cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ne intercalated C 60 : Diffusion kinetics

In situ neutron powder-diffraction has been used to probe the Ne content and diffusion kinetics in ${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$ by monitoring the ${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$ lattice parameter vs time following step changes in applied Ne pressure. In the face-centered-cubic phase where the ${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$ molecules are freely rotating, diffusion is slower for higher Ne pressure. In the primitive cubic phase where the ${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$ molecules are orientationally ordered, the diffusion rate is slower and is essentially independent of pressure. These observations can be understood in terms of three unequal competing effects: (1) Increasing the external Ne pressure increases the driving force for diffusion; (2) compression of the ${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$ lattice slows diffusion with increasing pressure; and, the major one, (3) ${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$ molecular dynamics enables and enhances diffusion by a thermally activated ``paddle wheel'' effect. The activation energy for such Ne intercalated ${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$ reorientational hopping or rotation (\ensuremath{\sim}1500 K or 13 kJ/mole) is less than that in pure ${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$ (\ensuremath{\sim}2600 K or 22 kJ/mole), suggesting the Ne atoms act as ``roller bearings.''
Identification of Primary Lysosomes in Human Megakaryocytes and Platelets

The presence of lysosomal enzymes in human platelets is well documented; the identity of the "lysosome," however, has been the subject of some disagreement. In order to determine the time of appearance and subcellular localization of two lysosomal enzymes in megakaryocytes (MK) and platelets, we examined normal human bone marrow and blood by electron microscopy and cytochemistry. Acid phosphatase (AcPase) was present in the Golgi region in the youngest recognizable MK, as well as in those with a considerable degree of cytoplasmic maturation. Heavy reaction product was usually confined to one or two Golgi-associated cisternae and coated vesicles; other Golgi cisternae were sometimes lightly reactive. In mature MK, reaction product was limited to vesicles of variable size, but smaller than alpha-granules. Another lysosomal enzyme, arylsulfatase (AS), was localized in similar small vesicles in MK of all stages; it could not be demonstrated in the Golgi complex. Vesicles containing AS were also found in about 25% of platelet profiles, whereas vesicles containing AcPase were found in only about 15% of platelet profiles. The alpha-granules of all MK and platelets examined were negative for both enzymes. We conclude that the enzyme-containing vesicles in these cells constitute the lysosomes and that they are distinct from other platelet organelles. Since there was no evidence that they had participated in any digestive event, we believe that they are primary lysosomes, whose contents are secreted during platelet aggregation and the release reaction.
Abstract 214: Balancing Innate Immunity Activation and Death Signals for Vascular Regeneration

Background: Our recent discoveries have shown that innate signaling supports effective nuclear reprogramming (Lee & Sayed et al. Cell) and transdifferentiation to ECs (Sayed et al. Circ). By activating innate immunity (via TLR3), viral vectors used for reprogramming cause global epigenetic changes that favor an environment conducive for reprogramming. Indeed, activation of innate transcription factors (TFs) enhances EC regeneration, however, activation of the same pathway could induce: 1) apoptosis via activation of Casp8; and 2) programmed necrosis by receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 (RIP3), when Casp8 is absent. Hypothesis: We speculate that death pathways that are activated by these TFs compromise reprogramming. We previously showed that disruption of Casp8 led to mid-gestational death of mice due to unleashing of RIP3-dependent death pathways, preventing the formation of vascular endothelium and hematopoietic cells. By contrast, when Casp8-/- mice were crossed with Rip3-/-, the DKO mice developed...
Responding to an SOS – Save Our Shores

The rising sea level issue affecting U.S. coastal policy is reviewed, and the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers coastal role is summarized. Three case studies are provided to demonstrate the successful application of several structural devices available to solve different coastal problems. The coastal engineer, and other scientists, should contribute significantly to the information upon which society bases its decisions on use of the shoreline.
Use of Multivariate Analyses to Characterize the Monarch Butterfly (Lepidoptera: Danaidae) Winter Habitat

Wintering sites of monarch butterflies, Danaus plexippus (L.), were investigated in San Luis Obispo County, California, during 1988-1990. Measured environmental parameters associated with the cluster trees of Monterey pine and eucalyptus did not differ significantly between species. The winter sites had lower light intensities, solar radiation, wind velocities, and higher vapor pressure deficit than a nonoverwintering grove. Multivariate diagnosis analyses characterized suitable and unsuitable cluster areas within a winter grove. The microclimate of cluster trees was greatly influenced by trees surrounding the roosting areas.
Resonant microcavities coupled to a photonic crystal waveguide for multi-channel biodetection

Miniaturized and highly sensitive bio-sensors are attractive in various applications, such as medicine or food safety. Photonic crystal (PhC) microcavities present multiple advantages for rapid and accurate label-free optical detection. But their principle of operation (i.e. observation of a peak in transmission) makes their integration in serial arrays difficult. We present in this paper a multi-channel sensor consisting of several resonant PhC microcavities coupled to the same waveguide. The transmission spectrum shows as many dips as there are cavities, and each of the microcavities can act as an independent sensor. Preliminary results show the fabrication and characterization of a double-channel structure with small defects used as a solvent sensor.
Electronic Record Keeping and Psychotherapy Alliance: The Role of Concurrent Collaborative Documentation

