cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bleustein-Gulyaev wave propagation under periodic metal gratings

Bluestein-Gulyaev (BG) piezoelectric surface wave propagation under a periodic metal strip grating on piezoelectric cubic crystals is investigated. A general theory that fits both the elastic and the electric periodic boundary conditions has been developed. Numerical examples are given for aluminum and gold shorted gratings on a GaAs substrate. It is found that the BG waves which penetrate deep into the substrate in the absence of the metal grating become trapped at the surface when the grating is present, and the depth of penetration is heavily dependent on the metal thickness. The relevant physical quantities, such as particle displacement and dispersion curves, are also computed and analyzed. The velocities of BG waves under grating structures are greater than those of surface acoustic wave modes, and thus devices that operate at higher frequencies with the same grating periods can be implemented. >
A weighted normalized frequency domain LMS adaptive algorithm

A general filtering scheme is presented for obtaining an input power estimate for setting the convergence parameter mu separately in each frequency bin of a frequency-domain LMS adaptive filter (FDAF) algorithm. A linear filtering operation is performed on the magnitude square of the input data and incorporated directly into the algorithm as a data-dependent time-varying stochastic mu (n). The mean performance of the weighted normalized frequency domain LMS algorithm (WNFDAF) is analyzed using independent and identically distributed Gaussian data, and the results are validated by the Monte Carlo simulations of the algorithm. The simulations are also used to study the weight transient behavior. The simulations suggest that sort smoothing times are sufficient for rapid weight convergence without large fluctuations in the power estimates significantly affecting transient weight behavior. >
Development of a Nucleic Acid Extraction Procedure for Simultaneous Recovery of DNA and RNA from Diverse Microbes in Water

Drinking and environmental water samples contain a diverse array of constituents that can interfere with molecular testing techniques, especially when large volumes of water are concentrated to the small volumes needed for effective molecular analysis. In this study, a suite of enteric viruses, bacteria, and protozoan parasites were seeded into concentrated source water and finished drinking water samples, in order to investigate the relative performance of nucleic acid extraction techniques for molecular testing. Real-time PCR and reverse transcription-PCR crossing threshold (CT) values were used as the metrics for evaluating relative performance. Experimental results were used to develop a guanidinium isothiocyanate-based lysis buffer (UNEX buffer) that enabled effective simultaneous extraction and recovery of DNA and RNA from the suite of study microbes. Procedures for bead beating, nucleic acid purification, and PCR facilitation were also developed and integrated in the protocol. The final lysis buffer and sample preparation procedure was found to be effective for a panel of drinking water and source water concentrates when compared to commercial nucleic acid extraction kits. The UNEX buffer-based extraction protocol enabled PCR detection of six study microbes, in 100 L finished water samples from four drinking water treatment facilities, within three CT values (i.e., within 90% difference) of the reagent-grade water control. The results from this study indicate that this newly formulated lysis buffer and sample preparation procedure can be useful for standardized molecular testing of drinking and environmental waters.
The effects of skin tone on race-related amygdala activity: an fMRI investigation

Previous work has shown differential amygdala response to African-American faces by Caucasian individuals. Furthermore, behavioral studies have demonstrated the existence of skin tone bias, the tendency to prefer light skin to dark skin. In the present study, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate whether skin tone bias moderates differential race-related amygdala activity. Eleven White participants viewed photographs of unfamiliar Black and White faces with varied skin tone (light, dark). Replicating past research, greater amygdala activity was observed for Black faces than White faces. Furthermore, dark-skinned targets elicited more amygdala activity than light-skinned targets. However, these results were qualified by a significant interaction between race and skin tone, such that amygdala activity was observed at equivalent levels for light- and dark-skinned Black targets, but dark-skinned White targets elicited greater amygdala activity than light-skinned White targets.
Edge analysis and identification using the continuous shearlet transform

It is well known that the continuous wavelet transform has the ability to identify the set of singularities of a function or distribution f. It was recently shown that certain multidimensional generalizations of the wavelet transform are useful to capture additional information about the geometry of the singularities of f. In this paper, we consider the continuous shearlet transform, which is the mapping :
Accelerating finite energy Airy beams

We investigate the acceleration dynamics of quasi-diffraction-free Airy beams in both one- and two-dimensional configurations. We show that this class of finite energy waves can retain their intensity features over several diffraction lengths. The possibility of other physical realizations involving spatiotemporal Airy wave packets is also considered.
Direct Antenna Modulation scheme for enhanced capacity performance of near-field communication link

