cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A comprehensive collaborative patient safety residency curriculum to address the ACGME core competencies.

Context Patient safety currently receives only scant attention in most residency curricula. Safety is a subject that transcends the US Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education's 6 core competencies. Objective To design and implement a new patient safety curriculum in collaboration with the Schools of Nursing and Pharmacy, in such a way as to address all 6 competencies. Setting and participants The curriculum applies to a university-based family medicine residency programme with 45 residents at 5 sites, including urban, suburban and rural sites. Curriculum design The curriculum includes introductory workshops for faculty and residents, a series of didactic courses, individual portfolios and a series of small group exercises including chart reviews, case presentations and a longitudinal quality improvement project. The activities are run by a multidisciplinary team. Outcome measures Main outcome measures include assessment of resident performance in curriculum activities and in an annual objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) that includes standardised patient interviews, simulations and a written examination. Programme evaluation will include comparison of OSCE performance with that at a neighbouring residency. Results Residents identified safety problems and system-based solutions using a safety journal. Cases of polypharmacy were identified using journals and chart reviews, and medication changes proposed and discussed. At resident practice sites, residents identified safety priorities based on a staff survey and proposed system-based solutions. Results of the OSCE will be presented elsewhere. Conclusions A new patient safety curriculum was successfully introduced into a family medicine residency. The curriculum integrates patient safety into residents' daily activities and incorporates input from the disciplines of nursing and pharmacy so as to help build more effective clinical teams and inculcate a culture of safety.
An integrated pitch tracking algorithm for speech systems

A pitch tracking algorithm is described which operates in the time domain from a conditioned linear prediction residual and applies dynamic programming to optimally determine both pitch and voicing. A set of candidate pitch values are derived from a correlation function applied to an LPC prediction residual which has been low pass filtered in voiced speech and high pass filtered in unvoiced speech by using a single pole filter based on the first reflection coefficient of LPC. A post processing technique using dynamic programming is used to obtain a smooth pitch contour. By incorporating the correlation values of the candidate pitch values, voicing state information and spectral change information into the penalty function of the dynamic programming, a voicing decision is obtained along with an optimum pitch value. This integrated pitch tracking algorithm is compared to three standard pitch tracking algorithms over a data base of 58 male and female speakers ranging from 6 to 87 years of age and is shown to exhibit superior performance.
Normal perceptual priming of orthographically illegal nonwords in amnesia

This study examined priming in perceptual identification of orthographically illegal nonwords in control subjects and patients with global amnesia. Subjects studied a list of orthographically illegal nonwords and then performed a perceptual identification task in which half of the stimuli were from the prior study list and half were new (unstudied) stimuli. Priming was reflected in enhanced identification accuracy of studied compared to unstudied nonwords. Amnesic patients showed significant and normal priming despite impaired recognition memory performance. Because the experimental stimuli were dissimilar to real words in terms of orthography and phonology, it is unlikely that this priming effect was mediated by activation of pre-existing representations of orthographically or phonologically similar words, morphemes, or syllables. These results demonstrate that intact perceptual priming in amnesia is not limited to stimuli that are premorbidly represented in long-term knowledge, nor to novel stimuli that conform to the rules that characterize familiar items. Further, because the experimental stimuli comprised novel letter assemblies, the results suggest that amnesic patients can show normal priming for new perceptual associations. These findings demonstrate that processes spared in amnesia can support the creation and subsequent retrieval of novel stimulus representations. ( JINS , 1995, I , 425–433.)
The Effect of Video Context on Foreign Language Learning

Any number of curricular reforms have been aimed at using authentic learning materials, stressing the importance of listening comprehension, making drills contextually appropriate, de-emphasizing error correction, and, in general, emphasizing meaningful activity in the classroom. Even criticisms of these attempts (e.g., 27) and research on the role of formfocused instruction in the communicative lan-
Emergency Fund Levels: Is Household Behavior Rational?

Empirical studies have found that most households do not have recommended levels of emergency funds. A three-period model of optimal consumption is presented. The theoretical model suggests that many consumers without recommended levels of liquid assets may be acting rationally. The model is tested empirically with the 1983-1986 panels of the Surveys of Consumer Finances. Empirical findings support the model in that households who could have expected to have decreases in future real income were significantly more likely to hold adequate emergency fund reserves than those who could have expected to have no decline in real income.
Effects of plasmid amplification and recombinant gene expression on the growth kinetics of recombinant E. coli

