cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effect of providing a USB syllabus on resident reading of landmark articles.

Background: The acquisition of new knowledge is a primary goal of residency training. Retrieving and retaining influential primary and secondary medical literature can be challenging for house officers. We set out to investigate the effect of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) drive loaded with landmark scientific articles on housestaff education in a pilot study. Methods: We created a USB syllabus that contains 187 primary scientific research articles. The electronic syllabus had links to the full-text articles and was organized using an html webpage with a table of contents according to medical subspecialties. We performed a prospective cohort study of 53 house officers in the internal medicine residency program who received the USB syllabus. We evaluated the impact of the USB syllabus on resident education with surveys at the beginning and conclusion of the nine-month study period. Results: All 50 respondents (100%) reported to have used the USB syllabus. The self-reported number of original articles read each month was higher at the end of the nine-month study period compared to baseline. Housestaff rated original articles as being a more valuable educational resource after the intervention. Conclusions: An electronic syllabus with landmark scientific articles placed on a USB drive was widely utilized by housestaff, increased the self-reported reading of original scientific articles and seemed to have positively influenced residents’ attitude toward original medical literature. Keywords: medical education; electronic syllabus; USB drive (Published: 29 January 2010) Citation: Medical Education Online 2010, 15: 4639 - DOI: 10.3402/meo.v15i0.4639
Identification of IgE-positive cells and mast cells in frozen sections of multiple sclerosis brains.

Abstract There is evidence that nervous system mast cells may be involved in the pathogenesis of experimental demyelinating diseases, and that their involvement may be mediated by IgE. In order to examine the possible relevance of these observations to human demyelinating diseases, we have histologically and immunocytochemically examined multiple sclerosis (MS) and control brains for the presence of mast cells and IgE. Using a highly specific antiserum, we found IgE-positive cells in MS brains, but not in controls. IgE-positive cells could be detected in all regions of MS lesions, but were far more frequent in areas of active infiltration. Immunopositive staining was only observed when sections were pretreated with a methanolic peroxide solution, suggesting that the IgE was cytoplasmic. Positive cells typically exhibited plasma cell morphology. Mast cells were identified using chloroacetate esterase (CAE) staining, and we were able to confirm previous reports of an increased association of mast cells with MS lesions. Mast cells were seen in 7 14 MS brains compared with 1 8 controls. They were most commonly observed in demyelinated areas, but were also seen in association with infiltrate. Mast cells and IgE-positive cells were also observed in areas of perivascular infiltration in other inflammatory central nervous system diseases (subacute sclerosing panencephalitis, herpes encephalitis). Mast cells may represent a route for infiltrating cells to enter the brain in inflammatory disorders.
Associations among cytoplasmic molecular markers, gender, and components of fitness in Silene vulgaris, a gynodioecious plant

It has been suggested that the dynamics of chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) or mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genetic markers used in studies of plant populations could be influenced by natural selection acting elsewhere in the genome. This could be particularly true in gynodioecious plants if cpDNA or mtDNA genetic markers are in gametic disequilibrium with genes responsible for sex expression. In order to investigate this possibility, a natural population of the gynodioecious plant Silene vulgaris was used to study associations among mtDNA haplotype, cpDNA haplotype, sex and some components of fitness through seed. Individuals were sampled for mtDNA and cpDNA haplotype as determined using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) methods, sex (female or hermaphrodite), fruit number, fruit set, seeds/fruit and seed germination. The sex of surviving germinating seeds was also noted. All individuals in the population fell into one of two cytoplasmic categories, designated haplotypes f and g by a unique electrophoretic signature in both the mtDNA and cpDNA. The subset of the population carrying haplotype g included a significantly higher proportion of females when compared with the sex ratio of the subset carrying the f haplotype. Haplotype g had a significantly higher fitness when measured by fruit number, fruit set and seeds/fruit, whereas haplotype f had significantly higher fitness when measured by seed germination. Offspring of individuals carrying haplotype g included a significantly greater proportion of females when compared with offspring of individuals carrying the f haplotype. Other studies of gynodioecious plants have shown that females generally have higher fitness through seed than hermaphrodites, but in this study not all fitness differences between haplotypes could be predicted from differences in haplotype-specific sex ratio alone. Rather, some differences in haplotype-specific fitness were due to differences in fitness between individuals of the same sex, but carrying different haplotypes. The results are discussed with regard to the potential for hitchhiking selection to influence the dynamics of the noncoding regions used to designate the cpDNA and mtDNA haplotypes.
Assessing sensitivity of hydrologic responses to climate change from forested watershed in Mississippi

