cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In Vivo Pharmacodynamic Activity of the Glycopeptide Dalbavancin

Dalbavancin is a lipoglycopeptide antibiotic with broad-spectrum activity against gram-positive cocci and a markedly prolonged serum elimination half-life. We used the neutropenic murine thigh and lung infection models to characterize the pharmacodynamics of dalbavancin. Single-dose pharmacokinetic studies demonstrated linear kinetics and a prolonged elimination half-life which ranged from 7.6 to 13.1 h over the dose range of 2.5 to 80 mg/kg of body weight. The level of protein binding in mouse serum was 98.4%. The time course of in vivo activity of dalbavancin over the same dose range was examined in neutropenic ICR Swiss mice infected with a strain of either Streptococcus pneumoniae or Staphylococcus aureus by using the thigh infection model. The burden of organisms for S. pneumoniae was markedly reduced over the initial 24 h of study, and organism regrowth was suppressed in a dose-dependent fashion for up to the entire 96 h of study following dalbavancin doses of 2.5 mg/kg or greater. Dalbavancin doses of 20 mg/kg or greater resulted in less killing of S. aureus but were still followed by a prolonged suppression of regrowth. Multiple-dosing-regimen studies with the same organisms were used to determined which of the pharmacodynamic indices (maximum concentration in serum [C(max)]/MIC, area under the concentration-versus-time curve [AUC]/MIC, or the duration of time that levels in serum exceed the MIC) best correlated with treatment efficacy. These studies used a dose range of 3.8 to 480 mg/kg/6 days fractionated into 2, 4, 6, or 12 doses over the 144-h dosing period. Nonlinear regression analysis was used to examine the data fit with each pharmacodynamic index. Dalbavancin administration by the use of large, widely spaced doses was the most efficacious for both organisms. Both the 24-h AUC/MIC and the C(max)/MIC parameters correlated well with the in vivo efficacy of treatment against S. pneumoniae and S. aureus (for 24-h AUC/MIC, R(2) = 78 and 77%, respectively; for C(max)/MIC, R(2) = 90 and 57%, respectively). The free-drug 24-h AUC/MICs required for a bacteriostatic effect were 17 +/- 7 for five S. pneumoniae isolates. A similar treatment endpoint for the treatment against five strains of S. aureus required a larger dalbavancin exposure, with a mean free-drug 24-h AUC/MIC of 265 +/- 143. Beta-lactam resistance did not affect the pharmacodynamic target. The dose-response curves were relatively steep for both species; thus, the pharmacodynamic target needed to achieve organism reductions of 1 or 2 log(10) in the mice were not appreciably larger (1.3- to 1.6-fold). Treatment was similarly efficacious in neutropenic mice and in the lung infection model. The dose-dependent efficacy and prolonged elimination half-life of dalbavancin support the widely spaced regimens used in clinical trials. The free-drug 24-h AUC/MIC targets identified in these studies should be helpful for discerning rational susceptibility breakpoints. The current MIC(90) for the target gram-positive organisms would fall within this value.
EFFECT OF BLOOD THROMBOKINASE, AS INFLUENCED BY SOY BEAN TRYPSIN INHIBITOR; ULTRACENTRIFUGATION, AND ACCESSORY FACTORS

1. Crystallized soy bean trypsin inhibitor, at a concentration of 100 µg./ml., suppressed the production of thrombin from a mixture of prothrombin and blood thrombokinase. The experiment was performed in the presence of 0.011 M oxalate, in order to minimize the possibility of participation by accessory factors which require ionic calcium. The results are in accord with the view that thrombokinase is a trypsin-like enzyme. 2. When a solution of blood thrombokinase was centrifuged at 85,000 g for 120 minutes, almost all the activity remained in the supernate. This supernate activated the supernate from a prothrombin solution which had been similarly centrifuged. The activation of prothrombin by thrombokinase can proceed in the absence of material completely sedimentable in 120 minutes at 85,000 g . 3. An "accelerator" reagent was prepared by treating bovine serum with barium carbonate, and then passing the serum through a column of diatomaceous earth. This "accelerator" was used together with prothrombin, blood thrombokinase, Howell's cephalin, and calcium chloride to compose a five-reagent thrombin-producing system. In this system, no thrombin was produced without thrombokinase. On the other hand, thrombin was produced from prothrombin and thrombokinase, even when all the other reagents were omitted. When calcium was omitted, thrombokinase was able to function; but cephalin and the "accelerator" reagent were ineffective. 4. Quantitative tests indicated that the "accelerator" reagent exerted an effect distinct from those of thrombokinase and cephalin. However, it is not certain whether the "accelerator" reagent functioned as an accessory factor, as a potential source of more thrombokinase, or both. In the experiments reported, thrombokinase was primary to, or necessary for, the effect of "accelerator." 5. The effectiveness of thrombokinase was multiplied a hundred times or more, when complemented by calcium, cephalin, and "accelerator" reagent. Ionic calcium was a necessary component of this complementing system. This may help to explain why removal of calcium ions keeps blood fluid, even though thrombokinase, by itself, is little influenced either by calcium ions or by oxalate.
Design of a policy-driven middleware for secure distributed collaboration

