cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Presidential Candidates' Popularity and Voter Loyalty in the Age of Social Media

Several studies have attempted to answer questions related to political popularity and loyalty. However, limited attention was given to examine the degree at which the use of social media drives presidential candidates’ capability to build quality political proposals, innovate, and lead people. The purpose of this paper is twofold: first, to examine the relationship between specific political capabilities on social media; and to determine the impact of social media on a presidential candidate’s popularity and voter/citizen loyalty. To accomplish this, the authors examine the ability to "Build" quality proposals, the ability to “Innovate,” and the ability to “Lead” people and the relationship of each one with social media. In addition, the study examines the relationship between “Social Media” and political “Popularity and Citizen Loyalty.” Data was collected from 160 Cypriot citizens, aged 18 or over. Using the resource-based view tool (RBV) together with correlation analysis, the results show that a presidential candidate’s ability to “Lead” and “Innovate” has a statistically significant strong positive impact on social media. In turn, the use of social media has a statistically significant strong positive effect on a presidential candidate’s popularity and citizen loyalty. Finally, the researchers draw conclusions and implications for scholars, presidential candidates, and politicians, and offer recommendations for academic future research.
Belowground Carbon Cycling at Aspen FACE: Dynamic Responses to CO2 and O3 in Developing Forests

Abstract The Aspen free-air carbon dioxide (CO2) enrichment (FACE) experiment tested how three developing forest communities responded to elevated concentrations of CO2 and/or tropospheric ozone (O3). Throughout the 11-year experiment, elevated CO2 increased aboveground productivity, whereas the initial negative effects of elevated O3 on aboveground productivity became insignificant over time. During the first 2 years, fine root biomass and soil respiration responded positively to elevated CO2 and negatively to elevated O3. However, after 5 years, O3 effects on fine root biomass were weakly negative or positive and effects on soil respiration were positive. Despite altering litter inputs, neither elevated O3 nor elevated CO2 affected overall soil C storage at the end of the experiment, consistent with observations that elevated CO2 increased and elevated O3 tended to decrease the activity of litter-degrading extracellular enzymes. Overall, our understanding of belowground processes is still insufficient to predict how ecosystems will respond to global change.
Systematic validation of variants of unknown significance in APP, PSEN1 and PSEN2

Abstract Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that is clinically characterized by progressive cognitive decline. More than 200 pathogenic mutations have been identified in amyloid-β precursor protein (APP), presenilin 1 (PSEN1) and presenilin 2 (PSEN2). Additionally, common and rare variants occur within APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2 that may be risk factors, protective factors, or benign, non-pathogenic polymorphisms. Yet, to date, no single study has carefully examined the effect of all of the variants of unknown significance reported in APP, PSEN1 and PSEN2 on Aβ isoform levels in vitro. In this study, we analyzed Aβ isoform levels by ELISA in a cell-based system in which each reported pathogenic and risk variant in APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2 was expressed individually. In order to classify variants for which limited family history data is available, we have implemented an algorithm for determining pathogenicity using available information from multiple domains, including genetic, bioinformatic, and in vitro analyses. We identified 90 variants of unknown significance and classified 19 as likely pathogenic mutations. We also propose that five variants are possibly protective. In defining a subset of these variants as pathogenic, individuals from these families may eligible to enroll in observational studies and clinical trials.
Pineal Dysgerminoma: A Misleading Clinical Course With Potential Life-Threatening Consequences

Pineal dysgerminomas are sporadic pediatric intracranial tumors that usually grow as midline lesions around the third ventricle, most frequently the pineal gland and the pituitary regions of the brain. The severity of symptoms is dependent on the location of the lesion and can present with increased intracranial symptoms. We report a 20-year-old man who presented with new-onset headaches over the past month that would wake him from his sleep at night. The headaches, however, resolved completely one week prior to his first neurological evaluation. A thorough neurological examination was normal. A careful review of the literature does not show a case of a pineal tumor presenting with spontaneous regression of intracranial pressure, and therefore we would like to raise awareness among clinicians about this potential course. A delay in obtaining imaging could have been life-threatening; thus, we recommend a high index of suspicion when patients present with recent symptoms suggesting increased intracranial pressure. Our patient had an excellent outcome two years after his presentation, with appropriate management including drainage of the cerebrospinal fluid, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.
Sperm Surface Domains

Pattern formation during differentiation is a fundamental process in biology. Cell differentiation, which results in dramatic changes in cell surface composition, can also result in the localization of cell surface molecules into ordered domains. Formation of cell surface domains has been demonstrated in a wide variety of cell types. Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) are making a major impact on the ability to localize and identify surface proteins. Some examples of recent investigations of localized surface molecules using monoclonal antibodies are studies on sperm,1 epithelial cells,2 hepatocytes,3 neurons,4 and muscle cells (Ref. 5; Hochschwender et al., this volume, Chapter 13). In most instances it has not yet been established how these surface domains are created and stabilized. In some cases the biological significance of membrane order is known (e.g., the polarity of certain epithelial cell enzymes), but in other cases the function of localization of cell surface molecules into domains remains a mystery (e.g., sperm). Monoclonal antibodies have great potential as probes for the biological functions and structural basis of membrane order.
Correction to: Growth models and growing degree-days: assessment of young-of-year alewife and blueback herring in Potomac River tributaries

Due to an oversight during typesetting, the original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake.
Evaluation of two academic practice partnerships for chronic disease management in nursing education.

