cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Exploring interface effect on skimming comprehension: comparing low-clutter and no-clutter documentation presentation environments

Due to the wide variety of web-based reading environments, it is important to study reading environment effects on the skimming comprehension of information foragers. New readability applications have been developed to reduce visual clutter on web pages and enhance elements of text. This pilot study explored the effects of one of these new readability applications on skimming comprehension in a low-clutter research environment. When comparing the results of skimming for meaning tests between a low-clutter document display and that of the same article in the readability application display, no significant benefits were found. These findings suggest that if a readability application were to have a beneficial effect on skimming, then it would only potentially affect skimming pages presented with higher amounts of web page clutter. Additionally, the exit interview revealed that almost all of the participants preferred the readability display.
Systemic and Topical Drugs for the Prevention of HIV Infection: Antiretroviral Pre-exposure Prophylaxis

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), in which HIV-uninfected persons use oral or topical antiretroviral medications to protect against HIV acquisition, is a promising new HIV prevention strategy. The biologic rationale for evaluation of PrEP for sexual HIV prevention included nonhuman primate models and the efficacy of antiretroviral prophylaxis for HIV-exposed infants. Proof-of-concept that PrEP protects against sexual HIV acquisition has been demonstrated in four clinical trials, which used the antiretroviral medication tenofovir, either as a vaginal gel or as daily oral tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, alone or coformulated with emtricitabine. Importantly, however, two trials failed to demonstrate HIV protection with PrEP; low adherence to daily use of PrEP is the leading hypothesis to account for the lack of efficacy. Next steps in the field include rigorous evaluation of uptake and adherence to PrEP in implementation settings and research into next-generation PrEP agents with longer half-life and less user dependence.
A Systematic Approach for Scale-Down Model Development and Characterization of Commercial Cell Culture Processes

The objective of process characterization is to demonstrate robustness of manufacturing processes by understanding the relationship between key operating parameters and final performance. Technical information from the characterization study is important for subsequent process validation, and this has become a regulatory expectation in recent years. Since performing the study at the manufacturing scale is not practically feasible, development of scale-down models that represent the performance of the commercial process is essential to achieve reliable process characterization. In this study, we describe a systematic approach to develop a bioreactor scale-down model and to characterize a cell culture process for recombinant protein production in CHO cells. First, a scale-down model using 2-L bioreactors was developed on the basis of the 2000-L commercial scale process. Profiles of cell growth, productivity, product quality, culture environments (pH, DO, pCO2), and level of metabolites (glucose, glutamine, lactate, ammonia) were compared between the two scales to qualify the scale-down model. The key operating parameters were then characterized in single-parameter ranging studies and an interaction study using this scale-down model. Appropriate operation ranges and acceptance criteria for certain key parameters were determined to ensure the success of process validation and the process performance consistency. The process worst-case condition was also identified through the interaction study.
A new implementation technique for memory management

Dynamic memory management is an important and essential part of computer systems design. Efficient memory allocation, garbage collection and compaction are becoming increasingly more critical in parallel, distributed and real-time applications using object-oriented languages like C++ and Java. We present a technique that uses a binary tree for the list of available memory blocks and show how this method can manage memory more efficiently and facilitate easy implementation of well known garbage collection techniques.
Data mining library reuse patterns using generalized association rules

In this paper, we show how data mining can be used to discover library reuse patterns in existing applications. Specifically, we consider the problem of discovering library classes and member functions that are typically reused in combination by application classes. This paper improves upon our earlier research using “association rules” [8] by taking into account the inheritance hierarchy using “generalized association rules”. This turns out to be a non-trivial but worthwhile endeavor.By browsing generalized association rules, a developer can discover patterns in library usage in a way that takes into account inheritance relationships. For example, such a rule might tell us that application classes that inherit from a particular library class often instantiate another class or one of its descendents. We illustrate the approach using our tool, CodeWeb, by demonstrating characteristic ways in which applications reuse classes in the KDE application framework.
Evaluation of the Penn Macy initiative to advance academic nursing practice.

In the realm of academic practice, schools of nursing, especially those in research -intensive enviro nments, face a dilemma. These schools are in the best position to shape nursing science through research based in academic practice. Yet they also face formidable challenges to maintaining balance among the three legs of the tripartite mission. The questio ns of whether and how to commit resources to move forward their academic practice agendas are not answered easily. The Penn Macy Initiative to Advance Academic Nursing Practice aimed to assist such schools in their development of academic practices through a week -long intensive institute and 1 year of consultation and follow-up. An evaluation of the outcomes of that experience for 21 participant schools together with the baseline characteristics that appeared, retrospectively, to be associated with success are presented and discussed.
Impact of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (pcv13) on invasive pneumococcal disease and carriage in Alaska.