Shannon theorem suggests that power coupled through and bandwidth of an inductively coupled near field communication (NFC) link must be traded off for optimal capacity. Direct Antenna Modulation (DAM) is a possible scheme to break this dilemma. With DAM technology utilized in NFC link, the power and bandwidth product limit in a high Q system can be circumvented because of non-linear/time varying operation. In this paper, a NFC link, consisting of identical transmitter and receiver coils of 5 cm radius and 24 turns with a Q value of 35, operating at 283 kHz is used. DAM is implemented on transmitter side and improvement in capacity is experimentally demonstrated for low loaded Q receiver.
A multifaceted intervention in support of diabetes treatment guidelines: A cont trial

Objective: in an academic family practice clinic, we performed a controlled trial of a multifaceted intervention versus usual care for managing diabetes. Providers received didactic training and computerized compliance feedback to support staged diabetes management, an evidenced-based approach to diabetes care. Research design and methods: one firm of the clinic practice received the intervention, the other served as the control group during a 14-month baseline period and a 14-month study period. HbA1c was the principal outcome measure. Results: there was a significant 0.71% difference in change in HbA1c values between the intervention and control firms (P� /0.02). The subgroup with the greatest improvement in HbA1c was those subjects who started the intervention with a HbA1c above 8%. The overall improvement in glycemic control could not be explained by differences in visit frequency or the aggressiveness of drug therapy. There were no changes in healthcare utilization or costs between the two firms. Conclusion: in an academic family practice clinic, a multifaceted intervention in support of diabetes treatment guidelines modestly improved glycemic control without incurring additional costs. The improvement was mostly due to mitigation of the natural deterioration in control usually seen. Further efforts are required to involve all patients in co-managing their diabetes. # 2002 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
John P. Merrill: The Father of Nephrology as a Specialty

“In the years I spent as a member of the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital house staff, I had the privilege of gaining some unique insights into both Merrill-the-physician and Merrill-the-man. As a physician, history will accord Dr. Merrill a long sequence of outstanding scientific contributions in the field of nephrology. And history will say it was he who played an integral role in making renal transplantation a lifesaving tool. But I see Merrill-the-physician in a different light. I see him as a very courageous man. I say that because as a member of the Brigham house staff during the early days of transplantation, I know how open to criticism he was. I know, he knew, there were many whisperings in the scientific world about the audacity of his concepts. The easy way would have been to back down; after all, he was a world-leading nephrologist already … so what could be the personal gain? But John Merrill persisted in pursuing his vision. And John Merrill won … mostly because he is courageous” (1). John Putnam Merrill was one of the giants of the world of nephrology. He occupies a place in history as the leading pioneer in dialysis and kidney transplantation. As we approach the 25th anniversary of his tragic death, it is worth reviewing the enormous contributions of this gifted and charismatic pioneer. Today, nephrology is perceived as a multidimensional specialty offering a home to eclectic interests including clinical nephrologists, experts in dialysis, transplantation medicine, immunology, and hypertension. Such a multifaceted specialty did not exist before 1950. Its evolution and development were rapid. Attendance at the first International Society of Nephrology Congress in Evian, France, in 1960 was a mere 100+. By November 2007, the number of attendees at the American Society of Nephrology meeting was 13,960 (Mark …
The Effect of Communication Quality and Quantity Indicators on Intimacy and Relational Satisfaction

The purpose of this study was to examine and compare the effect of communication quality and quantity indicators on relational satisfaction and intimacy. Individuals were asked to record all of their interactions with their same-sex friend or romantic partner on a daily basis for a week. A total of 79 participants took part in the study. Results indicated that communication quality indicators explained more variance in both relational satisfaction and intimacy than did communication quantity indicators; however, quantity indicators explained significant variance above and beyond quality indicators for intimacy. Regarding individual communication quality and quantity indicators, the communication quantity indicator of total time in face-to-face interaction related to experiencing intimacy in a relationship. The communication quality indicators of satisfaction with interactions, smooth, and activity related to experiencing relational satisfaction, as did the communication quantity indicator of the total num...
Probing two-photon decay widths of mesons at energies available at the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC)

Meson production cross sections in ultraperipheral relativistic heavy ion collisions at the CERN Large Hadron Collider are revisited. The relevance of meson models and of exotic QCD states is discussed. This study includes states that have not been considered before in the literature.
The Fee System Receives Setback in Kentucky

The $5,000 costitutional limit on officers' salaries held to apply to fees of county officials.
Anomalous Chiral Symmetry Breaking above the QCD Phase Transition

We study the anomalous breaking of ${\mathrm{U}}_{A}(1)$ symmetry just above the QCD phase transition for zero and two flavors of quarks, using a staggered fermion, lattice discretization. The properties of the QCD phase transition are expected to depend on the degree of ${\mathrm{U}}_{A}(1)$ symmetry breaking in the transition region. For the physical case of two flavors, we carry out extensive simulations on a ${16}^{3}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}4$ lattice, measuring a difference in susceptibilities which is sensitive to ${\mathrm{U}}_{A}(1)$ symmetry and which avoids many of the staggered fermion discretization difficulties. The results suggest that anomalous effects are at or below the 15% level.
Regulation and Function of Pilus Island 1 in Group B Streptococcus

