cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of braid structure on yarn cross-sectional shape

The effect of braid construction parameters on yarn cross-sectional shape is presented in this paper. The location of the yarn within the braid unit cell is quantified by a compaction factor. A range of braided fabrics were produced and optically measured for actual yarn cross-sectional shape. A comparison of the theoretical and experimental values shows good correlation. Design curves can be produced with the developed model to allow selection of appropriate braid process parameter to create yarns with desired cross-sectional geometries.
Online stress detection using psychophysiological signals for implicit human-robot cooperation

Robots are expected to be pervasive in the society in a not too distant future where they will work extensively as assistants of humans in various activities. With this in view, a novel affect-sensitive architecture for human-robot cooperation is presented in this paper where the robot is expected to recognize human psychological states. As a demonstration, an online heart rate variability analysis to infer the mental stress of a human engaged in a task is presented. This technique involves real-time heart rate monitoring, signal processing using both Fourier Transforrn and Wavelet Transform, and inferring the stress condition based on the level of activation of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems using fuzzy logic. Results from human subject trials are presented to validate the presented methodology. This stress detection technique is expected to be useful in the future human-robot cooperation activities, where the robot will recognize human stress and respond appropriately.
MzrA-EnvZ Interactions in the Periplasm Influence the EnvZ/OmpR Two-Component Regulon

MzrA was identified as a modulator of the EnvZ/OmpR two-component signal transduction system. Previous evidence indicated that MzrA interacts with EnvZ and modulates its enzymatic activities to influence OmpR phosphate (OmpR∼P) levels. Moreover, MzrA was shown to connect the bacterial envelope stress response systems CpxA/CpxR and σE to EnvZ/OmpR to widen the defensive response regulatory network. In this study, experiments were carried out to establish whether the membrane or periplasmic domain of MzrA is critical for MzrA-EnvZ interactions and to reveal MzrA residues that play an important role in these interactions. Data obtained from chimeric constructs, in which the transmembrane domain of MzrA was replaced with the unrelated transmembrane domain of NarX or signal sequence of PhoA, showed that the transmembrane domain residues of MzrA do not play a critical role in MzrA-EnvZ interactions. The importance of the periplasmic domain of MzrA in MzrA-EnvZ interactions was revealed by characterizing bifunctional, fully soluble, and periplasmically localized MalE::MzrA chimeras. This was further corroborated through the isolation of loss-of-function, single-amino-acid substitutions in the conserved periplasmic domain of MzrA that interfered with MzrA-EnvZ binding in a bacterial two-hybrid system. Together, the data suggest that the binding of MzrA to EnvZ influences the ability of EnvZ to receive and/or respond to environmental signals in the periplasm and modulate its biochemical output to OmpR.
Fertilization in the sea: the chemical identity of an abalone sperm attractant

SUMMARY Chemical communication between sperm and egg is a key factor mediating sexual reproduction. Dissolved signal molecules that cause sperm to orient and accelerate towards an egg could play pivotal roles in fertilization success, but such compounds are largely undescribed. This investigation considered the behavioral responses of red abalone (Haliotis rufescens) sperm to soluble factors released into sea water by conspecific eggs. Sperm in proximity to individual live eggs swam significantly faster and oriented towards the egg surface. Bioassay-guided fractionation was employed to isolate the chemoattractant, yielding a single pure, fully active compound after reversed-phase and size-exclusion high-performance liquid chromatography. Chemical characterization by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy indicated that the free amino acid L-tryptophan was the natural sperm attractant in H. rufescens. Eggs released L-tryptophan at concentrations that triggered both activation and chemotaxis in sperm, exhibiting significant activity at levels as low as 10-8 mol l-1. The D-isomer of tryptophan was inactive, showing that the sperm response was stereospecific. Serotonin, a potent neuromodulator and tryptophan metabolite, had no effect on sperm swim speeds or on orientation. In experimental treatments involving an elevated, uniform concentration of tryptophan (10-7 mol l-1) or the addition of tryptophanase, an enzyme that selectively digests tryptophan, sperm failed to navigate towards live eggs. A natural gradient of L-tryptophan was therefore necessary and sufficient to promote recruitment of sperm to the surface of eggs in red abalone.
Classical multilevel and Bayesian approaches to population size estimation using multiple lists

