cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the northeast of the United States: results of a case-control study.

HCC incidence has been continuously rising in the US for the past 30 years. To understand the increase in HCC risk, we conducted a case–control study in Connecticut, New Jersey and part of New York City. Through rapid case ascertainment and random digit dialing, we recruited 673 incident HCC patients and 1,166 controls. Information on demographic and anthropometric characteristics, lifestyle factors, medical and family cancer histories, were ascertained through telephone interviews using a structured questionnaire. Saliva specimens were collected for testing hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies. Unconditional logistic regression models were utilized to calculate odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) to determine HCC associations with risk factors. The study confirmed that HCV infection and obesity were important risk factors for HCC, ORs 110 (95% CI 59.2–204) and 2.13 (95% CI 1.52–3.00), respectively. High BMI and HCV infection had synergy in association with elevated HCC risk. Patients both obese and infected with HCV had HCC detected on average nearly 10 years earlier than those with neither factor. Diabetes, cigarette smoking and heavy alcohol intake were all associated with increased risk of HCC, whereas aspirin and other NSAID use were associated with reduced risk. HCC cases tended to attain less education, with lower household incomes, unmarried, and to have had more sexual partners than the controls. Individuals at risk of HCC in the US comprise a unique population with low socioeconomic status and unhealthy lifestyle choices. Given the multifactorial nature, a comprehensive approach is needed in HCC prevention.
Link Prediction using Graph Neural Networks for Master Data Management

Learning graph representations of n-ary relational data has a number of real world applications like anti-money laundering, fraud detection, and customer due diligence. Contact tracing of COVID19 positive persons could also be posed as a Link Prediction problem. Predicting links between people using Graph Neural Networks requires careful ethical and privacy considerations than in domains where GNNs have typically been applied so far. We introduce novel methods for anonymizing data, model training, explainability and verification for Link Prediction in Master Data Management, and discuss our results.
Digital marketing scenario in India

Digital marketing encompasses all marketing efforts that use an electronic device or the internet. The use of electronic media by the marketers to promote their products or services into the market. The main aim of digital marketing is to attract consumers with various brands through use of technology on internet. Digital marketing is often referred to as ‘online marketing’, ‘internet marketing’ or ‘web marketing’. The term digital marketing has grown in popularity over time, particularly in certain countries. Digital Marketing has become more famous after involvement of latest technologies in businesses. It has completely changed the old marketing methods and compelled marketers to stay connected with their buyers or customers via internet for selling their products and services. There has been an immense growth in the digital marketing India. It is spread across all the business sectors starting from shopping, online transaction, bank payments, e-commerce, online tracking etc. The means of communication has become very easy and fast. In a country like India, the economy is huge and increasing rapidly. The usage of the digital platform is also increasing similarly. In the year 1996, the business to business marketing was established in India. The spending for digital marketing in the year 2013 was $0.57 Billion. This figure is expected to increase up to $2.17 Billion in the year 2019. The paper starts with reviewing historical background to utilization of online marketing; different kinds of internet marketing, then, will be shed light upon the digital marketing importance, scopes in future, opportunities and challenges, such as problems of security, privacy, etc, emerged in the field of marketing from implementation of virtual space produces.
Targeting the Early Endosome-to-Golgi Transport of Shiga Toxins as a Therapeutic Strategy

Shiga toxin (STx) produced by Shigella and closely related Shiga toxin 1 and 2 (STx1 and STx2) synthesized by Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are bacterial AB5 toxins. All three toxins target kidney cells and may cause life-threatening renal disease. While Shigella infections can be treated with antibiotics, resistance is increasing. Moreover, antibiotic therapy is contraindicated for STEC, and there are no definitive treatments for STEC-induced disease. To exert cellular toxicity, STx, STx1, and STx2 must undergo retrograde trafficking to reach their cytosolic target, ribosomes. Direct transport from early endosomes to the Golgi apparatus is an essential step that allows the toxins to bypass degradative late endosomes and lysosomes. The essentiality of this transport step also makes it an ideal target for the development of small-molecule inhibitors of toxin trafficking as potential therapeutics. Here, we review the recent advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms of the early endosome-to-Golgi transport of STx, STx1, and STx2, as well as the development of small-molecule inhibitors of toxin trafficking that act at the endosome/Golgi interface.
Discrete System Linearization using Koopman Operators for Predictive Control and Its Application in Nano-positioning

Predictive control techniques have been broadly used in control of nonlinear nano-positioning systems (e.g., piezo actuators). One common approach to control such systems for precision positioning is to model the system dynamics using a nonlinear model and linearize it using Taylor series, and then apply model predictive control (MPC). However, the control bandwidth and the control performance are quite limited as the obtained linear system is only guaranteed to be accurate within small neighborhood of the linearization point. To address this issue, we propose to linearize the nonlinear system model using Koopman operators and then use the obtained linear parameter-varying model for predictive control. This linearization scheme can significantly decrease the overall approximation error within the MPC prediction horizon, and thus, lead to improved tracking performance. The proposed approach was validated through trajectory tracking of piezo actuators in simulation.
Rurality of Residence and Inappropriate Antibiotic Use for Acute Respiratory Infections Among Young Tennessee Children.