Group B streptococcus (GBS) pili may enhance colonization and infection by mediating bacterial adhesion to host cells, invasion across endothelial and epithelial barriers, and resistance to bacterial ingestion and killing by host phagocytes. However, it remains unclear how pilus expression is regulated and how modulation of pilus production affects GBS interactions with the human host. We investigated the regulation and function of pilus island 1 (PI-1) pili in GBS strain 2603. We found that PI-1 gene expression was controlled by the CsrRS two-component system, by Ape1, an AraC-type regulator encoded by a divergently transcribed gene immediately upstream of PI-1, and by environmental pH. The response regulator CsrR repressed expression of Ape1, which is an activator of PI-1 gene expression. In addition, CsrR repressed PI-1 gene expression directly, independent of its regulation of Ape1. In vitro assays demonstrated specific binding of both CsrR and Ape1 to chromosomal DNA sequences upstream of PI-1. Pilus gene expression was activated by acidic pH, and this effect was independent of CsrRS and Ape1. Unexpectedly, characterization of PI-1 deletion mutants revealed that PI-1 pili do not mediate adhesion of strain 2603 to A549 respiratory epithelial cells, ME180 cervical cells, or VK2 vaginal cells in vitro. PI-1 pili reduced internalization and intracellular killing of GBS by human monocyte-derived macrophages, by approximately 50%, but did not influence complement-mediated opsonophagocytic killing by human neutrophils. These findings shed new light on the complex nature of pilus regulation and function in modulating GBS interactions with the human host.
Crafting a Legislative Response to Workplace Bullying

This article summarizes the state of employment law relative to workplace bullying and explains the provisions of the Healthy Workplace Bill, a model anti-bullying statute that since 2003 has been the template for legislation introduced in 12 American state legislatures.
Brown pigment gallstones: The role of bacterial hydrolases and another missed opportunity

The bile acids in brown pigment stones and gallbladder bile were fractionated into free acids, glycine and taurine conjugates, and sulfates, using diethylamino-hydroxypropyl-Sephadex LH-20 (DEAPLH-20) column chromatography, and were quantitated by gas chromatography. Twenty-eight cases of brown pigment stones were studied and divided into two groups: those with and those without bacteria possessing bile acid-deconjugating activity. In the former, free bile acid amounted to 62 ± 34% of the total bile acid, while in the latter, only 0.1% of total bile acid was free bile acid. The fraction of total bile acid made up of free bile acids was found to be consistently higher in brown pigment stones than in the corresponding bile, irrespective of the presence or absence of biliary infection. Free bile acid is present in negligible amounts in normal bile. Total bile acid concentration in the bile of patients with brown pigment stones was significantly less than that of controls (13 vs. 50 mg/ml). Biliary infection is almost always present in cases with brown pigment stones. These findings suggest that bacterial infection is present at the initiation of brown pigment stone formation as well as during the period of ensuing stone growth.
Hosting an object heap on manycore hardware: an exploration

In order to construct a test-bed for investigating new programming paradigms for future "manycore" systems (i.e. those with at least a thousand cores), we are building a Smalltalk virtual machine that attempts to efficiently use a collection of 56-on-chip caches of 64KB each to host a multi-megabyte object heap. In addition to the cost of inter-core communication, two hardware characteristics influenced our design: the absence of hardware-provided cache-coherence, and the inability to move a single object from one core's cache to another's without changing its address. Our design relies on an object table, and the exploitation of a user-managed caching regime for read-mostly objects. At almost every stage of our process, we obtained measurements in order to guide the evolution of our system.The architecture and performance characteristics of a manycore platform confound old intuitions by deviating from both traditional multicore systems and from distributed systems. The implementor confronts a wide variety of design choices, such as when to share address space, when to share memory as opposed to sending a message, and how to eke out the most performance from a memory system that is far more tightly integrated than a distributed system yet far less centralized than in a several-core system. Our system is far from complete, let alone optimal, but our experiences have helped us develop new intuitions needed to rise to the manycore software challenge.
Parallelizing user-defined functions in distributed object-relational DBMS

Full support of parallelism in object-relational database systems (ORDBMSs) is desired. The parallelization techniques developed for relational database systems are not adequate for ORDBMS because of the introduction of complex abstract data types and operations on ordered domains. In this paper, we consider a data stream paradigm and develop a query parallelization framework that exploits characteristics of user-defined functions in a ORDBMS during query optimization. By introducing the concept of windows and abstract data type orderings, we develop a novel approach for parallelizing user-defined functions in a distributed ORDBMS environment. The implementation issues in providing query services in ordered domains are also discussed.
Resolution of acute onset hemichorea-hemiballismus after treatment with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator.

