cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
GPU-based relative fuzzy connectedness image segmentation

Purpose: Recently, clinical radiological research and practice are becoming increasingly quantitative. Further, images continue to increase in size and volume. For quantitative radiology to become practical, it is crucial that image segmentation algorithms and their implementations are rapid and yield practical run time on very large data sets. The purpose of this paper is to present a parallel version of an algorithm that belongs to the family of fuzzy connectedness (FC) algorithms, to achieve an interactive speed for segmenting large medical image data sets. Methods: The most common FC segmentations, optimizing an l∞-based energy, are known as relative fuzzy connectedness (RFC) and iterative relative fuzzy connectedness (IRFC). Both RFC and IRFC objects (of which IRFC contains RFC) can be found via linear time algorithms, linear with respect to the image size. The new algorithm, P-ORFC (for parallel optimal RFC), which is implemented by using NVIDIA’s Compute Unified Device Architecture (CUDA) platform, considerably improves the computational speed of the above mentioned CPU based IRFC algorithm. Results: Experiments based on four data sets of small, medium, large, and super data size, achieved speedup factors of 32.8×, 22.9×, 20.9×, and 17.5×, correspondingly, on the NVIDIA Tesla C1060 platform. Although the output of P-ORFC need not precisely match that of IRFC output, it is very close to it and, as the authors prove, always lies between the RFC and IRFC objects. Conclusions: A parallel version of a top-of-the-line algorithm in the family of FC has been developed on the NVIDIA GPUs. An interactive speed of segmentation has been achieved, even for the largest medical image data set. Such GPU implementations may play a crucial role in automatic anatomy recognition in clinical radiology.
Physical Vapor Deposition of Copper Oxide Nanowires

Abstract Copper oxide nanowires have been successfully prepared by vapor phase transport technique. The deposition conditions strongly influence the morphology of the nanostructures and in turn their electrical and functional properties. Micro-structural investigation and analysis of the electrical properties were performed together with electrical and functional characterization. Transmission electron microscopy confirmed the high crystalline properties and elemental composition of copper oxide nanostructure. P-type semiconductor and sensing behavior has been proved.
Family Involvement in Child Welfare Decision-Making: Strategies and Research On Inclusive Practices

Child welfare practice has undergone significant shifts in the relationship between state agencies and families, with families increasingly being considered as partners in decision-making. An emerging body of research shows high family satisfaction with these approaches, but little outcome research currently exists. This article synthesizes practice and research literature on three predominant approaches to family involvement, Family Group Decision-Making (FGDM), Team Decision-Making (TDM), and Community Partnerships for Protecting Children (CPCC). We conclude with recommendations for future research, and for addressing the underlying values and ethics of family involvement.
Why is it so difficult to introduce requirements engineering research results into mainstream requirements engineering practice

I have worked in the requirements engineering area as a practitioner and also as a researcher. I have observed both obstacles and incentives to adopting new requirements engineering methods. This subject has been explored previously [1] [2], but remains an interesting area for those of us who would like to effect change.Practitioners must often deal with the obstacles associated with introducing new methods, and need help from researchers in convincing their project teams and management to try something new. Researchers, on the other hand, tend to feel that they are done and ready to move on to the next challenge, after they have produced a few journal articles and some prototype tools.Researchers and practitioners seldom work together on projects, so a gulf must be overcome in order for the researchers to understand what is useful to the practitioners, and for the practitioners to understand exactly what benefits can be derived from trying something new.Many of the obstacles and incentives result from the perceptions of researchers, practitioners, and management. Technology transition is successful when these perceptions are brought into alignment, and when the new method supports the needs of all three groups.
CSF Flow in the Brain in the Context of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

CSF normally flows back and forth through the aqueduct during the cardiac cycle. During systole, the brain and intracranial vasculature expand and compress the lateral and third ventricles, forcing CSF craniocaudad. During diastole, they contract and flow through the aqueduct reverses. Hyperdynamic CSF flow through the aqueduct is seen when there is ventricular enlargement without cerebral atrophy. Therefore, patients presenting with clinical normal pressure hydrocephalus who have hyperdynamic CSF flow have been found to respond better to ventriculoperitoneal shunting than those with normal or decreased CSF flow. Patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus have also been found to have larger intracranial volumes than sex-matched controls, suggesting that they may have had benign external hydrocephalus as infants. While their arachnoidal granulations clearly have decreased CSF resorptive capacity, it now appears that this is fixed and that the arachnoidal granulations are not merely immature. Such patients appear to develop a parallel pathway for CSF to exit the ventricles through the extracellular space of the brain and the venous side of the glymphatic system. This pathway remains functional until late adulthood when the patient develops deep white matter ischemia, which is characterized histologically by myelin pallor (ie, loss of lipid). The attraction between the bare myelin protein and the CSF increases resistance to the extracellular outflow of CSF, causing it to back up, resulting in hydrocephalus. Thus idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus appears to be a "2 hit" disease: benign external hydrocephalus in infancy followed by deep white matter ischemia in late adulthood.
Listening in Early Childhood: An Interdisciplinary Review of the Literature

