cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Topical Therapy for Methicillin‐Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Colonization: Impact on Infection Risk

Objective. We evaluated the usefulness of topical decolonization therapy for reducing the risk of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection among MRSA‐colonized inpatients. Design. Retrospective cohort study. Setting and intervention. Three hospitals with universal surveillance for MRSA; at their physician's discretion, colonized patients could be treated with a 5‐day course of nasal mupirocin calcium 2%, twice daily, plus chlorhexidine gluconate 4% every second day. Patients and methods. MRSA carriers were later retested for colonization (407 subjects; study 1) or followed up for development of MRSA infection (933 subjects; study 2). Multivariable methods were used to determine the impact of decolonization therapy on the risks of sustained colonization (in study 1) and MRSA infection (in study 2). Results. Independent risk factors for sustained colonization included residence in a long‐term care facility (odds ratio [OR], 1.8 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.1–3.2]) and a pressure ulce...
Copper through silicon via (TSV) for 3D integration

Differential thermal expansion mismatch between Cu and Si along with high aspect ratios required for TSV pose unique challenges to the integration and reliability of Cu TSV. A TSV structure that successfully mitigates these concerns has been integrated into CMOS with high K/metal gates. Data from test structures demonstrate no ‘Cu pumping’ or other deleterious effects to neighboring devices or interconnects. Functional 3D prototypes utilizing stacked embedded DRAMs were demonstrated showing no impact from TSV processing.
UNFOLD-SENSE: a parallel MRI method with self-calibration and artifact suppression.

This work aims at improving the performance of parallel imaging by using it with our "unaliasing by Fourier-encoding the overlaps in the temporal dimension" (UNFOLD) temporal strategy. A self-calibration method called "self, hybrid referencing with UNFOLD and GRAPPA" (SHRUG) is presented. SHRUG combines the UNFOLD-based sensitivity mapping strategy introduced in the TSENSE method by Kellman et al. (5), with the strategy introduced in the GRAPPA method by Griswold et al. (10). SHRUG merges the two approaches to alleviate their respective limitations, and provides fast self-calibration at any given acceleration factor. UNFOLD-SENSE further includes an UNFOLD artifact suppression scheme to significantly suppress artifacts and amplified noise produced by parallel imaging. This suppression scheme, which was published previously (4), is related to another method that was presented independently as part of TSENSE. While the two are equivalent at accelerations 2.0, with up to double the artifact suppression at high accelerations. Furthermore, a slight modification of Cartesian SENSE is introduced, which allows departures from purely Cartesian sampling grids. This technique, termed variable-density SENSE (vdSENSE), allows the variable-density data required by SHRUG to be reconstructed with the simplicity and fast processing of Cartesian SENSE. UNFOLD-SENSE is given by the combination of SHRUG for sensitivity mapping, vdSENSE for reconstruction, and UNFOLD for artifact/amplified noise suppression. The method was implemented, with online reconstruction, on both an SSFP and a myocardium-perfusion sequence. The results from six patients scanned with UNFOLD-SENSE are presented.
Polarized absorption spectra of single crystals of lunar pyroxenes and olivines.

Measurements have been made of the polarized absorption spectra (360-2200 nm) of compositionally zoned pyroxene minerals in rocks 10045, 10047 and 10058 and olivines in rocks 10020 and 10022. The Apollo 11 pyroxenes with relatively high Ti/Fe ratios were chosen initially to investigate the presence of crystal field spectra of Fe(2+) and Ti(3+) ions in the minerals. Broad intense bands at about 1000 and 2100 nm arise from spin-allowed, polarization-dependent transitions in Fe(2+) ions in pyroxenes. Several weak sharp peaks occur in the visible region. Peaks at 402, 425, 505, 550, and 585 nm represent spin-forbidden transitions in Fe(2+) ions, while broader bands at 460-470 nm and 650-660 nm are attributed to Ti(3+) ions. Charge transfer bands, which in terrestrial pyroxenes often extend into the visible region, are displaced to shorter wavelengths in lunar pyroxenes. This feature correlates with the absence of Ti(3+) ions in these minerals.
Interactions of metolachlor and excess hydrogen (H+) influences on sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) cultivar roots

Abstract Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] cultivars were planted in 8 cm × 8 cm × 8 cm pots filled with ‘white quartz flintshot’ sand containing 0, 0.25, 0.50, 1.0, or 2.0 mg/kg metolachlor [2‐chloro‐N‐(2‐ethyl‐6‐methylphenyl)‐N‐(2 methoxy‐1‐methylethyl)acetamide] and the pots were watered on alternate days with 100 mL 0.1 M sodium acetate at pH 6.0, 5.5, 5.0, 4.5, or 4.0 to determine the influence of excess H+ and metolachlor concentrations on sorghum root growth. Cultivars utilized were Funk G522DR, SC574, SC283, GP‐10, 58M, and 38M. At pH 4.5 and 4.0 (0 metolachlor), root lengths of Funk G522DR and SC574 were significantly decreased compared to roots from plants grown at pH 6.0. The other four cultivars had decreased root growth at pH 4.0 (0 metolachlor). Metolachlor influence on sorghum cultivar root growth was dependent on pH, cultivar, and metolachlor concentration. None of the cultivars showed increased metolachlor activity which was influenced by pH. Metolachlor (0.25 mg/kg) reversed the infl...
Grapefruit and pummelo