An experimental study was undertaken to identify and quantitate the effects of plasmid amplification and recombinant gene expression on Escherichia coli growth kinetics. Identification of these effects was possible because recombinant gene expression and plasmid copy number were controlled by different mechanisms on plasmid pVH106/172. Recombinant gene expression of the lactose operon structural genes was under the control of the lac promoter and was activated by the addition of the chemicals, IPTG and cyclic AMP, to the fermentation medium. Plasmid content was amplified in a separate fermentation by increasing culture temperature since the plasmid replicon was temperature-sensitive. A final fermentation was performed in which both plasmid content and recombinant gene expression were induced simultaneously by adding chemicals and raising the culture temperature. Recombinant growth rates were found to be reduced by the expression of high levels of recombinant lac proteins in the chemical induction experiments and by the amplification of plasmid levels in the temperature induction experiment. High expression of recombinant lac proteins following chemical induction was accompanied by a loss in recombinant cell viability. In the plasmid amplification experiment, the recombinant cells did not lose viability but the recombinant product yields were much lower than those achieved in the chemical induction experiments. Combining temperature and chemical induction increased the recombinant product yield by a factor of 4400 but also lowered cellular growth rates by 70%.
Dengue virus infection differentially regulates endothelial barrier function over time through type I interferon effects

Dengue is caused by infection with one of the dengue viruses (DENVs), a group of 4 antigenically related mosquito-borne flaviviruses [1]. Dengue is the most prevalent arboviral disease worldwide and produces significant morbidity and mortality throughout the tropics and subtropics [2]. DENV infections produce a wide spectrum of clinical illness, ranging from asymptomatic or mild illness to a severe and life-threatening disease—dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF). The hallmark of DHF is vascular endothelial dysfunction manifested by a vascular leakage syndrome and sometimes a hemorrhagic diathesis. The morbidity and mortality of DHF are largely driven by the vascular leakage and its ensuing complications. The mechanisms of endothelial barrier dysfunction that lead to the unique vascular leakage syndrome of DHF are poorly understood. The DENVs are not cytopathic to endothelial cells in vitro [3, 4]. Viral antigen–positive endothelial cells have been seen in autopsy tissues with minimal or no endothelial destruction [5, 6]. Plasma leakage develops abruptly during viral clearance and early symptom recovery, at a time of significant immune activation [7]. The initial plasma leakage is focal and occurs predominantly in the pleural and peritoneal spaces [8]. The prevailing explanation for vascular leakage in DHF is that immune responses to DENV infection produce a cytokine storm that leads to the transient compromise of endothelial barrier function [7]. Many proinflammatory cytokines, angiogenesis factors, and other mediators (e.g., thrombin, metalloproteinases, and prostaglandins) can decrease endothelial barrier function and thereby increase vascular permeability [9]. Circulating levels of many vascular permeability mediators are indeed elevated in patients with DHF [7, 10-12] and can be produced by DENV-infected cells in vitro [13, 14]. However, increased levels of these soluble mediators are also present in other diverse inflammatory conditions, such as bacterial sepsis [15], cerebral malaria [16], autoimmune diseases [17], and malignancies [18]. The vascular leakage characteristics of these varied conditions are distinct from those of DHF. We hypothesized that direct viral effects on the responsiveness of endothelium to inflammatory and angiogenesis mediators are responsible for the vascular leakage characteristics of DHF. We found that DENV type 2 (DENV2) infection could suppress tumor necrosis factor (TNF)–α–mediated hyperpermeability in human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) monolayers. This suppressive effect was seen up to 72 h after DENV2 infection. However, 1 week after infection TNF-α–mediated hyperpermeability was enhanced in DENV2-infected endothelium, compared with that in uninfected endothelium. The present study elucidates the critical role played by DENV and TNF-α–induced type I interferon (IFN) in the modulation of endothelial barrier function over time. Our results provide the foundation for a rational model of vascular leakage in DHF and potential therapeutic approaches.
Culture and characterization of rat junctional epithelium

Junctional epithelium, which forms the interface between the gingival tissues and the teeth, is a unique nondifferentiating, nonkeratinizing simple epithelium with essentially no gradient of cytoplasmic alterations. The purpose of this study was to develop methods for obtaining and culturing junctional epithelial cells and characterizing these cells with monoclonal antibodies and by keratin analysis. Microsurgical methods were developed to obtain pure specimens of junctional epithelium from the interproximal molar regions of pathogen-free rats. Specimens of palatal and free gingival epithelia were also taken. The tissue explants were cultured by three methods; an explant technique using 3T3 fibroblasts as feeder cells, a procedure which used cloning rings to isolate primary epithelial outgrowths, and growth in small chambers coated with solubilized basement membrane. Specimens from the three oral epithelia grew well by all methods and appeared homogenous by phase contrast microscopy. Immunocytochemical analysis of fresh specimens by antikeratin antibody staining showed differences in the staining patterns of the three oral epithelia and suggested the absence of 54 and 40 kD keratins from these tissues. Junctional, palatal and gingival epithelial cells grown by the cloning ring technique stained positively with the monoclonal antibody 34βE12 which stains all stratified epithelia and identifies 66 and 57 kD keratins, but failed to stain with antibodies to vimentin and desmin which are intermediate filament proteins in mesenchymal and muscle cells, respectively, Junctional epithelial cells grown on solubilized basement membrane showed positive staining with antidesmoplakin antibodies I and II, which identify desmosomal plaque proteins, and negative staining with the keratin-specific monoclonal antibody AE2. Gingival cells grown by the same technique had the opposite staining pattern with these antibodies. Cells grown by the 3T3 feeder cell method were analyzed for their cytokeratin content by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting using the keratin-specific monoclonal antibodies AEl and AE3. The keratin patterns in freshly explanted tissues all differed, indicating that these oral epithelia are indeed different in vivo. Further, the keratin patterns in extracts of subconfluent and confluent cultured oral epithelial cells differed from those in the freshly isolated tissues, but were similar for the different epithelia. Specifically, subconfluent cultures of the three epithelia had identical keratin patterns, but differed from those of confluent cultures which were themselves identical. This report presents methods for obtaining and culturing junctional epithelium, and data which indicate that junctional cells differ from other oral epithelia in cytokeratin and desmosomal protein composition.
Estimation of coherence spectrum of non-Gaussian time series populations