We present the execution model of policy-driven middleware for building secure distributed collaboration systems from their high level specifications. Our specification model supports nested collaboration activities, and uses role-based security policies and event count based coordination specification. From the specifications of a collaboration environment, appropriate policy modules are derived for enforcing security and coordination requirements. Policy-driven distributed middleware provides services to users to join roles in an activity, perform role specific operations, or create new activities. We describe the design challenges for middleware and present the run-time structures and protocols supported by it for creating activities, roles, and objects.
Does Whole Language or Instruction Matched to Learning Styles Help Children Learn To Read

Both whole language and learning styles instruction have made a significant impact in how reading is taught in the primary grades. The research on whole language suggests that its effects on achiev...
Optimal parallel initialization algorithms for a class of priority queues

An adaptive parallel algorithm for inducing a priority queue structure on an n-element array is presented. The algorithm is extended to provide optimal parallel construction algorithms for three other heap-like structures useful in implementing double-ended priority queues, namely min-max heaps, deeps, and min-max-pair heaps. It is shown that an n-element array can be made into a heap, a deap, a min-max heap, or a min-max-pair heap in O(log n+(n/p)) time using no more than n/log n processors, in the exclusive-read-exclusive-write parallel random-access machine model. >
GRAIN BOUNDARY FLUX PENETRATION AND RESISTIVITY IN LARGE GRAIN NIOBIUM SHEET

Abstract Kneisel, Ciovati, Myneni and co-workers at TJNAF have recently fabricated two superconducting cavities from the center of a large grain Nb billet manufactured by CBMM. Both cavities had excellent properties with one attaining an accelerating gradient of 45 MV/m (2 K) after a 48 h and 120 °C bake [P. Bauer et al., An investigation of the properties of BCP niobium for superconducting RF cavities, in: K.-J. Kim, C., Eyberger (Eds.), Proceedings of the Pushing the Limits of RF Superconductivity workshop, Argonne National Laboratory Report ANL-05/10, March 2005, pp. 84–93]. An investigation is underway to use magneto-optical (MO) imaging to observe the flux penetration behavior of a sheet sliced from this billet. The large grain size (some larger than 50 mm) allowed us to isolate multiple bi-crystals and tri-crystals. In the first stage of the present study we have taken the as-received sheet (RRR ∼280), which has been etched to reveal the grain structure. By magneto-optical examination we observed preferential flux penetration at some grain boundaries of a bi-crystal where the grain boundary was almost perpendicular to the sample surface and there was
Digital Media Meets Informal Learning: Opportunities for Generating New Participatory Roles

This paper explores the rich learning that happens between defined learning spaces, such as that between formal curriculum and informal projects. Here we apply the notion of “hybrid space,” to understand how such in-between learning spaces can facilitate a shift in participatory roles for college students engaged in a community media project. This study also highlights the ways in which media as a production medium can further transform the learning experience.
Under Threat: Competition in the Automotive Service Aftermarket

This paper examines the access of independent service providers to the information, parts, and tools that automobile manufacturers make available to their authorized dealers. The increased use of information technology in automobiles has created opportunities for manufacturers to reduce competition faced by dealers in the market for automotive repair and maintenance. Manufacturers have economic incentives to reduce competition, including the ability to get dealers to purchase parts from the manufacturer. Independent service providers, unlike dealers, can purchase many parts from sources other than the automobile manufacturer. Reduction of competition in automotive service and repairs can be expected to result in higher prices, less convenience, and less innovation for consumers. The Motor Vehicle Right to Repair Act currently under consideration by Congress provides an imperfect solution to this problem.
Influence of Fasting Time on Body Weight Shrinkage and Average Daily Gain1

A grazing experiment was conducted to determine differences in rate of BW shrink among weigh days and to compare accuracy and precision in measuring ADG between unshrunk and shrunk BW. Twenty-four yearling steers were grazed on a predominately tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) pasture and moved 2 d prior to weighing to a 2ha mixture of tall fescue-orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.)-white clover (Trifolium repens L.). Steers were weighed unshrunk, penned with feed and water withheld, and then weighed at 2-h intervals for 12 h on April 11 and June 17 (six fasting times) and for 14 h on May 13 (seven fasting times). Percent shrink increased quadratically (P<0.001) with time, and the linear coefficient differed (P<0.05) among the three weigh dates (P<0.05). There were negative correlations (P<0.10) between BW and shrinkage for each fasting time on April 11 and June 17, but not for May 13. Average daily gains were inconsistent across unshrunk and shrunk BW on May 13
Indeterminate Forms of Exponential Type