Abstract Background Alaska Native (AN) children have experienced high rates of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). In March 2010, PCV13 was introduced statewide in Alaska. We evaluated the impact of PCV13 on IPD in children and adults, 45 months after introduction. Methods Pneumococcal sterile site isolates, reported through state-wide surveillance, were serotyped using standard methods. We defined a pre-PCV13 time period 2005–2008 and post-PCV13 time period April 2010–December 2013; excluding Jan 2009–March 2010 because PCV13 was introduced pre-licensure in one high-risk region in 2009. Results Among Alaska children P P P P P P = 0.016, 43%, P = 0.014, respectively). Conclusions Forty-five months after PCV13 introduction, overall IPD and PCV13-serotype IPD rates had decreased 58% and 83%, respectively, in Alaska children
Central Bank Supervision in the Digital Age

The term “digital age” is on the verge of being overused and means a variety of things to different people. I will use it here, in the context of discussing financial services and their regulation, as a catch-all phrase to refer broadly to several interrelated phenomena that each have been facilitated by the increasing power of computers and speed of communication: the increasing sophistication and complexity of financial instruments (especially derivatives); the increasingly complex nature of financial strategies (trading and hedging in particular); the increasingly rapid transmission of information (financial and otherwise) between financial institutions, financial institutions and their customers, among users of financial markets and the markets themselves, and among all of these actors across national borders.
Internal podalic version and extraction.

Abstract A series of 534 internal podalic versions and extractions performed over a three and one-half year period is analyzed. They composed 4.1 per cent of all deliveries at the Elizabeth Steel Magee Hospital. Most of the patients were of private status, and all were delivered by or under the supervision of obstetricians, or by men with adequate training in obstetries. Ages varied from 16 to 43 years, and gravidity from i to xvii. All but fifteen patients were of eight or more months gestation. Most of the pelves were gynecoid with the next largest category platypelloid. There were fifteen separate indications for version with the quartet of inertia, failure of descent of the head, transverse arrest, and persistent posterior the reason for 80 per cent of the versions. Over two hundred of the patients were in labor more than eighteen hours. In almost one-half of the cases the membranes were ruptured from one-half hour to five days prior to delivery. The complications of delivery included twenty-six marked physiologic retraction rings, one ruptured uterus, and seven thirddegree lacerations of the perineum. Postpartum complications were not unusual, and only twenty-two of the patients remained in the hospital more than fifteen days post partum. There was one maternal mortality, and the gross infant mortality was 5.8 per cent, corrected 2.6 per cent; excluding the prophylactic versions and second twins 6.3 per cent and 3.8 per cent, respectively.
Reimbursement Policies for Carotid Duplex Ultrasound that are Based on International Classification of Diseases Codes May Discourage Testing in High-Yield Groups

Background To curb increasing volumes of diagnostic imaging and costs, reimbursement for carotid duplex ultrasound (CDU) is dependent on “appropriate” indications as documented by International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes entered by ordering physicians. Historically, asymptomatic indications for CDU yield lower rates of abnormal results than symptomatic indications, and consensus documents agree that most asymptomatic indications for CDU are inappropriate. In our vascular laboratory, we perceived an increased rate of incorrect or inappropriate ICD codes. We therefore sought to determine if ICD codes were useful in predicting the frequency of abnormal CDU. We hypothesized that asymptomatic or nonspecific ICD codes would yield a lower rate of abnormal CDU than symptomatic codes, validating efforts to limit reimbursement in asymptomatic, low-yield groups. Material and Methods We reviewed all outpatient CDU done in 2011 at our institution. ICD codes were recorded, and each medical record was then reviewed by a vascular surgeon to determine if the assigned ICD code appropriately reflected the clinical scenario. CDU findings categorized as abnormal (>50% stenosis) or normal (<50% stenosis) were recorded. Each individual ICD code and group 1 (asymptomatic), group 2 (nonhemispheric symptoms), group 3 (hemispheric symptoms), group 4 (preoperative cardiovascular examination), and group 5 (nonspecific) ICD codes were analyzed for correlation with CDU results. Results Nine hundred ninety-four patients had 74 primary ICD codes listed as indications for CDU. Of assigned ICD codes, 17.4% were deemed inaccurate. Overall, 14.8% of CDU were abnormal. Of the 13 highest frequency ICD codes, only 433.10, an asymptomatic code, was associated with abnormal CDU. Four symptomatic codes were associated with normal CDU; none of the other high frequency codes were associated with CDU result. Patients in group 1 (asymptomatic) were significantly more likely to have an abnormal CDU compared to each of the other groups (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P = 0.020, P = 0.002) and to all other groups combined (P < 0.001). Conclusions Asymptomatic indications by ICD codes yielded higher rates of abnormal CDU than symptomatic indications. This finding is inconsistent with clinical experience and historical data, and we suggest that inaccurate coding may play a role. Limiting reimbursement for CDU in low-yield groups is reasonable. However, reimbursement policies based on ICD coding, for example, limiting payment for asymptomatic ICD codes, may impede use of CDU in high-yield patient groups.
Changing the US Public Health Service Guideline for Reducing Viral Transmission Through Organ Transplantation

