cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Demand Management, Privatization, Water Markets, and Efficient Water Allocation in Our Cities

When water is plentiful, we tend to take it for granted and overuse it. Once water becomes scarce, our neglect changes to pleas for new supplies. In other words, when water demands exceed the supply at existing low prices, shortages emerge and we appeal for an increase in supply. Yet expanding domestic water supplies has become much more difficult and expensive. This is because we have already developed the low cost sources of supply and face growing environmental constraints due, in part, to our increased awareness of the many instream services undeveloped water resources provide. The cost of developing new sources includes both the explicit financial cost of infrastructure and the opportunity cost of using water consumptively, rather than for instream or nonconsumptive services. Although nonconsumptive uses, by definition, do not involve water consumption, they can change the timing and location of water flows (hydropower), increase water temperature (cooling), or pollute (boating) the water. In addition, these instream (or nonconsumptive services) such as sewage dilution, recreation, and a healthy aquatic habitat may require increased water supplies. Balancing all these demands is a challenge and requires us to recognize that our supplies of clean, fresh water resources are quite limited. Simply increasing the supply is no longer the easy option. We must now emphasize using the water we have more wisely. In this chapter we will explore different institutional arrangements and mechanisms that will encourage consumers to reduce their water use, particularly those mechanisms and arrangements that will facilitate “demand management”. We will also consider ways to improve water management and make better use of our existing supplies through “privatization” of water utilities. We will then consider water markets and the role they might play in allocating urban water supplies. Finally, we see how water charges and markets can help reduce water pollution.
Cross-talk among structural domains of human DBP upon binding 25-hydroxyvitamin D.

Serum vitamin D-binding protein (DBP) is structurally very similar to serum albumin (ALB); both have three distinct structural domains and high cysteine-content. Yet, functionally they are very different. DBP possesses high affinity for vitamin D metabolites and G-actin, but ALB does not. It has been suggested that there may be cross-talk among the domains so that binding of one ligand may influence the binding of others. In this study we have employed 2-p-toluidinyl-6-sulfonate (TNS), a reporter molecule that fluoresces upon binding to hydrophobic pockets of DBP. We observed that recombinant domain III possesses strong binding for TNS, which is not influenced by 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25-OH-D3), yet TNS fluorescence of the whole protein is quenched by 25-OH-D3. These results provide a direct evidence of cross-talk among the structural domains of DBP.
SqueezeBlock: using virtual springs in mobile devices for eyes-free interaction

Haptic feedback provides an additional interaction channel when auditory and visual feedback may not be appropriate. We present a novel haptic feedback system that changes its elasticity to convey information for eyes-free interaction. SqueezeBlock is an electro-mechanical system that can realize a virtual spring having a programmatically controlled spring constant. It also allows for additional haptic modalities by altering the Hooke's Law linear-elastic force- displacement equation, such as non-linear springs, size changes, and spring length (range of motion) variations. This ability to program arbitrarily spring constants also allows for "click" and button-like feedback. We present several potential applications along with results from a study showing how well participants can distinguish between several levels of stiffness, size, and range of motion. We conclude with implications for interaction design.
Evolutionary stability and lexicographic preferences

Abstract We explore the interaction between evolutionary stability and lexicographic preferences. To do so, we define a limit Nash equilibrium for a lexicographic game as the limit of Nash equilibria of nearby games with continuous preferences. Nash equilibria of lexicographic games are limit Nash equilibria, but not conversely. Modified evolutionarily stable strategies (Binmore and Samuelson, 1992. J. Econ. Theory 57, 278–305) are limit Nash equilibria. Modified evolutionary stability differs from “lexicographic evolutionarily stability” (defined by extending the common characterization of evolutionary stability to lexicographic preferences) in the order in which limits in the payoff space and the space of invasion barriers are taken.
Memory efficient and high-speed search Huffman coding

Code compression is a key element in high-speed digital data transport. A major compression is performed by converting the fixed-length codes to variable-length codes through a (semi-)entropy coding scheme. Huffman coding is shown to be a very efficient coding scheme. To speed up the process of search for a symbol in a Huffman tree and to reduce the memory size we have proposed a tree clustering algorithm to avoid high sparsity of the tree. The method is shown to be extremely efficient in memory requirement, and fast in searching for the symbol. For an experimental video data with Huffman codes extended up to 13 bits in length, the entire memory space is shown to be 122 words, compared to 2/sup 13/=8192 words in a normal situation. >
Culture, ceremonialism, and stress: American Indian veterans and the Vietnam War.

Posttraumatic stress disorder is apparently widespread among veterans of the Vietnam War. Moreover, minority veterans seem to have higher levels of stress than their white counterparts. Although th...
Might asphyxia cause respiratory inhibition after crying in mature infants

Background: To clarify the timing of injury in utero causing respiratory inhibition after crying (RIAC), the relationship between asphyxia and RIAC was investigated in infants whose gestational age was ≥36 weeks. Methods: RIAC and cranial ultrasound abnormalities were examined for retrospectively in infants treated in the neonatal intensive care unit from April 2004 through March 2009. All included infants were gestational age ≥36 weeks and had an Apgar score <4 points at 1 min. The relationship between RIAC and perinatal factors was also examined. Results: Twenty-six infants were included. Three infants had RIAC, seven infants had poor prognosis, and nine infants had ultrasound abnormalities in the ganglionic eminence (GE). There was a significant relationship between RIAC and ultrasound abnormalities in the GE (P= 0.032). Poor prognosis was significantly associated with low Apgar score at 5 min (P≤ 0.001), disseminated intravascular coagulation (P= 0.047), hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (P= 0.028), and brain hypothermia therapy (P= 0.028). There was no significant relationship between RIAC and poor prognosis. All infants had ultrasound abnormalities in the GE on the day of birth. Conclusion: Damage occurring in utero prior to 36 weeks gestation might cause increased echogenicity or cyst formation in the GE, potentially disturbing maturation of the respiratory center with the development of RIAC.
Targeting mitochondria to restore failed adaptation to exercise in diabetes

Our translational research group focuses on addressing the problem of exercise defects in diabetes with basic research efforts in cell and rodent models and clinical research efforts in subjects with diabetes mellitus. CREB (cAMP-response-element-binding protein) regulates cellular differentiation of neurons, β-cells, adipocytes and smooth muscle cells; it is also a potent survival factor and an upstream regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis. In diabetes and cardiovascular disease, CREB protein content is decreased in the vascular media, and its regulation in aberrant in β-cells, neurons and cardiomyocytes. Loss of CREB content and function leads to decreased vascular target tissue resilience when exposed to stressors such as metabolic, oxidative or sheer stress. This basic research programme set the stage for our central hypothesis that diabetes-mediated CREB dysfunction predisposes the diabetes disease progression and cardiovascular complications. Our clinical research programme revealed that diabetes mellitus leads to defects in functional exercise capacity. Our group has determined that the defects in exercise correlate with insulin resistance, endothelial dysfunction, decreased cardiac perfusion and diastolic dysfunction, slowed muscle perfusion kinetics, decreased muscle perfusion and slowed oxidative phosphorylation. Combined basic and clinical research has defined the relationship between exercise and vascular function with particular emphasis on how the signalling to CREB and eNOS [endothelial NOS (nitric oxide synthase)] regulates tissue perfusion, mitochondrial dynamics, vascular function and exercise capacity. The present review summarizes our current working hypothesis that restoration of eNOS/NOS dysfunction will restore cellular homoeostasis and permit an optimal tissue response to an exercise training intervention.
The genesis of bidirectional tachycardias

Abstract Bidirectional tachycardia is a descriptive term indicating a tachycardia with alternation in morphology and (or) direction of QRS complexes. A review of 5 cases was made, from which it could be concluded that the paroxysm originates in a single pacemaker, either in the atria, in the A-V node, or in the ventricles.
Testing of LIDAR system for turbulence profiles

The Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) has developed a new type of LIDAR system for monitoring profiles of atmospheric refractive turbulence. The system makes real-time measurements by projecting a laser beam to form a laser beacon at several successive altitudes. The beacon is observed with a multiple-aperture telescope and the motion of the beacon images from each altitude is characterized as the differential image motion variance. An inversion algorithm has been developed to retrieve the turbulence profile. GTRI built a brassboard version of the LIDAR instrument and tested it in October and December 2007, with truth data from scintillometers and from balloon-borne microthermal probes. The tests resulted in the first time-height diagram of the strength of turbulence ever recorded by a LIDAR.
The 5-HT3AB Receptor Shows an A3B2 Stoichiometry at the Plasma Membrane

The 5-HT3AB receptor is the best-characterized heteropentameric 5-HT3 receptor. Under conditions of heterologous expression, the 5-HT3AB receptor shows a single functionally resolvable population, suggesting the presence of a unique subunit stoichiometry; however, conflicting previous reports have suggested two different possible stoichiometries. Here we isolate plasma membrane sheets containing assembled receptors from individual HEK293T cells. We then determine the stoichiometry of 5-HT3AB receptors on the plasma membrane by fluorescence methods, employing meCFP- and meYFP-labeled A and B subunits. Over a wide range of cDNA transfection ratios, fluorescence intensity ratios are closest to values that correspond to a subunit ratio of A3B2. Forster resonance energy transfer (family FRET) efficiencies provide minor corrections (3–6%) to the subunit ratios and provide independent support for a predominantly A3B2 stoichiometry on the plasma membrane sheets. Twin FRET efficiencies support these data, also suggesting that the two B subunits are nonadjacent in most of the heteropentamers. The high-frequency variant HTR3B p.Y129S (c.386A>C, rs11767445), linked to psychiatric disease, also forms A3B2 receptors on the plasma membrane. The 5-HT3B Y129S, subunit incorporates in a slightly (11–14%) more efficient manner than the common variant. In general, most of the subunits reside within the cell. In contrast to the findings for the plasma membrane, the relative abundances and FRET characteristics of intracellular subunits depend strongly on the transfection ratio. The straightforward and unambiguous combination of plasma membrane-sheet isolation, fluorescence intensity ratios, and FRET is a generally promising procedure for determining stoichiometry of proteins on the plasma membrane.
Traffic classification for round-robin scheduling schemes in ATM networks

An asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switch mode at which cell arrive from a diverse set of source types is considered. To improve the utilization of network resources and facilitate management and control, source types are organized into traffic classes. Cells belonging to different traffic classes are transported by separate virtual paths though the network. Approximations for the quality of service that should be maintained for each traffic class are developed. Approximations are then developed for estimating the bandwidth and buffer requirements of each traffic class and also for the switch node. The problem of assigning weights, given a set of traffic classes, is addressed. The set of traffic classes that require the least amount of resources is determined. The closely related problem of minimizing the number of traffic classes given a finite bandwidth is also discussed. The structure of the problem at hand is then exploited to develop an efficient heuristic. >
Mental Spaces from a Functional Perspective

In his book Mental Spaces, Fauconnier develops a powerful theory of human knowledge representation and linguistic processing that handles a variety of problems in linguistics and the philosophy of language in a simple, uniform, and intuitively plausible way. However, he has little to say about the structure or general role of mental spaces in cognition. The present paper proposes that mental spaces are a means of organizing knowledge in support of a general inference method, simulalive reasoning, found in various guises both in logic and in Artificial Intelligence. The structuring required to fulfill this role allows us to make a wide variety of predictions which seem to be borne out by evidence from natural language. In attributing a specific function to mental spaces, this paper suggests that the theory of mental spaces defines a potentially significant paradigm for knowledge representation in Artificial Intelligence.
The truncated normal distribution

Motivated by heavy traffic approximations for single server queues with abandonment, we provide an exact expression for the moments of the truncated normal distribution using Stein's lemma. Consequently, our moment expressions provide insight into the steady state skewness and kurtosis dynamics of single server queues with impatient customers. Moreover, based on the truncated normal distribution, we develop a new approximation for single server queues with abandonment in the nonstationary setting. Numerical examples illustrate that our approximation performs quite well.
Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitor–Associated Pancreatic Carcinoma A Review of the FAERS Database

Background: To date, there is limited literature regarding the association between dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors and pancreatic carcinoma. Objective: To describe the comparative incidence of DPP-4 inhibitors and pancreatic carcinoma as reportedly available in the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database. The goal was to provide health care practitioners a general understanding of the drug-disease occurrence. Methods: This is a case/noncase study utilizing Empirica Signal software to query FAERS from November 1968 to December 31, 2013. The software was used to calculate a disproportionality statistic—namely, the empirical Bayesian geometric mean (EBGM)—for reports of DPP-4 inhibitors–associated pancreatic carcinoma. The FDA considers an EBGM significant if the fifth percentile of the distribution is at least 2, defined as an EB05 ≥ 2. With use of a disproportionality analysis, DPP-4 inhibitors were compared with all agents listed in FAERS. Results: A to...
Analysis of wood thrush (Hylocichla mustelina) movement patterns to explain the spatial structure of American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) populations

American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) is America’s premier wild-harvested, medicinal plant that inhabits the forest understory of eastern deciduous forests. Recent research revealed that birds, particularly wood thrushes (Hylocichla mustelina), disperse ginseng seeds by regurgitating viable seeds 15–37 min after consuming the berries. We carried out two studies to examine the potential effect of thrushes on spatial dispersion patterns of ginseng. First, to analyze how far wood thrushes could disperse seeds, two wood thrushes were outfitted with radio transmitters and tracked for multiple days. Second, for 28 natural populations of ginseng, we created a clustering index to quantify to what degree populations were structured into spatially separated units. To further detect spatial impacts of thrushes, we analyzed inter-cluster distances and the overall spread of ginseng populations. Over the time period in which wood thrushes retain ginseng in their guts, the seeds would be dispersed a mean distance of 15.2–21.7 m. The observed distances ranged from 0–96.6 m. These distances were comparable to the overall spread metric for ginseng populations with wood thrushes, which had increased spacing in comparison to those without wood thrushes. The mean dispersion index differed for populations with and without wood thrushes. It is imperative to understand the interaction between wood thrushes and ginseng to facilitate conservation, as both species are experiencing population declines. Dispersal of seeds by wood thrushes could play an important role in allowing species such as ginseng to respond to climate change, deer browse, overharvesting, and other environmental stresses.
Precipitin reactions of serum proteins

Preparation of Proteins.-The blood serum is diluted with 2 volumes of distilled water, and a 33% saturated ammonium sulphate secured by adding a saturated solution drop by drop in a mixing machine. After standing 24 hours, the mixture is filtered. In the early stages of the work, an attempt was made to wash the precipitate with 33% ammonium sulphate, but this is not practical because of the tendency of the precipitate to go back into solution. The precipitate is drained as dry as possible, dissolved in 10% sodium chloride solution, the solution strained through cotton, and dialyzed in a collodion bag against distilled water under toluol. When the liquid' in the bag no longer gives a test for the chloride ion, a relatively large amount of precipitate has come down, while the liquid contains a goodly quantity of water-soluble protein. The precipitate, suspended in a little of the solution, is centrifugated and washed in distilled water until the wash water no longer gives the biuret reaction. It is then redissolved in 10% sodium chloride solution and dialyzed again. When all of the chloride ion has been removed, the liquid again gives a positive biuret reaction. This process of purification of the precipitate obtained at 33% saturation is continued until on dialysis of its solution in a 10% sodium chloride solution to the complete removal of the chloride ion, the liquid, free from the precipitate, no longer gives a biuret reaction. The precipitate at this point is centrifugated and dried at 40 C. after being dissolved in the smallest possible amount of 10% solution of sodium chloride. If the purified protein is dried in the absence of electrolyte, it behaves like coagulated protein. This preparation is the euglobulin or true globulin. The part that precipitates between 33 to 46% saturation of ammonium sulphate is the pseudoglobulin and is water soluble. This fraction is precipitated by raising the filtrate from the 33% saturation to 46% in the mixing machine. After standing 24 hours the solution is filtered, the precipitate drained as thoroughly as possible, and dissolved in distilled water. The solution is strained through cotton and dialyzed in a collodion bag against distilled water until free from the sulphate ion. Dialysis of solution of this first precipitate between 33 to 46% saturation gives large precipitates. At completion of the dialysis, the solution is filtered, saturated to 33% in a mixing machine and left standing for 24 hours. Usually, a small amount of precipitate occurs at this point. The solution is filtered, raised again to 46% and after 24 hours, filtered again, the precipitate redissolved and again dialyzed in a collodion bag against distilled water until free from the sulphate ion. In this second dialysis, a protein pre-
Factors affecting cure rate of tuberculosis patients in remote mountainous area of Shaanxi province

Objective To understand the factors affecting cure rate of tuberculosis patients in remote mountainous area of shaanxi province. Methods This is a cross-sectional comparative study. Questionaire survey was conducted to patients,DOT supervisors and village doctors. The affecting factors were analyzed in cured and non-cured group. Results The factors affecting the cure rate were low-income,low-eduction level,combination with complication,treatment in non-professional organization,treatment delay and interruption,unqualified review sputum,social discrimination,poor supervision etc. Conclusions Strengthening the government input,economy improvement,health education completeness,strengthening TB control network construction and supervision,expansion of professional training and treatment,and attention and support of the whole society were basic strategies and measures of TB control.
Influences on shallow ground temperatures in high flux thermal systems

Abstract Ground temperature measurements are a useful indication of subsurface processes and heat flux, particularly in volcanic and hydrothermal systems, but obtaining reliable data at sufficient resolution can be difficult. Investigators commonly use temperature measurements at 1 m depths to minimize land surface boundary impacts; however, these measurements are time-consuming and invasive, limiting the number of points that can be surveyed. Alternatively, shallow ground temperature measurements (≤ 25 cm depth) offer a rapid and minimally-invasive way to collect a large number of observations in a target area. Although this method has obvious appeal, changing atmospheric conditions can impact the observed temperatures, and thus may reasonably be expected to influence interpretations arising from the data. Here we examine the impact of precipitation and changing air temperature on shallow ground temperatures in the vicinity of a group of hot springs located in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. We find that the mean, the range, and the skewness of the observed temperatures were decreased by changing atmospheric conditions; however, the model variogram representing data taken after several days of moderate precipitation adequately described the spatial correlation of data taken before precipitation. We therefore conclude that the ability to differentiate between high- and low-flux areas may be somewhat reduced by moderate precipitation and changing atmospheric conditions, but that interpretations made on the basis of characteristics of the inferred variograms are likely to be robust to such perturbations in high heat flux environments.
Application on Urban Landscaping of Tilia miqueliana in East of China

The biological and ornamental characteristics of Tilia mioueliana were elaborated.Its application status and prospect in urban landscaping in east of China were analyzed,and the application measure of Tilia miqueliana was put forward.It can give references for the popularization and application of Tilia miquelianan.
Experiment research on the impact of geothermal water temperature on heavy oil recovery factor

Experiment research of enhanced heavy oil recovery by geothermal water drive has been conducted for J-99 block based on compatibility study of geothermal water quality in the adjacent well J1-01 with the reservoir. The result of experiment shows that 60～85℃ is the most sensitive range of EOR to geothermal water temperature. Within this range, the recovery factor increases from 3.39% to 9.84%. Geothermal water of different temperature has a certain effective injection rate. The higher the temperature of geothermal water is, the larger the effective injection rate is. When injected geothermal water is at 85℃, it is better to inject 1.5 PV. This research provides basis for EOR by geothermal water drive in J-99 conventional heavy oil reservoir.
Lovastatin inhibits T-cell antigen receptor signaling independent of its effects on ras

Lovastatin, a cholesterol-lowering drug, has antiproliferative properties that may be related to its inhibition of protein isoprenylation. We examined the effects of lovastatin on signal transduction via the T-cell antigen receptor (TCR). Lovastatin inhibited both proximal and distal TCR-mediated signaling events in a time- and concentration-dependent manner in the human Jurkat T-cell line. Upregulation of CD69 surface expression after TCR stimulation was blocked by lovastatin, although no inhibition of phorbol ester-induced CD69 expression was noted. Proximal TCR-mediated signaling events, including intracellular calcium mobilization, inositol phosphate production, and tyrosine phosphorylation of phospholipase Cgamma1, were similarly inhibited by lovastatin, although global protein tyrosine kinase activity remained intact. In a Jurkat variant transfected with the human type-1 muscarinic receptor, lovastatin also inhibited TCR-mediated calcium mobilization and inositol phosphate production but failed to affect muscarinic receptor-induced responses. Lovastatin, at similar doses, also disrupted post-translational processing of ras and inhibited ras-dependent signals, including phosphorylation and activation of mitogen-associated protein kinase after TCR stimulation. These findings suggest that the antiproliferative properties of lovastatin may be independent of ras and could result from uncoupling protein tyrosine kinases from distinct signal transduction pathways.
Play, Creativity, and Social Movements: If I Can't Dance, It's Not My Revolution by Benjamin Shepard

In his meticulous empirical study of the role of play and creativity in social change work, Benjamin Shepard offers readers a unique scholarly analysis of these unsung dimensions of the usually wei...
Modification and validation of the Treatment Self Regulation Questionnaire to assess parental motivation for HPV vaccination of adolescents.

Abstract Background According to Self-Determination Theory, the extent to which the motivation underlying behavior is self-determined or controlled influences its sustainability. This is particularly relevant for behaviors that must be repeated, such as completion of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine series. To date, no measures of motivation for HPV vaccination have been developed. Methods As part of a larger study, parents (N = 223) whose adolescents receive care at safety-net clinics completed a telephone questionnaire about HPV and the vaccine. We modified the Treatment Self-Regulation Questionnaire to assess parents’ motivation for HPV vaccination in both Spanish and English. We used confirmatory factor analysis to test a three-factor measurement model. Results The three-factor model fit the data well (RMSEA = 0.04, CFI = 0.98, TLI = 0.96), and the scales’ reliabilities were adequate (autonomous: α = 0.87; introjected: α = 0.72; external: α = 0.72). The factor loading strength for one item was stronger for Spanish- than English-speaking participants ( p r = 0.52), but no correlation with external motivation ( r = 0.02), suggesting autonomous motivation may be particularly important in vaccine decision-making. Conclusion Findings support the use of three subscales to measure motivation in HPV vaccination and suggest possible cultural differences in motivation.
Classification of regional dialects, international dialects, and nonnative accents

Abstract Talkers׳ regions of origin and native languages will significantly shape their speech production patterns. Previous results suggest that listeners are highly sensitive to whether a talker is a native or nonnative speaker of the language. Listeners also have some ability to categorize or classify talkers by regional dialect or nonnative accent. However, most previous studies have included variability in only one of these categories (many nonnative accents or many regional dialects). The present study simultaneously examined listeners’ perceptual organization of regional dialects and nonnative accents. Talkers representing six United States regional dialects, six international native dialects, and twelve nonnative accents were included in two tasks: an auditory free classification task—in which listeners grouped talkers based on perceived region of origin—and ladder task—in which listeners arranged talkers based on their perceived distance from standard American English. Listeners were sensitive to the distinction between native and nonnative accents, even when presented with a very wide range of dialects and accents. Further, subgroups within the native and nonnative clusters in the free classification task suggested several organizing factors, including perceived distance from the local standard, specific acoustic-phonetic talker characteristics, and speaking rate.
CuFA: A more formal definition for digital forensic artifacts

Abstract The term “artifact” currently does not have a formal definition within the domain of cyber/digital forensics, resulting in a lack of standardized reporting, linguistic understanding between professionals, and efficiency. In this paper we propose a new definition based on a survey we conducted, literature usage, prior definitions of the word itself, and similarities with archival science. This definition includes required fields that all artifacts must have and encompasses the notion of curation. Thus, we propose using a new term – curated forensic artifact (CuFA) – to address items which have been cleared for entry into a CuFA database (one implementation, the Artifact Genome Project, abbreviated as AGP, is under development and briefly outlined). An ontological model encapsulates these required fields while utilizing a lower-level taxonomic schema. We use the Cyber Observable eXpression (CybOX) project due to its rising popularity and rigorous classifications of forensic objects. Additionally, we suggest some improvements on its integration into our model and identify higher-level location categories to illustrate tracing an object from creation through investigative leads. Finally, a step-wise procedure for researching and logging CuFAs is devised to accompany the model.
Current Resuscitation Methods for Recovery of Stressed Staphylococcus aureus Cells from Foods

Methods and media used to recover stressed and unstressed Staphylococcus aureus cells from foods are reviewed. Most probable number methods using Trypticase soy broth with 10% salt and 1% sodium pyruvate, a liquid modification of Baird-Parker agar and Giolitti and Cantoni's broth with Tween are discussed. Direct plating media reviewed are Baird-Parker agar, modified Vogel and Johnson agar, egg yolk-free Baird-Parker agar and single-step Staphylococcus selective agar.
480. In Vivo Gene Targeting for HIV Immunoprophylaxis using Promoterless AAV Without Nucleases

Expression of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) from AAV can provide protection against infections by different pathogens, including: HIV, Influenza and Plasmodium falciparum. Wide use of such vectored immunoprophylaxis will depend on the safety profile and on the duration of the immune effect. Alarmingly, AAV injection in neonatal mice has been associated with subsequent development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and adenoma (HCA) in a manner that is strictly dependent on the vector borne promoter. In addition, when the antibody is expressed from an AAV episome, the duration of prophylaxis might be limited by vector dilution when transfected cells divide. Alternatively, nucleases can be used to promote stable transgene expression, but these may be associated with adverse effects such as immunogenicity and genotoxicity.Recently, we have shown that AAV could be used for promoterless gene targeting without nucleases for stable expression of coagulation factor IX in the context of hemophilia treatment (Barzel et al. Nature 2015). Here, we apply a similar methodology to target the integration of a gene coding for a bNAb against HIV to be driven upon integration by the strong Albumin promoter in the liver. Tail vein injection of our vector, coding for the VRC01 anti HIV bNAb, at 1E12 vector genomes per mouse into adult B6 mice leads to high (250 ng/ml) and stable levels of the bNAb in the plasma of the mice. We further show that the bNAb from the plasma is highly effective in binding the HIV envelope glycoprotein: gp120. In order to assess the potential of our approach in HIV prophylaxis and cure we have transplanted neonatal NOD/SCID/gc null (NSG) mice with human CD34+ HSC cells (1E6 cells/pup). Mice that are effectively reconstituted with human immune cells will be challenged with HIV (100-200ng p24 units) either prior to injection with our bNAb coding AAV (to assess therapeutic potential) or following such an injection (to assess prophylactic potential).For HIV and other infections where conventional vaccination is challenging, stable immunoprophylaxis using a promoterless AAV coding for a bNAb may constitute a safe and efficient alternative.
P090 Excitation mechanisms of TMS on cortical neuron models

Introduction Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a non-invasive method for neuromodulation, with a range of clinical and research applications including the treatment of depression and functional brain mapping. TMS works by generating a time-varying magnetic field which induces an electric field (E-field) in the brain. Despite its widespread use, understanding of the neural effects of TMS is limited, making it difficult to address issues like high subject-to-subject variability and optimization of stimulation protocols. Computational modeling offers the opportunity to unravel the mechanisms of TMS in ways that are infeasible experimentally. Objectives We used cortical neuron models to investigate which neural elements are activated by TMS and how the threshold for action potential (AP) initiation varies with field orientation. Materials & methods We adapted models from the experimentally validated library of rat cortical neurons developed by the Blue Brain Project. These are multi-compartment, conductance-based cable models with realistic 3D morphologies implemented in the NEURON modeling software. The models were coupled to extracellular potentials calculated in MATLAB. Since the neural processes in the cortex are short relative to the E-field spatial gradient, the E-field was approximated as uniform. Threshold “maps” for activation were determined using a binary search algorithm at field orientations sweeping the polar and azimuthal directions. Results The site of action potential (AP) initiation and maximum depolarization was nearly always an axonal termination parallel to the field, with the exception of some orientations maximally depolarizing bifurcations near pre-synaptic terminals. Due to the high degree of branching and spatial extent of the realistic axons included in these models, the threshold maps indicated relative insensitivity to orientation and exhibited numerous local minima of thresholds, dependent on the specific axon morphology. Conclusion Within the assumptions of these models, axon terminals are typically the lowest threshold elements of cortical neurons for E-fields with low spatial gradients, and morphological differences between cell-types directly affect threshold values.
Asteroid Mining and Deflection Using Electromagnetic Launchers

This investigation shows that the electromagnetic launcher (EML) can be used for asteroid mining and deflection applications. The EMLs considered for these applications include the railgun and the reversible helical EML (R-HEML). The R-HEML has been demonstrated at the University of Missouri Center for Energy Conversion and Electromechanics and is currently being used as an industrial shock and vibration tester. The reversibility of the R-HEML along with its shuttle-armature makes it ideal for the applications proposed here. The R-HEML’s shuttle-armature is fitted with a bucket and filled with asteroid material and launched from the asteroid surface at high velocity. The bucket is reloaded and the process repeated. The steady ejection of asteroid material can also be used a source of thrust to change an asteroid’s Earth-crossing trajectory if needed. Estimates show that the EML “thruster” can deflect small to medium-sized asteroids with only minimal warning using 100 kW–1 MW electrical power. Larger asteroids can be deflected with similar warning times using a higher power 10-MW electrical supply. The analysis further shows that the EML thruster can be used to profitably mine the asteroid for valuable resources needed on Earth. A nuclear reactor-based supply is chosen as the primary power source for these EML-based applications because of its high power density and ruggedness. The operating parameters of the R-HEML and railgun launchers needed for a 1-MW EML thruster used as an asteroid mining and deflection system are given and discussed.
Ethics in Cancer Patient Education

Abstract Ethics is an integral aspect of all interactions between clinical professionals and patients, including those involving patient education. Although patient education does not usually involve the dramatic circumstances associated with ethics, the entire education process does require application of ethical principles. The ethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, justice, and nonmaleficence find direct application in the arena of oncology patient education. This chapter will describe those principles, explore applicable ethical codes which derive from them, and apply them to the practical world of patient education for the oncologic population.
The Wells Fargo Commercial Banking Scandal

On October 25, 2016, Timothy J. Sloan, the new CEO of Wells Fargo bank, apologized to 1,200 of his employees in Charlotte, North Carolina. Sloan had been named to the company's top position two weeks earlier, when then-CEO John Stumpf resigned amid fallout from the banking scandal for which Sloan apologized. In September, Wells Fargo had agreed to a $185 million settlement with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and two other regulatory bodies, admitting it had opened unauthorized accounts for millions of its consumers. At the heart of the scandal were the company's community banking sales practices, which focused relentlessly on cross-selling multiple products to existing customers. Excerpt UVA-C-2394 Rev. Oct. 27, 2017 The Wells Fargo Banking Scandal We've been called, true or not, “the king of cross-sell.” —Wells Fargo CEO John Stumpf's 2010 letter to shareholders . . .
Pulmonary manifestations of Q fever: analysis of 38 patients

Background: Lung involvement in both acute and chronic Q fever is not well described with only a few reported cases of pseudotumor or pulmonary fibrosis in chronic Q fever. The aim of this study was to better understand the pulmonary manifestations of Q fever. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with diagnosis of Q fever at Mayo Clinic Rochester. A total of 69 patients were initially identified between 2001 and 2014. Thirty-eight patients were included in this study as 3 were pediatric patients, 20 did not meet serologic criteria for Q fever, and 8 did not have imaging available at time of initial diagnosis. Descriptive analysis was conducted using JMP software. Results: The median age was 57 years [interquartile range (IQR) 43, 62], 84% from the Midwest, and 13% worked in an occupation involving animals. The most common presentation was fevers (61%). Respiratory symptoms, such as cough, were noted in only 4 patients (11%). Twelve patients (29%) had abnormal imaging studies attributed to Q fever. Three patients (25%) with acute Q fever had findings of consolidation, lymphadenopathy, pleural effusions, and nonspecific pulmonary nodules. Radiographic findings of chronic Q fever were seen in 9 patients (75%) and included consolidation, ground-glass opacities, pleural effusions, lymphadenopathy, pulmonary edema, and lung pseudotumor. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that pulmonary manifestations are uncommon in Q fever but include cough and consolidation for acute Q fever and radiographic findings of pulmonary edema with pleural effusions, consolidation, and pseudotumor in those with chronic Q fever.
Accommodation Needs for Teachers Who are Blind and Teach Students with Visual Impairments

Introduction:This study was intended to explore and identify the experiences and perceptions of teachers of students with visual impairments who are blind concerning their accommodation needs and t...
Commentary: Extending the Learned Helplessness Paradigm: A Critique of Schulman's “Learned Optimism”

The learned optimism paradigm, described by Schulman (earlier in this volume), suggests that teaching salespeople to dispute internal, stable or global attributions for their failures improves their expectancy for success, and consequently helps performance and reduces turnover. In parallel, teaching salespeople to dispute external, unstable or specific attributions for their successes improves salespeople's expectations and performance and alleviates turnover. Acknowledging the enormous practical value of this paradigm, I suggest improvements. Specifically, that locus of causality (internal versus external) need not be disputed, that disputing the stable nature of attributions is more effective than disputing the global nature of attributions, and that emotional therapy can, quite powerfully, supplement attribution therapy in improving salespeople's performance and happiness and reducing their turnover.
Utilization of Auxiliary Health Professionals

The development of alternate health workers has significant potentials to relieve the task load of more highly trained staff such as physicians and registered nurses, and increase the productivity of the entire health system. There is a need, however, to determine the manner in which such new professionals can best be utilized and the optimal mix of professionals in a health organization.
Screening for Housing Instability: Providers' Reflections on Addressing a Social Determinant of Health.

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has a long history of addressing social determinants of health, including housing. In 2012, the VA integrated a two-question Homelessness Screening Clinical Reminder (HSCR) into the electronic medical record in outpatient clinics to identify Veterans experiencing housing instability and ensure referral to appropriate services. This study explores perspectives of VA clinical providers regarding administration of the HSCR, their role in addressing housing status, and how a patient’s housing status impacts clinical decision-making. We conducted a qualitative study using in-depth semi-structured interviewing. Twenty-two providers were interviewed (20 physicians and two nurse practitioners) between March and September 2016. Interviews were conducted with Veterans Health Administration (VHA) physician and non-physician practitioners who had administered the HSCR and documented at least five positive screens between 2013 and 2015. Our interview guide investigated provider experiences with administering the HSCR and addressing affirmative responses. The guide also elicited details about how patients’ housing instability was identified (if at all) prior to implementation of the screening reminder, and how practices changed following implementation of the HSCR. Transcripts were analyzed using a modified grounded theory approach. Providers reported that the HSCR prompted them to incorporate patient housing status into routine assessment, which they typically did not do prior to its implementation. Providers discussed adverse impacts of housing instability on patients’ overall health and described how they factored patients’ housing instability into clinical decision-making. Although providers viewed the health system as having an important role in addressing housing concerns, there were mixed opinions on whether it was the role of providers to directly administer the screening. Integration of a screener for housing instability into the electronic medical record increased provider attention to housing instability into the social history, and positive responses commonly impacted plans of care.
Anisotropy in the magnetic and transport properties of Fe 1 − x Co x Sb 2

Anisotropic magnetic and electronic transport measurements were carried out on large single crystals of ${\mathrm{Fe}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Co}}_{x}{\mathrm{Sb}}_{2}$ $(0\ensuremath{\leqslant}x\ensuremath{\leqslant}1)$. The semiconducting state of $\mathrm{Fe}{\mathrm{Sb}}_{2}$ evolves into metallic and weakly ferromagnetic by substitution of Fe with Co for $xl0.5$. Further doping induces structural transformation from orthorhombic $Pnnm$ structure of $\mathrm{Fe}{\mathrm{Sb}}_{2}$ to monoclinic $P21∕c$ structure of $\mathrm{Co}{\mathrm{Sb}}_{2}$, where semiconducting and diamagnetic ground state is restored again. Large magnetoresistance and anisotropy in electronic transport were observed.
Measured Radiation Heat Flux to a Probe in a NASA Ames Arc Jet

Radiation from inside the arc heater, incident on an optical probe in the arc-heated stream, is measured to quantify radiative heating of material samples from that region. The spectral distributio...
Quasipolynomials and Maximal Coefficients of Gaussian Polynomials

We establish an algorithm for producing formulas for p(n, m,N), the function enumerating partitions of n into at most m parts with no part larger than N. Recent combinatorial results of H. Hahn et al. on a collection of partition identities for p(n, m,N) are considered. We offer direct proofs of these identities and then place them in a larger context of the unimodality of Gaussian polynomials \( [^{N+m}_{m}] \) whose coefficients are precisely p(n, m,N). We give complete characterizations of the maximal coefficients of \( [^{M}_{3}] \) and \( [^{M}_{4}] \) . Furthermore, we prove a general theorem on the period of quasipolynomials for central/maximal coefficients of Gaussian polynomials. We place some of Hahn’s identities into the context of some known results on differences of partitions into at most m parts, p(n,m), which we then extend to p(n, m,N).
Chapter 11 – Forensic Expert Ethics: Cases and Concepts about Ethical Forensic Practice and Testimony in Court

This chapter explores the moral and ethical demands that are expected of experts testifying in court. It focuses on the independent variables of scientific outcomes, poor forensic methods and the expectations courts have on what experts bring to and say while in court.