(1978). Indeterminate Forms of Exponential Type. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 85, No. 6, pp. 484-486.
Ultraviolet light emitting diodes using non-polar A-plane AlGaN multiple quantum wells

In this paper, we report the growth and fabrication of non-polar A-plane AlGaN multiple quantum well based ultraviolet light emitting diodes (UV-LEDs). The LEDs were grown on R-plane sapphire substrates using molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). The Current-voltage characteristics of the fabricated devices demonstrated rectifying behavior with a series resistance of 38 ohms. An electro-luminescence emission at 338 nm was obtained.
Infectious Disease Containment Based on a Wireless Sensor System

Infectious diseases pose a serious threat to public health due to its high infectivity and potentially high mortality. One of the most effective ways to protect people from being infected by these diseases is through vaccination. However, due to various resource constraints, vaccinating all the people in a community is not practical. Therefore, targeted vaccination, which vaccinates a small group of people, is an alternative approach to contain infectious diseases. Since many infectious diseases spread among people by droplet transmission within a certain range, we deploy a wireless sensor system in a high school to collect contacts happened within the disease transmission distance. Based on the collected traces, a graph is constructed to model the disease propagation, and a new metric (called connectivity centrality) is presented to find the important nodes in the constructed graph for disease containment. Connectivity centrality considers both a node’s local and global effect to measure its importance in disease propagation. Centrality based algorithms are presented and further enhanced by exploiting the information of the known infected nodes, which can be detected during targeted vaccination. Simulation results show that our algorithms can effectively contain infectious diseases and outperform other schemes under various conditions.
Detection of the singlet and triplet MM δδ* states in quadruply bonded dimetal tetracarboxylates (M = Mo, W) by time-resolved infrared spectroscopy.

The compounds M2(O2CtBu)4 and M2(O2CC6H5)4, where M = Mo or W, have been examined by femtosecond time-resolved IR (fs-TRIR) spectroscopy in tetrahydrofuran with excitation into the singlet metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (1MLCT) band. In the region from 1500 to 1600 cm–1, a long-lived excited state (>2 ns) has been detected for the compounds M2(O2CtBu)4 and Mo2(O2C–C6H5)4 with an IR absorption at ∼1540 cm–1 assignable to the asymmetric CO2 stretch, νas(CO2), of the triplet metal–metal δ−δ star (3MM δδ*) state. The fs-TRIR spectra of W2(O2C–C6H5)4 are notably different and are assigned to decay of the MLCT states. In 3MM δδ*, the removal of an electron from the δ orbital reduces MM δ to CO2 π* back-bonding and causes a shift of νas(CO2) to higher energy by ∼30–60 cm–1, depending on the metal. TRIR spectroscopy also provides evidence for M2(O2CtBu)4, where M = Mo or W, having MM δδ* S1 states with νas(CO2) distinct from those of the 3MM δδ* states.
On the Adhesion of LPCVD WSi2 to Doped and Undoped Polysilicon

We report on the adhesion characteristics of Low Pressure Chemical Vapor Deposited (LPCVD) WSi2 to doped and undoped polysilicon when used for fabricating silicon discreie and integrated devices. About 3000A of silicon rich (Si:W atomic ratio of 2.6) LPCVD WSi2 was deposited on 6 kA of polysilicon and annealed in nitriding and oxidizing ambients at various temperatures from 1000°C to 1100°C to lower the sheet resistance. Detailed material analyses of as-deposited and annealed polycides were performed using Auger, SIMS, RBS, TEM, and SEM and electrical conductivities of the films were measured using the four point probe. In some samples, the oxide grown on the silicide film was wet etched prior to implanting and diffusing As corresponding to the source/drain diffusions in power FET’s. It was observed that polysilicon doping, WSi2 deposition and annealing, oxide or nitride etching, implantation and diffusion of As - all had significant impact on the grain structures of silicide and polysilicon, adhesion of the silicide film to polysilicon, and the electrical conductivity of the silicide. In samples where the oxide grown on the silicide was wet etched, enhanced grain boundary related oxidation of the silicide and polysilicon and seepage of the wet etchant through sequential etching of grain boundary oxide resulted in poor adhesion of WSi2 grains to polysilicon and eventual silicide peeloff. This problem was severe in samples which were not implanted with As but subjected to 900°C, 60 min. source drive.
Association between physical activity and depressive symptoms: midlife women in SWAN.

