cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Social Relativity: The Motion of Groups and Actors*

The bulk of sociological theory is based on a notion of "state": mechanical-organic solidarity, feudalism, capitalism, socialism, folk-urban, and so forth. We propose a theory that social systems consist of actors and groups in constant motion. Further, we propose that the duality of actor and society generate a system that can be understood by using the concepts of complementarity, indeterminacy and the principle of relativity. Such a system is defined and the issue of social change is addressed. Basically, change is defined as an alteration in the motion of actors relative to the motion of groups. As the number of groups increases relative to the number of actors, the velocity of actors increases and the velocity of groups decreases. The increasing disThe purpose of this paper is to present, in broad outline, a theory of the motion of actor and society. To do this, we have had to consider the principle of relativity, which was founded in physics. Lest one accuse us of the use of a simple analogy drawn from another discipline, we note that the general principle of relativity is widely used in such areas as art, music, drama and psychology, as well as in the physical sciences (Lemert, 1974). In sociology, Mead (1932), among others, spoke of the importance of the principle of relativity. Moreover, many of the theoretical concepts used in this paper are drawn from sociology, not physics. As our critics have observed, we cannot complete a general theory of society in a short paper. Our purpose here is to propose a different and more fruitful form of general theory. If by fruitful we mean that it deals with the explicit dynamics of actor and society, then there is little in sociology to guide us. Most theories are static and ignore the study of the motion of actors and groups. Theories of social change in
AERA Opinions on Women's Equity Issues

An opinion survey on sex-equity concerns was conducted for a sample of AERA members. Results indicated strong male-female differences on issues related to professional employment, such as reverse bias and the extent to which men are favored over women in work assignments. In contrast, large proportions of men and women supported statements on reduction in use of sex-specific references and the importance of sex-equity research. Women's responses were much more strongly intercorrelated than men's, probably indicating that women tend to view the issues of the survey as facets of a single underlying concern more so than men.
Attention-dependent brief adaptation to contour orientation: a high-level aftereffect for convexity?

Abstract In contrast to the abundant literature investigating how orientation coding depends on edges defined by various image features, relatively little is known about how coding of orientation might also depend on the two distinct functional roles that oriented edges commonly play. Oriented lines can delineate outline contours of a figure or they can form texture. The results of five experiments using orientation aftereffects measured with brief tests (27 ms, backward masked; adapt-to-test interval=201 ms) provided evidence that brief stimuli (
Noise properties of filtered-backprojection and ML-EM reconstructed emission tomographic images

Noise properties of emission tomographic reconstructed images are compared using maximum-likelihood-expectation-maximization (ML-EM) and filtered-backprojection (FBP) algorithms. Noise comparisons are made in terms of the covariance matrix which gives information on the noise magnitude and noise correlations. Noise properties are studied as a function of iteration for ML-EM and as a function of noise apodization filter for FBP. It is shown that FBP reconstruction spreads noise variance from image regions containing high count densities into regions of low count densities. It is demonstrated that at lower FBP filter cutoff frequencies the noise is correlated over relatively long distances and the correlation function has deep negative sidelobes. For ML-EM reconstruction it is shown that little noise variance is spread from high count density regions into low count regions and that at lower iteration number the noise is correlated over shorter distances than for FBP. For ML-EM, the correlation function has no negative sidelobes at low iteration numbers. It is concluded from these observations that ML-EM reconstruction offers properties that may exceed FBP in terms of detectability for certain emission tomographic imaging situations. >
Negative obstacle detection by thermal signature

Detecting negative obstacles (ditches, potholes, and other depressions) is one of the most difficult problems in perception for autonomous, off-road navigation. Past work has largely relied on range imagery, because that is based on the geometry of the obstacle, is largely insensitive to illumination variables, and because there have not been other reliable alternatives. However, the visible aspect of negative obstacles shrinks rapidly with range, making them impossible to detect in time to avoid them at high speed. To relieve this problem, we show that the interiors of negative obstacles generally remain warmer than the surrounding terrain throughout the night, making thermal signature a stable property for night-time negative obstacle detection. Experimental results to date have achieved detection distances 45% greater by using thermal signature than by using range data alone. Thermal signature is the first known observable with potential to reveal a deep negative obstacle without actually seeing far into it. Modeling solar illumination has potential to extend the usefulness of thermal signature through daylight hours.
Latanoprost in pediatric glaucoma—pediatric exposure over a decade

