cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
College Peer Mentoring and Students With Intellectual Disability: Mentors' Perspectives on Relationship Dynamics

Abstract College programs for students with intellectual disability frequently engage peer mentors to promote students' social connections on campus. The qualitative study discussed in this article was conducted to explore, from mentors' perspectives, how mentor/mentee relationships developed, how mentors offered supports, and how mentors facilitated membership into the campus community. Using Pawson's (2004) conceptual framework, mentoring relationships were analyzed in regard to status, reference group, and mentoring mechanisms. Mentors perceived themselves as well-positioned to facilitate their partners becoming college insiders. They used coaching and direction setting to support mentees, and identified factors that appeared to facilitate or hinder shifts in mentee status, including their own beliefs and skills, role conflicts, and person-centered thinking. Implications for supporting peer mentors and refining program theory are also discussed.
Fabrication of high-surface area nanoporous SiOC ceramics using pre-ceramic polymer precursors and a sacrificial template: Precursor effects

Abstract We report on the fabrication of silicon oxycarbide (SiOC) ceramics with high surface area, porosity and hierarchical pore structure, which are synthesized using pre-ceramic polymer precursors, such as hydridopolycarbosilane (HPCS), allyl-hydridopolycarbosilane (AHPCS) and their blends. Layered double hydroxides, modified by a common surfactant, namely, sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (SDBS), are used as the sacrificial templates, and a simple impregnation technique is employed, followed by pyrolysis and acid leaching. Characterization techniques, such as XRD, XPS, electron microscopy, elemental analysis, and nitrogen adsorption/desorption at its liquid temperature are used to verify that the SiOC materials have been successfully synthesized, and to study their chemical and structural characteristics. The emphasis is on the effects, which are shown to be significant, of the type of polymer precursor employed (AHPCS or HPCS), their weight ratio (in the case of blends), and the amount of polymer precursor used during the template impregnation. Depending on the polymer ratios and amounts utilized, SiOC particles with a variety of morphologies, ranging from plate-like to flower-like structures, have been prepared that have hierarchical structures and high surface areas, ranging from 531 m2/g to 1311 m2/g, and large pore volumes from 0.47 m3/g to 1.20 m3/g. The study provides guidance for the systematic design and fabrication of highly porous SiOC materials with potential for broad application in various fields, such as catalysis, sorption and membrane separations under harsh conditions, and biomedical device uses, among others.
Analysis of Multiple Binary Responses Using a Threshold Model

Several discrete responses, such as health status, reproduction performance and meat quality, are routinely collected for several livestock species. These traits are often of binary or discrete nature. Genetic evaluation for these traits is frequently conducted using a single-trait threshold model, or they are considered continuous responses either in univariate or in multivariate context. Implementation of threshold models in the presence of several binary responses or a mixture of binary and continuous responses is far from simple. The complexity of such implementation is primarily due to the incomplete randomness of the residual (co)variance matrix. In the current study, a multiple binary trait simulation was carried out in order to implement and validate a new procedure for dealing with the consequences of the restrictions imposed to the residual variance using threshold models. Using three and eight binary responses, the proposed method was able to estimate all unknown parameters without any noticeable bias. In fact, for simulated residual correlations ranging from −0.8 to 0.8, the resulting HPD 95% intervals included the true values in all cases. The proposed procedure involved limited additional computational cost and is straightforward to implement independent of the number of binary responses involved in the analysis. Monitoring of the convergence of the procedure must be conducted at the identifiable scale, and special care must be placed on the selection of the prior of the non-identifiable model. The latter could have serious consequences on the final results due to potential truncation of the parameter space.
Management of Elective Surgery and Emergent Bleeding with Direct Oral Anticoagulants

The purpose of this review was to offer practical management strategies for when patients receiving direct oral anticoagulants require elective surgery or present with bleeding complications. Clinical practice guidelines are now available on the timing of periprocedural interruption of treatment with the newer direct oral anticoagulants based on their pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics and based on findings from cohort studies and clinical trials. An antibody that reverses the effects of dabigatran is now available, and a factor Xa decoy is being developed as an antidote to apixaban, betrixaban, edoxaban, and rivaroxaban. The timing of interruption of direct oral anticoagulants for elective surgery is based on multiple factors, including pharmacologic properties and interactions, the patient’s renal function, and the type of planned surgery. There is little role for low-molecular-weight heparin bridging. Idarucizumab is the treatment of choice for dabigatran-related life-threatening bleeding, while andexanet alfa is being developed to reverse factor Xa inhibitors.
Online Ratings of Neurosurgeons: An Examination of Web Data and its Implications.