AB Introduction: The relation of physical activity (PA) and positive mood has been the focus of considerable research, which were primarily cross-sectional. This study was done to evaluate the relation between PA and high depressive symptoms across time and to examine whether being physically active attenuates the risk of depressive symptoms in midlife women. Methods: The present study is a longitudinal observational study on the menopausal transition in a multiethnic population. Ten years of data on 2891 women were analyzed. The participants were women from seven geographic areas nationwide, age 42-52 yr at baseline, still menstruating, and not using exogenous reproductive hormones. PA was measured with the Kaiser Permanente Physical Activity Scale. The main outcome measure, depressive symptoms, was assessed with the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), with primary outcome of CES-D score of 16 or higher. Results: In mixed effect logistic regression models adjusted for covariates, compared with inactivity, PA meeting PA guidelines (approximating public health guidelines) and PA below PA guidelines were each associated with lower risk of high depressive symptoms (CES-D score of 16 or higher) (odds ratio, 0.52; 95% confidence interval, 0.40-0.70; and odds ratio, 0.81; 95% confidence interval, 0.67-0.98, respectively] across 10 yr. Being married, Japanese and Hispanic ethnicity, current smoking, reporting very upsetting life events, using antidepressive medications, having hot flashes, and high body mass index were all positively associated with high depressive symptoms, whereas high social support was negatively associated. Conclusions: Higher PA was associated with lower levels of depressive symptoms persistently over 10 yr, independent of potential confounders. Our findings suggest that reaching moderate-intensity PA levels during midlife may be protective against depressive symptoms.
Molecularly targeted therapies for acute myeloid leukemia

The past 15 years have seen major leaps in our understanding of the molecular genetic mutations that act as drivers of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Clinical trials of agents against specific mutant proteins, such as FLT3-internal tandem duplications (ITDs) and isocitrate dehydrogenase mutations (IDHs) are ongoing. This review discusses agents in clinical trials that target specific gene mutations and/or epigenetic targets.
On the Scientific Concept of Development and the Scientific Values

The philosophical significance of Hume′s Law is that he has found the distinction between value and fact is the premise to research value,and that the fact awareness and the value awareness are two different ways of thinking.Things develop in either the view of cosmology or that of values.The nature of value is reflected in the history and reality that things develop,especially the development of individual existence.The intrinsic value,extrinsic value and the ultimate value of things are consistent with their own development.Given that the scientific concept of development and the socialist core values system share an identical theoretical core,and the socialist core values system takes the concept of scientific development as the guiding ideology for its construction and perfection,hence the scientific concept of development is referred to as the socialist values with Chinese characteristics,which is the concrete manifestation of the values of historical development.
Investigation of Japanese encephalitis vectors in 2009 in Linyi county of Shanxi province, China

Objective To investigate the species composition and population density of mosquitoes and the prevalence of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) infection in Linyi county of Shanxi province, China. Methods Mosquitoes were collected by light traps and used for identification of JEV. NS1 sequences of JEV were amplified using RT-PCR from mosquito nucleic acid. Samples with positive amplification of NS1 were further sequenced. Results A total of 4424 mosquitoes (6 species, 4 genera) were collected, of which 52.0% were Culex tritaeniorhynchus, 41.2% were Cx. pipiens pallens, and few were Anopheles sinensis and other species. Mosquito density gradually increased from June to August. The constituent ratio of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus among all mosquitoes increased month by month. A total of 2109 individuals of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus were pooled into 77 batches before nucleic acid detection of JEV, of which 10 batches were positive. Five of the positive samples were sequenced, and alignment with GenBank sequences indicated the presence of genotypeⅠ JEV. Conclusion The mosquito density is high in July and August in Linyi county, and the constituent ratio of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus and JEV positive rate are relatively high. The two indices could be used as important early warning indicators for prevention of Japanese encephalitis.
Evaluation of Urothelial Tamm-Horsfall Protein and Serum Antibody as a Potential Diagnostic Marker for Interstitial Cystitis

AbstractDemonstration of adherence of Tamm-Horsfall protein to bladder epithelium has been suggested as a potential diagnostic test for interstitial cystitis. Bladder specimens from 18 interstitial cystitis patients were evaluated by indirect immunoperoxidase techniques using a Tamm-Horsfall protein specific monoclonal antibody to determine the diagnostic value of the staining results. The study population consisted of 7 severely diseased patients who required cystectomy with urinary diversion and 11 other patients meeting National Institute of Arthritis, Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases criteria for interstitial cystitis. We were unable to detect intraepithelial or surface-bound Tamm-Horsfall protein in any of the biopsy tissues. Human kidney tissue, similarly fixed and processed, consistently demonstrated Tamm-Horsfall protein staining of the kidney tubules. The monoclonal antibody also reacted on Western blots against urinary Tamm-Horsfall protein. Although antibody (α-Tamm-Horsfall protein) rea...
Linolsäureabfall in den Lipidfraktionen des Serums bei akuten schweren Krankheiten