Hyperkinetic movement disorders are uncommon after acute ischemic stroke. Since these movement disorders are rarely the initial manifestation of acute cerebral ischemia, their presence may result in diagnostic uncertainty or it may inappropriately delay intravenous thrombolytic therapy for ischemic stroke. Hemichorea–hemiballism (HC-HB) is one of the more frequently encountered hyperkinetic movement disorders occurring in conjunction with stroke. Although HC-HB may result from a stroke mimic, the acute onset should prompt rapid evaluation and consideration for the presence of stroke along with its time-dependent therapies including recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA). In this article, we describe a case of a patient with acute cerebral ischemia presenting clinically with HC-HB, who was given intravenous rtPA therapy despite an initially negative, early diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Follow-up brain MRI performed 24 hours after the initiation of thrombolytic therapy confirmed acute infarction in the contralateral striatum. The patient had near-complete resolution of her HC-HB on discharge and had no complications related to the administration of intravenous rtPA.
The Ovarian Androgen-Producing Cells: A 2001 Perspective

The androgen-producing cells in the postnatal mammalian ovary are located in the interstitial compartment of the ovary. The most important types of androgen-producing interstitial cells are the cells in the theca interna and the cells of the secondary interstitial glands. There has been some confusion in recent years regarding the terminology used to describe the ovarian androgen-producing cells, namely that “theca-interstitial” cells are somehow different from “theca” cells. In fact, these are the same cells. The name “theca-interstitial” was used by Erickson et al. [1] to describe the theca cells as one of the four androgen-producing cell types in the interstitial compartment of the ovary along with primary interstitial cells which are present only during embryonic development, secondary interstitial gland cells, and steroidogenic cells located in the hilar region of the ovary. For the sake of clarity and according to current convention, the term theca cell will be used throughout this review to refer to cells in the theca interna of the ovarian follicle.
Legitimizing Transformation without Calling it Change: Tajdīd, Iṣlāḥ, and Saudi Arabia’s Place in the Contemporary World

For decades, many scholars have contended that Saudi Arabia is a fixed political system, where a conservative monarchy uses advanced technology, oil revenues, and religion to dominate the people. Such a system is often portrayed as inherently unstable, a seemingly never-ending series of collisions between an unchanging traditional political structure seeking to hold on to power at any cost and a dynamic modernity—a view encapsulated in a phrase expressed at virtually every public discussion of the Kingdom in the West: ‘you must admit that Saudi Arabia must change’. Ironically this phrase confirms what this article argues is a secret to the success of Saudi Arabia in the contemporary era: the ability to legitimize transformation without calling it change. No society is static, including Saudi Arabia. Throughout the Kingdom’s history, the defining social institutions have repeatedly utilized Tajdīd (Revival) and Iṣlāḥ (Reform) to respond to new technologies and the changing expectations of a diverse society...
Studies on Incubator Hygiene VII. Results of Fumigation of S. Pullorum in Incubators at Full Capacity

Abstract DURING the course of studies to appraise the value of formaldehyde fumigation in the destruction of S. pullorum in forced draft incubators in previous reports, seldom more than 30 dozen eggs were placed in the incubator weekly and at no time was the incubator operated at full egg capacity when formaldehyde was released in the incubator. The results reported elsewhere suggest the relative value of routine fumigation in checking incubator dissemination of pullorum disease. However, the problem of fumigating commercially operated forced draft incubators running at full egg capacity and under a variety of conditions in different hatchery establishments doubtless presents environmental factors which influence the efficiency of fumigation. To answer the question regarding the influence, if any, of the number of eggs in a forced draft incubator on the effect of formaldehyde fumigation, a series of 10 fumigations was conducted in a forced draft incubator with a capacity of . . .
An Undescribed Smut Disease of Soybeans

A new species of smut found infecting soybeans is described as Melanopsichium missouriense. The soybean pod is consumed, and a gall of hard, charcoal-like consistency is formed. Chlamydospores, res...
ASPIRIN DOSING IN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION TREATED WITH TICAGRELOR: INSIGHT FROM THE NATIONAL CARDIOVASCULAR DATA REGISTRY (NCDR)

Ticagrelor reduces thrombotic cardiovascular events in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). High-dose aspirin (>100 mg daily, HiASA) reduces the effectiveness of ticagrelor and should be avoided. We studied the contemporary patterns of aspirin dosing at discharge in patients treated with
Clear cell cribriform hyperplasia of the prostate: Immunohistochemical and DNA flow cytometric study