BACKGROUND Patient satisfaction ratings are increasingly used for hospital rankings, referral base and physician reimbursement. As such, online physician rating websites (PRWs) are quickly becoming a topic of interest. OBJECTIVE To analyze the distribution of neurosurgeons' ratings on the 3 most widely used PRWs, and examine factors associated with positive and negative ratings. METHODS We used a key term search to identify board-certified neurosurgeons on 3 widely used PRWs: RateMD.com, Healthgrades.com, and Vitals.com. Data were collected on average rating and number of ratings. Demographic, training-related and practice-related data, as well as location of practice, and place of training were also collected. RESULTS Data was non-normally distributed (P < .001 for all 3). Having fewer reviews was associated with higher variance in ratings between PRWs for a given surgeon (odds ratio 0.99, P = .001). All surgeons below the 25th percentile with respect to the number of reviews that had been written about them were eliminated. Of the remaining surgeons (n = 3054), the median composite score was 4.11 out of 5, interquartile range (3.69, 4.44). Surgeons had higher median modified composite scores if they were fellowship-trained (P = .0001) or graduated from a top 25 medical school (P = .0117), but not if they graduated from a top 25 residency (P = .1056). Surgeons located in major cities had higher median composite scores (P = .0025). CONCLUSION Online ratings for neurosurgeons must be evaluated in context. Median ratings are generally high, but variable between websites. Median scores also vary among regions and practice settings. Higher scores were associated with ranking of medical school, recent graduation, and fellowship training completion.
The use of cangrelor with heparin for left ventricular assist device implantation in a patient with acute heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.

Optimal anticoagulation strategy for cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in end-stage heart failure patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) requiring left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation remains uncertain. Presently, there are no large-scale randomized studies comparing outcomes of alternative anticoagulation strategies for CPB in this patient population. A novel antiplatelet agent – cangrelor, which is a potent P2Y12 inhibitor with robust antiplatelet efficacy, rapid reversibility, and measurable drug effect, has become available since 2015. Intraoperative anticoagulation for CPB using cangrelor with heparin has not been reported before. We report the case of a 47-year-old male with ischemic cardiomyopathy and acute HIT, who underwent an urgent LVAD implantation using cangrelor with heparin for anticoagulation on CPB. This novel strategy resulted in satisfactory anticoagulation for CPB without perioperative thromboembolic events or major bleeding requiring reoperation. Cangrelor with heparin was an effective anticoagulation strategy for CPB in this critically ill patient with acute HIT requiring an urgent LVAD implantation. Further studies are warranted to evaluate its efficacy and replicability in other patients with acute or subacute HIT who require urgent cardiac surgery.
Dual-mode, in-pixel linear and single-photon avalanche diode readout for low-light dynamic range extension in photodetector arrays

This paper presents an approach for combining linear and single-photon avalanche diode operation in a single pixel to enhance low-light dynamic range of a photodetector array. Pulse frequency modulation and avalanche pulse counting provide in-pixel digitization for both operation modes, enabling full parallel measurement across the array. An 8×8 array architecture is fabricated in standard 180 nm CMOS and demonstrates 85 dB optical dynamic range and a maximum low-light frame rate of 130 Hz. This approach represents the first reported photodetector array architecture supporting both linear and single-photon diode operation in each pixel.
Risk Factors Among Young Stroke Victims in Underserved Communities: Are These Strokes Preventable? (P6.282)

Objective: To examine the risk factors contributing to stroke subtypes among young and standard patients at a Los Angeles County Hospital. Background: Mounting evidence has pointed to an alarming trend: an increase in stroke among the young. The prevalence within underserved communities has been particularly disquieting. We sought to further understand stroke in this population. Design/Methods: Records from 227 consecutive stroke patients age ≤55 (young group, YG) and 75 patients age ≥60 (standard group, SG) at a Los Angeles County stroke clinic were reviewed. TIA, ischemic stroke and intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) were included. Ischemic stroke patients were classified by TOAST criteria. Results: The mean age was 45.0±9.0 for YG and 67.1±7.8 for SG. There was no significant difference between groups in the relative percentages of ischemic stroke, TIA and ICH. Diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia were common risk factors, with at least two of the three seen in 89.23% of SG and 60.4% of YG (p Conclusions: Although young stroke patients had a higher prevalence of non-standard stroke subtypes, a larger percentage suffered traditional strokes (e.g. small vessel). Modifiable stroke risk factors were common contributors, offering hope that the rising incidence of stroke in the young can be averted. Disclosure: Dr. Wu has nothing to disclose. Dr. Rao has nothing to disclose.
Effects of low-level laser therapy on the healing of surgically closed incisions and surgically created open wounds in dogs.