The climatic processes such as changes in precipitation, temperature and atmospheric CO2 concentration can intensify the effects on water resources. An assessment of the effects of long-term climate change on water resources is essential to the development of water quality improvement programs. This study was conducted in the Upper Pearl River Watershed (UPRW) in east-central Mississippi to assess the effects of long-term potential future climate change on average mean monthly stream flow from the five spatially distributed U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) gage stations in the UPRW using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool. The model was calibrated (January 1981 to December 1994) and validated (January 1995 to September 2008) using monthly measured stream flow data. The calibrated and validated model determined good to very good performance for stream flow prediction (R2 and E from 0·60 to 0·86) between measured and predicted stream flow values. The root mean square error values (from 14 to 37 m3 s−1) were estimated at similar levels of errors during model calibration and validation. The results showed that long-term (50 years) average monthly stream flow sensitivity due to climate change effects was found the greatest as a result of percentage change in the precipitation followed by carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration and temperature. The long-term model simulation scenarios as compared with the base scenario for all five spatially distributed USGS gage stations in the UPRW estimated an average monthly stream flow decrease (from 54 to 67%) and average monthly stream flow increase (from 67 to 79%) depending on the spatial characteristics of the USGS gage stations. Overall, the results indicate that the UPRW hydrology is very sensitive to potential future climate changes and that these changes could stimulate increased streamflow generation from the watershed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Asymptotic Analysis for Dispersion-managed Solitons in Birefringent Fibers

The higher order multiple-scale asymptotic analysis is carried out for the vector nonlinear Schrodinger’s equation that governs the propagation of solitons through a birefringent optical fiber. The averaged equation, with the inclusion of higher order terms, significantly improves the description of the soliton characteristics in a birefringent fiber.
Coping with the DVD Dilemma: Region Codes and Copy Protection

Foreign language teachers’ use of DVDs, purchased abroad, has become increasingly difficult through restrictions imposed by the motion picture industry on DVDs, DVD-playing equipment and software. In addition, the law, in particular through the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), has imposed restrictions that negatively affect the fair use of digital media, including DVDs, for educational purposes. This article attempts to explain these restrictions, and presents tools that are available to overcome them, in particular, those that make it possible to play and back-up German/European DVDs in DVD players and computers purchased in the US.
Evidence for a model of activation of central sigma systems.

Abstract Evidence for a drug-induced activation of central sigma systems is presented. The model is the locomotor activation initiated by a subcutaneous (SC) challenge of 1.6 mg/kg of (+)-butaclamol, (+)-BUT, given 30 min before 10 mg/kg SC of (−)-N-allynormetazocine, (−)-NAN, in Sprague-Dawley male rats which have been pretreated with four daily injections of 10 mg/kg SC of (−)-NAN. The locomotor activation is characterized by an initial 20 min period of retropulsion and sideways-circling followed by 90 to 100 min of forward locomotion. The locomotor syndrome is antagonized by 10 mg/kg of (±)-BMY 14802, 20 mg/kg of rimcazole, and 0.2 mg/kg of haloperidol, but not by 0.04 mg/kg of R(+)SCH23390, 100 mg/kg of S(−)sulpiride, 10 mg/kg of naltrexone, or 2.5 mg/kg of MR2266. The data suggest that the manifestation of the (+)-BUT/(−)-NAN-induced syndrome depends upon intact transmission at central sigma sites.
From chromatin to cancer: a new histone lysine methyltransferase enters the mix.

Disruption of post-translational modifications of histone proteins perturbs the proper pattern of gene expression and has the potential to result in diseases, such as cancer. A study implicating a new histone lysine methyltransferase in tumorigenesis further corroborates the emerging link between cancer and epigenetics.
An extension of the ‘two‐baskets’ theory to Native Americans

A theory that private and collective self-cognitions are stored in separate locations in memory (Trafimow, Triandis, & Goto, 1991; Trafimow, Silverman, Fan, & Law, 1997) was tested with a sample of participants (Native Americans) that differed substantially from those in previous research. Two findings supported the theory. First, participants retrieved more private self-cognitions when the private self rather than the collective self was primed; but retrieved more collective self-cognitions when the collective self rather than the private self was primed. Second, people were more likely to retrieve a private self-cognition following another private self-cognition than following a collective one, but were more likely to retrieve a collective self-cognition following another collective one than following a private one. Copyright © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
To survive or to slay: Resource-foraging role of metabolites implicated in allelopathy.

The ecological relevance of allelopathy is highly debated due to the lack of phytotoxic concentrations of allelochemical in natural field conditions. Most of the putative allelochemicals are exuded at low concentrations, and subsequently undergo rapid chemical and biological degradation in soil matrices. At sub-toxic concentrations, due to hormesis effect, these compounds could possibly have a stimulatory effect on plant growth. Many of the suggested allelopathic compounds are chelants and can complex-with and mobilize metal ions in soil. These complexation reactions will detoxify the compound, but will increase the chemical-nutrient-foraging ability of the donor plant. The concentration in which these compounds are exuded matches with other similar secondary metabolites facilitating plant nutrient acquisition. Irrespective of whether the implicated PSMs facilitate donor plant in chemical nutrient-foraging or in poisoning the neighbors, the conferred advantage translates in terms of resource availability ...
Chronic remitting‐relapsing experimental allergic encephalomyelitis induced in monkeys with homologous myelin basic protein

