cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Building sustainable capacity in the public sector: What can be done?

Effective government performance is central to the creation of market-oriented economies, secure and productive populations, and democratic political systems in developing countries. Capacity building to improve public sector performance is thus an important focus of development initiatives. Several implicit assumptions underlie most such efforts: that organizations or training activities are the logical site for capacity-building interventions; that administrative structures and monetary rewards determine organizational and individual performance; that organizations work well when structures and control mechanisms are in place; and that individual performance improves as a result of skill and technology transfer through training activities. Each of these assumptions is called into question by the findings of research carried out in six developing countries and reported in this article. Our studies indicate designing interventions that most constructively address sources of poor performance must follow from an assessment of a relatively broad set of variables, including the action environment in which all such activities take place. We also found that effective public sector performance is more often driven by strong organizational cultures, good management practices, and effective communication networks than it is by rules and regulations or procedures and pay scales. Our case studies further indicate that individual performance is more affected by opportunities for meaningful work, shared professional norms, teamwork, and promotion based on performance rather than it is by training in specific skills. In this article, we describe a framework or conceptual map that emphasizes that training activities, organizational performance and administrative structures are embedded within complex environments that significantly constrain their success and that often account for training or organizational failure. When it was applied in the six case study countries, the framework proved useful in identifying capacity gaps and providing a tool for the strategic design of interventions that are sensitive to the roots of performance deficits. This allows us to conclude that the assumptions underlying many capacity-building initiatives may focus attention on interventions that do not generate the highest payoffs in terms of improved performance.
A genetic algorithm for the single machine total weighted tardiness problem

Scheduling problems are important NP-hard problems. Genetic algorithms can provide good solutions for such optimization problems. In this paper, we present a genetic algorithm to solve the single machine total weighted tardiness scheduling problem, which is a strong NP-hard problem. The algorithm uses the natural permutation representation of a chromosome, heuristic dispatching rules combined with random method to create the initial population, position-based crossover and order-based mutation operators, and the best members of the population during generations. The computational results of problem examples with 10 and 25 jobs and general problems with 50, 100, 200 and 500 jobs show the good performance and the efficiency of the developed algorithm.
Glucosyltransferase Inactivation Reduces Dental Caries

Dental caries has been an intractable disease in spite of intense dental research. The metabolic acids produced by mutans streptococci demineralize the tooth surface and lead to dental caries. The enzyme glucosyltransferase (GTF) produced by mutans streptococci is the key factor in this process. Oral bacterial GTFs use sucrose as a substrate in synthesis of either water-soluble or insoluble glucans. In this investigation, kinetic studies with divalent metal ions revealed their strong binding affinity to GTF. The metal ions also proved to be strong inhibitors of the enzyme. Here we describe a simple method of inactivating the enzyme that actively participates in dental caries by taking advantage of a Fenton reaction which requires metal ions such as iron or copper and peroxide. The hydroxyl radical ions produced via the Fenton reaction inactivate GTF, a factor in the production of dental caries.
RESULTS OF IRRADIATING STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS BACTERIOPHAGE WITH MONOCHROMATIC ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT.

The incident energies required to kill Staphylococcus aureus or to inactivate its homologous bacteriophage have been measured at the various wave-lengths of the quartz mercury vapor arc between 238 and 302 mµ and found to run strictly parallel, the readings for the S. aureus phage being obtained at a uniformly higher energy level. This difference in levels is of less significance than the striking similarity in the shapes of the energy curves, which indicate that in both instances the same organic structures are absorbing the radiations. The results are open to three interpretations. The most obvious is that the bacteriophage is a submicroscopic organism. Again, it is possible that the bacteriophage is a product of its own lytic action on the homologous bacterium and contains the essential structural units which in S. aureus also are destroyed by ultraviolet light and thus cause the death of the organism. A third, more remote explanation is that the phage, of wholly unknown nature, is absorbed on S. aureus material in so intimate a bond that the alteration of this material by irradiation renders the phage incapable of further lytic activity.
Learning Opportunities in a Department-Wide Crisis Simulation: Bridging the International/National Divide

When designed and executed properly, role-playing simulations go a long way to enhance student learning. Typically, however, simulations are divided along subfields. Most exercises, whether based on real or fictitious events, either place students in various roles within a country or have them represent the international interests of one country among others. In an effort to bridge this divide and answer recent calls to internationalize the curriculum, we have designed and implemented a department-wide crisis simulation. The article demonstrates that students engaged in a large-scale, department-wide simulation gain a greater appreciation and understanding of political processes and variables including negotiation, the opportunities and constraints of institutional design, identity, and strategic thinking.
Testing reading comprehension of theoretical discourse with cloze