Die Linolsaure ist eine essentielle Fettsaure, deren Spiegel in Serum und Geweben nach bisheriger Auffassung im wesentlichen von der Zufuhr bestimmt werden. Der tagliche Bedarf des gesunden Erwachsenen liegt im Durchschnitt bei 7 g [1]. Ein manifester Mangel an essentiellen Fettsauren ist sehr selten [2, 3]. Im Ernahrungsexperiment am Gesunden kann ein deutlicher Abfall der Linolsaurekonzentration nur durch eine langfristige, linolsaurefreie Ernahrung erreicht werden [ 1 ]. Vor kurzem wurde uber einen akuten, deutlichen Abfall der Linolsaurespiegel in Serum und Erythrocyten nach schweren Verbrennungen und nach schweren Schadel-Hirn-Traumen bei Personen berichtet, die vor dem Unfall gesund und in normalen Ernahrungszustand waren [4, 5, 6]. Wir sind diesem Befund nachgegangen und haben bei Patienten mit akuten, schweren Krankheiten die Verteilung der Fettsauren in den Cholesterinestern, Phosphatiden und Triglyceriden des Serums untersucht [7].
Coordinated Learning of Entorhinal Grid Cells and Hippocampal Place Cells: Space, Time, Attention and Oscillations

The GridPlaceMap neural model explains and simulates how both entorhinal grid cells and hippocampal place cells may develop as spatial categories in a hierarchy of self-organizing maps by detecting, learning and remembering the most frequent and energetic co-occurrences of their inputs. The model simulates challenging behavioural and neurobiological data by embodying several parsimonious neural designs: Similar ring attractor mechanisms process the linear and angular path integration inputs that drive map learning; the same self-organizing map mechanisms can learn grid cell and place cell receptive fields; and the learning of the dorsoventral organization of multiple spatial scale modules through medial entorhinal cortex to hippocampus may use mechanisms homologous to those for temporal learning (“time cells”) through lateral entorhinal cortex to hippocampus (“neural relativity”). Top-down hippocampus-to-entorhinal attentional mechanisms stabilize map learning, simulate how hippocampal inactivation may disrupt grid cells and help to explain data about theta, beta and gamma oscillations.
"The Morality of Socially Responsible Investing: Moral Foundations, Screening and Advocacy"

Existing focus on making the "business case" for socially responsible (SR) investing has downplayed the importance of understanding the moral motivations for SR investing, and stakeholder activity more generally. We leverage the fact that SR investing is comprised of screening and advocacy; two activities that are likely to tap different types of morality. Borrowing Moral Foundations Theory, we ask, What type of morality drives different types of investors to invest in SR investment vehicles? We employ a between-respondent online survey experiment. We find marginally significant effects that suggest both Purity/Sanctity and Harm/Care moral foundations help explain variance in the percentage of retirement savings respondents say they would invest in a SR fund. We discuss how these results advance research on stakeholder morality and also how these results instruct SR practitioners who would like to see the market share of SR investment expand.
Storytelling and audience reactions in social media

Storytelling is among the most common forms of discourse in human communication. The increasing influence of technology in our life is having a significant impact on the types of narrative that are told and on the way they are produced and received. In order to understand such impact we need to approach the discursive study of narrative from a perspective that privileges participant practices rather than texts. This is the approach taken in the present article, which analyzes a specific aspect of storytelling practice: audience participation within a blog open to comments. Using the notions of participation frameworks and frames as starting points, the analysis examines the frame focus of comments, the interactional dynamics established by participants among themselves, the tone of messages, and the media used in messages. Among the most important findings is a significant enhancement of reflexivity in comments as participants engage with the storytelling world much more than with the taleworld. (Narrative, story, storytelling, social media, participation frameworks, computer-mediated communication)*
Reducing Job-Irrelevant Bias in Performance Appraisals: Compliance and beyond:

Job-irrelevant discrimination seems as ubiquitous as the performance appraisals in which it is commonly detected. This paper explores both compliance-based and more proactive approaches that deal with the various possible sources of discrimination in performance appraisal ratings. The suggestions lead to a code of practice for performance management in firms across cultures and national boundaries.
Fruit Juice and Child Health

* Abbreviations: AAP — : American Academics of Pediatrics DGA — : Dietary Guidelines for Americans WIC — : Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children In recent years, as the prevalence and severity of obesity in childhood and adolescence have increased, the role of individual items in the diet of children, such as 100% fruit juice, has become controversial. Although fruit is an important part of children’s diets, many have come to consider fruit juice in the same category as sugar-sweetened beverages, such as soda, and become concerned about the role of the natural sugars in fruit juice in increasing the risk and severity of obesity. This concern has led to discussion as to whether 100% fruit juice should be recommended at all for pediatric consumption or included as part of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) package provided for infants and small children. Furthermore, anecdotally, clinicians have described the experience of parents expressing the belief that they have created a healthier diet for their overweight or obese child by substituting fruit juice for sugar-sweetened sodas. In contrast, there has been substantial concern about whether children and adolescents receive enough fruits and vegetables in their diet. This concern is … Address correspondence to Stephen R. Daniels, MD, PhD, University of Colorado School of Medicine, 13123 East 16th Avenue, B065, Aurora, CO 80045. E-mail: stephen.daniels{at}childrenscolorado.org
Labeling theory: empirical tests