Background Antibiotic use is common for acute respiratory infections (ARIs) in children, but much of this use is inappropriate. Few studies have examined whether rurality of residence is associated with inappropriate antibiotic use. We examined whether rates of ARI-related inappropriate antibiotic use among children vary by rurality of residence. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of children aged 2 months-5 years enrolled in Tennessee Medicaid between 2007 and 2017 and diagnosed with ARI in the outpatient setting. Study outcomes included ARI, ARI-related antibiotic use, and ARI-related inappropriate antibiotic use. Multivariable Poisson regression was used to measure associations between rurality of residence, defined by the US Census Bureau, and the rate of study outcomes, while accounting for other factors including demographics and underling comorbidities. Results A total of 805 332 children met selection criteria and contributed 1 840 048 person-years (p-y) of observation. Children residing in completely rural, mostly rural, and mostly urban counties contributed 70 369 (4%) p-y, 479 121 (26%) p-y, and 1 290 558 p-y (70%), respectively. Compared with children in mostly urban counties (238 per 1000 p-y), children in mostly rural (450 per 1000 p-y) and completely rural counties (468 per 1000 p-y) had higher rates of inappropriate antibiotic use (adjusted incidence rate ratio [aIRR] = 1.34, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.33-1.35 and aIRR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.32-1.35, respectively). Conclusions Inappropriate antibiotic use is common among young children with ARI, with higher rates in rural compared with urban counties. These differences should inform targeted outpatient antibiotic stewardship efforts.
Electron microscopy characterization of the fuel-cladding interaction in medium burnup annular fast reactor MOX

Abstract In this work, we present electron microscopy data focused on the fuel-cladding interaction layer in annular fast reactor MOX with HT-9 cladding at medium burnup. In agreement with previous literature data, the volatile fission products Cs, Te and I have migrated radially into the extreme fuel periphery and partially interacted with the cladding. The accumulation of Cs has occurred in the outermost rim of the fuel pellet, where grain recrystallization has also been observed. Significant amounts of Pd have been found in the interaction zone, particularly in the sample taken from the upper half of the fissile column where the cladding temperatures are higher. At this axial location, Cr has been enriched at the cladding inner surface and diffused into the fuel. Chromium remains mainly in metallic form, but locally formed oxides. The fission products Cs, Te and I are found, with variable composition, in form of nanocrystalline regions dispersed in the metallic Cr-rich layer. The morphology and chemical characteristics of the layer suggest a non-oxidative corrosion mechanism as principal cladding degradation phenomenon occurring in this sample, with local onset of Cr oxidation within the nanocrystalline precipitates.
Parent-Coaching Telehealth Intervention for Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Pilot Program

A pilot program investigated the effect of a parent-coaching intervention using naturalistic instruction with 41 parents of children (ages 2–18) with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) on social commun...
Size, value and volatility

We examine the relationship between total stock market risk and the returns on several long-short portfolios that have been widely regarded as priced risk factors in much of prior literature. We find that shocks to implied volatility and to expected realized volatility are related to the returns on the size and value portfolios in a way that is consistent with a straightforward risk-based interpretation. The results are largely consistent across geographic regions and across 1-month, 3-month and 6-month horizons. Additionally, the response of size and value portfolios to positive and negative volatility shocks is asymmetric.
Repeating caldera collapse events constrain fault friction at the kilometer scale.

Fault friction is central to understanding earthquakes, yet laboratory rock mechanics experiments are restricted to, at most, meter scale. Questions thus remain as to the applicability of measured frictional properties to faulting in situ. In particular, the slip-weakening distance [Formula: see text] strongly influences precursory slip during earthquake nucleation, but scales with fault roughness and is challenging to extrapolate to nature. The 2018 eruption of Kilauea volcano, Hawaii, caused 62 repeatable collapse events in which the summit caldera dropped several meters, accompanied by [Formula: see text] 4.7 to 5.4 very long period (VLP) earthquakes. Collapses were exceptionally well recorded by global positioning system (GPS) and tilt instruments and represent unique natural kilometer-scale friction experiments. We model a piston collapsing into a magma reservoir. Pressure at the piston base and shear stress on its margin, governed by rate and state friction, balance its weight. Downward motion of the piston compresses the underlying magma, driving flow to the eruption. Monte Carlo estimation of unknowns validates laboratory friction parameters at the kilometer scale, including the magnitude of steady-state velocity weakening. The absence of accelerating precollapse deformation constrains [Formula: see text] to be [Formula: see text] mm, potentially much less. These results support the use of laboratory friction laws and parameters for modeling earthquakes. We identify initial conditions and material and magma-system parameters that lead to episodic caldera collapse, revealing that small differences in eruptive vent elevation can lead to major differences in eruption volume and duration. Most historical basaltic caldera collapses were, at least partly, episodic, implying that the conditions for stick-slip derived here are commonly met in nature.
Non-ST elevation myocardial infarction and cardiac arrest: The United States Nationwide Emergency Department Sample.