The ability of cloze tests containing frequent, every n-th word deletions to measure comprehension of macropropositions has been challenged on both theoretical and empirical grounds, calling into question the validity of such tests for assessing comprehension of much of the discourse encountered by university-level students. To evaluate the comprehension of a writer’s reasoning, it is recommended that cloze tests position gaps so as to target recognition of cohesive devices and the ability to draw inferences from other sentences. To test the validity of such a design, a large sample of scores on discourse cloze tests administered in introductory college economics is compared to scores on true–false comprehension tests designed to target recognition of connective propositions. The two distributions of scores do not differ significantly in terms of mean value, dispersion or frequency distribution, suggesting that appropriately designed cloze tests can provide a valid assessment of the reader’s integration of theoretical text. In addition, the usefulness of readability formulas based on surface characteristics of text is challenged when readability is defined in terms of the difficulty of constructing a coherent representation of theoretical text.
ASSOCIATION OF INDICATORS AND PREDICTORS OF TIE STRENGTH

Arguments deriving from the importance of the strength of social ties between individuals are being applied in social and organizational analysis; however, lack of empirical verification of the com...
Changes in family functioning amongst nonconventional families.

The emergence of alternative family styles was an expression of the counter-culture's search for different, more responsive ways of addressing family responsibilities and roles. The diversity of values and child-rearing practices among alternative families is described, and findings are examined in terms of the economic, educational, and caretaking functions of the family.
Stochastic Analysis of Gene Regulatory Networks Using Moment Closure

Random fluctuations in gene regulatory networks are inevitable due to the probabilistic nature of chemical reactions and the small populations of proteins, mRNAs present inside cells. These fluctuations are usually reported in terms of the first and second order statistical moments of the protein populations. If the birth-death rates of the mRNAs or the proteins are nonlinear, then the dynamics of these moments generally do not form a closed system of differential equations, in the sense that their time-derivatives depends on moments of order higher than two. Recent work has developed techniques to obtain the two lowest-order moments by closing their dynamics, which involves approximating the higher order moments as nonlinear functions of the two lowest ones. This paper uses these moment closure techniques to quantify noise in several gene regulatory networks. In gene expression mechanisms in which a protein inhibits its own transcription, the resulting negative feedback reduces stochastic variations in the protein populations. Often the protein itself is not active and combines with itself to form an active multimer, which them inhibits the transcription. We demonstrate that this more sophisticated form of negative feedback (using multimerization) is more effective in suppressing noise. We also consider a two-gene cascade activation network in which the protein expressed by one gene activates another gene to express a second protein. Analysis shows that the stochastic fluctuations in the population of the activated protein increases with the degree of multimerization in the activating protein.
Potassium recycling pathways in the human cochlea.

Objectives/Hypothesis Potential pathways for recycling potassium (K+) used in the maintenance of inner ear electrochemical gradients have been elucidated in animal models. However, little is known about K+ transport in the human cochlea. This study was designed to characterize putative K+ recycling pathways in the human ear and to determine whether observations from animal models can be extrapolated to humans. Study Design A prospective laboratory study using an immunohistochemical approach to analyze the distribution of key ion transport mediators in the human cochlea. Methods Human temporal bones were fixed in situ within 1 to 6 hours of death and subsequently harvested at autopsy. Decalcification was accomplished with the aid of microwaving. Immunohistochemical staining was then performed to define the presence and cell type-specific distribution of Na,K-ATPase, sodium–potassium–chloride cotransporter (NKCC), and carbonic anhydrase (CA) in the inner ear. Results Staining patterns visualized in the human cochlea closely paralleled those seen in other species. Anti-Na,K-ATPase stained strongly the basolateral plasma membrane of strial marginal cells and nerve endings underlying hair cells. This antibody also localized Na,K-ATPase to type II, type IV, and type V fibrocytes in the spiral ligament and in limbal fibrocytes. NKCC was present in the basolateral membrane of strial marginal cells as well as in type II, type V, and limbal fibrocytes. Immunoreactive carbonic anhydrase was present in type I and type III fibrocytes and in epithelial cells lining Reissner's membrane and the spiral prominence. Conclusions The distribution of several major ion transport proteins in the human cochlea is similar but not identical to that described in various rodent models. These results support the presence of a complex system for recycling and regulating K+ homeostasis in the human cochlea, similar to that described in other mammalian species.
A New Partisan Voter

The American electorate today is different from that described in The American Voter. Both the 1950s era of ideologically innocent party voting and the subsequent period of partisan dealignment are over. Some political scientists began to describe the New American Voter as a new partisan evolution occurred. What has not been fully appreciated in the twentieth/twenty-first century history of voting studies is how partisanship returned in a form more ideological and more issue based along liberal-conservative lines than it has been in more than 30 years. This is visible in the strength of partisan voting, in the relationship between partisanship and ideology, and in the strength of the relationship of partisanship and self-reported liberal-conservative ideology to the public's economic, social, racial, and religious attitudes and opinions. Not only has the public responded in a striking way to changes in politics and its context, but the current transformation has also appeared to be strikingly enduring and...
An avian model for comparative studies of insulin teratogenicity.

