cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nosocomial meningitis in children after ventriculoperitoneal shunt insertion

This study reviews 33 cases of ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) meningitis among 415 children after 540 shunt insertions within 8 y, in 9 paediatric intensive care units from 5 centres in Slovakia. The incidence of VPS meningitis was 6.3% per insertion. The most common organisms isolated from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and shunt were coagulase-negative staphylococci (52.8%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (13.1%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (7.5%). Seven of 15 assessed risk factors were significantly associated with VPS meningitis, compared with non-VPS meningitis: prior meningitis with hydrocephalus (15.1 vs 1.5%, p< 0.015), perinatal pathology (51.1 vs 1.5%, p< 0.001), very low birthweight (66.6 vs 16.2%, p< 0.001), polymicrobial nosocomial meningitis (30.3 vs 5.9%, p < 0.002), S. aureus (21.2 vs 7.3%, p < 0.05), coagulase-negative staphylococci (84.8 vs 30.9%, p < 0.001) and P. aeruginosa and Acinetobacter calcoaceticus (30.3 vs 4.5%, p < 0.001) in aetiology. □Ventriculoperitoneal shunt infections
Designing a thermoelectrically powered wireless sensor network for monitoring aluminium smelters

AbstractAluminium production cells, Hall-Heroult ‘potlines’, are inefficient and inadequately outfitted with sensors, mostly due to safety concerns with sensor wires between pots, possible interfer...
Indigenous Knowledge and Sea Ice Science: What Can We Learn from Indigenous Ice Users?

Drawing on examples mostly from Inupiaq and Yupik sea ice expertise in coastal Alaska, this contribution examines how local and indigenous knowledge (LIK) can inform and guide geophysical and biological sea ice research. Part of the relevance of LIK derives from its linkage to sea ice use and the services coastal communities derive from the ice cover. As a result, indigenous experts keep track of a broad range of sea ice variables at a particular location. These observations are embedded into a broader worldview that speaks to both long-term variability or change and the system of values associated with ice use. The contribution examines eight different contexts in which transmission of LIK is particularly relevant. These include the role of LIK in study site selection and assessment of a sampling campaign in the context of inter-annual variability, the identification of rare or inconspicuous phenomena or events, the contribution by indigenous experts to hazard assessment and emergency response, the record of past and present climate embedded in LIK, and the value of holistic sea ice knowledge in detecting subtle, intertwined patterns of environmental change. The relevance of local, indigenous sea ice expertise in helping advance adaptation and responses to climate change as well as its potential role in guiding research questions and hypotheses are also examined. The challenges that may have to be overcome in creating an interface for exchange between indigenous experts and sea ice researchers are considered. Promising approaches to overcome these challenges include cross-cultural, interdisciplinary education, and the fostering of Communities of Practice.
Functional diversity in a marine fish community

Gifford, D. J., Collie, J. S., and Steele, J. H. 2009. Functional diversity in a marine fish community. - ICES Journal of Marine Science, 66: 791-796.Calculations of fluxes in an end-to-end foodweb linear steady-state budget model are used to estimate constraints on the Georges Bank fish community that operate through decade-scale changes in nutrient input and fishing effort. The effects of these constraints are described in terms of fish functional groups and species diversity, and compensatory responses in fish community structure are considered. It is concluded that the overall fish community, rather than individual species, is resilient to external stresses imposed by combined fishing pressure and food limitation.
Effect of photoperiod on the regulation of wheat vernalization genes VRN1 and VRN2.

Wheat is usually classified as a long day (LD) plant because most varieties flower earlier when exposed to longer days. In addition to LD, winter wheats require a long exposure to low temperatures (vernalization) to become competent for flowering. Here we show that in some genotypes this vernalization requirement can be replaced by interrupting the LD treatment by 6 weeks of short day (SD), and that this replacement is associated with the SD down-regulation of the VRN2 flowering repressor. In addition, we found that SD down-regulation of VRN2 at room temperature is not followed by the up-regulation of the meristem identity gene VRN1 until plants are transferred to LD. This result contrasts with the VRN1 up-regulation observed after the VRN2 down-regulation by vernalization, suggesting the existence of a second VRN1 repressor. Analysis of natural VRN1 mutants indicated that a CArG-box located in the VRN1 promoter is the most likely regulatory site for the interaction with this second repressor. Up-regulation of VRN1 under SD in accessions carrying mutations in the CArG-box resulted in an earlier initiation of spike development, compared to other genotypes. However, even the genotypes with CArG box mutations required LD for a normal and timely spike development. The SD acceleration of flowering was observed in photoperiod sensitive winter varieties. Since vernalization requirement and photoperiod sensitivity are ancestral traits in Triticeae species we suggest that wheat was initially a SD–LD plant and that strong selection pressures during domestication and breeding resulted in the modification of this dual regulation. The down-regulation of the VRN2 repressor by SD is likely part of the mechanism associated with the SD–LD regulation of flowering in photoperiod sensitive winter wheat.
Learning new response sequences.