Previous work on computation of coherence estimates between two time series and the confidence intervals about these estimates has always assumed that the time series have a Gaussian probability density function. Here a Monte Carlo study was performed, computing coherences and confidence intervals upon non-Gaussian time series. Using both a rectangular distribution and a x2distribution with one degree of freedom, the results appear to justify the notion that the assumption of a Gaussian distribution has a fairly small importance in the computation of the above statistics.
An Undular Bore and Gravity Waves Illustrated by Dramatic Time-Lapse Photography

On 6 May 2007, an intense atmospheric undular bore moved over eastern Iowa. A ‘‘Webcam’’ in Tama, Iowa, captured dramatic images of the effects of the bore and associated gravity waves on cloud features, becauseitsviewinganglewasalmostnormaltothepropagationdirectionofthewaves.Thetimelapseofthese images has become a well-known illustration of atmospheric gravity waves. The environment was favorable for bore formation, with a wave-reflecting unstable layer above a low-level stable layer. Surface pressure and wind data are correlated for the waves in the bore, andhorizontalwind oscillations are alsoshown by Doppler radar data. Quantitative analysis of the time-lapse photography shows that the sky brightens in wave troughs because of subsidence and darkens in wave ridges because of ascent.
Uni-vector-sensor ESPRIT for multi-source azimuth-elevation angle-estimation

This paper proposes a novel eigenstructure ESPRIT-based azimuth-elevation direction-finding (DF) algorithm that exploits source polarization diversity (in addition to spatial diversity), requires no a priori knowledge of signal frequencies, suffers no frequency-DOA ambiguity, pairs automatically the x-axis direction-cosines with the y-axis direction-cosines, reduces hardware and computational costs greatly, eliminates array inter-element calibration, can resolve up to five narrowband non-coherent sources, but uses only a single vector-sensor and two time-delayed data sets. Uni-vector-sensor ESPRIT is based on a matrix-pencil pair of temporally-displaced data sets collected from one single vector-sensor consisting of six spatially co-located non-isotropic polarization-sensitive antennas, measuring all six electromagnetic-field components of the incident wave-field. It impressively outperforms customary unpolarized scalar-sensor phased-arrays of comparable array-manifold size and computational load. In one scenario, uni-vector-sensor ESPRIT offers 33 dB SNR gain or a 7-fold reduction in hardware and software complexity.
Modeling of very high-frequency effects in the interconnection delays on GaAs-based VLSICs

In this paper, a model of the propagation delays in the interconnection lines on GaAs-based very high-speed integrated circuits is presented. The model includes the very high-frequency effects, such as geometric dispersion, substrate losses, and conductor losses. The model is used to simulate the dependence of interconnect delays on the frequency of operation, interconnect length, width, material resistivity, load capacitance, and the driving source resistance. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 31: 229–233, 2001.
Stabilizing the Imidazolium Cation in Hydroxide‐Exchange Membranes for Fuel Cells

Stable and able: The hydroxide-conducting cationic functional group used in the hydroxide-exchange membranes of fuel cells is key to controlling chemical stability and solubility. A new imidazolium cation, 1,4,5-trimethyl-2-(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)imidazolium, is designed to take advantage of both strong electron-donation properties and steric hindrance. Synergy between these two effects leads to an efficient hydroxide-exchange membrane, with increased alkaline stability and improved OH(-) conductivity.
The effects of cloacal secretions on brown tree snake behavior