Summary This study was designed to explore the effects of purified insulin during early stages of chick embryo development, and to search for variations between different molecular structures of the hormone. Chicken embryos were treated in ovo with a single dose of insulin (porcine or bovine), in only one stage of development between day 0 and day 9. Two susceptible periods were found. The earliest period (day 0 to day 3), characterized by abnormalities in the caudal vertebrae and a high mortality rate, was followed by a period with a different set of malformations, a syndrome classified as achondroplasia. The rate of achondro-plastic embryos was significantly higher with porcine rather than with bovine insulin. Paradoxically, insulin at physiological doses has stimulatory effects in growth and development but, in contrast, has inhibitory effects at higher doses. The precise signalling cascade of events in the target cells is still unclear. The possible interpretations of our results are discussed. The similarity between the insulin-induced abnormalities in the chicken embryos and the caudal regression syndrome, the most common malformation found in infants of diabetic women, suggests a common mechanism. This circumstance offers the chicken embryos as an excellent in vivo model for research on the mechanism of action of insulin during normal and abnormal development.
Interaction of Phytic Acid with the Metal Ions, Copper (II), Cobalt (II), Iron (III), Magnesium (II), and Manganese (II)

The combination of phytic acid with the metal ions of cobalt (II), magnesium (II), manganese (II), copper (II), and iron (III) has been investigated. With the experimental conditions used, in all cases, the products isolated were amorphous powders with nonstiochiometric atomic ratios.
Cocaine in pregnancy: the effect of maternal administration of cocaine on the maternal and fetal pituitary-adrenal axes.

The effects of cocaine on the maternal and fetal pituitary-adrenal axis in vivo during pregnancy have not been reported. Six pregnant ewes and their fetuses underwent instrumentation at 113 to 119 days' gestation. Ewes were assigned to receive an intravenous bolus injection of vehicle or cocaine (0.5, 1.0, or 2.0 mg · kg –1 ) at 124 to 136 days' gestation. Maternal arterial blood gases, fetal pH and fetal Pco 2 were unchanged after injection of cocaine or vehicle. After administration of 2.0 mg · kg –1 cocaine, arterial fetal Po 2 fell 3.2 ± 1.72 mm Hg ( p p p −1 .
Angiotensin-II Receptor Blockers

As described in the previous chapter, the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays an important role in the body’s regulation of arterial blood pressure. The effector hormone of the RAS is angiotensin II, which maintains the systemic vascular resistance and extracellular fluid volume through its direct and indirect vasoconstrictive and blood volume expansion effects (Fig. 4.1). In particular, angiotensin II constricts vascular smooth muscle and increases central sympathetic outflow. In addition, angiotensin II stimulates the release of norepinephrine and epinephrine from the sympathetic nervous system and the adrenal medulla. It exerts antinatriuretic and antidiuretic effects in the kidneys and promotes the release of vasopressin from the pituitary gland and the release of aldosterone from the adrenal cortex (sona glomerulosa).
Quantative methods for DC-DC converter performance analysis in distributed power systems

A method is proposed to quantitatively analyze performance degradation of DC-DC power converters in distributed power systems. The interaction among modules is analyzed in terms of loop gain and impedance ratio measurements. The approach is to predict performance changes in loop gains of converters. Theoretical and step-by-step experimental methods are proposed. Experiments support the accuracy of the predictions.
Orbicularis Oculi Myo-Osseous Fixation: A New Treatment for Benign Essential Blepharospasm and Blepharospasm Associated with Diffuse Facial Dystonia (Meige Syndrome)

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE This article describes a novel surgical procedure, myo-osseous fixation, as an adjunct therapy for patients with reduced or poor response to repeated botulinum toxin injections for essential blepharospasm and Meige syndrome. PATIENTS AND METHODS The small-incision, rapidly healing, rapidly performed technique uses self-drilling titanium screws tightly engaged with a compression wrench. The screws fixate the periorbital orbicularis oculi muscle to bone, creating mechanical resistance to outer portions of the orbicularis muscle involved in debilitating involuntary contractions. RESULTS Eleven of the treated 12 patients experienced immediate improvement in function. Each responding patient noted enhanced effect of subsequent botulinum toxin injections at previously ineffective doses. The benefit was substantial and sustained for 6 months in 9 of 12 patients. Decreased brow depression during forced closure, forced frown, and brow elevation at rest was apparent in all patients postoperatively. Although the brow elevation effect was reduced after 6 months, reduced brow depression during forced closure still was easily demonstrated in most patients. Complications included a nodular bump over the brow, more commonly found when large titanium screws were used, transient headache, and easily removed dislodged screw. CONCLUSION Initial data suggest that this procedure appears safe, well tolerated, and useful in the treatment of patients with essential blepharospasm and Meige syndrome responding poorly to botulinum toxin therapy.
Tuning kinetic competitions to traverse the rich structural space of organic semiconductor thin films