Grapefruit is of American origin, possibly a natural hybrid between pummelo and orange of the Old World. The United States produces more than 90 percent of the world production in excess of 50 million boxes, and more than half of the American crop is now marketed in processed form.
Membrane biology: Permutations of permeability

The first glimpse into the molecular basis of how sodium ions are transported across cell membranes by ion channels shows that cation-selective channels are variations on potassium channels.
Effects-of chlordiazepoxide and reward magnitude on the acquisition and extinction of a partially reinforced response

This study describes the relationship between the tranquilizing drug chlordiazepoxide HCL and different magnitudes of reward during acquisition and extinction of a partially reinforced runway response. The results do not support predictions drawn directly from Amsel’s (1958, 1962) frustrative nonreward hypothesis. Animals exhibited the same magnitude of reward extinction effect whether sedated during acquisition or not. Some evidence was found of a reversal in this effect in animals sedated in both acquisition and extinction.
The Meaning, Limitations and Possibilities of Making Palliative Care a Public Health Priority by Declaring it a Human Right

There is a growing movement to increase access to palliative care by declaring it a human right. Calls for such a right—in the form of articles in the healthcare literature and pleas to the United Nations and World Health Organization—rarely define crucial concepts involved in such a declaration, in particular ‘palliative care’ and ‘human right’. This paper explores how such concepts might be more fully developed, the difficulties in using a human rights approach to promote palliative care, and the relevance of such an enterprise to public health ethics.
Transcription-Independent Functions of an RNA Polymerase II Subunit, Rpb2, During Genome Rearrangement in the Ciliate, Oxytricha trifallax

The RNA polymerase II (Pol-II) holoenzyme, responsible for messenger RNA production, typically consists of 10–12 subunits. Our laboratory previously demonstrated that maternally deposited, long, noncoding, template RNAs are essential for programmed genome rearrangements in the ciliate Oxytricha trifallax. Here we show that such RNAs are bidirectionally transcribed and transported to the zygotic nucleus. The gene encoding the second-largest subunit of Pol-II, Rpb2, has undergone gene duplication, and the two paralogs, Rpb2-a and -b, display different expression patterns. Immunoprecipitation of double-stranded RNAs identified an association with Rpb2-a. Through immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry, we show that Rpb2-a in early zygotes appears surprisingly unassociated with other Pol II subunits. A partial loss of function of Rpb2-a leads to an increase in expression of transposons and other germline-limited satellite repeats. We propose that evolutionary divergence of the Rpb2 paralogs has led to acquisition of transcription-independent functions during sexual reproduction that may contribute to the negative regulation of germline gene expression.
Self-report of ADHD symptoms in college students and repetition effects.

The research in this article focuses on the relation between self-report of attention deficit disorder (ADD) symptoms and performance on a two-alternative forced-choice task that measures repetition effects. The ADD/Hyperactive Adolescent Self-Report Scale–Short Form is administered to college students after they completed the repetition effects task. Performance to familiar and novel stimuli can be measured using this paradigm. The results indicate that participants in the good and poor attention groups do not differ in their responses to repeated stimuli. However, participants who self-report poor attention are faster to respond to novel stimuli compared with participants who self-report good attention. This brief questionnaire appears to capture individual differences in attention and may be useful in attention research.
Reflexiones sobre la estructura ética del pensamiento de Mary Richmond

The ideas that formed the thought and social practice of Mary Richmond are examined here. Special focus is placed on two markers that defined her times: the scientific impulse on the one hand and the altruistic impulse on the other. We ask ourselves what were Mary Richmond’s answers to the dominant public philosophy; from those we derive some reflections that may be useful in the present, especially the ones concerning faith in science as the incontrovertible answer to human problems.
Data Compression in Recursive Estimation with Applications to Navigation Systems

The goal of data compression or preprocessing is to reduce computational requirements in a Kalman filter while retaining adequate estimation accuracy. A technique which averages batches of data is considered here. Guidelines are given for averaging, such as, how often to sample the data, when to average, and how many data points to average. The averaging technique is applied to aircraft navigation using two DMEs and either air data or inertial data. The results demonstrate that significant computation time reductions are possible with some covariance degradation. VOR/DME flight data of aircraft landing approaches were used to verify the analysis and show agreement with the analytical predictions.
Pattern Formation: Swimming in Retinoic Acid

Abstract The metabolite retinoic acid has been implicated as a key player during anterior–posterior patterning in vertebrate embryos. Recent studies in zebrafish extend this model by demonstrating the influence of retinoic acid on endoderm regionalization.
Narrative Review: Tetanus—A Health Threat After Natural Disasters in Developing Countries