More clinical sites are essential to meeting the learning needs of nursing students who will care for patients with chronic disease after graduation. Partnerships between schools of nursing and academic practices can increase clinical training capacity, allow future nurse practitioners (NPs) to apply knowledge and skills in the context of care delivery, and potentially improve patient outcomes with little associated risk. This article describes the experiences of primary care NP students (n = 37), NP faculty (n = 2), and clinic providers (n = 2) in an academic practice partnership performing home visits with complex pediatric asthma and adult heart failure (HF) patients. A 14-item postexperience survey was used to obtain student feedback. Over 75% (n = 28) of student participants responded. Most respondents, 80% assigned to pediatric asthma patients and 90% assigned to adult HF patients, reported the home visit experience prepared them to care for patients with chronic diseases. Clinic providers indicated the extra attention to both patient groups reduced barriers to care and improved care continuity. This partnership offers a model for developing clinical skills in advanced practice nursing students and enhancing scarce clinical placement resources. Findings were used to refine the program and expand to include all 150 students in the subsequent academic year.
Optimizing imaging conditions for photoconvertible protein mEos3.2 in live and fixed cells

Abstract Photoconvertible fluorescent proteins (PCFPs) are widely used in super-resolution microscopy and studies of cellular dynamics. However, our understanding of their photophysics is still limited, hampering their quantitative application. For example, we do not know the optimal sample preparation methods or imaging conditions to count protein molecules fused to PCFPs by single-molecule localization microscopy in live and fixed cells. We also do not know how the behavior of PCFPs in live cells compares with fixed cells. Therefore, we investigated how formaldehyde fixation influences the photophysical properties of the popular green-to-red PCFP mEos3.2 in fission yeast cells under a wide range of imaging conditions. We estimated photophysical parameters by fitting a 3-state model of photoconversion and photobleaching to the time course of fluorescence signal per yeast cell expressing mEos3.2. We discovered that formaldehyde fixation makes the fluorescence signal, photoconversion rate and photobleaching rate of mEos3.2 sensitive to the buffer conditions by permeabilizing the cell membrane. Under some imaging conditions we tested, the time-integrated mEos3.2 signal per cell is similar in live cells and fixed cells imaged in buffer at pH 8.5 with 1 mM DTT as a reducing agent, indicating that light chemical fixation does not destroy mEos3.2 molecules. We also discovered that 405-nm irradiation converts some mEos3.2 molecules from the green state to an intermediate state that requires 561-nm illumination for conversion to the red fluorescent state. Our findings provide a guide to compare quantitatively and optimize conditions for imaging and counting of mEos3.2-tagged molecules. Our imaging assay and mathematical model are easy to implement and provide a simple quantitative approach to measure the time-integrated signal and the photoconversion and photobleaching rates of fluorescence proteins in cells.
COUPLED NUMERICAL SIMULATION ON FLUID FLOW, SOLIDIFICATION AND SOLUTE TRANSPORT IN BILLET CONTINUOUS CASTING PROCESS

Based on the continuum model for binary iron-carbon alloy under local thermodynamic equilibrium condition a 3D model coupled turbulent fluid flow, solidification and solute transport has been developed for square billet continuous casting process. The calculated results show that most of the recirculation at upper part of the mold returns to the main stream, and the other downflows along with the solidified shell. The shape of solidified shell is uneven in section because of flow scour, which fits reality. The solute riches in liquid phase with solidification proceeding, as a result, the macrosegregation at the billet center is formed.
Increasing the Effectiveness of Active Learning Using Deliberate Practice: A Homework Transformation.

Introductory physics students learn significantly more when the homework is transformed using the principles of deliberate practice, with no increase in time spent on task.
Self-Homodyne Photonic Transmitter in a Monolithic InP Platform for RF Applications

We demonstrate for the first time a self-homodyne transmitter architecture, compactly realized as a monolithic InP system-on-chip analog photonic integrated circuit, with RF gain improvement >10 dB by using an actively-tuned optical bypass.
Cryptococcal meningitis

Cryptococcal meningitis, often seen in immunocompromised hosts, is also a disease of the immune-competent individual. The diagnosis of cryptococcal meningitis requires a lumbar puncture with measurement of the opening pressure, standard laboratory assessment including cell count, protein and glucose, fungal culture, and cryptococcal polysaccharide antigen. Serum cryptococcal antigen is of great diagnostic value in individuals infected with HIV. Hospital admission for initial therapy with amphotericin B desoxycholate is required. Adjuvant oral therapy with flucytosine for the first 2 weeks of therapy is strongly recommended. If flucytosine is not well tolerated, it may be discontinued with close monitoring and follow-up of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) response to therapy. Good hydration and appropriate premedication concomitant to the use of amphotericin B are useful interventions preventing side effects. Occasionally, amphotericin B needs to be discontinued due to intolerance or side effects. After CSF sterilization is completed, therapy can be switched to oral fluconazole. Fluconazole is well absorbed orally. There is rarely a need to give intravenous fluconazole.
Correlating bladder cancer risk genes with their targeting microRNAs using MMiRNA-Tar.