Three general purposes of research in human development are to explain, predict, and modify behavior. Studies of listening during early childhood (birth through age eight) are of particular significance to the field because they enable researchers to describe listening processes from their very origins (explain), they demonstrate the effects of early listening experiences on later experiences (predict), and they offer practical guidance to adults who are committed to exerting a positive influence on the listening habits of the very young (modify). To those ends, this interdisciplinary review examines six different strands in the research literature: (1) listening research with infants and toddlers, (2) evidence for a listening/literacy connection, (3) the link between listening and socio-emotional development, (4) the listening needs of special populations, (5) studies of classrooms as environments for listening, and (6) curriculum issues in basic and higher education. The article concludes with a philoso...
BTB DC link modeling, control, and application in the segmentation of AC interconnections

The dynamic control and application of VSC-based Back-to-Back (BtB) DC link to the segmentation of large AC interconnections are investigated. A BtB DC link consists of two voltage-sourced converters (VSC) shunt connected to distinct buses, with DC side coupled. This paper first introduces the regulation modes and control schemes of the two shunt VSCs and the DC tie. Then the AC network segmentation is discussed by applying the dynamic models of the BtB VSCs in linking multiple regional power grids, instead of AC interconnections. With the aid of an extra frequency controller and proper power flow control strategies, the capability of a BtB DC link in improving reliability of large transmission interconnection is demonstrated. The results are illustrated with different fault scenarios on a 13-bus and 28-bus test system, respectively.
Koelliker on Cajal: Translated Excerpts from Erinnerungen Aus Meinem Leben

Albert Koelliker was the foremost histologist of the late 1800s. Koelliker personally worked on many of the same issues as Santiago Ramon y Cajal and was well placed to provide a contemporary commentary on the reception of Cajal's ideas. We have translated selected excerpts from Koelliker's autobiography, Erinnerungen aus meinem Leben, which discuss the ideas of Cajal which were treated no differently than most present day hypotheses; they were disputed on logical, technical, and personal grounds
Functional Roles of the Conserved Glu304 Loop of Bacillus subtilis Glutamine Synthetase

The enzymatic activity of Bacillus subtilis glutamine synthetase (GS), which catalyzes the synthesis of glutamine from ammonium and glutamate, is regulated by glutamine feedback inhibition. The feedback-inhibited form of B. subtilis GS regulates the DNA-binding activities of the TnrA and GlnR nitrogen transcriptional factors. Bacterial GS proteins contain a flexible seven-residue loop, the Glu304 flap, that closes over the glutamate entrance to the active site. Amino acid substitutions in Glu304 flap residues were examined for their effects on gene regulation, enzymatic activity, and feedback inhibition. Substitutions in five of the Glu304 loop residues resulted in constitutive expression of both TnrA- and GlnR-regulated genes, indicating that this flap is important for regulating the activity of these transcription factors. The residues in the highly conserved Glu304 flap appear to be optimized for glutamate binding because mutant enzymes with substitutions in five of the flap residues had increased glutamate Km values compared to that for wild-type GS. The E304A and E304D substitutions increased the ammonium Km values compared to that for wild-type GS and conferred high-level resistance to inhibition by glutamine, glycine, and methionine sulfoximine. A model for the role of the Glu304 residue in glutamine feedback inhibition is proposed.
Lyapunov-based Integration of a Data Recording Algorithm in Adaptive Control

Recently we have developed concurrent learning model reference adaptive controllers which use recorded data concurrently with current data and can guarantee exponential stability of the closed loop without requiring persistency of excitation. The rate of convergence of these controllers is dependent on the quality of the recorded data, particularly the minimum singular value of the matrix containing the recorded states. In this paper, we use a Lyapunov framework to integrate a singular value maximizing data recording algorithm with concurrent learning adaptive controllers.
Management of computer programmers

The problems of managing programmers have been growing rapidly in recent years. The specific issues referred to are the increasing costs of programming and the failure to complete projects when scheduled or needed. This paper proposes more effective supervision of programmers together with improved management policies and procedures as steps to reduce the effects of these growing trends in programming projects. These problems have resulted, in part, from the shortage of qualified personnel, the rapidly changing technology, and the management personnel in the computer center. This paper does not deal with the problem of project management, that has been dealt with elsewhere, but rather the supervisory processes involved in the management of computer programmers.
Nomad Souls Across Time and Space: West African Musicians as Ethnographers