The chemical diversity of organic semiconductors coupled with the kinetic nature of film formation make it challenging to tune the structure of active-layer thin films in organic electronics across multiple length scales. We review techniques to tune aspects of film structure within a framework that accounts for the competition between the time available for structural development and the time required by the organic semiconductors to order, defined by a dimensionless time, τ, that describes the ratio of these two quantities. By considering these two competing time scales, we propose general guidelines to tune the film structure accordingly.
A risk stratification algorithm using non-invasive respiratory volume monitoring to improve safety when using post-operative opioids in the PACU.

Late detection of respiratory depression in non-intubated patients compromises patient safety. SpO2 is a lagging indicator of respiratory depression and EtCO2 has proven to be unreliable in non-intubated patients. A decline in minute ventilation (MV) is the earliest sign of respiratory depression. A non-invasive respiratory volume monitor (RVM) that provides accurate, continuous MV measurements enables clinicians to predict and quantify respiratory compromise. For this observational study, practitioners were blinded to the RVM measurements and pain management followed the usual routine. Patients were stratified by their MV on PACU admission and classified as "At-Risk" or "Not-At-Risk," with progression to "Low MV" status following opioids assessed for each category. The purpose was to determine if stratifying based on MV on PACU arrival could identify patients at higher risk for respiratory depression. Ability to identify in advance patients at higher risk for respiratory depression following standard opioid dosing would drive changes in pain management and improve patient care. RVM and opioid administration data from 150 PACU patients following elective joint-replacement surgery were collected in an observational study. "Predicted" MV (MVPRED) and "Percent Predicted" (MVMEASURED/MVPRED × 100 %) were calculated for each patient using standard formulas. Prior to opioid administration, patients were classified as either "Not-At-Risk" (MV ≥ 80 % MVPRED) or "At-Risk" (MV < 80 % MVPRED). "Low MV" was defined as MV < 40 % MVPRED. Post-operative apnea (POA) was defined as ≥5 ten-second apneas per hour of PACU stay. We compared the incidences of Low MV following a single opioid dose, POA, and Low MV at discharge for both groups. In the PACU, 74/150 patients received opioids. Within 15 min of opioid administration, 32 % (24/74) developed Low MV. The risk-stratification algorithm identified 22/24 patients (92 % sensitivity). Only 46 % of them had POA, and the majority had Low MV without POA. At discharge, 29/150 patients had Low MV and those receiving opioids were 50 % more likely to display Low MV (23 vs. 16 %). The RVM can identify patients at-risk for opioid-induced respiratory depression and/or experiencing POA. Monitoring of MV can guide opioid-dosing regimens and may increase patient safety across the continuum of care.
Pressure Measurements in a Wolf Piezolith 2200 Lithotripter

We have developed a PC-based system and a measurement protocol to study characteristics of acoustic shock waves generated by a extracorporeal shock wave lithotripter. * The system has the following capabilities: data acquisition, data transfer, mass storage, wave form analysis, and graphics display. Using this system, we measured the peak pressure distribution within a cylindrical region of 120 × 70 mm (diameter × height) surrounding the geometric focal point of a Richard Wolf Piezolith 2200 lithotripter. At a given point, we aligned the transducer along the local radial line from the focal point so that its sensing element would capture the incident wave front. Due to the axisymmetric nature of the wave-generator geometry and of the pressure loadings generated, measurement from one meridian plane was deemed sufficient. On a meridian plane, a total of 105 measurements were made with 15 taken from each of the seven radial lines at θ = 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90 degrees, respectively. We repeated measurements at meridian planes at every 90 degrees to make a total of four measurements for one location. Results were mapped and displayed with a three-dimensional surface plot to show the spatial distribution of peak pressure within the region of measurement. We also made a two-dimensional contour plot to show the shape and size of the focal zone within the region. The peak pressure at the geometrical focal point was measured to be 8.6 Kpsi (600 bar). An ellipsoidal shaped focal zone with peak pressure of 6 Kpsi or higher was found to have major and minor axes of 9.8 and 2.6 mm, respectively. We may have underestimated peak pressures due to the transducers used. Experiments with new probes are currently underway.
Channeling Study of Partially Ionized Beam Deposited Epitaxial Ag Films on Si(111) Substrates