A chronic remitting-relapsing form of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) has been produced in monkeys sensitized to homologous myelin basic protein in Freund's complete adjuvants by the technique of suboptimal treatment after the onset of disease. Not only does the clinical course resemble that of human multiple sclerosis more closely than does the clinical course of acute EAE, but so also does the histological reaction, with more-nearly pure demyelination, rather than the hyperacute hemorrhagic-necrotic lesions that occur so commonly in untreated monkeys with ordinary acute EAE.
Justifying Instrumental Techniques of Analytical Chemistry

: In this paper, we argue that the foundations of chemistry rely as much on the methods of measurement as they do on categories of chemical substance. To some degree, chemists perform the work of knowledge engineering: designing complex systems for the efficient retrieval of information. Indeed, in some cases, methods of instrumental detection move to the forefront of attention. For example, researchers are expected to deploy optimization methods designed to maximize desired signal and minimize the damaging effects of noise. But in his important contributions to the development of high-resolution NMR spectrometers, Hans Primas used stochastic methods to reveal beneficial effects of noise for characterizing physical systems, demonstrating the value of noisy signals for nonlinear physical systems in chemistry.
Development of a Tip Leakage Control Device for an Axial Flow Fan

Performance of an axial fan unit used in ducted fan based propulsion systems is closely related to its tip leakage mass flow rate and the level of tip/casing interactions. The present experimental study uses a stereoscopic Particle Image Velocimeter to quantify the three dimensional mean flow observed at just downstream of a ducted fan unit. After a comprehensive description of the baseline fan exit flow, a number of novel tip treatments based on pressure side extensions are introduced. Various tip leakage mitigation schemes are introduced by varying the chordwise location and the width of the extension in the circumferential direction. The current study shows that a proper selection of the pressure side bump location and width are the two critical parameters influencing the success of each tip leakage mitigation approach. Significant gains in axial mean velocity component are observed when a proper pressure side tip extension is used. It is also observed that a proper tip leakage mitigation scheme significantly reduces the tangential velocity component near the tip of the axial fan blade. Reduced tip clearance interactions are essential in improving the energy efficiency of ducted fan systems. A reduction or elimination of the momentum deficit in tip vortices are also expected to reduce the adverse performance effects originating from the unsteady and highly turbulent tip leakage vortical flows rotating against a stationary casing.
A Symmetry‐Based Concise Formal Synthesis of Platencin, a Novel Lead against “Superbugs”

The quick access: A concise and efficient formal synthesis of platencin has been accomplished in 9 steps from a commercially available starting material. The synthesis utilized only one protecting group. The base catalyzed Michael cyclization of precursor 1 afforded the key diketone 2, which was converted to the desired core structure 4 via the radical intermediate 3.
ATHENS, JERUSALEM, AND THE ARRIVAL OF TECHNO‐SECULARISM

. Western civilization historically has tried to balance secular knowledge with revealed religion. Science is the modern world's version of secular knowledge and resists the kind of integration achieved by Augustine and Aquinas. Managing the conflict between religion and evolution by containing them in separate “frames,” as Stephen J. Gould suggested, does not resolve the issue. Science may have displaced religion from the public square, but the traditional science-religion conflict has become threadbare in intellectual terms. Scientific theories have become increasingly abstract, and science has been attacked from the left as a source of objective knowledge. However, technology, not science, has displaced religious belief, a phenomenon I call techno-secularism. Robert Coles's suggestion that secularism is a form of doubt inevitably attached to religious belief, and William James's reduction of religious experiences to psychological states, evaluating them according to their “cash value,” are unhelpful. Technology enables us to remake our environment according to our wishes and has become a kind of magic that replaces not just revealed religion but also theoretical science. Techno-secularism has an ethical vision that focuses on healthful living, self-fulfillment, and avoiding the struggles of human life and the inevitability of death.
Trichinella spiralis: effects on the host-parasite relationship in mice of BCG (attenuated Mycobacterium bovis).

GROVE, D. I., AND CIVIL, IL H. 1978. Trichinella spiralis: Effects on the host-parasite relationship in mice of BCG (attenuated Mycobacterium bovis). Experimental Parasitology 44, 181-189. The effects of BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin, i.e., attenuated Mycobacterium bovis) on the host-parasite relationship in murine trichinosis were examined. A total of 2 X 10’ colony forming units of BCG given iv 1 week prior to Trichirda spiralis infection delayed the expulsion of adult worms from the gut. The suppression of adult worm elimination was proportional to the dose of BCG given. This finding was associated with a reduction in the degree of partial’ villous atrophy induced in the small bowel by T. spiralis. Adult female worms were fecund when they were examined 1, 2, and 3 weeks after infection of mice with T. spiralis. Despite the prolongation of fecund adult worms in the gut, there were no significant differences in muscle larval counts 4 and 6 weeks after infection. When newborn larvae were cultivated in vitro and injected iv, there was a significant 25% reduction in larval numbers recovered from the muscles of BCG-treated mice 4 weeks later. The administration of BCG had no effect on the inflammatory reaction around larvae in the muscles 4 and 6 weeks after infection. It is conchrded that BCG alters the host-parasite relationship producing retention of adult worms in the gut, reduction in the severity of partial villous atrophy, and increased nonspecific resistance to the systemic larval phase of this parasite.
Spatial Coding in the Olfactory System