West African musicians such as Baaba Maal and Youssou N'Dour of Senegal, Oumou Sangare and Ali Farka Toure of Mali, have become known for their commitment to their constituencies back home, as well as for their appeal to non-African audiences. Fully embracing a post-colonial and post-modern sensibility, their layered musical compositions include rap, reggae, blues, and jazz at the same time as they draw on traditional instruments, rhythms, themes, and melodies. They may choose between the traditional format of praise songs of the griots and more modern messages. Cultural interpreters at home and in Europe, these ethnographers write in sound, choosing carefully their subject, rhythm, delivery, and style, depending on their audience. Equally layered, however, is the complex response to these artists in France. This paper draws on field work in Paris and in eastern France to discuss the appeal of West African music for a French audience vis a vis the mixed understanding of the purveyors of that music. West African music may open France's door to immigrants, only to shut out the musicians as they negotiate its daily life. Immigrants' individual experiences are discussed in regard to their ambivalently received personhood, on one hand, and their positively received, yet frequently exoticized, music on the other.
EUROCarbDB(CCRC): A EUROCarbDB node for storing Glycomics standard data

Motivation: In the field of glycomics research, several different techniques are used for structure elucidation. Although multiple techniques are often used to increase confidence in structure assignments, most glycomics databases allow storing of only a single type of experimental data. In addition, the methods used to prepare a sample for analysis is seldom recorded making it harder to reproduce the analytical data and results. Results: We have extended the freely available EUROCarbDB framework to allow the submission of experimental data and the reporting of several orthogonal experimental datasets. The features aim to increase the understandability and reproducibility of the reported data. Availability and implementation: The installation with the glycan standards is available at http://glycomics.ccrc.uga.edu/eurocarb/. The source code of the project is available at https://code.google.com/p/ucdb/. Contact: ude.agu.crcc@ener Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
The Origin of Oxidized Flavors and Factors Responsible for their Development in Milk and Milk Products

Summary In fresh milk the oxidized flavors such as chalky and chalky-to-soapy-tallowy have been demonstrated to be associated with the deterioration of milk plasma (skimmilk), and metallic and metallic-to-fishy flavors with the deterioration of the fat-globule membrane and oxidation-sensitive fat, respectively. Evidence is presented that oxidative deterioration of the substances involved, which is stimulated in the presence of ascorbic acid and enhanced by Cu, is carried on preferentially. With passage of time, flavors developed in whole milk containing ascorbic acid and 0.1 to 0.4mg. Cu per liter, changed from metallic to soapy-tallowy, the soapy flavor being dominant; with further increase in the Cu content from 0.5 to 10mg. the soapy-tallowy flavors were superseded by metallic and metallic-to-fishy flavors associated with fat deterioration. Corresponding samples of reconstituted milk, from which the fat-globule membrane was removed, developed chalky-to-soapy-tallowy flavors first, which then were superseded by metallic and metallic-to-fishy flavors when the fat underwent deterioration as well. Only chalky and chalky-to-soapy-tallowy flavors developed in the skimmilk samples. In contrast to this, in whole, skim and reconstituted milks totally depleted of vitamin c content by H 2 O 2 and heat, 0.5, 1 and 5mg. of Cu, respectively, were needed to promote the development of chalky flavor, and 5mg. of catalyst to cause oxidative deterioration of fat. The photochemical-heat destruction of vitamin C resulted in sensitization of milk to Cu catalysis of oxidized flavors. This effect was diminished when the fat-globule membrane was removed by separation of whole milk, followed by addition of pure stable fat to skimmilk thus obtained. Oxidative deterioration of fat in presence of ascorbic acid and Cu was shown to be accompanied by oxidation of one double bond of the two double-bond fatty acids in the fat molecule. The data indicate that the antioxidant activity of fat as determined by tocopherol content and extension of this activity to the body of milk by redistribution of fat, play an important part in the prevention of retardation of reactions which produce oxidized flavors. The observations reported in this paper also explain the relative immunity of homogenized milk to oxidized flavors, since in such milk the fat remains scattered and the unstable lipid component of the fat-globule membrane is split and withdrawn from the surface into the interior of the fat-globules, where it is efficiently protected by the antioxidant.
Cost-effectiveness of Early Treatment for Retinopathy of Prematurity

BACKGROUND. The Early Treatment for Retinopathy of Prematurity trial demonstrated that peripheral retinal ablation of eyes with high-risk prethreshold retinopathy of prematurity (early treatment) is associated with improved visual outcomes at 9 months9 corrected gestational age compared with treatment at threshold disease (conventional management). However, early treatment increased the frequency of laser therapy, anesthesia with intubation, treatment-related systemic complications, and the need for repeat treatments. OBJECTIVE. To determine the cost-effectiveness of an early treatment strategy for retinopathy of prematurity compared with conventional management. DESIGN/METHODS. We developed a stochastic decision analytic model to assess the incremental cost of early treatment per eye with severe visual impairment prevented. We derived resource-use and efficacy estimates from the Early Treatment for Retinopathy of Prematurity trial9s published outcome data. We used a third-party payer perspective. Our primary analysis focused on outcomes from birth through 9 months9 corrected gestational age. A secondary analysis used a lifetime horizon. Parameter uncertainty was quantified by using probabilistic and deterministic sensitivity analyses. RESULTS. The incremental cost-effectiveness of early treatment was $14200 per eye with severe visual impairment prevented. There was a 90% probability that the cost-effectiveness of early treatment would be less than $40000 per eye with severe visual impairment prevented and a 0.5% probability that early treatment would be cost-saving (less costly and more effective). Limiting early treatment to more severely affected eyes (eyes with “type 1 retinopathy of prematurity” as defined by the Early Treatment for Retinopathy of Prematurity trial) had a cost-effectiveness of $6200 per eye with severe visual impairment prevented. Analyses that considered long-term costs and outcomes found that early treatment was cost-saving. CONCLUSIONS. Early treatment of retinopathy of prematurity is both efficacious and economically desirable. Because of the high lifetime costs of severe visual impairment, the early treatment strategy provides long-term cost savings.
Bacillus anthracis-derived edema toxin (ET) counter-regulates movement of neutrophils and macromolecules through the endothelial paracellular pathway

