cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Phase diagram of polymer blends containing block copolymers

The phase transition and phase separation behavior occurring in mixtures containing an A–B block copolymer and an A homopolymer is discussed. With a pure block copolymer an order-disorder transition can be induced by raising the temperature, whereby the ordered lattice of segregated microdomains becomes unstable and gives way to a homogeneous liquid structure. Small amounts of a homopolymer added to a block copolymer can be accommodated in the microdomains consisting of the same type of monomeric units, up to a solubility limit that depends on the relative lengths of the homopolymer and the copolymer block and on the temperature. The order-disorder transition temperature of the block copolymer is also affected by the added homopolymer. At the other extreme of concentration, spherical micelles of block copolymer are formed when a small amount of the copolymer is added in the bulk homopolymer, and the critical micelle concentration again depends on the relative lengths of the molecules and blocks involved and on the temperature. Measurements were made with light scattering and small-angle X-ray scattering techniques to determine the phase behavior of mixtures containing a styrene-butadiene block copolymer and either a polystyrene or a polybutadiene. The resulting phase diagram exhibits a fascinating complexity. Comparison with recent theories treating these phenomena shows that a good agreement is generally obtained on a qualitative or semi-quantitative level, but a quantitative agreement is often not attained.
Low threshold and highly efficient prismless diode-pumped femtosecond Yb:KYW laser

In this paper, we report a highly-efficient and compact passively mode-locked prism less Yb/sup 3+/:KY(WO/sub 4/)/sub 2/ (Yb:KYW) laser pumped by a single-mode laser diode and incorporating a pair of chirped mirrors for positive dispersion compensation. A slope efficiency of up to 62% has been achieved during femtosecond operation and near-transform limited pulses of 180 fs at 1038 nm were produced with an average output power in excess of 90 mW for an incident pump power of just 320 mW.
Do Gender Differences Necessitate Separate Career Development Theories and Measures

The argument that gender-specific career development theories neglect important categories of life concerns for both women and men is considered, and the implications for assessment and counseling are discussed. Recommendations for expanding theory, assessment, and counseling are provided.
Literati Culture and Integration in Dai Viet, c. 1430–c. 1840

The land of Dai Viet, whose political and cultural heartland lay in what is now northern Vietnam, followed patterns somewhat analogous to those posited in other Eurasian ‘rimland’ states. The fifteenth to nineteenth centuries saw administrative centralization, territorial expansion, population growth, economic elaboration, a greater emphasis on textuality and moral orthodoxy, and growing cultural standardization. In contrast to France and West European states, however, the Vietnamese achieved this integration less by refining patterns established during the prior ‘charter age’ (c. 900–1400 c.e.) than by adopting a radically new model, that of the contemporary Ming government in China.
The Choline Requirement of Broiler Chicks During the Seventh Week of Life

Male crossbred chicks were used to quantify the choline requirement and choline-sparing value of methionine and betaine for broiler chicks during the seventh week of life. The sulfur amino acid (SAA) requirement of male and female chicks was also determined. In all assays a crystalline amino acid diet containing 14.9% protein equivalent and 3400 kcal. M.E./kg, was employed. Increasing increments (0.08%) of SAA (equal mixture of DL-methionine and L-cystine) were fed from 0.38 to 0.70% of the diet. Least squares analysis indicated SAA requirements for maximal weight gain of 0.61 and 0.62% of the diet for males and females, respectively. The choline requirement was determined by feeding six levels of choline in the presence of 0.62% SAA. Gain but not gain/feed responded linearly to choline addition. Least squares analysis of gain indicated a dietary choline requirement of 358 p.p.m. of 30.6 mg./day. The choline-replacement value of methionine and betaine was found to be minimal.
The All-Polyethylene Tibial Component in Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty

Outcomes of total knee arthroplasties performed with modern all-polyethylene tibial components have been found to be comparable with or better than those of arthroplasties done with metal-backed modular components in numerous mid-to-long-term follow-up studies, radiostereometric analyses, and the few prospective randomized trials available. Advantages of an all-polyethylene tibial component over a metal-backed modular component include lower cost, avoidance of locking-mechanism issues and backside wear, and increased polyethylene thickness after identical bone resections. Disadvantages of an all-polyethylene tibial component compared with a metal-backed modular component include a lack of modularity, limiting intraoperative options; no option for liner removal in the setting of acute irrigation and debridement; and no option for late liner exchange. Primary total knee arthroplasty with a modern all-polyethylene design can be done in many patients, with substantial cost savings across the health-care system.
Neuronal feedback control system based on dsPIC processor

This paper outlines the construction of a neuronal feedback control system. The circuit developed is discussed with design considerations for electrode resistance and power supply noise. To verify the design, tests with the Neuron Emulator, developed at the University of Rhode Island, were performed. This device has shown to be an inexpensive means to current clamp neurons with potential to voltage and dynamic clamp.
Molecular Dynamics Simulation of V 2 O 5 / Li2SiO3 Interface