Infant rats are born with a functional olfactory system ([Guthrie & Gall, 1999]). Within the first days of their life they begin to approach the odor of their mother in preference to the odor of a virgin female ([Leon & Moltz, 1971]). These preferences can be seen when the pups are placed in an apparatus designed to allow them to approach one of two areas on the basis of odor cues alone. Such a preference also can be induced when the natural situation is mimicked experimentally by pairing a nonmaternalodor (such as peppermint extract) with tactile stimulation of the kind that a mother might impose on her pups ([Coopersmith & Leon, 1984]). These data indicate that pups acquire their preference for the mother’s odor postnatally, rather than being born with that ability. In addition, the individuality of the odor of one mother compared to another is due to differences in their diet; mothers with identical diets are equally approached by their pups ([Leon, 1975])
Oral Administration of Soluble Guanylate Cyclase Agonists to Rats Results in Osteoclastic Bone Resorption and Remodeling with New Bone Formation in the Appendicular and Axial Skeleton

Orally administered small molecule agonists of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) induced increased numbers of osteoclasts, multifocal bone resorption, increased porosity, and new bone formation in the appendicular and axial skeleton of Sprague-Dawley rats. Similar histopathological bone changes were observed in both young (7- to 9-week-old) and aged (42- to 46-week-old) rats when dosed by oral gavage with 3 different heme-dependent sGC agonist (sGCa) compounds or 1 structurally distinct heme-independent sGCa compound. In a 7-day time course study in 7- to 9-week-old rats, bone changes were observed as early as 2 to 3 days following once daily compound administration. Bone changes were mostly reversed following a 14-day recovery period, with complete reversal after 35 days. The mechanism responsible for the bone changes was investigated in the thyroparathyroidectomized rat model that creates a low state of bone modeling and remodeling due to deprivation of thyroid hormone, calcitonin (CT), and parathyroid hormone (PTH). The sGCa compounds tested increased both bone resorption and formation, thereby increasing bone remodeling independent of calciotropic hormones PTH and CT. Based on these studies, we conclude that the bone changes in rats were likely caused by increased sGC activity.
Multiple Mechanism–Mediated Retention of a Defective Brassinosteroid Receptor in the Endoplasmic Reticulum of Arabidopsis

Endoplasmic reticulum–mediated quality control (ERQC) is a well-studied process in yeast and mammals that retains and disposes misfolded/unassembled polypeptides. By contrast, how plants exert quality control over their secretory proteins is less clear. Here, we report that a mutated brassinosteroid receptor, bri1-5, that carries a Cys69Tyr mutation, is retained in the ER by an overvigilant ERQC system involving three different retention mechanisms. We demonstrate that bri1-5 interacts with two ER chaperones, calnexin and binding protein (BiP), and is degraded by a proteasome-independent endoplasmic reticulum–associated degradation (ERAD). Mutations in components of the calnexin/calreticulin cycle had little effect on the fidelity of the Arabidopsis thaliana ERQC for bri1-5 retention. By contrast, overexpression of bri1-5, treatment with an ERAD inhibitor, RNA interference–mediated BiP silencing, or simultaneous mutations of Cys-69 and its partner Cys-62 can mitigate this quality control, resulting in significant suppression of the bri1-5 phenotype. Thus, bri1-5 is an excellent model protein to investigate plant ERQC/ERAD in a model organism.
Small-signal modeling and analysis of battery-supercapacitor hybrid energy storage systems

The battery/supercapacitor hybrid energy storage system actively combines two energy storage devices to achieve better power and energy performances. This paper presents a detailed small-signal mathematical model that can represent the dynamics of the converter-interfaced energy storage system around the steady-state operating point. This model takes into account the effects on the currents of a variety of factors such as the voltage-current characteristics of individual energy storage devices, power converter and filter parameters, and controller parameters. The proposed model considers the variations in the battery current, supercapacitor current and DC bus voltage as state variables, the variations in the power converter duty cycles as the control input, and the variations in the battery voltage, supercapacitor voltage and load current as external disturbances. Frequency-domain model and control strategies for the power sharing between the battery and supercapacitor are developed based on the small-signal model of the hybrid energy system. Frequency-domain characteristics of the open-loop and closed-loop systems are analyzed. Time-domain simulation is used to verify the system operation. The effects of system and controller parameters on the system performance are also studied.
A Cartesian Feedback Feedforward Transmitter