Four rats were required to press either a right or left lever to complete various three-response sequences. After extended exposure to a training sequence, subjects were shifted to a new target sequence. The new target sequences always differed from the previous sequence by the response required in the first or last position of the sequence. Subjects were repeatedly exposed to all possible combinations of training and new target sequences. Learning of new sequences occurred more rapidly when the change in the new target sequence was in the last position. Errors persisted longer in new sequences in which the change was in the first position. Extinction of the training sequence occured faster when the change was in the last position. Responses in the last position were considerably more sensitive to the shift to new target sequences than were responses in the first position. Even though response sequences may form new behavioral units from the training sequence, reinforcement and extinction acted differentially on the individual lever presses within new target sequences rather than on the sequences as a whole. These findings support the hypothesis that response strength is determined by contiguity to reinforcement.
Acousto-optic channelizer study

A coherent acoustooptic spectrum analyzer has been used to channelize a wideband RF signal into several narrowband signals. The channelizer features a Bragg cell used to physically spread out the wave's spectrum, a reference beam, and a fiber-optic array with each fiber leading to an optical detector. The effects of imperfections in the channelizing process caused by the physical setup were investigated. These effects can be characterized as notches in the bandpass frequency filter. Experimentally these notches have depths of 0.5 to 1.5 dB. The phase linearity of the response is within 5 degrees. The effects of these notches and of experimental techniques to alleviate the effects on the signal are described. Experimental results demonstrating the successful transmission and recovery of a BPSK (binary phase shift keying) spread-spectrum signal are also presented. >
Gaining Policy Insight with a System Dynamics Model of Pain Medicine Prescribing, Diversion and Abuse

Misuse of pain medicine is a leading cause of accidental deaths in the USA—over 15 000 deaths annually. A system dynamics model was developed and used to study the impact of three types of policy interventions to reduce adverse outcomes. Besides medical usage, the model also includes the diversion of pain medicines and their nonmedical use. Model behavior compared favourably with historical data at multiple points in the system. A prescription drug monitoring program intervention reduced nonmedical overdoses through supply restriction, and an intervention to reduce popularity of nonmedical usage reduced nonmedical overdoses by curtailing demand. A tamper-resistant drug formulation intervention resulted in decreased risk to individuals but increased overdose deaths. Key policy insights are that supply and demand must be carefully considered; that the feedback loops, which created the problem, can help to identify solutions; and that outcome metrics must be carefully chosen. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Alcohol Interaction with Zirconia Powders

The mechanism by which alcohol washing of ceramic powders produces soft agglomerates has been investigated by studying the interaction of ethanol with hydrous ZrO{sub 2} powders using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Unambiguous evidence of ethoxide formation has been found, which apparently prevents bond formation between adjacent particles and thus the formation of hard agglomerates.
The M2-M5 brane system and a generalized Nahm's equation

Abstract We propose an equation that describes M2-branes ending on M5-branes, and which generalizes the description of the D1–D3 system via Nahm's equation. The simplest solution to this equation constructs the transverse geometry in terms of a fuzzy three sphere. We show that the solution passes a number of consistency checks including a calculation of the energy of the system, matching to the self-dual string solution in the M5-brane worldvolume, and a study of simple fluctuations about the ground state configuration. We write down certain terms in the effective action of multiple membranes, which includes a sextic scalar coupling.
Is operative management effective in treatment of perforated typhoid

Abstract Background Salmonella typhi infection continues to be a significant problem worldwide. Patients suffering from “typhoid” in endemic regions such as West Africa often present late in the course of the disease with symptoms of malnutrition and peritonitis. Clinical peritonitis in these patients is invariably associated with perforation of the terminal ileum and purulent peritonitis. Operative intervention and its success have not been well documented. The purpose of this article is to review the experience of 1 hospital in West Africa and the efficacy of operative management of perforated intestine from typhoid. Methods A retrospective review of all patients admitted between January and October of 2003 to the Carolyn Kempton Memorial Hospital in Togo, West Africa, with the diagnosis of typhoid. Demographic data including age, sex, number of perforations, and outcome were obtained. All patients were treated with ampicillin, gentamycin, and flagyl or chloramphenicol as the sole antibiotic therapy along with operative management. Results One hundred ninety-one patients with typhoid were admitted. One hundred twelve patients underwent laparotomy for perforation, 18 of whom died from persistent typhoid septicemia for a mortality rate of 16%. Reoperative management was used in some patients who did not respond immediately. Conclusions Primary repair of typhoid perforation is a safe and effective treatment. Patients with persistent septicemia after laparotomy most likely have resistant Salmonella typhi infection. Availability of second-line antibiotic therapy in these third world countries would likely improve outcomes. Prospective studies on appropriate antibiotic therapy along with operative management in endemic areas are necessary until resources are available for preventative measures.
Dynamical resonances in chemical reactions