The molecular dynamics computer simulation technique was used to evaluate the early stages of Li ion migration occurring at the electrolyte/cathode interface applicable to solid-state oxide thin film batteries. A V 2 O 5 crystal was oriented such that its (001) planes were parallel to the lithium metasilicate glass surface, and intercalation of lithium ions from the glass into the crystal in the direction was simulated. During the simulation, a transformation of the V 2 O 5 crystal to δ-LiV 2 O 5 was observed. This transformation occurred in a layer-by-layer manner dependent on the presence of the Li ions between the transforming (001) crystal planes. The simulation also showed the lithium ions having better mobility between the layers than across the layers.
Strontium isotope age-dating of fossil shark tooth enameloid from the Upper Cretaceous Strata of Alabama and Mississippi, USA

Abstract Cretaceous strata in Alabama and Mississippi (USA) represent one of the most complete records of shallow marine deposition worldwide for the Upper Cretaceous. The age assignment of these strata in the eastern Gulf Coastal Plain is difficult due to the comparative lack of radiometrically datable beds and sometimes conflicting results of biostratigraphy using different taxonomic groups. Numerical age dating using strontium isotope ratios ( 87 Sr/ 86 Sr) preserved in diagenetically resistant fossil shark tooth enameloid had been proposed by previous researchers as a solution to dating some geologic units. Here we apply this methodology to the whole Upper Cretaceous, using teeth of two fossil shark genera ( Scapanorhynchus and Squalicorax ) collected from variable facies. Shark teeth collected from a bentonite mine in Monroe County, Mississippi, were also analyzed and compared with the radiometric date of the bentonite layer. Results indicate a strong correlation between stratigraphic position of the fossil teeth and numerical age determination based on 87 Sr/ 86 Sr content. Furthermore, this method is equally effective for both of the fossil shark genera analyzed in the study. Because of the nearly uniform distribution of strontium in ocean water, numerical age dating using strontium isotope ratios preserved in fossil shark tooth enameloid can be a useful method to employ in the correlation of marine geological strata on both regional and global scales.
Activation Of Wild-Type Hras Suppresses The Earliest Stages Of Pancreatic Cancer

Background The RAS family of small GTPases is comprised of HRAS , NRAS, and KRAS. KRAS is invariably oncogenically mutated in pancreatic cancers, which is known to induce this disease. Beyond oncogenic KRAS, redox-dependent reactions have been implicated in the activation of the remaining wild-type RAS proteins in pancreatic cancer cell lines. These results suggest a possible involvement of wild-type RAS proteins in pancreatic cancer. Aims To evaluate the impact of genetically suppressing wild-type RAS expression on pancreatic cancer. Methods Hras homozygous null mice ( Hras -/- ) were crossed into a Pdx-Cre; LSL-Kras G12D /+ ( KC ) murine background in which oncogenic Kras is activated in the pancreas to promote preinvasive pancreatic cancer. Tumor burden was then measured at different stages of disease. Results HRas -/- ; KC mice exhibited more precancerous lesions in the pancreas and more off-target skin papillomas compared to their wild-type counterparts, suggesting that Hras suppresses early oncogenic Kras-driven tumorigenesis, possibly at the time of initiation. Loss of Hras also reduced the survival of mice engineered to develop aggressive pancreatic cancer by the additional disruption of one allele of the tumor suppressor p53 (Trp53 R172H/+ ). However, this survival advantage was lost when both alleles of Trp53 were mutated, suggesting that wild-type Hras inhibits tumorigenesis in a p53-dependent fashion. Conclusions Loss of wild-type Hras promotes the earliest stages of pancreatic tumorigenesis, and moreover results in more rapid progression of the disease. As such, mechanisms leading to activation of wild-type Ras proteins, including but not limited to redox-dependent reactions, may influence the development of pancreatic cancer.
Abstract 14164: ARNT/HIF1β Deletion in the Heart Leads to a Phenotype That Mimics Diabetic Cardiomyopathy Through Activation of PPARa

Background: Diabetic cardiomyopathy is associated with high rates of lipid uptake and accumulation in the heart, however, the mechanism for this phenomenon is not totally clear. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT), also known as hypoxia-inducible factor-1β (HIF1β), is a transcription factor that regulates several cellular processes by dimerizing with certain proteins, including HIF-1α or -2α. Liver- or pancreas-specific ARNT knockout in mice leads to a phenotype that mimics type 2 diabetes, but the role of ARNT in cardiac function and metabolism is not known. We hypothesized that cardiac deletion of ARNT leads to metabolic derangement and cardiac dysfunction. Methods and Results: Cardiac-specific ARNT knockout (csARNT-KO) mice were generated by crossing ARNT flox/flox with tamoxifen-inducible heart-specific Cre mice, followed by oral administration of tamoxifen. ARNT deletion in the heart resulted in enlarged left ventricle and reduced ejection fraction compared to controls. Electron microscopy revealed lipid droplet accumulation in csARNT-KO hearts that were confirmed by oil-red staining and elevation of cardiac triglyceride levels. Furthermore, studies in ex-vivo working hearts showed a 2-fold increase in fatty acid oxidation (FAO). To study the mechanism for increased lipid accumulation in csARNT-KO mice, we assessed the levels of PPAR proteins, and found that only PPARα was significantly higher in the csARNT-KO hearts. ARNT knockdown resulted in increased PPARα promoter activity measured by a luciferase reporter assay, and increased PPARα protein and its target genes in isolated cardiomyocytes, suggesting that the mechanism for the regulation of PPARα by ARNT is at the transcriptional level. Finally, mice with double deletion of ARNT and PPARα displayed restoration of cardiac function, improved survival, and complete reversal of FA accumulation. Conclusion: Our data indicate that a reduction in ARNT levels leads to cardiomyopathy by increasing lipid accumulation through a PPARα pathway. Thus, ARNT is a critical regulator of fatty acid metabolism in the heart, and a potential target for treatment of diabetic cardiomyopathy.
Arsenic Speciation and Fucoxanthin Analysis from Seaweed Dietary Supplements Using LC-MS