One of the major objections to the standard multiple-recapture approach to population estimation is the assumption of homogeneity of individual “capture” probabilities. Modeling individual capture heterogeneity is complicated by the fact tha t it shows up as as a restricted form of interaction between lists in the contingency table cross -classifying list memberships for all individuals. Traditional log-linear modeling approac hes to capture-recapture problems are well-suited to modeling interactions among lists, but igno re the special dependence structure that individual heterogeneity induces. A random-effects approach, based on the Rasch (1960) model from educational testing and introduced in this context by Darroch, et al. (1993) and Agresti (1994), provides one way to introduce the dependence resulting from heterogeneity into the log-linear model; however, previous efforts to com bine the Rasch-like heterogeneity terms additively with the usual log-linear interaction ter ms suggest that a more flexible approach is required. In this paper we consider both classical multi-level approaches and fully Bayesian hierarchical approaches to modeling individual heterogeneity and list interactions. Our framework encompasses both the traditional log-linear approach and various elements from the full Rasch model. We compare these approaches on two examples, the first arising out of an epidemiological study of a population of diabetics in Italy, and the second a study intended to assess the “size” of the World Wide Web. We also explore extensions allowing for interactions between the Rasch and log-linear portions of t he models in both the classical and Bayesian contexts.
Shape dynamics and scaling laws for a body dissolving in fluid flow

While fluid flows are known to promote dissolution of materials, such processes are poorly understood due to the coupled dynamics of the flow and the receding surface. We study this moving boundary problem through experiments in which hard candy bodies dissolve in laminar high-speed water flows. We find that different initial geometries are sculpted into a similar terminal form before ultimately vanishing, suggesting convergence to a stable shape–flow state. A model linking the flow and solute concentration shows how uniform boundary-layer thickness leads to uniform dissolution, allowing us to obtain an analytical expression for the terminal geometry. Newly derived scaling laws predict that the dissolution rate increases with the square root of the flow speed and that the body volume vanishes quadratically in time, both of which are confirmed by experimental measurements.
Synthesis of embedded control systems with high sampling frequencies

Motivated by current technological advances in the design of real-time embedded systems, this work deals with the digital control of a continuous-time linear time-invariant (LTI) system whose output can be sampled at a high frequency. Since a typical sampled-data controller operating at a high sampling frequency needs heavy (high-precision) computation to alleviate its sensitivity to measurement and computational errors, the objective is to design a robust hybrid controller for high-frequency applications with limited computational power. To this end, we exploit our recent results on delay-based controller design and propose a digital-control scheme that can implement every continuous-time stabilizing (LTI) controller. This robust hybrid controller, which consists of an ideal sampler, a digital controller, a number of modified second-order holds and possibly a unity feedback, can operate at arbitrarily high sampling frequencies without requiring expensive, high-precision computation. We also discuss how to find a continuous-time LTI controller satisfying prescribed design specifications so that its corresponding digital controller requires the least processing time.
In reply: extensive venous malformation: an alternative diagnosis to Klippel–Trénaunay syndrome

In reply: We thank Dr. Alomari for his interest in our recent report [1]. The alternative diagnosis of extensive venous malformation that he proposes for our patient is certainly quite plausible. Our patient’s original diagnosis of Klippel– Trenaunay syndrome was established during infancy based on the classic triad of capillary, lymphatic, and venous malformations in an enlarged lower extremity [2]. The patient received much of her continuing medical care at the Mayo Clinic and our affiliated children’s hospital, where her consultants concurred with the original diagnosis. The patient subsequently developed additional vascular malformations as described over the intervening two decades after her original diagnosis was made. Her hematology team established the presumptive diagnosis of Kasabach–Merritt syndrome after the patient sustained an intracerebral hemorrhage during infancy. The patient also suffered from chronic intermittent lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage as a consequence of the presence of colonic vascular malformations and this chronic coagulopathy. As Dr. Alomari correctly notes, Kasabach–Merritt syndrome may be associated with Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma and tufted angioma [3], but Kasabach–Merritt syndrome may affect nearly one-half of patients with Klippel–Trenaunay syndrome independently of these specific pathologic abnormalities [4]. Thus, we feel confident that her original diagnosis of Klippel–Trenaunay syndrome complicated by chronic Kasabach–Merritt coagulopathy was correct. We specifically asked our patient for permission to photograph her peripheral and upper airway vascular malformations, but she adamantly refused because other physicians and health care providers had repeatedly photographed her in the past and she was very self-conscious about her appearance. Indeed, concerns about body image are very common in patients with Klippel–Trenaunay syndrome [5], and we accordingly respected her wishes. Regardless of the original diagnosis, we chose to present this difficult case because of its specific challenges, including the presence of vascular malformations in the upper airway, the potential for neuraxial vascular malformations within the dermatomal distribution of cutaneous lesions, and the presence of a chronic coagulopathy affecting both anesthetic and surgical management.
Boltzmann-like Entropy in Reliability Theory

We introduce the entropy function in order to study the reliability and repairability of systems. In detail we establish the explicit relationships between reliability and repairability; then we calculate the decay of a system due to its regular running.
A Critical Appraisal of Issues in Differential Response Moving the Field Forward