Abstract Background Literature regarding outcomes of cardiac arrest with associated NSTEMI is limited. We aim to study the predictors and survival outcomes of cardiac arrest patients presenting to the emergency department who were diagnosed with non-ST elevated myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Methods Data from the nationwide emergency department sample (NEDS) that constitutes 20% sample of hospital-owned emergency departments in the United States was analyzed for the cardiac arrest related visits from 2009–2018. Cardiac arrest was defined by the ICD codes. Results Out of 3,235,555 cardiac arrests (mean age 64.0 ± 19.5 years, 40.7% females) there were 163,970 (5.1%) patients diagnosed with NSTEMI during the years 2009-2018. Among cardiac arrest patients, the survival for NSTEMI patients was higher than patients without NSTEMI (46.7% vs. 22.7%). These patients were more likely to be males and elderly. Among the predictors for NSTEMI cardiac arrests, hypertension (OR 1.12, p Conclusions NSTEMI was not uncommon in patients with cardiac arrest. NSTEMI cardiac arrest had a better prognosis than patients without NSTEMI. Cardiovascular interventions might have survival benefits. More research is required to identify NSTEMI in cardiac arrest patients and further evaluate the effect of cardiovascular interventions on survival.
Distributed Variational Information Bottleneck for IOT Environments

Deep learning is becoming the latest trend in sensitive applications, such as healthcare, criminal justice, and finance. As these new applications emerge, adversaries are developing ways to circumvent them. In this paper, we investigate users' revealing data to the public; parts of it are often sensitive when compactly represented. The representation should ensure that the target information is served accurately and reliably while simultaneously safeguarding sensitive information. In order to achieve that goal, we present a supervised deep learning framework based on the Information Bottleneck (IB) principle. The purpose of this was to maximize the mutual information between utility labels, and the learned compressing representation while minimizing the mutual information between the learned compressing representation and the original representation. Additionally, we examine a distributed learning framework to securely aggregate data from the Internet of Things (IoT) devices and create a utility model that is compatible with IoT devices. We apply the variational mutual information approximation to gain an accurate representation of bottlenecks. Through experiments with synthetic datasets, we demonstrate the efficiency and privacy-preserving capabilities of our framework.
The Language in Action: A Gallery of Programming Examples

In this, our last chapter, we illustrate the use of SETL by giving a variety of programs which exhibit its features and can serve as useful models of style. Some of the smaller programs present significant algorithms; the larger examples show how more substantial programming problems and applications can be addressed.
Constipation and Functional Bowel Disorders

Prevalence in North America estimated between 2 and 27 %. Complaints of constipation are two to three times more common in women than men. Of 2,004 patients evaluated by transit study at three European tertiary referral centers for intractable constipation, 92 % were women. The incidence of constipation increases with age, and it is higher in nonwhites than whites, in people from a lower socioeconomic and educational status, and in the southern USA. The Rome criteria for constipation are as follows: Less than three bowel movements per week Straining more than 25 % of the time Hard stools more than 25 % of the time Incomplete evacuation more than 25 % of the time When utilizing the standardized definitions of the Rome criteria, the prevalence of constipation in North America is estimated at 15 %. The Bristol Stool Scale is a visual representation of stool form and helps to subtype functional bowel disorders (Fig. 32.1).
Are Romance Novels Really Alive? A Discussion of the Supple Adaptation View of Life

I will be discussing the plausibility of Mark Bedau's supple adaptation view of life. After presenting the essential aspects of the view, I introduce a hypothetical system of romance novels and romance novel authors, which captures those aspects of a system which are necessary for life under Bedau's view. Using this romance novel system as a starting point, I discuss other intuitively non-living systems, like economies and scientific literature, which would be considered alive by Bedau's standards. Finally, I present one objection to Bedau's view and suggest how his view might change in order to become more widely accepted.
Interband Faraday rotation in diluted magnetic semiconductors: Zn 1 − x Mn x Te and Cd 1 − x Mn x Te

Faraday rotation as a function of ${\mathrm{Mn}}^{2+}$ concentration (x), temperature, and magnetic field is measured in the zinc-blende diluted magnetic semiconductors ${\mathrm{Zn}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{Mn}}_{\mathrm{x}}$Te and ${\mathrm{Cd}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{Mn}}_{\mathrm{x}}$Te. The effects of the large exchange interaction between d electrons of ${\mathrm{Mn}}^{2+}$ and the ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{6}$ conduction-band electrons as well as the ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{8}$ valence-band electrons are strikingly manifested in the interband Faraday effect leading to very large rotations. For large x, the effects of ${\mathrm{Mn}}^{2+}$-${\mathrm{Mn}}^{2+}$ antiferromagnetic exchange interaction are observed in the temperature dependence of the Faraday rotation.
Scrotal Hypothermia and Testicular Blood Flow in the Dog