Tetanus is an expected complication when disasters strike in developing countries, where tetanus immunization coverage is often low or nonexistent. Collapsing structures and swirling debris inflict numerous crush injuries, fractures, and serious wounds. Clostridium tetani infects wounds contaminated with dirt, feces, or saliva and releases neurotoxins that may cause fatal disease. Clusters of infections have recently occurred after tsunamis and earthquakes in Indonesia, Kashmir, and Haiti. The emergency response to clusters of tetanus infections in developing countries after a natural disaster requires a multidisciplinary approach in the absence of an intensive care unit, readily available resources, and a functioning cold-chain system. It is essential that injured people receive immediate surgical and medical care of contaminated, open wounds with immunization and immunoglobulin therapy. Successful treatment of tetanus depends on prompt diagnosis of clinical tetanus, treatment to ensure neutralization of circulating toxin and elimination of C. tetani infection, control of spasms and convulsions, maintenance of the airway, and management of respiratory failure and autonomic dysfunction.
Composite adaptation and spatial frequency interactions

Abstract The threshold elevation for a sinusoidal grating of 13.3 c/deg is significantly less for adaptation to a sum of 10.7 and 8 c/deg or 13.3 and 8 c/deg than for adaptation to 10.7 or 13.3 alone. This poses severe problems for any theory of independent spatial frequency channels.
Public Participation in Natural Hazard Mitigation Policy Formation: Challenges for Comprehensive Planning

Democratic theory holds that active participation in governmental planning and decision making is critical to furthering the public interest. As a result, public participation in urban planning in the US is arguably the most extensive and intensive in the world. Required by federal, state and local laws, citizen involvement is a staple of local plan making. However, as this paper shows, citizen interest in participating in the formulation of hazard mitigation policies in comprehensive plans is low, despite mounting evidence of perils to life and property from floods, hurricanes and earthquakes. Using evidence from case studies in Florida and Washington, the causes of disinterest are dissected and ways to increase public input to hazard mitigation policies in local comprehensive plans are recommended.
Analysis of hydrogen Lyman-α observations of the coma of comet P/Halley near perihelion.

The pioneer Venus Orbiter Ultraviolet Spectrometer measurements of the Lyman-alpha intensity of atomic hydrogen excited by solar resonance scattering in the coma of Comet P/Halley acquired from December 28, 1985, to January 6, 1986, and from January 31, 1986, to March 6, 1986, are simulated with the Monte Carlo Particle Trajectory Model corrected for optical depth effects. Spatially detailed comparisons between data and model show excellent agreement and are used to infer that the highest cometary activity may not be at perihelion, but about 2 1/2 weeks before. An improved set of H2O production rates is presented for the period of time that the spectrometer was observing and is found to be consistent with the rates from other types of measurements. The apparent discrepancy between Stewart (1987) in early March and International Ultraviolet Explorer OH derived rates is resolved. The problem with the conversion of 18-cm OH radio brightness to H2O production rates is also discussed.
CrossNet: a framework for crossover with network-based chromosomal representations

We propose a new class of crossover operators for genetic algorithms (CrossNet) which use a network-based (or graph-based) chromosomal representation. We designed CrossNet with the intent of providing a framework for creating crossover operators that take advantage of domain-specific knowledge for solving problems. Specifically, GA users supply a network which defines the epistatic relationships between genes in the genotype. CrossNet-based crossover uses this information with the goal of improving linkage. We performed two experiments that compared CrossNet-based crossover with one-point and uniform crossover. The first experiment involved the density classification problem for cellular automata (CA), and the second experiment involved fitting two randomly generated hyperplane-defined functions (hdf's). Both of these exploratory experiments support the hypothesis that CrossNet-based crossover can be useful, although performance improvements were modest. We discuss the results and remain hopeful about the successful application of CrossNet to other domains. We conjecture that future work with the CrossNet framework will provide a useful new perspective for investigating linkage and chromosomal representations.
Energy-Efficient Datacenters

Pervasive use of cloud computing and the resulting rise in the number of datacenters and hosting centers (that provide platform or software services to clients who do not have the means to set up and operate their own computing facilities) have brought forth many concerns, including the electrical energy cost, peak power dissipation, cooling, and carbon emission. With power consumption becoming an increasingly important issue for the operation and maintenance of the hosting centers, corporate and business owners are becoming increasingly concerned. Furthermore, provisioning resources in a cost-optimal manner so as to meet different performance criteria, such as throughput or response time, has become a critical challenge. The goal of this paper is to provide an introduction to resource provisioning and power or thermal management problems in datacenters, and to review strategies that maximize the datacenter energy efficiency subject to peak or total power consumption and thermal constraints, while meeting stipulated service level agreements in terms of task throughput and/or response time.
Twilight as a Cultural Force

The Journal of Mass Media Ethics publishes case studies in which scholars and media professionals outline how they would address a particular ethical problem. Cases are drawn from actual experience...
Safety of Rapid-Acting Insulin Analogs Versus Regular Human Insulin