A common finding amongst patients with inhalational anthrax is a paucity of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) in infected tissues in the face of abundant circulating PMNs. A major virulence determinant of anthrax is edema toxin (ET), which is formed by the combination of two proteins produced by the organism, edema factor (EF), which is an adenyl cyclase, and protective antigen (PA). Since cAMP, a product of adenyl cyclase, is known to enhance endothelial barrier integrity, we asked whether ET might decrease extravasation of PMNs into tissues through closure of the paracellular pathway through which PMNs traverse. Pretreatment of human microvascular endothelial cell(EC)s of the lung (HMVEC-L) with ET decreased interleukin (IL)-8-driven transendothelial migration (TEM) of PMNs with a maximal reduction of nearly 60%. This effect required the presence of both EF and PA. Conversely, ET did not diminish PMN chemotaxis in an EC-free system. Pretreatment of subconfluent HMVEC-Ls decreased transendothelial 14 C-albumin flux by ~ 50% compared to medium controls. Coadministration of ET with either tumor necrosis factor-α or bacterial lipopolysaccharide, each at 100 ng/mL, attenuated the increase of transendothelial 14 C-albumin flux caused by either agent alone. The inhibitory effect of ET on TEM paralleled increases in protein kinase A (PKA) activity, but could not be blocked by inhibition of PKA with either H-89 or KT-5720. Finally, we were unable to replicate the ET effect with either forskolin or 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, two agents known to increase cAMP. We conclude that ET decreases IL-8-driven TEM of PMNs across HMVEC-L monolayers independent of cAMP/PKA activity.
myo-Inositol Oxygenase is Required for Responses to Low Energy Conditions in Arabidopsis thaliana.

myo-Inositol is a precursor for cell wall components, is used as a backbone of myo-inositol trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P3) and phosphatidylinositol phosphate signaling molecules, and is debated about whether it is also a precursor in an alternate ascorbic acid synthesis pathway. Plants control inositol homeostasis by regulation of key enzymes involved in myo-inositol synthesis and catabolism. Recent transcriptional profiling data indicate up-regulation of the myo-inositol oxygenase (MIOX) genes under conditions in which energy or nutrients are limited. To test whether the MIOX genes are required for responses to low energy, we first examined MIOX2 and MIOX4 gene expression regulation by energy/nutrient conditions. We found that both MIOX2 and MIOX4 expression are suppressed by exogenous glucose addition in the shoot, but not in the root. Both genes were abundantly expressed during low energy/nutrient conditions. Loss-of-function mutants in MIOX genes contain alterations in myo-inositol levels and growth changes in the root. Miox2 mutants can be complemented with a MIOX2:green fluorescent protein fusion. Further we show here that MIOX2 is a cytoplasmic protein, while MIOX4 is present mostly in the cytoplasm, but also occasionally in the nucleus. Together, these data suggest that MIOX catabolism in the shoot may influence root growth responses during low energy/nutrient conditions.
The marginal utility of money: A modern Marshallian approach to consumer choice

We reformulate neoclassical consumer choice by focusing on , the marginal utility of money. As the opportunity cost of current expenditure, is approximated by the slope of the indirect utility function of the continuation. We argue that can largely supplant the role of an arbitrary budget constraint in partial equilibrium analysis. The result is a better grounded, more exible and more intuitive approach to consumer choice.
Evaluation of coronary artery calcium screening strategies focused on risk categories: the Dallas Heart Study.