Two clinically tolerable methods of producing testicular hypothermia have been studied in dogs. Evaporative cooling produced a 3.7 degree fall and ice water a 9.7 degree fall in intratesticular temperatures. Scrotal skin blood flow (mls/100 gm/min) fell from 4.9 +/- 4.6 to 2.3 +/- 1.2 and 1.3 +/- .05 with the two techniques and was associated with increased vascular resistance. In contrast, no significant change was noted in testicular blood flow. These data show that testicular blood flow cannot be altered by clinically tolerable hypothermia.
Medical Toxicology Education in a World of Limited Resources.

Poisoning is a worldwide problem. In 2004, an estimated 346,000 people died from unintentional poisoning [1]. Ninety-one percent of those deaths occurred in low- and middle-income countries [1]. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that intentional pesticide ingestion accounts for approximately 370,000 deaths each year [1]. Both intentional and unintentional poisonings are dwarfed by snake envenomations. Recognizing that reliable data are difficult to obtain, the WHO estimates that approximately 5 million snake bites occur each year resulting in an estimated 2.5 envenomations and at least 100,000 deaths. This number does not include the numerous amputations and other permanent disabilities suffered by snake bite victims. The burden of poisoning on a global scale is huge.
NEW FEDERAL LAW WILL IMPROVE COLLECTIONS DATA

The passage and implementation of the Paleontological Resources Preservation Act (Omnibus Public Lands Act, 2009) is a milestone for the field of paleontology in the United States. In short, the new law requires permitting for research collection of any fossil material—floral or faunal—on federal land and that these collections be reposited in public institutions. The law mirrors the Antiquities Act of 1906 and brings the field of paleontology more in line with the collecting protocols governing archeological materials. Social media outlets and position statements of learned societies have already written lengthily on the pros and cons of the new paradigm, and the challenges of its implementation, but I'd rather focus on the clear benefits that close partnerships between land managers and professional paleontologists can have. Many great research opportunities are waiting to be developed in areas where our shared interests and information may help one another solve relevant and emerging questions. Since permitting and repository agreements have long been required for the National Parks Service, the big change in collecting habits and data …
Developing an integrative social-cognitive strategy for personality assessment at the level of the individual: An illustration with regular cigarette smokers☆☆☆

Basic advances in social cognition have not fully translated into similar advances for personality assessment. In this study, we evaluated whether an integrated social cognitive approach to personality assessment (i.e., one that employs an idiographic assessment of a multi-faceted self-system, priming procedures, and reaction time tasks) could be applied to assess a social cognitive personality system at the individual level in a particularly challenging population: cigarette smokers. This integrative approach was necessary to detect the idiosyncratic content and contextualized structure of the three self-schemas (smoker self-schema, abstainer ideal possible self, abstainer ought possible self) that composed this social cognitive personality system. Priming different self-structures enhanced reaction times to contextually bound self-referent information. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for social cognitive theories of personality and personality assessment.
Performance of the direct formic acid fuel cell with electrochemically modified palladium–antimony anode catalyst

Abstract Previous work has shown that palladium catalysts are quite active for formic acid electrooxidation, but the catalysts need to be periodically regenerated to remove a CO impurity from the surface. The objective of this paper is to determine whether antimony additions could suppress the CO formation under fuel cell conditions. We find that antimony doubles the rate of reaction in an electrochemical cell, but the increase is less in real fuel cell conditions. The current that is produced at 0.6 V is approximately 14% greater for the fuel cell containing antimony additions than the palladium anode catalyst. In a constant-current test, we find that the fuel cell assembled with palladium–antimony anode catalyst produces 18% more voltage than the palladium anode catalyst after 9 h of operation. These results show that the antimony additions that significantly improve oxidation in the electrochemical cell have a much lesser impact in the formic acid fuel cell – they do not suppress CO formation in the fuel cell as anticipated.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa infective endocarditis presenting as bacterial meningitis

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a rare cause of infective endocarditis. The case of community-acquired P. aeruginosa infective endocarditis reported here is the first described in the literature to present as bacterial meningitis. Furthermore, new risk factors for P. aeruginosa infective endocarditis, including mitral annular calcification and re-use of insulin syringes, are proposed. Treatment of P. aeruginosa infective endocarditis complicated by bacterial meningitis is discussed.
Patterns of Alcohol Use: A Two-Year College and Four-Year University Comparison Case Study.