Clear cell cribriform hyperplasia (CCCH) of the prostate is an unusual form of benign prostatic hyperplasia characterized by a nodular proliferation of clear cells with small, uniform nuclei. The authors studied 15 cases of CCCH by immunohistochemistry and 13 of them by DNA flow cytometry to establish the immunohistochemical and DNA profile of this lesion. Patients ranged in age from 58 to 88 years (mean, 68 years). Follow-up of a mean of 22 months showed all patients alive with no evidence of malignant prostatic disease. All 13 CCCHs showed diploid DNA content; in contrast, among 4 papillary/cribriform carcinomas of the prostate used for comparison, 3 were aneuploid and 1 was diploid. A basal cell layer was demonstrated in all 15 CCCHs by the use of the 34 beta E12 anti-high-molecular-weight keratin antibody (EAB-903) that reacts with the basal cells but not with the acinar cells of the prostate. A continuous basal cell layer was not evident in the carcinomas. The blandness of the epithelium, the well-defined nodular configuration, the presence of a basal cell layer demonstrable by immunocytochemistry, and the lack of aneuploidy as determined by DNA flow cytometry together lend support to the concept that CCCH is a benign lesion.
The old prospector: The Treasure of the Sierra Madre as exemplar of old age in popular film

Popular films often feature representations of older people and interpretations of the aging experience. Interpretations of aging in film parallel concepts and theories in contemporary gerontology. This article examines gerontological themes in the classic popular film, The Treasure of the Sierra Madre. The ubiquity of aging motifs in popular film offers gerontology a significant opportunity for public education.
Evolving the Ecosystem of Personal Behavioral Data

Everyday, people generate lots of personal data. Driven by the increasing use of online services and widespread adoption of smartphones (owned by 68% of U.S. residents; Anderson, 2015), personal data take many forms, including communications (e.g., e-mail, SMS, Facebook), plans and coordination (e.g., calendars, TripIt, to-do lists), entertainment consumption (e.g., YouTube, Spotify, Netflix), finances (e.g., banking, Amazon, eBay), activities (e.g., steps, runs, check-ins), and even health care (e.g., doctor visits, medications, heart rate). Collectively, these data provide a highly detailed description of an individual. Personal data afford the opportunity for many new kinds of applications that might improve people’s lives through deep personalization, tools to manage personal well-being, and services that support identity construction. However, developers currently encounter challenges working with personal data due to its fragmentation across services. This article evaluates the landscape of personal...
Efficacy of cockroach attractant on Periplaneta americana and Blattella germanica

Objective To observe the effect of AB cockroach attractant on Periplaneta americana and Blattella germanica.Methods The baits consisting of AB cockroach attractant and flour were put into glasses boxes.The consuming amount by cockroaches was measured for every day.The baits consisting flour only was set as contrast. Results The Periplaneta americana consumed the baits consisting AB attractant 92.95%～130.26% more than the baits without the attractant,while Blattella germanica consumed the baits consisting AB attractant 65.35%～97.17% more than the baits without the attractant.Conclusion AB cockroach attractant shows good effect on Periplaneta americana and Blattella germanica,and it is worth further studying and generalization.
Trauma health literacy: In need of remediation.

INTRODUCTIONLittle is known regarding health literacy among trauma patients. Anecdotal experience at our institution has suggested that a profound lack of understanding of basic health care information exists at some level in our patients after hospital discharge. The purpose of this study was to re
Nonvascular emergencies presenting as ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms

BACKGROUND Patients may present with signs and symptoms of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (RAA) but actually have other diseases mimicking RAA. The outcome of these patients has not been reported. METHODS During the past 10 years, 16 patients presumed to have RAAs were found at operation to have other diseases accounting for the symptoms. Fifteen patients (94%) had abdominal pain, 9 (56%) had a pulsatile abdominal mass, and 7 (44%) were hypotensive on presentation. RESULTS Ten of the 16 patients had intact aortic aneurysms at surgery; there were no reliable physical signs or diagnostic tests that could discern between RAAs and intact aneurysms with other intraabdominal diseases. Eight patients (50%) died in the perioperative period, including four with widespread metastases, three with overwhelming sepsis, and one with an acute myocardial infarction. None of the 10 patients with aneurysms suffered RAA after emergency laparotomy. Exploratory laparotomy was necessary to treat underlying disease in nine patients and was probably harmful only to the patient with a myocardial infarction. Two survivors with aneurysms underwent successful staged repairs. CONCLUSIONS Mistaken diagnoses in patients who are suspected of having RAAs on the basis of physical findings are relatively uncommon. Exploratory laparotomies are required to correct the primary disease in most of these misdiagnosed patients. Few die as a direct result of laparotomy; true iatrogenic catastrophes associated with mistaken diagnoses are distinctly uncommon.
Checkpoint inhibitors and other novel immunotherapies for advanced renal cell carcinoma