In response to several inadvertent transmissions of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) through organ transplantation, the US Public Health Services issued guidelines to prevent the transmission of HIV through transplantation of human tissue and organs in 1994. Despite significant changes in the epidemiology of HIV in the USA and advances in screening assays for detecting latent infection, the guidelines remained generally unchanged for nearly 20 years. Although the 1994 guidelines identified risk factors in donors that placed them at increased risk of HIV transmission, compliance with the recommendations was highly variable at US transplant centers. After the cotransmission of HIV and HCV from one donor to four transplant recipients, the OPTN policies were amended to incorporate the definitions of donors at increased risk for HIV and required transplant centers to obtain specific informed consent and follow-up when such donor organs were utilized. With renewed attention, it became obvious that the guidelines needed to be revised and expanded to include HBV and HCV. A revised US PHS Guideline was developed over a several year period, and final recommendations were published in 2013. Despite the revisions, definitions of donors at increased risk of disease transmission require further review and revision. This article will attempt to review the revision process of the US PHS Guideline and make suggestions for next steps in further refining the guideline.
Surface-micromachined magnetic undulator with period length between 10 μ m and 1 mm for advanced light sources

A technological gap exists between the $\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m}$-scale wiggling periods achieved using electromagnetic waves of high intensity laser pulses and the mm scale of permanent-magnet and superconducting undulators. In the sub-mm range, surface-micromachined soft-magnetic micro-electro-mechanical system inductors with integrated solenoidal coils have already experimentally demonstrated 100 to 500 mT field amplitude across air gaps as large as $15\text{ }\text{ }\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m}$. Simulations indicate that magnetic fields as large as 1.5 T across $50\text{ }\text{ }\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m}$ inductor gaps are feasible. A simple rearranging of the yoke and pole geometry allows for fabrication of 10+ cm long undulator structures with period lengths between $12.5\text{ }\text{ }\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m}$ and 1 mm. Such undulators find application both in high average power spontaneous emission sources and, if used in combination with ultrahigh-brightness electron beams, could lead to the realization of low energy compact free-electron lasers. Challenges include electron energy broadening due to wakefields and Joule heating in the electromagnet.
Evaluation of Bacillus thuringiensis and a Parasitoid for Suppression of the Gypsy Moth

The microbial insecticide Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner and the parasitoid Apanteles melanoscelus Ratzeburg were evaluated against the gypsy moth, Porthetria dispar (L.), infesting an oak forest in Pennsylvania. The biotic agents were compared individually and in combination. In general, where only the parasitoid was released, foliage protection and population reduction was not significantly different from the untreated areas. Aerial application of B. thuringiensis provided foliage protection and population reduction when compared with the control or where only parasitoids were released. When the parasitoid was released in areas treated with B. thuringiensis additional foliage protection was attained. Only where the parasitoid was used with B. thuringiensis were larval populations consistently reduced at the 3 population densities tested.
Shock Tube/Laser Absorption Measurements of Jet Fuel Pyrolysis and Oxidation

Measurements of stable decomposition products of jet fuel pyrolysis and ignition delay times during jet fuel oxidation were performed behind reflected shock waves. Reflected shock conditions cover temperatures from 1000 to 1400K and pressures from 1 to 60 atm for two jet fuels. Species time-history measurements of fuel, ethylene, and methane were made in pyrolysis experiments using laser absorption; ignition delay times were measured by OH* emission and pressure. These data provide needed input for the development and validation of a new compact hybrid model kinetic model under development by H. Wang at Stanford for jet fuel.
Direct Navigation of Surgical Instrumentation

Hip and knee arthroplasty have a big impact on population health and economics due to the large number of procedures and their relative high costs. Joint replacements are complex surgeries, which require skillful surgeons and numerous mechanical instruments. When many such instruments make contact with the patient’s tissue, they are bound to add to the overall infection risk.
Several issues on data analysis of dam and engineering monitoring

In monitoring data analysis,data research is important for its reliability,and data processing effects analysis quality.This paper,combined with examples,discussed the importance of mutual corroboration of monitoring data from different monitoring items.Further,the utility value of non-stress gauge was pointed out,and the analysis method of partial least-squares regression was commended.At last,some issues need attention in time-effect factors selection were advanced.
Staffing patterns in hospital clinical dietetics and nutrition support: a survey conducted by the Dietitians in Nutrition Support dietetic practice group.