Insulin is the most effective treatment for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. There are several differences in the safety profiles of each type of insulin, including rapid-acting insulin analogs and regular human insulin. The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of those insulin types also differ, as do their safety parameters. Treatment with rapid-acting analogs results in less hypoglycemia overall and decreased frequency of both severe and nocturnal hypoglycemia. In addition, the more rapid onset and shorter duration of action of rapid-acting insulin analogs are associated with greater control of postprandial glucose than regular human insulin. This review will describe the similarities and differences between the safety profiles of rapid-acting insulin analogs.
Molecular mass determination of saturated hydrocarbons: reactivity of η5-cyclopentadienylcobalt ion (CpCo·+) and linear alkanes up to C-30

The present study demonstrates the feasibility of the η5-cyclopentadienylcobalt ion (CpCo·+) as a suitable cationization reagent for saturated hydrocarbon analysis by mass spectrometry. Ion/molecule reactions of CpCo·+ and three medium chain-length n-alkanes were examined using Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. Second-order rate constants and reaction efficiencies were determined for the reactions studied. Loss of two hydrogen molecules from the CpCo-alkane ion complex was found to dominate all reactions (≥80%). Furthermore, this dehydrogenation reaction efficiency increases with increasing chain length. These preliminary results suggest that the CpCo·+ ion may be a promising cationization reagent of longer chain saturated hydrocarbons and polyolefins.
AB INITIO CALCULATIONS ON 1,3,5-TRIMETHYLENEBENZENE AND ITS NEGATIVE ION PROVIDE PREDICTIONS ABOUT THE PHOTOELECTRON SPECTRUM OF THE ION

The results of ab initio calculations on 1,3,5-trimethylenebenzene (1) and its negative ion (1-) are presented. Geometries were optimized at the CASSCF/6-31G* and CASSCF/6-31+G* levels. Single-point calculations were performed using second-order perturbation and multireference configuration interaction (MR-CI) methods, in order to include the effects of dynamic correlation between the σ and π electrons. The ground state of 1 is predicted to be the high spin 4A1‘‘ state, which has D3h symmetry. The lowest energy excited state is 2E‘‘ in D3h symmetry and is thus subject to first-order Jahn−Teller distortions to geometries of lower symmetry. The C2v geometries of the two Jahn−Teller distorted components of 2E‘‘, 2B1 and 2A2, have been optimized and are found to have nearly the same energies. After correction for zero-point energy differences, the adiabatic energy separation between the lowest C2v doublet and the D3h quartet ground state of 1 is computed to be 14 ± 1 kcal/mol. The ground state of 1- is predic...
Deception jamming modeling in radar sensor networks

In this paper we create a modeling scenario which includes an airborne imaging radar platform, receiving platform and an electronic countermeasure (ECM) platform whose goal is to introduce false target images. We also assume a high-resolution stripmap SAR model operating with several common types of UWB signals, as well as the newly proposed OFDM radar waveforms. OFDM-coded radar signals possess a viable quality of high pulse diversity potential, which can provide for robust performance in various jamming scenarios. In this paper, a method of jamming known as dasiadeceptionpsila is considered and a jammer model which aspires to generate false targets using intercepted radar signals is used. Two approaches to creating a radar signal by the jammer are considered: instantaneous frequency (IF) estimator and digital RF memory (DRFM)-based reproducer. In both cases, the jammer aims to create a copy of a valid target image - but located elsewhere in the observed target scene - via resending the radar signal at certain time intervals. Radar imaging simulation based on backprojection algorithm in presence of a deception jammer is performed for the cases of linear frequency modulated (LFM), short-pulse Gaussian, frequency-hopped (FH) and OFDM ultrawideband waveforms. The comparisons in ECCM performance of these signals are made based on the analysis of simulated imagery.
Amylase activity in triticale, X Triticosecale Wittmack

Amylase activity in leaves and the seed exhibited variations among 12 cultivars of hexaploid triticales and was considerably higher than either octaploid triticale or hexaploid wheat. Amylase activity was influenced by the levels of nitrogen and the maturity stages of the kernel. The bran-free endosperm had much lower amylase activity than the whole meal. The measurement of dry matter, starch, total sugars and reducing sugars during the stages of kernal development indicated significant positive correlation between days after anthesis and amounts of starch and dry matter and negative correlation with total sugars, reducing sugars and amylase activity. However, a lower rate of starch accumulation and higher rate of amylase activity prior to kernel maturity was clearly evident.
Facilitator of Learning: A Micro-Ethnographic Study of the Teacher of the Gifted

This study uses an ethnographic design to discover the patterns of behavior in selected teachers of the gifted as they guided children's independent studies. The research developed in two major phases; phase one suggested hypotheses and properties which were revised, tested, and verified in the second phase. A theoretical model of the roles of the teacher of the gifted is presented and possible applications of the research are suggested.
Abp1 regulates pseudopodium number in chemotaxing Dictyostelium cells