A Cartesian Feedback-Feedforward Transmitter for improving the linearity of the transmit path for high-data rate communications is described. A Volterra Series representation is used to analyze the linearity of the architecture. System simulations are used to demonstrate linearity enhancements achieved through a combination of feedback and feedforward.
Using Backpropagation with Temporal Windows to Learn the Dynamics of the CMU Direct-Drive Arm II

Computing the inverse dynamics of a robot ann is an active area of research in the control literature. We hope to learn the inverse dynamics by training a neural network on the measured response of a physical arm. The input to the network is a temporal window of measured positions; output is a vector of torques. We train the network on data measured from the first two joints of the CMU Direct-Drive Arm II as it moves through a randomly-generated sample of "pick-and-place" trajectories. We then test generalization with a new trajectory and compare its output with the torque measured at the physical arm. The network is shown to generalize with a root mean square error/standard deviation (RMSS) of 0.10. We interpreted the weights of the network in terms of the velocity and acceleration filters used in conventional control theory.
Continuous RAFT miniemulsion polymerization of styrene in a train of CSTRs

Reversible addition fragmentation transfer (RAFT) miniemulsion polymerization of styrene in a train of continuous stirred tank reactors (CSTRs) is described. It is observed that the polydispersity of the polymer decreases as the number of CSTRs in the train increases, as has been derived theoretically. Furthermore, the CSTRs do not reach steady state, which has been attributed to, at least in part, slow oligomerization of monomer and capping by RAFT agent in the feed. Particle nucleation in a CSTR is found to be less effective than in a batch reactor. This is attributed to a “dry-out” mechanism, which is observed to be more significant in a CSTR than in batch, leading to a “nongrowing” population of dormant chains. Experimental evidence for the presence of this “nongrowing” population is also provided. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 51: 1009–1021, 2005
An analog wavelet transform chip

The theory and implementation in subthreshold analog CMOS technology of a circuit which performs continuous wavelet decompositions of a one-dimensional (e.g., audio) input are described. The analog wavelet outputs are the output of a logarithmically scaled bank of bandpass filters; each band is sampled at a rate proportional to the Nyquist rate of the highest frequency content of that band. The result is a matrix of discrete points describing the input signal as a function of both frequency and time. The filter function of each band is Gaussian shaped in order to best resolve the uncertainty relation between time and frequency at each sampled point. >
Long-term experience with transvenous catheter pulmonary embolectomy

Abstract Purpose: Massive pulmonary embolism (PE), defined by systemic hypotension and need for inotropic support, has a high mortality rate. Transvenous catheter pulmonary embolectomy performed with the patient receiving local anesthetic provides an expeditious alternative to lytic therapy or open embolectomy on cardiopulmonary bypass. Methods: The indication for embolectomy in this series of 46 patients was hypotension despite inotropic support in all but four patients (91%); the latter sustained major embolism and were respirator dependent. In the first 10 patients treated from 1970 to 1974, a metal cup attached to a straight catheter was used. Results: Hemodynamic improvement occurred in nine of 10 initial patients, but recurrent PE and a mortality rate of 50% prompted addition of a vena caval filter and directional control to the catheter. Subsequently 36 patients were treated with this combination from 1975 to 1992. Emboli were extracted in 76% (35 of 46) of the total series with a 30-day survival rate of 70% (32 of 46). Hemodynamic data showed an average reduction in mean pulmonary artery pressure of 8 mm Hg and a significant increase in mean cardiac output from 2.59 L/min to 4.47 L/min ( p = 0.003) after embolectomy. Complications included wound hematoma (15%), pulmonary infarct (11%), recurrent deep venous thrombosis (6%), pleural effusion (4%), and myocardial infarction (4%). Conclusions: Successful embolectomy was most likely for categories of major PE (4 of 4, 100%) and massive PE (27 of 33, 82%) and least likely for chronic PE (5 of 9, 56%) ( p p
Quality of life in the anxiety disorders: A meta-analytic review

There has been significant interest in the impact of anxiety disorders on quality of life. In this meta-analytic review, we empirically evaluate differences in quality of life between patients with anxiety disorders and nonclinical controls. Thirty-two patient samples from 23 separate studies (N=2892) were included in the analysis. The results yielded a large effect size indicating poorer quality of life among anxiety disorder patients vs. controls and this effect was observed across all anxiety disorders. Compared to control samples, no anxiety disorder diagnosis was associated with significantly poorer overall quality of life than was any other anxiety disorder diagnosis. Examination of specific domains of QOL suggests that impairments may be particularly prominent among patients with post-traumatic stress disorder. QOL domains of mental health and social functioning were associated with the highest levels of impairment among anxiety disorder patients. These findings are discussed in the context of future research on the assessment of quality of life in the anxiety disorders.
Single-crystal IR spectroscopy of pyrope-almandine garnets with minor amounts of Mn and Ca