Abstract Practice guidelines and ethical conduct dictate that psychotherapists must document clinical services in the client’s record. Record-keeping guidelines are often framed from the perspective of risk management and continuity of care—a device for protecting the clinician and documenting and tracking outcomes across the therapeutic encounter. Rarely is the practice of documenting clinical services viewed as an agent to improve the emotional bond and collaborative process of the therapeutic alliance. Meanwhile, managed behavioral health care is placing increasing demands on clinicians to remain productive for the agency while providing timely and accurate clinical documentation, compelling organizations to leverage technologies such as electronic health records in novel ways. An emergent approach known as collaborative concurrent documentation, or simply collaborative documentation, is increasingly being applied by Managed Behavioral Health-care Organizations to expand billable service time, improve productivity, reduce clinician feelings of stress, and allow clients to feel confident as active participants in creating and maintaining their own health records. Proponents extol the approach for its ostensible benefits to both the organization and clients; however, the practice of collaborative documentation has no known empirical basis in the professional literature. This chapter seeks to explore the theoretical assumptions presumed to underlie collaborative documentation in order to lay a foundation for future empirical research on the use of collaborative documentation as a mechanism for improving psychotherapy outcomes.
Abstract C296: The contribution of LKB1/STK11-mediated CXCL8 dysregulation to lung carcinogenesis.

LKB1/STK11 is a tumor suppressor gene that was originally identified in an autosomal-dominant inherited disorder, Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome (PJS). Patients with PJS develop an overgrowth of differentiated tissues in the gastrointestinal tract with 100% penetration and demonstrate an increased predisposition toward a number of additional malignancies, including breast, ovarian, pancreatic and lung cancers. Loss-of-function in LKB1/STK11 characterizes up to 20-30% of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC). In a murine model of lung carcinogenesis with inducible Kras activation and biallelic deletion of LKB1(KrasG12D Lkb1-/-), loss of LKB1 yielded a high frequency of NSCLC tumors and metastasis. However, few mechanisms have been proposed to explain how LKB1 loss contributes to pulmonary tumorigenesis, especially during early stage of tumor development. In this study, we use human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) that were immortalized in the absence of viral onco-proteins and therefore represent an accurate model for studying early events during lung carcinogenesis. We knocked down LKB1 expression in HBECs (LKB1-KD HBECs) and observed numerous cancer-associated characteristics, including preference for glycolytic metabolism and induction of epithelial mesenchymal transition. Intriguingly, we also found dysregulation of several inflammatory factors in addition to these anticipated phenotypes. We have focused on the pro-angiogenic chemokine CXCL8, which is also associated with chemotaxis, tumorigenicity and metastasis via binding to its membrane receptors CXCR1/2. Knockdown of LKB1 leads to transcriptional upregulation and significantly elevated secretion of CXCL8, while re-introduction of wild type LKB1 decreases CXCL8 production in LKB1-null NSCLC tumor cell lines. Interestingly, the phosphorylation levels of GSK3β and β-catenin (S552) are elevated in LKB1-KD HBECs, and a TCF/β-catenin binding inhibitor abolishes the induction of CXCL8 upon LKB1 loss. This suggests that the WNT pathway may mediate these effects. Together, these findings suggest that loss of LKB1 promotes tumorigenesis and metastasis through a CXCL8 mediated-pro-inflammatory tumor microenvironment. Therefore, blocking CXCL8 function via neutralizing peptide or receptor antagonist may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for NSCLC prevention and treatment.These studies were supported by the DOD #LC120407 (SMD, DS, TCW), China Scholarship Council (CSC) #2010632164 (RL) and NCI SPORE P50CA70907 (JDM,JEL). Citation Information: Mol Cancer Ther 2013;12(11 Suppl):C296. Citation Format: Rui Li, Tonya C. Walser, Kostyantyn Krysan, David Shackelford, Jill E. Larsen, John D. Minna, Steven M. Dubinett. The contribution of LKB1/STK11-mediated CXCL8 dysregulation to lung carcinogenesis. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2013 Oct 19-23; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2013;12(11 Suppl):Abstract nr C296.
Field Studies with Carbofuran for Control of the Root Form of the Grape Phylloxera

A granular formulation of carbofuran was evaluated over a wide range of soil conditions in California to determine its effectiveness against the root form of Daktulosphaira vitifoliae (Fitch). A post harvest soil treatment consisting of 11.2 kg AI/ha broadcast and incorporated between the vine rows resulted in excellent control and was comparable in activity to applications of higher rates. Retreatment on a biennial basis is suggested for the continued suppression of the grape phylloxera population and the maintenance of vine productivity.
Choices of Methodology in Pharmacoeconomic Studies

Objectives. The goal of this paper is to evaluate the comparative value of economic methodologies in assessing the benefit of a new cytoprotective agent (amifostine) delivered before cisplatin/cyclophosphamide in the treatment of ovarian cancer. Background. Data from a randomized controlled multinational multicenter ovarian cancer trial were used as the basis for a retrospective pharmacoeconomic analysis. Trial results demonstrated amifostine had no significant effect on oncolytic efficacy, but side effect profiles improved for febrile neutropenia (absolute risk reduction [ARR] 11%), neurotoxicity (ARR 11%), and nephrotoxicity (ARR 26%). Although, the methodology most commonly used in this type of analysis is cost utility (CU), we investigated a "willingness to pay" (WTP) approach. Research Design Subjects. Four pharmacy managers were given an informal telephone interview to assess their preferences. Two managers understood, and preferred, the CU data. The others, who had no education or training on CU principles, preferred WTP data. All managers understood the outputs from WTP studies. Results/Measures. WTP for reductions in febrile neutropenia, neurotoxicity, and nephrotoxicity were collected from 50 healthy volunteers and measured against the cost of delivering the new therapy. Results revealed WTP values of $141 per year for reductions in febrile neutropenia, $86 per year for reductions in neurotoxicity, and $71 per year for reductions in nephrotoxicity. The base case analysis showed that amifostine was cost neutral ($350 net cost, CI = −850 to +1551). Conclusions. The results were well-received by decision-makers. This manager survey illustrates that the methodologic choice should be determined not only by the nature of the comparison, but also by the stakeholder the data is meant to influence.
Conceptual problem solving in high school physics

The conceptual problem solving framework improved student problem solving ability in a quasiexperimental study involving three high schools.
Diffuse Alveolar Hemorrhage as a Manifestation of Childhood-Onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

BACKGROUND: Diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) is a devastating clinical syndrome characterized by a falling hematocrit, respiratory insufficiency, and radiographic evidence of pulmonary infiltrates. Literature regarding management of DAH in childhood-onset SLE (cSLE) is limited. METHODS: We reviewed the presentation, management, and outcome of DAH in a pediatric tertiary medical center with one of the largest cSLE cohorts in North America. During a 10 year period 7 of 410 children with cSLE had DAH. RESULTS: The majority of cSLE patients with DAH were male (71%) and Hispanic (57%). The median age at the time of DAH diagnosis was 14 years (range 3 -15 years). DAH was the presenting manifestation of cSLE in 29% of children; 71% presented with DAH within 3 months of their diagnosis. All patients had cough, 86% had dyspnea, and 29% had hemoptysis. All patients had anemia and 71% had thrombocytopenia. Eighty-six percent had hematuria/proteinuria, and a positive anti-double stranded DNA antibody. Chest imaging showed diffuse ground glass opacities in all events. All patients developed respiratory insufficiency (29% supplemental oxygenation and 71% mechanical ventilation). Transfusions were required in 57% of cases. All patients received corticosteroids and additional immunomodulation to achieve disease control. Eighty-six percent of our DAH/cSLE cohort survived their initial event (median follow-up 2.5 years). No survivor required supplemental oxygen or had a DAH recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: SLE should be in the hospitalist9s differential diagnosis for any child with respiratory insufficiency, cytopenias, and/or urinary abnormalities. Once cSLE is identified, initiation of aggressive immune suppression with multiple agents may enhance outcomes.
Compact Development Reduces VMT: Evidence and Application for Planners—Comment on “Does Compact Development Make People Drive Less?”

In recent years there have been numerous scholarly articles assessing the relationship between urban form and personal travel (Stevens, 2017/this issue). Most studies show small to modest effects o...
A full-angle Monte-Carlo scattering technique including cumulative and single-event Rutherford scattering in plasmas

Abstract We describe and justify a full-angle scattering (FAS) method to faithfully reproduce the accumulated differential angular Rutherford scattering probability distribution function (pdf) of particles in a plasma. The FAS method splits the scattering events into two regions. At small angles it is described by cumulative scattering events resulting, via the central limit theorem, in a Gaussian-like pdf; at larger angles it is described by single-event scatters and retains a pdf that follows the form of the Rutherford differential cross-section. The FAS method is verified using discrete Monte-Carlo scattering simulations run at small timesteps to include each individual scattering event. We identify the FAS regime of interest as where the ratio of temporal/spatial scale-of-interest to slowing-down time/length is from 10 − 3 to 0.3–0.7; the upper limit corresponds to Coulomb logarithm of 20–2, respectively. Two test problems, high-velocity interpenetrating plasma flows and keV-temperature ion equilibration, are used to highlight systems where including FAS is important to capture relevant physics.
Therapeutic benefits of dining out, traveling, and drinking: Coping strategies for lonely consumers to improve their mood

Abstract The people in modern societies have found to be more lonely due to longer life span, rising single-person household, and disconnected interpersonal networks. Recently has research begun to shed light on how this phenomenon influences consumers’ compensatory consumption to cope with negative moods caused by loneliness. The hospitality and tourism industries need a better understanding of the ways in which their products and services (e.g. dining-out, traveling, and drinking alcohol) provide opportunities for consumers to cope with such loneliness. Thus, this study explored the benefits of hospitality and tourism experiences for individuals who dine out, travel, and drink as a means of coping with feelings of loneliness. Hence, the goals of the current study are threefold: (1) to examine if loneliness influences consumers to engage in consumption in order to cope with their feelings, (2) to compare age-related differences in coping strategies related to loneliness, and (3) to investigate the therapeutic benefits of dining out, traveling, and drinking across loneliness levels. The results of this study suggest that traveling and dining-out can provide significant ‘therapeutic benefits’ by repairing feelings of loneliness.
Society Journal Publishing

Journal publishing is a critical, often mission-driven, activity for a large number of scholarly societies. Societies have several options for how to publish as well as the types of business models to utilize. At the same time, the threats to society publishing are ever present and increasing.
A Method for Attributing Patient-Level Metrics to Rotating Providers in an Inpatient Setting.

Background Individual provider performance drives group metrics, and increasingly, individual providers are held accountable for these metrics. However, appropriate attribution can be challenging, particularly when multiple providers care for a single patient. Objective We sought to develop and operationalize individual provider scorecards that fairly attribute patient-level metrics, such as length of stay and patient satisfaction, to individual hospitalists involved in each patient's care. Design Using patients cared for by hospitalists from July 2010 through June 2014, we linked billing data across each hospitalization to assign "ownership" of patient care based on the type, timing, and number of charges associated with each hospitalization (referred to as "provider day weighted "). These metrics were presented to providers via a dashboard that was updated quarterly with their performance (relative to their peers). For the purposes of this article, we compared the method we used to the traditional method of attribution, in which an entire hospitalization is attributed to 1 provider, based on the attending of record as labeled in the administrative data. Results Provider performance in the 2 methods was concordant 56% to 75% of the time for top half versus bottom half performance (which would be expected to occur by chance 50% of the time). While provider percentile differences between the 2 methods were modest for most providers, there were some providers for whom the methods yielded dramatically different results for 1 or more metrics. Conclusion We found potentially meaningful discrepancies in how well providers scored (relative to their peers) based on the method used for attribution. We demonstrate that it is possible to generate meaningful provider-level metrics from administrative data by using billing data even when multiple providers care for 1 patient over the course of a hospitalization.
Mumps disease in Beijing in the era of two-dose vaccination policy, 2005-2016.

Abstract Background Since the introduction of mumps-containing vaccines (MuCV) in 1995 in Beijing, two-dose MuCV vaccination policy has been used, with the 1st and 2nd doses given at 18 months and 6 years of age, respectively. Methods Mumps epidemiology during 2005–2016 was described using surveillance data. Vaccine effectiveness (VE) of MuCV against disease was estimated for cases born during 2002–2009 and reported in 2016. VE against complications was estimated for all cases. MuCV coverage was estimated for children born during 1999–2015 using data from Beijing Immunization Information System. Results Overall mumps incidence decreased from 30.38/100,000 persons in 2005 to 10.26/100,000 persons in 2016. Incidence declines in children aged Conclusions Increasing MuCV coverage achieved declining mumps incidence and complication rate. Current epidemiology supported 2-dose MuCV vaccination policy. The incidence rise in persons aged 15–19 years in 2012 and waning immunity for the 2nd MuCV dose merited close follow-up.
Is there a "final common pathway" in the regulation of ACTH release?

Two hypothalamic peptides which appear to play significant roles in the control of ACTH secretion during stress are the 41 amino acid corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)1–4 and vasopressin (AVP)2–4. The two substances have at least additive, if not synergistic effects in stimulating ACTH release from the anterior pituitary in vivo 5,6 and in vitro 7–11. Stimulated ACTH release in vivo can be inhibited by the administration of antisera or antagonists to either CRF12–15 or AVP6,14. Distinct sets of high affinity receptors have been characterized in the anterior pituitary for CRF16–18 and for AVP19–23. Although the population of neurons secreting CRF into portal plasma has often been thought of as a “final common pathway” for stimuli influencing ACTH levels24, the existence of multiple releasing factors (e.g., CRF and AVP) has led to the speculation that these releasing factors may be involved in the independently regulated components of the system regulating ACTH release during stress24. This speculation is supported by studies of changes in levels of CRF and AVP in portal plasma during stress.
Improved biochemical detection of myocardial ischemic injury.

Elevated serum CPK activity is an extremely sensitive index of acute myocardial infarction, but false positives occur with a frequency of around 15%. (1) CPK exists as three isoenzymes, MM, MB and BB, analysis of which should enhance diagnostic specificity. Until recently, quantification of individual serum CPK isoenzyme activity was inadequate due to imprecision in assay procedures. Recently, we have described a kinetic and fluorometric assay which is linear with respect to time and isoenzyme activity, having a sensitivity of .001 IU/ml with reproducibility ± 3%. (2) Utilizing this assay, the present study was designed to determine the sensitivity and specificity of serum CPK isoenzymes in the diagnosis of myocardial infarction.
Lithium, ACE inhibitors, NSAIDs, and verapamil: A possible fatal combination

Since lithium’s approval by the Food and Drug Administration in 1969, it has been the first-line drug in the treatment for bipolar affective disorder and is now used to treat other psychiatric disorders as well. However, lithium’s narrow therapeutic index requires regular monitoring of serum levels. Many drugs interact with lithium, increasing its blood level with the potential to precipitate lithium toxicity. We describe the case of a patient on lithium in whom the addition of lisinopril, aspirin, and the calcium channel blocker verapamil increased lithium to potentially fatal levels.
Reforestation: Challenges and Themes in Reforestation Research

Despite a continued focus within the land cover change arena on deforestation, the realization that reforestation, regrowth and forest regeneration are occurring globally has started to occur. While previously, such documentation had been found for developed countries, in more recent years this has also been found in developing nations, and seemingly due to a multitude of factors. This book pulls together many of the authors working on this topic, studying regions from around the globe, to understand these individual cases of reforestation and regrowth, and through this process to better understand the dominant processes, pathways and drivers of reforestation and forest regrowth on the landscape.
Polarization Phase-Based Method For Material Classification In Computer Vision

A robust and accurate polarization phase-based technique for material classification is presented. The novelty of this technique is three-fold in (i) its theoretical development, (ii) application, and, (iii) experimental implementation. The concept of phase of polarization of a light wave is introduced to computer vision for discrimination between materials according to their intrinsic electrical conductivity, such as distinguishing conducting metals, and poorly conducting dielectrics. Previous work has used intensity, color and polarization component ratios. This new method is based on the physical principle that metals retard orthogonal components of light upon reflection while dielectrics do not. This method has significant complementary advantages with respect to existing techniques, is computationally efficient, and can be easily implemented with existing imaging technology. Experiments for real circuit board inspection, nonconductive and conductive glass, and, outdoor object recognition have been performed to demonstrate its accuracy and potential capabilities.
Force Matching as a Stepping Stone to QM/MM CB[8] Host/Guest Binding Free Energies: A SAMPL6 Cautionary Tale

Use of quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) methods in binding free energy calculations, particularly in the SAMPL challenge, often fail to achieve improvement over standard additive (MM) force fields. Frequently, the implementation is through use of reference potentials, or the so-called “indirect approach”, and inherently relies on sufficient overlap existing between MM and QM/MM configurational spaces. This overlap is generally poor, particularly for the use of free energy perturbation to perform the MM to QM/MM free energy correction at the end states of interest (e.g., bound and unbound states). However, by utilizing MM parameters that best reproduce forces obtained at the desired QM level of theory, it is possible to lessen the configurational disparity between MM and QM/MM. To this end, we sought to use force matching to generate MM parameters for the SAMPL6 CB[8] host–guest binding challenge, classically compute binding free energies, and apply energetic end state corrections to obtain QM/MM binding free energy differences. For the standard set of 11 molecules and the bonus set (including three additional challenge molecules), error statistics, such as the root mean square deviation (RMSE) were moderately poor (5.5 and 5.4 kcal/mol). Correlation statistics, however, were in the top two for both standard and bonus set submissions ( $$R^{2}$$ of 0.42 and 0.26, $$\tau$$ of 0.64 and 0.47 respectively). High RMSE and moderate correlation strongly indicated the presence of systematic error. Identifiable issues were ameliorated for two of the guest molecules, resulting in a reduction of error and pointing to strong prospects for the future use of this methodology.
Investigation of Fogging Behavior in a Lyophilized Drug Product.

Abstract Vial “fogging” is a common observation in lyophilized biological products and has been reported in the pharmaceutical industry. In addition to unappealing appearance, severe fogging that reaches the shoulder or neck of the vial can potentially compromise the container closure integrity of the vials. In this study, we performed experiments to identify parameters impacting the fogging phenomena in lyophilized drug product vials. Glass vial surface properties were found to have a significant impact on vial fogging. In line with prior published research, the study demonstrates that fogging can be mitigated by using glass vials with hydrophobic surface (such as siliconized vial or TopLyo® vial) and by extending the prefreeze 5°C hold during the lyophilization cycle. Moreover, this study shows that extending the annealing at −5°C or −10°C can also significantly reduce the fogging. Increased formulation viscosity and exclusion of a surfactant can mitigate the fogging behavior of the lyophilized product. The study shows that container closure integrity as determined by headspace analysis and vacuum decay is not compromised for the “fogging” drug product vials for this model monoclonal antibody container using a worst-case model of lyophilized “neck-wet” vials.
All things considered, my risk for diabetes is medium: A risk personalization process of familial risk for type 2 diabetes

Background A positive family history of type 2 diabetes (T2D) has been associated with risk awareness and risk-reducing behaviours among the unaffected relatives. Yet, little is known about how people with a positive family history for diabetes develop and manage their personal sense of risk. Objective To characterize two key concepts, salience and vulnerability, within the familial risk perception (FRP) model among unaffected individuals, at increased familial risk for T2D. Design We conducted a mixed method study. Descriptions of salience and vulnerability were collected through semi-structured interviews. Participant's perception of self-reported risk factors (family history, age, race/ethnicity, medical history, weight and exercise) was measured using the Perceived Risk Factors for T2D Tool and was compared to a clinical evaluation of the same risk factors. Results We identified two components of salience: (a) concern for developing T2D and (b) risk awareness triggers, and two features of vulnerability: (a) statement of risk and (b) risk assessment devices. Although few participants (26%) were concordant between their perceived and clinical overall T2D risk, concordance for individual risk factors was higher, ranging from 42% (medical history) to 90% (family history). Discussion and conclusion Both familial and non-familial events lead people to contemplate their T2D risk, even among people who have a positive family history. Participants often downplayed their overall risk and underestimated their overall risk compared to a clinical risk assessment of the same self-reported risk factors. Clinicians could leverage key components of the FRP process as way to engage patients in risk reduction strategies earlier.
On Robust Fractional 0-1 Programming

We study single- and multiple-ratio robust fractional 0-1 programming problems (RFPs). In particular, this work considers RFPs under a wide range of disjoint and joint uncertainty sets, where the f...
Are screen devices soothing children or soothing parents?Investigating the relationships among children's exposure to different types of screen media, parental efficacy and home literacy practices

Abstract Use of screen devices has become a standard practice in modern parenting. Research has shown that screen devices can be strategically used as tools, either for babysitting or for educational support. We surveyed 4,907 parents of preschool children from China to investigate how different devices (including TV, tablet, computer and paper-based books) may channel parental efficacy (or the lack of it) to home literacy practices. We found that parents with low parental efficacy were more likely to give their children all three kinds of screen devices, among which TV and tablet were detrimental to home literacy practices whereas computers, like books, were complementary to home literacy practices. Latent profile analysis showed that parents who allowed their children a high frequency of TV or tablet use had the poorest home literacy practices. In comparison, parents who provided fewer books but allowed high frequency of computer use while restricting TV or tablet use came from the lowest SES backgrounds in the sample, but they reported average levels of parenting efficacy and an average amount of home literacy practices. Only parents who felt efficacious about their parenting capabilities provided more paper-based picture books, thus generating optimal home literacy practices. Given the evidence from our finding that parents’ lack of efficacy is a predictor of increased child TV and tablet viewing time and decreased home literacy practices, we need to consider whether such practices arise from a chronic sense of anxiety about parenting effectively rather than efforts to temporarily soothe or entertain the children. More effort is needed to help parents manage their anxiety and to teach parents how to realize and exploit the educational values afforded by the advancing media technology.
Current methods and new approaches to assess aqueous humor dynamics

Introduction: Aqueous humor and its dynamics (AHD) serve numerous functions to sustain ocular health and clear vision. Current methods to assess AHD have led to improved understanding of ocular phy...
Massive efflux of adenosine triphosphate into the extracellular space immediately after experimental traumatic brain injury

The aim of the current study was to determine effects of mild traumatic brain injury (TBI), with or without blockade of purinergic ATP Y1 (P2Y1) receptors or store-operated calcium channels, on extracellular levels of ATP, glutamate, glucose and lactate. Concentrations of ATP, glutamate, glucose and lactate were measured in cerebral microdialysis samples obtained from the ipsilateral cortex and underlying hippocampus of rats with mild unilateral controlled cortical impact (CCI) or sham injury. Immediately after CCI, a large release of ATP was observed in the cortex (3.53-fold increase of pre-injury value) and hippocampus (2.97-fold increase of pre-injury value), with ATP returning to the baseline levels within 20 min post-injury and remaining stable for during the 3-h sampling period. In agreement with the results of previous studies, there was a significant increase in glutamate 20 min after CCI, which was concomitant with a decrease in extracellular glucose (20 min) and an increase in lactate (40-60 min) in both brain regions after CCI. Addition of a selective P2Y1 receptor blocker (MRS2179 ammonium salt hydrate) to the microdialysis perfusate significantly lowered pre-injury ATP and glutamate levels, and eliminated the post-CCI peaks. Addition of a blocker of store-operated calcium channels [2-aminoethoxy diphenylborinate (2-APB)] to the microdialysis perfusate significantly lowered pre-injury ATP in the hippocampus, and attenuated the post-CCI peak in both the cortex and hippocampus. 2-APB treatment significantly increased baseline glutamate levels, but the values post-injury did not differ from those in the sham group. Pre-injury glucose levels, but not lactate levels, were increased by MRS2179 and decreased by 2-APB. However, none of these treatments substantially altered the CCI-induced reduction in glucose and increase in lactate in the cortex. In conclusion, the results of the present study demonstrated that a short although extensive release of ATP immediately after experimental TBI can be significantly attenuated by blockade of P2Y1 receptors or store-operated calcium channels.
True interoperability for digital scholarly editions

If the digital scholarly edition (DSE) is ever to replace the print scholarly edition it must be made truly interoperable so it can be easily secured, moved, published, aggregated, distributed and sold. Current DSEs are customised for particular projects, and must be maintained by their creators. Their contents are also not easily reusable by others. However, digital editions can be made truly interoperable by writing them directly for the Web rather than first in XML, then converting them to HTML. For this to work, some changes to the organisation of the software and data of a DSE are needed. Instead of dividing the software into two parts that run on the server and the client, all software can be moved to the client. In this way, a DSE can become portable, durable and directly usable in any web-browser. Instead of XML, the textual data can use a simplified form of HTML consisting of only two elements: and , controlled and customised by a standard CSS stylesheet. The current practice of encoding alternatives such as variants can be replaced by versions and layers: versions are complete texts written by the author and layers are notional transcripts of local changes ordered chronologically. In this way textual data can express most of the information formerly specified by the complex TEI-XML Guidelines, and the rest via other technologies, and reorganise it in a form that allows easy comparison, editing, searching and textual analysis using standard software tools.
Impact of Plant-Based Meat Alternatives on Cattle Inventories and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

New plant-based meat alternatives that aim to mimic the taste and texture of beef could have significant economic, environmental, and animal welfare impacts if they replace animal-based meats and reduce livestock production. Whether plant-based meat alternatives can achieve these ends depends on the extent to which consumers are willing to substitute for plant-based meat alternatives, the structure of the meat industry, and the inter-linkages of the livestock industry with the other parts of the economy. We construct and calibrate an economic model to estimate how a reduction in plant-based meat prices, or increases in demand for plant-based meat, in the United States affect cattle production. For every 10% reduction in price or increase in demand for plant-based meat alternatives, we estimate U.S. cattle production falls approximately 0.15%, U.S. cattle producers’ economic welfare falls by $300 million/year, and U.S. consumer welfare rises by $513 million/year. Increases in U.S. demand for plant-based meat alter trade patterns, leading to a reduction of beef imports and an increase in beef exports, a phenomenon that further reduces global greenhouse gas emissions and land use given the relative efficiency of U.S. beef production. For every 10% reduction in the price of plant-based meat alternatives, we estimate that the global reduction in emissions is equivalent to 0.41% of U.S. emissions from beef production and 1.4 % when including carbon sequestration from reforestation of abandoned cropland and pasture and reduced land-use change emissions.1 Even substantial reductions in prices of plant-based meat alternatives are unlikely to have substantive impacts on the U.S. cattle population and emissions, suggesting the need to also pursue alternative mitigation strategies, such as innovations to reduce the methane emissions per head.
Mechanisms and Reactivity in Reactions of Organic Oxyacids of Sulfur and their Anhydrides

Publisher Summary There are three simple organic oxyacids of sulfur: (1) sulfenic acids (RSOH), (2) sulfinic acids (RSO2H), and (3) sulfonic acids (RSO3H). Of these, the sulfonic acids are the most stable, and they and their derivatives (RSO2Y) are very commonly encountered in organic chemistry. Sulfinic acids, while often somewhat unstable thermally, have also been known for a long time. Sulfenic acids, on the other hand, are for the most part elusive reactive intermediates. Only a few, possessing special structural features, have long enough lifetimes at room temperature to allow their actual isolation. Certain derivatives of sulfenic acids, such as their acid chlorides, RSCI, are well-known, isolable, albeit reactive, compounds. In sulfur chemistry, compounds that are formally the anhydrides of the organic oxyacids of sulfur, or are mixed anhydrides derived from two oxyacids of differing oxidation state, generally have quite distinctive chemistry of their own. In this context, the chapter discusses the structure and the behavior of a particular oxyacid of sulfur highlighting the behavior of the corresponding anhydride.
Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis

Introduction Algorithm Analysis. Lists, Stacks, and Queues. Trees. Hashing. Priority Queues. Sorting. The Disjoint Set ADT. Graph Algorithms. Algorithm Design Techniques. Amortized Analysis. Advanced Data Structures and Implementation.
Economic Value of Water: Estimation

The global awareness of the vital role water plays in sustainable national development is increasing. Water is vital for sustaining life on the earth. It is crucial for economic and social development, including energy production, agriculture, and domestic and industrial water supplies. Therefore, each unit of water should be used efficiently, equitably, and soundly. The economic value that water generates should be given due attention, when apportioning scarce water resources among competing uses. Water is often regarded as a naturally occurring, freely available commodity. However, its supply, especially in an unpolluted state, is often limited compared to the demands placed upon it. Hence, water is both a constraint on and an essential input of economic activity, and decisions are required to allocate it among competing uses. Keywords: economics; value; valuation; benefits; costs; demand; management
The bacteriology of the urine in infants and children with gastroenteritis.