All snakes possess paired cloacal glands that release secretions through ducts along the cloacal orifice (Graves and Duvall, 1988; Mason, 1992; Price and LaPoint, 1981). As these secretions represent an obvious source of glandular, volatile, and potentially meaningful chemical information in snakes their role in the regulation of snake physiology and behavior has been examined for many years, however few studies have shown measurable effects of cloacal secretions on snake behavior (Gelbach et a l , 1968; Graves and Duvall, 1988; Noble, 1937; Mason, 1992; Mason et al., 1998; Watkins et al , 1969). Garter snake (Thamnophis) cloacal secretions are composed mainly of nonvolatile lipids and proteins as well as volatile components including trimethylamine, acetic acid and propanoic acid (Weldon and Leto,. 1995; Wood et al., 1995). Blindsnake (Leptotyphlops dulcis) cloacal secretions are composed primarily of glycoproteins and free fatty acids including linoleic, palmitic and oleic acids (Blum et al., 1971). As snakes often release cloacal secretions when disturbed and the secretions are volatile and odorous, it has been hypothesized that they act either as predator deterrents or as alarm pheromones (Graves and Duvall, 1988; Mason, 1992; Price and LaPointe, 1981). Graves and Duvall (1988) showed that exposure to cloacal secretions caused the rattlesnake, Crotalis viridis, to be more responsive to provocation. It rattled more and increased the increased heart rate, a physiological response correlated to defensiveness in this species. The blind snake, L. dulcis, is a predator of ant and termite brood that uses cloacal secretions as a defense against ant attacks and also as an ant repellent (Gelbach et al., 1968; Watkins et al., 1969). There is evidence that blindsnake cloacal secretions are attractive to conspecifics but repellent to some ophiophagous snakes (Watkins et al., 1969). An early hypothesis for the function of cloacal secretions was that they acted as the female sex pheromone in snakes (Noble, 1937; Price and LaPointe, 1981), although more recent work has shown that these pheromones are present in snake skin lipids (Greene and Mason, 1998; Mason, 1992; Mason et al., 1998).
Key Findings from Preclinical and Clinical Drug Interaction Studies Presented in New Drug and Biological License Applications Approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2014

Regulatory approval documents contain valuable information, often not published, to assess the drug-drug interaction (DDI) profile of newly marketed drugs. This analysis aimed to systematically review all drug metabolism, transport, pharmacokinetics, and DDI data available in the new drug applications and biologic license applications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2014, using the University of Washington Drug Interaction Database, and to highlight the significant findings. Among the 30 new drug applications and 11 biologic license applications reviewed, 35 new molecular entities (NMEs) were well characterized with regard to drug metabolism, transport, and/or organ impairment and were fully analyzed in this review. In vitro, a majority of the NMEs were found to be substrates or inhibitors/inducers of at least one drug metabolizing enzyme or transporter. In vivo, when NMEs were considered as victim drugs, 16 NMEs had at least one in vivo DDI study with a clinically significant change in exposure (area under the time-plasma concentration curve or Cmax ratio ≥2 or ≤0.5), with 6 NMEs shown to be sensitive substrates of cytochrome P450 enzymes (area under the time-plasma concentration curve ratio ≥5 when coadministered with potent inhibitors): paritaprevir and naloxegol (CYP3A), eliglustat (CYP2D6), dasabuvir (CYP2C8), and tasimelteon and pirfenidone (CYP1A2). As perpetrators, seven NMEs showed clinically significant inhibition involving both enzymes and transporters, although no clinically significant induction was observed. Physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling and pharmacogenetics studies were used for six and four NMEs, respectively, to optimize dosing recommendations in special populations and/or multiple impairment situations. In addition, the pharmacokinetic evaluations in patients with hepatic or renal impairment provided useful quantitative information to support drug administration in these fragile populations.
Provenance issues in platform-as-a-service model of cloud computing

In this paper we present provenance issues that arise in building Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) model of cloud computing. The issues are related to designing, building, and deploying of the platform itself, and those related to building and deploying applications on the platform. These include, tracking of commands for successful software installations, tracking of inter-service dependencies, tracking of configuration parameters for different services, and tracking of application related artifacts. We identify the provenance information to address these issues and propose mechanisms to track it.
The Effect of Restricted Watering Time on Red × Rock Sex-Linked Females

Abstract Two trials were conducted to compare the limiting of water to 15, eight or four time periods per day on the performance of Red × Rock sex-linked females. Water was available for 15 minutes during each watering period. Restricting watering time as was done in this study had no significant influence on hen-day egg production, egg shell thickness, feed per dozen eggs or final body weight. Feed consumption and livability were not significantly influenced by watering treatments in Trial 1. In Trial 2, the feed consumption of the layers receiving water 15 times per day was significantly less than that of the birds having access to water eight times per day and the livability of the layers receiving water four times per day was significantly superior to those receiving 15 waterings per day. Manure moisture was significantly reduced by allowing layers access to water for only four periods per day. Egg weights in Trial 2 were not significantly influenced by water restriction but in Trial 1 they were significantly greater when the birds received eight rather than 15 or four waterings per day. Haugh units were significantly higher at 32 weeks (Trial 2), 48 weeks (Trial 2) and 50 weeks (Trial 1) and significantly lower at 74 (Triai 1) for the layers exposed to four periods of water per day.
The Calling Behavior of Female Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) Under Two Light Regimes