MgH-FeH substitution in the dodecahedral interstice of eight natural singlecrystals and two synthetic polycrystalline garnets was investigated by measurement of mid- and farinfrared (IR) reflectance spectra across the pyrope-almandine [Py-Al = (MgxFel-J3A12Si3012] binary. The effect of minor Mn and Ca substitution was investigated by comparison with spectra of four additional natural garnets, PygAlg2SPIo and PYIOA176Spl4, where Sp denotes spessartine (Mn3A12Si3012), and PYnAllgGrlO and Pys4A136GrlO, where Gr denotes grossular (Ca3A12Si30d.Data obtained from the two synthetic polycrystals are in excellent agreement with data from the single crystals. Frequencies of all 17 IRactive fundamental modes were observed in all specimensexcept pyrope. Of the 17 modes, 16 show linear correlations between frequency and composition along the pyrope-almandine join. The remaining mode, assigned to translations of the divalent cations against the ° framework, exhibits two-mode behavior. The trends show that two modes in pyrope are accidentally degenerate. Frequencies of garnets with up to 10 mol% spessartine and grossular contents lie on the trends defined by the pyrope-almandine samples with negligible impurities. However, one to three additional modes are seen for some intermediate compositions, apparently resulting from either resonances among combination modes or two-mode behavior due to high Ca contents. The nearly linear behavior of the modes indicates that mixing should be close to ideal for the pyrope-almandine series because the lattice contribution dominates heat capacity, entropy, and compressibility.
Candida Biofilms: Development, Architecture, and Resistance.

Intravascular device–related infections are often associated with biofilms (microbial communities encased within a polysaccharide-rich extracellular matrix) formed by pathogens on the surfaces of these devices. Candida species are the most common fungi isolated from catheter-, denture-, and voice prosthesis–associated infections and also are commonly isolated from contact lens–related infections (e.g., fungal keratitis). These biofilms exhibit decreased susceptibility to most antimicrobial agents, which contributes to the persistence of infection. Recent technological advances have facilitated the development of novel approaches to investigate the formation of biofilms and identify specific markers for biofilms. These studies have provided extensive knowledge of the effect of different variables, including growth time, nutrients, and physiological conditions, on biofilm formation, morphology, and architecture. In this article, we will focus on fungal biofilms (mainly Candida biofilms) and provide an update on the development, architecture, and resistance mechanisms of biofilms.
Barrett's esophagus in patients with symptomatic reflux esophagitis.

Abstract We evaluated the frequency with which Barrett's esophagus (BE) occurs in patients with symptomatic reflux esophagitis, and compared the clinical endoscopic and manometric features of patients with Barrett's esophagus with those of patients who had non-Barrett's esophagitis (NBE). The effect of 6 months' medical treatment on BE patients was reevaluated by repeating manometry, endoscopy, and biopsy. Esophageal manometry was performed by perfusion technique and endoscopic biopsies were obtained. There were 180 patients; 20 (11%) were found to have BE. The vast majority of BE patients were caucasians. BE patients had symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux for a longer time than did NBE patients. Mean lower esophageal sphincter pressure in BE patients was lower than that in NBE patients. On medical treatment, the severity of esophagitis as judged by endoscopic criteria in BE patients was reduced, but there was no increase in lower esophageal sphincter pressure and no regression of the columnar epithelium.
Medication Repurposing in Pediatric Patients: Teaching Old Drugs New Tricks.

OBJECTIVES: Gaps in pediatric therapeutics often result in off-label use and specifically, novel uses for existing medications, termed “drug repurposing.” Drug Information (DI) queries to a Pediatric Medication Resource Center of a large metropolitan pediatric hospital in New York and inherent difficulties in retrieving evidence-based information prompted a review of current medication repurposing for pediatric patients. The objective included characterization of innovative off-label use of medications Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved for 1 or more indications to treat a totally different disorder or indication in pediatric patients. METHODS: A systematic literature review was conducted to retrieve publications describing repurposed medications in pediatric patients. Excluded was FDA-approved indications used off-label in pediatric patients (e.g., different dose), preclinical data, adult use only, and experimental use. Evidence quality was classified using a modified American Academy of Neurolo...
Environmental Impact Assessment During Product Development: A Functional Analysis Based Approach to Life Cycle Assessments

As global environmental concerns increase, industries continue to respond prominently to meeting sustainable practice standards through technological innovations and new business models. By implementing sustainable practices companies can create a competitive advantage and ultimately drive profitability in addition to mitigating environmental impacts. However, this potential is limited because current comprehensive environmental metrics, including Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), cannot be completed until after the product bill of materials is developed and the manufacturing process has been defined. In addition, the current LCA standards do not provide practitioners with a sufficiently standardized method of conducting an assessment, which makes its application to product development less reliable. This research develops a framework by which environmental impacts of a product system can be assessed and addressed during product development using a more standardized and precise LCA method. The basis of this method integrates systems engineering tools and a functional analysis based approach to LCA. Using this framework, designers can easily develop, classify, and explore different product designs based on predictive environmental impacts.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Empathy for the Digital Age: Using Video Production to Enhance Social, Emotional, and Cognitive Skills