The study involves the analysis of total arsenic (As) in metallic form, and organic and inorganic As species from seaweeds and dietary supplements. The analysis provides data for dietary exposure estimates of inorganic species that are considered more toxic to humans than organic and total As. Total As was determined by acid digestion followed by inductively coupled plasma (ICP)-MS. To characterize the As species, solvent extraction with sonication and microwave extraction using various aqueous and aqueous/organic solvent mixtures were initially evaluated. The optimum As speciation method was determined to be water extraction followed by anion exchange HPLC coupled with ICP-MS. Optimization of chromatographic conditions led to baseline separation for six As species, including As acid, arsenous acid, monomethylarsonic acid, dimethylarsinic acid, arsenobetaine, and arsenocholine, in approximately 8 min using gradient elution. Detection limits for all six compounds were in the range of 10-15 ng/mL. The data presented here will be valuable for the QA of analytical method development and surveys of total As and As species in dietary supplements. The most abundant As species found were arsenite [As(III)] and arsenate [As(V)]. The sum of inorganic As species present in the dietary supplements ranged from 1.2 to 31 μg/day. In addition, the dietary supplements purported to contain fucoxanthin, a carotenoid having pharmacological activities, were analyzed using ultra-performance LC-UV/MS.
Low-Lying States of F 19 : Reaction F 19 (p, p')F 19

The gamma radiation following inelastic proton scattering from ${\mathrm{F}}^{19}$ has been observed using 2.4- to 4.1- Mev protons from the BNL research Van de Graaff. Gamma rays of energies 1.238\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.010 and 1.350\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.010 Mev are observed in the singles NaI(Tl) spectrum using 3.0-Mev protons. The angular distributions of these gamma rays show anisotropies of +29 percent and -29 percent respectively. Three-crystal pair-spectrometer measurements at 3.0 Mev and 3.5 Mev indicate that a 1.449\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.010-Mev gamma ray is also present. Coincidence measurements at 3.0 Mev show that gamma rays of energies 1.233\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.010 Mev and 1.346\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.010 Mev are in prompt coincidence with 109-kev radiation while a 1.354\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.010-Mev gamma ray is in delayed coincidence with 197-kev radiation. These observations imply states in ${\mathrm{F}}^{19}$ at 1.342\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.010 Mev, 1.452\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.010 Mev, and 1.551\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.010 Mev. The observed relative gamma-ray intensities show that the 1.24-Mev radiation originates mainly from the 1.34-Mev state and that the 1.34-Mev state exhibits less than an 8 percent branch to the $J=\frac{5}{2}+$ level at 197 kev. These observations together with the fact that the 1.24-Mev radiation is nonisotropic indicate an assignment $J=\frac{3}{2}$ for the 1.34-Mev state.
Comparison of the WAIS and WAIS-R at different ages in a clinical population.

Performances on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) and the WAIS-Revised (WAIS-R) were compared between groups at different ages. We studied 176 subjects (primarily outpatients) who were referred for assessment of cognitive function. Although all age groups tended to obtain lower scores on the WAIS-R, older subjects were penalized more on Performance and Full Scale IQs when the revised form was used. However, interactions suggest that differences in the scores on the WAIS and WAIS-R in a clinical population may reflect an interaction among age, presenting complaint, and other factors.
A Recursively Computed Limit

(1990). A Recursively Computed Limit. The College Mathematics Journal: Vol. 21, No. 3, pp. 222-224.
Patterned Activity in Stratum Lacunosum Moleculare Inhibits CA1 Pyramidal Neuron Firing

CA1 pyramidal cells are the primary output neurons of the hippocampus, carrying information about the result of hippocampal network processing to the subiculum and entorhinal cortex (EC) and thence...
Measuring and Comparing Academic Language Development and Conceptual Understanding via Science Notebooks.