Objective To determine the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on primarily closed incisions and full thickness open wounds in dogs. Study design Prospective, masked, placebo-controlled design. Animal population Healthy intact female dogs (n = 10). Methods Dogs underwent bilateral flank ovariectomy procedures, and open wounds were created bilaterally with a punch biopsy. Each side of the dog (incision and open wound) was randomly assigned to the treatment (TX) group or the control (CN) group. The TX group received LLLT once daily for 5 days with a 980-nm laser and a total energy density of 5 J/cm2 . The CN group received a sham treatment (laser turned off) for an identical amount of time each day. The wounds were assessed visually; measured; photographed at postoperative days 3, 7, 11, and 14; and biopsied on postoperative days 7 and 14. A 2-way repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance was used to analyze differences between groups. Results There was no difference between groups for subjective assessment of healing time and wound measurements (P = .7). There was no difference in histopathologic assessment except that the CN group had more necrosis and perivascular lymphocytes and macrophages at day 7 (P = .03). The TX group had more perivascular lymphocytes and macrophages at day 14 (P = .01). Conclusion LLLT did not appear to influence the healing of surgically created incisions and small wounds with the methodology reported here. Clinical significance Results of this study do not support recommending LLLT to stimulate healing of uncomplicated, small wounds and incisions.
Fingerprint vulnerability: A survey

With an increasing number of internet users utilizing smartphones and similar devices, fingerprint scanners are becoming increasingly important as a security feature. From a business point of view, a company put its reputation at risk if its biometric security system can be spoofed. From a user point of view, since the fingerprint last for a lifetime, once leaked they are leaked for the rest of user's life. This survey reviews the fingerprint system, classifies different parts of it including techniques for extracting features and matching procedures, different vulnerabilities and proposes three avenues for mitigating the vulnerabilities including software (big data and encryption/ decryption) and secure hardware techniques.
Telematic Support for Disaster Situations

Disasters, whether as a result of a human catalyst or by natural forces, can devastate a community’s ability to sustain life as normal or be responsive to societal needs. Each year, nature’s fury plays havoc on many nations. Moreover, humankind has figured out horrendous ways of destroying life. This is evident to every reader and does not require in-depth discussion. The common theme in all disasters is that infrastructures of all kinds are destroyed or in some way impaired such that they cannot be used to support basic needs like medical care. Of course in many parts of the world a disaster can be far worst than in others. A hurricane in South Florida can result in billions of dollars in damage and yet the loss of life is low. Conversely a hurricane in Central America can result in many more deaths. This mostly is attributed to the existence of more comprehensive early response systems in the United States (US). Irregardless of the disaster’s cause, the resulting damage to the basic infrastructures for communications, food and water supplies, and medical capabilities are disrupted, overtaxed or simply no longer available. With regard to medical response in disasters, delayed response can exacerbate the situation, resulting in epidemiological problems. (CDC web site 2003) Additionally, those remaining after the disaster may experience posttraumatic stress disorder.(Laor et al., 2002; Livanou et al., 2002) Effective telecommunications and planning can mitigate some of the predictable outcomes; however, the response must continue until fully independent services are restored. (Garshnek et al., 1999) The medical response should be an effective telecommunications system for information management and direct medical intervention. Such a system can be comprised of pre-positioned or rapidly deployable mobile assets
Low-dose onabotulinumtoxinA improves urinary symptoms in noncatheterizing patients with MS.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of onabotulinumtoxinA 100 U in noncatheterizing patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) with urinary incontinence (UI) due to neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO). Methods In this randomized, double-blind phase III study, patients received onabotulinumtoxinA 100 U (n = 66) or placebo (n = 78) as intradetrusor injections via cystoscopy. Assessments included changes from baseline in urinary symptoms, urodynamics, and Incontinence–Quality of Life (I-QOL) total score. Adverse events (AEs) were assessed, including initiation of clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) due to urinary retention. Results OnabotulinumtoxinA vs placebo significantly reduced UI at week 6 (−3.3 episodes/day vs −1.1 episodes/day, p Conclusion In noncatheterizing patients with MS, onabotulinumtoxinA 100 U significantly improved UI and quality of life with lower CIC rates than previously reported with onabotulinumtoxinA 200 U. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01600716. Classification of evidence This study provides Class I evidence that compared with placebo, 100 U onabotulinumtoxinA intradetrusor injections significantly reduce UI and improve quality of life in noncatheterizing patients with MS and NDO.
OverSketch: Approximate Matrix Multiplication for the Cloud

We propose OverSketch, an approximate algorithm for distributed matrix multiplication in serverless computing. OverSketch leverages ideas from matrix sketching and high-performance computing to enable cost-efficient multiplication that is resilient to faults and straggling nodes pervasive in low-cost serverless architectures. We establish statistical guarantees on the accuracy of OverSketch and empirically validate our results by solving a large-scale linear program using interior-point methods and demonstrate a 34% reduction in compute time on AWS Lambda.
Attitudes Toward Bisexuality and Other Beliefs and Attitudes Related to Sexual Fluidity in Attractions among Heterosexual and Sexual Minority Young Adults

This study examined associations between sexual fluidity in attractions and related beliefs and attitudes among sexual minority and heterosexual young adults. Two college and community-based sample...
Fiscal Sustainability and Resource Mobilization in the Dominican Republic

This paper examines fiscal sustainability and resource mobilization in the Dominican Republic. The fiscal position appears to be sustainable, if resource mobilization is strengthened. If expenditure continues to rise (relative to GDP), without any further fiscal adjustment, indicators of sustainability would begin to deteriorate. It would be important to maintain an appropriate mix between additional financing and fiscal adjustment, in order that the future debt burden does not rise excessively.
Psychometric properties of the eating loss of control scale among postbariatric patients