Digital empathy is a new concept aiming to highlight social, emotional, and cognitive practices in a collaborative video production as part of a digital and media literacy class. The structured five stages of video production (screenplay writing, preproduction, production, postproduction, and screening) enhance six distinctive empathy phenomena (empathic concern, cognitive empathy, projective empathy, affective empathy, psychological empathy, and aesthetic empathy). Together as the process comes to an end, most of the students experience higher levels of empathy. This chapter describes the theoretical background and provides the connection between each stage of production and the empathy phenomena. Digital empathy as a new concept calls for further research to explore these connections and better understand how to foster social, emotional, and cognitive skills with digital devices in the classroom.
Formation of Self-Assembled Monolayers of π-Conjugated Molecules on TiO2 Surfaces by Thermal Grafting of Aryl and Benzyl Halides

We demonstrate the formation of molecular monolayers of π-conjugated organic molecules on nanocrystalline TiO2 surfaces through the thermal grafting of benzyl and aryl halides. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy were used to characterize the reactivity of aryl and benzyl chlorides, bromides, and iodides with TiO2 surfaces, along with controls consisting of nonhalogenated compounds. Our results show that benzyl and aryl halides follow a similar reactivity trend (I > Br > Cl ≫ H). While the ability to graft benzyl halides is consistent with the well-known Williamson ether synthesis, the grafting of aryl halides has no similar precedent. The unique reactivity of the TiO2 surface is demonstrated using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to compare the surface reactions with the liquid-phase interactions of benzyl and aryl iodides with tert-butanol and -butoxide anion. While the aryl iodides show no detectable reactivity with a tert-butanol/tert-butoxide mixture, t...
Academic marginalism in Western Balkans: the case of Croatia†

ABSTRACTThis qualitative study relies on document analysis and in-depth, open-ended interviews with university leaders and government officials in a post-socialist and a recent European Union entrant country, Croatia. The study seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of the Croatian academic sector, as well as to unpack the top academic officials’ perceptions of the state, importance, and role of research and higher education (HE) in the social and economic development of the nation. The main theoretical contribution of the study is a new use of the traditional marginalism concept in the theory of economics. This study argues that marginalism can be applied to the HE setting, where it can be particularly helpful in explaining issues related to HE systems in the countries that have transitioned from socialist regimes to market economy. The new theoretical framework is termed academic marginalism.
The diagnosis and treatment of infants with intersex abnormalities.

Whatever the etiology of ambigious genitalia, however, the sex of the infant is uncertain. Rapid diagnostic analysis must be carried out to assign a gender appropriate to the sex of rearing that will give the child the most satisfying eventual functional result. Gender assignment and surgical correction must be done as early as possible to avoid subtle rejection of the child by the family, particularly if the patient’s appearance is grossly discordant with the chromosomal or expected sex.
Exploring the Types of Messages that Pie Charts Convey in Popular Media

In popular media, information graphics (pie charts, bar charts, line graphs) are frequently used to convey high-level intended messages. This paper focuses on the pie chart graphic type. We have collected a corpus of pie chart information graphics found in popular media, and for each chart, a team of annotators recognized its intended message. In this paper, we report on the types of intended messages that the team of annotators recognized and their inter-annotator agreement. We also briefly survey some of the communicative signals that graphic designers used which helped the annotators recognize these messages.
Proposed Mechanisms for Changes in Progression by Dietary Manipulation

It has been known for at least 50 years that manipulation of the diet of rats with chronic renal disease slows progression of the disease. Understanding the mechanism for this effect could lead to modifications that would amplify any benefit proven effective in humans with renal disease. Proposed mechanisms can be divided into 1) nephrotoxicity of a constituent of the diet, including phosphate and lipids and 2) damage resulting from adaptive changes which occur in response to renal failure. The latter include hemodynamic, hypertrophic, and metabolic changes. Extensive investigation in rats has not yielded consistent results. In humans, even less is known, but tempting hypotheses include nephrotoxicity from excess dietary protein, plus a link to hypertension and hormonal responses.
ADULT ATTACHMENT, LOVE STYLES, AND SELF-DEFEATING PERSONALITY CHARACTERISTICS '

The present research showed for 79 men and 79 women that people with more characteristics of the proposed self-defeating personality diagnosis had less secure adult attachments. In addition, self-defeating women described their style of loving as game playing and being less romantically involved. Both men and women who were more self-defeating, once in a relationship, reported feeling dependent, jealous, and desperate to maintain it. These results are consistent with the 1993 findings of Williams and Schill that people with more self-defeating characteristics were more likely to lack secure attachments with parents.
Appraising Objections to Practical Apatheism