The Dietitians in Nutrition Support dietetic practice group of The American Dietetic Association administered a questionnaire to evaluate changes in nutrition support services provided to hospitalized patients and home patients in 1989 and compared the results with results of a survey administered in 1986. The 1986 survey documented an increase in tube feeding to inpatients during 1984 to 1986 and greater dietitian staffing in tertiary care hospitals than in primary care hospitals and in larger hospitals in 1986. The 1989 questionnaire was mailed to clinical nutrition managers from a nationwide random sample of 1,000 hospitals from American Hospital Association members; 271 responses were received. Full-time equivalent (FTE) registered dietitians (RDs)--including clinical RDs, nutrition support service RDs, and clinical nutrition managers--decreased 11% from 1986 to 1989. FTE dietetic technicians decreased 22%. The number of FTE nutrition support service RDs and clinical nutrition managers decreased significantly (P less than .05). The mean number of FTE clinical dietitians per 100 beds decreased from 1.4 to 1.0 from 1986 to 1989. These decreases in dietetics staffing occurred despite an overall increase in total hospital FTE staff of 2.9%. Reported daily provision of nutrition support modalities to inpatients was 3.5% for parenteral nutrition, 4.9% for enteral tube feeding, and 9.6% for oral supplements. Decreased dietetics staffing was accompanied by other factors that negatively affect productivity (and therefore ability to provide adequate patient care), including inadequate delegation of technical tasks to dietetic technicians, limited availability of secretarial and computer support, and minimal provision of pocket pagers. These trends may be evidence of inadequacy of dietetics staffing to meet the needs of the US population for nutrition care.
β-cell deletion of Nr4a1 and Nr4a3 nuclear receptors impedes mitochondrial respiration and insulin secretion

β-Cell insulin secretion is dependent on proper mitochondrial function. Various studies have clearly shown that the Nr4a family of orphan nuclear receptors is essential for fuel utilization and mitochondrial function in liver, muscle, and adipose. Previously, we have demonstrated that overexpression of Nr4a1 or Nr4a3 is sufficient to induce proliferation of pancreatic β-cells. In this study, we examined whether Nr4a expression impacts pancreatic β-cell mitochondrial function. Here, we show that β-cell mitochondrial respiration is dependent on the nuclear receptors Nr4a1 and Nr4a3. Mitochondrial respiration in permeabilized cells was significantly decreased in β-cells lacking Nr4a1 or Nr4a3. Furthermore, respiration rates of intact cells deficient for Nr4a1 or Nr4a3 in the presence of 16 mM glucose resulted in decreased glucose mediated oxygen consumption. Consistent with this reduction in respiration, a significant decrease in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion rates is observed with deletion of Nr4a1 or Nr4a3. Interestingly, the changes in respiration and insulin secretion occur without a reduction in mitochondrial content, suggesting decreased mitochondrial function. We establish that knockdown of Nr4a1 and Nr4a3 results in decreased expression of the mitochondrial dehydrogenase subunits Idh3g and Sdhb. We demonstrate that loss of Nr4a1 and Nr4a3 impedes production of ATP and ultimately inhibits glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. These data demonstrate for the first time that the orphan nuclear receptors Nr4a1 and Nr4a3 are critical for β-cell mitochondrial function and insulin secretion.
Co-management of Forests in the Tribal Regions of Andhra Pradesh, India: A Study in the Making and Unmaking of Social Capital

The debate surrounding natural resource management in South Asia is no longer centred on the issue of whether management is to be participatory or non-participatory. That question appears settled: natural resource management is to be participatory. For almost a decade now, participatory management philosophy has been the dominant guiding force in the forestry sector in India, Nepal and Bhutan. For instance, community and private forestry are the dominant components in Nepal’s Master Plan for the Forestry Sector. These two components are expected to absorb 47 per cent of all investments made in the forestry sector until 2010 (CPFD 1997). The Joint Forest Management programme (JFM) is an effort in participatory natural resource management (PNRM). JFM occupies a central place in India’s efforts to conserve, manage and regenerate forests via state and community partnership arrangements. Our chapter looks beyond the basic arguments for and against co-management of forests. We will focus on the unique problems and prospects of deploying forest co-management in tribal communities in the Eastern Ghats region of Andhra Pradesh, India. In so doing, we will explore the problems and prospects of successfully involving tribal communities in JFM, and the relevance of social capital to that process.
The Comparison of Magnetic Resonance Image-Guided Targeted Biopsy Versus Standard Template Saturation Biopsy in the Detection of Prostate Cancer.