Labeling theory has a rich history in criminological research, but very few contemporary books have been written about the perspective championed by Becker (1963), Schur (1965, 1969, 1971), and Lem...
Variable Rate Speech Coding for Cellular Networks

A central objective in the design of a cellular network for mobile or personal communication is to maximize capacity while maintaining an acceptable level of voice quality under varying traffic and channel conditions. Conventional FDMA and TDMA techniques, dedicate a channel or time slot to one unidirectional speech signal regardless of the fact that a speaker is silent roughly 65% of the time in a two-way conversation. Furthermore, when speech is present, the short-term rate- distortion trade-off varies quite widely with the changing phonetic character. Thus, the number of bits needed to code a speech frame for a given perceived quality varies widely with time. The speech quality of coders operating at a fixed bit rate is largely determined by the worst-case speech segments, i.e., those that are the most difficult to code at that rate. Variable rate coding can achieve a given level of quality at an average bit-rate R a that is substantially less than the bit rate R f that would be required by an equivalent quality fixed rate coder. Efficient multiple-access systems, such as CDMA, directly translate this rate reduction into a corresponding increase in network capacity.
Cellular stressors contribute to the expansion of hematopoietic clones of varying leukemic potential.

Hematopoietic clones harboring specific mutations may expand over time. However, it remains unclear how different cellular stressors influence this expansion. Here we characterize clonal hematopoiesis after two different cellular stressors: cytotoxic therapy and hematopoietic transplantation. Cytotoxic therapy results in the expansion of clones carrying mutations in DNA damage response genes, including TP53 and PPM1D. Analyses of sorted populations show that these clones are typically multilineage and myeloid-biased. Following autologous transplantation, most clones persist with stable chimerism. However, DNMT3A mutant clones often expand, while PPM1D mutant clones often decrease in size. To assess the leukemic potential of these expanded clones, we genotyped 134 t-AML/t-MDS samples. Mutations in non-TP53 DNA damage response genes are infrequent in t-AML/t-MDS despite several being commonly identified after cytotoxic therapy. These data suggest that different hematopoietic stressors promote the expansion of distinct long-lived clones, carrying specific mutations, whose leukemic potential depends partially on the mutations they harbor. Cellular stressors can impact clonal hematopoiesis. Here, the authors explore the impact of cytotoxic therapy and hematopoietic transplantation on clonal expansion, suggesting different stressors can promote expansion of distinct long-lived clones.
Prescription drug use and misuse in a cohort of people who inject drugs (PWID) in Baltimore.

Abstract Background Prescription drug misuse and its consequences (e.g., overdose) are a major public health concern. While national focus has been on opioids, misuse of sedatives/tranquilizers also occurs. Here we describe the use, correlates, and sources of prescription drugs in a community-based cohort of people who inject drugs (PWID). Methods We included participants of the AIDS Linked to the IntraVenous Experience (ALIVE) study in follow-up in 2014. We defined prescription drug use as use of opioids or sedatives/tranquilizers considering both medical “prescribed by a doctor” and non-medical sources “obtained from the street/friend/relative.” Correlates were evaluated separately for opioids and sedatives/tranquilizers using logistic regression and included socioeconomic factors, health conditions, substance use, and health care access. Results 823 predominantly African-American (90.6%) and male (66.3%) ALIVE participants with a median age of 55 were included. Prevalence of prescription opioid and sedative/tranquilizer use was 25.3% and 16.3% respectively. While the majority (70%) obtained prescription drugs exclusively through medical sources, the 30% who reported any non-medical source were also more likely to use other substances by injection and non-injection routes. PWID reporting prescription drug use (from medical and non-medical sources) were significantly more likely to report other substance use, mental health disorder, and recent contact with health care providers or detoxification facilities. Conclusions Prescription drug use was highly prevalent among PWID. While it is difficult to distinguish medically indicated from non-medical use, high levels of prescription drug use in conjunction with other drugs and alcohol heightens the risk for drug overdose and other adverse consequences.
It's not just illiteracy

There is increasing interest in using computing applications towards the socio-economic development of the poor. However, because poverty commonly correlates with illiteracy, researchers have identified various usability challenges that low-literate users may encounter in interacting with traditional text-based UIs. To counter such problems, researchers have proposed non-textual UIs for these users. However, most current work focuses exclusively on illiteracy (the inability to read) per se, with little recognition to other problems or the overall context in which a user is situated. In this paper we suggest that the inability to read is only one of several possible concerns that prevent useful interaction of existing computing (PC and mobile phone) UIs by low-literate users. Through our ethnographic and usability studies with 400 low-literate, low-income subjects across India, the Philippines and South Africa, we find a host of nuanced issues which mediate how a user interacts with computing technologies. Such issues include: cognitive difficulties, collaboration, cultural etiquette, experience and exposure, intimidation, mediation, motivation, pricing, power relations, social standing, and others. We observe that these factors can have far-reaching influence on the design of UIs as well as services for low-literate populations.
An Acute Bout of Self-Myofascial Release in the Form of Foam Rolling Improves Performance Testing

