All water samples seeded with 12, 25, 100, and 200 oocysts were positive, and all unseeded samples were negative. Samples seeded with 6 oocysts had a detection rate of 66.6% (8/12). The method was also able to detect C. cayetanensis isolates in surface water samples from different locations of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal (C&O Canal) in Maryland. This approach could consistently detect C. cayetanensis DNA in 10-liter agricultural water samples contaminated with low levels of oocysts, equivalent to the levels that may be found in naturally incurred environmental water sources. Our data demonstrate the robustness of the method as a useful tool to detect C. cayetanensis from environmental sources. IMPORTANCECyclospora cayetanensis is a protozoan parasite that causes foodborne and waterborne outbreaks of diarrheal illness worldwide. These foodborne outbreaks associated with the consumption of fresh produce and agricultural water could play a role in the contamination process. In this study, a method to detect C. cayetanensis in agricultural water by combining a robust filtration system with sensitive and specific molecular detection was developed and validated by the FDA. The results showed that this approach could consistently detect low levels of C. cayetanensis contamination in 10 liters of agricultural water, corresponding to the levels that may be found in naturally occurring environmental water sources. The method was also able to detect C. cayetanensis in surface water samples from a specific location in the Mid-Atlantic region. Our data demonstrate the robustness of the method to detect C. cayetanensis in agricultural water samples, which could be very useful to identify environmental sources of contamination.
Die Troika: Kontrolle der Kontrolleure

Die sozialere und demokratischere Ausgestaltung der Troika-Politik steht im Zentrum dieses Beitrags. Zu diesem Zweck werden zunachst die Rolle der Troika und der drei involvierten Institutionen im Rahmen der finanziellen Hilfsprogramme analysiert. Es folgt eine Diskussion des von der Troika verkorperten neuen Politikstils des europaischen Interventionismus mit einem besonderen Fokus auf die demokratischen und sozialen Defizite der Troika-Politik. Am Beispiel der Lohn- und Tarifpolitik werden die Auswirkungen des von der Troika verfolgten europaischen Interventionismus verdeutlicht. Schlieslich werden konkrete Vorschlage fur eine demokratischere und sozialere Ausgestaltung des von der Troika (oder ihrer Nachfolgeinstitution) betriebenen EU-Krisenmanagements formuliert.
Dorsal Medial Cuneiform Bony Outgrowth-Apophysis or Exostosis: A Case Report.

CASE Three female children (11-15 years) presented with painful dorsomedial medial cuneiform masses that did not improve after conservative treatment. Findings were consistent with a diagnosis of medial cuneiform apophysis. After surgical resection, no patients had recurrence, although one continued to have pain from a deep peroneal nerve sensory branch that was resected. One patient had an intramass physis identified. CONCLUSION When surgically removing dorsomedial cuneiform masses, surgeons should decompress overlying sensory nerve branches, detach and subsequently repair muscular attachments, and remove the entire stump to prevent regrowth because some of these masses may be apophyses and not exostoses.
A massive 13.5 cm sclerosing pneumocytoma in a 61-year-old female

Abstract Sclerosing pneumocytoma (previously called pulmonary sclerosing hemangioma) is a very rare benign pulmonary neoplasm. Diagnosis of this tumor can be problematic especially on the small biopsy specimens. Here, we report a massive 13.5 cm sclerosing pneumocytoma in a 61-year-old female who presented with progressive shortness of breath and underwent lobectomy procedure. Radiological findings, gross and histological features, immunohistochemical staining profile as well as differential diagnoses are discussed in detail. The purpose of this case study is to increase awareness of this entity among physicians and to further aid in proper clinical management.
Work group rituals enhance the meaning of work

Abstract The many benefits of finding meaning in work suggest the importance of identifying activities that increase job meaningfulness. The current paper identifies one such activity: engaging in rituals with workgroups. Five studies (N = 1,099) provide evidence that performing group rituals can enhance the meaningfulness of work, and that in turn this meaning can enhance organizational citizenship behaviors (to the benefit of those groups). We first define group rituals both conceptually and empirically, identifying three types of features associated with group rituals—physical actions, psychological import, and communality—and differentiating group rituals from the related concept of group norms (Pilot Studies A and B). We then examine—correlationally in a survey of employed individuals (Study 1a) and experimentally in a study that manipulates the presence or absence of the three types of ritualistic features (Study 1b)—whether performing an activity at work with ritualistic physical, psychological, and communal features (versus an activity with none or just one of these features) is associated with more meaningful work experiences. We test whether this enhanced meaning predicts the extent to which individuals are willing to engage in behaviors enacted on behalf of that group, even without the promise of reward, using organizational citizenship behaviors in Studies 1a–1b and performance on a brainstorming task in Study 2. Taken together, these studies offer a framework for understanding group ritual and offer novel insight into the downstream consequences of employing group rituals in organizational contexts.
Highly reconfigurable and integrated optical time-domain reflectometer featuring high spatial resolution for short-reach and long-haul networks