Gas-phase chemical reactions occur when one reactant collides with another followed by rearrangements of the atoms in the activated complex. This process is typically described by the reaction coordinate leading from the reactants to products via a transition state. In general, the transition state is only a whistle-stop for the reactive flux. However, an activated complex can sometimes be transiently trapped in the transition-state region as metastable quantum states. Such dynamical resonances can profoundly influence the dynamics of a chemical reaction. As a result, it has attracted much attention in the field of chemical dynamics over the past 30 years. Although signatures of dynamical resonances have been detected in several reactions [1–4], only the F + H2(HD) resonances have been elucidated [1–3]. It is thus exciting when a research team led by Profs Xueming Yang and Dong Hui Zhang in State Key Laboratory of Molecular Reaction Dynamics, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, unequivocally proved the existence of dynamical resonances in the Cl + HD (v = 1) → DCl + H reaction and elucidate them clearly through the state-of-the-art crossed molecular beams experiment and quantum dynamics calculations [5]. Experimentally, the first application of stimulated Raman pumping of HD molecules to the vibrationally excited v= 1 state in a crossed molecular beams study, in combination with the so-called differential cross-sections backward scattering spectroscopy method developed in their own laboratory, is Reaction coordinate Feshbach resonance pathway Shape resonance pathway
Self-shielding of thermal radiation by Chicxulub impact ejecta: Firestorm or fizzle?

As hypervelocity ejecta from the Chicxulub (Yucatan, Mexico) impact fell back to Earth, the surface may have received a deadly dose of thermal radiation sufficient to ignite global wildfires. Using a two-phase fluid flow code, which includes ejecta and air opacities in a radiative transfer calculation, we modeled the atmospheric reentry of spherules arriving at distal sites. The models predict a pulse of thermal radiation at the surface peaking at 5–15 kW/m 2 , analogous to an oven set on “broil” (~260° C). Previous calculations, which ignored spherule opacity, yielded >10 kW/m 2 sustained over >20 min and such an extended pulse is thought to be required for wood ignition. However, the new modeling suggests that fluxes only exceed the solar norm for ~30 min and are only >5 kW/m 2 for a few minutes. Previous models failed to consider the self-shielding effect of settling spherules, which block an increasing proportion of downward thermal radiation emitted by the later-arriving spherules. Such self-shielding may have prevented widespread wildfire ignition, although the thermal pulse may have been sufficient to ignite localized fires and kill fauna lacking temporary shelter. An opaque cap of submicron dust in the upper atmosphere could, however, override the self-shielding effect.
Analytic proportional-derivative control for precise and compliant motion

Precise control with proportional-derivative (PD) control generally requires stiffness. The proposed method determines critically damped PD control trajectories that precisely obtain target position and velocity constraints for arbitrary initial conditions. An analytic solution provides the PD control parameters, thereby determining the required impedance. The resulting controller precisely interpolates the target state by solving the full boundary-value problem. Control parameters are time-invariant, and need only be recomputed if the system diverges from the computed trajectory due to unexpected forces or noise. The resulting method provides control with automatically determined compliance, yielding natural response to perturbation.
Pancreatic Cancer and Inflammation

The association between cancer and inflammation is arguably undeniable. However, it is uncertain whether inflammation leads to cancer development or oncogenic changes result in inflammatory conditions. Regardless of the debate surrounding this argument, inflammation in the immediate vicinity of the tumor promotes its development and makes inflammatory markers attractive targets both for prevention as well as treatment. This review discusses the role of inflammation in pancreatic cancer, one of the most lethal cancers with the lowest survival rates. Risk factors associated with pancreatic cancer have an underlying inflammatory pathology. The mechanisms that influence cellular damage including signaling pathways in pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer will be briefly discussed.
HIV: Identification, Diagnosis, and Prevention

Over the last 30 years, advances in the understanding and treatment of HIV infected ranks among the most remarkable in medical history. While the rate of new HIV infections in the United States remain at a high level, advanced treatment options make HIV infection a manageable disease.
Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul: Building on a Diversified Base (Abridged)

Since the 1970s, the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan region (MSP) had outpaced the nation in job creation and income per capita. MSP's diversified base of industry clusters had enabled the region to adapt to economic downturns and an exodus of major corporate headquarters, earning it the accolade "Minnesota Miracle." Starting in 2003, however, MSP lagged the rest of the U.S. in job creation (see Exhibit 1). Alarmed business and civic leaders coalesced around a loose-knit group that congregated annually as the Itasca Project. In 2009 these leaders launched the Itasca Jobs Task Force, and its 2010 report set in motion a series of actions by groups of CEOs and politicians aimed at reversing these trends by creating jobs in all sectors of the economy. In the fall of 2011, however, it was unclear whether these efforts would achieve their intended results (see Exhibit 2), or whether longer-term corrective actions in education and skills training would need to take hold first.
Psychosocial issues in water-related injuries.