A bacteriologic study of samples of urine from 41 patients (27 infants and 14 children) with acute gastroenteritis and with diarrhea as a symptom was carried out. Clean-voided urine samples from 22 of the 27 infants (less than 2 years of age) with diarrhea contained fewer than 10,000 organisms per milliliter; in 2 cases in which the counts were between 9,000 and 10,000, catheter samples obtained simultaneously were sterile. Three of the five infants with more than 10,000 organisms/ml of cleanvoided urine had fewer than 140 organisms/ml in catheter samples obtained at the same time; the remaining two had more than 100,000 organisms/ml and were presumed to have infection of the urinary tract. Of the 14 children (over 2 years of age), 13 had fewer than 1,000 organisms/ml of clean-voided urine. The remaining one had more than one-million organisms/ml from both a clean-voided and catheter sample and was presumed to have infection of the urinary tract. Of the 41 patients with diarrhea, 3 (7%) had a significant bacteriuria (i.e., more than 10,000 organisms/ml of urine in infants, and more than 1,000 organisms/ml of urine in children), and were considered to have an infection of the urinary tract. It is of interest that each of these three patients had specffic gastroenteritis; one had a gastroenteritis due to Shigella sonnei, and two had an infection due to pathogenic enteric strains of Escherichia coli (055 and 0111); all three were girls, 1 month, 12 months and 7 years of age. Thus, 3 of 16 patients (19%) with specific gastroenteritis had bacteriologic evidence of infection of the urinary tract. Urine cultures for the three girls revealed organisms other than those isolated from cultures of stools. The significance of the finding that only those patients with specific gastroenteritis were found to have a true bacteriuria and then only in girls, and that urine cultures in those patients with a true bacteriuria revealed organisms other than those isolated from the stool specimens is not clear and deserves further study. The relationship of acute gastroenteritis to the pathogenesis of renal infection is discussed briefly, and consideration is given to the possible role disturbance in acid-base equilibrium may play in the pathogenesis of renal infection.
Trends and Spatial Variability in Dry Spells across the South-Central United States

AbstractAnnual average and maximum spells with no precipitation in the southern United States are analyzed. In this study, dry spells are defined as consecutive days with no measurable rainfall. The study area includes 70 weather stations in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Interarrival times between daily precipitation records for each station provide the data for this analysis. All 70 stations were analyzed from 1950 to 2013. Six stations that each have data for more than 100 years were analyzed for the period from 1908 to 2013. Approximately 25% of stations in the region show significant negative trends through time, indicating that dry spells have become shorter through time at these locations. The strongest geographical indicator for the number of consecutive dry days across this region was longitude. Dry spells tend to have had longer durations at the westernmost stations because of natural climatological controls.
Sodomy, Masturbation, and Courts-Martial in the Antebellum American Navy

J o h n A d A m s wA s i n A n e x u l t A n t mood when he wrote to his wife, Abigail, on 28 April 1776. “You will see an account of the fleet in some of the papers I have sent you. . . . I have vanity enough to take myself a share in the merit of the American navy. It was always a measure that my heart was much engaged in, and I pursued it for a long time against the wind and tide. But at last obtained it.” Adams had reason to be proud of his achievement. As a member of a committee appointed in the autumn of 1775 to draft regulations for the infant navy of the Thirteen United Colonies, he was largely responsible for creating its first set of rules. Although a lawyer, Adams’s lack of seafaring experience and unfamiliarity with things maritime left him with little basis on which to construct the legal framework for a navy. He needed a template to begin his work, and he did not have to look far to find one. Two suitable documents were easily available: the British Royal Navy’s Articles of War and the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty’s Regulations and Instructions Relating to His Majesty’s Service at Sea. They were, after all, the basic codes for
Long-term survival in patients with metastatic gastric and gastroesophageal cancer treated with surgery.

Background The purpose of this study was to determine the survival of patients with metastatic gastric cancer treated with surgery. Methods We reviewed the medical records of 7,404 patients with gastric or gastroesophageal cancer seen from January 1995 to August 2012 at MD Anderson Cancer Center and identified patients with stage IV disease treated with surgery. Kaplan-Meier curves were created to compare overall survival (OS) between groups. Results Of the 82 patients who met inclusion criteria, sites of metastatic disease included peritoneum (N = 34, 42%), positive cytology only (N = 17, 21%), distant lymph nodes (N = 12, 15%), and distant organs (N = 19, 23%). The median time from initial cancer diagnosis to surgery for metastatic disease was 10 months (range, 0-70). Surgery included exploratory surgery only (N = 16, 20%), primary tumor resection with or without resection of distant disease (N = 50, 61%), and distant disease resection only (N = 16, 20%). Median follow-up for living patients was 3 years (range, 0.1-14). Median survival for all patients was 1.5 years (range, 0.1-14). Five year OS for patients with peritoneal metastases, positive cytology only, distant lymph nodes, and distant organ involvement was 13, 42, 20, and 34%, respectively. Conclusions Surgery in the setting of metastatic disease is an uncommon clinical scenario and has a considerable risk of exploration without resection, although long-term survival is possible.