Female Plodia interpunctella (Hubner) reared and observed in a 12:12 h light: dark (L:D) regime exhibited a calling rhythm with a maximum calling beginning ca. 2 h after the initiation of scotophase and continuing until the initiation of photophase. When held in a constant light (L:L) regime, L:D-reared females lost their calling rhythm within 2 days. When reared and held in a L:L regime, females called continuously. With L:L females held in a L:D regime, a rhythm similar to that of L:D females held in L:D was entrained within 2 days.
Aster Leafhopper: Source of Infestation, Host Plant Preference, and Dispersal

The local movement and host plants of Macrosteles fascifrons (Sta1) were studied for three years in eastern Washington by light trap surveys and sweeping. The data indicate that this leafhopper did not migrate from remote breeding areas, but populations arose each year from overwintering eggs laid on grain, clovers (red, ladino, and alsike), and grasses, and dispersed to vegetable crops such as carrots and potatoes when the grain and clovers matured or when they were unsuitable as food. The aster leafhopper returned to fall-planted grains and weed hosts in late summer for oviposition of overwintering eggs.
17β-Estradiol increases nitric oxide-dependent dilation in rat pulmonary arteries and thoracic aorta

Past studies have demonstrated that 17β-estradiol (E2β) increases endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase (eNOS) activity in uterine, heart, and skeletal muscle and in cultured human endothelial cel...
STUDY ON HEPATITIS PREVENTION IN PATIENTS' FAMILY AND SECONDARY MORBIDITY IN FAMILY

Objective To know the influence of hepatitis prevention in patients' family on secondary morbidity rate in family,in order to provide suggestions for preventing and controlling secondary cases in the family.Methods Proportional probability sampling was used to carry out survey by questionnaire in the hepatitis families reported in the disease surveillance system from 2005 to first half of 2006 in Tianjin.Results Of 349 cases of hepatitis,83.38% used and washed tableware separately,85.67% washed clothes or bed sheets separately,91.12% used basins and towels separately,77.65% disinfected stool,93.98% did not eat raw aquatic products,85.96% of the case families carried out terminal disinfection and 79.94% of the case families performed routine disinfection.There were no secondary cases in the families in 2005,and 2 secondary cases in the first half of 2006.Conclusion The patients' families had good lifestyle,and knew the knowledge of the disinfection,so the transmission of disease could be prevented in the family.Secondary cases in hepatitis families just happened by chance.
Investigation on a Case of Food Poisoning Induced by Vibrio Parahaemolyticus

[Objective]To investigate the pathogen of the food poisoning case,prevent such kind of food poisoning.[Methods]The blood and anus swab samples of patients,and some lunch foods were analyzed by epidemiological investigation and laboratory tests.[Results]Vibrio parahaemolyticus was detected in the anus swab samples of 22 patients,and the blood routine examination showed that white blood cell count increased.[Conclusion]The food poisoning was caused by vibrio parahemolyticus.It is necessary to strengthen the supervision and administration of catering distribution,and improve health consciousness of employees.
Prediction of Metastatic Potential by a New Grading System of Cell Motility: Validation in the Dunning R-3327 Prostatic Adenocarcinoma Model

AbstractMany grading systems for prostatic carcinoma exist; however, none allows pathologists to accurately predict the prognosis of individual patients. Examination of dead fixed histological sections of malignancies may not be the best way to predict the biological behavior of living dynamic tumors. We have developed a grading system that reproducibly characterized the motility of living cancer cells. In the Dunning R3327 rat prostatic adenocarcinoma model, three sublines of high metastatic potential (>90%) were distinguished from four sublines of low metastatic potential (<10%). Individual cells from these sublines were correctly identified as high or low metastatic in 96% of cases by grading membrane ruffling, pseudopodal extension, and vectoral translation.
Congenital Anomalies Associated with Cryptorchidism

AbstractWe reviewed 384 patients with cryptorchidism treated at our institution during a 13-year period. Other congenital anomalies were apparent on physical examination in 102 cases and these were more common in patients with bilateral cryptorchidism. Of the 205 excretory urograms done 25 showed abnormalities and, again, these abnormalities were noted more commonly in patients with bilateral cryptorchidism. Of 232 patients with asymptomatic cryptorchidism, that is with no other congenital findings on physical examination, 141 had an excretory urogram and 4 revealed some abnormality, 2 of these warranting surgical intervention. Of the 334 patients 16 had hypospadias and 50 were mentally retarded. The literature is reviewed. It is concluded that an excretory urogram is not justified on a routine basis in patients with asymptomatic cryptorchidism.
Multigeometry Nanoparticles: Hybrid Vesicle/Cylinder Nanoparticles Constructed with Block Copolymer Solution Assembly and Kinetic Control