A pediatric water submersion injury is a devastating crisis that impacts countless numbers of people. In this article, the psychosocial implications affecting the parents, siblings, and grandparents are revealed in relation to the disruption that occurs in normal life patterns.
Lattice Entertain You: Paper Modeling of the 14 Bravais Lattices on Youtube.

A system for the construction of double-sided paper models of the 14 Bravais lattices, and important crystal structures derived from them, is described. The system allows the combination of multiple unit cells, so as to better represent the overall three-dimensional structure. Students and instructors can view the models in use on the popular internet channel YouTube at no cost.
Elevated intracellular level of basic fibroblast growth factor correlates with stage of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and is associated with resistance to fludarabine.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is characterized by delayed senescence and slow accumulation of monoclonal, small lymphocytes. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a pleiotropic cytokine that plays a role in hematopoiesis and apoptosis. Elevated bFGF levels have been detected in urine from patients with a variety of neoplastic diseases including various leukemias; however, the cellular source of the bFGF has not been determined. In this study, the intracellular bFGF level in lymphocytes of 36 patients with B-CLL and 15 normal donors was determined using an enzyme-linked immunoassay. In cells derived from patients with high-risk disease, the median level of intracellular bFGF was 381.5 pg/2 x 10(5) cells, compared with a median of 90.5 pg/2 x 10(5) cells in patients with intermediate disease. In patients with low-risk disease, the median bFGF level was 4.9 pg/2 x 10(5) cells, and in normal controls, it was 6.0 pg/2 x 10(5) cells. The difference in the bFGF levels was significant for the comparison between low- and intermediate-risk (P = .00119), low- and high-risk (P < .0001), and intermediate- and high-risk disease (P = .0001). Immunofluorescent stains of peripheral blood mononuclear cells confirmed CLL lymphocytes as a cellular source of bFGF. To evaluate the potential contribution of elevated intracellular bFGF levels to the phenotype of CLL cells, leukemic cells were cultured in vitro with an apoptotic stimulus (fludarabine). CLL cells with high intracellular levels of bFGF appeared to be more resistant to fludarabine treatment. The addition of bFGF to fludarabine-treated CLL cells resulted in a delay of apoptosis and prolonged survival. These data suggest that bFGF may contribute to the resistance of CLL cells to an apoptotic stimulus.
Consumer Attitudes About Renewable Energy. Trends and Regional Differences

The data in this report are taken from Natural Marketing Institute's (NMI's) Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability Consumer Trends Database. Created in 2002, the syndicated consumer database contains responses from 2,000 to 4,000 nationally representative U.S. adults (meaning the demographics of the sample are consistent with U.S. Census findings) each year. NMI used the database to analyze consumer attitudes and behavior related to renewable energy and to update previously conducted related research. Specifically, this report will explore consumer awareness, concerns, perceived benefits, knowledge of purchase options, and usage of renewable energy as well as provide regional comparisons and trends over time.
Infantile ichthyosis in rats: a new model of hyperkeratotic skin disease

A new mutation produces neonatal thickening of the epidermis and other classical signs of hyperkeratosis. After periodic exfoliations every 4 days for the first 2 weeks of life the skin becomes clinically normal. The condition is inherited recessively and ascribed to the gene i (infantile ichthyosis) which is located in linkage group I, 36 percent recombinants away from the albino gene, a. The gene affects an unrecognized developmental process in skin that precedes the continuing normal differentiation of epidermal cells in postnatal life.
Ultra Lightweight Isogrid Boom Space Experiment (UltraBoom) Systems Design

The purpose of the Ultra-Lightweight Isogrid Boom Space Experiment is to flight validate the non-traditional ultra lightweight rigidizable-inflatable, isogrid structure utilizing a composite graphite/shape memory polymer called UltraBoomTM. The goal of the flight experiment is to raise the technology readiness level of this enabling technology from 4 (i.e. component validated in a laboratory environment) to 7 (i.e. system demonstrated in a space environment) and to reduce risks for future missions. The UltraBoom Flight System envisioned for NASA’s New Millennium Program (NMP) Space Technology 8 (ST-8) project consists of two 30-meter long UltraBooms integrated onto a common honeycomb composite baseplate that also support the metrology system, inflation system, and avionics equipment. The system design of the flight experiment is currently at the preliminary design review (PDR) level and is ready to move into the refinement phase. The focus of this paper is on the systems design of the flight experiment and how it will meet the mission objectives.
Field Studies on the Persistence and Movement of Dyfonate in Soil