Background Although numerous studies of latanoprost in adult glaucoma have shown it to be an effective hypotensive agent with a low incidence of side effects, these issues have not been well studied in pediatric glaucomas. The purpose of the current study is to evaluate the safety and intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering effect of latanoprost in various pediatric glaucomas over a long period. Subjects and Methods This retrospective study included all children treated with latanoprost at our institution from 1996 to 2007. Demographic, glaucoma-related, and side-effect information was recorded for each subject. Duration of latanoprost exposure was calculated in child-months (1 child exposed for 1 month). If interpretable IOP data were available, the presence or absence of a treatment response (IOP reduction ≥15% from baseline) was determined for each subject. Results A total of 115 subjects with latanoprost exposure were identified, with a collective exposure of 2,325 child-months. Exposure for ≥1 year occurred in 52 subjects. Side effects were mild and infrequently reported. Of the 115 subjects, 63 had interpretable IOP data, and 22 (35%) were treatment responders. Predictors of a response included a diagnosis of juvenile open-angle glaucoma, monotherapy, and older age. Conclusions This large study of latanoprost-treated children confirms the excellent safety profile of the drug in the treatment of pediatric glaucoma. The study also confirms latanoprost's IOP-lowering ability in older children with juvenile open-angle glaucoma and in some children with aphakic glaucoma. Prospective studies are needed to better define the optimal role of latanoprost in the treatment of pediatric glaucoma, especially congenital glaucoma.
Age‐Dependent Expression of Human Drug‐Metabolizing Enzymes

Changes in hepatic drug-metabolizing enzyme expression during development are substantial and can affect the risk of adverse events in the fetus and child. In contrast, modest changes, if any, in the expression of these enzymes occur in the elderly, suggesting observed decreases in metabolic ability, which are more likely attributed to changes in physiological parameters. Increased knowledge of drub-metabolizing enzyme ontogeny, combined with knowledge regarding life-stage-dependent changes in physiological parameters, has permitted the development of robust physiological pharmacokinetic models and improved capability to predict drug disposition. Keywords: developmental pharmacology; oxidative enzymes; conjugating enzymes; cytochrome P450; UDP-glucuronosyltransferase
Designing Retirement Community Third Places: Attributes Impacting How Well Social Spaces Are Liked and Used

Retirement years are a time of shifting social networks, in part because workplace relationships are often left behind. This is particularly detrimental for older adults because social interaction has been shown to have a greater impact on health of older adults than younger adults (Lee, Jang, Lee, Cho, & Park, 2008). This positive relationship between social interaction and health outcomes underscores the importance of helping older adults establish and maintain social relationships. To support resident social interaction, Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) commonly provide spaces for social use including recreation rooms and commercial services such as cafes. Accordingly, CCRCs serve as fruitful ground to explore how social space design relates to why some spaces are popular gathering places and others are underutilized. Third places, defined by Oldenburg (1999), are lively gathering places where people can engage regularly in conversation, satisfying social needs. While Oldenburg's study provides guidance about designing third places to host quality interaction among the general population, it does not distinguish social behavior for people of different ages or living contexts. The research reported here takes steps to bridge this gap. Confirming earlier findings, this study of a CCRC's independent living residents (n = 179) found social spaces residents characterized as having third-place atmosphere and decor characteristics were more well liked and well used than other spaces designed to promote socialization. This suggests designing CCRC social spaces with third-place characteristics may lead to more use and in turn contribute to healthier resident social lives.
Resilience and sustainable development

This special issue results from a call for papers to address the connection between resilience and sustainability, and stems from the fact that the ecological concept of resilience has been exercising an increasing influence on the economics of development. Resilience is interpreted in two different ways by ecologists: one capturing the speed of return to equilibrium following perturbation (Pimm, 1984), the other capturing the size of a disturbance needed to dislodge a system from its stability domain (Holling, 1973). The latter may be interpreted as the conditional probability that a system in one stability domain will flip into another stability domain given its current state and the disturbance regime (Perrings, 1998). The relevance of this concept for the problem of sustainable economic development has been recognized for at least fifteen years (Common and Perrings, 1992). Indeed, Levin et al. (1998) claimed that resilience is the preferred way to think about sustainability in social as well as natural systems, and a research network – the Resilience Alliance – has subsequently developed around the idea.
High-Performance Liquid Chromatography of Alprazolam in Postmortem Blood Using Solid-Phase Extraction

Screening and analysis of the numerous benzodiazepines presents a challenge for the forensic toxicologist. The newer benzodiazepines, which are prescribed in daily dose regimens of 0.5-3 mg, are particularly difficult to screen and analyze. Frequently, history or careful investigation by the medical examiner is the only clue that the laboratory has to follow. We describe four cases involving alprazolam and the modification of an existing serum high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) procedure, which allowed us to analyze whole blood. This HPLC procedure for alprazolam uses a protein precipitation step followed by solid-phase extraction. The method is sensitive to 18 ng/mL and linear from 18 to 200 ng/mL. Reproducibility was determined by extracting and analyzing duplicate samples on five separate occasions. The recovery averaged 84% using postmortem blood spiked with 18 and 150 ng/mL alprazolam.
Who (if anyone) actually gets steroid-sparing effects from aeroallergen immunotherapy?

The European study on the steroid-sparing effects of specific immunotherapy (SIT) in childrenwith asthma published in this issue of the Journal adds substantial credibility to this controversial claim in the list of potential benefits from aeroallergen immunotherapy. This well designed study involved 65 children randomized to receive standard Global Initiative for Asthma– guideline pharmacotherapy for mild to moderate persistent asthma with or without openly administered subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) with a house dust mite allergoid. Unfortunately, the authors’ original design to include a placebo-injected control group was not accepted by their ethics committee. However, the potential treatment bias of the open studywasmitigated by having clinical decisions on modification of inhaled steroid doses made by an algorithm executed by a remote third party. All of the expected clinical and immunologic outcomes of successful SIT were achieved, and 62 of 65 subjects completed the full 2-year study. Asthma control as assessed by the GOAL criteria did not change in either group. After 2 years of treatments, the reduction in initial inhaled fluticasone dose (mean 310 mg/d) was 54% among children receiving SIT compared with 29% in the control group. More clinically significant than the changes in mean fluticasone requirements is the observation that almost half of the children receiving SIT were able to reduce inhaled steroids by 2 or more dosage steps over the 2 years compared with only 19% of the control group. Despite this reduction in inhaled steroid requirement, a significant increase in morning peak flow was also observed. In this study of relatively mild asthma, there were only 3 exacerbations requiring oral steroids during the study. Methacholine sensitivity was unchanged by SIT. In 1997, our Hopkins study group published what was to become a controversial negative study of the clinical benefits of broad-spectrum SIT added to optimal pharmacotherapy and environmental controls in children with moderate to severe asthma. We found no steroid-sparing effects of SIT, either inhaled steroid doses or oral steroids for exacerbations, of which
Recognizing Violence Against Women: Gender and the Hate Crimes Statistics Act

This article argues that acts of gender-based violence should be recognized under the Hate Crimes Statistics Act of 1990, and that certain types of violence against women, such as rape, are fundamentally gender-based. Part I examines the existing definition of hate crimes under the HCSA, and the exclusion of the majority of violence against women. Part II suggests gender should be included as a category under the HCSA because of the similar effects of violence directed at women due to gender, and violence directed at members of other groups because of their group identity. Using acquaintance rape as an example, this part also examines the tremendous resistance to the recognition of gender-based violence against women as a hate crime and the institutionalized inequality which that resistence reflects. Part III examines the possible effects of inclusion of gender in the HCSA. Finally, Part IV offers a critique of the current implementation guidelines of the HCSA for failure to recognize the intersection and interaction of the enumerated groups, and makes suggestions for imporevement.
Prescribing Ceftolozane/Tazobactam for Pediatric Patients: Current Status and Future Implications

Antibiotics are arguably the greatest medical development of the 20th century but these precious resources are being threatened by the continued rise in infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria. There is concern that we are on the precipice of a 'post-antibiotic era'. The situation is exacerbated by a stagnation in the pharmaceutical industry in developing new antibiotics, particularly those with activity against some of the most resistant Gram-negative organisms because of significant economic, scientific, and regulatory barriers. One of the products of recent initiatives to reinvigorate the antibiotic pipeline is the agent ceftolozane/tazobactam. Ceftolozane/tazobactam was approved in December 2014 by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections and complicated intra-abdominal infections for patients 18 years of age and older. The safety and effectiveness of ceftolozane/tazobactam in pediatric patients has not been established in clinical studies. However, with the rise of highly drug-resistant Gram-negative organisms in children and the current climate of ongoing, multiple, and simultaneous antibiotic shortages--particularly of broad-spectrum antibiotics, the potential off-label role of ceftolozane/tazobactam for children needs to be explored while pediatric studies are ongoing. The objective of this opinion piece is to discuss what is currently known about ceftolozane/tazobactam and its potential implications for use in the pediatric population.
Rodrigo's Fourth Chronicle: Neutrality and Stasis in Antidiscrimination Law

Rodrigo seeks out his mentor and straight man to discuss a student skit he directed at his law school that landed him in some trouble with the administration. The professor responds sympathetically, and the two discuss the emerging colorblind school of jurisprudence that tries to treat social problems, including race, under neutral, colorblind principles. They agree that this approach is unlikely to bring much success in improving the fortunes of poor people of color and analyze why this is so. They also posit a more promising approach centered around equality of results rather than that of opportunity.
Measuring Interactions between Polydimethylsiloxane and Serum Proteins at the Air–Water Interface

6 ABSTRACT: The interaction between synthetic polymers and 7 proteins at interfaces is relevant to basic science as well as a wide 8 range of applications in biotechnology and medicine. One particularly 9 common and important interface is the air−water interface (AWI). 10 Due to the special energetics and dynamics of molecules at the AWI, 11 the interplay between synthetic polymer and protein can be very 12 different from that in bulk solution. In this paper, we applied the 13 Langmuir−Blodgett technique and fluorescence microscopy to 14 investigate how the compression state of polydimethylsiloxane 15 (PDMS) film at the AWI affects the subsequent adsorption of serum 16 protein [e.g., human serum albumin (HSA) or immunoglobulin G (IgG)] and the interaction between PDMS and protein. Of 17 particular note is our observation of circular PDMS domains with micrometer diameters that form at the AWI in the highly 18 compressed state of the surface film: proteins were shown to adsorb preferentially to the surface of these circular PDMS domains, 19 accompanied by a greater than 4-fold increase in protein found in the interfacial film. The PDMS-only film and the PDMS−IgG 20 composite film were transferred to cover glass, and platinum−carbon replicas of the transferred films were further characterized 21 by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. We conclude that the structure of the PDMS film greatly affects 22 the amount and distribution of protein at the interface.
Erythrocytes from magnesium-deficient hamsters display an enhanced susceptibility to oxidative stress.

Previous studies in our laboratory have indicated a role for free radical participation in magnesium deficiency cardiomyopathy. We have demonstrated the ability of various antioxidant drugs and nutrients to protect against magnesium deficiency-induced myocardial injury. In this study, we have examined erythrocytes from normal and magnesium-deficient animals and compared their susceptibility to an in vitro oxidative stress. Syrian male hamsters were placed on either magnesium-deficient or magnesium-supplemented diets. Animals from each group also received vitamin E in doses of 10 and 25 mg as subcutaneous implants. Erythrocytes obtained after 14 days on the diet were exposed to an exogenous hydroxyl (.OH) radical generating system (dihydroxyfumarate not equal to Fe3+ ADP) at 37 degrees C for 20 min. Erythrocyte crenation was observed and quantified by scanning electron microscopy. Lipid peroxidation, hemolysis (%), and intracellular glutathione levels were determined. In addition, serum lipid changes and membrane phospholipids were characterized. Our data demonstrate that erythrocytes from magnesium-deficient animals are more susceptible to free radical injury, supporting our hypothesis that magnesium deficiency reduces the threshold antioxidant capacity.
LIVER NONPROTEIN SULFHYDRYL IN VITAMIN B6-DEFICIENT RATS: EFFECTS OF AGE, FEEDING, AND FASTING.

SummaryLiver nonprotein sulfhydryl (NPSH) values in nonfasted Vit. B6-deficient rats fed a 20% casein diet were similar to the values in nonfasted pair-fed or ad libitum-fed controls. Liver NPSH was altered by fasting, but the effect of fasting varied with the age of the animal. Fasting reduced liver NPSH by only 28% in rats depleted of Vit. B6 for 19–26 days after weaning, but caused a 63% reduction in the liver NPSH in the controls of the same age. This effect produced an apparent “increase”in the liver NPSH in the fasted deficient rats. In rats fed the experimental diet for approximately 70 days, fasting caused similar decreases in NPSH in both the deficient and the control groups.
Relationship of Eggshell Porosity to Stage of Embryonic Development in Broiler Breeders

Abstract Broiler breeder eggs with early dead (ED) embryos possessed significantly thinner membranes and significantly thicker eggshells than were observed for shells from eggs that hatched (H), were pipped (P), or contained late dead (LD) embryos (eggshell type). Overall pore concentration was significantly greater in H than in ED eggshells and significantly greater in ED than in LD or P eggshells. At the large end, eggshells from H eggs exhibited a significantly greater pore concentration compared to all other eggshell types. Pore concentrations at the equator and small end were significantly greater in H and ED eggshells when compared to eggshells from LD and P embryos. Large end pore concentration was significantly greater than at either the equator or small end in H eggshells. Optimum hatchability may depend on a proper eggshells region-pore concentration relationship as well as a sufficiently high number of pores in all three regions of the shell. Embryonic mortality may result from insufficient pore numbers. An excessively thick shell, which may negate the compensatory effects of high pore numbers at the equator and small end, may account for some ED embryos.
Prostaglandins in Insect Reproduction

Prostaglandins (PG's), derivatives of certain C20 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA's), feature a five-membered ring that is variously substituted at C9 and C11, and two aliphatic chains. PG's have so far been found in tissues from over a dozen insect species, most often detected by radioimmunoassay, but in some cases verified by rigorous chemical methods. Certain PG's release egg-laying behavior in two cricket species, and to a lesser extent in a moth; however, this is not true for all insects. In the field cricket Teleogryllus commodus (Walker), PG's formed in spermathecae following spermatophore transfer of a PG-synthesizing enzyme complex and precursor PUFA's release a bout of egg-laying that produces hundreds of individually deposited eggs. Insects obtain the PG precursor PUFA's either directly in their diet, or else produce them; three patterns of fatty acid metabolism are described, one of which includes de novo biosynthesis of PUFA's. Work on biochemistry of PG-synthetase activity indicates that certain, but not all, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that inhibit PG synthesis in mammals also inhibit PG synthesis in insect systems.
Prevalence of pseudoresistant hypertension due to inaccurate blood pressure measurement.

The prevalence of pseudoresistant hypertension (HTN) due to inaccurate BP measurement remains unknown. Triage BP measurements and measurements obtained at the same clinic visit by trained physicians were compared in consecutive adult patients referred for uncontrolled resistant HTN (RHTN). Triage BP measurements were taken by the clinic staff during normal intake procedures. BP measurements were obtained by trained physicians using the BpTRU (VSM Med Tech Ltd. Coquitlam, Canada) device. The prevalence of uncontrolled RHTN and differences in BP measurements were compared. Of 130 patients with uncontrolled RHTN, 33.1% (n = 43) were falsely identified as having uncontrolled RHTN based on triage BP measurements. The median (inter-quartile range) of differences in systolic BP between pseudoresistant and true resistant groups were 23 (17-33) mm Hg and 13 (6-21) mm Hg, respectively (P = .0001). The median (inter-quartile range) of differences in diastolic BP between the two groups were 12 (7-18) mm Hg and 8 (4-11) mm Hg, respectively (P = .001). Triage BP technique overestimated the prevalence of uncontrolled RHTN in approximately 33% of the patients emphasizing the importance of obtaining accurate BP measurements.
Reduced sulfur trace gas exchange between a seasonally dry grassland and the atmosphere

Reduced sulfur gases are precursors to sulfate aerosols that act as cloud condensation nuclei and affect Earth’s radiative balance. The diminishing anthropogenic atmospheric sulfur inputs due to long-standing acid rain abatement activities increase the influence of natural emissions on the remaining sulfur budget. Most previous terrestrial observations of reduced sulfur gas fluxes focus on wetland ecosystems where sulfur gas emissions are highest. The diffuse natural production of sulfur gas from more widespread oxic ecosystems needs to be characterized. Here we report in situ fluxes of sulfur gases and CO2 from grasslands outside of Santa Cruz, CA, USA (36.96°N, 122.08°W). Monthly measurements were made using static flux chambers from March 2012 to March 2014. A large net emission of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) was observed during the growing season. During the non-growing dry season, small but quantifiable carbonyl sulfide (COS) exchange rates were correlated with soil temperature. When soil moisture was artificially increased in senescent grassland plots, the relative exchange of COS:CO2 increased and then returned to the original ratio within 2 h. Sulfur gas fluxes during wet season soil moisture transition events (i.e. after precipitation) indicate that understudied aerobic environments may provide an important contribution to atmospheric COS consumption and DMS production.
Coded Aperture Gamma-Ray Imaging With Stochastic Apertures

A number of schemes employing coded apertures are currently under investigation for in vivo imaging of gamma-emitting tracers. These schemes are based on stationary aperture codes, which depend upon having a cleanly peaked spatial auto-correlation function to facilitate faithful recovery of the source distribution. The image is recovered by performing a spatial integration optically, digitally, or by some other suitable means. This paper describes an alternate method based on time modulated apertures with digital image reconstruction. In contrast to the stationary aperture, the time modulated aperture requires no spatial integration to achieve faithful reproduction of the source distribution. This solves the problem of false structure arising from out-of-focus sources. Good 3-dimensional point response functions free of side lobes have been obtained and it is expected that this approach will yield high quality clinical images.
Settlement and Resettlement in Asia: Migration vs. Empire in History

At its simplest, this essay provides a narrative of migration in Asia since the arrival of Homo sapiens some 70,000 years ago. More fully, it presents the case for conducting long-term, world-historical interpretation for Asia with attention to multiple perspectives, which has become increasingly central to global historical analysis. Following an introductory articulation of the benefits of long-term interpretation, the second section presents a balance of three perspectives-empire, exchange, and migration-as frameworks for interpreting the Asian past. The third section presents further detail on migration in long-term Asian history. The concluding section identifies four changes in patterns of migration during the past two centuries and emphasizes the underlying importance of cross-community migration in long-term human biological and social evolution.
The effects of topical transforming growth factor-beta2 and anti-transforming growth factor-beta2,3 on scarring in pigs.

Antecedents : Le facteur de croissance β2 (TGF-β2) a ete implique dans la reaction inflammatoire et la cicatrisation subsequente au cours de la guerison des plaies. Objectif: Etudier les effets de l'application topique du TGF-β2 et de l'anticorps de souris monoclonal neutralisant anti-TGF-β2,3 (anti TGF-β2,3) sur l'apparition de fibrose pendant la guerison. Methodes: Seize blessures par excision profonde ont ete pratiquees dans la region paravertebrale et thoracique de quatre porcs domestiques. Au jour 0, trois blessures sur chaque sujet ont ete traitees avec: a) 5 μg de TGF-β2; b) 5μg de methylcellulose (mc) 2 %; ou c) 1,2 mg d'anti-TGF-β2,3. La methylcellulose 2 % a servi de vehicule au traitement de chaque blessure. Quatre blessures ont servi de blessures temoins; elles ont ete exposees a l'air, sans traitement. Les blessures ont ete biopsiees et les tissus sectionnes puis colores a l'hematoxyline et a l'eosine, les 7e, 14e et 45e jours. Trois observateurs ont evalue en insu les prelevements faits sur les blessures. Resultats: Une stereologie assistee par ordinateur avec comptage de point effectuee les 7e, 14e et 45e jours a mis en evidence une augmentation significative (p < 0,05) du nombre de cellules nucleees dans les plaies traitees au TGF-β2. Les plaies traitees a l'anti-TGF-β2,3 avaient significativement moins (p < 0,05) de cellules nucleees aux jours 7, 14 et 45. L'examen microscopique a revele que les blessures traitees au TGF-β2 comportaient une region cicatricielle plus grande par rapport aux blessures traitees a l'anti-TGF-β2 et aux blessures temoins. Conclusion: Le traitement de blessures avec un anticorps dirige contre le TGF-β2 pourrait etre une demarche clinique utile pour reduire la fibrose.
Capital Investment, Work Force Management, and Quality: An Empirical Investigation of Investment Emphasis and Hospital Mortality Rates in New York State

﻿Little research has been done in hospitals on the interactions between individual managerial variables and the level of quality performance. Using data from hospitals in New York State, it is shown how quality performance, measured as the risk-adjusted..
Layer-by-layer nanoparticle platform for cancer active targeting

Nanoparticles as drug delivery carriers have been investigated over the last few decades, particularly for cancer treatment. The rationale in developing such nanoparticles is to maximize drug efficacy while minimizing toxic side effects. This can be most effectively achieved through target specific drug delivery. A novel biocompatible nanoparticle platform prepared using the core-shell self-assembly technique is reported. The core consists of calcium phosphate which is biocompatible and pH-sensitive, and the shell is composed of biocompatible polymers (hyaluronic acid, CD44 targeting moiety; and chitosan, physical cross-linker). Cisplatin was selected as a model drug and incorporated between the core and the shell. The nanoparticle composition was optimized for high serum stability and low protein binding. These nanoparticles demonstrated target specific delivery in human lung cancer cells (which overexpress CD44 receptors). The targeting ability of the nanoparticles was confirmed with an 8-fold increase of drug efficacy (IC50) compared to cisplatin. Furthermore, the pH-sensitive core of the nanoparticle platform led to controlled drug release through destabilization in acidic conditions. This platform technology provides a simple approach for the design of targeted biocompatible nanoparticles for cancer therapy.
Enhance the photoluminescence and radioluminescence of La2Zr2O7:Eu3+ core nanoparticles by coating with a thin Y2O3 shell

Abstract We report the generation of La2Zr2O7:5%Eu3+@Y2O3 (LZO5E@YO) core@shell crystalline inorganic-inorganic heterogeneous nanoparticles (NPs). The Y2O3 (YO) shell coating process based on a chemical sol-gel method led to the growth of a thin YO shell on the ordered pyrochlore La2Zr2O7:5%Eu3+ (LZO5E) core NPs. Photoluminescence (PL) analyses demonstrated a blue shift of 15 nm on charge transfer (CT) excitation band of the core@shell NPs from that of the core NPs. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) along x-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) studies confirmed the formation of the thin YO layer over the LZO5E core NPs. The PL intensity of the LZO5E@YO core@shell NPs was enhanced by three fold compared to that of the LZO5E core NPs, and higher quantum yield (QY) was observed for the former compared to the original NPs by more than 70%. Higher radioluminescence (RL) emission was also observed for the core@shell NPs compared to the core NPs. Our ability of obtaining near-perfect core@shell heterostructure with enhanced luminescence performance opens the door for the development of efficient La2Zr2O7:5%Eu3+@Y2O3 NPs for both optical and x-ray scintillation applications.
Exercise Prescriptions in Older Adults.

Regular physical activity and exercise are important for healthy aging and are beneficial for chronic disease management. Exercise prescriptions for older adults should account for the individual’s health status and functional capacity. Any amount of exercise is better than being sedentary, even if health status prevents a person from achieving recommended goals. For most health outcomes, more benefits occur with physical activity performed at higher intensity, greater frequency, or longer duration. Guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity and at least two days of muscle-strengthening activities per week. Key components of the prescription include setting achievable activity goals, identifying barriers and providing potential solutions, and providing specific recommendations on the type, frequency, and intensity of activities. Older adults will derive distinct benefits from aerobic exercise, strength or resistance training, flexibility or stretching exercises, and balance training. Many community resources are available to help older adults begin a more active lifestyle.
Branched chain amino acid metabolism and cancer: the importance of keeping things in context

Because non-homeostatic proliferation increases anabolic demand, tumor cells reprogram metabolism in ways that support growth. Although tumor cells retain some metabolic flexibility, the constitutive activation of oncogenes and mutation or loss of tumor suppressors limits their metabolic choices and creates nutrient dependencies not present in their normal counterparts (1-8). Identifying and targeting these differences in metabolic wiring will likely be an effective means to limit tumor growth while sparing normal cells. Clearly, different oncogenic mutations activate distinct downstream gene expression programs that drive metabolic reprogramming in ways that favor certain biosynthetic routes. At the same time, oncogenic events occur in the divergent epigenetic landscapes associated with different tissues of origin. As normal lung and pancreatic cells from the same individual contain identical genomes yet exhibit markedly different gene expression patterns, it stands to reason that tumor cells with shared oncogenic drivers but different tissue origins would do the same.
TIMBER TRADE ORGANIZATIONS IN SHANGHAI: INSTITUTIONS, ENFORCEMENT, AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION, 1880–1930

This study focuses on the mechanisms of contract enforcement and dispute resolution in the trade of timber in Shanghai from the 1880s to the 1930s. It shows that merchant guilds, chambers of commerce, and the court system constituted complementary institutions of contract enforcement. Timber trade guilds relied on reputation mechanisms and information sharing to maintain intra-group solidarity and monitor outside trading partners. Horizontal communications among timber guilds in different localities further enhanced their capability to respond promptly to cross-regional cases. When disputes escalated beyond the scope of a single merchant guild, chambers of commerce (after 1904) and the court system became involved. Vertical communications among these organizations strengthened the continuity from informal norms of business practices to guild regulations, and thence to adjudications in court. Whereas the typical story, drawn from European history, was one of transition toward more formal institutions, this case study shows that formal and informal institutions could complement each other and that they existed along a continuum rather than in separated spheres. The convergence of the expected outcomes as a result of resorting to different platforms of dispute resolution reinforced the consistency and credibility of the cost of defaulting.
PM-assist double stator synchronous machine

Permanent magnet synchronous machines (PMSM) have dominated several key industries such as electric propulsion of electric and hybrid electric vehicles. This is primarily due to the introduction of temperature tolerant, high energy rare earth magnets over the past two decades. The proposed magnetic configuration presented in this paper introduces an opportunity for optimal generation of electromagnetic torque. Our investigation shows that the proposed configuration can reach the power and torque densities similar to those of the interior magnet PMSM using ferrite magnets of the same volume. This will allow for removal of the need for high energy rare earth magnets, thereby allowing for sustainable production of high grade PMSM drives. The key aspect in the magnetic design of the machine deals with the tangential formation of the flux lines inside the rotor which in turn will increase the motional forces while mitigating the undesirable radial forces acting on the stators.
Utilizing the R/V Marcus G. Langseth’s streamer to measure the acoustic radiation of its seismic source in the shallow waters of New Jersey’s continental shelf

Shallow water marine seismic surveys are necessary to understand a range of Earth processes in coastal environments, including those that represent major hazards to society such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and sea-level rise. Predicting the acoustic radiation of seismic sources in shallow water, which is required for compliance with regulations designed to limit impacts on protected marine species, is a significant challenge in this environment because of variable reflectivity due to local geology, and the susceptibility of relatively small bathymetric features to focus or shadow acoustic energy. We use data from the R/V Marcus G. Langseth's towed hydrophone streamer to estimate the acoustic radiation of the ship's seismic source during a large survey of the shallow shelf off the coast of New Jersey. We use the results to estimate the distances from the source to acoustic levels of regulatory significance, and use bathymetric data from the ship's multibeam system to explore the relationships between seafloor depth and slope and the measured acoustic radiation patterns. We demonstrate that existing models significantly overestimate mitigation radii, but that the variability of received levels in shallow water suggest that in situ real-time measurements would help improve these estimates, and that post-cruise revisions of received levels are valuable in accurately determining the potential acoustic impact of a seismic survey.
Investigating TI KeyStone II and quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 architectures for on-board space processing

Future space missions require reliable architectures with higher performance and lower power consumption. Exploring new architectures worthy of undergoing the expensive and time-consuming process of radiation hardening is critical for this endeavor. Two such architectures are the Texas Instruments KeyStone II octal-core processor and the ARM® Cortex®-A53 (ARMv8) quad-core CPU. DSPs have been proven in prior space applications, and the KeyStone II has eight high-performance DSP cores and is under consideration for potential hardening for space. Meanwhile, a radiation-hardened quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 CPU is under development at Boeing under the NASA/AFRL High-Performance Spaceflight Computing initiative. In this paper, we optimize and evaluate the performance of batched 1D-FFTs, 2D-FFTs, and the Complex Ambiguity Function (CAF). We developed a direct memory-access scheme to take advantage of the complex KeyStone architecture for FFTs. Our results for batched 1D-FFTs show that the performance per Watt of KeyStone II is 4.5 times better than the ARM Cortex-A53. For CAF, our results show that the KeyStone II is 1.7 times better.
Understanding and Increasing Influenza Vaccination Acceptance: Insights from a 2016 National Survey of U.S. Adults.