The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) (http://cancergenome.nih.gov) is a valuable data resource focused on an increasing number of well-characterized cancer genomes. In part, TCGA provides detailed information about cancer-dependent gene expression changes, including changes in the expression of transcription-regulating microRNAs. We developed a web interface tool MMiRNA-Tar (http://bioinf1.indstate.edu/MMiRNA-Tar) that can calculate and plot the correlation of expression for mRNA−microRNA pairs across samples or over a time course for a list of pairs under different prediction confidence cutoff criteria. Prediction confidence was established by requiring that the proposed mRNA−microRNA pair appears in at least one of three target prediction databases: TargetProfiler, TargetScan, or miRanda. We have tested our MMiRNA-Tar tool through analyzing 53 tumor and 11 normal samples of bladder urothelial carcinoma (BLCA) datasets obtained from TCGA and identified 204 microRNAs. These microRNAs were correlated with the mRNAs of five previously-reported bladder cancer risk genes and these selected pairs exhibited correlations in opposite direction between the tumor and normal samples based on the customized cutoff criterion of prediction. Furthermore, we have identified additional 496 genes (830 pairs) potentially targeted by 79 significant microRNAs out of 204 using three cutoff criteria, i.e., false discovery rate (FDR) < 0.1, opposite correlation coefficient between the tumor and normal samples, and predicted by at least one of three target prediction databases. Therefore, MMiRNA-Tar provides researchers a convenient tool to visualize the co-relationship between microRNAs and mRNAs and to predict their targeting relationship. We believe that correlating expression profiles for microRNAs and mRNAs offers a complementary approach for elucidating their interactions.
The investigation of 16O states by the 15N(d, n)16O reaction

Abstract Using the pulsed beam, neutron time-of-flight method, polarization angular distributions for thirteen states in 16 O have been measured for the 15 N ( d , n ) 16 O reaction at a deuteron energy of 4.83 MeV. The differential cross section for elastic scattering of deuterons from 15 N was analyzed using the optical-model formalism to provide initial-state wave functions for distorted-wave method calculations of the 15 N ( d , n ) 16 O reactions. These calculations were compared to experimental differential cross-section and polarization data and were used for an analysis of P ( θ ) σ ( σ ). The agreement between experiment and calculations is fair for most of the states. The summed particle strengths and energy centroids were calculated for several particle states and were compared to shell-model calculations.
Agricultural Entrepreneurs: The First and the Forgotten?

This essay is not a comprehensive study of all issues facing agriculture today. It will be noted that agriculture is a rapidly changing industry with many high value resources at its disposal. Farmers tend to be referenced as a uniform group by the majority of Americans. Upon closer inspection, farmers are discovered to be anything but uniform as evidenced by the abundance of descriptive terms and metrics encountered in the literature. Rather than argue the many arbitrary definitions of "farmer", this paper strives to accurately depict today's agricultural entrepreneur and contemplate policies that best support him or her - regardless of farm size or business strategy. With the implicit understanding that not every farmer or aspiring farmer is entrepreneurial, it is the authors' hope that casual assumptions about agriculture can be dispelled and meaningful policy issues can be discussed objectively.
Electromagnetic mass splittings of baryons in a boson-fermion model

Electromagnetic mass splittings of the members of the baryon octet and decuplet are calculated with a model in which these baryons are bound states of a boson sextet and a fermion triplet. The ten baryon electromagnetic splittings are given in terms of four parameters, and thus six independent relations among the splittings are obtained.
THE STATE OF THE GREAT SIOUX, PART ONE

By the late 1600s, the Great Sioux had settled in what is now known as Minnesota as village farmers. As a result of conflict with other First Americans, the Sioux –then known as Dakota– began to divide and to migrate west. The result of the division was three groups –the Dakota, Nakota, and Lakota. Within four decades the population of this great nation had been decimated and the nation itself had been reduced to a defeated and despondent people totally dependent on the United States for the resources necessary for its survival. This manuscript describes the Massacre at Wounded Knee, The Great Dakota Conflict, and then summarizes the current population, cultural, and economic status of the Great Sioux.
The synthetic RGDS peptide inhibits the binding of fibrinogen lacking intact alpha chain carboxyterminal sequences to human blood platelets