ABSTRACTThe authors of this quantitative study measured and compared the academic language development and conceptual understanding of fifth-grade economically disadvantaged English language learners (ELL), former ELLs, and native English-speaking (ES) students as reflected in their science notebook scores. Using an instrument they developed, the authors quantified the student notebook language and concept scores. They compared language growth over time across three time points: beginning, middle, and end of the school year and across language-status (ELL, former ELL, and ES), and gender using mixed between-within subjects analysis of variance (ANOVA). The authors also compared students’ conceptual understanding scores across categories in three domains using ANOVA. Students demonstrated statistically significant growth over time in their academic language as reflected by science notebook scores, and we noticed conceptual trends in which scores for ELLs, former ELLs, and male students lagged behind at fir...
Effects of Epinephrine on the Distribution of Two Model Amino Acids in the Rat

Injecting epinephrine into normal fasted rats depressed the serum concentrations of α-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB) and 1-aminocyclopentanecarboxylic acid (ACPC) and simultaneously increased the levels of these model amino acids in liver and heart within 2 hr. The levels of the two compounds in skeletal muscle and diaphragm were unchanged, but the distribution ratios in these tissues were increased because the serum levels decreased. Epinephrine showed a smaller effect at ½ hr. Injecting the epinephrine antagonist dihydroergotamine methanesulfonate simultaneously with epinephrine removed three-fourths of the increase produced by the hormone in the absolute level and distribution ratio of ACPC in liver, and one-half of the increase in heart. In the presence of the inhibitor, epinephrine was one-third less effective in depressing the serum ACPC level. Neither adrenalectomy nor hypophysectomy greatly diminished the epinephrine-stimulated ACPC transfer into the four tissues examined. The results suggest that the elevated tissue levels found after epinephrine injection are not caused to any large extent by endogenous adrenocortical or hypophyseal hormones, or by insulin.
The gamma-probe-guided resection of radiolabeled primary lymph nodes.

The histologic status of the first draining (primary) lymph node is reportedly predictive of regional micrometastases in cutaneous melanoma and carcinoma of the breast. We review our experience with gamma-probe localization and biopsy—an easy, accurate, and minimally invasive technique by which the radiolabeled primary lymph node is resected.
William C Cockerham: The Contemporary Sociology of Health Lifestyles

In Western societies, lifestyles now represent one of the most significant predictors of health, or conversely, disease. Multiple authors (for example, Omran 1971; Cockerham 2007; Hinote and Wasserman 2013) carefully outline many recent social and epidemiological transformations in these societies, and lifestyles emerge from these shifts with renewed prominence in health matters. Theorists, researchers and practitioners conceptualise the term ‘lifestyle’ in various ways, but health lifestyles are of particular theoretical and empirical significance for medical sociologists and social epidemiologists. However, a comprehensive theoretical framework that specifically articulates the roles and mechanisms of these important health phenomena did not exist until the early twenty-first century, with the work of American medical sociologist William Cockerham (2005). This chapter provides a thorough background, explication and application of Cockerham’s health lifestyles theory, which effectively accounts for the interplay of the individual and their inextricable connections to social structures, and demonstrates the value of critically applying core sociological concepts to the typically individualistic concept of lifestyle.
Live Cell Imaging of Cytosolic NADH/NAD+ Ratio in Hepatocytes using the Fluorescent Sensor Peredox

Fatty liver disease (FLD) is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide. FLD may be caused by alcohol or the metabolic syndrome. Alcohol is oxidized in the cytosol of hepatocytes by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), which generates NADH and increases cytosolic NADH/NAD+ ratio, but it remains unresolved whether the increased ratio is important for development of FLD. Our ability to examine this is hindered by limitations of available methods to measure cytosolic NADH/NAD+ ratio. To address this, we used the genetically encoded fluorescent sensor Peredox to obtain dynamic, real-time measurements of cytosolic NADH/NAD+ ratio in living hepatocytes. Peredox was expressed in cultured rat hepatocytes by transfection and in acute mouse liver slices by tail vein injection of AAV-packaged sensor. Under control conditions (glucose present), cultured hepatocytes and hepatocytes in liver slices exhibit a relatively low (oxidized) cytosolic NADH/NAD+ ratio as reported by Peredox. The ratio responds rapidly and reversibly to substrates of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), as expected for mammalian cells: lactate increases it, while pyruvate decreases it. Ethanol causes a robust dose-dependent increase in cytosolic NADH/NAD+ ratio which is prevented by the ADH inhibitor 4-methylpyrazole (4-MP). Substrates of sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH, expressed at high levels in hepatocytes) also alter cytosolic NADH/NAD+ ratio in a predictable manner: sorbitol and xylitol increase it, while fructose decreases it. The effects of ethanol on cytosolic NADH/NAD+ ratio are mitigated by the presence of NAD+-generating substrates of LDH (pyruvate) or SDH (fructose). Live cell imaging with Peredox is a promising approach to examine the role of increased cytosolic NADH/NAD+ ratio in the pathogenesis of FLD. The ability to perform these experiments in liver slices is particularly attractive because, unlike dissociated hepatocytes, they allow preservation of liver microanatomy and metabolic zonation of hepatocytes.
Reconciling seismicity and geodetic locking depths on the Anza section of the San Jacinto Fault