Ag films deposited on Si(111) substrates by partially ionized beam (PIB) under conventional vacuum conditions were studied by MeV ion channeling techniques. In spite of their large lattice mismatch (24.8%), Ag films were still found to be epitaxial. With a deposition temperature of 350°C and without post-annealing, the Xmin value at the surface of a 2550 A° thick Ag film was found to be 10%. The azimuthal angular scan and the measured axial channeling dip showed that the Ag film was (111) oriented. The lattice quality of the films was comaparable to that deposited by MBE techniques. Dislocations were found in the PIB deposited Ag films. Lattice damage due to the bombardment of energetic ions was also observed. The thickness of the Ag film was found to have a pronounced effect on the crystalline quality at the surface. With the thickness increasing from 1240 A° to 2550 A°, the lattice quality at the Ag surface improved significantly, but not much change in the defect density in the Ag films was obseved.
Elevated L-PGDS activity contributes to PMA-induced apoptosis concomitant with downregulation of PI3-K.

Recently we demonstrated the induction of apoptosis by the addition of recombinant lipocalin-type prostaglandin D2 synthase (L-PGDS) to the culture medium of LLC-PK1 cells. Because protein kinase C...
Establishing of Class Committee Member Evaluation System based on Quality Function Deployment

In order to encourage class committee members in university of ambition, increase work efficiency, enhance the personal ability to work, proposing evaluation system based on the quality function deployment method for the class committee members, which includs evaluation indexes, evaluation criteria and evaluation method, in this way, evaluation of class committee members' performance regular and make a change, finally to establish a powerful class committee system.
Thixotropic Characteristics Of Compacted Clays

Previous investigations summarized; existence of thixotropic effects in compacted clays and their variation with soil composition; test data illustrating magnitude of thixotropic strength increases with time for compacted clays in normal compression tests and under repeated loading conditions; effects of thixotropy on results of tests conducted.
Pre- and postoperative care in retroperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy

Objective To evaluate the key factors of pre- and postoperative care in retroperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Methods Retrospective study was done. Nineteen patients received retroperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy.Preoperative care and postoperative observation were compared. Results The 19 cases were all succeeded. Gastroenteral movement were recovered 24~48 hours after operation. No complications occured. The average hospitalization duration was 9 days. No complications occurred in the 6~18 months′ follow-up. Conclusion The key factors to guarantee a successful retroperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy is health promotion,psychotherapy and intensive.
144 THE EFFECTIVENESS OF AN HIV/SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE RISK INTERVENTION ON INCARCERATED ADOLESCENTS' SEXUAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND BEHAVIOR INTENTIONS.

Purpose of Study Our goal was to report preliminary findings regarding the effect of an HIV/sexually transmitted disease (STD) educational intervention on the HIV knowledge, skills, and behavioral intentions of incarcerated adolescents. Compared to their school-based peers, incarcerated adolescents report higher rates of many behaviors correlated with HIV transmission. The self-contained environment of juvenile detention centers provides an opportunity to implement interventions capable of reducing high-risk sexual behaviors. The chosen intervention addressed adolescents who are currently sexually active and accounted for the fact that knowledge and risk perception have little effect on adolescent behavior. Additionally, it presented HIV-risk reduction skills, such as communication between sexual partners and accurate perceptions of peer norms, which have shown to strongly impact sexual decision-making in prior studies. Methods Used Adolescents completed a self-report survey prior to and immediately following an 8-hour HIV/STD educational intervention conducted in two youth detention centers. The pre- and post-intervention group means for each survey item or multi-item scale were compared. Summary of Results Among 53 participants, the mean age was 15.58, and 30% were male. African Americans comprised 60% and whites 34%. Pre-intervention, 83% reported having had sexual intercourse. Significant increases were found in HIV/STD knowledge (14.7%, p
Health policy: Overcoming cost barriers to clinical trial participation

Escalating costs of cancer treatments are threatening access to high-quality care. This economic trend comes at a time of unprecedented opportunity for translational research, but an alarmingly low level of patient participation in clinical trials. Patients' concerns about costs are a barrier to trial enrolment, and addressing these concerns is a moral and practical imperative if we are to accelerate progress against cancer.
Utilization of laparoscopy in colorectal surgery for cancer at academic medical centers: does site of surgery affect rate of laparoscopy?