Abstract Background Assessing the complexities of eating behaviors in patients who undergo bariatric surgery is challenging. The Eating Loss of Control Scale (ELOCS), a measure of loss-of-control (LOC) eating, has not yet been evaluated psychometrically among bariatric surgery patients. Objective This study presents a psychometric examination of the ELOCS in postoperative bariatric surgery patients. Setting Academic medical center in the United States. Methods One hundred seventy-one postbariatric treatment-seeking adults (82.5% female, 52.4% white) with LOC eating completed the ELOCS and measures assessing eating psychopathology and mood. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to test fit for a 1-factor solution. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) examined alternative factor structures. Results CFA revealed poor fit for a 1-factor structure (χ2 = 220.375, degrees of freedom = 135, P Conclusions Findings suggest possible differences in the construct validity of the ELOCS among postbariatric patients. The 1-factor solution previously supported in clinical and nonclinical groups demonstrated poor fit. EFA revealed a possible alternative 2-factor solution that aligns with emerging literature, suggesting that LOC eating presents differently in postbariatric patients. Researchers interested in LOC eating among bariatric patients should consider use of the ELOCS and testing the proposed alternative factor structure.
Regulatory Capture in the Petroleum Refining Industry

The capture theory of regulation concludes that regulatory agencies tend to be captured by the firms they are regulating. This paper tests the capture theory in the recent environment of nuanced agency regulation by the administrative state, focusing on the U.S. oil refining industry. Regulation has tended to narrow refiners’ margins, which harms nonintegrated oil refiners more than vertically integrated. Providing evidence of regulatory capture, complementary analysis of stock returns shows that regulations have benefited the stocks of vertically integrated firms. The narrowing of the margins is primarily due to rising input costs.
Analyzing educational interventions without random assignment

Since educational researchers rarely have the luxury of random assignment, confounding variables are a common concern. This manuscript introduces readers to methods for statistically controlling confounding variables, namely propensity score matching, propensity score weighting, and doubly robust estimation. These techniques allow researchers to accurately estimate the effect of an intervention (e.g. a new teaching method's effect on course grades) even when the groups being compared differ on other relevant variables (e.g. one group has a higher pre-DVM GPA than the other). Example analysis are included to aid researchers hoping to conduct their own analyses.
Host-parasite relations between Allomyces and Rozella

Zoospores of the obligately parasitic chytridRozella allomycis encyst all over the hyphae of a susceptible host, the water-moldAllomyces arbuscula, but many of them fail to penetrate. At the sites of successful penetration lomasomes occur, and the inner layer of the host cell-wall grows and invaginates around a papilla, through the center of which the parasite enters. This host response resembles instances of normal, localized inward growth of fungal cell-walls. The response may also be related to a defense reaction of walled cells which form callosities to block the invasion of fungi.Rozella appears to utilize this response and to depend upon it—probably in order to enter the host cell with minimal disruption. A similar relationship may control the penetration of various obligately parasitic plant-pathogens into their hosts.
The Securities Act of 1933

The Great Depression of 1929–33 saw large losses in aggregate production, prices, income, and security values, which politicians and the press attributed to financial fraud arising from greed which called for the legal enforcement of transparency. Or were securities firms already transparent and well-behaved, the asset collapses having been caused by business losses? The New Deal was convinced of the former, but its legislative ambitions were modified by private interests, and its regulations have not been fully applied.
C. elegans REMO-1, a glial GPCR, regulates stress-induced nervous system remodeling and behavior

Animal nervous systems remodel following stress. Although global stress-dependent changes are well documented, contributions of individual neuron remodeling events to animal behavior modification are challenging to study. In response to environmental insults, C. elegans become stress-resistant dauers. Dauer entry induces amphid sensory-organ remodeling, in which bilateral AMsh glial cells expand and fuse, allowing embedded AWC chemosensory neurons to extend sensory receptive endings. We show that amphid remodeling accelerates dauer exit upon exposure to favorable conditions, and identify a G protein-coupled receptor, REMO-1, driving AMsh glia fusion, AWC neuron remodeling, and dauer exit. REMO-1 is expressed in and localizes to AMsh glia tips, is dispensable for other remodeling events, and promotes stress-induced expression of the remodeling receptor tyrosine kinase VER-1. Our results demonstrate how single-neuron structural changes affect animal behavior, identify key glial roles in stress-induced nervous system shape changes, and demonstrate that remodeling primes animals to respond to favorable conditions.
Bishops, Priests, and Echoes from the Pews, 2014–2019