We report an experimental study of the assembly of various multicompartment and multigeometry nanoparticles constructed from mixtures of two diblock copolymers. By simply blending the amphiphilic block copolymers poly(acrylic acid)-block-polyisoprene (PAA-b-PI) and poly(acrylic acid)-block-polystyrene (PAA-b-PS), we constructed complex nanostructures including multigeometry vesicle–cylinder particles, multicompartment vesicles, or multigeometry cylinder–disk nanoparticles via kinetic control of solution assembly. In our assembly strategy, the PAA common domain in both block copolymers was first complexed with organic diamine molecules in organic solution to form a particle core. Therefore, the two different hydrophobic blocks from the two different polymers were trapped into the same particle. After addition of water, the particles form the structure having hydrophobic cores and PAA-amine hydrophilic shells; the two hydrophobic domains locally nanophase-separated in the core to form the multicompartment a...
Diffusion quantum Monte Carlo study of martensitic phase transition energetics: The case of phosphorene

Recent technical advances in dealing with finite-size errors make quantum Monte Carlo methods quite appealing for treating extended systems in electronic structure calculations, especially when commonly used density functional theory (DFT) methods might not be satisfactory. We present a theoretical study of martensitic phase transition energetics of a two-dimensional phosphorene by employing diffusion Monte Carlo (DMC) approach. The DMC calculation supports DFT prediction of having a rather diffusive barrier that is characterized by having two transition states, in addition to confirming that the so-called black and blue phases of phosphorene are essentially degenerate. At the same time, the DFT calculations do not provide the quantitative accuracy in describing the energy changes for the martensitic phase transition even when hybrid exchange-correlation functional is employed. We also discuss how mechanical strain influences the stabilities of the two phases of phosphorene.
Combination effect of therapies targeting the PI3K- and AR-signaling pathways in prostate cancer

// Shalini Singh Yadav 1, * , Jinyi Li 1, * , Jennifer A. Stockert 1 , James O’Connor 1 , Bryan Herzog 1 , Cordelia Elaiho 1 , Matthew D. Galsky 1, 2 , Ashutosh Kumar Tewari 1 , Kamlesh Kumar Yadav 1 1 Department of Urology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA 2 Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA * These authors have contributed equally to this work Correspondence to: Shalini Singh Yadav, email: shalini.singh@mountsinai.org Ashutosh Kumar Tewari, email: ash.tewari@mountsinai.org Kamlesh Kumar Yadav, email: kamlesh.yadav@mountsinai.org Keywords: prostate cancer, drug-resistance, drug combination, synergy, antagonism Received: January 28, 2016 Accepted: October 01, 2016 Published: October 20, 2016 ABSTRACT Several promising targeted-therapeutics for prostate cancer (PCa), primarily affecting the androgen receptor (AR) and the PI3K/AKT/mTOR-pathway, are in various phases of development. However, despite promise, single-agent inhibitors targeting the two pathways have not shown long-term benefits, perhaps due to a complex compensatory cross talk that exists between the two pathways. Combination therapy has thus been proposed to maximize benefit. We have carried out a systematic study of two-drug combination effect of MDV3100 (AR antagonist), BKM120 (PI3K inhibitor), TKI258 (pan RTK inhibitor) and RAD001 (mTOR inhibitor) using various PCa cell lines. We observed strong synergy when AR-positive cells are treated with MDV3100 in combination with any one of the PI3K-pathway inhibitors: TKI258, BKM120, or RAD001. Growth curve based synergy determination combined with Western blot analysis suggested MDV3100+BKM120 to be the most effective in inducing cell death in such conditions. In the case of dual targeting of the PI3K-pathway BKM120+TKI258 combination displayed exquisite sensitivity in all the 5 cell lines tested irrespective of androgen sensitivity, (LNCaP, VCaP, 22Rv1, PC3 and Du145). The effect of blockade with BKM120+TKI258 in PC3 cells was similar to a combination of BKM120 with chemotherapy drug cabazitaxel. Taken together, our observation supports earlier observations that a combination of AR-inhibitor and PI3K-inhibitor is highly synergistic. Furthermore, combining BKM120 with TKI258 has better synergy than BKM120+RAD001 or RAD001+TKI258 in all the lines, irrespective of androgen sensitivity. Finally, BKM120 also displayed synergy when combined with chemotherapy drug cabazitaxel. No antagonism however was observed with any of the drug combinations.
Single Photon Avalanche Diode in standard CMOS 0.5um technology

Recently, Single Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) draws attentions because of its applications in bio-molecule detection [1] and optical communication [2]. In order to reduce the cost and improve the detection throughput, one trend is to integrate large number of SPAD pixels with readout circuit and signal processing circuit on one silicon chip. In this paper, a SPAD is designed and simulated based on the standard CMOS 0.5¼m technology. This design uses lateral diffusion of n-wells to form a low doping n-guard ring to suppress perimeter breakdown at the pn junction edge. To prove our design can prevent perimeter breakdown, we used the semiconductor device simulation to show where the breakdown happened on junction. Our proposed SPAD design doesn't need advanced CMOS process, therefore allows designer to integrate large number of SPAD pixels with relative lower cost.
Oxygen-Dependent Globin Coupled Sensor Signaling Modulates Motility and Virulence of the Plant Pathogen Pectobacterium carotovorum