Use of laparoscopy in colorectal cancer surgery is still limited. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of use of laparoscopic colorectal surgery for cancer at academic medical centers an...
Atypical mycobacteria and the xenograft valve

During a 4 month interval, cultures taken at the time of porcine xenograft valve implantation grew a fastidious atypical mycobacterium, Mycobacterium chelonei (Runyon’s group IV), in eight of 20 patients. Initial growth occurred at 2 to 3 weeks in thioglycollate broth only; detailed biochemical and bacteriologic evaluation demonstrates altered catalase activity accounting for its initial slow growth. Only one patient has manifested clinical evidence of infection 5 months after mitral valve replacement. A large pericardial effusion required pericardiectomy. Pericardial tissue and fluid have grown M. chelonei with the same growth characteristics as the initial valve culture. It is recommended that manufacturers of xenograft valve bioprostheses maintain a quarantine of 6 weeks until cultures, smears of culture broth, and microscopic evaluation of aortic wall coupons are negative. Users of these prostheses should keep cultures for a minimum of 3 weeks. Should positive cultures result, antimicrobial therapy should be considered only with clinical evidence of infection.
Treating software-defined networks like disk arrays

Data networks require a high degree of performance and reliability as mission-critical IoT deployments increasingly depend on them. Although performance and fault tolerance can be individually addressed at all levels of the networking stack, few solutions tackle these challenges in an elegant and scalable manner. We propose a redundant array of independent network links (RAIL), adapted from RAID, that combines software-defined networking, disjoint network paths and selective packet processing to improve communications bandwidth and latency while simultaneously providing fault tolerance. Our work shows that the implementation of such a system is feasible without necessitating awareness or changes in the operating systems or hardware of IoT and client devices.
Is Utilitarianism a Scientific Morality

Moral naturalists have also tried a different strategy; rather than debunk objective ethics, some have argued that a utilitarian ethics is the only moral system consistent with a scientific or naturalist worldview. In this chapter, we examine the arguments for this claim and demonstrate why they fail. It is argued that precisely what is missing in the utilitarian theory is a recognition of a transcendental goal of ethics, the idea of an objective moral goal that is the guiding aim of human life.
Clonal Heterogeneity and Genetic Instability of Multiple Myeloma and Impact on Treatment

Multiple myeloma is a pathological definition for a series of distinct genetic entities with similar phenotypic and clinical characteristics. Multiple studies have now identified distinct subtypes of the disease, which are associated with different clinical outcomes. The genetic complexity underlying these different subtypes is very diverse. Some subtypes like those characterized by immunoglobulin translocations targeting cyclin D1 are associated with very minimal changes or no copy number changes. Conversely, subtypes defined by translocations targeting WHSC1/MMSET or the MAF and MAFB transcription factors often have highly complex and diverse copy number changes. With the substantial advances in DNA sequencing technology we now know there is a diverse array of somatic mutations in multiple myeloma tumors. Through the integration of copy number changes and somatic mutations multiple groups have now shown the existence of multiple co-existing subclones within individual tumors. Additional studies following patients through their individual disease courses have shown these subclones can ebb and flow with time through multiple rounds of therapeutic selection. This session will highlight our current understanding of how the interplay between tumor evolution and clonal heterogeneity should influence our treatment decisions, particularly when applying a personalized medicine approach. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Reasons for marijuana use among young adults and long-term associations with marijuana use and problems

Objective:This study examines reasons for marijuana use among young adults age 19/20 in the United States and the extent to which patterns of reasons are associated with marijuana use and problems 15 years later.Method:The national Monitoring the Future study provided data on marijuana users at age 19/20 who were also surveyed at age 35 (n = 2,288; 50% women; 83% White). Latent class analysis was used to identify distinct patterns of reasons for marijuana use, which were then used as predictors of later marijuana use and problems.Results:Five latent classes described the following patterns of reasons for marijuana use at age 19/20: Experimental, Get High + Relax, Typical, Typical + Escape, and Coping + Drug Use. Highest risk for later marijuana use and problems was found for people with Coping + Drug Use and Get High + Relax reasons in young adulthood; those with Experimental reasons were at lowest risk for later use or problems.Conclusions:Coping and getting high emerged as strong predictors of later mar...
Radiation Hard Plastic Scintillators for a New Generation of Particle Detectors

The radiation hardness of specific scintillating materials used in particle physics experiments is one of the main focuses of research in detector development. This report summarizes the preparation methods, light yield characterization and radiation damage tests of a plastic scintillator with a polysiloxane base and pTP and bis-MSB dopants. The scintillator is shown to be a promising candidate for particle detectors with its intense light output around 400 nm and very little scintillation or transmission loss after proton irradiation of 4 × 105 Gy.
Phage “delay” towards enhancing bacterial escape from biofilms: a more comprehensive way of viewing resistance to bacteriophages