AbstractWith more than 12 million students enrolled in over 1,150 two-year institutions, enrollment at these institutions constitutes approximately 44% of all undergraduates in the United States. Despite this, research and prevention efforts related to drinking behaviors among college students attending two-year institutions are limited, with similar information regarding students at traditional four-year institutions readily available. This study sought to examine alcohol use patterns among students at a two-year college compared to a four-year institution. It was conducted at a large (20,000+ students), public, four-year institution and a medium (8,000+), public, two-year institution located in the same community. The Core Alcohol and Drug Survey, a 39-item instrument used by colleges and universities for assessing the nature, scope, and consequences of high risk drinking behaviors in college students, was administered to students at both a two-year (n = 581) and a four-year institution (n = 928) (Creme...
Reconstruction of magnetic flux ropes in the solar wind

We recover two-dimensional magnetic structures of small-scale flux ropes in the solar wind from WIND spacecraft data by solving the plane Grad-Shafranov equation as a spatial initial value problem. The cross-sections of two recovered flux ropes show nested non-circular loops of transverse field lines rather than concentric circles. The expected helical structure is recovered, albeit with significant distortions from axial symmetry. The rope structures are self-consistent, non-force free, magnetohydrostatic equilibria. Their orientations are determined by a novel technique.
On graphs with signed inverses

A graph G is called invertible if its adjacency matrix A has an inverse which is the adjacency matrix of some graph H. All such graphs were shown by Harary and Minc to have the form nK2. We now introduce signed invertible (or briefly s-invertible) graphs G as those whose inverse H is a signed graph. We identify two infinite classes of s-invertible graphs: the paths P2n of even order, and the corona of any graph with K1. We then characterize s-invertible trees.
ORACLE: An Integrated Learning Approach for Object Recognition

Model-based object recognition has become a popular paradigm in computer vision research. In most of the current model-based vision systems, the object models used for recognition are generally a priori given (e.g. obtained using a CAD model). For many object recognition applications, it is not realistic to utilize a fixed object model database with static model features. Rather, it is desirable to have a recognition system capable of performing automated object model acquisition and refinement. In order to achieve these capabilities, we have developed a system called ORACLE: Object Recognition Accomplished through Consolidated Learning Expertise. It uses two machine learning techniques known as Explanation-Based Learning (EBL) and Structured Conceptual Clustering (SCC) combined in a synergistic manner. As compared to systems which learn from numerous positive and negative examples, EBL allows the generalization of object model descriptions from a single example. Using these generalized descriptions, SCC constructs an efficient classification tree which is incremently built and modified over time. Learning from experience is used to dynamically update the specific feature values of each object. These capabilities provide a dynamic object model database which allows the system to exhibit improved performance over time. We provide an overview of the ORACLE system and present experimental results using a database of thirty aircraft models.
Simulations of CRP:(cAMP)2 in noncrystalline environments show a subunit transition from the open to the closed conformation

The CRP:cAMP complex functions as a transcription factor that facilitates RNA polymerase recognition of several bacterial promoters. Detailed crystal structure information is available for CRP:(cAMP)2 and for CRP:(cAMP)2 complexed with DNA. In the crystalline environment, CRP:(cAMP)2 subunits are asymmetrically related; one subunit has a closed conformation and the other has an open conformation. The CRP:(cAMP)2 complexed with DNA shows both subunits in a closed conformation. We have studied the molecular dynamics of CRP:(cAMP)2 in noncrystalline environments. CRP:(cAMP)2 was simulated for 625 ps in vacuo and for 140 ps in solution. The crystal structure of CRP:(cAMP)2 in the absence of DNA was used as the initial conformation. Molecule optimal dynamic coordinates (MODCs) (Garcia A, 1992, Phys Rev Lett 68:2696) were used to analyze protein conformations sampled during the course of the simulations. Two MODCs define a transition of the open subunit to a closed subunit conformation during the first 125 ps of simulation in vacuo; the resulting subunit conformation is similar to that observed in CRP:(cAMP)2:DNA crystals. Simulation of CRP:(cAMP)2 in solution showed that a transition from the open to the closed state also occurs when water is explicitly included in the calculations. These calculations suggest that the asymmetric conformation of CRP:(cAMP)2 is stabilized by crystal lattice interactions. The predicted solution conformation is more symmetric, with both subunits in a closed conformation.
Viral templated palladium nanocatalysts for dichromate reduction

Abstract Despite recent progress on environmental catalysis, there exist several critical challenges in simple and readily controllable nanocatalyst synthesis including the unpredictable particle growth, deactivation of catalytic activity, cumbersome catalyst recovery and lack of in situ reaction monitoring. We demonstrate viral template-based bottom-up assembly approach for nanostructured palladium (Pd) catalyst synthesis for dichromate reduction. Specifically, genetically displayed cysteine residues on each coat protein of Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV) templates provide precisely spaced thiol functionalities for readily controllable surface assembly and catalytically active Pd nanoparticle formation. Reaction kinetics studies via in situ monitoring by UV–vis spectroscopy revealed catalytic activity, stability and first-order batch reaction kinetics, and allowed rapid examination of reaction parameters (pH, reducer and temperature). Further, in-depth characterization via AFM, GISAXS and XPS show preferential Pd nanoparticle formation on TMV templates, particle size and stability that correlate well with the reaction kinetics results. We envision that our approach for simple high density surface assembly of catalytically active Pd nanoparticles under mild aqueous conditions would provide a facile route to catalyst synthesis in a wide range of applications.
Review article: the gastrointestinal complications of myositis.