This chapter consists of seventeen research essays by Anthony E. Clark that were written mostly in China between 2014 and 2019. The overarching theme of this chapter centers on the difficult adjustments of China’s Roman Catholic community after the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949. These essays examine historical matters such as diplomatic (or extra-diplomatic) exchange between Beijing’s party officials and the Vatican, Catholics during the Cultural Revolution, papal responses to China’s religious policies, efforts toward a Sino-Vatican rapprochement, and a consideration of several significant Chinese participants in the modern history of China’s Catholic Church. The final essays in this chapter touch upon the troubled attempts at Sino-Vatican reconciliation in 2018 with the signing of the so-called “China–Vatican Agreement” signed by Pope Francis and party officials in Beijing.
Oral dexamethasone sodium phosphate solution significantly reduces pruritus and clinical lesions in feline hypersensitivity dermatitis: an open-label study

Background There are no liquid oral glucocorticoids labelled for management of pruritus and clinical lesions of feline hypersensitivity dermatitis (feline HD). Hypothesis First, to demonstrate that dexamethasone sodium phosphate (DexSP, DexajectSP, Henry Schein; Dublin, OH, USA; 4 mg/mL), an intravenous glucocorticoid, can be absorbed by healthy cats when administered orally. Second, to demonstrate the efficacy of orally administered DexSP for reducing pruritus and clinical lesions in patients with feline HD. Animals Seven healthy and 12 client-owned cats with HD. Methods and materials Healthy cats were administered a single dose of 0.2 mg/kg DexSP p.o. and serum concentrations were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Feline HD patients were assessed with SCORing Feline Allergic Dermatitis (SCORFAD) and pruritus Visual Analog Scale (pVAS) at Visit 1 (V1) and after 20-31 days of receiving 0.2 mg/kg/day DexSP p.o. (V2). Complete blood cell counts, serum chemistry profile, and urinalysis were performed in 50% of feline HD patients at both visits. Results Healthy cats had detectable serum concentrations of DexSP following oral administration; concentrations ranged from 0.7 to 92.3 ng/mL. Feline HD patients showed significant decreases in SCORFAD and pVAS scores from V1 to V2. Conclusions DexSP was absorbed when administered orally to healthy cats and 0.2 mg/kg/day DexSP is an efficacious dose to rapidly improve the pruritus and clinical lesions associated with feline HD.
Protocol for targeting insomnia in school-aged children with autism spectrum disorder without intellectual disability: a randomised control trial.

Introduction Insomnia affects up to 80% of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Negative consequences of insomnia in ASD include decreased quality of life (QOL), impaired learning and cognition, increased stereotypic and challenging behaviours, and increased parental stress. Cognitive behavioural treatment for childhood insomnia (CBT-CI) is a promising treatment for dealing with insomnia and its negative consequences but has not yet been studied in school-aged children with ASD and comorbid insomnia. Access to healthcare is another challenge for children with ASD, particularly in rural and underserved regions. Previous studies indicate that ASD and insomnia share common arousal-based underpinnings, and we hypothesise that CBT-CI will reduce the hyperarousal associated with insomnia and ASD. This trial will be the first to examine CBT-CI adapted for children with ASD and will provide new information about two different modes of delivery across a variety of primary and secondary child and parent sleep and related outcomes. Knowledge obtained from this trial might allow us to develop new or modify current treatments to better target childhood insomnia and ASD. Methods and analysis Children (N=180) 6–12 years of age with ASD and insomnia will be recruited from an established autism database, a paediatric clinic and community outreach in the Columbia, MO and surrounding areas. Participants will be randomised to CBT-CI adapted for children with ASD (in-person or remote using computers with cameras) or Sleep Hygiene and Related Education. Participants will be assessed at baseline, post-treatment, 6-month and 12-month follow-ups. The following assessments will be completed regarding the children: objective and subjective sleep, daytime functioning (adaptive functioning, attention, challenging behaviours, anxiety), QOL and physiological arousal (heart rate variability) and parents: objective and subjective sleep, daytime functioning (anxiety, depression, fatigue), QOL, physiological arousal and parental burden/stress. Ethics and dissemination Ethics approval was obtained in January 2020 from the University of Missouri. Ethics approval was obtained in July 2020 from the US Army Medical Research and Development Command, Office of Research Protections and Human Research Protection Office. All data are expected to be collected by 2024. Full trial results are planned to be published by 2025. Secondary analyses of baseline data will be subsequently published. Trial registration number NCT04545606; Pre-results.
Polytetrahedral Order in Condensed Matter

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the experimental and simulation evidence for polytetrahedral order in small clusters, liquids, glasses, and periodic or quasiperiodic crystals and shows that it is a powerful unifying concept in their theoretical description. Discussions of polytetrahedral order have recently received new impetus from the experimental discovery of quasi crystal that have a macroscopic icosahedral symmetry and which, in many cases, are closely related to Frank–Kasper compounds. Coxeter introduced a mean field theory of dense-random packing called the “statistical honeycomb model” and emphasized the importance of “polytope {3, 3, 5},” a regular four-dimensional Platonic solid that provides a regular tetrahedral tiling of S3, the curved, three-dimensional surface of a sphere embedded in four dimensions. The 120 atoms of polytope {3 , 3 , 5} form a regular lattice where each atom sits in an identical icosahedral coordination shell and serves as a paradigm for the kind of global order prevented by frustration in flat space.
Learning from twenty-first century second language learners: A case study in smartphone use of language learners