Previous studies have shown that when compared with the standard transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) biopsy, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-ultrasound (US) fusion has improved cancer detection, accuracy, and overall diagnostic power.1 However, fewer data are available on the relative performance of MRI-targeted biopsy (MRI-TB) compared with transperineal saturation biopsy, a diagnostic methodology with more comprehensive sampling compared with standard TRUS.
Intangible Burdens and ‘Real’ Burdens

If the burdensharing debate were as simple as a matter of allocating proportions of the cost, one could argue merely about the devices for measuring the respective burdens. The debate, though, has never been that simple since it hinges upon a complex set of assumptions held by the parties to the debate. The intangibles of the debate, such as the questions of the inconvenience of low-flying aircraft or the disruption of everyday life during manoeuvres in Germany, are an important aspect of the debate but not subject to an obvious measuring criteria. Just as the costs implied by contributions made to the common defence are difficult to assess, so too are the benefits that derive from this relationship. All members of art alliance do not necessarily benefit equally and it follows that contributions should not be equal.
Predictors of high cost after bariatric surgery: A single institution review

Background Drivers of high cost care after bariatric operation have not been well described. We sought to compare 1-year costs between patients who underwent laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and identify predictors of high cost of care. Methods Morbidly obese patients who underwent laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy (n = 74) or laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (n = 270) at a single institution from 2010–2014 were identified. Patient demographic characteristics, surgeon age, 90-day and 1-year surgical outcomes, and facility cost data were collected. “High cost” patients were defined as those in the top quartile of costs among all patients. Variables hypothesized a priori to be associated with high total costs were included in a bivariate logistic regression model. Those with a P value Results Laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy was associated with slightly greater median total 1-year costs ($18,234 vs $17,151; P = .021) and inpatient costs ($15,026 vs $13,990; P = .019). On multivariable analysis, having Medicaid (odds ratio 2.72; 95% confidence interval, 1.47–5.06) compared with private insurance, being readmitted to the hospital (odds ratio 5.48; 95% confidence interval, 2.45–12.26), and experiencing a postoperative complication (odds ratio 4.12; 95% confidence interval, 1.79–9.48) were associated with high-cost care. Conclusion Suboptimal operative outcomes seem to be the primary driver of high overall costs after bariatric operation. Improving postoperative outcomes may result in substantial cost savings.
Changes in empyema among U.S. children in the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine era.

Abstract Background Parapneumonic empyema, a serious complication of pneumonia, started increasing among U.S. children before the introduction of the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) in 2000, and continued afterwards. This increase was due in part to pneumococcal serotypes not included in PCV7 that were included in the new 13-valent (PCV13) vaccine introduced in 2010. We assessed changes in the incidence of empyema hospitalizations among U.S. children after PCV13 introduction. Methods We calculated annualized empyema hospitalization rates among U.S. children Results Among children Conclusions Although empyema hospitalization rates among U.S. children peaked after PCV7 introduction, rates decreased substantially following the introduction of PCV13.
FPGA-enabled hardware multitasking applications in energy harvesting laboratories

This work describes the technical details of a novel methodology which enables the parallel deployment and execution of hardware applications onto the same FPGA chip using dynamic partial reconfiguration. Our approach, which makes use of the PCAP (Processor Configuration Access Port) available on the latest generation of Xilinx Zynq Systems-on-Chip, allows the processing system to operate a fast partial reconfiguration of the programmable logic with little logic overhead. The advantages brought by this technique, like scalability, high performance and dynamic management of the programmable logic are being put to use in implementing laboratory works involving running the mathematical models of energy harvesting sources. This allows the same FPGA development board to be used by several student at the same time for running their applications. Thus, this is part of a larger research effort in which we aim to develop remote online hardware design laboratories with hardware multitasking support.
Data-driven risk analysis for poles in the electric grid

Sensors in the smart grid provide a way for utilities to obtain measurements that can be used to assess grid health. However, the vast majority of physical grid assets do not have sensors attached to them. For example, a utility may have hundreds of thousands of poles, many of which are part of an aging physical infrastructure. The utility, however, does have a wealth of information concerning pole material composition, age and location among other attributes as well as domain knowledge about pole operation and power network connectivity. By integrating all of these different sources of information in a systematic way, we show how to make effective and efficient decisions about poles. In this paper, we describe a decision support framework to identify utility poles that may require maintenance or may be at risk. First, we process attribute data from GIS and inspection records and classify poles into “at-risk” categories. Then, we derive a health score or failure probability of a pole based on policies and constraints. Finally, the failure probabilities are inputs to consequence analysis, where we calculate individual pole impact, which is the expected lost value if a pole fails. We argue that this approach to risk analysis is holistic, capturing interdependencies across the power network, and that it scales across asset classes. The uses for risk management of assets are many, ranging from inspection and servicing to capital planning and rate case preparation.
Preliminary results of powerline reconstruction from airborne LiDAR for safe autonomous low-altitude urban operations of small UAS