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 31, 359–365 Summary Background The inflammatory myopathies are a group of acquired diseases characterized by a proximal myopathy caused by an inflammatory infiltrate of the skeletal muscle. The three major diseases are dermatomyositis, polymyositis and inclusion body myositis. Aims To review the gastrointestinal manifestations of myositis. Methods Over 110 articles in the English literature were reviewed. Results Dysphagia to solids and liquids occurs in patients with myositis. The pharyngo-oesophageal muscle tone is lost and therefore patients develop nasal speech, hoarseness, nasal regurgitation and aspiration pneumonia. There is tongue weakness, flaccid vocal cords, poor palatal motion and pooling of secretions in the distended hypopharynx. Proximal oesophageal skeletal muscle dysfunction is demonstrated by manometry with low amplitude/absent pharyngeal contractions and decreased upper oesophageal sphincter pressures. Patients exhibit markedly elevated creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase levels consistent with muscle injury. Myositis can be associated with inflammatory bowel disease, coeliac disease and interferon treatment of hepatitis C. Corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive drugs comprise the mainstay of treatment. Inclusion body myositis responds poorly to these agents and therefore a myotomy is usually indicated. Conclusion Myositis mainly involves the skeletal muscles in the upper oesophagus with dysphagia, along with proximal muscle weakness.
Human resources and sustained competitive advantage: a resource-based perspective

This paper integrates the theories and findings of micro-level organizational behaviour/human resource management research with the macrolevel resource-based view of the firm, specifically presenting a firm's human resources as an important potential source of sustained competitive advantage. Unlike practice-oriented discussions that assume the role of human resources as a source of sustained competitive advantage, we use the theoretical concepts from the resource-based view of the firm (Wernerfelt, 1984; Barney, 1991) to discuss how human resources meet the criteria for sustained competitive advantage in that they are valuable, rare, inimitable and non-substitutable. The implications for developing human resources as a source of sustained competitive advantage are discussed, particularly examining the role of HR practices and managers in this process.
Study of Web Delivered Services Support Platform

Recently, On-demand software and subscription based business model has been touted as the wave of the future to replace the traditional licensed software. Web delivered applications are perfect SaaS (software as a service) because of the characteristics like easy-to-use, central management, and global deliverable etc. However, this novel business model also involve many different roles owning their specific value proposition and needs. This talk will review the challenges and introduce our proposed technical solution and experience in the industry practice, to set up an effective and profitable SaaS ecosystem for the large-scale service provider to deliver internet-based business services to a huge amounts of clients by working with plenty of service vendors.
Optimal partitioning of nodes to space-sharing parallel tasks

This paper focuses on the execution of distributed applications on parallel platforms, such as MPPs or homogeneous clusters. These applications are usually formed by individual tasks, which are each mapped to the nodes available in the parallel platform. When these tasks can execute simultaneously, it may be necessary to space-share the nodes available within the application. In this case, partitioning the nodes among the space-sharing tasks is key in obtaining the best performance. This paper presents a polynomial algorithm to provide an optimal partitioning of nodes to parallel tasks, enabling them to execute simultaneously in minimum time.
Evaluation of the upper airway in children.

Purpose of reviewTo summarize the current state of the art in upper-airway evaluation, focusing on endoscopic techniques, and especially to make a comparison between rigid and flexible instrumentation.Recent findings‘Noninvasive’ techniques such as computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging (
Insidious Alteration of the Estuarine Environment

Abstract Shallow estuaries are characterized by certain features which make them rich and productive ecosystems; these same characteristics, however, are responsible for the delicate nature of the estuarine environment and greatly enhance its vulnerability to subtle alteration. In this paper and the subsequent discussions, we examine some of these features and discuss how insidious changes in estuaries can occur.
A Conserved Domain of the viviparous-1 Gene Product Enhances the DNA Binding Activity of the bZIP Protein EmBP-1 and Other Transcription Factors