This reaction article highlights areas of agreement and disagreement with the study conducted by Hughes, Rycus, Saunders-Adams, Hughes, and Hughes on the current state of research and practice in differential response (DR). Overall, we agree with several of the arguments put forth by Hughes et al. regarding the limitations of DR research and the lack of a consistently defined and implemented DR practice model. These areas of agreement offer common ground on which to work together to move the field forward. However, we have concerns about the methodological rigor of the Hughes et al. study and questions about some of their findings and conclusions. We draw upon our current evaluation of a five-county DR research and demonstration project in Colorado to provide recommendations for enhancing the design and implementation of research on DR. Language: en
Resource allocation in the Third World: conceptual approaches, strategies and challenges

This paper discusses resource allocation, and presents several theoretical models based on economic and managerial, gender role and ecological perspectives. Examples illustrating the approaches and resource allocation strategies are drawn from studies of the lives of Third World women. Challenges for public policy, research and development projects which focus on expanding managerial outcomes for women are suggested.
Zero and first-order phase shift correction for field map estimation with dual-echo GRE using bipolar gradients

A simple phase error correction technique used for field map estimation with a generally available dual-echo gradient-echo (GRE) sequence is presented. Magnetic field inhomogeneity maps estimated using two separate GRE volume acquisitions at different echo times are prone to dynamic motion errors between acquisitions. By using the dual-echo sequence, the data are collected during two back-to-back readout gradients in opposite polarity after a single radio frequency pulse, and interecho motion artifacts and alignment errors in field map estimation can be factored out. Residual phase error from the asymmetric readout pulses is modeled as an affine term in the readout direction. Results from phantom and human data suggest that the first-order phase correction term stays constant over time and, hence, can be applied to different data acquired with the same protocol over time. The zero-order phase correction term may change with time and is estimated empirically for different scans.
Shyness and Marriage: Does Shyness Shape Even Established Relationships?

Do shy people struggle to maintain their relationships just as they struggle to develop them? The current research addressed this question through one cross-sectional and one longitudinal study in which recently married couples reported their levels of shyness, relationship self-efficacy, marital problem severity, and marital satisfaction. Multilevel modeling revealed that (a) shyness was negatively associated with concurrent marital satisfaction in Study 1 and with declines in marital satisfaction in Study 2, (b) the association between shyness and satisfaction was mediated by low levels of relationship self-efficacy in Study 1 and Study 2, and (c) the association between relationship self-efficacy and concurrent marital satisfaction was mediated by concurrent marital problems in Study 1, and the association between relationship self-efficacy and declines in marital satisfaction was mediated by worsening marital problems in Study 2. These findings join a growing body of research demonstrating the cognitive mechanisms through which personality shapes relationships.
Discovering Library User Attitudes through the Public Understanding of Science Survey

Science librarians are in need of reliable data sources on user need in order to make informed decisions and guide their professional practice. The National Science Foundation Surveys of Public Understanding of Science and Technology provides this information for the United States of America. This article reviews the study of the Public Understanding of Science (PUS) and the library literature, shows an example of data analysis, and charts a direction for future studies.
Early Complete Repair of Pulmonary Atresia With Ventricular Septal Defect and Major Aortopulmonary Collaterals

Background Pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect and major aortopulmonary collaterals (PA/VSD/MAPCAs) is a complex and diverse form of congenital heart defect. Although most patients with PA/VSD/MAPCAs can wait until they are 3 to 6 months of age to undergo surgical reconstruction, there are three specific criteria that merit an earlier repair. These 3 criteria are (1) unremitting heart failure; (2) a ductus to one lung and MAPCAs to the other; and (3) hemitruncus to one lung and MAPCAs to the other. The purpose of this study was to evaluate our surgical experience with early complete repair of PA/VSD/MAPCAs. Methods This was a retrospective review of patients undergoing complete repair of PA/VSD/MAPCAs within the first 60 days of life. Twenty-seven patients were identified in our database (2002 to 2013) who met these criteria. Fifteen had congestive heart failure, 9 had a ductus plus MAPCAs, and 3 had hemitruncus plus MAPCAs. The median age at surgery was 5 weeks. Results There was no operative mortality in this cohort of 27 patients. Hemodynamics at the conclusion of the complete repair demonstrated an average right ventricular peak systolic pressure of 32 ± 5 mm Hg and an average right ventricle to aortic pressure ratio of 0.36 ± 0.06. The median length of hospital stay was 26 days. There have been 2 subsequent mortalities (7%), with a median follow-up duration of 4 years. Eight of the 27 patients have subsequently undergone conduit replacements at our institution. The hemodynamics at the conclusion of the conduit change were statistically unchanged compared with the hemodynamics after complete repair. Conclusions The data demonstrate that early complete repair of PA/VSD/MAPCAs can be accomplished with low mortality and excellent postoperative hemodynamics. These early hemodynamic results are maintained at medium-term follow-up. We conclude that early complete repair is an appropriate choice for this highly select subgroup of patients.
Optimum displacement for compound image generation in medical ultrasound