Bacterial pathogens utilize numerous signals to identify the presence of their host and coordinate changes in gene expression that allow for infection. Within plant pathogens, these signals typically include small molecules and/or proteins from their plant hosts and bacterial quorum sensing molecules to ensure sufficient bacterial cell density for successful infection. In addition, bacteria use environmental signals to identify conditions when the host defenses are weakened and potentially to signal entry into an appropriate host/niche for infection. A globin coupled sensor protein (GCS), termed PccGCS, within the soft rot bacterium Pectobacterium carotovorum ssp. carotovorum WPP14 has been identified as an O2 sensor and demonstrated to alter virulence factor excretion and control motility, with deletion of PccGCS resulting in decreased rotting of a potato host. Using small molecules that modulate bacterial growth and quorum sensing, PccGCS signaling also has been shown to modulate quorum sensing pathways...
Families and Counselors Taking Action to Transform Culture: An Action–Inquiry Case Study of an Urban High School:

Federal initiatives place school counselors at the forefront of increasing college access for students in underserved communities. Although college enrollment rates have increased, low attainment r...
Web Strategy to Convey Marine Biogeochemical Feedback Concepts to the Policy Community: Aerosol and Sea Ice

Limited understanding of the climate system imposes upon policy makers an intimate reliance on results from Earth System Models (ESMs). However, climate simulations are necessarily incomplete since many strong channels through planetary scale biology and geochemistry remain too complex or poorly comprehended to include. This paper presents and describes an interactive, public domain website detailing the role of two marine biogeochemical (mBGC) feedback loops currently excluded from many ESMs (www.marinefeedbacks.com). Every page on the website includes images or videos to foster engagement with its technically challenging content. Simultaneously, fundamentals of the natural science involved are reinforced. The site includes subsections of the following nature; background information, executive summaries for each feedback type, detailed descriptions of the chemical mechanisms, climate change impact, and recommendations for future research. The information provided is firmly grounded in the technical literature but is designed specifically for accessibility to non-scientists. Particular targets for the material are the next-generation of decision makers and those framing the international climate agenda. It is hoped that a site with tailored pedagogical value may contribute to well informed policy formulation and legislation.
Finding and Enacting Agency: An Elementary ESL Teacher’s Perceptions of Teaching and Learning in the Era of Standardized Testing

The purpose of this article is to examine how a first-grade ESL teacher understands teaching and learning as she explores her agency (and that of her students) in implementing and experimenting wit...
Ultra-confined mid-infrared resonant phonon polaritons in van der Waals nanostructures

Hexagonal boron nitride has been proposed as an excellent candidate to achieve subwavelength infrared light manipulation owing to its polar lattice structure, enabling excitation of low-loss phonon polaritons with hyperbolic dispersion. We show that strongly subwavelength hexagonal boron nitride planar nanostructures can exhibit ultra-confined resonances and local field enhancement. We investigate strong light-matter interaction in these nanoscale structures via photo-induced force microscopy, scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, with excellent agreement with numerical simulations. We design optical nano-dipole antennas and directly image the fields when bright- or dark-mode resonances are excited. These modes are deep subwavelength, and strikingly, they can be supported by arbitrarily small structures. We believe that phonon polaritons in hexagonal boron nitride can play for infrared light a role similar to that of plasmons in noble metals at visible frequency, paving the way for a new class of efficient and highly miniaturized nanophotonic devices.
Storing Spatial Information in Memory

The complex world we encounter every day contains many objects. We selectively focus attention on some of the objects and may wish to store important information associated with these objects. This information could include where information, recording the object’s location, and what information, recording other characteristics such as the object’s shape, color, or size. Encountered objects vary in their relative importance to the person experiencing the objects (Figure 4.1). Many objects that exist in the environment are completely ignored because we never focus attention on them. Other objects may attract our attention long enough to make us briefly aware of their existence just long enough to decide we have no further interest in them. At times we may be forced to abandoned objects we have focused on as we shift attention to new objects because our working memory has a limited capacity (Baddeley 1986). At other times we may have sufficient interest in an object we are perceiving to track it over time and update any changes to the where and what information associated with it. The location of the object may change while we are experiencing it as well as its other characteristics. Because we have attended to the object and updated information related to it, we know it is the same object. If we wish to store information about the object after perception processes are completed, it would be necessary to encode the information related to the object into long-term memory (Figure 4.1). This could be verbal information expressed as a conceptual-proposition such as the car is blue or the car is in the garage. It could also be a visual image of the blue car in the garage.
Taxing State Governments under a Federal Value Added Tax: Part 1

The federal government confronts a long-run fiscal imbalance arising from the rapid projected growth of Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security spending compared with revenue. The enactment of a value added tax is often mentioned as a possible solution to this imbalance. This article is the first part of a two-part examination of the contentious issue of how state governments' provision of goods and services to the public should be taxed under a VAT.In this article, I focus on the case in which the state government's output takes the form of consumption rather than inputs into private production. I also assume in this article that state taxes do not affect private production. The second article in this series will generalize the analysis to consider state governments' provision of production inputs and the interaction of a federal VAT with state taxes.
Opioids, Overdoses, and Cannabis: Is Marijuana An Effective Therapeutic Response to the Opioid Abuse Epidemic?