When starved, Dictyostelium cells respond to extracellular signals, polarize, and move with strong persistence into aggregation centers. Actin and actin-associated proteins play key roles in regulating both the morphology and directed movements of cells during chemotactic aggregation. Recently, we identified an ortholog of Abp1 in Dictyostelium (Dabp1). The first actin binding protein identified in yeast, Abp1 functions in actin-based endocytosis in yeast and in receptor-mediated endocytosis in mammalian cells. To explore the functions for Abp1 in Dictyostelium, we examined the phenotypes of cells that overexpressed the Dabp1 protein and cells that eliminated Dabp1 expression. In these mutants, most actin-based processes were intact. However, cell motility was altered during early development. During chemotactic streaming, more than 90% of wild-type cells had a single leading pseudopodium and a single uropodium, whereas more than 27% of Dabp1 null cells projected multiple pseuodpodia. Similarly, ∼90% of cells that overexpressed Dabp1 projected multiple pseudopodia during chemotactic streaming, and displayed reduced rates of cell movement. Expression of the SH3 domain of Dabp1 showed this domain to be an important determinant in regulating pseudopodium number. These results suggest that Abp1 controls pseudopodium number and motility in early stages of chemotactic aggregation in Dictyostelium.
Synthesis and properties of substituted methylcyclopolysilanes

Abstract Co-condensation of five equivalents Me 2 SiCl 2 and one equivalent RR′SiCl 2 with lithium provides the five- and six-membered rings RR′Si(Me 2 Si) 4 and RR′Si(Me 2 Si) 5 . This method provides a direct route to the phenyl substitued methylcyclopolysilanes (R,R′  Me, Ph) which can be used for further functionalization of the silicon rings. It also provides several news sterically hindered methylcyclopolysilanes (R,R′  Ph, Ph; Me, t-Bu, t-Bu) which could not be synthesized by the conventional demethylation routes. These products have all been isolated and characterized by their ultraviolet, 1 H-, 13 C- and 29 Si-NMR spectra.
A Characterization of 2-Tree Proper Interval 3-Graphs

An interval p-graph is the intersection graph of a collection of intervals which have been colored with p different colors with edges corresponding to nonempty intersection of intervals from different color classes. We characterize the class of 2-trees which are interval 3-graphs via a list of three graphs and three infinite families of forbidden induced subgraphs.
Stability and change in the Freedom House political rights and civil liberties measures

Scholars have long attempted to make distinctions among states based on regime type. Two of the most commonly used measures by both scholars and policymakers are the Freedom House Freedom in the Wo...
A Novel Silica Gel Adsorption/Near-Infrared Spectroscopic Method for the Determination of Hexanal as an Example of Volatile Compounds

The present research has demonstrated the feasibility of using silica gel adsorption/near-infrared (near-IR) reflectance spectroscopy to determine hexanal as an example of volatile compounds. Using...
Web usability and age: how design changes can improve performance

We conducted two usability studies that included a total of 49 participants ranging in age from 20 to 82. The goal of Study 1 was to learn whether there were differences in how older adults interact with the Web and whether changes in text size would affect performance. Users completed tasks on a prototype employee/retiree benefits site using various text sizes. We learned that older users (55 years or older) had significantly more difficulty using the Web site than younger users. Text size did not significantly affect performance in any age group. In Study 2 new participants performed the same tasks on a version of the site that was redesigned to address the usability problems encountered by older users in Study 1. The goal was to learn whether we could redesign the prototype to improve the performance of older adults. Performance improved significantly for both older and younger users.
Asymptotic behavior of solutions to plate equations with nonlinear dissipation occurring through shear forces and bending moments

We consider the question of strong stability of solutions to plate equations with nonlinear dissipation in the boundary conditions. Two cases are discussed: (1) dissipation occurring through the nonlinear forces applied on the boundary and (2) dissipation acting through the nonlinear moments. Asymptotic stability results are presented for both cases. In the first case the results are established under the natural geometric conditions imposed on the domain, while in the second case certain restrictions on the curvature on the active portion of the boundary are required.
Targeted therapy in gastrointestinal malignancies

Increased understanding of cancer pathogenesis has identified several pathways that serve as potential targets for novel targeted agents in development. The selection of targeted cancer therapy based on biomarkers has instigated a new era of personalized medicine and changed the way we practice oncology. Many targeted agents are approved for treatment of gastrointestinal malignancies most targeting tumor angiogenesis, and many more are in different phases of development. Here we briefly summarize nine different targeted agents that are approved currently in the U.S. and several other agents currently being studied in various gastrointestinal cancers.
An analytical model of AC-DC voltage multipliers

This paper proposes an analytical, closed-form AC-DC voltage multiplier model and investigates the dependency of output current and input power on circuit and device parameters. The model uses no fitting parameters and a frequency term applicable to both multipliers using diodes and metal-oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs). Analysis enables circuit designers to estimate circuit parameters, such as the number of stages and capacitance per stages, and device parameters such as saturation current (in the case of diodes) or transconductance (in the case of MOSFETs). Comparisons of the proposed model with SPICE simulation results as well as other models are also provided for validation.
Illustrating Relevance, Questioning Norms, and Creating Space: Three Steps for Teaching Critical Perspectives in the HRD Classroom.

Scholarly dialogue in HRD (Human Resource Development) has become gradually more accepting of essential conversations regarding equity and social justice in research. However, much work remains in bridging the gaps between this scholarship and the practice of HRD. One way to create change is through teaching, as the ways in which we choose to educate students of HRD inevitably shapes the future of the field. In reflecting on one of my own works, “Identity matters: A critical exploration of lesbian, gay, and bisexual identity and leadership in HRD,” it occurred to me that even well-meaning and skilled instructors could struggle to incorporate its ideas into the dialogue in their classrooms and research. Thus, the purpose of this essay is to use “Identity Matters” as an explicatory example in discussing how emerging critical perspectives could be taught.
Realtime analytics @ twitter

In this talk, we will discuss the data pipeline at Twitter that collects, aggregates and processes large volumes of data in real time and also how it fits in the broader data infrastructure ecosystem. We will also discuss challenges we have faced and lessons we have learned while building this infrastructure at Twitter.
A viscous approximation for a 2‐D steady semiconductor or transonic gas dynamic flow: Existence theorem for potential flow

In this paper we solve a boundary value problem in a two-dimensional domain (1 for a system of equations of Fluid-Poisson type, that is, a viscous approximation to a potential equation for the velocity coupled with an ordinary differential equation along the streamlines for the density and a Poisson equation for the electric field. A particular case of this system is a viscous approximation of transonic flow models. The general case is a model for semiconductors. We show existence of a density p. velocity potential cp, and electric potential @ in the bounded domain R that are C'."(fi), C'-"(fi), and W2,P(!=2) functions, respectively, such that p, cp, '3, the speed IVlpl, and the electric field E = V@ are uniformly bounded in the viscous parameter. This is a necessary step in the existing programs in order to show existence of a solution for the transonic flow problem. 0 19% John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1. Presentation of the Model
On the propagation and coalescence of delamination cracks in compressed coatings: with application to thermal barrier systems

Abstract Coatings subject to residual compression eventually fail by buckle-driven delamination. The phenomenon is most vivid in thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) used in gas turbines. The failure evolution commences with the formation of a large number of small cracks at geometric imperfections near the interface. These cracks spread upon thermal exposure, particularly upon thermal cycling, because of the formation of a thermally grown oxide (TGO) beneath the TBC, which introduces normal and shear stress near the interface. Experimental observations indicate that some of these cracks coalesce to form large-scale delaminations susceptible to buckling. The mechanics governing crack coalescence and the consequent failure are addressed in the present analysis. A model is introduced that simulates stresses induced in the TBC by spatial variations in TGO growth. Energy release rates for cracks evolving in this stress field are determined. Two related scenarios are considered, which differ in the way the TGO shape evolves. In both, contact between the crack faces and the consequent wedging action is responsible for ultimate coalescence. The wedging force induces a mode I stress intensity that becomes infinite as the cracks coalesce. The consequence is that, for some TGO shapes, the energy release rate is always non-zero, with a minimum at a characteristic crack length. This minimum establishes a criterion for crack coalescence and failure. Based on these insights, finite element simulations have been used to predict cyclic crack growth rates in a TBC system that correlate well with experimental observations.
Hybridized optimization approaches to the scheduling of multi-period mixed-Btu natural gas products

Decisions regarding the buying, storing and selling of natural gas are difficult facing the high volatility of prices and uncertain demand. The increasing availability of low-Btu gas complicates decisions faced by investors and operational planners of consumers of natural gas. This study examines multiple approaches to maximizing profits by optimally scheduling the purchase and storage of two gas products of different energy densities and the sales of the same combined with a blended third product. Three approaches, a Branch and Bound-linear programming hybrid, a stochastic search algorithm-linear programming hybrid, and a pure random search are developed and tested in simulated environments. To make each technique computationally tractable, constraints on the units of product moved in each transaction are implemented. Using numerical data, the three approaches are tested, analyzed and compared statistically and graphically along with computer performance information. The result provides a basis for planners to improve decision making.
Oxidative stress drives disulfide bond formation between basic helix‐loop‐helix transcription factors

Basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors including Twist1 and E2a proteins regulate essential processes. These factors bind DNA as homo- or heterodimers and the choice of binding partners determines their functional output. To investigate potential regulators of bHLH dimerization, cells were exposed to the oxidative agent hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)). Western blot analysis in the presence or absence of reducing agents, revealed that H(2)O(2) induces the rapid formation of an intermolecular disulfide bond between Twist1 homodimers and Twist/E2a proteins heterodimers. The disulfide bond is first observed between Twist1 homodimers at 25 mM H(2)O(2) and between Twist1 heterodimers at 75 mM H(2)O(2). This response is dependent upon cell density as H(2)O(2) did not induce disulfide bridge formation between bHLH proteins in cells seeded at high density. In the presence of E proteins, the formation of Twist1/E2a proteins heterodimers is favored over Twist1 homodimers, identifying an oxidative stimulus as an important factor in modulating binding partner specificity. We further demonstrated that a cysteine residue located at the C-terminus of Twist1 and E2a proteins is involved in this response. Disulfide bond formation between Twist1 homodimers significantly reduced its ability to interact with two of its binding partners, Runx2 and HDAC4, indicating that disulfide dimerization in response to H(2)O(2) has functional significance. These data support the conclusion that disulfide bond formation in response to an oxidative stimulus contributes to Twist1 homo- and heterodimerization and raises the possibility that the redox status of a cell may represent an important step in bHLH transcriptional regulation.
Computing and Evaluating Syntactic Complexity Features for Automated Scoring of Spontaneous Non-Native Speech