Dyfonate® ( O -ethyl S -phenyl ethylphosphonodithioate) was applied to soils as broadcast or band treatments at the high dosage of 10 pounds per acre to study: (I) the rate of decline of Dyfonate residues over a 22-month period, (2) the potential conversion of the applied compound into metabolic products, (3) the absorbance of Dyfonate into carrots and potatoes grown in the treated soil, and (4) the movement of Dyfonate from granule- or emulsion-treated bands into the surrounding untreated soil. Half the amount of Dyfonate, applied as an emulsion into the upper 5-inch soil layer, disappeared from the soil after 28 days. The amount of insecticide lost during 2 successive growing seasons was 76% of the insecticide concentration found in the soil each spring. No compounds, other than Dyfonate, could be detected by thin-layer or gas chromatography. The concentration of Dyfonate in the carrots was not related to the insecticide concentration in the soil. The extremely low residue level (0.001 ppm) in whole potatoes was in contrast to residue levels found in potatoes that were grown in soils containing residues of chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides. Although the insecticide was applied at a high concentration in 3 narrow bands, no appreciable movement of the insecticide from the applied band was detected in either direction by chemical assay. It appears from these data that in actual agricultural practice, leaching of Dyfonate into lower soil strata is unlikely. Based on Drosophila melanogaster Meigen bioassay, Dyfonate could control insects in an area up to 2 to 4 inches away from the band.
The Distribution of Some Mammals in Montana I. Mammals Other Than Bats

Information on current distribution of 40 species of mammals in Montana is given. Four species, Sorex preblei, Sciurus niger, Perognathus parvus, and Procyon lotor, are reported for the first time from Montana.
Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare and the unpredictable course of hypercalcemia in an AIDS patient

A 37-year-old man with AIDS presented with altered mental status four weeks after stopping his medications for Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare (MAI). He had low CD4 cell count and severe hypercalcemia. Bone marrow biopsy revealed bone marrow infiltration by granulomas positive for acid-fast bacilli and cultures grew MAI. His hypercalcemia continued to worsen with the initiation of MAI therapy but we were able to treat it successfully with pamidronate and calcitonin.
"It Really Takes a Village": A Socio-Ecological Model of Resilience for Prevention Among Economically Disadvantaged Ethnic Minority Youth.

Promoting resilience prevents maladaptation among economically disadvantaged ethnic minority (EDEM) youth. EDEM youth need access to a variety of assets and promotive factors (i.e., resources) in the family, school, and community system to counter risks and promote positive adaptation. However, the field lacks a socio-ecological model of resilience for prevention targeted towards EDEM youth. We aim to review assets and promotive factors in the family, school, and community systems to present a socio-ecological model of resilience for the prevention of negative educational and health outcomes among EDEM youth. We reorient the social ecologies of EDEM youth from “at risk” to “at promise” focusing on family and community-centered prevention models. We discuss implications for the design of prevention strategies as well as their implementation and methodological challenges.
Nutritional and Endocrinologic Complications

Nutrition support plays an important role in the management of critical illness. Our understanding of the difference between the impact of catabolism and that of nourishment in critical illness continues to evolve. In this chapter we will discuss the new diagnostic criteria for malnutrition in the setting of uncontrolled catabolism of critical illness.
Abstract 3921: TGFβ sensitizes hepatocellular carcinoma cells to growth factors, preventing sorafenib-induced apoptosis

Many hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients have a poor prognosis due to an acquired resistance of tumors to chemotherapeutic treatment. Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) has important roles in the control of cell differentiation, cell cycle progression, and apoptosis. An upregulation in the TGFβ signalling pathway is associated with poor prognosis in HCC patients. In this study, we aim to investigate the mechanisms by which TGFβ contributes to HCC tumor progression. We found that TGFβ significantly increases mRNA and protein levels of several mitogenic receptor tyrosine kinases, including insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in both time-dependent and dose-dependent manners in PLC/PRF/5 cells. Furthermore, TGFβ pretreatment significantly increases the acute cellular response to IGF1, IGF2, and EGF treatment, as measured by levels of pAKT and pERK also in both time-dependent and dose-dependent manners. We hypothesized that this increase in growth factor sensitivity would render cells resistant to sorafenib, the only approved targeted HCC chemotherapeutic agent. To test this, we pretreated PLC/PRF/5 cells with TGFβ for 48 hours then incubated the cells with sorafenib for up to 24 hours. We found that TGFβ pretreatment led to a reduction of cleaved caspases 3, 7, 9, and PARP, which are cleaved as cells undergo apoptosis. We confirmed an increase in cell viability via WST-1 assays and by counting viable cells. Lastly, we found that the TGFβRI kinase inhibitor, LY2157299, synergized with sorafenib to promote apoptosis. Taken together, our data suggests that TGFβ can enhance the survival of HCC cells by upregulating cell sensitivity to pro-survival growth factors. Furthermore, the use of both sorafenib and an inhibitor of the TGFβ signalling pathway may one day prove to be a more effective therapy for patients with advanced HCC. Citation Format: Nathan Ungerleider, Chang Han, Tong Wu. TGFβ sensitizes hepatocellular carcinoma cells to growth factors, preventing sorafenib-induced apoptosis. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 3921. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-3921
The importance of assessing treatment integrity: An example in the anxiety disorders