This study reports on language learners' daily use of smartphones to supplement their language learning. Three non-native speakers of English completed smartphone use logs and were interviewed over a six-week period in order to understand their attitudes and habits regarding their smartphone use. The purpose of this study was to give voice to contemporary language learners about their use of this technology so that their regular use of it may be understood. The study reports that these learners made regular use of the smartphone as a dictionary, as a study tool for standardized tests and for communication purposes across various times and locations.
Effect of Oil of Wintergreen on Spontaneous Tumors of the Mammary Gland in Mice: VII. The Liquefaction of Spontaneous Tumors of the Mammary Gland in Mice by Heptyl Aldehyde

This paper does not describe a “cure” for cancer. The large number of pathetic inquiries received from cancer sufferers and their relatives and friends following the publication of a preliminary note in Science demonstrates the need of research along these lines. The cumulative data in the series of studies of which this is one lead to the hope that the control of spontaneous tumors (at least of the mammary gland in mice) by chemotherapy may not be far distant. The present investigation leads primarily to the conclusion that the mechanism or mechanisms controlling the origin and survival of a spontaneous tumor have, under experimental conditions, been significantly influenced. Fifty-three female mice of the Strong A strain with spontaneous tumors of the mammary gland were treated with redistilled heptyl aldehyde. Heptyl aldehyde, with a boiling point of 152.2–153.2° C. (corr.), was used since it is present in the low-boiling-point fraction of the natural oil of wintergreen, which was previously found to bring about liquefaction and retrogressive changes in spontaneous tumors of mice. Because of its unstable nature, the redistilled heptyl aldehyde was kept under carbon dioxide in glass-stoppered bottles in the ice-box. It was given, as in all preceding experiments in this series, in the diet.
A COMPARISON OF HIGH-SPEED PHOTOGRAPHY AND ACCELEROMETER DATA-REDUCTION TECHNIQUES

A simple experimental test is discussed by which the theoretical kinematic quantities of a moving target can be determined. Experimental data are collected by means of high-speed photography and accelerometers, and the results of the two techniques are compared. It will be shown for the case of interest that the high-speed photography will yield results that are better than those obtained from the accelerometer data.
Validation of Tandem Mass Spectrometry Database Search Results Using DTASelect

DTASelect provides a means by which complex SEQUEST results can be filtered, organized, and viewed. A single sample may produce tens of thousands of tandem mass spectra. Manually perusing and selecting SEQUEST matches among such a mass of data carries a risk of inconsistency. DTASelect allows the user to set complex criteria for acceptance or rejection of individual spectrum results. It also features rules for dealing with multiple, identical peptide matches and for removing proteins that are insufficiently evidenced. It provides its sorted and filtered summary as HTML and text documents for easy review and also offers several auxiliary reports. DTASelect is a powerful tool for automatic analysis of complex mixture tandem mass spectrometry.
High frequency of occurrence of anthropogenic debris ingestion by sea turtles in the North Pacific Ocean

Ingestion of anthropogenic debris can have deleterious effects on sea turtles. To study diet content of sea turtles, four species were opportunistically collected as deceased bycatch over 18 years (1993–2011) from pelagic longline fisheries based in American Samoa and Hawaii (North Pacific between 140°–170°W and 20°S–50°N). Diet contents were analyzed from 71 sea turtles: 45 olive ridleys (Lepidochelys olivacea), 22 greens (Chelonia mydas), 2 loggerheads (Caretta caretta), and 2 leatherbacks (Dermochelys coriacea). This study reports some of the highest frequencies of anthropogenic debris ingestion documented for sea turtles, with 83 % of all the sea turtles sampled ingesting anthropogenic debris. Within species, 91 % of greens and 82 % of olive ridleys ingested anthropogenic debris. This is the first published report of anthropogenic debris ingestion by olive ridleys outside of the Atlantic Ocean. Neither of the leatherbacks ingested anthropogenic debris. The average dry weight of anthropogenic debris ingested by individual olive ridleys and individual greens was 4 and 7 g, respectively. The total dry weights of anthropogenic debris ingested by the two loggerheads were 9 and 120 g. Plastics were the most prominent anthropogenic debris ingested, making up 95 % (405 g dry weight) of the total 427 g ingested. Increased ingestion of anthropogenic debris was found in olive ridleys collected during the winter, which corresponds with the wintertime increase in anthropogenic debris accumulated in the North Pacific Subtropical Convergence Zone. This study highlights the need to better understand the factors affecting anthropogenic debris ingestion and its sublethal effects.
Ink formulation and low‐temperature incorporation of sodium to yield 12% efficient Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2 solar cells from sulfide nanocrystal inks