Safe autonomous operation of small unmanned flight vehicles at low-altitude in urban environments requires the ability for aircraft to reliably detect ground hazards such as buildings, towers, trees, terrain, and powerlines. Of these obstacles, powerlines likely pose the greatest challenge: powerlines are small and difficult to detect; sensor data will be non-uniform, incomplete, and will contain gaps; and sensors are significantly constrained in size, weight, and power. In this paper we investigate detection of powerlines for autonomous navigation of small low-altitude vehicles operating in urban environments. We present a method for detecting and reconstructing powerline information in real-time from an onboard 3-D scanning LiDAR. This method utilizes a voxel-based method with a series of classifiers to identify and reconstruct powerlines. Finally, we present preliminary results of this system tested on a small unmanned multicopter platform.
Bandgap tuning in GaAs1−xSbx axial nanowires grown by Ga-assisted molecular beam epitaxy

In this work we present a comprehensive study on the effects of Sb incorporation on the composition modulation, structural and optical properties of self-assisted axial GaAs1−xSbx nanowires of 2–6 μm in length grown on (111) Si substrate by molecular beam epitaxy. The Sb composition in the GaAs1−xSbx axial nanowire (NW) was varied from 2.8–16 at.%, as determined from energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. Lower Sb composition leads to thinner nanowires and inhomogeneous Sb composition distribution radially with a depleted Sb surface region inducing weak type-II optical emission, the presence of an additional peak at higher Bragg angle in the x-ray diffraction spectra and an electric-field-induced strong Raman LO mode. Higher Sb composition of 16 at.% leads to a more uniform Sb compositional distribution radially leading to type-I optical transitions exhibiting the lowest PL peak energy occurring at 1.13 eV. In addition, the high quality of these nanowires exhibiting pure zinc blende crystal structure, largely free of any planar defects, is borne out by high resolution transmission electron microscopy and selected area diffraction patterns. The shift and broadening of the Raman LO and TO modes reveal evidence of increased Sb incorporation in the nanowires. Significant improvement in optical characteristics was achieved by the incorporation of a Al0.2Ga0.8As passivating shell. The results are very promising and reveal the potential to further red shift the optical emission wavelength by fine tuning of the fluxes during growth.
Process Synthesis of Mixed Refrigerant System for Ethylene Plants

The refrigeration system is one of the most important and critical utility systems in the chemical and petrochemical industries. The traditional cascade refrigeration system (CRS) has been used for decades in ethylene plants. However, the mixed refrigerant system (MRS) with higher energy efficiency and less capital expenses than CRS has not widely been applied in ethylene plants. In this paper, a general methodology has been proposed for the synthesis of a tertiary refrigerant of MRS containing a mixture of methane, ethylene and propylene that can satisfy all the cooling/heating refrigeration that the traditional ethylene–propylene CRS serves in an ethylene plant. The exergy-temperature chart combined with the exergy analysis is presented to analyze comprehensively the thermodynamic nature of both CRS and MRS. Furthermore, the comparison of economic performances of these two different systems is also conducted. The efficacy of the developed MRS methodology has been demonstrated by a case study, where the ...
Exenatide Increases IL-1RA Concentration and Induces Nrf-2‒Keap-1‒Regulated Antioxidant Enzymes: Relevance to β-Cell Function.

Purpose We previously demonstrated the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of exenatide. We now hypothesized that exenatide also increases the plasma concentration of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), an endogenous anti-inflammatory protein, and modulates the nuclear factor erythroid 2‒related factor‒Kelchlike ECH-associated protein 1‒antioxidant response element (Nrf-2‒Keap-1‒ARE) system to induce key antioxidant enzymes to suppress inflammatory and oxidative stress. Methods Twenty-four patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes receiving combined oral and insulin therapy were randomly assigned to receive either exenatide 10 μg or placebo twice a day for 12 weeks. Results Exenatide increased IL-1RA concentration by 61% (from 318 ± 53 to 456 ± 88 pg/mL; P < 0.05). Exenatide treatment also suppressed Keap-1 protein (P < 0.05) and increased messenger RNA expression of NQO-1, glutathione S-transferase PI, heme oxygenase-1, and p21 and increased NAD(P)H dehydrogenase [quinone] 1 protein (P < 0.05) in mononuclear cells. Conclusions Because IL-1RA protects, maintains, and stimulates β-cell function in humans and Nrf-2‒Keap-1‒ARE protects β cells in animals with experimental diabetes, these actions of exenatide may contribute to a potential protective effect on β cells in diabetes.
A comparison of HIV-risk behaviors between young black cisgender men who have sex with men and young black transgender women who have sex with men.