This paper focuses on identifying, extracting and evaluating features related to syntactic complexity of spontaneous spoken responses as part of an effort to expand the current feature set of an automated speech scoring system in order to cover additional aspects considered important in the construct of communicative competence. Our goal is to find effective features, selected from a large set of features proposed previously and some new features designed in analogous ways from a syntactic complexity perspective that correlate well with human ratings of the same spoken responses, and to build automatic scoring models based on the most promising features by using machine learning methods. On human transcriptions with manually annotated clause and sentence boundaries, our best scoring model achieves an overall Pearson correlation with human rater scores of r=0.49 on an unseen test set, whereas correlations of models using sentence or clause boundaries from automated classifiers are around r=0.2.
Fibrin(ogen)-Independent Role of Plasminogen Activators in Acetaminophen-Induced Liver Injury

Hepatic fibrin(ogen) has been noted to occur after acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver injury in mice. Deficiency in plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), an endogenous inhibitor of fibrinolysis, increases APAP-induced liver injury in mice. However, the roles of fibrinogen and fibrinolysis in APAP-induced liver injury are not known. We tested the hypothesis that hepatic fibrin(ogen) deposition reduces severity of APAP-induced liver injury. APAP-induced (300 mg/kg) liver injury in mice was accompanied by thrombin generation, consumption of plasma fibrinogen, and deposition of hepatic fibrin. Neither fibrinogen depletion with ancrod nor complete fibrinogen deficiency [via knockout of the fibrinogen alpha chain gene (Fbg−⧸−)] affected APAP-induced liver injury. PAI-1 deficiency (PAI-1−⧸−) increased APAP-induced liver injury and hepatic fibrin deposition 6 hours after APAP administration, which was followed by marked hemorrhage at 24 hours. As in PAI-1−⧸− mice, administration of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (tenecteplase, 5 mg/kg) worsened APAP-induced liver injury and hemorrhage in wild-type mice. In contrast, APAP-induced liver injury was reduced in both plasminogen-deficient mice and in wild-type mice treated with tranexamic acid, an inhibitor of plasminogen activation. Activation of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) paralleled injury, but MMP-9 deficiency did not affect APAP-induced liver injury. The results indicate that fibrin(ogen) does not contribute to development of APAP-induced liver injury and suggest rather that plasminogen activation contributes to APAP-induced liver injury.
Distance Distribution of Bivariate Poisson Network Nodes

In this paper, we obtain the distribution of the distances between an arbitrary point and its dissimilar neighboring points in a spatial bivariate Poisson point process. We derive closed-form solutions for the real moments of the inter-nodal distances for two special cases in which there is either strong or weak correlation between the number of points in a region. This point process can be used to model heterogeneous random networks. In particular, we discuss some applications of the obtained results in cognitive wireless networks.
Activation of Somatosensory Afferents Elicit Changes in Vaginal Blood Flow and the Urethrogenital Reflex Via Autonomic Efferents

Purpose: We examined the effects of pudendal sensory nerve stimulation and urethral distention on vaginal blood flow and the urethrogenital reflex, and the relationship between somatic and autonomi...
SUMOylation and deSUMOylation at a glance.

Small ubiquitin-related modifiers (SUMOs) are ubiquitin-like polypeptides that become covalently conjugated to cellular proteins in a manner similar to ubiquitylation ([Johnson, 2004][1]). More than 1000 proteins have been identified as potential SUMO-conjugation (SUMOylation) targets ([Hochstrasser
A Distributed Termination Detection Algorithm for Dynamic Asynchronous Systems

Termination detection in distributed systems has been a popular problem of study. It involves determining whether a computation running on multiple nodes has ceased all its activities. A large number of termination detection algorithms have been proposed for static distributed systems in which the number of nodes present in the system is fixed and never changes during runtime. Recently, the termination detection problem has been investigated in the context of dynamic distributed systems in which individual nodes may join and/or leave the system at any time. In this paper, we propose an efficient algorithm for detecting termination of a computation in a dynamic, asynchronous, distributed system that allows nodes to join as well as leave the system while the computation is in progress. Our simulation results indicate that our algorithm has lower message complexity as well as lower detection latency than other comparable algorithms for solving the same problem.
Recommendations for end-of-life care in the intensive care unit: A consensus statement by the American College of Critical Care Medicine

Background: These recommendations have been developed to improve the care of intensive care unit (ICU) patients during the dying process. The recommendations build on those published in 2003 and highlight recent developments in the field from a U.S. perspective. They do not use an evidence grading system because most of the recommendations are based on ethical and legal principles that are not derived from empirically based evidence. Principal Findings: Family-centered care, which emphasizes the importance of the social structure within which patients are embedded, has emerged as a comprehensive ideal for managing end-of-life care in the ICU. ICU clinicians should be competent in all aspects of this care, including the practical and ethical aspects of withdrawing different modalities of life-sustaining treatment and the use of sedatives, analgesics, and nonpharmacologic approaches to easing the suffering of the dying process. Several key ethical concepts play a foundational role in guiding end-oflife care, including the distinctions between withholding and withdrawing treatments, between actions of killing and allowing to die, and between consequences that are intended vs. those that are merely foreseen (the doctrine of double effect). Improved communication with the family has been shown to improve patient care and family outcomes. Other knowledge unique to endof-life care includes principles for notifying families of a patient’s death and compassionate approaches to discussing options for organ donation. End-of-life care continues even after the death of the patient, and ICUs should consider developing comprehensive bereavement programs to support both families and the needs of the clinical staff. Finally, a comprehensive agenda for improving end-of-life care in the ICU has been developed to guide research, quality improvement efforts, and educational curricula. Conclusions: End-of-life care is emerging as a comprehensive area of expertise in the ICU and demands the same high level of knowledge and competence as all other areas of ICU practice. (Crit Care Med 2008; 36:953‐963)
Indirect induction of a clastogenic effect in epidermal cells by a tumor promoter

The mechanisms by which tumor promoters exert their effects on target tissues are not clearly understood. Recent studies have demonstrated that phorbol ester tumor promoters induce an oxidative burst in phagocytes and DNA single-strand breaks (SSB) in leukocytes. The purpose of the research presented here was to investigate the clastogenic effects of tumor promoters in the target cell population, primary mouse epidermal cells co-incubated with leukocytes. Using the alkaline elution assay to detect DNA SSB, it was demonstrated that tumor promoters induce DNA SSB in primary mouse epidermal cells incubated in the presence of leukocytes. By increasing the ratio of leukocytes to epidermal cells from 1:2 to 10:1, in the presence of 1.6 X 10(-6) M 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), a ratio dependent increase in DNA SSB was observed (from 9 X 10(-2) to 121 DNA SSB per 10(6) nucleotides). A dose response in DNA SSB was seen with TPA over a concentration range of 4 X 10(-9)-1.6 X 10(-6) M. Mezerein, a second stage tumor promoter, induced similar levels of DNA SSB to that of TPA. 4-O-Methyl TPA, a first stage tumor promoter, induced significantly fewer DNA SSB than either TAP or mezerein at similar concentrations. The induction of DNA SSB in epidermal cells treated with TPA and co-incubated with leukocytes was inhibited by catalase but not superoxide dismutase. These data indicate that tumor promoters can act indirectly on target epidermal cells by stimulating the release of a clastogenic factor from leukocytes through a mechanism involving H2O2.
Inferring Design: Evidence of a Preference for Teleological Explanations in Patients With Alzheimer's Disease

Unlike educated adults, young children demonstrate a "promiscuous" tendency to explain objects and phenomena by reference to functions, endorsing what are called teleological explanations. This tendency becomes more selective as children acquire increasingly coherent beliefs about causal mechanisms, but it is unknown whether a widespread preference for teleology is ever truly outgrown. The study reported here investigated this question by examining explanatory judgments in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), whose dementia affects the rich causal beliefs adults typically consult in evaluating explanations. The results indicate that unlike healthy adults, AD patients systematically and promiscuously prefer teleological explanations, suggesting that an underlying tendency to construe the world in terms of functions persists throughout life. This finding has broad relevance not only to understanding conceptual impairments in AD, but also to theories of development, learning, and conceptual change. Moreover, this finding sheds light on the intuitive appeal of creationism.
Transitional Type 1 and 2 B Lymphocyte Subsets Are Differentially Responsive to Antigen Receptor Signaling

Mature B-lymphocytes develop sequentially from transitional type 1 (T1) and type 2 (T2) precursors in the spleen. To elucidate the mechanisms that regulate the developmental fate of these distinct B cell subsets, we investigated their biochemical and biological responses following stimulation through the B-cell antigen receptor (BCR). As compared with the T1 subset, T2 cells are more responsive to BCR engagement, as evidenced by their robust induction of activation markers, expression of the prosurvival protein Bcl-xL, and enhanced proliferation. BCR stimulation of T2 cells leads to the appearance of B cells with mature phenotypic characteristics, whereas T1 cells die. All of these T2 responses are dependent on the BCR signal transducer Bruton's tyrosine kinase, which is dispensable for the T1 to T2 transition. Furthermore, the serine/threonine kinases ERK, p38 MAPK, and Akt are predominantly activated in T2 compared with T1 B cells following BCR cross-linking. We conclude that T1 and T2 B cells respond differentially to BCR engagement via the induction of stage-specific signaling pathways. In turn, these signaling pathways probably govern the development and selection processes that are critical for the formation of the mature B cell compartment.