Observations from the Anza section of the San Jacinto Fault in Southern California reveal that microseismicity extends to depths of 15–18 km, while the geodetically-determined locking depth is less than ~10 km. This contrasts with observations from other major faults in the region, and also with predictions of fault models assuming a simple layered distribution of frictional properties with depth. We suggest that an anomalously shallow geodetic fault locking may result from a transition zone at the bottom of seismogenic layer with spatially heterogeneous frictional properties. Numerical models of faults that incorporate stochastic heterogeneity at transitional depths successfully reproduce the observed depth relation between seismicity and geodetic locking, as well as complex spatio-temporal patterns of microseismicity with relatively scarce repeating earthquakes. Our models predict propagation of large earthquakes to the bottom of the transition zone, and ubiquitous aseismic transients below the locked zone, potentially observable using high-precision geodetic techniques.
Survival after intravenous thrombin prior to cardiopulmonary bypass

We present a case of a patient undergoing aortic valve replacement being inadvertently administered 5000 U of bovine thrombin instead of heparin for anticoagulation for cardiopulmonary bypass. The labeling error was made within the operating room pharmacy. The key to survival of this patient was a rapid diagnosis, administration of antithrombin and heparin, and removal of cardiac and great vessel thrombi. It is recommended that point of care anesthesia providers `prepare heparin for cardiopulmonary bypass anticoagulation, as thrombin is not used in anesthetic practice and is not contained within anesthesia cabinet medication drawers.
Antenna development for microwave sounding CubeSats

Nanosatellite missions flying microwave radiometers for high-resolution microwave sounding are quickly proliferating, as microwave instrumentation is particularly well suited for implementation on a very small satellite, as the sensor requirements for power, pointing, and spatial resolution (aperture size) can be accommodated by a nanosatellite platform. The Microsized Microwave Atmospheric Satellite (MicroMAS-2), will demonstrate temperature sounding in nine channels near 118 GHz, humidity sounding in three channels near 183 GHz, and cloud ice measurement in one channel near 206 GHz with two launches in late 2016 or early 2017. The Microwave Radiometer Technology Acceleration (MiRaTA) cubesat will demonstrate multi-band atmospheric sounding and co-located GPS radio occultation. MiRaTA will launch in late 2016, and will fly a tri-band sounder (60, 183, and 206 GHz) and a GPS radio occultation (GPS-RO) sensor. Both MicroMAS-2 and MiRaTA are 3U CubeSats (aggregates of 10 × 10 × 10 cm cubes). We present recent work to develop and demonstrate the antennas used in these missions.
Teachers crossing borders: A review of the research into cultural immersion field experience for teachers

Abstract As schools become increasingly culturally and linguistically diverse, there is an acute need for teachers who possess the skills and understandings to work across cultures, a capacity called interculturality. This paper reviews the body of research that has investigated ways in which interculturality is developed among teachers, particularly within the context of cultural immersion field experiences. The review identifies a set of learning outcomes that have been documented in the research to develop teacher interculturality and maps out tensions that limit the impact and utility of this emerging body of research. It also offers some directions for future research.
Role of Magnetic Reconnection in Magnetohydrodynamic Turbulence

The current understanding of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence envisions turbulent eddies which are anisotropic in all three directions. In the plane perpendicular to the local mean magnetic field, this implies that such eddies become current-sheetlike structures at small scales. We analyze the role of magnetic reconnection in these structures and conclude that reconnection becomes important at a scale $\ensuremath{\lambda}\ensuremath{\sim}L{S}_{L}^{\ensuremath{-}4/7}$, where ${S}_{L}$ is the outer-scale ($L$) Lundquist number and $\ensuremath{\lambda}$ is the smallest of the field-perpendicular eddy dimensions. This scale is larger than the scale set by the resistive diffusion of eddies, therefore implying a fundamentally different route to energy dissipation than that predicted by the Kolmogorov-like phenomenology. In particular, our analysis predicts the existence of the subinertial, reconnection interval of MHD turbulence, with the estimated scaling of the Fourier energy spectrum $E({k}_{\ensuremath{\perp}})\ensuremath{\propto}{k}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}^{\ensuremath{-}5/2}$, where ${k}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}$ is the wave number perpendicular to the local mean magnetic field. The same calculation is also performed for high (perpendicular) magnetic Prandtl number plasmas ($Pm$), where the reconnection scale is found to be $\ensuremath{\lambda}/L\ensuremath{\sim}{S}_{L}^{\ensuremath{-}4/7}P{m}^{\ensuremath{-}2/7}$.
The interplay of individual differences and context of learning in behavioral and neurocognitive second language development

In order to understand variability in second language (L2) acquisition, this study addressed how individual differences in cognitive abilities may contribute to development for learners in different contexts. Specifically, we report the results of two short-term longitudinal studies aimed at examining the role of cognitive abilities in accounting for changes in L2 behavioral performance and neurocognitive processing for learners in ‘at-home’ and ‘study-abroad’ settings. Learners completed cognitive assessments of declarative, procedural, and working memory abilities. Linguistic assessments aimed at determining behavioral sensitivity and online processing of L2 Spanish syntax were administered before and after a semester of study in either a traditional university classroom context (Experiment 1) or a study-abroad context (Experiment 2). At-home learners evidenced behavioral gains, with no detected predictive role for individual differences in cognitive abilities. Study-abroad learners evidenced behavioral...
Laterally Vibrating Piezoelectric MEMS Resonators

Sensors are found in a wide variety of applications, such as smart mobile devices, automotive, healthcare, and environmental monitoring. The recent advancements in terms of sensor miniaturization, low power consumption, and low cost allow envisioning a new era for sensing in which the data collected from multiple individual smart sensor systems are combined to get information about the environment that is more accurate and reliable than an individual sensor data. By leveraging such sensor fusion it will be possible to acquire complete and accurate information about the context in which human beings live, which has huge potential for the development of the Internet of Things (IoT) in which physical and virtual objects are linked through the exploitation of sensing and communication capabilities with the intent of making life simpler and more efficient for human beings.
Establishing Measurement Equivalence Across Computer- and Paper-Based Tests of Spatial Cognition.

ObjectiveThe purpose of the present research is to establish measurement equivalence and test differences in reliability between computerized and pencil-and-paper-based tests of spatial cognition.B...
"Product" Versus "Process" Measures in Assessing Speech Recognition Outcomes in Adults With Cochlear Implants.

Hypotheses 1) When controlling for age in postlingual adult cochlear implant (CI) users, information-processing functions, as assessed using "process" measures of working memory capacity, inhibitory control, information-processing speed, and fluid reasoning, will predict traditional "product" outcome measures of speech recognition. 2) Demographic/audiologic factors, particularly duration of deafness, duration of CI use, degree of residual hearing, and socioeconomic status, will impact performance on underlying information-processing functions, as assessed using process measures. Background Clinicians and researchers rely heavily on endpoint product measures of accuracy in speech recognition to gauge patient outcomes postoperatively. However, these measures are primarily descriptive and were not designed to assess the underlying core information-processing operations that are used during speech recognition. In contrast, process measures reflect the integrity of elementary core subprocesses that are operative during behavioral tests using complex speech signals. Methods Forty-two experienced adult CI users were tested using three product measures of speech recognition, along with four process measures of working memory capacity, inhibitory control, speed of lexical/phonological access, and nonverbal fluid reasoning. Demographic and audiologic factors were also assessed. Results Scores on product measures were associated with core process measures of speed of lexical/phonological access and nonverbal fluid reasoning. After controlling for participant age, demographic and audiologic factors did not correlate with process measure scores. Conclusion Findings provide support for the important foundational roles of information processing operations in speech recognition outcomes of postlingually deaf patients who have received CIs.
In Search of Women’s Agency in Everyday Life: The Construction of the Huang–Lu Love Affair in the Press

This chapter centers on the coverage of the Huang–Lu elopement by various periodicals across the Yangzi Delta as a social drama to cater to the tastes of their readership. It highlights complex interactions among the media, the protagonists of the case, and the readers. Journalists worked hard to cast Huang Huiru variously as a “new woman” fighting for marital freedom, a femme fatale whose sexual desire caused the man’s legal trouble, or a defenseless girl falling prey to a male sexual offender. Journalists gained inspirations from both foreign films and China’s classical fiction to imagine and represent the love affair. The protagonists of the elopement, Huang and Lu, obtained, displayed, and changed their personal identities in accordance with the images journalists gave them in the press and altered the course of their lives accordingly.
Gram negative sepsis and shock

In the modern hospital gram negative bacteremia and the associated condition of septic shock are common occurrences. In the United States the estimated incidence of gram negative bacteremia ranges from 71000 to 330000 cases annually. Fatalities attributed to this disease are between 18000 and 132000 each year. Sepsis is defined as a systemic disease caused by microorganisms or their products in the blood. Bacteremia is the presence of viable organisms in the circulation. Gram negative bacteremia in the critically ill patient is synonymous with gram negative sepsis. Septic shock is a clinical syndrome characterized by circulatory insufficiency and inadequate tissue perfusion. Septic shock is associated primarily although not exclusively with gram negative bacilli. Focus is on predisposing factors microbiology pathophysiology and the 4 components of therapy -- antibiotics volume replacement steroids and surgical drainage. The underlying illness of the patient is the primary factor determining the outcome of an episode of gram negative bacteremia. Patients with a life threatening disorder have a very poor prognosis while sepsis in a previously healthy person carries a good prognosis. The overall mortality in gram negative bacteremia is 25%. When septic shock develops the mortality increases to 50-60%. Appropriate antibiotics that are synergistic against the infecting organism can decrease the mortality but the overwhelming infleunce of host factors in predicting the outcome suggests that prevention and early treatment are the best means of decreasing mortality.
Cyclooxygenase-2 does not mediate late preconditioning induced by activation of adenosine A1 or A3 receptors.

Recent studies have demonstrated that the adenosine A1 receptor agonist 2-chloro-N 6-cyclopentyladenosine (CCPA) and the adenosine A3 receptor agonistN 6-(3-iodobenzyl)adenosine-5′-N-methyluronamid...
Ultrastructural study of microsporidian development. I. Nosema sp. Sprague, 1965 in Callinectes sapidus Rathbun.

Vegetative growth of Nosema sp. occurs within the gut submucosal cells of Callinectes sapidus. Vegetative cell morphology is dominated by profiles of endoplasmic reticulum, numerous free ribosomes and aggregates of vesicles enclosed by a membranous sac. The dikaryotic vegetative cell is the earliest stage found in the target area for sporogenesis, the sarcoplasm of the striated muscle cell. The next obvious stage is the sporoblast mother cell; it undergoes karyokinesis without breakdown of the nuclear envelope. Intranuclear mitotic microtubules extend from the chromosomes to the intact nuclear envelope. After repeated nuclear divisions, the sporoblast mother cell undergoes delayed cytokinesis and a series of sporoblast progeny develops.
Normative Philosophy of Science: Responding to Special-Interest Science

This article shows why it is important to do normative or practical philosophy of science, especially philosophy of science that criticizes and evaluates contemporary use of scientific methods to analyze welfare-affecting societal problems. The article (1) introduces the scientific, ethical, and social problem of environmental injustice—disproportionate environmental and pollution threats that are responsible for roughly 40% of all preventable disease and death. Next it (2) explains that many deadly threats (like pollution) continue in part because of “special-interest science”, methodologically flawed science that is done to promote corporate profits, rather than truth, then (3) argues that philosophers of science should use normative or practical philosophy of science to critique and expose special-interest science. To illustrate special-interest science, the article (4) provides two case studies, on diesel-particulate-matter pollution and on organophophate-pesticide pollution, and (5) shows how diesel and pesticide polluters use special-interest science. For instance, they often ignore observational data, illegitimately demand statistically significant evidence of harm from observational data, use small sample sizes, do the wrong tests, or demand certainty—rather than a preponderance of evidence—to justify a conclusion about pollution harm. They also use flawed normative arguments to defend both diesel and pesticide pollution. The article (6) concludes that, given the epistemic, scientific, human-welfare toll of special-interest science, philosophers of science need to do normative or practical philosophy of science that exposes these scientific flaws.
Command and Control for Distributed Lethality

Exercising command and control (C2) during naval distributed lethality (DL) operations presents a complex system of systems (SOS) challenge in support of maritime control. Applying C2 within the DL environment requires development of methodologies to provide definition and structure for existing operational concepts while providing conceptual growth space for new operational techniques. We develop a systems architecture approach that defines C2 models for decentralized and distributed command structures and proposes criteria for assessing functionality and impacts to the C2 of naval platforms during DL operations. C2 modelling for DL documents the inter-connections and relationship of information flow and the system requirements for maintaining the interconnection links during a simulated operational deployment of an Adaptive Force Package (AFP). This structure provides for an architecture view of the functions and metrics that provide criteria for decision making during the operational planning of a DL mission. Development of an initial architecture enables future modelling and architecture refinement through simulations of the C2 structure and further research into technologies and methods of effective communication systems.
Anti-Bcma BiTE® AMG 701 Potently Induces Specific T Cell Lysis of Human Multiple Myeloma (MM) Cells and Immunomodulation in the Bone Marrow Microenvironment

Abstract The first Bispecific T-cell Engager (BiTE®) targeting B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) on multiple myeloma (MM) cells and CD3 on T cells is currently in clinical development (NCT02514239). This first-generation BiTE® has a short serum half-life and is delivered by continuous IV infusion. We here investigated the T cell-redirected cytotoxicity and immunomodulatory effects of AMG 701, a BCMA-targeting BiTE® with extended half-life, alone and in combination with lenalidomide (len), in MM cell lines and patient-derived samples. AMG 701 has a plasma half-life of 112 hr. in non-human primates (Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-299) and is currently being evaluated clinically (NCT03287908). We here show that AMG 701 significantly induced T cell-mediated lysis of BCMA-positive MM cells resistant or sensitive to current anti-MM agents including bortezomib and lenalidomide (len). EC50 values ranged from 0.64-2.54 ng/ml following overnight treatment with AMG 701 at effector to target (E/T) ratio of 10 to 1. Moreover, following overnight treatment AMG 701-induced MM cell lysis remained robust even at low concentrations ( Disclosures Munshi: OncoPep: Other: Board of director. Anderson: Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy; C4 Therapeutics: Equity Ownership, Other: Scientific founder; Gilead: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; OncoPep: Equity Ownership, Other: Scientific founder; Millennium Takeda: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy.
Pembrolizumab (pembro) and cabozantinib (cabo) in patients (pts) with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC): Phase I results.

600Background: PD-L1- and VEGF-targeted therapies have improved survival for mRCC pts and mechanisms of synergy have been reported. We conducted a phase I/II study to evaluate the safety and effica...
The Role of Educational Attainment

Preliminary analyses described in Chap. 6 reveal that race/Hispanic origin and all-cause mortality risk are statistically related. But are there other variables that predict mortality risk above and beyond what is explained by race/Hispanic origin? Also, could these other independent variables be impacting on the relationship between Hispanic origin and mortality risk? The next 2 chapters will systematically address these questions. Because of the critical nature of education as it relates to life opportunities, this entire chapter is devoted to the role of educational attainment as it relates to race/Hispanic origin and mortality risk. In general populations, there are differences in educational attainment based on race/Hispanic origin that go back to the time when many players in the current study cohort were attending school. Non-Hispanic whites in the US are more educated than African-Americans and both these groups have more education than individuals born in Hispanic cohort countries. The empirical analysis indicates that like the general population, non-Hispanic white Major League Baseball players are the most educated relative to African-Americans and Hispanics. Educational attainment among Hispanic players is especially low. In addition, as educational attainment increases among players, mortality risk decreases. When educational attainment is controlled in the analysis, mortality risk for African-American remains significantly elevated compared to non-Hispanic whites. However, the risk between Hispanics and non-Hispanic whites is attenuated. These results may reflect a “Hispanic Paradox” or alternatively, could be due to a statistical anomaly owing to the skewed nature of educational attainment among Hispanic players.
2-Bromoallyl Acetate: A Useful Structural Unit for Sequential Carbon−Carbon Bond Formation

2-Bromoallyl acetate has been shown to be an efficient substrate for Ni(II)/Cr(II)-mediated coupling reactions with a variety of aliphatic and aryl aldehydes. Surprisingly, elimination of acetate from the intermediate vinylchromium species does not appear to compete with carbon−carbon bond formation. In addition, the allylic acetate products have been shown to be useful allyl nucleophile precursors through palladium-mediated reactions. These results suggest that acyloxyalkenyl bromides are efficient linchpins for multiple carbon−carbon bond formation.
Barbell velocity: a practical and precise method for predicting bench press strength in sedentary women.

BACKGROUND Bench press one-repetition maximum (BP1RM) prediction models offer a timely approach to predict BP1RM while avoiding the limitations with traditional BP1RM testing. Interestingly, no models have determined the ability for a traditional weight, the 20.5 kg barbell, to predict BP1RM strength. Few models have exclusively examined females and sedentary individuals, leaving the accuracy of these models unknown for these populations. Therefore, this investigation sought to examine the ability for 20.5 kg barbell velocity to predict BP1RM in sedentary females. METHODS Nineteen sedentary females (21.79±1.43 years, 166.08±7.76 cm, 63.98±7.54 kg, 31.57±4.72 BP1RM) completed BP1RM testing and completed two additional visits to determine 20.5 kg barbell velocity from a single repetition separated by 7-10 days. Nineteen additional females (21.39±1.09 years, 164.31±7.37 cm, 67.34±9.32 kg, 32.75±5.09 BP1RM) served as a cross-validating group completing identical testing procedures. RESULTS Regression analyses revealed that 20.5 kg barbell velocity accounted for 95% of the variance in BP1RM strength while presenting marginal standard error (1.34 kg) and mean absolute error (0.97 kg), with similar values observed in the cross-validating group (SEE: 2.13 kg, MAE: 1.56 kg). Predicted BP1RM values were not significantly different from actual BP1RM (P=0.43) nor were measures in barbell velocity between trials 1 and 2 (P=0.57), while displaying high reliability (ICC: 0.81). Measure bias between BP1RM methods was 0.449±1.651kg and the agreement between methods varied between -2.78 kg less and 0.3686 kg greater for 95% of the participants. CONCLUSIONS The present data provides an accurate prediction model regarding BP1RM for sedentary females. These findings can reduce the limitations associated with traditional BP1RM testing while providing a practical and accurate BP1RM approximation with marginal error.
Learning arrival rates to improve common information based multiple access protocol

We consider a discrete time multiple access communication system where users share a collision channel and dynamically make a decision to transmit their packets, based on their privately observed queue lengths and publicly observed feedback signal. It is assumed that packet arrival processes are Bernoulli whose rates are not known. Ouyang and Teneketzis [1] recently considered this model and proposed a decentralized protocol named CIMA which achieves full throughput and average queuing delay which is linear in number of users. In this paper, we build and improve upon their protocol by learning the arrival rates during the course of the process and by designing a new protocol, referred to as CIMA-L, that uses the rate estimates. We show that CIMA-L also achieves full throughput and present simulation results to show that it performs better than CIMA in queueing delay criterion.
Special Section on Ethics in Health Informatics.

Objective: To summarize significant research contributions on ethics in medical informatics published in 2019. Methods: An extensive search using PubMed/Medline was conducted to identify the scientific contributions published in 2019 that address ethics issues in medical informatics. The selection process comprised three steps: 1) 15 candidate best papers were first selected by the two section editors; 2) external reviewers from internationally renowned research teams reviewed each candidate best paper; and 3) the final selection of three best papers was conducted by the editorial committee of the Yearbook. Results: The three selected best papers explore timely issues of concern to the community and demonstrate how ethics considerations influence applied informatics. Conclusion: With regard to ethics in informatics, data sharing and privacy remain primary areas of concern. Ethics issues related to the development and implementation of artificial intelligence is an emerging topic of interest.
Progress towards the development of a P. vivax vaccine.

Plasmodium vivax causes significant public health problems in endemic regions. A vaccine to prevent disease is critical, considering the rapid spread of drug-resistant parasite strains, and the dev...
Creating Space for Change: An Ophthalmology Department’s Response to Black Lives Matter Protests

On June 6, 2020, the Iowa City Black Lives Matter protests organized by the Iowa Freedom Riders focused their attention on the discrimination and inequality Black people face in the healthcare syst...