In exploring bacterial resistance to bacteriophages, emphasis typically is placed on those mechanisms which completely prevent phage replication. Such resistance can be detected as extensive reductions in phage ability to form plaques, that is, reduced efficiency of plating. Mechanisms include restriction-modification systems, CRISPR/Cas systems, and abortive infection systems. Alternatively, phages may be reduced in their "vigor" when infecting certain bacterial hosts, that is, with phages displaying smaller burst sizes or extended latent periods rather than being outright inactivated. It is well known, as well, that most phages poorly infect bacteria that are less metabolically active. Extracellular polymers such as biofilm matrix material also may at least slow phage penetration to bacterial surfaces. Here I suggest that such "less-robust" mechanisms of resistance to bacteriophages could serve bacteria by slowing phage propagation within bacterial biofilms, that is, delaying phage impact on multiple bacteria rather than necessarily outright preventing such impact. Related bacteria, ones that are relatively near to infected bacteria, e.g., roughly 10+ µm away, consequently may be able to escape from biofilms with greater likelihood via standard dissemination-initiating mechanisms including erosion from biofilm surfaces or seeding dispersal/central hollowing. That is, given localized areas of phage infection, so long as phage spread can be reduced in rate from initial points of contact with susceptible bacteria, then bacterial survival may be enhanced due to bacteria metaphorically "running away" to more phage-free locations. Delay mechanisms-to the extent that they are less specific in terms of what phages are targeted-collectively could represent broader bacterial strategies of phage resistance versus outright phage killing, the latter especially as require specific, evolved molecular recognition of phage presence. The potential for phage delay should be taken into account when developing protocols of phage-mediated biocontrol of biofilm bacteria, e.g., as during phage therapy of chronic bacterial infections.
The effects of maternal respiratory sinus arrhythmia and behavioral engagement on mother‐child physiological coregulation

Parent-child coregulation is thought to be an important precursor for children's developing self-regulation, but we know little about how individual parent factors shape parent-child physiological coregulation. We examined whether maternal baseline respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), teaching, and disengagement were associated with stronger or weaker coregulation of RSA between mothers and their 3-year-old children (N = 47), modeled across 18 min of observed dyadic interaction using multilevel coupled autoregressive models. Whereas greater maternal teaching was associated with stronger coregulation in mother and child RSA over time, maternal disengagement was related to weaker coregulation, specifically more divergent parent and child RSA at higher levels of maternal disengagement. Coregulation of mother-child RSA was also weaker when mothers’ baseline RSA was higher. Findings contribute to the emerging knowledge base on real-time patterns of parent-child physiological coregulation in early childhood and suggest that mothers’ physiology and behavioral engagement with the child play an important role in mother-child physiological coregulation patterns.
Tungsten-Cobalt-Carbon System

The phases and equilibria in the W-Co-C system have been studied by X-ray diffraction methods, metallographic technique, and thermal analysis. In addition to the η phase, two double carbides, called θ and κ, have been revealed. The compositions correspond to Co3W6C2 and Co3-W10C4. The reactions leading to these phases have been explained and tentative diagrams of stable and metastable equilibria proposed. The basic reactions in sintering cobalt cemented tungsten carbides are discussed.
Decision-Making in Fish: Genetics and Social Behavior

Abstract In evolution, social behavior has been a potent selective force in shaping brains to control action. Social animals interact with others and their environment to survive and reproduce. To be successful, animals must acquire, evaluate, and translate information about their social and physical environments to decide what to do next. The resulting decisions can profoundly alter an animal's behavior and physiology, producing a diverse array of cellular and molecular responses. Clearly the brain controls behavior but how does an animal's behavior sculpt its brain? Using a particularly suitable fish model system with complex social interactions, we report how the social context of behavior shapes the brain and alters the behavior and neural circuitry of interacting animals. We have shown that social opportunities produce rapid changes in gene expression in key nuclei in the brain and these genomic responses prepare the individual to modify its behavior moving into a different social niche. Both social success and failure produce changes in neuronal cell size and connectivity in key brain nuclei. Understanding mechanisms through which social information is transduced into cellular and molecular changes provides a deeper understanding of the brain systems responsible for animal decisions.
Stable ergodicity in homogeneous spaces

In this paper we prove that in the context of homogeneous spacesG/B which satisfy a certain admissibility requirement, stable ergodicity of an affine diffeomorphism implies that there is some hyperbolicity. Indeed,\(\overline {HB} = G\) whereH is the hyperbolically generated subgroup ofG.
Simulations of Proton Transfer and Hydride Transfer Reactions in Proteins

Simulations of proton transfer and hydride transfer reactions by the Empirical Valence Bond method are described. The use of this method in examination of Linear Free Energy Relationships (LFER) and in obtaining quantum mechanical rate constants is illustrated. It is pointed out that LFERs are probably valid even in enzymatic reactions since computer simulations indicate that the electrostatic response of protein active sites can be described by the linear response approximation. The validity of LFERs in proteins should provide a powerful tool in protein design, although it is important to realize that such relationships are much more valid for transitions between different resonance structures than for transitions between reactants and product states.
Thyroid disease - Common clinical scenarios, or how to make it through thyroid clinic day in nuclear medicine