Background: The percentage of adults in the U.S. getting seasonal influenza vaccination has not changed significantly since 2013 and remains far below the federal government’s 70% target. Objective: This study assessed and identified characteristics, experiences, and beliefs associated with influenza vaccination using a nationally representative survey of 1005 U.S. adults 19 years old and older. Methods: The sample was drawn from the National Opinion Research Center’s AmeriSpeak Panel, a probability-based panel designed to be representative of the U.S. household population. Results: Overall, 42.3% received an influenza vaccination in the past 12 months, with rates highest for non-Hispanic Whites and Blacks and those 65 years old and older. Hispanic respondents and those under 64 years old were much less likely to get an influenza vaccination. They were also less aware of the recommendation, less informed about influenza and the benefits of vaccination, and least confident in the vaccine. Conclusions: Increasing influenza vaccination coverage in the U.S. requires a greater focus on 19–64 year-olds, particularly those 50 to 64, Hispanics and continued focus on those with diabetes and asthma. Efforts need to increase awareness of influenza vaccination recommendations, foster a sense of being well informed about influenza vaccination benefits and the risks associated with non-vaccination, and increase confidence that there are meaningful benefits from receiving an influenza vaccination.
Method for Small-Scale Production of Deuterochloroform

Deuterochloroform (CDCl3) is a common deuterated solvent for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses. The synthesis of significant amounts of CDCl3 for both research use and large undergraduate organic laboratories in a safe and inexpensive manner is appealing. Herein, we describe a convenient laboratory scale preparation of CDCl3 that employs a reduction and decarboxylation of hexachloro-2-propanone (HCP) catalyzed by various pyridines. A PVP catalyst gives cleaner reaction and greater catalyst stability through multiple rounds of recycling, justifying its higher cost compared to pyridine.
Assessing and Remediating Clinical Reasoning

Trainees must have excellent clinical reasoning skills to practice medicine safely and effectively. Even when a trainee has an impressive knowledge base, he or she can have difficulty applying that knowledge to patient problems. In this chapter, the authors discuss how the cognitive processes involved in decision-making apply in medicine. They propose a framework for how educators can teach and model decision-making to medical trainees based on the literature and their extensive experience with novice clinicians. They propose that learners should manifest progress of clinical reasoning in four ways: (1) an improved ability to develop and share a concise verbal or written problem representation; (2) an increasing and consistent use of semantic qualifiers; (3) the ability to state, seek, identify, and recall the defining and discriminating features of a patient’s history and physical exam and link this to their knowledge base of “illness scripts” and (4) demonstrate an increasing metacognitive awareness which reduces cognitive biases in patient evaluations. They provide detailed descriptions of an array of strategies to address immature clinical reasoning.
Growing out of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: Insights from the ‘remitted’ brain

We consider developmental and cognitive models to explain why some children 'grow out' of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) by adulthood. The first model views remission as a convergence towards more typical brain function and structure. In support, some studies find that adult remitters are indistinguishable from those who were never affected in the neural substrates of 'top-down' mechanisms of cognitive control, some 'bottom-up' processes of vigilance/response preparation, prefrontal cortical morphology and intrinsic functional connectivity. A second model postulates that remission is driven by the recruitment of new brain systems that compensate for ADHD symptoms. It draws support from demonstrations of atypical, but possibly beneficial, patterns of connectivity within the cognitive control network in adult remitters. The final model holds that some childhood ADHD anomalies show lifelong persistence, regardless of adult outcome, supported by shared reports of anomalies in remitters and persisters in posterior cerebral and striato-thalamic regions. The models are compatible: different processes driving remission might occur in different brain regions. These models provide a framework for future studies which might inform novel treatments to 'accelerate' remission.
Exacerbation of the 2013-2016 Pan-Caribbean Drought by Anthropogenic Warming.

The Caribbean islands are expected to see more frequent and severe droughts from reduced precipitation and increased evaporative demand due to anthropogenic climate change. Between 2013 and 2016 the region experienced a "Pan-Caribbean" drought that was the most widespread event since 1950, due in part to El Nino in 2015/2016, but it is unknown whether its severity was exacerbated by anthropogenic climate change. We examine the role of recent warming on this drought, using new high-resolution self-calibrating Palmer Drought Severity Index datasets. Our findings suggest that anthropogenic warming has accounted for ~15-17% of drought severity, and ~7% of the Pan-Caribbean drought's spatial extent. These findings strongly suggest that climate model projected anthropogenic drying in the Caribbean is already underway, with major implications for more than 43 million people living in this region.
Aggressive Cutaneous Malignancies: A New and Dangerous Phenomenon in Transplant Patients

In the general population, the incidence of cutaneous malignancies has been rising. However, a particular high-risk population—transplant recipients—suffer at an alarming rate from the incidence of aggressive cutaneous malignancies. The purpose of this review is to examine the latest literature on the epidemiology, risk factors, pathogenesis, prognosis, prevention, and management of highly aggressive cutaneous cancers in the transplant population. With innovations in immunosuppression, surgical technique, and perioperative care, organ transplant recipients are now living longer but now suffer from increasing morbidity secondary to the rising incidence of these aggressive cutaneous cancers. Currently, the three most common causes of delayed mortality following organ transplantation are complications associated with infectious diseases, cardiovascular disease and malignancy. Cutaneous malignancies have now become the most common malignancy in this unique population.