With a rising trend to use optical fiber in both short-reach and long-haul network applications, it has become necessary to detect faults with high spatial resolution, sensitivity, and dynamic range in industry. Unfortunately, the most widely used diagnostic technique, optical time-domain reflectometry (OTDR), has an inherent trade-off between the above mentioned figures of merit. Consequently, traditional OTDR systems can either be used in short-reach applications with high spatial resolution or long-haul applications with high dynamic range. Both OTDR and optical frequency-domain reflectometry systems have been proposed in the past which can arguably close the gap between the two extremes, but they also have a trade-off with the cost, form-factor, and complexity. Recently, researchers have demonstrated an input/output (I/O) interface integrated OTDR (iOTDR), which uses digital I/O ports to perform OTDR measurements with high spatial and voltage resolution. The iOTDR eliminates the necessity of using high-end analog-to-digital converters and demonstrates its potential to be fully integrated in an optical switch with minimum hardware modification. Additionally, the iOTDR is also reconfigurable and software-defined, making it a power- and resource-efficient solution. Thus, it is especially attractive for short-distance communication links, such as those in a datacenter, where computational resources are limited. This manuscript expands upon the advantages brought upon by the iOTDR to propose and demonstrate a new versatile iOTDR that can achieve high spatial resolution, sensitivity, and dynamic range for both short-reach and long-haul networks thanks to its highly reconfigurable design.
Metabolic and structural integrity of magnetic nanoparticle-loaded primary endothelial cells for targeted cell therapy

Aim: To successfully translate magnetically mediated cell targeting from bench to bedside, there is a need to systematically assess the potential adverse effects of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) interacting with ‘therapeutic’ cells. Here, we examined in detail the effects of internalized polymeric MNPs on primary rat endothelial cells’ structural intactness, metabolic integrity and proliferation potential. Materials & methods: The intactness of cytoskeleton and organelles was studied by fluorescent confocal microscopy, flow cytometry and high-resolution respirometry. Results: MNP-loaded primary endothelial cells preserve intact cytoskeleton and organelles, maintain normal rate of proliferation, calcium signaling and mitochondria energy metabolism. Conclusion: This study provides supportive evidence that MNPs at doses necessary for targeting did not induce significant adverse effects on structural integrity and functionality of primary endothelial cells – potential cell therapy vectors.
Couples Therapy for Domestic Violence: Finding Safe Solutions

Up to 65% of couples who seek therapy for marital problems have had at least one prior violent episode. Unfortunately, therapists often miss this critical information because they do not effectively assess for it. This book presents a safety-focused approach to assessment and treatment of couples who choose to remain together after one or both partners have been violent. Treatment options for intimate partner violence have evolved alongside the growing awareness and broader definitions of domestic violence. Since 1997 the authors have conducted Domestic Violence Focused Couples Treatment (DVFCT), collected data, and refined their program. The authors outline their assessment and screening process and share case illustrations to demonstrate when conjoint treatment can be a safe and viable option. Readers get an overview of the 18-session course of DVFCT and tips for adapting it for multi-couple groups or for a single couple. The major tenets of solution-focused therapy, such as underscoring even the smallest of successes, are emphasized throughout, as are the following special features: -safety planning -mindfulness techniques for anger awareness and reduction -negotiated time-out procedures -drug and alcohol use modules -psychoeducational tools and materials on violence Therapists will learn how to assess intimate partner violence and help couples eliminate all forms of violence and begin on a positive path toward their vision of a healthy relationship.
Identifying Risks in IT Projects for Developing Economies

The emergence of information technology (IT) projects for developing economies is becoming a trend, as developing economies are striving to achieve modernization and industrialization. The IT project environment in developing economies is complex and susceptible to the economies' unique social, cultural, political, and financial contexts. This study proposes a framework for identifying the risks involved in IT projects for developing economies. For this, the study identifies unique characteristics of project management in the context of developing economies, which involve a broader stakeholder group, lack of precedence, infrastructural limitations, and cultural uniqueness. The study discusses how these characteristics shape project risk factors in terms of both internal (people, process, and technology) and environmental (legal and natural) elements of an IT project.
Linguistic Approaches to Agrammatism

This article discusses linguistic approaches to agrammatism. First, we consider the possible contributions that the study of agrammatism can make to an understanding of the ways a brain computes language. To understand how a brain computes language, we minimally need to know something about language and something about language processing so that we can pose coherent questions to a brain. We consider in some detail how one well-known model of agrammatism accommodates what we know about language and language processing and find that the basic challenges have not been met. We compare this to a developing range of inquiry into agrammatism that is potentially more useful in moving the larger project forward.
T-matrix approach to quarkonium correlation functions in the quark-gluon plasma

We study the evolution of heavy quarkonium states with temperature in a quark-gluon plasma (QGP) by evaluating the in-medium Q-Q T-matrix within a reduced Bethe-Salpeter equation in both S- and P-wave channels. The underlying interaction kernel is extracted from recent finite-temperature QCD lattice calculations of the singlet free energy of a Q-Q pair. The bound states are found to gradually move above the Q-Q threshold after which they rapidly dissolve in the hot system. The T-matrix approach is particularly suited to investigate these mechanisms as it provides a unified treatment of bound and scattering states including threshold effects and the transition to the (perturbative) continuum. We apply the T-matrix to calculate Q-Q spectral functions as well as pertinent Euclidean-time correlation functions which are compared to results from lattice QCD. A detailed analysis reveals large sensitivities to the interplay of bound and scattering states, to temperature-dependent threshold energies, and to the reconstructed correlator used for normalization. We furthermore investigate the impact of finite-width effects on the single-quark propagators in the QGP as estimated from recent applications of heavy-quark rescattering to RHIC data.
A straight forward method of characterizing the intrinsic loss characteristics of symmetrical two port networks

A method for characterizing the intrinsic loss characteristics of a symmetrical two port network using a two tier calibration procedure is presented. A first tier calibration to device fixturing ports results in symmetry. The second tier calibration uses a single through line. The resulting characterization is equivalent to the transmission factor of the network with ideal input and output matching networks. This has the effect of putting two ideal matching networks at the input and output of the network. A microstrip bandpass filter measurement and characterization using this technique is presented. The results are compared with deembedded characterization obtained using the TRL calibration procedure.
Stochastic Overrelaxation Algorithms and Critical Slowing Down

Recently overtaxation methods, used to speed up convergence of matrix inversion algorithms, have been generalized to stochastic processes and resulted in faster decorrelations. We discuss this stochastic overtaxation in a field theoretical formulation based on a Langevin equation. Reversible mode coupling is shown to cause reduction of the dynamical critical exponent from z = 2 to z = 1 for a free field theory. Numerical results indicate that this conclusion also holds for certain interacting models. This suggests that stochastic overtaxation algorithms might have their own dynamical universality class.
Migration, Sociolinguistic Scale, and Educational Reproduction

Migration-based language pluralism and globalized identity conflicts pose challenges for educational research and linguistic anthropology, in particular, how we think about education and social inequality. This article proposes new conceptual tools, drawn from linguistic anthropology as well as world systems theory, for analyzing the role of schooling in social reproduction and for investigating the dynamics of globalized social polarization. It grounds the argument in an ethnographic study of Latino migrant schoolchildren in upstate New York. [scale, migration, globalization, social reproduction, linguistic anthropology]
Nucleotide sequence of the 3′ exon of the human N-myc gene

We have analyzed a 3.8 kb Eco RI fragment of genomic DNA obtained from the amplified N-myc gene of human neuroblastoma cell line BE(2)-C. This fragment contains an exon with an open reading frame encoding approximately 170 amino acids of the carboxy-terminal end of the putative N-myc protein. Comparison of the inferred amino acid sequence of this peptide with that of the 3' domain of the human c-myc protein shows that locally conserved but dispersed regions of homology exist throughout the lengths of these peptides, while hydropathy plots indicate that the physical properties implied by their primary sequences are strikingly similar. Based upon these and other considerations, it is suggested that the 3' domains of c-myc and N-myc may potentially share related functions.