One purpose of this investigation was to examine the importance of assessing treatment integrity in a study evaluating a treatment for specific anxiety disorders. Three subjects, two social phobics and one simple phobic, received self-instruction training (Phase I) followed by exposure and self-instruction training (Phase II) in a multiple baseline across subjects design. All subjects were assessed during a pretreatment baseline and throughout treatment using measures of treatment integrity and measures of change in phobic severity. Improvement took place at different times for different subjects. Measures of treatment integrity, which consisted of monitoring of self-statements as well as practice outside the session, indicated that treatment was not always received as intended and that improvement was correlated with practice. The usefulness of measures of treatment integrity in both clinical and research settings is highlighted.
Challenges in Heavy Flavor and Quarkonium Production in p + p Collisions at the LHC

I discuss new results and open challenges in open heavy flavor and quarkonium production in p + p collisions at the LHC.
Treatment non-response: Associations with smoking expectancies among treatment-seeking smokers

Despite the high rate of smoking cessation treatment non-response, relatively little empirical work has examined predictors of treatment non-response. The present study sought to explore the effect of smoking outcome expectancies on treatment response in a sample of treatment-seeking adult daily smokers (N=182; 53.3% female; Mage=40.67; SD=13.63). Results indicated that expectancies for smoking to reduce negative affect were related to an increased likelihood of treatment non-response (OR=0.73, CI: 0.54, 0.98). These findings remained significant after controlling for sex, presence of Axis I disorder, tobacco-related health problems, tobacco dependence, anxiety sensitivity, and condition assignment as well as other smoking expectancy dimensions. Post hoc analyses revealed that this relation was stronger for smokers in the integrated care condition vs. the standard care condition (Interaction: OR=1.69, CI: 1.05, 2.73). Additionally, expectancies for smoking to enhance positive affect and provide sensory satisfaction were associated with an increased likelihood of treatment response in the standard care condition. The current findings suggest expectancies that smoking will alleviate negative affect may be a risk factor of smoking cessation treatment non-response. Additionally, findings provide evidence that the relation between smoking expectancies and treatment non-response may differ by smoking cessation treatment.
Hedge Funds and the Financial Market: Written Testimony Submitted to the United States House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

This document is a revised version of the written testimony submitted to the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform in connection to the hearing held on November 13, 2008 on Hedge Funds and the Financial Crisis. Based upon my research on the activities of hedge funds, there are three important findings I would like to share with the Committee. First, hedge funds did not cause the financial crisis and are in fact helping to mitigate its damage and save taxpayers money. This may seem surprising, but in fact hedge funds have historically made markets more stable and helped their investors conserve wealth in times of economic stress. Second, hedge funds' short-selling activities have helped draw attention to the poor management and investment decisions of financial companies in recent years. Indeed, when hedge funds short-sell the stocks of unhealthy companies, they help to divert capital from companies that are fundamentally unstable. This not only prevents stock market bubbles from becoming much worse, but it helps to ensure that companies that make sound decisions are rewarded and are able to provide stable jobs for their employees. Finally, existing laws and regulations should be strictly enforced against hedge funds and their managers, but changing how hedge funds are regulated could actually undermine the interests of investors and increase economic instability. If hedge funds are significantly restricted in their ability to develop innovative investment strategies, or are required to reveal their strategies to competitors, we all stand to lose from the unique benefits that the funds bring to the economy.
Autonomy, Identity, and Physical Disruption

We took pains in the first chapter to describe how autonomy is a type of coping behavior that, along with others, helps characterize personal identity. Seen from the perspective of a principle-based ethical system that emphasizes autonomy, several of the types of coping behaviors we described in the first chapter would not qualify as being in any way ethically “autonomous,” especially the type characterized by Uncle Chris, in which persons apparently willingly donate their freedom to some external power, be it fate or authority.
Lipid Domains and Biological Membrane Function

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the morphometric features of cells as well as the general structure and function of biological membranes. It is mentioned that the major chemical entities responsible for membrane formation are lipids. The clear structure adopted by lipids in biological membranes has evolved into the “fluid mosaic” model wherein a fluid lipid bilayer serves as a matrix for embedded proteins functioning as ion channels, receptor-effector coupled systems, transporters, and others. The general structure of biological membranes include cell surface plasma membrane, intracellular membranes of eukaryotic cells like the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), Golgi complex, lysosome, peroxisome, mitochondria and the nuclear membrane, and the structure of biomembrane lipid bilayer. The chapter also highlights the progress in the existing membrane models postulated by different researchers. The chapter includes the macroscopic and microscopic domains of the transbilayer lipid distribution in plasma membranes. The microscopic domains include phospholipid transbilayer, cholesterol transbilayer, sphingolipid and glycolipid transbilayer, fatty acid transbilayer domains, and regulation and pathophysiology.The section of lateral lipid microdomains in membranes includes plasma membrane lateral microdomains of sphingolipids and glycolipids, cholesterol lateral microdomains in plasma membranes, and regulation and pathophysiology of plasma membrane lateral domains The lipid domain fluidity of lateral plasma membrane includes macroscopic lateral lipid domains, microscopic plasma membrane lateral domains, and the structural consequences of lipid lateral domains in model membranes. The chapter concludes by stating that the molecular biologist must begin identifying specific genetic sequences coding for the proteins that regulate lipid domains in membranes and for proteins that direct lipid trafficking from intracellular sites of synthesis.
Matrix metalloproteinases in epithelia from human recurrent corneal erosion.