Incoherent averaging of measurements made at different look directions can be used to reduce speckle noise in medical ultrasound images. An analytic expression for the correlation between two measurements made at different spatial positions is derived. Using this expression, the optimum aperture displacement for efficient incoherent averaging (i.e. compounding) is computed and found to equal approximately one-half the aperture length. >
Acoustic oceanography by remote sensing

Ocean dynamical processes exist over a wide range of temporal and spatial scales. Remotely stationed acoustic devices are being used to "sense" the interior of the oceans at previously unattainable scales. The method is similar to computer-aided tomography (CAT) scans of the brain, but the measurement difficulties are far more severe. The results of a demonstration experiment are reviewed and some directions for acoustic oceanography are discussed.
The miniaturization technologies: past, present, and future

Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), micro systems technologies (MST, primarily in Europe) and micromanufacturing have become synonymous with the design, development, and manufacture of very small devices and systems. This paper overviews the history of the major technologies that are utilized in this field. After this brief historical overview of the technologies, a short description of MEMS technologies is presented. The status of the MEMS effort worldwide is reviewed with emphasis on the United States, Japan, and the European Community with particular emphasis placed on Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. The future for the technology along with technology transfer and management is discussed from the standpoint of market pull. Bulk and surface micromachining of silicon, X-ray micromachining using the LIGA process, and the complementary processes such as laser and focused ion beam micromachining are reviewed. >
Dynamic interplay between adhesive and lateral E-cadherin dimers

E-cadherin, an adhesive transmembrane protein of epithelial adherens junctions, forms two types of detergent-resistant dimers: adhesive dimers consisting of cadherin molecules derived from two neighboring cells and lateral dimers incorporating cadherins of the same cell. Both dimers depend on the integrity of the same residue, Trp156. While the relative amounts of these complexes are not certain, we show here that in epithelial A-431 cells, adhesive dimers may be a prevalent form. Inactivation of the calcium-binding sites, located between successive cadherin ectodomains, drastically reduced the amount of adhesive dimers and concomitantly increased the amount of lateral dimers. A similar interdependence of adhesive and lateral dimers was observed in digitonin-permeabilized cells. In these cells, adhesive dimers immediately disassembled after lowering the Ca2+ concentration below 0.1 mM. The disappearance of adhesive dimers was counterbalanced by an increase in Trp156-dependent lateral dimers. Increasing the calcium concentration to a normal level rapidly restored the original balance between adhesive and lateral dimers. We also present evidence that E-cadherin dimers in vivo have a short lifetime. These observations suggest that cadherin-mediated adhesion is based on the dynamic cycling of E-cadherin between monomeric and adhesive dimer states.
Neuronopathic Gaucher disease: dysregulated mRNAs and miRNAs in brain pathogenesis and effects of pharmacologic chaperone treatment in a mouse model

Defective lysosomal acid β-glucosidase (GCase) in Gaucher disease causes accumulation of glucosylceramide (GC) and glucosylsphingosine (GS) that distress cellular functions. To study novel pathological mechanisms in neuronopathic Gaucher disease (nGD), a mouse model (4L;C*), an analogue to subacute human nGD, was investigated for global profiles of differentially expressed brain mRNAs (DEGs) and miRNAs (DEmiRs). 4L;C* mice displayed accumulation of GC and GS, activated microglial cells, reduced number of neurons and aberrant mitochondrial function in the brain followed by deterioration in motor function. DEGs and DEmiRs were characterized from sequencing of mRNA and miRNA from cerebral cortex, brain stem, midbrain and cerebellum of 4L;C* mice. Gene ontology enrichment and pathway analysis showed preferential mitochondrial dysfunction in midbrain and uniform inflammatory response and identified novel pathways, axonal guidance signaling, synaptic transmission, eIF2 and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling potentially involved in nGD. Similar analyses were performed with mice treated with isofagomine (IFG), a pharmacologic chaperone for GCase. IFG treatment did not alter the GS and GC accumulation significantly but attenuated the progression of the disease and altered numerous DEmiRs and target DEGs to their respective normal levels in inflammation, mitochondrial function and axonal guidance pathways, suggesting its regulation on miRNA and the associated mRNA that underlie the neurodegeneration in nGD. These analyses demonstrate that the neurodegenerative phenotype in 4L;C* mice was associated with dysregulation of brain mRNAs and miRNAs in axonal guidance, synaptic plasticity, mitochondria function, eIF2 and mTOR signaling and inflammation and provides new insights for the nGD pathological mechanism.
A Rapid Method for Mounting Pollen Grains: With Special Regard To Sterility Studies