Solution phase deposition methods offer great potential for low-cost photovoltaic device fabrication. We have previously developed a method for copper indium gallium disulfoselenide (CIGSSe) device fabrication based on drop-casting copper indium gallium disulfide (CIGS) nanocrystals in a toluene or hexane-based ink followed by chalcogen exchange in elemental selenium vapor at 500 °C. By starting with the chalcopyrite or sphaelerite phase of CIGS nanocrystals with controlled stoichiometry, superior composition uniformity can be achieved inherently. Here, we present a dramatic improvement in ink formulation using alkanethiol as the solvent, which enables the ability to create uniform nanocrystal coatings over large areas using a simple knife coating technique. In addition, we show a major improvement in device performance by a simple and low-temperature method of incorporating sodium into the CIGSSe film based on soaking the films in aqueous NaCl solution. The addition of sodium plays an important role in improving the structural properties of the resulting CIGSSe films, where large and densely packed grain can be obtained. The improved film morphology significantly reduces recombination losses in the resulting device leading to a dramatically enhanced device performance. With the use of standard glass/Mo/CIGSSe/CdS/i-ZnO/ITO device structure, photovoltaic devices yield total area power conversion efficiency as high as 12.0% under AM1.5 illumination without an anti-reflection coating. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A combined microfluidic-microstencil method for patterning biomolecules and cells.

Despite the myriad of soft lithography based micropatterning methods available to researchers, it is still challenging to define small features (10–100 μm) that are spaced far apart (1–10 mm). In this report, we describe a combined microfluidic-microstencil patterning method that can produce multifunctional substrates of small features, O(10 μm), with a large pitch, O(1 mm). In that, we fabricate microstencils using an UV curable polyurethane (Norland Optical Adhesive 81) with dense arrays of 10–100 μm holes. Overlaying arrays of microfluidic channels over these microstencils allow for the control of the spacing between features and the ability to pattern multiple substrates. We show that this method is capable of patterning soluble proteins, fibrillar insoluble collagen, liposomes, cells, and nanoparticles. We demonstrate the utility of the method by measuring platelet adhesion under flow to three adhesive proteins (insoluble fibrillar collagen, laminin, and reconstituted acid solubilized collagen fibers) in a single assay.
Detection and sizing of myocardial ischemia and infarction by nuclear magnetic resonance imaging in the canine heart.

Abstract The usefulness of NMR imaging to size infarcted and hypoperfused, ischemic myocardium was assessed in 16 dogs which underwent coronary artery occlusion and reperfusion. During occlusion, technetium-99 microspheres were injected into the left atrium. Following death, the hearts were excised and underwent NMR imaging with a 0.35 tesla magnet, using multiple spin-echo pulse sequences. The epicardium of the heart was marked to indicate the level of the NMR cross-sectional tomographic image. The heart was subsequently breadloafed into 5 mm sections and the corresponding NMR cross-section was flagged for analysis. Autoradiography was performed to measure the hypoperfused, at-risk zone, and triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining was used to measure infarct size. For the flagged tomographic slice, the size of the NMR abnormality correlated well ( r = 0.95), and was comparable to the actual hypoperfused, at-risk zone of the left ventricle. However, NMR estimates of infarct size correlated less well ( r = 0.75) with the pathologic measure, and significantly overestimated actual infarct size ( p 1 and T 2 values were consistently increased ( p
Involvement of the mitochondrion respiratory chain in the synergy achieved by treatment of human ovarian carcinoma cell lines with both tumor necrosis factor-α and cis-diamminedichloroplatinum

BACKGROUND Previous studies have demonstrated that treatment of human tumor cell lines with a combination of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (CDDP) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) results in additive/synergistic cytotoxic effects and reverses tumor cell resistance to TNF drugs. Free radical intermediates are induced by both TNF-alpha and CDDP; however, the role of free radicals in synergy is not known. This study investigated the effect of two inhibitors on synergy, phenoxan (Phe) and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), which inhibit Complex I and Complex I and II of the mitochondrion respiratory chain, respectively. METHODS Three human ovarian carcinoma cell lines of different sensitivity to TNF-alpha and/or CDDP were selected for the study and consisted of 222, a TNF/CDDP-sensitive line, 222TR (TNF-resistant), a TNF-resistant, CDDP-sensitive line, and AD10, a TNF-sensitive, CDDP-resistant line. Cytotoxicity was determined by the microculture tetrazolium dye assay. RESULTS Synergy in cytotoxicity was achieved in all three lines treated with a combination of TNF-alpha and CDDP. Cytotoxicity by either TNF-alpha or CDDP or by both TNF-alpha and CDDP was inhibited in the presence of either Phe or BHA. Pretreatment of tumor cells with either Phe or BHA for up to 4 hours, washed and followed by the addition of the cytotoxic agents (alone or combined), resulted in no inhibitory effect. Pretreatment of the cells with the cytotoxic agent for up to 2 hours, washed and then followed by the addition of Phe, resulted in significant inhibition of cytotoxicity. In contrast to Phe, the addition of BHA as late as 12 hours post pretreatment of the cells with the cytotoxic agent(s) still inhibited cytotoxicity. These results demonstrated that free radicals are involved in cytotoxicity mediated by a single agent, and in synergy with both agents. Further, the results demonstrated that Phe acts at an early stage of the cytotoxic pathway and that BHA acts at both an early and a late stage of the cytotoxic pathway. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrated that both TNF-alpha and CDDP rapidly stimulate the induction of free radicals but a lag of several hours was necessary to initiate the irreversible program of cell death. Further, the studies demonstrated that synergy and reversal of drug resistance in ovarian tumor cells by TNF-alpha and CDDP, used in combination, share the same pathway of cytotoxicity as that mediated by TNF-alpha or CDDP used as a single agent.
Collaborative Approaches to the Digital in English Studies