Background A strategy using coronary artery calcium (CAC) screening to refine coronary heart disease risk assessment in moderately high risk (MHR) subjects (10-year risk 10%-20%) has been suggested. The potential impact of this strategy is unknown. Methods Coronary artery calcium screening strategies focused on MHR subjects were modeled in 2,610 subjects aged 30 to 65 years undergoing Framingham risk scoring and CAC assessment in the Dallas Heart Study. The proportions of subjects eligible for imaging and reclassified from MHR to high risk (HR) (10-year risk >20%) based upon CAC scores were determined. Results Only 1.0% of women and 15.4% of men were at MHR by Framingham risk scoring and thus eligible for imaging, and 100 women, 14.3 men scanned per subject reclassified). Restricting to an older age range (45-65 years) or expanding the MHR group to 6% to 20% risk had virtually no impact on risk assessment in women. In a secondary analysis, a proposed imaging strategy targeting promotion of subjects from lower risk to MHR was more efficient and had greater yield than current recommendations targeting promotion from MHR to HR. Conclusions Coronary artery calcium screening strategies focused on MHR subjects will have a negligible impact on risk assessment in women and a modest impact in men. Further studies are needed to optimize the use of CAC screening as an adjunct to coronary heart disease risk assessment, especially for women and those at seemingly lower risk.
R-processor: 0.4V resilient processor with a voltage-scalable and low-overhead in-situ error detection and correction technique in 65nm CMOS

This paper presents a design approach for upgrading the resiliency of ultra-low-voltage (ULV) microprocessors through a voltage-scalable and low-overhead in-situ error detection and correction (EDAC) technique. Particular efforts are made to overcome the poor voltage scalability and area/energy/throughput overhead of the existing EDAC techniques when applied to ULV designs. The 0.4 V, 16 b microprocessor employing the proposed EDAC and dynamic frequency scaling schemes is demonstrated in 65 nm. The microprocessor can (1) automatically modulate fCLK based on error flags across static/slow variations and (2) in-situ detect and correct the errors from fast dynamic variations, virtually eliminating timing margins. At a typical process/voltage/temperature (PVT) corner, the proposed design achieves 4.9× throughput and 59% energy efficiency improvement at only 9.5% area overhead over the baseline design under the worst-case timing margin.
TREE-RING GROWTH AND WOOD CHEMISTRY RESPONSE TO MANIPULATED PRECIPITATION VARIATION FOR TWO TEMPERATE QUERCUS SPECIES

Abstract We examined the relationship among ambient and manipulated precipitation, wood chemistry, and their relationship with radial growth for two oak species in eastern Tennessee. The study took place on the Walker Branch Throughfall Displacement Experiment (TDE) site, located at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, TN. Two dominant species, white oak (Quercus alba) and chestnut oak (Quercus prinus), were selected for study from a 13-year experiment of whole-stand precipitation manipulation (wet, ambient and dry). The relationships between tree-ring width and climate were compared for both species to determine the impact of precipitation manipulations on ring width index. This study used experimental spectroscopy techniques to measure the sensitivity of tree-ring responses to directional changes in precipitation over 13 years, and the results suggest that oaks at this study site are resilient to imposed changes, but sensitive to inter-annual variations in climate. Laser-induced breakdown spe...
Frequency-dependent numerical dynamics in mosquitofish

Altering the genetic composition of a population can alter several aspects of its numerical dynamics. Whether natural populations routinely contain the genetic variation capable of affecting the stability of those dynamics is less clear. Here we report a study of experimental populations of mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki), designed to examine this issue. The experiment examined the numerical effects of varying the initial relative frequency of a rare male genotype. A higher relative frequency of the rare, melanic genotype produced higher mortality rates in melanic males, higher mortality rates in females, higher juvenile abundance, and fewer fluctuations in the numbers of females across time. This work demonstrates that a natural population can harbour genetic variants in a single gender that are capable of inducing qualitative differences in the numerical dynamics of the opposite gender, through the effects of negative frequency-dependent selection.
Inhibitory effects of Candida albicans extracellular polysaccharides on mouse sarcoma 180

Extracellular glycoprotein produced by Candida albicans in chemically defined medium was used to treat solid Sarcoma 180 tumor cells implanted subcutaneously in Swiss female mice. Neither toxicity nor skin ulcerations surrounding the tumors was observed. Significant tumor inhibition was obtained using different methods to evaluate treatment effectiveness. Comparison of tumor weights after a single treatment (400 mg/kg, ip) on various days after transplantation indicated significant inhibition with a 10–80% regression rate. Multiple doses (800–2,000 mg/kg, ip) regressed 60–90% of all tumors. Subsequent dosage experiments showed an increased percentage of survivors for all treated groups and a significant decrease in tumor size. Studies of the glycoprotein material indicated that it was immunologically active.
Random networks and aligned arrays of single-walled carbon nanotubes for electronic device applications

Singled-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), in the form of ultrathin films of random networks, aligned arrays, or anything in between, provide an unusual type of electronic material that can be integrated into circuits in a conventional, scalable fashion. The electrical, mechanical, and optical properties of such films can, in certain cases, approach the remarkable characteristics of the individual SWNTs, thereby making them attractive for applications in electronics, sensors, and other systems. This review discusses the synthesis and assembly of SWNTs into thin film architectures of various types and provides examples of their use in digital electronic circuits with levels of integration approaching 100 transistors and in analog radio frequency (RF) systems with operating frequencies up to several gigahertz, including transistor radios in which SWNT transistors provide all of the active functionality. The results represent important steps in the development of an SWNT-based electronics technology that could find utility in areas such as flexible electronics, RF analog devices and others that might complement the capabilities of established systems.
Organizational training in japan: A case study of the spaces of localization