PURPOSE. To assay for the presence of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in human corneal epithelium affected by recurrent erosion compared with that in normal corneal epithelium. METHODS. Corneal epithelial debridement samples were obtained from 13 patients with recurrent epithelial erosion. For control specimens, epithelia were obtained from healthy patients undergoing photorefractive keratectomy. Zymography was performed on all samples to identify MMPs. Immunolocalization of MMP-2, laminin, and collagen type VII was determined in two samples with human recurrent epithelial erosion and compared with that in control epithelium. RESULTS. Twelve of 13 erosion samples showed MMP-2 enzymatic activity; one of the 12 also showed MMP-9 activity. Only one erosion sample showed no MMP enzymatic activity. All normal control specimens were negative for MMP. Immunohistochemical analysis of two recurrent erosion samples showed MMP-2 presence in basal cells, whereas, in normal epithelium it was not detected. One sample with epithelial erosion showed laminin localization in basal epithelial cells and basal lamina. Type VII collagen localized in basal epithelial cells only in this sample. A second erosion sample showed localization of laminin and type VII collagen in basal epithelial cells only. Normal corneal epithelium showed presence of laminin and type VII collagen in basal epithelium and basal lamina. CONCLUSIONS. Matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression is up regulated in human epithelia affected by recurrent erosion compared with that in normal control samples. Immune localization studies suggest that this enzyme is concen trated in basal epithelial cells where it may play an impor tant role in degradation of the epithelial anchoring system and the recurrent epithelial slippage and erosion observed in these patients.
PRACTICAL ISSUES REGARDING THE USE OF ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY FOR HIV INFECTION

With the recent development of potent new antiretroviral therapies, the management of HIV infection has become increasingly complex. There are now 12 antiretroviral drugs approved for use in the management of HIV infection, with several more in the advanced stages of clinical development. Staying current with this rapidly changing area of medicine is a challenge to clinicians caring for HIV-infected patients. This review provides an overview of HIV pathogenesis and discusses the basic principles of therapy. These principles, developed recently by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provide a practical framework to rapidly incorporate new developments into clinical practice. Each of the three classes of antiretroviral therapies is then explained, focusing on the practical management of side effects, drug interactions, and viral resistance. The antiviral activity and clinical efficacy of each therapeutic class is reviewed, with an emphasis on applying current results to clinical decision making. Finally, recently published treatment guidelines are reviewed.
Agricultural Insurance, Production and the Environment

Using a simple model of production under uncertainty, this paper studies the effects of agricultural insurance on farm production choices, soil depletion and the environment. Unlike prior studies of production under uncertainty, this paper allows for two related risks, one in short-to-medium run production revenues and the other in asset/land value. The analysis characterizes effects of insurance programs which stabilize either, both or linear combinations of short-run revenue risk and land price risk. In addition, the paper illustrates the prospective role and importance of land price risk in the determination of insurance program impacts, while distinguishing between effects of “pure” stabilizing insurance and the “truncating” types of insurance that are observed in practice.
The Ghrelin Receptor (GHSR1a), But Not Ghrelin, Is Essential for Dopamine Receptor-2 (DRD2) Agonist-Induced Anorexia

It appears paradoxical that ghrelin receptor (GHSR1a) is expressed in areas of the brain where ghrelin is not produced and where exposure to endogenous ghrelin is unlikely. We show that GHSR1a serves important functional roles in the absence of ghrelin. Non-ghrelin occupied GHSR1a (apo-GHSR1a) modifies canonical dopamine signaling through dopamine receptor-2 (DRD2) by formation of GHSR1a:DRD2 heteromers in native brain tissue. Apo-GHSR1a, but not ghrelin, is essential for the anorexigenic of a DRD2 agonist. These findings illustrate that in neurons expressing both GHSR1a and DRD2, GHSR1a allosterically modifies dopamine signaling and dopamine function. Most importantly, a GHSR1a selective antagonist blocks dopamine signaling in neurons containing both DRD2 and GHSR1a. The therapeutic implications of these results are profound, because by designing agents to selectively target GHSR1a:D2R or GHSR1a:D1R dimers, pharmacological manipulation of dopamine signaling can be targeted to subsets of neurons that co-express GHSR1a and DRD2 without affecting signaling in neurons expressing DRD2 alone. This approach of selective fine-tuning of dopamine signaling provides exciting opportunities for designing next generation therapeutics for feeding disorders and psychiatric disorders associated with abnormal dopamine signaling.
MWIR Solid-State Optical Phased Array Beam Steering using Germanium-Silicon Photonic Platform