1025 In all age groups, there are common clusters of scant-to-minimal clinical histories that will allow relatively specific diagnoses to be made or confirmed by thyroid uptake and scan studies. Adults often present with evidence of thyroid overactivity by symptoms and physical exam findings, or by abnormal laboratory values. Another scenario is a palpable nodule, gland, or neck mass; the clinical question then is to localize the mass with respect to neck region landmarks, and/or the activity of the palpable finding. A third and growing scenario in all age groups is the incidentaloma, such as a questioned mass or an area of "heterogeneous enhancement" in the thyroid region, as may be noted on CTPA scans, carotid ultrasound, neck region MRI scans, or whole body radioisotope scans (usually PET). Problems that are more common in pediatrics include the workup of a palpable mass, dyphagia or airway compression, superior mediastinal mass or of rare but urgent cases of neonatal hypothyroidism. Overactivity can be attributed to hyperthyroidism, with many causes (and possible classifications), but which overlaps with thyrotoxicosis with respect to producing symptoms, which then must be differentiated by correlating other data with uptake/scan results. Scan uniformity is also a useful finding, bearing in mind several common variants. The clinical added value of the thyroid scan and uptake study is that many hyperthyroid entities are often treated initially with radioiodine, as opposed to thyrotoxicosis, which requires anti-inflammatory or supportive therapies. Other common causes of overactivity must be remembered such as medication effect; transient stages of thyroiditis (the many forms of thyroiditis, and some of the molecular biology that link them will be reviewed, including differential regulation of p63/p53 and CK 19, and commonality of oncocytic changes in Hashimoto9s/MALT tumors/B cell lymphoma/papillary CA). Palpable masses can be due to or co-exist with overactivity or thyrotoxicosis, and require localization and assessment of their activity with relation to normal thyroid. Intra-thyroidal nodules increase in incidence with age, and their initial management may include a thyroid scan. Incidentalomas in the thyroid region are found on many other imaging examinations, and the thyroid scan in these cases ideally is directly correlated with the original finding (and scheduled with the appropriate timing and technique, with respect to a finding on an IV-contrast enhanced CT or a radioisotope scan). Pediatric indications are rarer, especially the workup of neonatal hypothyroidism. Other uses are the evaluation of congenital or acquired neck region masses. Clinical images and histories to illustrate common scenarios will be included.
Commentary on Brudney and Ferrell

Brudney and Ferrell's excellent article makes an important contribution to the ongoing debate over the legitimacy of corporate charity. They are concerned that corporate managers donate money to charities without shareholder consent, and they propose that federal tax law only allow a corporation to deduct charitable donations if its shareholders choose the recipients. This Comment is divided into two Parts. Part I discusses the practicality of implementing this proposal and possible collateral effects. Part II discusses problems that Brudney and Ferrell identify with unfettered management discretion in charitable giving, the seriousness of these problems, and whether they could better be addressed in other ways.
Provider Access to Legacy Electronic Anesthesia Records Following Implementation of an Electronic Health Record System.

Many hospitals are in the process of replacing their legacy anesthesia information management system (AIMS) with an Electronic Health Record (EHR) system, within which the AIMS is integrated. Using the legacy AIMS security access log table, we studied the extent to which anesthesia providers were accessing historical anesthesia records (January 2006 – March 2017) following implementation of an EHR (April 2017). Statistical analysis was by segmented regression. At the time of implementation of the EHR, in 44.8% (SE = 0.3%) of cases, there was a prior anesthetic record for the patient that had been documented in the legacy AIMS. Following EHR implementation, the mean number of preoperative clinical views of all prior anesthetic records divided by the total number of cases performed decreased to 2.3% (0.3%) from the baseline of 25.1% (0.8%). The estimated ratio of the 2 means was 0.18 (95% CI 0.11 to 0.31, P < 0.00001). For views of unique records, the decrease was to 2.2% (0.3%) from the baseline of 18.3% (0.5%). The estimated ratio was 0.23 (95% CI 0.15 to 0.35, P < 0.00001). These results show that, following conversion to an integrated EHR, providing access to historical anesthesia records by maintaining the legacy AIMS is not an effective strategy to promote review of such records as part of the preoperative evaluation process. Because such records provide important information for many patients, providing linked access to such records within the EHR as part of the patient encounter may be a more effective approach.
Regulation of Somatostatin Release from Dispersed Canine Fundic D-Cells

Somatostatin, initially isolated from the ovine hypothalamus (1), has potent inhibitory actions on gastric acid secretion (2,3) and gastrin release (4,5). In the stomach, somatostatin producing D-cells are found in both fundic and antral mucosa, where they have been described as possessing long cytoplasmic processes terminating on parietal cells and gastrin-producing G cells (6,7).