Over the last decade, America has witnessed an increase in drug overdoses deaths in numbers partaking of Biblical proportions. As one physician put it, “The proliferation of opioid use in the United States is called an epidemic, but it more resembles metastatic cancer.” Some have argued that the crude form of smokable marijuana can provide an escape hatch from today’s opioid overdose epidemic by serving as a substitute for opioids, or as an opioid-sparing adjunctive medication. That argument is mistaken. The FDA will never approve that delivery system as a medical device, nor will it approve the marijuana plant as a drug. One or more individual cannabinoids, however, might someday prove valuable in the alleviation of pain. In fact, the FDA has already demonstrated its willingness to approve cannabinoids for therapeutic uses, by approving cannabidiol for the treatment of rare, childhood forms of epilepsy and THC for chemotherapy-induced nausea and wasting. Studies conducted to date do not establish that cannabinoids can usefully resolve the affliction suffered by those with chronic pain in a manner that avoids harmful side effects. Until we reach the point at which science can confidently say that cannabinoids are a proper analgesic substitute for opioids, physicians will need to rely on an array of analgesics (opioid and non-opioid) and other types of alternatives to medications for pain relief. Pain patients are also being encouraged to assume that perfection in pain relief is not always possible and coping with certain forms of pain are feasible. Additional research might help us reach the point where a range of alternative non-opioid, or biased opioid agonists or cannabinoids, other targeted non-addictive substances, or alternatives to medications can alleviate suffering. Congress should eliminate any unreasonable roadblocks that keep science from reaching that goal and should even go further by actively encouraging research to learn of new possible targets. Some bills pending in Congress would do that and therefore deserve serious consideration on an urgent basis. If isolated cannabinoids can help control the opioid overdose epidemic, we should be in a hurry to learn about it. But we are not there yet. Accordingly, we cannot justify basing today’s public policy decisions regarding the proper classification of the marijuana plant as a controlled substance on its usefulness as an analgesic substitute for opioids.
Multimineral diagenetic forward modeling for reservoir quality prediction in complex siliciclastic reservoirs

Reservoir quality (RQ) prediction models for sandstones in use by the oil and gas industry primarily emulate mechanical compaction, quartz cementation, and cementation by a few select aluminosilicate minerals during burial. The modeled cements are treated on a kinetic basis using independent Arrhenius-style rate equations, and nonmodeled cements are constrained by empirical observations and data from analog rocks. The nonmodeled cements pose a significant modeling challenge in complex lithic and arkosic sandstones that contain carbonate, clay, or zeolite cements when analog data are not available for constraint. Twenty-nine samples covering a broad range of sandstone compositions were selected from four fields in four different sedimentary basins to investigate the potential of using modern reactive transport models (RTM) to simulate a more comprehensive suite of minerals involved in sandstone diagenesis. A commercially available RTM, GWB® X1t, was configured to model chemical diagenesis in a time–temperature burial framework conceptually similar to that employed in standard industry RQ forward models. Strategies were developed to consistently constrain kinetic parameters, fluid compositions, and fluid fluxes with the goal of standardizing these parameters to reduce configuration and calibration time. Results show that RTM using such standardized parameters can reproduce relative timing and volume changes caused by mineral dissolution and precipitation that are accurate within the uncertainty of the petrographic data constraint. The results suggest that incorporation of RTM into current industry models could provide a valuable improvement to siliciclastic RQ prediction in frontier plays with complex mineralogies wherever calibration data are sparse or unavailable.
Answer to June 2015 Photo Quiz

Answer: Actinomyces meyeri sinusitis. Figure 1 in the photo quiz depicts thin, branching, filamentous organisms staining positive with Grocott methenamine silver (GMS), with additional stains showing the organisms to be periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and Gram positive and acid fast negative.
Chapter 6 – Electrochemiluminescence

Publisher Summary Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) is the process where species generated at electrodes undergo electron transfer reactions to form excited states that emit light. The application of voltage to an electrode in the presence of an ECL luminophore such a s Ru(bpy)32+ (where bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) results in light emission and allows the detection of the emitter at very low concentrations (≤10-11 M). By employing ECL-active species as labels on biological molecules, ECL has found application in commercial instruments used for immunoassays and DNA analyses. Commercial systems are developed that use ECL to detect many clinically relevant analytes with high sensitivity and selectivity. The principles, history, applications, advantages, limitations, and possibilities for improving the performance of this technology are outlined in this chapter.