Recent developments in the strength and conditioning field have shown the incorporation of foam rolling self-myofascial release in adjunct with a dynamic warm-up. This is thought to improve overall training performance; however, minimal research exists supporting this theory. Therefore, determining if an acute bout of foam rolling self-myofascial release in addition to a dynamic warm-up could influence performance is of importance. In order to do so, eleven athletically trained male subjects participated in a two condition, counterbalanced, crossover within-subjects study comparing two particular warm-up routines. The two warm-up routines compared were a total-body dynamic warm-up (DYN) and a total-body dynamic warm-up in adjunct with a self-myofascial release, total-body foam rolling session (SMR). Following each warm-up condition, subjects performed tests of flexibility, power, agility, strength, and speed. Paired samples T-tests were utilized to determine if there were any significant differences in test results between conditions (DYN vs. SMR). The data indicated that SMR was effective at improving power, agility, strength, and speed when compared to DYN (P ≤ 0.024). A warm-up routine consisting of both a dynamic warm-up and a self-myofascial release, total-body foam rolling session resulted in overall improvements in athletic performance testing.
The reallocative and heterogeneous effects of cap-and-trade

Abstract This paper explores the heterogeneous response of manufacturing firms to the NOx Budget Trading Program (NBP), a large scale cap-and-trade program that was implemented in nineteen states in 2004. Specifically, we examine the differential effect of the program across firms of different ages and sizes. Results show that while overall employment in polluting industries declines, this decline is driven entirely by incumbent firms and that new firm activity increased following the NBP. The findings provide evidence that, unlike command-and-control programs, cap-and-trade results in reallocation of production from older to younger firms and changes the firm size distribution.
Control of Variable Frequency Drive PWM to Mitigate Motor Overvoltage Due to Double Pulsing in Reflected Wave Phenomenon

It is well understood that variable frequency drives (VFDs) can cause overvoltage up to twice the DC bus voltage (2 pu, where 1 per unit is the DC bus voltage) at the machine winding terminals, especially if long power cables are used and/or fast rise and fall times are implemented. If the voltage oscillation is not fully decayed when the next pulse arrives, double pulsing occurs and the overvoltage can go up to 4 pu in one switching event. To prevent the damage of the 4 pu overvoltage to the electric machine insulation system, filters are commonly used between the VFD and the machine. The filters, however, add significant cost and size to the system. The higher dv/dt associated with the increasingly popular wide-bandgap devices requires even larger and more expensive filters to be installed. This paper proposes a new PWM control method, the double pulsing offset technique (DPOT), to restrain the overvoltage peak-to-peaks within 2 pu regardless of the switching frequency or dV/dt of the power semiconductor devices. The need to install filters, therefore, is potentially eliminated with the implementation of DPOT. This control scheme was validated using an accurate reflected wave phenomenon simulation model using finite element analysis (FEA). It was also fully implemented online and offline using a DSP and a SiC-MOSFET -based inverter. The experimental results with various operating conditions of the inverter are presented and analyzed. The results show that DPOT is successful in eliminating double pulsing even in harsh operating conditions such as high dV/dt, long cable length, and frequent polarity reversals.
Effects of an Intensive Reading Intervention for Ninth-Grade English Learners with Learning Disabilities.

English learners with learning disabilities (LD) have well-documented difficulties comprehending text. This study examined the effects of an intensive reading intervention (Reading Intervention for...
Understanding Ostracism from Attachment Perspective: Testing a Moderated Mediation Model

The perception of being ostracized in a foreign country is a great obstacle that may lead to international students’ strain. The present study aimed to understand ostracism from the perspective of adult attachment. We proposed a moderated mediation model in which attachment anxiety was hypothesized as an antecedent of ostracism and as a moderator of the ostracism – strain links. Participants were 119 international students enrolled at a large public university in U.S. Results largely supported the model, which showed that the attachment anxiety exaggerate the harmful effects of perceived ostracism on depression and physical symptoms. Theoretical and practical implications were discussed.
Flap Reconstruction of the Hand.