Purpose: The case study described in this article explores a U.S. team’s adaptation of organizational training for Japanese audiences, with a particular focus on the team’s management of social and physical spaces in which the training took place. Method: Qualitative research was used in this study, specifically a case study based on ethnological methods including interviews, observations, and collection of relevant documents. Results: Localization of the social and physical spaces that surround organizational training spaces includes recognizing their potential function as an important site for professional communication, especially in relationship-oriented cultures such as Japan. Beyond the need for this conceptual understanding, localization of organizational training also requires the practical navigation of these spaces. Such facility depends on professional communicators’ understanding of proxemics, or the human use of space in cultural contexts, as well as wise reliance on the guidance of cultural insiders. Conclusions: When professional communicators work to localize organizational training, they must include all relevant communication channels and work to actively manage the physical and social spaces through which relationships are built and information is passed. An awareness of how space is used as a means of communication across cultures is essential.
Editorial: Conditional variables of ‘Ausbildung 4.0’ – Vocational education for the future

The subject matter of Industrie 4.0 is generally understood to be "the comprehensive introduction of computer- and communications technicians, and their connection to an Internet network of things, services and data, which makes possible a real-time capability for production," (cf., e.g., Spath et al. 2013, p. 2). This topic is currently the subject of intensive discussions at many national and international businesses...
Telemedicine: a review of its use and a proposal for application in psychiatric consultation

Telemedicine is a newly emerging concept in clinical medicine. This article is a review of the recent English language literature on the topic, and a proposal to utilize the concepts of telemedicine in clinical psychiatry. To date internal medicine, radiology and pathology have been the most active fields in medicine in utilizing telemedicine. However, psychiatry, because of the nature of its clinical practice, is in many ways ideally suited for the utilization of telemedicine in underserved areas.
A DNA Melting Exercise for a Large Laboratory Class

A simple and economical experimental setup is described that enables multiple individuals or groups within a laboratory class to measure the thermal melting of double stranded DNA simultaneously. The setup utilizes a basic spectrophotometer capable of measuring absorbance at 260 nm, UV plastic cuvettes, and a stirring hot plate. Students measure melting curves of short matched and mismatched DNA duplexes, and use quantitative analysis and first derivative curves to determine each duplex’s transition melting temperature, Tm. Student data are highly reproducible among groups and from year to year, and give distinct transition melting temperatures for the different duplexes. The protocol could easily be adapted to investigate the effects of other parameters on DNA melting and stability, such as changes in base composition, chain length, and buffer ionic strength.
Complete Genome Sequence of emm4 Streptococcus pyogenes MEW427, a Throat Isolate from a Child Meeting Clinical Criteria for Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcus (PANDAS)

ABSTRACT We report the complete genome assembly of the Streptococcus pyogenes type emm4 strain MEW427 (also referred to as strain UM001 in the Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome [PANS] Research Consortium), a throat isolate from a child with acute-onset neuropsychiatric symptoms meeting clinical criteria for PANDAS (pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcus). The genome length is 1,814,455 bp with 38.51% G+C%.
Export agriculture and development: A bigger role for smaller holders?

derson and Susan Watkins), but now requires fuller elaboration, combining socio-economic, cultural and political relations in the specification of distinct regions. One might argue that the European fertility decline is simply not amenable to explanation within a unitary theoretical framework. Sharlin maintains, for example, that to "delineate a specific set of factors forming a causal mechanism for the general process of European fertility decline is almost certainly an illusory quest" (p. 257). The fact that one particular theory has been revealed as a failure in this regard (not by its opponents but by its friends) seems an insufficient reason to abandon the attempt altogether. Precisely because of the sweep, depth, and relative simultaneity of the decline, the phenomenon demands an explanation of considerable generality.
E-072 Post-coital MCA Dissection Presenting with SAH: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Background Post-coital dissections are uncommon and have been reported rarely in the aorta and coronary arteries. Intracranial arterial dissections are rare and data regarding this disease process is scant. We present a case of post-coital middle cerebral artery (MCA) dissection in a young man presenting with subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH). Methods Case report and review of the literature. Case report A 35-year-old man with no past medical history presented with severe headache that started immediately after sexual intercourse. This was also associated with transient left facial weakness which resolved after a few minutes. His headache subsided initially but recurred spontaneously three days later prompting a visit to the ER. He denied any history of trauma. His neurologic exam was unremarkable. A head CT showed SAH in the right Sylvian fissure and sulci of the superior right frontal lobe. He underwent a catheter angiogram which revealed an area of focal narrowing in the right MCA M1 segment caused by a dissection flap and slow flow distal to the area of the luminal stenosis (Figure 1a). MRI of the brain showed small punctate right hemispheric infarcts. Anticoagulation with warfarin was initiated and patient was discharged home. The patient remained clinically stable and underwent a follow up angiogram after 4 months, which showed interval change in the right MCA dissection with development of severe stenosis in the proximal M1 segment (Figure 1b). There was slow antegrade flow distal to the stenotic segment and collateral flow through pial collaterals from the right ACA to the distal right MCA branches. Discussion Intracranial arterial dissections are uncommon and may present with severe headache. These may cause cerebral infarctions or subarachnoid haemorrhage. Most reported intracranial arterial dissections affect the vertebrobasilar circulation. In addition, nontraumatic spontaneous dissection of the MCA is rare. Rupture of the dissected arterial wall, either directly or at the site of an aneurysm, can cause subarachnoid haemorrhage. The natural history of this disease process is not very well understood. There may be resolution of the stenosis, formation of pseudoaneurysms, or, as seen in our case, worsening of the severity of stenosis. Our patient had no subsequent clinical events as he had good collateral circulation. Our case highlights this rare cause of non-aneurysmal SAH and we believe this to be the first reported case of post-coital MCA dissection. Disclosures A. Alawi: None. S. Mehta: None. R. Edgell: None.
Lupus erythematosus and hashimoto's thyroiditis.

The possibility of a significant association between Hashimoto's thyroiditis and systemic lupus erythematosus is of considerable interest. Two cases of coexisting Hashimoto's thyroiditis proved by biopsy and systemic lupus erythematosus proved by the clinical picture and positive lupus erythematosus clot tests contribute to accumulating evidence suggesting such an association.
Thermal inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 when grown statically or continuously in a chemostat.

The objective of this study was to determine if survivor curves for heat-inactivated Escher-ichia coli 0157:H7 were affected by the physiological state of the cells relative to growth conditions and pH of the heating menstruum. A comparison was made between the log-linear model and non-log-linear Weibull approach. Cells were grown statically in aerobic culture tubes or in an aerobic chemostat in tryptic soy broth (pH 7.2). The heating menstruum was unbuffered peptone or phosphate buffer (pH 7.0). Thermal inactivation was carried out at 58, 59, 60, and 61°C, and recovery was on a nonselective medium. Longer inactivation times for statically grown cells indicated potential stress adaptation. This was more prevalent at 58°C. Shape response was also significantly different, with statically grown cells exhibiting decreasing thermal resistance over time and chemostat cells showing the opposite effect. Buffering the heating menstruum to ca. pH 7 resulted in inactivation curves that showed less variability or scatter of data points. Time to specific log reduction values (t d ) for the Weibull model were conservative relative to the log-linear model depending upon the stage of reduction. The Weibull model offered the most accurate fit of the data in all cases, especially considering the log-linear model is equivalent to the Weibull model with a fixed shape factor of 1. The determination of z-value for the log-linear model showed a strong correlation between log D-value and process temperature. Correlations for the Weibull model parameters (log δ and log p) versus process temperature were not statistically significant.
Simultaneous determination of eight pyrethroid residues in soybean using capillary gas chromatography

Objective:A method using gas chromatography with electron capture detector(ECD) was developed for simultaneous determination of eight pyrethroid residues(bifenthrin,fenpropathrin,cyhalothrin,permethrin,cyfluthrin,cypermethrin,fenvalerate and deltamethrin) in soybean.Methods: Eight pyrethroids were extracted with acetonitrile from the powder of soybean,purified by the Florisil solid phase extraction cartridge,separated on capillary chromatography column(HP-5) and detected by ECD.Results: Eight pyrethroids were separated from each other.The detection limits varied between 0.002 mg/kg and 0.007 mg/kg.The average recoveries of eight pesticides were between 69.4% and 98.7% with the RSDs ranging from 5.2% to 13.4%.Conclusion: The method was rapid,sensitive and accurate and suitable for the determination of eight pyrethroid residues in soybean.
Particle swarm optimization algorithm in Wireless Sensor Network

Wireless sensor network have the capacity of communication,calculation and perception.Based on the research of current agreement of wireless sensor network middle-level cluster type clumps,and the study of the classical LEACH agreement,by analyze its defects.Proposed an new packet strategy of Wireless Sensor Network which based on the distributed C-average clustering algorithm of WSNS node sensor data,and adopted redundancy method to achieve multiple hops routing.Optimize the data transmission path,and save the energy consumption,Through the simulate results can verify its superiority.
Unplugged: Exploring the costs and benefits of constant connection

Abstract Computer-mediated-communication (CMC) is a ubiquitous part of people’s lives, yet little research has investigated attitudes about unplugging, also known as media refusal. In this large-scale lifespan study we surveyed 446 participants ages 14–79 about their feelings and attitudes toward unplugging from CMC for 24 h. We also probed their actual recent experiences of unplugging. We were particularly interested in age differences. As predicted, younger people reported more negative feelings about unplugging, and people who reported higher scores on a loneliness survey also expressed more negative feelings. However, contrary to our hypothesis, there were no significant age differences in the length of time participants typically spent unplugged. Open-ended responses revealed that participants felt a mix of emotions about unplugging from CMC and were ambivalent about its use for connection; “connecting with family and friends” was listed as both a loss and a gain of unplugging. In addition, prior experience unplugging predicted less anxiety about a future anticipated unplugging experience. We discuss age-related themes that emerged about costs and benefits to unplugging, anticipated unplugging activities, reasons for unplugging, and the inherent complexity of retreating from the web of digital technology and its pull of readily available community, connection, and information.
Countermeasure of Air Venting Holes in the Bridge Deck–Wave Interaction under Solitary Waves

AbstractThis paper discusses three fundamental questions on the bridge deck-wave interaction: (1) are there countermeasures to mitigate the wave forces on the bridge decks? (2) what is the working mechanism of the countermeasures? and (3) what is the efficacy of such countermeasures? Motivated by these questions, a literature review is conducted and the air venting holes in the bridge deck slab is preliminarily identified to be a countermeasure for the bridge deck–wave interaction. To reach a deeper understanding of such a countermeasure, a solitary wave model is utilized here to carry on the numerical simulations. The shear stress transport (SST) k-ω model is considered as the turbulence closure for the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equations to account for the turbulent bridge deck-wave interaction. Six different venting ratios for cases that the bottom of the bridge deck is at the still water level (SWL) are considered with detailed analysis of the characteristics of the air venting process, s...
Reporting standards of the Society for Vascular Surgery for endovascular treatment of chronic lower extremity peripheral artery disease: Executive summary.

Recommended reporting standards for lower extremity ischemia were last published by the Society for Vascular Surgery in 1997. Since that time, there has been a proliferation of endovascular therapies for the treatment of chronic peripheral arterial disease. The purpose of this document is to clarify and update these standards, specifically for reports on endovascular treatment. The document is divided into sections: Claudication Reporting, Critical Limb Ischemia Reporting, Preintervention Assessment and Nonanatomic Treatment, Intervention, Outcome Measures – Procedural, Outcome Measures – Disease Specific, and Complications.
Hydrothermal conversion of Ti-containing minerals in system of Na2O–Al2O3–SiO2–CaO–TiO2–H2O

Titanium has a great effect on the digestion of bauxite in the Bayer process because it reacts readily at high temperatures in alkaline sodium aluminate solution. Under this consideration, the hydrothermal conversion of Ti-containing minerals in the system of Na2O–Al2O3–SiO2–CaO–TiO2–H2O with increased temperatures was studied based on the thermodynamic analysis and systematic experiments. The results show that anatase converts to Al4Ti2SiO12 at low temperatures (60–120 °C), which is similar to anatase in crystal structure. As the temperature continues to rise, Al4Ti2SiO12 decomposes gradually and converts to Ca3TiSi2(Al2Si0.5Ti0.5)O14 at 200 °C. When the temperature reaches 260 °C, CaTiO3 forms as the most stable titanate species for its hexagonal closest packing with O2− and Ca2+. The findings enhance the understanding of titanate scaling in the Bayer process and clarify the mechanism of how additive lime improves the digestion of diaspore.
Reversible downregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in stallions with a novel GnRH antagonist

The GnRH antagonist, acyline, has not yet been investigated in the stallion. Our study aimed to: (1) evaluate the downregulation of the stallion hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis by acyline through assessment of seminal parameters, testicular volume, and sexual behavior; (2) assess hormonal response of acyline-treated stallions to GnRH stimulation; and (3) verify reversibility after treatment. Stallions were assessed pretreatment and subsequently treated (every five days) for 50 days: acyline (n = 4; 330 μg/kg acyline) or control (n = 4, vehicle). The stallions were then monitored for 62 days after the last day of treatment. Treatment-induced declines (P < 0.05) in FSH, LH, testosterone, and estrone sulfate. Gonadotropins and testosterone returned to control values within 9 days, and estrone sulfate by 14 days, after discontinuation of treatment. Acyline-treated stallions failed to respond with a rise in FSH, LH, and testosterone after exogenous GnRH stimulation (gonadorelin) at Day 46 of treatment compared to pretreatment stimulation and control stallions. Decreases (P < 0.05) were observed in total sperm numbers and motility (week 2) in acyline-treated stallions, as well as total seminal plasma protein (week 2) and testicular volume (week 5). Over the course of the study, the time to erection, time to ejaculation, and number of mounts increased (P < 0.0001) across both groups of stallions; however, there was no effect of treatment or treatment by time interactions on these parameters. Testicular volume, and most seminal parameters regained normal levels within 62 days after treatment ended; on follow-up, sperm output of acyline-treated stallions was regained within 7 months after the end of experiment. In conclusion, acyline reversibly suppresses the stallion hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.