A method is described for the simultaneous mounting and double staining of mature pollen grains. The medium consists of 50 ml. of glycerol jelly to which 2.5 ml. of methyl green and 2 ml. of phloxine, both in 50% alcoholic solutions, have been added. Prior to the application of the jelly-dye mixture, the pollen is washed with 70% ethanol to remove adhering oils and resins. The staining reaction is differential and permits the rapid classification of pollen grains. The “functional” pollen expands and stains with both dyes whereas the aborted grains remain shrunken and take only the methyl green wall stain. The same reaction functions with orchid seed.
Commitment to correlated strategies

The standard approach to computing an optimal mixed strategy to commit to is based on solving a set of linear programs, one for each of the follower's pure strategies. We show that these linear programs can be naturally merged into a single linear program; that this linear program can be interpreted as a formulation for the optimal correlated strategy to commit to, giving an easy proof of a result by von Stengel and Zamir that the leader's utility is at least the utility she gets in any correlated equilibrium of the simultaneous-move game; and that this linear program can be extended to compute optimal correlated strategies to commit to in games of three or more players. (Unlike in two-player games, in games of three or more players, the notions of optimal mixed and correlated strategies to commit to are truly distinct.) We give examples, and provide experimental results that indicate that for 50 × 50 games, this approach is usually significantly faster than the multiple-LPs approach.
A study of base grading effects on the steady-state current gain of heterojunction bipolar transistors

An analytical model is developed for the common-emitter DC current gain of heterojunction bipolar transistors with graded base for charge transport enhancement. Relevant device physics such as drift mechanism, current-induced base widening, and velocity overshoot are considered. It is shown that although base grading will often improve the device performance, it is sometimes disadvantageous for the current gain because the base grading may decrease the valence-band barrier height and thus increase the base current, resulting in a reduction in the current gain. Numerical simulations and measured dependencies published in the literature are included in support of the model. >
Spark Plasma Heat Treated ZrB2-SiC and HfB2-SiC Composites

Ultra-high-temperature ceramics (UHTC) such as ZrB2 and HfB2 with SiC nanofiller are useful for propulsion and thermal protection systems. ZrB2 and HfB2 with 10-20 wt% SiC were prepared using ultra-sonication, rotary evaporation, and spark plasma heat treatment to high temperatures (~2,000°C) and pressures (50-60 MPa). We used positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) to study the nanoporosity, SEM for particle size distribution, and microhardness tester for Vickers hardness. The PALS studies were performed using a 22Na positron source and the positron lifetime spectra were analyzed to three components using POSFIT program. The first and second components are related to positrons annihilating in bulk and in vacancy clusters, respectively; and the third component to positronium annihilation in nanopores within the granules. The PALS results indicate that HfB2 has larger vacancy clusters and nanopores with lesser concentrations compared to ZrB2 and SiC. The SEM observations showed that HfB2 has larger particles compared to ZrB2 and SiC showed wide range of size distribution. The Vickers-Hardness Number (VHN) is measured for spark plasma heat treated composites using a microhardness tester and the results indicate that 10wt%SiC composite has higher hardness compared to 20wt%SiC in both ZrB2-SiC and HfB2-SiC composites. HfB2-SiC composites seem to be more brittle compared to ZrB2-SiC composites. This may be due to larger size and smoother surface of HfB2 particles (600 nm) compared to ZrB2 particles (240 nm).
Evolution in leaps: The punctuated accumulation and loss of cultural innovations

Archaeological accounts of cultural change reveal a fundamental conflict: Some suggest that change is gradual, accelerating over time, whereas others indicate that it is punctuated, with long periods of stasis interspersed by sudden gains or losses of multiple traits. Existing models of cultural evolution, inspired by models of genetic evolution, lend support to the former and do not generate trajectories that include large-scale punctuated change. We propose a simple model that can give rise to both exponential and punctuated patterns of gain and loss of cultural traits. In it, cultural innovation comprises several realistic interdependent processes that occur at different rates. The model also takes into account two properties intrinsic to cultural evolution: the differential distribution of traits among social groups and the impact of environmental change. In our model, a population may be subdivided into groups with different cultural repertoires leading to increased susceptibility to cultural loss, whereas environmental change may lead to rapid loss of traits that are not useful in a new environment. Taken together, our results suggest the usefulness of a concept of an effective cultural population size.
Research Note: Effect of Crystalline Lysine and Methionine Intake on Amino Acid Excretion by Precision-Fed Cockerels

Abstract A study was conducted to investigate the relationship between increasing intake of crystalline lysine and methionine and excretion of these amino acids in a precision-fed cockerel assay. Birds were deprived of feed for 24h and then given increasing amounts of crystalline L-Lysine-HCl or DL-methionine via crop intubation. The amino acids were given with either 30 g of sucrose or with 30 g of an intact protein diet deficient in the test amino acid. The supplemental dietary levels (percentage of diet) were 0, 1.0, 2.4, and 9.1% for lysine and 0, .2, .45, 1.6, and 7.1% for methionine. Excreta (feces plus urine) were quantitatively collected for 48h postfeeding. The results showed that lysine and methionine excretion were significantly increased (P
The Effects of Situation, Sequence, and Features on Perceptual and Affective Responses to Product Designs: The Case of Aesthetic Consumption

This article proposes a general model in which various situational and sequential aspects of consumer behavior combine with features of a product to determine perceptions and their affective conseq...
Multiple Coronary Artery Interventions.