The maize VP1 protein is a seed-specific regulator of gene expression that effects the expression of a subset of abscisic acid (ABA)-regulated genes that are expressed during the maturation program of the seed. In addition, VP1 has pleiotropic effects on seed development that are not related to ABA. In transient expression assays, VP1 has been shown to transactivate gene expression through at least two distinct promoter elements: the G boxes from the ABA-inducible wheat Em gene and the SphI box from the maize C1 gene. We have investigated how VP1 can transactivate gene expression through diverse promoter elements by analyzing its association in vitro with EmBP-1, a factor that binds the Em promoter. We demonstrate that VP1 can greatly enhance the DNA binding activity of EmBP-1 in a gel retardation assay. This enhancing activity has also been observed on transcription factors as diverse as Opaque-2, Max, Sp1, and NF-kappaB. Deletion of a small but highly conserved region (BR2) in VP1 eliminates the enhancement in vitro as well as the ability of VP1 to transactivate Em gene expression in a transient expression assay. A 40-amino acid fragment from VP1 sandwiched between the maltose-binding protein and LacZ can confer the enhancement function to this fusion protein in vitro. A weak and relatively nonspecific interaction between BR2 and DNA is demonstrated by UV cross-linking. The in vitro properties we observe for VP1 might explain the regulatory effects of VP1 on a diverse set of genes and why mutations in the vp1 locus have pleiotropic effects.
A selected annotated bibliography on midwives and family planning. Part I.

This short and concise collection of publications on the topic of midwifery and family planning is published in 2 parts (Part 2 appears in the Fall 1977 issue of Journal of Nurse-Midwifery). Information and titles for this bibliography were gleaned from printed indexes and university medical center libraries. The entries cover the last 20 years only. Material included is accessible to English-speaking audience by design. Excluded are government documents pamphlets in-house reports theses dissertations preprints and any other item not easily obtained by professionals. Part 1 of the bibliography printed here covers the following topics: 1) professional goals and philosophy of midwives; 2) education of midwives regarding family planning practice; 3) education of patients in family planning; and 4) midwives practice with specific birth control methods.
A tractable above-threshold model, for the design of DFB and phase-shifted DFB lasers

A model, based on the transfer matrix method, and extended to above-threshold conditions in order to be used in the analysis and design of distributed feedback (DFB) structures, is presented. It provides the oscillation parameters as lasing frequency and net material gain, the linewidth estimation and output power, the photon density, carrier density, and effective refractive index profiles. This model can be used with or without facet reflectivities and with a number of symmetric or asymmetric phase shifts. It takes into account nonuniform envelope material gain and nonuniform index saturation. It is easily adaptable to any structure modifications. >
Predictive path tracking of mobile robots. Application to the CMU NavLab

Presents a new path tracking method and its application to an autonomous vehicle, the NavLab (road-worthy truck modified for research in outdoor navigation). The method applies predictive control theory to obtain the appropriated steering angle taking into account the vehicle velocity. The authors consider both the single-input single output case and the multivariable formulation of the predictive control problem. Moreover they describe the implementation of the NavLab controller. >
Freely cooling granular gases with short-ranged attractive potentials

We treat the case of an undriven gas of inelastic hard-spheres with short-ranged attractive potentials via an extension of the pseudo-Liouville operator formalism. New evolution equations for the granular temperature and coordination number are obtained. The granular temperature exhibits deviation from both Haff’s law and the case of long-ranged potentials. We verify this departure using soft-sphere discrete element method simulations. Excellent agreement is found for the duration of the simulation even beyond where exclusively binary collisions are expected. Simulations show the emergence of strong spatial-velocity correlations on the length scale of the last peak in the pair-correlation function but do not show strong correlations beyond this length scale. We argue that molecular chaos may remain an adequate approximation if the system is modelled as a Smoluchowski type equation with aggregation and break-up processes.
Diagnosis of posttransplant granulocytic sarcoma by fine-needle aspiration cytology and flow cytometry

We describe a patient who developed granulocytic sarcomas of the mesentery and breast approximately 4 yrs following an allogenic bone marrow transplantation for acute myeloblastic leukemia. The diagnosis was made by a combination of fine-needle aspiration cytology and flow cytometry. The differential diagnoses of localized masses in posttransplant patients and how the combination of fine-needle aspiration cytology and flow cytometry may be used are discussed.
Forensic Investigation of Distressed Pavement Supported on a Base Course Containing Recycled Concrete Aggregate

The pressure for pavement and geotechnical engineers to incorporate sustainability into engineering projects has led to a rise in the use of recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) as fill and in pavement sublayers. Although the use of RCA has many economical, environmental, and engineering advantages, an oversight in quality control can lead to the use of contaminated RCA in the unbound layers. This can lead to premature deterioration that is costly to repair but, more important, can slow down the market acceptance of RCA. The authors forensically investigated an asphalt concrete pavement supported on a base course containing RCA and that had experienced a significant number of eruptions. Significant amounts of a white substance were found within the base course below each eruption. Sampling and testing showed the primary constituent of the substance to be bayerite, an unstable form of gibbsite, which could form when aluminum metal corroded in an alkaline environment. The adjacent ground topography would have ...
Preferred hydrolysis of methyl d-pyroglutamates (5-carbomethoxy-2-pyrrolidones) by α-chymotrypsin