The alpha chain 572-574 Arg-Gly-Asp sequence of fibrinogen appears to play only a minor role in platelet aggregation based on the ability of fibrinogen preparations lacking alpha chain carboxyterminal segments to support platelet aggregation, but synthetic Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser (RGDS) peptides are capable of inhibiting platelet aggregation and fibrinogen binding. The present study thus examined the ability of RGDS peptides to inhibit platelet interactions with a plasmic degradation product of fibrinogen (8D-50) that resembles an intermediate fragment X. Gel-filtered, human blood platelets suspended in 0.01 mol/L HEPES-buffered modified Tyrode's solution, pH 7.5, were stimulated with 20 mumol/L adenosine diphosphate and the binding of 125I-labeled 8D-50 or intact fibrinogen (0.01 to 0.6 mg/mL) assessed in the presence of 0 to 117 mumol/L RGDS. The data revealed that RGDS decreased the apparent affinity of 8D-50 and intact fibrinogen for platelets but did not affect the maximum number of binding sites. RGDS thus appears to be a competitive inhibitor not only of intact fibrinogen (Ki = 12 +/- 2 mumol/L) but also of 8D-50 (Ki = 15 +/- 3 mumol/L) (mean +/- SD, n = 3).
A Historical Perspective on Lasing Without Inversion

The objective of this article is to put the concepts of lasing without inversion, electromagnetically induced transparency, and quantum interferences into a broad historical perspective.
CRYPTORCHISM AND MATERNAL ESTROGEN EXPOSURE

A case-control study of in utero estrogen exposure and cryptorchism was carried out using as cases males born in Rochester, Minnesota, during the years 1943-1973 who were diagnosed as having cryptorchism. Two different control groups were selected for comparison, control group I being more closely matched than control group II. The estimated relative risks (RR) for estrogen exposure were 1.3 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.5-3.1) and 1.1 (95% CI = 0.5-2.6) for control groups I and II, respectively. In the univariate analysis, the only significantly elevated relative risks found were those for bleeding and spotting in the third trimester for cases versus control group II (RR = 3.7; 95% CI = 1.1-15.7), birth weight less than 2,500 g for cases versus control group II (RR = 3.4; 95% CI = 1.3-9.9), and gestational age of 40 weeks or less for cases versus control group I (RR = 1.8; 95% CI = 1.2-2.9). No elevated relative risks were associated with other problems during the index pregnancy or with prior pregnancies, nor with progestin exposure, smoking, presentation at delivery, or mode of onset of labor. Multivariate analysis also provided no evidence to suggest that in utero estrogen exposure is associated with cryptorchism in male offspring.
Flight Attendant Medical Research Institute (FAMRI)

The Flight Attendant Medical Research Institute (FAMRI) was established with a $300 million settlement resulting from a class action lawsuit brought by Stanley and Susan Rosenblatt in October 1991, in Dade County Circuit Court (Miami) against the tobacco …
THE STRATEGIC ROLE OF INTERNATIONAL MARKETING

Given the opposing views expressed on this topic, I would like to summarize my position in two main points and then attempt to illustrate them.
7.4. DEVELOPING TECHNICAL STRATEGY WITH SYSTEMS ENGINEERING

A successful technical strategy is critical for success in the high technology industries. But defining a successful technical strategy can be difficult, in part because there is little in the literature on developing and implementing successful technical strategies in Corporate America. The basis for much of the advanced thinking on effective strategies comes out of the military environment: what an effective strategy is and how it can be implemented. This paper briefly reviews some military thinking on strategy. The major thrust of this paper applies systems engineering to the business system development problem. It identifies key technical elements of the business strategy, technologies to be used, company practices for a successful business, and positive feedback from customers. In this context, the issue is to systems engineer a business solution and an effective technical strategy. A second thrust of this paper is to summarize the systems engineering process thus needed to perform this front end business system development. This paper describes the systems engineering process elements needed to implement technical strategy in the commercial environment.
The Structure and Functions of Language

This paper will discuss the nature of language. I find the present state of the subject, the Philosophy of Language, and the present state of Lin- guistics to be both, for different reasons, unsatisfactory. The problem with the Philosophy of Language is that its practitioners tend to lose sight of the psy- chological reality of language, i.e. of speaking and writing. Historically this is because the Philosophy of Language began with Frege's logic and has continued to the present day to be heavily influenced by considerations of formal logic. Logicians need not be interested in the psychological reality of logical systems. Frege's logical system is much more powerful than Aristotle's, but for all I know Aristotle may be closer to the way people actually think. It does not matter to logicians.
LXII. Ferromagnetism in the oxide obtained by dehydration of gamma ferric oxide hydrate

Pure gamma ferric oxide hydrate corresponding to the mineral lepidoerocite, Fe2O3. H2O, has been prepared and studied as to the temperature-stability relations, the magnetic changes in the oxide fo...
Regulator of G-protein Signaling 3 (RGS3) Inhibits Gβ1γ2-induced Inositol Phosphate Production, Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Activation, and Akt Activation

Regulator of G-protein signaling 3 (RGS3) enhances the intrinsic rate at which Gαi and Gαq hydrolyze GTP to GDP, thereby limiting the duration in which GTP-Gαi and GTP-Gαq can activate effectors. Since GDP-Gα subunits rapidly combine with free Gβγ subunits to reform inactive heterotrimeric G-proteins, RGS3 and other RGS proteins may also reduce the amount of Gβγ subunits available for effector interactions. Although RGS6, RGS7, and RGS11 bind Gβ5 in the absence of a Gγ subunit, RGS proteins are not known to directly influence Gβγ signaling. Here we show that RGS3 binds Gβ1γ2 subunits and limits their ability to trigger the production of inositol phosphates and the activation of Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinase. Co-expression of RGS3 with Gβ1γ2 inhibits Gβ1γ2-induced inositol phosphate production and Akt activation in COS-7 cells and mitogen-activated protein kinase activation in HEK 293 cells. The inhibition of Gβ1γ2 signaling does not require an intact RGS domain but depends upon two regions in RGS3 located between acids 313 and 390 and between 391 and 458. Several other RGS proteins do not affect Gβ1γ2 signaling in these assays. Consistent with the in vivo results, RGS3 inhibits Gβγ-mediated activation of phospholipase Cβ in vitro. Thus, RGS3 may limit Gβγ signaling not only by virtue of its GTPase-activating protein activity for Gα subunits, but also by directly interfering with the activation of effectors.
A Solution for Dispersed Flow Heat Transfer Using Equilibrium Fluid Conditions

A method for predicting steady state dispersed vertical upflow film boiling heat transfer under constant heat flux conditions is presented. Differential transport equations and accepted heat transfer correlations are used to form a solution dependent upon knowledge of conditions at the dryout point only. Thermal nonequilibrium is included in the analysis and the actual flow quality is determined from local equilibrium conditions. A nondimensional grouping is derived which indicates the extent of nonequilibrium present in the flow. Results of this analysis are compared to data of three fluids in tube geometry: Freon 12, nitrogen, and steam. Predictions compare favorably with data from all three fluids.
Surface interactions in a shear field

The interaction between a fluid and a solid surface in shear flow is of fundamental importance in many areas of technology, including polymer processing. The authors are particularly interested in a polymer extrusion instability known as melt fracture, which is believed by some workers to be associated with a loss of adhesion at the polymer/metal interface (slip). The dynamics of chain exchange between flowing bulk melt and the channel wall were studied for oligomeric polyolefins using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR/FTIR). The dynamics are dominated by a surprisingly slow first-order process which depends on flow rate and materials of construction of the channel wall. The picture which seems to emerge is an entropically-driven flow-rate- (or stress-) dependent adsorption equilibrium which retards the exchange between the surface and bulk.
Applications of crack analogy to fretting fatigue

Abstract In literature the most common approach to investigate fretting fatigue is based on contact mechanics. Crack initiation parameters of fretting fatigue are developed using elastic solution of two contacting bodies. Even though contact based parameters has been used extensively, they could not fully capture crack initiation mechanism due to the complexities of the fretting fatigue damage process, which depends on pad geometries, surface properties, material properties, and mechanical loading conditions. This has instigated fretting fatigue researcher to investigate other approaches. Recently, taking advantage of the similarities between contact mechanics and fracture mechanics lead to the development of crack analogy methodology (CAM), which defines the stress intensity factor as a fretting fatigue crack initiation parameter. CAM has shown a great potential investigating fretting fatigue. However, it has not been applied to wide range of fretting fatigue scenarios. The scope of this paper is not to focus on analytical development of CAM as much as validating its ability to analyze various fretting fatigue scenarios. Based on CAM, the present study introduces the crack analogy fretting parameter (CAF-parameter) to investigate crack initiation of fretting fatigue, which is equivalent to the change of mode II stress intensity factor at the contact surface, since the change in the stress intensity factor reflects the cyclic mechanism of fatigue. Further, a modification to the CAM is adopted to include various indenter-substrate geometries. Also, CAF-parameter–life curve, similar to the stress–life S–N curve, will be developed as a prediction tool to crack initiation for various geometric configurations using experimental data. This is consistent with presenting fatigue data. The results show similar pattern to plain fatigue with lower damage tolerance. It also shows scatter and dependency on the pad configuration as expected. Finally, the CAF-parameter shows potentials in effectively analyzing/predicting the complex mechanism of fretting fatigue.
Angiotensin Receptor Blockers Worsen Renal Function and Dyspnea on Ticagrelor: A Potential Ticagrelor-Angiotensin Receptor Blocker Interaction?

Ticagrelor is a new antiplatelet agent that was pitted against clopidogrel in the Platelet Inhibition and Patient Outcomes (PLATO) trial. Because ticagrelor is the first oral, reversible, twice-daily agent, sufficient information on drug interactions is not available. Our objective was to ascertain the safety of ticagrelor with other common medications. The US Food and Drug Administration Complete Response Review indicates that renal adverse events (AEs) and renal function AEs were higher in ticagrelor-treated patients who were concomitantly treated with angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) >50% of study days compared to ticagrelor-treated patients who did not receive ARBs >50% of study days. Clopidogrel-treated patients showed a trend for an increase in adverse renal events with ARB use. However, this was not as pronounced as that observed with ticagrelor. Dyspnea was also significantly increased in patients on concomitant ticagrelor-ARB compared to ticagrelor without concomitant ARB and clopidogrel (21.4% vs 14.6% vs 9.9%, respectively) as well as angioedema (0.15% vs 0.09%). Furthermore, in patients with a baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <30 mL/min, the risk of major bleeding, death, and renal failure was increased in patients on ticagrelor compared to patients on clopidogrel. In patients on ticagrelor, ARBs significantly increased the frequency of renal related AEs, renal function AEs, and dyspnea. Moreover, in patients with a baseline eGFR <30 mL/min, the risk of major bleeding, death, and renal failure was increased in patients on ticagrelor compared to patients on clopidogrel.
Chemical synthesis of restriction enzyme recognition sites useful for cloning

By a triester chemical synthesis method, three decameric DNA's have been made; these act as substrates for several restriction endonucleases, including Eco RI, Bam I, and Hind III. These homogenous decamers form duplexes that can be efficiently blunt-end ligated to themselves or to other DNA molecules by the action of T4 DNA ligase and thus are useful tools for molecular cloning experiments.
Gregorio Vásquez de Arce y Ceballos (1638–1711) in Viceregal Colombia: Workshop Practices and the Role of Draftsmanship

Le peintre colombien Gregorio Vasquez de Arce y Ceballos (1638–1711) est ne d’une famille originaire de Seville et installee a Bogota depuis la fin du XVIe siecle. A l’epoque de Vasquez, Bogota etait l’un des centres artistiques les plus importants du vice-royaume espagnol de la Nouvelle-Grenade, qui couvrait les actuels pays de l’Equateur et de la Colombie, vers le nord, en direction du Panama et du Venezuela. Vasquez est un personnage important dans l’histoire de l’art des colonies espagnoles, notamment du au grand nombre de dessins qu’il a laisses, dont au moins 106 survivent. Reconnu surtout pour ses travaux pour differentes institutions religieuses a Bogota, Tunja et ailleurs dans la Nouvelle-Grenade, il est l’un des peintres les plus prolifiques des trois siecles d’histoire des colonies americaines espagnoles. La commande la plus importante de Vasquez est probablement celle de la douzaine de peintures qui decorent la chapelle du Sagrario, construite entre 1660 et 1700 et adjacente a la cathedrale de Bogota. L’enorme production artistique de Vasquez a ete possible grâce a un atelier qui semble avoir inclus son frere, sa fille et son fils. Un petit groupe de peintures, recemment decouvert au Denver Art Museum, est ici attribue a Gregorio Vasquez et a son atelier. L’etude de ces tableaux suscite une nouvelle reflexion sur les pratiques d’atelier et les methodes d’enseignement de ce grand peintre, incluant le role primordial des gravures europeennes et des dessins du maitre.
EFFECTS OF A TOURISM AWARENESS PROGRAM ON THE ATTITUDES AND KNOWLEDGE OF OLDER ADULTS

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether older adults can learn cognitively and attitudinally from a one‐time exposure to information presented in an incidental fashion (i.e., information individuals are not actively seeking but that is presented while they are engaged in another activity, such as a social gathering). In this case, the information presented was a lecture and film on tourism. The study also sought to determine if these older adults could retain this information over a long‐term period (1 month). The sample (N = 213) consisted of members of six American Association of Retired Persons groups and one church senior citizen group. Participants were divided into a control group and an experimental group and given a pretest. After hearing a lecture and seeing a film on tourism awareness, the experimental group was given an immediate posttest. One month later, these participants were given a delayed posttest to determine if they had retained the information given the month before....
“We both just trusted and leaned on the Lord”: a qualitative study of religiousness and spirituality among African American breast cancer survivors and their caregivers

Most breast cancer (BC) survivorship research focuses on the general population of survivors. Scant research investigates the potentially unique experiences of minorities, especially during and after the difficult transition from primary treatment to post-treatment. This qualitative study explored African American BC survivors’ and caregivers’ quality-of-life in the post-treatment period with a focus on social and spiritual well-being. Participants included a convenience sample of African American women with stage I–III BC (N = 23) who completed treatment 6–24 months before enrollment. Primary caregivers (N = 22) included friends, spouses and other family members (21 complete dyads). Participants completed separate semi-structured telephone interviews. Template analysis was used to evaluate themes related to religiousness and spirituality, both across and within dyads. After treatment, religiousness and spirituality played a major role in both survivors’ and caregivers’ lives by: (1) providing global guidance, (2) guiding illness management efforts and (3) facilitating recovery. Participants described a spiritual connectedness with God and others in their social networks. Dyad members shared the goal of keeping a positive attitude and described positive growth from cancer. Few future concerns were expressed due to the belief that survivors were healed and “done” with cancer. Beyond practical and emotional support, provision of spiritual assistance was common. Results highlight the principal, positive role of religiousness and spirituality for African American BC survivors and caregivers after treatment. Findings emphasize the need to assess the importance of religious and spiritual beliefs and practices, and if appropriate, to provide resources that promote spiritual well-being.
Cigarette smoking and interest in quitting in methadone maintenance patients

Abstract Objectives To examine tobacco use, readiness to quit, and interest in smoking cessation interventions among methadone maintenance patients. Methods Cross-sectional survey of outpatients enrolled in four urban methadone maintenance clinics. Stage of readiness to quit was determined for all smokers, and factors associated with both readiness to quit and interest in attending an on-site smoking cessation program were determined. Results Among 389 patients, 83% were current smokers. Nearly half (48%) of smokers were contemplating quitting, and an additional 22% were in the preparation stage of readiness to quit. In multivariate analyses, lower nicotine dependence, prior use of smoking cessation pharmacotherapy, and lower methadone dose were associated with being in the preparation stage. Patients with more education, Hispanics/Latinos, and patients who had used smoking cessation pharmacotherapy or were in the preparation or contemplation stages of behavior change were more interested in attending an on-site smoking cessation program. Conclusions Tobacco use is highly prevalent among methadone maintenance patients, but we also observed a high level of readiness to quit and interest in smoking cessation. Targeted smoking cessation interventions, including on-site programs, should be developed for methadone maintenance patients.
Electrical control of photonic crystal cavity by graphene

We demonstrate electro-optic modulation of a graphene-clad silicon photonic crystal cavity. A change of 1.5 nm in cavity linewidth is observed.
The Influence of Aerobic Exercise on Physiological Stress Responsivity

The present study examined the relationship between aerobic exercise participation and physiological stress responsivity to psychosocial stressors. Male subjects (N = 107) who were either intense aerobic exercisers, moderate aerobic exercisers, or nonexereisers completed a telephone interview, a personality assessment battery, a life stress questionnaire, and a physical exercise and hobby questionnaire. Subjects then participated in a stressful laboratory procedure where they faced two stressors: an electric shock procedure, and a difficult “intelligence test.” Pulse rate, finger pulse volume, and skin resistance were assessed during the entire laboratory procedure. Although results demonstrated consistent significant cardiovascular (i.e., pulse rate and pulse volume) differences among the exercise groups during the entire laboratory procedure in that exercisers were less physiologically reactive to the stressors and the recovery periods, most of these results failed to reach significance when statistically controlling for the baseline/anticipation-of-stressors physiological measures. The implications of this study for further research are discussed.
Matrix Metalloproteinases and Minocycline: Therapeutic Avenues for Fragile X Syndrome

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common known genetic form of intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorders. FXS patients suffer a broad range of other neurological symptoms, including hyperactivity, disrupted circadian activity cycles, obsessive-compulsive behavior, and childhood seizures. The high incidence and devastating effects of this disease state make finding effective pharmacological treatments imperative. Recently, reports in both mouse and Drosophila FXS disease models have indicated that the tetracycline derivative minocycline may hold great therapeutic promise for FXS patients. Both models strongly suggest that minocycline acts on the FXS disease state via inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), a class of zinc-dependent extracellular proteases important in tissue remodeling and cell-cell signaling. Recent FXS clinical trials indicate that minocycline may be effective in treating human patients. In this paper, we summarize the recent studies in Drosophila and mouse FXS disease models and human FXS patients, which indicate that minocycline may be an effective FXS therapeutic treatment, and discuss the data forming the basis for the proposed minocycline mechanism of action as an MMP inhibitor.
The role of reactive elements in thermal barrier coatings

With the assistance of high-performance computing, the authors employ density functional theory (DFT) calculations to investigate atomic-level interactions at interfaces between ceramics and metals. They present their findings, based on DFT calculations, characterizing ideal interfaces related to those present in typical thermal barrier coatings.
Local order parameter near the critical point: A Monte Carlo study

Abstract The probability distribution of the local magnetization in a Heisenberg ferromagnet has been investigated near the critical temperature. The distribution function depends strongly upon the number of atoms generating the local field. A cusp-like critical broadening is observed with different behavior above and below the critical temperature.
Free Mode Coupling of Saginaw Bay and Lake Huron

Abstract Time series analyses of water level records from four stations within and outside of Saginaw Bay are made. Coherence squares computed from these series show that the 2nd, 3rd, and 6th longitudinal modes of the bay are strongly coupled with the 3rd, 5th, and 6th longitudinal modes of Lake Huron. Cross spectra provide estimates of phase differences for the coupled modes at the various stations. The complexity of the spectra increases significantly due to the presence of many non-longitudinal seiches during periods when the mean wind exceeds approximately 3.5 m/sec.
Effect of long term, high temperature aging on luminescence from Eu-doped YSZ thermal barrier coatings

Abstract The use of the luminescence from europium doped yttria-stabilized zirconia thermal barrier coatings for non-contact thermometry has been previously studied up to 850 °C [Choy, K.L. et al., Surface Engineering, 16 [6] (2000) 496] and 1150 °C [M.M. Gentleman and D.R. Clarke, Surface and Coatings Technology, 188–189 (2004) 93]. In this contribution we examine the effect of long-term, high temperature aging and martensitic phase transformation on both the details of the luminescence spectrum and the temperature-dependent lifetime of the luminescence. It is found that even after prolonged aging, the wavelength of the 5D0 → 7F2 emission peak shifts only very slightly with increasing percentage of transformation to the monoclinic phase. Preliminary data suggests that the effect on the decay lifetime up to 1150 °C is very slight, expressed in a slight shift of the onset of thermal quenching to lower temperatures; the slope of the characteristic decay time-constant versus temperature appears relatively unaffected.
Flexible Biradicals in Liquid and Supercritical Carbon Dioxide: The Exchange Interaction, the Chain Dynamics, and a Comparison with Conventional Solvents

X-band time-resolved electron paramagnetic resonance (TREPR) spectra of three flexible biradicals of varying chain length and structure were obtained in liquid and supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) solutions and compared to conventional solvents. For C16 acyl−alkyl biradical 1a, an average spin exchange interaction between the radical centers, Javg, was obtained by spectral simulation using a simple model for spin-correlated radical pairs (SCRPs) and a small amount of T2 relaxation from a previously established J modulation mechanism. A large solvent effect on Javg was observed for the first time, varying by almost 1 order of magnitude from CO2 (Javg = −120 ± 10 MHz) to heavy mineral oil (−11 ± 3 MHz) for 1a. For C15 bis(alkyl) biradical 1b, spectra obtained under supercritical conditions are only slightly different from those detected in liquid CO2 but differ from spectra taken in benzene. For C10 acyl−alkyl biradical 2a, more emissive spin polarization due to S−T- mixing is observed in CO2 than in benz...
Flexural capacity of prestressed concrete beams reinforced with aramid fiber reinforced polymer (AFRP) rectangular tendons

Abstract The use of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites is significantly growing in construction and infrastructure applications where durability under harsh environmental conditions is of great concern. Aramid fiber composite rectangular tendons have potential as reinforcements for concrete structures. Recent studies on prestressed concrete beams have showed brittle flexural failure due to the elastic rupture of the FRPs; however, for the maintenance and hazard anticipation of structures, the brittle failure mode is undesirable. In order to improve the ductility, a series of flexural tests was carried out on beams with bonded and/or unbonded rectangular rebars, or with additional non-tensioned (regular reinforced) rebars. Test results showed that ultimate deformation in the beam with unbonded rectangular rebars was 250% that of the beam with bonded rectangular rebars, while the loading capacity was 85%. The additional placement of reinforced rectangular rebars produced a 450% higher ultimate deformation. It was found that the ductility was significantly enhanced by the use of combination of bonded and unbonded rectangular rebars.
On parameter convergence in adaptive control

Abstract It is well known that the parameter error as well as the model-plant mismatch error in a model reference adaptive scheme tends exponentially to zero iff a certain sufficient richness condition holds for signals inside the time-varying plant control loop. In this paper we give conditions on the reference signal (the exogenous input to the adaptive loop) — namely, that it have as many spectral lines as there are unknown parameters, in order to guarantee parameter convergence.
Memory T cells need CD28 costimulation to remember.

The activation and expansion of naive T cells require costimulatory signals provided by CD28 and TNF family members. In contrast, for many years it was believed that memory T cells do not require CD28 costimulation for expansion during secondary responses. This was based on in vitro experiments that suggested the re-activation of memory T cells is somewhat independent of costimulation. Recent in vivo evidence, however, has challenged this and shown that both CD4+ and CD8+ memory T cells require CD28 costimulation for maximal expansion and pathogen clearance. This requirement has important implications for host immunity, vaccine development and immunotherapeutics.
Ventilatory dependency after cardiovascular surgery

Objectives Ventilatory dependency is a widely recognized complication of cardiovascular surgery, often leading to tracheostomy. Some risk factors for its occurrence have been documented. Less well characterized are short- and long-term outcomes. Therefore, objectives were to identify risk factors for ventilatory dependency, assess its short- and long-term outcomes, and determine impact of tracheostomy. Methods From January 1998 to September 2001, 12,777 patients underwent cardiovascular surgery and survived at least 72 hours. Of these patients, 704 (5.5%) developed ventilatory dependency (cumulative intubation >72 hours); 185 (26%) underwent tracheostomy. Preoperative, intraoperative, and intensive care unit admission data were used sequentially to understand predictors of ventilatory dependency. Outcomes were analyzed by time-related methods, and impact of tracheostomy was assessed using competing-risks analysis. Results Hemodynamic status on intensive care unit admission (low cardiac output, vasopressor use, pulmonary hypertension; P Conclusions Improved operative and postoperative strategies to preserve myocardial function and restore hemodynamics should decrease the prevalence of ventilatory dependency. Unfortunately, preoperative models of ventilatory dependency are too insensitive for clinical use. Tracheostomy and its outcome are also poorly predicted, highlighting the complex interaction of events altering patients' conditions before and after tracheostomy.