This study compared sexually transmitted infection (STI)-associated risks between young Black cisgender men who have sex with men (YBMSM) and young Black transwomen who have sex with men (YBTWSM). ...
Short-Term Degradation of Bi-Component Electrospun Fibers: Qualitative and Quantitative Evaluations via AFM Analysis

Electrospun polymeric fibers are currently used as 3D models for in vitro applications in biomedical areas, i.e., tissue engineering, cell and drug delivery. The high customization of the electrospinning process offers numerous opportunities to manipulate and control surface area, fiber diameter, and fiber density to evaluate the response of cells under different morphological and/or biochemical stimuli. The aim of this study was to investigate—via atomic force microscopy (AFM)—the chemical and morphological changes in bi-component electrospun fibers (BEFs) during the in vitro degradation process using a biological medium. BEFs were fabricated by electrospinning a mixture of synthetic-polycaprolactone (PCL)-and natural polymers (gelatin) into a binary solution. During the hydrolytic degradation of protein, no significant remarkable effects were recognized in terms of fiber integrity. However, increases in surface roughness as well as a decrease in fiber diameter as a function of the degradation conditions were detected. We suggest that morphological and chemical changes due to the local release of gelatin positively influence cell behavior in culture, in terms of cell adhesion and spreading, thus working to mimic the native microenvironment of natural tissues.
Metaphorically or Not, Violence Is Not a Contagious Disease

Violence reduction efforts should be modeled on noncontagious diseases, which have as their root cause environmental determinants, not contagious diseases.
Dynamics of Populations of Consumers

The growth or decline of a population over a period of time can be expressed in terms of the changes in biomass (ΔB) or of numbers (ΔN). The changes that occur are the result of the sum of the individuals born (R) minus those dying (M) during the interval, the growth (G) of the individuals in the population, and of the net difference between emigration (E) and immigration (I). Thus we can write for biomass $$\Delta B = R - M + G + I - E,$$ (3–1) all expressed in units of biomass. The change in the number of individuals (ΔN) is expressed by $$\Delta N = R - M + I - E.$$ (3–2) In this case the growth of each individual is disregarded. The two equations are interchangeable by simply accounting for the biomass of the individuals in the population. We will return to biomass expressions in Chapter 7, where we deal with secondary production. In this chapter we concentrate on numbers of individuals, since most of the work on growth of populations is done on this basis.
Sodium/Potassium-Dependent Adenosine Triphosphatase

Most mammalian cells are known to have Na+/K+-pumps in their membranes which function to pump Na+ ions out of the cell and K+ ions into the cell. This creates an electrochemical gradient for the movement of extracellular Na+ into the cell and intracellular K+ out of the cell [1]. The pumping requires energy and is accomplished by a membrane-bound ATP hydrolyzing enzyme system, referred to as the Na+/K+ ATPase. The coupling ratio for the exchange of Na+ and K+ is not equal; it approximates three Na+ ions for two K+ ions for each ATP molecule hydrolyzed. Thus there is a net outward movement of positive charge which results in an electrogenic current [2]. This contributes to the negativity on the inner side of the membrane; thereby increasing the potential difference (membrane potential, E m ) across the membrane.
Vascular Responses to Intestinal Inflammation in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Microcirculation both responds and contributes to an inflammatory response. Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) provide a useful example of the profound reactivity of all segments (arterioles, capillaries, venules) of the microvasculature to inflammation, and illustrate how changes in microvascular function can influence the intensity and progression of disease activity. This chapter describes the key alterations in gut microvascular function that accompany human and experimental IBD, and addresses the prevailing views on the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie the altered vascular function. Impaired blood flow regulation (impaired vasomotor function), an increased adhesion of leukocytes and platelets to the vessel wall, activation of the coagulation cascade, enhanced thrombus formation, increased vascular permeability, and an accelerated rate of vascular proliferation (angiogenesis) are characteristic features of the phenotypic changes that occur in the gut vasculature during inflammation. These changes have been linked to the activation of cells that normally circulate in blood (leukocytes, platelets) or reside in the vessel wall (endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle) or in the perivascular space (macrophages, mast cells). The chemical messengers elaborated from these activated cells stimulate different signaling pathways that ultimately elicit the phenotypic microvascular responses that accompany inflammation. Pharmacological interventions directed towards preventing some of the microvascular alterations in inflammation (e.g., angiogenesis) provide novel and potentially effective targets for treatment of IBD.
Men's and Women's Reactions to Hypothetical Sexual Advances: The Role of Initiator Socioeconomic Status and Level of Coercion