In their article on percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) involving multivessel PCIs (MVPCIs), Arora et al analyzed a US nationwide inpatient sample and concluded that there is a low overall in-hospital mortality. In addition, as might be expected, the authors found that elderly patients and those with more comorbidities showed a tendency for poorer outcomes following the procedures. This editorial considers the various issues associated with MVPCI in the current era with an attempted assessment of when MVPCI is indicated versus other invasive or medical approaches.
Factors affecting HIV/AIDS-related knowledge among different populations in Wuhu city

Objective To analyze the factors affecting HIV/AIDS-related knowledge among different populations inWuhu city. Methods According to the requirements of "National HIV sentinel surveillance program ", AIDS sentinelsurveillance among six categories of populations was carried out, awareness rate of HIV/AIDS-related knowledge and itsaffecting factors were analyzed using data obtained from the surveillance. Results There was significant difference in theawareness rate(χ2=6.136, P=0.013)between high risk populations(83.86%) and the general population(80.00%). A statisticdifference was noticed in answering 3 questions on non-transmission routes of HIV/AIDS between the two groups, but nosignificant difference was observed in answering the 5 questions on the transmission routes of HIV/AIDS. Awareness on bothtransmission routes and non-transmission routes varied among all six categories. Logistic regression analysis showed that thefactors affecting HIV/AIDS-related knowledge in high risk population were native, single, low education level, while young, loweducation level in general population. Conclusions Presently health education on control of HIV/AIDS should be carriedout focusing on the high risk populations based on their special features and conducting propaganda on the knowledge ofinterrupting the transmission routes of HIV/AIDS, so that to effectively enhance the HIV/AIDS knowledge among thepopulations.
An Esthetic Challenge: Case Report Utilizing a Combination of Monolithic Ceramic Veneers and Porcelain Fused to Metal Crown

Copyright: © 2015 Mandiga S, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. *Corresponding author: Denise Estafan, Associate Professor and Director, Esthetic Dentistry, Department of General Dentistry, Division of Reconstructive and Comprehensive Care, New York University College of Dentistry, USA, E-mail: de1@nyu.edu
The Johns Hopkins Hospital: identifying and addressing risks and safety issues.

Article-at-a-Glance Background At The Johns Hopkins Hospital (JHH), a culture of safety refers to the presence of characteristics such as the belief that harm is untenable and the use of a systems approach to analyzing safety issues. Patient Safety as a Leadership and Organizational Priority The leadership of JHH provides strategic planning guidance for safety and improvement initiatives, involves the patient safety committee in capital investment allocation decisions and in designing and planning new hospital facilities, and ensures that safety and quality head the agenda of board-of-trustees meetings. Although JHH takes a systems approach, structures such as monitoring staff behavior trends are used to hold people accountable for job performance. Challenges and Lessons Learned JHH encountered three major hurdles in implementing and sustaining a culture of safety. First, JHH's decentralized organizational structure contributes to a silo effect that limits the spread of ideas, practices, and culture. JHH intends to create an internal collaborative of departmental safety initiatives to foster opportunities for units to share ideas and results. Second, in response to the challenge of encouraging teams to think and act in an interdisciplinary fashion, communication and teamwork training are being used to enhance the effectiveness of interdisciplinary teams. Further development of valid and meaningful safety-related measurement and data collection methodologies is JHH's largest remaining challenge.
Transcendence in the Vision of Barnett Newman

La theorie de la peinture d'inspiration phenomenologique de B. Newman| comment le peintre transcende son univers abstrait pour rendre le monde reel. La relation dans la peinture entre la perception, la pensee et l'abstraction du concept.
What Schooling Does to Kids

The purpose of schooling in the United States has never been taken for granted. The religious and cultural pluralism of the country, in addition to its traditions of secularity, civic voluntarism, and suspicion of strong, centralized state power, has resulted in a healthy conversation over the past 150 years about what, exactly, compulsory public schooling is meant to achieve.
Kant and the Metaphysics of Causality: Kant's Second and Third Analogies of Experience