Abstract This review considers the work in Collaborative Approaches to the Digital in English Studies , an anthology edited by Laura McGrath that examines the evolving significance of collaboration within the English classroom. This book contributes to the discussion of collaboration in several meaningful ways, including connecting collaboration to interesting digital tools and moving beyond merely considering the discipline's concern of scholarly production to instead examine the evolution of collaboration's relationship between teaching, technology, and user creativity. McGrath's work is divided into two sections, one that addresses scholarly concerns and one that addresses pedagogical concerns. Several important components of English studies are addressed throughout the text such as affinity spaces, the work of writing centers, graduate student research contributions, cross-cultural understandings of text, and interdisciplinary research. McGrath and the contributing authors succeed in providing a thorough argument for continued collaboration in the discipline as well as a clear suggestion that the digitization of the field is a challenging and valuable necessity. Readers from English studies graduate students to full-time faculty to practitioners in the field can appreciate the depth of the theoretical background, the pedagogical implications for academia and the workplace as well, and the diverse models that provide discussion of interesting connections between collaboration and the digital.
Leaf disc size and insect feeding preference: implications for assays and studies on induction of plant defense

The size of cottonwood (Populus deltoides L. Bartr.) leaf discs used in insect feeding preference trials with the chrysomelid beetle, Plagiodera versicolora Laich., was shown to affect behavior, and the outcome of the feeding trial. It is suggested that disc size has an effect because it alters the ratio of chemical signals from the cut leaf edge to those of the intact leaf center. The implications of this finding to the design of bioassays; to previously noted differences in feeding behavior for insects on discs versus leaves; and to the study of feeding preference and induction of plant defense are discussed. Resume Influence de la taille des rondelles de feuilles sur le choix des insectes: consequences pour les experiences et etudes d'induction Plagiodera versicolora Laich (Coleo., Chrysomelidae) a prefere significativement consommer les grandes rondelles (diametre 17 mm) de Populus deltoides prealablement exposees a l'ozone ambiant, aux temoins exposes a de l'air filtre sur charbon de bois. Cependant, quand le diametre a ete reduit a 10 mm, les insectes n'ont plus prefere les feuilles soumises a l'ozone. Les preferences alimentaires de cet insecte consommant le centre des feuilles ont probablement change parceque les signaux chimiques de la coupure ont surpasse ou masque ceux des petits disques. Ainsi, le rapport perimetre sur surface du disque est un critere important de la procedure experimentale. L'influence de la taille du disque depend vraisemblablement du fait que l'insecte consomme le centre ou la pourtour de la feuille, de la taille de l'insecte et du type d'experience. Nous en avons deduit que l'effet de la taille du disque est frequent particulierement chez les insectes consommant le centre des feuilles. Les modificatons du choix des insectes lorsque les plantes avaient ete presentees sous forme de rondelles au lieu de feuilles ou plantes entieres, peuvent etre expliques aussi par le changement des signaux provoque par le decoupage des rondelles, plutot que par l'induction de modifications chimiques dues a la cueillette, comme cela a ete precedemment indique par differents auteurs. Par ailleurs, dans les conditions naturelles, des changements dans les signaux chimiques des feuilles dus a une consommation anterieure par des insectes, peuvent etre aussi importants dans le comportement alimentaire des insectes que n'importe quel changement chimique induit dans les feuilles par les degâts.
A duplex 10 Gb/s serial active optical cable for short-reach applications

Optical links offer many advantages over copper based solutions for 10 Gb/s interconnects, including lighter weight, longer reach and lower power consumption. Copper solutions are either very bulky and of limited reach (10GBASE-CX4) or have high power dissipation (>10W for a 10GBASE-T link). Previous optical solutions for high-volume, short interconnects have been limited by cost and connector cleanliness considerations. In this paper, we describe a duplex active optical cable which overcomes these limitations. Active optical cables not only retain the advantages of optical links with the external characteristics of an electrical cable, but provide additional advantages in performance and yield by eliminating the extra link margins inherent in open optical link standards. A new electrical connector is described which provides excellent return loss performance, high density and a rugged, consumer friendly design. Performance results for 15m graded index plastic optical fiber and 100m multimode glass fiber based cables are reported. Low jitter contribution and power dissipation of ~1W per link are achieved. Finally the design and performance of adapters allowing the use of this cable in present SFP+ and XFP transceiver systems is presented.