Learning objectives After studying this article, the participant should: 1. Be familiar with local, regional, and free flaps for reconstruction of the hand. 2. Be able to identify potential sources of tissue for vascularized coverage using an algorithmic approach to provide stable and functional reconstruction of the hand. 3. Recognize the controversies and complications unique to flap reconstruction of the hand. Summary The goal of this continuing medical education module is to provide the practicing reconstructive surgeon with a framework in which to think about reconstruction of the hand. The hand has unique functional and aesthetic characteristics that must be considered when choosing the optimal methods for reconstruction. There are a number of reliable local and regional flaps that can be used to treat the hand requiring soft-tissue coverage and/or vascularized bone graft. The "reconstructive ladder," originally described by Mathes and Nahai, is based on the principle of using the simplest approach that adequately restores form and ideally optimizes function. In cases where the simplest techniques prove to be inadequate, local and regional flaps and, ultimately, microsurgical tissue transfer should be considered.
Department of Homeland Security v. University of California on DACA

President Barack Obama issued an executive order creating the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which shielded many residents from deportation; President Donald Trump removed this executive order, canceling these protections. Did this action violate the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) which details how executive agencies must act when administering policy? This chapter addresses the emerging argument that the executive branch must provide accurate and complete factual positions or their actions may be considered arbitrary and capricious under the APA. The ruling has tremendous ramifications for future executive actions and partisan politics as well as the fate of 700,000 immigrants and their families
Co-occurring Substance Use Disorders Identified Among Delivery Hospitalizations in the United States.

Objectives Substance use in pregnancy is increasing in the United States (US), although little is know about co-occurring substance use disorders in pregnancy. Our objective was to determine the prevalence and patterns of co-occurring substance use disorders identified at delivery hospitalizations among US women. Methods Using data from the National Inpatient Sample, a nationally representative sample of hospitalizations in the US, we identified females ages 15 to 44 years with a delivery hospitalization from 2007 to 2016 (weighted N = 38 million). We identified diagnoses for use of any of the following substance use disorders: alcohol, amphetamines, cannabis, cocaine, opioids, sedatives, or tobacco. Using multivariable regression, we calculated the weighted adjusted prevalence of additional substances used within each specific substance use disorder category. Results Seven percent of women were diagnosed with any substance use disorder at delivery hospitalization (6.5% tobacco, 1% cannabis, 0.5% opioids, and 45% in all groups), and cannabis (>10% in all groups) were the most common additional substances used. Tobacco and cannabis use disorders were commonly diagnosed together. Conclusions Co-occurring substance use disorders are common among women with any substance use disorder in pregnancy. Findings support the need for public health efforts to monitor and address multiple, concurrent use of substances in pregnancy.
Throughput Prediction on 60 GHz Mobile Devices for High-Bandwidth, Latency-Sensitive Applications

In the near future, high quality VR and video streaming at 4K/8K resolutions will require Gigabit throughput to maintain a high user quality of experience (QoE). IEEE 802.11ad, which standardizes the 14 GHz of unlicensed spectrum around 60 GHz, is a prime candidate to fulfil these demands wirelessly. To maintain QoE, applications need to adapt to the ever changing network conditions by performing quality adaptation. A key component of quality adaptation is throughput prediction. At 60 GHz, due to the much higher frequency, the throughput can vary sharply due to blockage and mobility. Hence, the problem of predicting throughput becomes quite challenging.
What's the Cost? Measuring the Economic Impact of Pediatric Sepsis

Sepsis, life-threatening organ dysfunction secondary to infection, hospitalizes nearly 80,000 children each year in the United States. Most children survive sepsis. However, there is increasing recognition of the longer-term consequences of pediatric sepsis hospitalization on both the child and their family, including medical, psychosocial, and financial impacts. Here, we describe family spillover effects (the impact of illness on caregivers) of pediatric sepsis, why measurement of family spillover effects is important, and the ways in which family spillover effects can be measured.
Enhancing transcription in Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas putida using bacteriophage lambda anti-terminator protein Q.

Functional characterization of metagenomic DNA often involves expressing heterologous DNA in genetically tractable microorganisms such as Escherichia coli. Functional expression of heterologous genes can suffer from limitations due to the lack of recognition of foreign promoters or presence of intrinsic terminators on foreign DNA between a vector-based promoter and the transcription start site. Anti-terminator proteins are a possible solution to overcome this limitation. When bacteriophage lambda infects E. coli, it relies on the host transcription machinery to transcribe and express phage DNA. Lambda anti-terminator protein Q (λQ) regulates the expression of late-genes of phage lambda. E. coli RNA polymerase recognizes the PR' promoter on the lambda genome and forms a complex with λQ, to overcome the terminator tR'. Here we show the use of λQ to efficiently transcribe a capsular polysaccharide cluster, cps3, from Lactobacillus plantarum containing intrinsic terminators in Escherichia coli. In addition, we expand the use of anti-terminator λQ in Pseudomonas putida. The results show ~ fivefold higher expression of a fluorescent reporter located ~ 12.5kbp downstream from the promoter, when the transcription is driven by PR' promoter in presence of λQ compared to a lac promoter. These results suggest that λQ could be used in metabolic engineering to enhance expression of heterologous DNA.