Abstract Methyl d -pyroglutamate, d - III-A , is hydrolyzed by α-chymotrypsin, and the l -enantiomer is not. Methyl α-methylpyroglutamate, III-B , and methyl α-benzylpyroglutamate, III-C , are hydrolyzed by α-chymotrypsin with d -preference based on the glutamic structure, l -preference based on the alanine and phenylalanine structures. γ-Carbomethoxy-γ-valerolactone, IV , is hydrolyzed without stereoselectivity. Kinetics of hydrolysis of the substrates are reported. Modes of association of the substrates with the active site and the relevance of these results to the reactive orientation of the α-acylamido and hydrolyzing groups of noncyclized substrates are discussed.
Inositol production by the brain in normal and alloxan-diabetic dogs.

Abstract It was found that there was no net uptake of inositol by CSF from plasma, indicating that the high concentration of inositol in the CSF relative to that in plasma of normal and diabetic dogs originates from inositol synthesized by brain. The inositol concentration and rate of efflux from the CSF were used to measure inositol turnover in CSF, and from this was calculated a minimum rate of inositol production by dog brainin vivo. There was no significant difference in the rate of inositol production by the brain (88 μmoles/kg brain/h) between the normal and alloxan-diabetic dog.
Features of gender: An analysis of the visual texts of third grade children:

How do primary students construct understandings of the opposite sex? In what ways do these constructions manifest in the visual texts created in literacy and language arts classrooms? Using visual discourse analysis (Albers, 2007) and scheme analysis (Sonesson, 1988) as interpretive methods, we analyzed the visual texts created by 23 third grade students created at the end of a unit of study in which students explored gender stereotypes. Findings suggest the need for close readings of the graphic, structural, and semantic information conveyed by visual texts that children create in literacy and language arts classes.
ORIENTATION AND PACKING OF ALIPHATIC CHAIN MOLECULES ON MONTMORILLONITE: Clay—Organic Studies—VI

ABSTRACT Aliphatic chain molecules may be adsorbed on montmorillonite surfaces with the zigzag of their carbon chain either parallel or perpendicular to the surface. These orientations are designated αII and αI, respectively. Fourier syntheses have too few terms to distinguish clearly between these orientations. The problem is studied therefore by consideration of the basal spacings. These spacings are appreciably less than the sum of the van der Waals cross-section of the molecules plus the thickness of the montmorillonite layer. Chemical bonding or geometrical packing, or both, appear as possible explanations. Previous studies have shown that CH activity influences the shape of the adsorption isotherms, but infrared studies of the adsorbed molecules have shown no appreciable change in the CH-stretching frequencies. This suggests the importance of the CH activity for organic-organic interaction on the clay surface rather than for clay-organic interaction itself. The possibility of geometrical packing is studied by means of molecular models and it is shown that an appreciable contraction can occur at a clay-organic interface owing to a keying of the molecules into the surface structure. This is possible equally well for the αII and the αI orientations. From the information available, it appears that the αII arrangement is adopted by aliphatic chain molecules containing strongly polar groups in order to place the dipole parallel to the silicate surface, while the αI arrangement is favored by other aliphatic chain molecules possibly because this provides a favorable organic-organic interaction.
A noninterpenetrated 1D molecular ladder and 2D butterfly network: effect of positional isomerism of semirigid bis(pyridylmethyl)pyromellitic diimide ligands on the architecture of their metal(II) complexes.

Three new complexes [Cd(4-pmpmd)1.5(NO3)2]·CHCl3 (1), [Cd(3-pmpmd)1.5(NO3)2]·EtOH (2), and [Zn(3-pmpmd)1.5(NO3)2]·MeOH (3) (3- or 4-pmpmd = N,N‘-bis(3- or 4-pyridylmethyl)pyromellitic diimide) containing T-shaped building blocks have been obtained from reactions between the long semirigid ligands 3- or 4-pmpmd and either cadmium or zinc nitrate. 1 forms noninterpenetrated 1D molecular ladders that are linked via multiple, complementary intermolecular C−H···O hydrogen bonds that effect the 3D alignment. 2 and 3 are isostructural and feature a noninterpenetrated 2D butterfly-shaped network with (6,3) topology. Multiple intermolecular C−H···O hydrogen bonds exist between the 2D layers and generate the 3D framework. The structural differences between 1 and 2 or 3 are attributed to the different conformations adopted by the ligands, which illustrate the influence of positional isomerism on the resultant supramolecular architectures of metal complexes.
Update: palmar dislocation of the trapezoid--a case report.

A case is presented of an open palmar dislocation of the trapezoid in conjunction with dorsal dislocations of the carpometacarpal joints of the index and long fingers.Open reduction and a primary limited wrist arthrodesis were performed with good results.