Research on sexual coercion has revealed a beauty bias in that participants judge coercive sexual advances committed by attractive individuals as more acceptable than coercive advances committed by unattractive individuals. In this study, we examined the extent to which there exists a similar socioeconomic status bias in people's perceptions. Participants (N = 160) read 1 of 8 vignettes that depicted sexual advances and responded to several questions about the acceptability of the initiator's behavior. The coerciveness of the advance was manipulated by varying whether the touch occurred in a gentle manner with no threat or in a forceful manner with a threat of harm. Male participants always received a vignette that portrayed a woman initiating a sexual advance, and female participants always received a vignette that portrayed a man initiating a sexual advance. Socioeconomic status of the initiator was manipulated by what type of clothing he/she wore (shabby or expensive) and the car he/she drove (old or new). Results indicated that a gentle touch was more acceptable than a forceful touch, and men found sexual advances more acceptable than did women. Participants rated sexual advances by wealthy individuals as more acceptable than sexual advances by poor individuals. However, the greater acceptability of advances by wealthy individuals appeared to hold up only in the case of a gentle touch. In addition, men appeared to be more prone to the socioeconomic status bias than were women. Methodological limitations and future directions are discussed.
“Popcorn”: A Model (Ongoing Creative Insights)

The dynamic of popcorn popping is used as a model for seeking ongoing patterns of creative inspiration. In creating we work with a series of sudden insights, yet each instant is unpredictable. As with popcorn we can raise the odds of an event—of a sudden Aha!—by turning the heat up. Metaphorically, or more literally, we may be seeking a mental edge-of-chaos, this in phase space, where we are “in the zone,” and creativity can flow. This chapter looks at the delicate balances involved as well as ways of “turning up the heat” including contextual factors and use of brainstorming or divergent thinking.
Environmental enrichment has minimal effects on behavior in the Shank3 complete knockout model of autism spectrum disorder.

Introduction Several studies have supported the use of enriched environments to prevent the manifestation of ASD-like phenotypes in laboratory rodents. While the translational value of such experiments is unknown, the findings have been relatively consistent across many different models. Methods In the current study, we tested the effects of early environmental enrichment on a mouse model of ASD with high construct validity, the Shank3 ∆e4-22 mice our laboratory previously generated and characterized. Results Contrary to previous reports, we found no benefits of enriched rearing, including no change in repetitive self-grooming or hole-board exploration. Instead, we found that early environmental enrichment increased anxiety-like behavior in all mice regardless of genotype and decreased motor performance specifically in wild-type mice. Conclusions Although using a different enrichment protocol may have rescued the phenotypes in our mouse model, these results suggest that a "one-size fits all" approach may not be the best when it comes to behavioral intervention for ASD and underscores the need for effective pharmaceutical development in certain genetic syndromes with severe symptom presentation.
Religious policies of Anna Ivanovna

Anna Ivanovna was an empress of Russia in 1730-1740. The process of dismantling the authority of the church that started under Peter in 1700 was continued during Anna’s reign. The clergy were treated as civil servants serving the interest of the state through their spiritual service, as governmental clerks whose highest obligation was to the empress. The ecclesiastical life was disrupted, its spiritual role diminished, and the clergy was whipped to submission by harsh means. Orthodoxy was a mandatory religion. Conversion to other faiths was punishable. Peter’s discriminatory policies against Old Believers were continued. Anna herself was devoted to entertainment and everything else took the second place including her involvement in the affairs of the state as well as her personal spiritual life.
Review of Acellular Assays of Ambient Particulate Matter Oxidative Potential: Methods and Relationships with Composition, Sources, and Health Effects

Oxidative stress is a potential mechanism of action for particulate matter (PM) toxicity and can occur when the body's antioxidant capacity cannot counteract or detoxify harmful effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to an excess presence of ROS. ROS are introduced to the body via inhalation of PM with these species present on and/or within the particles (particle-bound ROS) and/or through catalytic generation of ROS in vivo after inhaling redox-active PM species (oxidative potential, OP). The recent development of acellular OP measurement techniques has led to a surge in research across the globe. In this review, particle-bound ROS techniques are discussed briefly while OP measurements are the focus due to an increasing number of epidemiologic studies using OP measurements showing associations with adverse health effects in some studies. The most common OP measurement techniques, including the dithiothreitol assay, glutathione assay, and ascorbic acid assay, are discussed along with evidence for utility of OP measurements in epidemiologic studies and PM characteristics that drive different responses between assay types (such as species composition, emission source, and photochemistry). Overall, most OP assays respond to metals like copper than can be found in emission sources like vehicles. Some OP assays respond to organics, especially photochemically aged organics, from sources like biomass burning. Select OP measurements have significant associations with certain cardiorespiratory end points, such as asthma, congestive heart disease, and lung cancer. In fact, multiple studies have found that exposure to OP measured using the dithiothreitol and glutathione assays drives higher risk ratios for certain cardiorespiratory outcomes than PM mass, suggesting OP measurements may be integrating the health-relevant fraction of PM and will be useful tools for future health analyses. The compositional impacts, including species and emission sources, on OP could have serious implications for health-relevant PM exposure. Though more work is needed, OP assays show promise for health studies as they integrate the impacts of PM species and properties on catalytic redox reactions into one measurement, and current work highlights the importance of metals, organic carbon, vehicles, and biomass burning emissions to PM exposures that could impact health.