The management of advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has dramatically changed over the past decade. Therapies that target the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathways have considerably expanded treatment options; however, most patients with advanced RCC still have limited overall survival. Increased understanding of the mechanisms of T cell-antigen recognition and function has led to the development of novel immunotherapies to treat cancer, chief among them inhibitors of checkpoint receptors - molecules whose function is to restrain the host immune response. In 2015, the FDA approved the first checkpoint inhibitor nivolumab for patients with advanced RCC following treatment with antiangiogenic therapy based on improved overall survival compared with the standard of care. Ongoing phase III trials are comparing checkpoint-inhibitor-based combination regimens with antiangiogenesis agents in the first-line setting. The field is evolving rapidly, with many clinical trials already testing several checkpoint inhibitors alone, in combination, or with other targeted therapies. In addition, different novel immune therapies are being investigated including vaccines, T-cell agonists, and chimeric antigen receptor T cells. Determining which patients will benefit from these therapies and which combination approaches will result in better response will be important as this field evolves.
Phase Distortions Due to Nonlinear Effects in an Acoustic Field

Linear superposition theory is commonly used to obtain acoustical diffraction patterns for weak acoustic signals. As the sound intensity is increased nonlinear effects set in. These can be responsible for amplitude as well as phase distortions of the primary interfering waves. The present chapter discusses quantitatively the magnitude of the phase distortion introduced by the second-order effects of wave-wave interaction for a system of two monochromatic interfering two-dimensional beams.
Using Modifications and Accommodations to Enhance Learning of Young Children with Disabilities: Little Changes That Yield Big Impacts

Curriculum modifications are relatively simple changes to the ongoing activities, materials, and routines in classrooms to maximize children’s participation and engagement. Early childhood teachers rely heavily on the social and physical aspects of the environment to promote children’s development and learning. This chapter describes modifications and accommodations and provides a process for using them in early childhood classrooms.
How Market-Oriented Are the Pricing Practices of Industrial Service Providers?

This paper investigates the pricing practices of industrial service providers. The unique characteristics of industrial services are assessed, as are the implications of these characteristics for price decisions. Results of a survey directed at CPA firms regarding their pricing for commercial accounts are reported. The findings suggest the marketing potential of the price variable Is not being realized.
Gladiators, Slaves, and Resistance

Gladiators were men trained to fight with a sword (gladius) and other weapons in order to kill or wound each other for the entertainment of spectators. Other armed professional entertainers known as beast fighters (bestiarii) or hunters (venatores) were trained to hunt wild animals such as leopards and bears for the enjoyment of large crowds. Gladiatorial games were a defining element of Roman culture as it developed in the third and second centuries b.c. They were first developed to their most intensive level in the region of Campania, south of Rome (see Maps 3 and 4). Any analysis of the Spartacus slave war must take into account the fact that the gladiatorial schools and training facilities in this region were centered on the wealthy city of Capua. Many of our best sources of evidence about Roman gladiators, including notices for their performances, come from the city of Pompeii, located about forty-five miles south of Capua.
A Two-Patch Heterogeneous Model with Surface Phase Transition for Benzene Adsorption on Silicalite

A solid is commonly called heterogeneous if the adsorption potential is not uniform throughout the surface. The nonuniformity can be caused by several factors such as existence of ions, pore size distribution, and chemisorbed contaminants. Heterogeneity is a system behavior, regardless of the cause of potential variation. A solid may induce heterogeneous surface phase behavior when a molecule is adsorbed while it may act homogeneous with another adsorbed molecule. Consider a flat surface where regularly space ions impose “potential islands” in the adsorption space. The adsorption potential experienced by a small molecule is different from point to point on the surface, the system is heterogeneous. The total potential experienced by another molecule will be uniform if it is large enough to be exposed to several potential islands simultaneously. Such a system behaves homogeneous although the solid is said to be heterogeneous due to the existence of ions.
Target Security: A Case Study of How Hackers Hit the Jackpot at the Expense of Customers

For most people, the word cybercrime invokes getting individuals’ personal information through Internet hacking. For this reason, many people are wary about making online purchases, concerned about the security of their personal data and the rise in identity theft. However, the recent breach of security at Target, when customers made in store holiday purchases, indicates the pervasiveness of this terrible crime. In late December 2013, Target announced that hackers, through point of sale terminals in stores, had successfully stolen data for up to 40 million credit and debit cardholders. Target later revised the estimate to 110 million cardholders, citing that the breach included encrypted pin information as well as purchases made more than a decade ago. This case allows students to analyze the Target security breach and propose ways that the attack could have been prevented or at least detected more quickly by Target management, internal and external auditors. This case is suitable for an undergraduate class or a graduate business class.
Abstract A19: Inhibition of MK2 reduces chronic inflammation and regresses tumors in a mouse model of colorectal cancer