This paper addresses the plausibility of practical apatheism: an attitude of apathy or indifference about philosophical questions pertaining to God’s existence grounded in the belief that they lack practical significance. Since apatheism is rarely discussed, we begin by clarifying the position and explaining how it differs from some of the other positions one may take with regard to the existence of God. Afterward, we examine six distinct objections to practical apatheism. Each of these objections posits a different reason for thinking that belief in God is practically significant. Five of these objections prove unsuccessful. The sixth, which appeals to the practical significance of belief in God with respect to our fates in the afterlife, is more promising but nonetheless encounters significant obstacles. Since the success of this objection is controversial, whether we have good grounds to reject practical apatheism should be similarly controversial, and the view should be given further examination.
Lossy source coding of multiple Gaussian sources: m-helper problem

We consider the network information theoretic problem of finding the rate distortion bound when multiple correlated Gaussian sources are present. One of these is the source of interest but some side information from other sources is also transmitted to help reduce the distortion in the reproduction of the first source. The other sources are treated as helpers and are also coded. Special cases of this problem have been solved before, such as when the reproduction is lossless, when the sources are conditionally independent given one of them, or when the number of helpers is limited to one. We consider a generalized version and show that the previously derived expressions fall out as special cases of our bound. Our results can be directly utilized by designers to choose not only how many of the available sources should actually be communicated but also which sources have the highest potential to reduce the distortion.
Kinematic-, Static- and Workspace Analysis of a 6-P-U-S Parallel Manipulator

This paper examines the symbolic kinematic modeling of a general 6-P -U-S (prismatic-universal-spherical) parallel kinematic manipulator (PKM). The base location of actuators has been previously shown to lead to: (i) reduction of the (motor) weight carried by the legs; (ii) elimination of the actuation transmission requirement (through intermediary joints as in the case of the Stewart-Gough platform); and (iii) most-importantly absorption of reaction-forces by the ground. We focus on using the symbolic equations to derive the conditions for type I and II singularities of this class of parallel manipulators. Based on these conditions, this system of equations is specialized to a specific configuration of the platform that has superior structural design and comparatively minimal singularities within its workspace. A series of studies were conducted to investigate the quality of workspace as well as estimate the actuation requirements for a unit payload carried over their workspace using the symbolic Jacobian model for this specialized configuration.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Pseudo-Passwords and Non-textual Approaches

This chapter describes various complementary approaches of passwords, namely, Honeywords, Cracking-Resistant Password Vaults using Natural Encoders, Bloom Filter, and non-textual and graphical passwords to protect user identities against any type of credential breaches. At the end, a comparison of various non-textual passwords is provided by highlighting their strength and weaknesses.
Natural Seminal Amyloids as Targets for Development of Synthetic Inhibitors of HIV Transmission.

ConspectusAmyloids refer to a class of protein or peptide aggregates that are heterogeneous in size, morphology, and composition, and are implicated to play a central role in many neurodegenerative and systemic diseases. The strong correlation between biological activity and extent of aggregation of amyloidogenic proteins and peptides has led to an explosion of research efforts to target these materials with synthetic molecules or engineered antibodies to try to attenuate their function in disease pathology.Although many of these efforts to attenuate amyloid function have shown great promise in laboratory settings, the vast majority of work has been focused on targeting amyloids associated with neurologic diseases, which has been met with significant additional challenges that preclude clinical evaluation. Only recently have researchers started applying their efforts toward neutralizing the activity of amyloids associated with non-neurologic diseases. For instance, small peptides present in high abundance...
Survival of renal cell carcinoma metastatic to nonthyroid head and neck region: A systematic review

Objective Metastasis of renal cell carcinoma to nonthyroid head and neck region is rare. Survival benefit for complete metastasectomy of more common renal cell foci has been reported in the literature. It is uncertain whether metastasectomy in nonthyroid head and neck region would provide a similar benefit. Data sources We conducted a retrospective review of all renal cell metastases to the head and neck region treated in the past 15 years at an academic hospital, and a systematic review of all relevant reports with survival data in the literature between 1960 and 2016. Review methods An analysis of pooled data was performed to estimate overall survival. Results Six cases from our institution and 260 independent cases reported in the literature were included in the survival analyses (n = 266). The median follow-up time was 12 months (range 0-180 months). The overall median survival was 36 months (95% confidence interval [CI] 23.7-48.3). The median survival for those who underwent complete metastasectomy in the head and neck was significantly higher at 60 months (95% CI 41.1-78.9) than those who had incomplete or no metastasectomy (12 months, 95% CI 9.5-14.5). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards model estimated that, after controlling for potential confounders, complete metastasectomy remained associated with reduced risk of death (hazard ratio 0.44, 95% CI 0.29-0.69). Conclusion Complete metastasectomy was associated with 4-year longer median overall survival than incomplete metastasectomy or no metastasectomy. Laryngoscope, 128:889-895, 2018.