INTRODUCTION While Kant's main argument concerning causality is typically located in the Second Analogy of Experience, it is clear that any interpretation that could be adequate to Kant's intentions must be able to render intelligible the text and argument of the Third Analogy of Experience as well, since it attempts to establish the necessity of mutual interaction, a notion that, as we have seen in Chapter 2, receives sustained attention throughout his pre-Critical period. Accordingly, the central task of this chapter is to reconstruct Kant's arguments in both the Second and Third Analogies in detail. After considering various aspects of the general context of the Second and Third Analogies in a first section, we develop detailed reconstructions of the arguments of the Second and the Third Analogies in the second and third sections of this chapter. THE CONTEXT OF THE SECOND AND THIRD ANALOGIES To reconstruct the arguments of the Second and Third Analogies properly, it is crucial to understand exactly what they are and are not supposed to accomplish. Thus, we must begin by describing both the distinctive context of the Analogies of Experience within the Critique of Pure Reason and the argumentative framework of the Analogies in general. More specifically, it is important that we understand (1) how the Analogies relate to the Transcendental Deduction, (2) that they are concerned with addressing what can be called the problem of time-determination, (3) that they are concerned with the possibility of experience in the form of the unity of time, and (4) that they should be understood as making neither purely metaphysical nor exclusively epistemological claims, but rather claims that combine metaphysical and epistemological elements.
Depletion of BAK Affects Emission of Reactive Oxygen Species from Mitochondria

Research in the past 15 years has established roles for the pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and Bak in release of death signaling molecules from mitochondria. The process involves relocation of cytoplasmic Bax into the mitochondrial outer membrane to form a giant pore, MAC. The other MAC component, Bak, is constitutively present in the outer membrane regardless of apoptotic stimulation. In this study we investigated the role of Bak in mitochondrial function outside the context of apoptosis. We examined the effects of Bak elimination on emission of reactive oxygen species from mitochondria. Our results indicate a disturbance of free-radical production both in cultured mouse embryonic fibroblasts and in isolated mitochondria. These changes were not observed in mitochondria lacking the pro-apoptotic Bax protein. Our future studies will verify if these effects are independent from apoptotic roles of Bak and examine a possible functional interaction between Bak and the respiratory complexes in mitochondria.
The Information Nexus: Global Capitalism from the Renaissance to the Present

Capitalism is central to our understanding of contemporary economic and political life and yet what does it really mean? If, as has now been shown to be the case, capital and property rights existed in pre-modern and pre-capitalist societies, what is left of our understanding of capitalism? Steven G. Marks' provocative new book calls into question everything we thought we knew about capitalism, from the word's very origins and development to the drivers of Western economic growth. Ranging from the Middle Ages to the present, The Information Nexus reveals that the truly distinctive feature of capitalism is business's drive to acquire and analyze information, supported by governments that allow unfettered access to public data. This new interpretation of capitalism helps to explain the rise of the West, puts our current information age into historical perspective, and provides a benchmark for the comparative assessment of economic systems in today's globalized environment.
Presence of a Chaotic Region at the Sleep-Wake Transition in a Simplified Thalamocortical Circuit Model.

Sleep and wakefulness are characterized by distinct states of thalamocortical network oscillations. The complex interplay of ionic conductances within the thalamo-reticular-cortical network give rise to these multiple modes of activity and a rapid transition exists between these modes. To better understand this transition, we constructed a simplified computational model based on physiological recordings and physiologically realistic parameters of a three-neuron network containing a thalamocortical cell, a thalamic reticular neuron and a corticothalamic cell. The network can assume multiple states of oscillatory activity, resembling sleep, wakefulness and the transition between these two. We found that during the transition period, but not during other states, thalamic and cortical neurons displayed chaotic dynamics, based on the presence of strange attractors, estimation of positive Lyapunov exponents and the presence of a fractal dimension in the spike trains. These dynamics were quantitatively dependent on certain features of the network, such as the presence of corticothalamic feedback and the strength of inhibition between the thalamic reticular nucleus and thalamocortical neurons. These data suggest that chaotic dynamics facilitate a rapid transition between sleep and wakefulness and produce a series of experimentally testable predictions to further investigate the events occurring during the sleep-wake transition period.
Human Rights, International Laws and Policies on

While international law did not initially refer to gender and sexuality, there has been an expansion of the prohibition of discrimination on the basis of sex and other status to include gender and sexuality. This entry reviews the developments on those topics in the principal treaty bodies, the UN human rights Charter-based bodies, and regional bodies. Keywords: gender equality; human rights; international laws and policies; sexuality
Developing as Teacher Leaders for Social Justice: The Influence of a Teacher-Leadership Graduate Program

This qualitative study used focus groups to examine teacher leaders’ perceptions of how they developed as a result of being in a teacher-leadership graduate program with a focus on social justice. Findings point to the teacher leaders’ development of a social-justice lens and a leadership lens to frame their work inside and outside of the classroom. The development of a social-justice lens promoted teacher leaders’ critical consciousness about their identity and practices in their classrooms. The combination of a social justice and leadership lens promoted teacher leaders’ critique of the practices and policies within the school and district. In addition, teacher leaders engaged in action or praxis in relation to social-justice issues within their schools. Implications for teacher-leadership programs include the need for a key focus on critical self- reflection, action research, and including practical and conceptual tools within the curriculum.
Ischemic heart disease and ambient air pollution of particulate matter 2.5 in 51 counties in the U.S.