We demonstrate a chip-scale germanium-silicon optical phased array fabricated on a Bi-CMOS compatible platform capable of beam steering in the mid-infrared wavelength. We achieved beam steering angle up to 12.7° with beam divergence of 0.47°×2.86°.
Early Information Literacy Experience Matters to Self-Efficacy and Performance Outcomes in Teacher Education

A teacher educator and college librarian collaboratively designed and taught teacher education workshops about finding and evaluating what works in teaching. This study investigated interactions of...
Interface Defect Engineering for Improved Graphene-Oxide-SemiconductorJunction Photodetectors

The deeply depleted graphene-oxide-semiconductor (D2GOS) junction detector provides an effective architecture for photodetection, enabling direct readout of photogenerated charge. Because of an inh...
Promises of Fully Distributed Optimization for IoT-Based Smart City Infrastructures

Modern wireless communication and sensor technologies enable ubiquitous sensing through distributed agents in various networks. In the context, collaborative interaction of Internet of Things (IoT) connected end-user devices enables achieving certain goals. In this study, we aim at introducing a holistic distributed framework that enhances operational performance of smart cities infrastructures. Then, we explain a fully distributed consensus + innovations approach for coordinating among agents. Our proposed consensus + innovations sits at the core of the proposed framework. In a nutshell, our distributed algorithm achieves a distributed solution for a collaborative decision making problem through iterative agent-based computations and limited inter-agent communications. This algorithm enables fully distributed coordination of agents, plug-and-play capability, and scalability of the solution algorithm for future network expansion.
Neighbourhood perceptions and residential mobility

This paper considers the ways in which neighbourhood perceptions can differentially affect residential mobility, particularly in low-income areas. Given the long history of understanding the relati...
Enhanced data efficiency using deep neural networks and Gaussian processes for aerodynamic design optimization

Adjoint-based optimization methods are attractive for aerodynamic shape design primarily due to their computational costs being independent of the dimensionality of the input space and their ability to generate high-fidelity gradients that can then be used in a gradient-based optimizer. This makes them very well suited for high-fidelity simulation based aerodynamic shape optimization of highly parametrized geometries such as aircraft wings. However, the development of adjoint-based solvers involve careful mathematical treatment and their implementation require detailed software development. Furthermore, they can become prohibitively expensive when multiple optimization problems are being solved, each requiring multiple restarts to circumvent local optima. In this work, we propose a machine learning enabled, surrogate-based framework that replaces the expensive adjoint solver, without compromising on predicting predictive accuracy. Specifically, we first train a deep neural network (DNN) from training data generated from evaluating the high-fidelity simulation model on a model-agnostic, design of experiments on the geometry shape parameters. The optimum shape may then be computed by using a gradient-based optimizer coupled with the trained DNN. Subsequently, we also perform a gradient-free Bayesian optimization, where the trained DNN is used as the prior mean. We observe that the latter framework (DNN-BO) improves upon the DNN-only based optimization strategy for the same computational cost. Overall, this framework predicts the true optimum with very high accuracy, while requiring far fewer high-fidelity function calls compared to the adjoint-based method. Furthermore, we show that multiple optimization problems can be solved with the same machine learning model with high accuracy, to amortize the offline costs associated with constructing our models.
The Neural Basis of Metaphor Comprehension: Evidence from Left Hemisphere Degeneration

Despite the ubiquity of metaphor in cognition and communication, it is absent from standard clinical assessments of language, and the neural systems that support metaphor processing are debated. Pr...
Molecular insights into anatomy and physiology

Abstract Bowhead whales are some of the largest animals that occupy the Arctic Circle. Despite the challenges of living and giving birth in icy waters, having huge blubber stores, eating a fat-rich diet, and undergoing arduous migrations, bowheads achieved the longest known life span of mammals of 268 years. Their longevity is extended by fixed mutations that prevent DNA damage and cancer and through evolutionary modifications to their metabolism that compensate for an oxygen-poor environment. Recently, the bowhead genome and transcriptome libraries were made publicly available for study. Analyses suggest that their life span has been extended by evolutionary changes that result in the upregulation of DNA repair pathways. Molecular biologists are now undertaking laboratory experiments with whale samples that are informed by the bowhead genome and transcriptome to tackle questions that were inaccessible using classical model organisms such as rodents or fish. Biomedical researchers are also applying insights gained from research on bowheads into investigations of potential therapies for aging, senescence, and cancer. Moreover, researchers are using these results to inform our understanding of the evolutionary history of these traits. This chapter reviews the molecular basis for bowhead whale longevity and survival in their unique habitat and offers insights for further exploration into the molecular mechanisms that shape the extraordinary lives of these animals.