Chronic inflammation is a known risk factor for colorectal cancer (CRC). Cancers in patients with increased inflammatory cytokines in tumor tissue are associated with increased drug resistance, metastasis, and mortality. We have identified mitogen-activated protein kinase-activated protein kinase 2 (MK2) as a regulator of pro-inflammatory cytokines and promoter of proliferation in CRC progression. MK2 signaling induces IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-alpha production, which have been associated with CRC development and progression. We investigated this pathway in an inflammation-related model of CRC. This model relies on an initial dose of the carcinogen azoxymethane, followed by administration of dextran sodium sulfate to model chronic inflammation. C57BL/6 mice were found to develop colon tumors by day 54 in this model. Thus, we treated mice with MK2 inhibitors starting at this time point, 3 times a week for 3 weeks. At day 80, neoplasm number and size were measured, as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines and immune cell profiles in the colon using flow cytometry and multiplex bead-based arrays. MK2 inhibition drastically reduced colon pro-inflammatory cytokines, influx of immune cells, and tumor burden compared to vehicle control treated mice. Upon testing two separate MK2 inhibitors, 6/7 and 5/7 mice were completely free of tumors after treatment. We conclude that this pathway is an important contributor to CRC and could be a promising therapeutic target. Citation Format: Anita L. Ray, Eliseo F. Castillo, Robert A. Nofchissey, Ellen J. Beswick. Inhibition of MK2 reduces chronic inflammation and regresses tumors in a mouse model of colorectal cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Function of Tumor Microenvironment in Cancer Progression; 2016 Jan 7–10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(15 Suppl):Abstract nr A19.
Is cardiovascular risk a concern when prescribing azithromycin

The FDA has updated azithromycin package labeling to include the risk of prolonged cardiac repolarization and QT prolongation, which increase the possibility of cardiac dysrhythmias and torsades de pointes, especially in older adults. The update was initiated by a study that found an increased risk of death in patients taking azithromycin compared with those taking amoxicillin. However, cardiovascular results of other azithromycin studies have demonstrated discordant results, and more research is needed. In the meantime, providers should recognize that azithromycin has a role in the management of bacterial infections and should prescribe the antibiotic when warranted.
Mucoadhesive amorphous solid dispersions for sustained release of poorly water soluble drugs

The oral delivery of mucoadhesive patches has been shown to enhance the absorption of large molecules such as peptides. We hypothesized that this mechanism could have utility for poorly soluble small molecules by utilizing a mucoadhesive polymer as the matrix for an amorphous solid dispersion. Binary dispersions of itraconazole and carbomer (Carbopol 71G) were prepared utilizing a thermokinetic mixing process (KinetiSol Dispersing) and the physicochemical properties were investigated by powder X-ray diffraction, calorimetry, and liquid chromatography. Adhesion of the dispersions to freshly excised porcine intestine was investigated with a texture analyzer. Minitablets were compressed from the optimal dispersion and further investigated in vitro and in vivo in rats. Thermokinetic mixing successfully processed amorphous dispersions up to 30% drug loading and each dispersion exhibited works of adhesion that were approximately an order of magnitude greater than a negative control in vitro. Ethylcellulose (EC) coated and uncoated minitablets prepared with the 30% drug load dispersion were delivered orally to rats and exhibited sustained release characteristics, with overall bioavailability greater for the uncoated minitablets compared to the EC-coated minitablets, similar to the rank order observed in our in vitro dissolution experiments. Necropsy studies showed that minitablets delivered with enteric-coated capsules targeted release to the distal small intestine and adhered to the intestinal mucosa, but the rat model presented limitations with respect to evaluating the overall performance. Based on the in vitro and in vivo results, further investigations in larger animals are a logical next step where fluid volumes, pH, and transit times are more favorable for the evaluated dosage forms.
Applying WHO’s Age-Friendly Communities Framework to a National Survey in China

ABSTRACTThe World Health Organization (WHO)’s Age-Friendly Community (AFC) initiative has gained worldwide momentum. Yet, measures have not been validated in regions with various levels of socio-economic development. This article used a nationally representative dataset in China to (a) analyze community-level measures within the framework of AFC and (b) compare the age-friendliness between rural and urban settings in China. Chi- square and t-tests examined the rural and urban differences. Results suggest that many AFC concepts did not apply well in developing areas. The Chinese survey measured important environmental aspects in developing regions that were missing in the WHO AFC framework.
Utilizing two-tiered screening for early detection of autism spectrum disorder

Despite advances in autism screening practices, challenges persist, including barriers to implementing universal screening in primary care and difficulty accessing services. The high false positive rate of Level 1 screening methods presents especially daunting difficulties because it increases the need for comprehensive autism evaluations. This study explored whether two-tiered screening-combining Level 1 (Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised with Follow-Up) and Level 2 (Screening Tool for Autism in Toddlers and Young Children) measures-improves the early detection of autism. This study examined a sample of 109 toddlers who screened positive on Level 1 screening and completed a Level 2 screening measure prior to a diagnostic evaluation. Results indicated that two-tiered screening reduced the false positive rate using published Screening Tool for Autism in Toddlers and Young Children cutoffs compared to Level 1 screening alone, although at a cost to sensitivity. However, alternative Screening Tool for Autism in Toddlers and Young Children scoring in the two-tiered screening improved both positive predictive value and sensitivity. Exploratory analyses were conducted, including comparison of autism symptoms and clinical profiles across screening subsamples. Recommendations regarding clinical implications of two-tiered screening and future areas of research are presented.
(Un)Intended Effects of Professionalization: An Investigation of Bifurcation Bias in Family Firms

This study empirically investigates bifurcation bias, defined as the asymmetric treatment of family and nonfamily employees within a family firm. Using an agency theory perspective, we argue that b...
Antigen-specific regulatory T cells from pluripotent stem cells ameliorates arthritis in mice (HUM3P.252)

Embryonic stem cells have the ability to grow indefinitely while maintaining pluripotency. Under the right circumstance, pluripotent stem cells (PSC) can produce almost all of the cells in the body including regulatory T cell (T regs ). T regs are essential for normal immune surveillance systems, and their dysfunction leads to the development of diseases, such as autoimmune disorders. However, the right circumstances for the development of antigen (Ag)-specific T regs from PSC ( i.e. , PSC-T regs ) has not been well defined. So the purpose of this study is to develop antigen-specific T regs from pluripotent stem cells for treatment of Ag-induced arthritis (AIA) in mice. In this study mouse iPS cells were transduced with FoxP3 and ovalbumin-specific TCR (OTII). iPS cells were driven toward T lymphocyte lineage by co-culture on OP9 cells expressing delta-like (DL1), a Notch ligand. The combination of Notch signaling, FoxP3, and TCR drove iPS cell to differentiation into Ag-specific T regs. In vitro generated T regs were adoptively transferred into AIA mice. Our results showed that TCR transduced iPS cells differentiated into T regs and express CD3, TCRβ, CD4, CD8, CD25, CTLA4 in vitro . Adoptive transfer of such T regs dramatically suppressed autoimmunity in a well-established AIA model, including the inflammation, joint destruction, cartilage prostaglandin depletion, osteoclast activity, and Th17 production.
Toward Shape-Controlled Metal Oxynitride and Nitride Particles for Solar Energy Applications

Photocatalytic water splitting is a promising platform for clean and renewable energy. Photocatalysts that absorb visible light are critically needed to efficiently harness solar energy, and metal oxynitrides and nitrides have the potential to address this need owing to their narrower band gaps compared to oxides. The catalytic activity of these materials could be enhanced through the synthesis of structurally defined particles with reduced recombination sites and the preferential expression of catalytically active sites. This Perspective highlights recent progress and current challenges associated with the design and synthesis of metal (d0/d10) oxynitride and nitride particles with defined structural features for photocatalytic applications. Nitriding oxide templates with defined morphology and topotactic transformations of structurally defined templates are promising routes to metal oxynitrides and nitrides with shape control. Case studies show that such synthetic advances are often coupled with enhance...
Amyloid causes intermittent network disruptions in cognitively intact older subjects.

Recent findings in AD models but also human patients suggest that amyloid can cause intermittent neuronal hyperactivity. The overall goal of this study was to use dynamic fMRI analysis combined with graph analysis to a) characterize the graph analytical signature of two types of intermittent hyperactivity (spike-like (spike) and hypersynchronus-like (synchron)) in simulated data and b) to attempt to identify one of these signatures in task-free fMRIs of cognitively intact subjects (CN) with or without increased brain amyloid. The toolbox simtb was used to generate 33 data sets with 2 short spike events, 33 with 2 synchron and 33 baseline data sets. A combination of sliding windows, hierarchical cluster analysis and graph analysis was used to characterize the spike and the synchron signature. Florbetapir-F18 PET and task-free 3 T fMRI was acquired in 49 CN (age = 70.7 ± 6.4). Processing the real data with the same approach as the simulated data identified phases whose graph analytical signature resembled that of the synchron signature in the simulated data. The duration of these phases was positively correlated with amyloid load (r = 0.42, p < 0.05) and negatively with memory performance (r = −0.43, p < 0.05). In conclusion, amyloid positivity is associated with intermittent hyperactivity that is caused by short phases of hypersynchronous activity. The negative association with memory performance suggests that these disturbances have the potential to interfere with cognitive processes and could lead to cognitive impairment if they become more frequent or more severe with increasing amyloid deposition.