Objective. Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is one of the most common health threats to the adult population of the U.S. and other countries. The objective of this study was to examine the association between exposure to elevated annual average levels of Particulate matter 2.5 (PM 2.5 ) air quality index (AQI) and IHD in the general population. Methods. We combined data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and the U.S Environmental Protection Agency air quality database. We analyzed the data using SUDAAN software to adjust the effects of sampling bias, weights, and design effects. Results. The prevalence of IHD was 9.6% among respondents who were exposed to an annual average level of PM 2.5 AQI >60 compared with 5.9% among respondents exposed to an annual average PM 2.5 AQI ≤60. The respondents with higher levels of PM 2.5 AQI exposure were more likely to have IHD (adjusted odds ratio = 1.72, 95% confidence interval 1.11, 2.66) than respondents with lower levels of exposure after adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, smoking, body mass index, diabetes, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia. Conclusions. Our study suggested that exposure to relatively higher levels of average annual PM 2.5 AQI may increase the likelihood of IHD. In addition to encouraging health-related behavioral changes to reduce IHD, efforts should also focus on implementing appropriate measures to reduce exposure to unhealthy AQI levels.
Clinical Characteristics and Treatment Outcomes of Clear Cell Chondrosarcomas: MD Anderson Cancer Center Series.

10531 Background: Clear cell chondrosarcomas (CChs) represent 2% of all chondrosarcomas and are defined by cells with abundant clear vacuolated cytoplasm surrounded by a cartilaginous matrix. Under...
Polymer Adhesion and Biomimetic Surfaces for Green Tribology

Adhesive properties of polymeric materials and modern techniques of surface modification make polymers appropriate for Green Tribology applications, which require functional surfaces and the ability to control, and modify and surface properties, such as adhesion and wetting. Polymers, along with polymer composites, are appropriate materials for coating and various biomimetic applications, such as those utilizing the Lotus and gecko effects. In this chapter, we review polymer properties relevant to adhesion and wetting, modern methods and techniques of surface modification which are used to synthesize and produce superhydrophobic biomimetic materials as well as the methods of surface characterization.
Removal of Epiretinal Membrane (ERM Peel)

Epiretinal membranes (ERM) are a collection of glial or RPE cells and collagenous cells that can form a contractile fibrocellular scaffold. This contractile scaffold can lead to reduced vision and metamorphopsia. Epiretinal membranes can occur idiopathically or may be associated with uveitis, posterior vitreous detachments, retinal tears, retinal detachments, and vitreous hemorrhage. ERMs have been called by a variety of different names including macular pucker, cellophane maculopathy, preretinal macular fibrosis, epimacular membranes, and preretinal gliosis. Ocular coherence tomography (OCT) can help identify the presence of an ERM and elucidate characteristics of retinal thickening or distortion and the extent of the ERM. Prior to a surgical intervention, it is important to establish that the ERM is in fact the cause of the patient’s visual disturbance.
Successful treatment with ustekinumab for corticosteroid- and immunosuppressant-resistant Takayasu’s arteritis

Takayasu’s arteritis (TAK) is an idiopathic large-vessel vasculitis that usually affects young females (1). Glucocorticoids are the mainstay of treatment for TAK, although relapses occur in 55–90% ...
X-ray power increase from symmetrized wire-array z-pinch implosions

A systematic experimental study of annular aluminum-wire z-pinches on the Saturn accelerator shows that, for the first time, the measured spatial characteristics and x-ray powers can approach those of two-dimensional, radiation-magneto-hydrodynamic simulations when large numbers of wires are used. Calculations show that the implosion begins to transition from that of individual plasma wires to that of a continuous plasma shell, when the circumferential gap between wires in the array is reduced below 1.4+1.3/-0.7 mm. This calculated gap coincides with the measured transition of 1.4 {+-}0.4 mm between the observed regimes of slow and rapid improvement in power output with decreasing gap. In the plasma shell regime, x-ray powers in excess of a factor of three over that generated in the plasma-wire region are measured.
Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury: Pathophysiology, Manifestations, Prevention, and Management

Abstract Contrast-induced acute kidney injury is a phenomenon that has been extensively studied throughout the years. There is a large volume of literature documenting this risk, and most radiology departments and radiologists use this information when making decisions regarding contrast administration. A review of the current information on the topic of contrast-induced acute kidney injury is necessary to ensure that the risks of intravenous contrast are properly weighed against the benefits of a contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan.