cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Frailty as a Predictor of Surgical Outcomes in Older Patients

Background Preoperative risk assessment is important yet inexact in older patients because physiologic reserves are difficult to measure. Frailty is thought to estimate physiologic reserves, although its use has not been evaluated in surgical patients. We designed a study to determine if frailty predicts surgical complications and enhances current perioperative risk models. Study Design We prospectively measured frailty in 594 patients (age 65 years or older) presenting to a university hospital for elective surgery between July 2005 and July 2006. Frailty was classified using a validated scale (0 to 5) that included weakness, weight loss, exhaustion, low physical activity, and slowed walking speed. Patients scoring 4 to 5 were classified as frail, 2 to 3 were intermediately frail, and 0 to 1 were nonfrail. Main outcomes measures were 30-day surgical complications, length of stay, and discharge disposition. Multiple logistic regression (complications and discharge) and negative binomial regression (length of stay) were done to analyze frailty and postoperative outcomes associations. Results Preoperative frailty was associated with an increased risk for postoperative complications (intermediately frail: odds ratio [OR] 2.06; 95% CI 1.18–3.60; frail: OR 2.54; 95% CI 1.12–5.77), length of stay (intermediately frail: incidence rate ratio 1.49; 95% CI 1.24–1.80; frail: incidence rate ratio 1.69; 95% CI 1.28–2.23), and discharge to a skilled or assisted-living facility after previously living at home (intermediately frail: OR 3.16; 95% CI 1.0–9.99; frail: OR 20.48; 95% CI 5.54–75.68). Frailty improved predictive power (p Conclusions Frailty independently predicts postoperative complications, length of stay, and discharge to a skilled or assisted-living facility in older surgical patients and enhances conventional risk models. Assessing frailty using a standardized definition can help patients and physicians make more informed decisions.
Taking Part in Life: Enhancing Participation in Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a multifaceted condition that can be viewed from many perspectives. The physician may view it in terms of management of a complex and interacting set of symptoms, with the goal of reducing or eliminating these symptoms. The physical therapist or occupational therapist may view it in terms of changes in functional status, with the goal of improving function in activities of daily living (ADL). Although these perspectives are legitimate, it is clear that the individual living with MS, the insider, has a somewhat different perspective. A growing body of research focusing on the lived experience of MS suggests that goals of individuals with MS are global and personal. They include such objectives as ‘‘to fashion a life’’ [1] or ‘‘to craft a life’’ by incorporating MS into one’s personal, family, and work life [2]. From the perspective of individuals living with chronic disease, focusing on symptoms or functional status alone does not adequately reflect the meaning of their experience [3]. Taking part in meaningful activities can be viewed as a common goal that is important to health care providers and to individuals living with MS. The purpose of this article is to (1) review the literature related to the insider’s experience of MS, focusing especially on taking part in valued activities; (2) suggest a model for understanding/measuring the adequacy of participation, including factors that may influence it and domains such as
Silver nanoparticles protect human keratinocytes against UVB radiation-induced DNA damage and apoptosis: potential for prevention of skin carcinogenesis.

Abstract Ultraviolet (UV)-B radiation from the sun is an established etiological cause of skin cancer, which afflicts more than a million lives each year in the United States alone. Here, we tested the chemopreventive efficacy of silver-nanoparticles (AgNPs) against UVB-irradiation-induced DNA damage and apoptosis in human immortalized keratinocytes (HaCaT). AgNPs were synthesized by reduction-chemistry and characterized for their physicochemical properties. AgNPs were well tolerated by HaCaT cells and their pretreatment protected them from UVB-irradiation-induced apoptosis along with significant reduction in cyclobutane-pyrimidine-dimer formation. Moreover, AgNPs pre-treatment led to G1-phase cell-cycle arrest in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells. AgNPs were efficiently internalized in UVB-irradiated cells and localized into cytoplasmic and nuclear compartments. Furthermore, we observed an altered expression of various genes involved in cell-cycle, apoptosis and nucleotide-excision repair in HaCaT cells treated with AgNPs prior to UVB-irradiation. Together, these findings provide support for potential utility of AgNPs as novel chemopreventive agents against UVB-irradiation-induced skin carcinogenesis. From the Clinical Editor Excessive exposure to the sun is known to increase the risk of skin cancer due to DNA damage. In this work, the authors tested the use of silver nanoparticles as protective agents against ultraviolet radiation. The positive results may open a door for the use of silver nanoparticle as novel agents in the future.
Polydisperse homopolymer grafts stabilize dispersions of nanoparticles in a chemically identical homopolymer matrix: an integrated theory and simulation study

This paper presents a computational study of the effect of polydispersity in grafted polymers on the effective interactions between polymer grafted nanoparticles in a polymer matrix, when graft and matrix polymers are chemically identical. The potential of mean force (PMF) between grafted particles, calculated using a self-consistent PRISM theory-Monte Carlo simulation approach, shows that graft polydispersity weakens the attractive well at intermediate inter-particle distances, eliminating the well completely at high polydispersity index (PDI). The elimination of the mid-range attractive well is due to the longer grafts in the polydisperse distribution that introduce steric repulsion at large distances, and the increased wetting of the grafted layer by matrix chains arising from reduced monomer crowding within the polydisperse grafted layer. Trends in how the PMF changes as a function of grafting density, ratio of matrix to graft length, and packing fraction of polymer matrix seen for monodisperse grafts are preserved for polydisperse grafts. Comparison of a log-normal distribution to a bidisperse distribution of chain lengths (with equal number of short and long chains) with the same PDI and average length, shows that the polydisperse distribution can better stabilize dispersions than the bidisperse distributions because of the longer chains in the polydisperse distribution. Additionally, in a bidisperse distribution, with all chains shorter than the matrix chain length, there is a reduction in the mid-range attraction, thus confirming the role of reduced monomer crowding in the bidisperse grafted layer in increasing the grafted layer wetting by the matrix chains, and, as a result, improving miscibility of grafted particles and matrix.
The effect of health promotion on diagnosis and management of diabetes

Background Undiagnosed disease is one of the critical public health problems in the world. In 2002 South Korea introduced the nation9s first comprehensive public health promotion policy, Health Plan 2010. The first phase of Health Plan 2010 started in 2002, promoting the early detection of diseases and preventive care and continued until 2005. Methods Using the 2001 and 2005 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys that were fielded before and after the health promotion programme, this study investigated the changes in healthcare utilisation and its impacts on the prevalence of diagnosed and undiagnosed diabetes as well as good management of the disease. Results A significant increase in diabetes diagnoses has occurred during this time period, especially for those with low education and older age. It was found that, during this time period, the prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes was significantly reduced especially among older and less-educated Koreans, the principal targets of the programme. This health promotion was also found to have had significant positive effects on the good management of diabetes. Conclusions The increase in preventive health care through medical check-ups among less-educated, older people suggests that the implementation of free medical check-ups for individual aged 40 years and older may have a positive impact on those who had not previously used preventive care. The positive experience in South Korea indicates that similarly designed public health campaigns in other countries have enormous potential for improving the detection and management of chronic disease.
Effects of short-term oilseed supplementation on reproductive performance in beef heifers1

Scholljegerdes, E. J., Lekatz, L. A. and Vonnahme, K. A. 2011. Effects of short-term oilseed supplementation on reproductive performance in beef heifers. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 91: 221–229. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the role of a short-term increase in linolenic acid around the timed artificial insemination (TAI) on plasma fatty acid concentrations, estrous behavior, and pregnancy. Therefore, 96 cross-bred heifers (Initial BW=394±18.1 kg) fed chopped grass hay were allotted to one of three dietary treatments: no supplement (CON); 1.8 kg head−1 d−1 (DM basis) of a soybean-based pellet (SOY) high in linoleic acid (C18:2n-6); or 1.5 kg head−1 d−1 (DM basis) of a flaxseed-based pellet (FLX) high in linolenic acid (C18:3n-3). On day −9, relative to TAI, supplementation began, and heifers received a controlled internal drug-releasing (CIDR) device and gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH; 100 µg). On day −2, CIDRs were removed and heifers received 25 mg prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α). Heifers were...
An in vitro test system for estimation of blood compatibility of biomaterials.

An in vitro test cell is described which permits exposure of artificial surfaces in sheet or film form to native human blood in the absence of a blood-air interface. Evaluation of Cuprophane, polyethylene, Silastic, and silicone-coated glass in the in vitro cell showed Cuprophane and silicone-coated glass to produce the least activation of the intrinsic coagulation system, while Silastic produced the greatest degree of activation. Polyethylene gave results intermediate between those obtained with the other materials. Each of these four different materials was evaluated in the elliptical cell test system multiple times with blood from 13 different donors. Our data suggest that with the present test system and the proper experimental design, one might expect that, “on the average,” performance of 36 tests on each of two materials will be sufficient for a 10% difference in their compatibility with blood to be statistically significant at the 5% level. The number of tests is 26 for significance at the 10% level.
Incorporating Genetic Susceptibility Feedback into a Smoking Cessation Program for African-American Smokers with Low Income

Purpose: Markers of genetic susceptibility to tobacco-related cancers couldpersonalize harms of smoking and motivate cessation. Our objective was to assess whether a multicomponent intervention that included feedback about genetic susceptibility to lung cancer increased risk perceptions and rates of smoking cessation compared with a standard cessation intervention. Experimental Design: Our design was a two-arm trial with eligible smokers randomized in a 1:2 ratio to Enhanced Usual Care or Biomarker Feedback (BF). Surveys were conducted at baseline, 6, and 12 months later. The setting was an inner city community health clinic. African-American patients who were current smokers ( n = 557) were identified by chart abstraction and provider referral. All smokers received a self-help manual and, if appropriate, nicotine patches. Smokers in the BF arm also were offered a blood test for genotyping the GST[3][1] gene ( GSTM1 ), sent a test result booklet, and called up to four times by a health educator. Prevalent abstinence was assessed by self-report of having smoked no cigarettes in the prior 7 days at the 6- and 12-month follow-ups and sustained abstinence, i.e., not smoking at either follow-up or in-between. Results: Smoking cessation was greater for the BF arm than the Enhanced Usual Care arm (19% versus 10%, respectively; P < 0.006) at 6 months but not at 12 months. Conclusions: Smokers agreed to genetic feedback as part of a multicomponent cessation program. Although the program increased short-term cessation rates compared with standard intervention, genetic feedback of susceptibility may not benefit smokers with high baseline risk perceptions. [1]: #fn-4
HIF-1α in heart: protective mechanisms.

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) is a transcription factor that directs many of the cellular responses to hypoxia. In these studies, we have used a mouse model containing a cardiac-specific, oxygen-stabilized, doxycycline (Dox)-off regulated HIF-1α transgene to probe the role of HIF-1α in cardioprotection. Hearts used in these studies were derived from wild-type (WT), noninduced (Non-I), and 2 day (2D) and 6 day (6D) Dox-deprived mice. Whereas HIF-1α protein is undetectable in WT mice, it is present in heart tissue of “noninduced” transgenic mice, presumably because of leakiness of the promoter construct. In mice denied Dox for 2 or 6 days, HIF-1α is overexpressed to a much greater extent than Non-I or WT animals, as expected. WT and HIF-1α-expressing hearts (Non-I, 2D and 6D induced) were subjected to 30 min of ischemia, and functional recovery was measured upon reperfusion. Recovery of preischemic left ventricular developed pressure was 14% for WT, 67% for Non-I hearts, 64% for 2D-induced, and 62% for 6D-induced hearts. 6D-induced HIF hearts have increased preischemic glycogen reserves, higher glycogen synthase protein levels, and significantly higher lactic acid release during ischemia. 6D-induced HIF hearts were also better able to maintain ATP levels during ischemia compared with WT and Non-I hearts. Interestingly, Non-I hearts showed no significant increase in glycogen reserves, glycolytic flux, or greater ATP preservation during ischemia and yet were protected to a similar extent as the 6D-induced hearts. Finally, the mitochondrial membrane potential of isolated adult myocytes was monitored during anoxia or treatments with cyanide and 2-deoxyglucose. HIF-1α expression was shown to protect mitochondrial polarization during both stress treatments. Taken together these data indicate that, while HIF-1α expression in heart does induce increases in compensatory glycolytic capacity, these changes are not necessarily required for cardioprotection, at least in this model of ischemic stress.
Volatility in the geographical structure of short-run US interstate migration.

Migration is often thought to be a long-run phenomenon. However it is shown here by means of labor-force migration estimates derived from the Continuous Work History Sample over the period 1958-1975 that US interstate migration is quite volatile over the short run with respect both to its adjustment to macroeconomic fluctuations and to its geographic structure. A hierarchical clustering routine is utilized to analyse yearly estimates of interstate gross in-migration and out-migration so as to identify the temporal stability and characteristics of the geographical patterns of migration. States enter the national migration linkage tree at different levels for different years depending upon the level of short-run economic activity. It is also shown that "when national economic conditions worsen labor-supply adjustments are more localized and the degree of interstate interdependence is less than in times of economic boom." (EXCERPT)
The influence of monomer shape on aggregate morphologies

Context. The coagulation of dust particles is the initial step in planetary formation, with the precursors to planetesimals believed to form via the collisions of micron and submicron sized dust particles in the disk surrounding a newly formed protostar. One of the usual assumptions in numerical models of aggregation is that of spherical monomers. However, the polarization of light in the interstellar medium (ISM) indicates that dust particles may not necessarily be spherical. Aims. This study investigates the influence of monomer shape (ellipsoidal vs. spherical) on the morphology of aggregates. The ellipsoidal grains used are prolate with an axis ratio of 3:1:1, which current evidence suggests as a possible shape for instellar dust grains. Methods. Populations of aggregates are built from ellipsoidal monomers and spherical monomers using both particle-cluster aggregation (PCA) and cluster-cluster aggregation (CCA) regimes incorporating the rotation of particles. The morphology of the resulting aggregates is compared using the maximum radius, porosity, fractal dimension, compactness factor and friction time. The last two factors indicate how the dynamics of a population of dust may be altered depending on monomer shape. Results. The results of this study indicate that monomer shape plays an important role in determining the final morphology of aggregates. Comparing ellipsoid grains with 3:1:1 axis ratio to spheres, the greatest difference is seen in compactness factors: (∼18%) for the PCA regime, reaching a maximum of (∼80%) for the CCA regime. The influence on porosity is also appreciable, (∼8%) and (∼15%) for PCA and CCA regimes respectively. The resulting differences for the friction times depend on the collision regime employed, yet show a marked difference for the different monomer shapes, (∼12%) for PCA and (>50%) for CCA at large sizes. It is concluded that the effect of monomer shape in the hit-and-stick aggregation model may produce appreciable structural variation in the final aggregate. Present models of fluffy aggregates made up of only spherical monomers therefore may not be the best representation for grains in some astrophysical environments.
Deep structure in community cultures : The revival of religious orders in Roman catholicism

Recent research in organizational culture has emphasized in-depth analyses of the underlying processes of cultural "sensemaking' and, especially, of the influence of an organization's larger sociocultural environment in these processes. The present study investigates the 'deep structure" of the ideologies adopted by newly-fownded Roman Catholic religious communities - groups which have self-consciously attempted to revive the long-standing tradition of relgious virtuosity in that church. Despite their avowedly revivalistic goals, the groups' reconstructed cultures differ from that of their traditional models in subtle but important ways. In the past decade, a new school of organizational theory has been developed in sociology, one which focuses on organizational culture. Influenced by anthropologists such as Clifford Geertz (1973) and Anthony Wallace (1956), researchers in this tradition have moved from "thin description" of specific organizational practices to "thick description" of the meanings which underlie these practices (Geertz 1973: 7). An organization's culture serves as its "root metaphor," the mutually-constructed cognitive patterns and taken-for-granted values which its members create to define and give meaning to their activities together (Weick 1995). Recently, critics have pointed out a key defect of the literature on organizational culture. Insufficient attention has been paid to the interaction between the organization's specific cultural elements and those of the larger environment in which it is embedded (Alvesson 1993: 78-79; Friedland and Alford 1991). Such an omission is especially deleterious when there are fundamental conflicts between the organization's professed norms or beliefs and those of the surrounding society (Martin 1992: 86). No organization can long ignore such discrepancies. It may react to them by constructing totally new cultural elements, but it may also subtly modify its longstanding and traditional beliefs or practices. Previous organizational literature, to the extent that it considered environmental influences at all, has primarily described the new elements within an organization's culture, rather than studying the more subtle changes in it changes of which the organization's members may not even be aware (Alvesson 1993: 79).
Blue light cured 3D living catalysts

We wish to form polymeric bioreactors with interconnected microfluidic channels between walls or struts that have cells embedded or attached to the surface. A Rapid Prototyping (RP) fabrication technique is employed, using blue light curing to crosslink water-soluble monomers to hydrogels. The 3D writing is carried out by a computer-controlled syringe system that extrudes a fine line of monomer. The requirements for the building formulation are that it be highly viscous or thixotropic in order to hold its shape during curing, that the curing reaction be rapid and that the reagents be biocompatible and not kill the cells during processing. Initial results are reported on blue-light cured water-soluble acrylates with fumed silica as a thixotropic agent that form millimeter scale “log piles” and “multilevel car parks” with embedded yeast.
Sourcing Strategies to Manage Supply Disruptions

Supplier diversification and backup sourcing offer alternatives to stockpiling inventory as a means of mitigating disruption risks. In this chapter, we introduce some simple models to analyze and explore the performance of these sourcing strategies. The effectiveness of diversification depends largely on the number of suppliers, the possibility of disruption correlation, and the available spare capacity at suppliers. Most of the benefits are achieved with a small number of suppliers. The effectiveness of backup sourcing depends largely on the cost and availability of the backup source, with availability being measured as response time and capacity provided. When choosing the appropriate strategy, managers need to account for all the significant factors that influence performance, including the disruption profile, inventory costs, the fixed and variable supplier costs, capacities, response times, and disruption correlation. Crafting the best strategy relies on sound judgment aligned with suitable analysis.
Return of esophageal peristalsis in idiopathic achalasia.

A 47-year-old male was diagnosed as having idiopathic achalasia on the basis ofclinical, roentgenographic, and manometric criteria. He was on no medication and had no disorders known to impair esophageal motility. He was treated by pneumatic dilation with a good clinical response. On reexamination 7 years later, several features considered to be typical of achalasia were no longer present. Changes included return of peristaltic activity throughout most of the body of the esophagus, failure of a direct-acting cholinergic agent to produce an increase in base line intraesophageal pressure, and failure of a direct-acting cholinergic agent to produce a heightened response at the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Incomplete LES relaxation in response to swallowing persisted. This represents the first reported case of return of esophageal peristalsis in idiopathic achalasia.
We Asked for Workers, But Families Came: Time, Law, and the Family in Immigration and Citizenship

This article is based on two key ideas. First, the family adds the dimension of time to immigration and citizenship law. It does so, for example, through jus soli citizenship for the children of immigrants and discretionary relief from removal, which combine to allow noncitizens over time to establish family-based ties to the United States that immigration law then recognizes. But establishing that the family matters in immigration and citizenship - and therefore that time matters - only begins the inquiry. The next question is how time matters. The prevailing sense of time in current law is largely retrospective, as a way of recognizing ties in the United States. It is important, I argue, also to think of time prospectively. Doing so would prompt a subtle but significant shift occurs in the role of the family, away from mere recognition and toward a more instrumental view of the family in immigration and citizenship. The family would become not only an object of integration, but a means of integration. This would mean making sure that immigration and citizenship law promotes the immigrant family, for example by allowing immigrant families to stay together. Only then can families realize their potential to foster the integration of immigrants.
Dispersion Engineering of Silicon/Plasmonics Hybrid Optical Interconnections

We introduce a dispersion analysis of hybrid optical interconnections for silicon-based plasmonic-photonic nanowires. This Si/Plasmonics hybrid interconnection is able to confine and manipulate photonic signals with zero dispersion at communications wavelength.
Elucidation of aqueous solvent-mediated hydrogen-transfer reactions by ab initio molecular dynamics and nudged elastic-band studies of NaBH4 hydrolysis

The rational development of aqueous-phase catalysts is limited by a lack of fundamental understanding of the precise role of solvent molecules in the reactions. For deeper insight into these general processes, we carried out a detailed theoretical study of NaBH4 hydrolysis to unravel a plethora of complex reaction pathways. Our study involves no a priori assumptions about individual reactant or product states, which are identified through a combination of ab initio molecular dynamics and nudged elastic-band methods. Snapshots of our computational modeling identify canonical reaction mechanisms whereby the aqueous environment facilitates proton and hydride transfers as well as solvent rearrangements extending across multiple layers of solvation. In addition to providing the most comprehensive computational study of NaBH4 hydrolysis to date, the mechanisms presented herein are relevant for characterizing other reaction processes involving coupled proton-hydride reactions influenced by subtle changes in reac...
Renal vascular response to combined hypoxia and hypercapnia in conscious rats

Experiments were performed to test for a possible role of arginine vasopressin (AVP) in the renal vascular responses to the combination of hypoxia and varying levels of CO2 in the conscious rat. Animals were instrumented with pulsed Doppler flow probes on the left renal artery and with arterial and venous catheters. Renal blood flow (RBF) and mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) were determined in conscious, unrestrained rats under the following conditions: 1) hypocapnic hypoxia [arterial PO2 (PaO2) = 26 Torr; arterial PCO2 (PaCO2) = 21 Torr]; 2) isocapnic hypoxia (PaO2 = 34 Torr; PaCO2 = 36 Torr); 3) hypercapnic hypoxia (PaO2 = 42 Torr; PaCO2 = 57 Torr); and 4) room air control (PaO2 = 93 Torr; PaCO2 = 38 Torr). MABP fell from 104 +/- 2 to 83 +/- 5 mmHg during hypocapnic hypoxia but was unaffected by the other stimuli. RBF was significantly reduced by both hypocapnic and hypercapnic hypoxia and unchanged in the other protocols, whereas renal vascular resistance (RVR) was elevated only in the hypercapnic hypoxia group. Additional experiments were performed to test whether activation of V1-vasopressinergic receptors during hypoxia might mediate the observed changes in renal hemodynamics. Experiments were performed as before except that at the midpoint of hypoxic or room air exposure, 10 micrograms/kg of the specific V1 vasopressinergic antagonist d(CH2)5Tyr(Me)AVP was administered. However, administration of the V1 antagonist had no effect on the observed renal hemodynamic responses to hypoxia. Therefore, although intense chemoreceptor stimulation by hypercapnic hypoxia may increase RVR and decrease renal perfusion, these renal hemodynamic responses do not appear to be mediated by increased circulating levels of AVP.
RETURN TO PLAY PROGRESSION FOR RUGBY FOLLOWING INJURY TO THE LOWER EXTREMITY: A CLINICAL COMMENTARY AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE.

BACKGROUND & PURPOSE: Rugby requires unique demands from its players. Those involved in rehabilitation and care of these athletes must possess an understanding of both the game and various positions. There have been numerous reports focusing on the physiological demands and biomechanical analyses of various components of gameplay, but no specific progression has been developed to assist clinicians assessing the readiness to return of a player after injury. The purpose of this clinical commentary is to outline testing components, general gameplay guidelines, movement progressions, and sport and position-specific progressions related to rugby gameplay following a lower extremity injury. DESCRIPTION OF TOPIC: This commentary provides a recommended progression for clinical use for use in a return to rugby program. It includes metabolic considerations, advanced strengthening exercises, agility exercises, and incorporation of drills specific to the sport of rugby that may be performed with the clinician or with assistance from team members. This progression also includes testing parameters for each phase and guidance for clinicians regarding the ability to gauge readiness to return to sport. DISCUSSION: It is essential that an athlete returning to the sport of rugby undertake a guided, graduated return to sport progression to ensure safety and to decrease the risk of re-injury. This proposed return to sport progression outlines key parameters for both the sport as a whole and for various specific positions. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 5 - Clinical Commentary, Review of Literature. Language: en
On the Service Function and Role of Local Colleges and Universities in Economic Transformation——Taking Local Colleges and Universities in Yunnan as an Example

Local colleges and universities should conform to the trend of the times,focus on the current situation of local and regional economic development,respond actively to human resource needs raised by economic transformation and industry upgrading,strengthen the management capacity at all levels,and build an educational system into which the teaching,research and service functions are integrated.They should firmly comply with the core purpose of Yunnan′s construction — "Strengthening two aspects,becoming a stronghold" and reform the cultivating model according to human resource needs,perfect curricular system and major setting,combine the new type creative industry to realize the strategy of talent training,to cultivate new type and adaptive talent people providing service and support for economic transformation and development.
An Empirical Research of Factors on Knowledge Management Acceptance of Innovative Staff

Knowledge management is very important for enterprises to enhance innovation capability.In order to investigate the influencing factors on accepting knowledge management system of innovative staff,it makes use of improved technology acceptance model to construct knowledge management system acceptance model.The data are collected by questionnaires,and the reliability and validity of measure instrument are analyzed by SPSS13.0.The hypotheses of the model are verified by structure equation model.Then it obtains the influencing factors,the relations among the factors and influencing direction on innovative staffs' behavior of accepting knowledge management system.
Understanding young children's imitative behavior from an individual differences perspective.

Research has shown that after observing a sequence of object-related actions, young children sometimes imitate the goal-directed aspects of the actions only, but other times faithfully imitate all aspects of the actions. In this study we explore whether this mixture of goal-directed and faithful imitation is based in part on individual differences between children. Forty-eight 2-year-old children (mean age = 26 months) completed a series of imitation tasks. Results revealed stable individual differences in children’s imitation—measurements of their imitative behavior correlated both within and between different types of imitation tasks. We further used Principle Component Analyses to cluster these correlated measurements into two factors, and the two factors aligned well with the concepts of goal-directed and faithful imitation.
In Vivo Neurochemical Characterization of Developing Guinea Pigs and the Effect of Chronic Fetal Hypoxia

The guinea pig is a frequently used animal model for human pregnancy complications, such as oxygen deprivation or hypoxia, which result in altered brain development. To investigate the impact of in utero chronic hypoxia on brain development, pregnant guinea pigs underwent either normoxic or hypoxic conditions at about 70 % of 65-day term gestation. After delivery, neurochemical profiles consisting of 19 metabolites and macromolecules were obtained from the neonatal cortex, hippocampus, and striatum from birth to 12 weeks postpartum using in vivo (1)H MR spectroscopy at 9.4 T. The effects of chronic fetal hypoxia on the neurochemical profiles were particularly significant at birth. However, the overall developmental trends of neurochemical concentration changes were similar between normoxic and hypoxic animals. Alterations of neurochemicals including N-acetylaspartate (NAA), phosphorylethanolamine, creatine, phosphocreatine, and myo-inositol indicate neuronal loss, delayed myelination, and altered brain energetics due to chronic fetal hypoxia. These observed neurochemical alterations in the developing brain may provide insights into hypoxia-induced brain pathology, neurodevelopmental compromise, and potential neuroprotective measures.
Commentary on "Near-Optimal Algorithms for Online Matrix Prediction".

This piece is a commentary on the paper by Hazan et al. (2012b). In their paper, they introduce the class of (β, τ)-decomposable matrices, and show that well-known matrix regularizers and matrix classes (e.g. matrices with bounded trace norm) can be viewed as special cases of their construction. The β and τ terms can be related to the max norm and to the trace norm, respectively, as explored in the paper, which we discuss in detail below. The paper’s main contribution is a powerful online learning guarantee when learning inside the (β, τ)-decomposable class, which scales with √ β · τ , and an efficient algorithm for solving this learning problem. Crucially, the paper reframes the well-known problems of online max cut, learning a team ranking (“gambling”), and trace-norm regularized matrix completion (a.k.a. collaborative filtering) as special cases of learning inside (β, τ)-decomposable classes of matrices. This yields new algorithms for the three existing problems, with each algorithm giving a strong improvement over existing results in terms of either efficiency or error rate guarantees. In addition, the paper derives lower bounds on the error rates for each of the three problems that match (up to log factors) the upper bounds proved with the new algorithm—and in particular, for collaborative filtering with the trace norm, their lower bound solves an open problem posed by Shamir and Srebro in COLT 2011. In this commentary, we explore the connections between the class of (β, τ)-decomposable matrices, introduced by Hazan et al. (2012b), and the matrix trace norm (a.k.a. nuclear norm) and max norm. Specifically, we are interested in the idea of a “trade-off” between the β and τ values for the class, and will consider how the resulting non-convex optimization question can be formulated as a series of convex optimization problems.
Effect of Acid Adaptation on Growth during Storage at 10°C and Resistance to Simulated Gastric Fluid of Listeria monocytogenes Inoculated onto Bologna Formulated with or without Antimicrobials

The fate of acid-adapted and nonadapted Listeria monocytogenes inoculated onto bologna slices (formulated with or without antimicrobials) was examined during storage and after exposure to in vitro gastric challenge. Bologna slices formulated with no antimicrobials (control), 3% sodium lactate (SL), or 1.8% SL plus 0.25% sodium diacetate (SD) were inoculated (2 log CFU/cm2) with a 10-strain composite of acid-adapted or nonadapted L. monocytogenes strains. Growth or survival of the two inocula on bologna was evaluated during vacuum-packaged storage (10°C) for up to 36 days. Survival of previously acid-adapted or nonadapted L. monocytogenes on stored bologna exposed to simulated gastric fluid (adjusted to pH 1.0 with HCl) for 20, 40, and 60 min also was determined. As expected, inclusion of antimicrobials in the product formulation inhibited growth of L. monocytogenes during storage of vacuum-packaged bologna compared with growth on control samples. Acid adaptation of L. monocytogenes prior to product inocul...
Would oncologists want chemotherapy if they had non-small-cell lung cancer?

In 1985, a survey found that only about one-third of physicians and oncology nurses would have consented to chemotherapy for non-small-cell lung cancer. In response to statements made at a recent American Society of Oncology (ASCO) Board of Directors meeting questioning whether these data are still valid, Dr. Smith and colleagues conducted a new survey of oncologists attending a 1997 National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) annual meeting. The results of that survey are summarized and analyzed.
Management of Abdominal Wall Hernias in the Bariatric Patient

Abdominal wall hernia and obesity are associated closely. Many patients being considered for bariatric surgery have an abdominal wall hernia— either a primary umbilical hernia or an incisional hernia after previous abdominal operations. Similarly, many patients with an abdominal wall hernia have concomitant medically complicated obesity and probably should be considered for bariatric surgery. This chapter addresses the controversies of whether the abdominal wall hernia should be repaired before, during, or after the bariatric procedure. Also, should we as physicians (and surgeons) actively suggest bariatric surgery to patients with medically complicated obesity asking only to have their abdominal wall hernia repaired?
Serum tumor marker (STM) decline rates during high-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) to predict outcome for germ cell tumor (GCT) patients (pts).

4532 Background: STM decline rates predict outcome for GCT pts during 1st-line conventional-dose chemotherapy. We investigated the importance of STM decline rates during salvage HDCT. Methods: HDCT...
Seven years of progress in tobacco control: an evaluation of the effect of nations meeting the highest level MPOWER measures between 2007 and 2014.

Objective Since WHO released the package of six MPOWER measures to assist nations with implementing the WHO Framework Convention for Tobacco Control (FCTC), 88 countries adopted at least one highest level MPOWER measure. We estimated the subsequent reduction in smoking-related deaths from all new highest level measures adopted between 2007 and 2014. Methods Policy effect sizes based on previously validated SimSmoke models were applied to the number of smokers in each nation to determine the reduction in the number of smokers from policy adoption. On the basis of research that half of all smokers die from smoking, we derived the smoking-attributable deaths (SADs) averted of those smokers alive today. Findings In total, 88 countries adopted at least one highest level MPOWER policy between 2007 and 2014, resulting in almost 22 million fewer projected SADs. The largest number of future SADs averted was due to increased cigarette taxes (7.0 million), followed by comprehensive smoke-free laws (5.4 million), large graphic health warnings (4.1 million), comprehensive marketing bans (3.8 million) and comprehensive cessation interventions (1.5 million). Conclusions These findings demonstrate the immense public health impact of tobacco control policies adopted globally since the WHO-FCTC and highlight the importance of more countries adopting highest level MPOWER measures to reduce the global burden of tobacco use. Substantial additional progress could be made, especially if heavily populated nations with high smoking prevalence were to reach highest level MPOWER measures.
To Make a Rainbow - God's Work in Nature

The Torah lays out a rich idea of God’s governance in the Scroll of Esther: Circumstance lays the warp, but human choices weave the woof of destiny. God remains unseen. Delegation of agency, including human freedom, is implicit in the act of creation: God does not clutch efficacy jealously to his breast. Biblically, God acts through nature, making the elements his servitors. Miracles do not violate God’s covenant with nature. Maimonides, following rabbinic homilies, finds them embedded in that covenant. Divine agency is clearest today in evolution and its special case, the emergence of autonomy and the rise of consciousness and personhood.
Assessment of the Drug-Drug Interaction Potential Between Theacrine and Caffeine in Humans.

Objective: Theacrine, a methylurate class purine alkaloid, triggers diverse pharmacologic responses, including psychostimulatory activity by modulation of adenosinergic and dopaminergic pathways. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, theacrine increased energy, concentration, and mood, while reducing fatigue. Because caffeine, a methylxanthine purine alkaloid, is frequently coadministered with theacrine, we sought to determine if a pharmacokinetic and/or pharmacodynamic interaction existed between theacrine and caffeine. Methods: Eight healthy adults received theacrine, as TeaCrine® (25 or 125 mg), caffeine (150 mg), or a combination of theacrine (125 mg) and caffeine (150 mg) in a randomized, double-blind crossover study. Blood samples were collected over a 24-hour period and analyzed by Liquid chromatrography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for theacrine, caffeine, and paraxanthine. Pharmacodynamic response markers, heart rate and blood pressure, were recorded. Results: Theacrine p...
Beverage cup analysis and material detection

How to recycle the beverage cups become more and more important. The EPA announced that the amount of beverage cup amounted to 1.5 billion in the 2011 to 2012, and gradually pays attention to this problem. The beverage cups include the paper, PP, PS, PLA, PET…etc‥ In this paper, we proposed an image-based recognition system to detect the beverage cup. These methodologies contained the image processing techniques and simple geometric operations to find the appearance of the cup, such as cup cover, straws, cup body. The image processing technologies contained the gray level transformation, Gaussian distribution and edge detection (Canny). Furthermore, we use the image matching approach based on Sum of Absolute Difference (SAD) to find the corresponding material. It can improve recycle efficiency, saving the labor power of beverage cup recycle, and making a contribution to the environment and recycle. The average time cost was 103ms. The accuracy rates were: straw 90%, PLA 66%, PP 95%, PS 100%, PAPER 100%.
Hardwiring: Innateness in the Age of the Brain

“Hardwired” is a term commonly used to describe the properties of certain behaviors or brain regions. As its usage has increased exponentially in the past 50 years, both in popular media and the scholarly literature, the concept appears to have gained a cloak of respectability in scientific discourse. However, its specific meaning is difficult to pinpoint. In this paper, I examine how “hardwired” has been used in the psychological and neuroscientific literature. The analysis reveals two major themes: one centers on certain purported characteristics of behaviors or brain regions, such as fixedness; the other places these and other characteristics within an evolutionary framework. Overall, the analysis reveals a degree of overlap between “hardwiring” and the folk biology concept of innateness. Various complications arise from such overlap, casting doubts on the usefulness and legitimacy of “hardwired” in scientific discourse.
Instability of Wall-Bounded Compressible Reacting Mixing Layers

This work is aimed at understanding the physics of wallbounded compressible reacting mixing layers. Linear instability is analyzed with a special emphasis on the effects of bounded walls. Three groups of unstable modes are found in both non-reacting and reacting flows when the relative Mach number is supersonic. These unstable modes arise from reflections of acoustic waves by the parallel walls. The distance between the walls is found to be an important parameter for the instability. The effect of heat release and compressibility on the supersonic unstable modes are relatively small. Finally, the walls on the top and bottom of the flow are found to make the supersonic disturbances two-dimensional.
Practicing Human Rights in Social Work: Reflections and Rights-Based Approaches

In this article, I share my experiences from over 15 years as a social work practitioner, researcher, educator, and academic. Drawing upon these experiences, I reflect on the state of human rights in social work and present a model for practicing human rights in social work. This article was adapted from the inaugural lecture of the Human Rights Speaker Series at West Chester University in Philadelphia on November 9, 2017.
Development of electrospun nanofibers containing chitosan/PEO blend and phenolic compounds with antibacterial activity.

Abstract Electrospun nanofibers can be formed with chitosan as the polymers found in biological sources have antibacterial ability. The objective of this work was to evaluate whether chitosan/polyethylene oxide (PEO) blend nanofibers containing microalgal phenolic compounds exhibit antibacterial activity. Nanofibers produced with a 3% chitosan/2% PEO blend containing 1% phenolic compounds had an average diameter of 214 ± 37 nm, which resulted in a high temperature of maximum degradation, an important parameter for food packaging. The potential antibacterial activity of this nanofibers was confirmed by their inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 (6.4 ± 1.1 mm) and Escherichia coli ATCC 25972 (5.5 ± 0.4 mm). The polymeric nanofibers produced from chitosan and containing phenolic compounds have properties that therefore allow their application as active packaging. In addition, chitosan is an excellent polymer for packaging as it presents biodegradability, biocompatibility and, non-toxicity.
Aging and Longevity of Human Populations

Aging and longevity are fundamental characteristics of human populations. Aging typically means the loss with increased chronological age of the functional capability of different organs of the body due to the operation of a general process of biological senescence. Aging, or senescence, is usually viewed as distinct from major chronic diseases, such as cancer or cardiovascular diseases, although there may be shared exposure factors or mechanisms (e.g., oxidative processes causing mutations in DNA). Often, aging is defined at the cellular level, such as the replicative senescence of cells whose telomere reaches a critical length, or related to mitochondrial dysfunction in energy production due to the accumulated damage of reactive oxygen species. Longevity, the number of years lived, is generally viewed as being determined by senescent processes reaching their end stage. However, it is clear that there are multiple determinants of longevity, and the correlation of life span with the progression of the different dimensions of senescence is more complex and plastic than had been previously thought and is not well understood.