cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Implementing national educational technology standards for student in the United States

A consortium of leading educational professional organizations in the United States, led by the International Society for Technology in Education has developed a set of National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) for students. The NETS standards describe what all students should know about and be able to do with technology. They are divided into six categories [1]: Basic operations and concepts; Social, ethical, and human issues; Technology productivity tools; Technology communication tools; Technology research tools; and Technology problem-solving and decision-making tools.The NETS standards also include performance indicators at each of four major target grade ranges, PK-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12. NETS standards describe fundamental technology competencies to be developed through meaningful learning experiences integrated throughout the PreK-12 curriculum. They provide realistic benchmarks for achievement. They also provide a continuum of technology skills that can be achieved through a curriculum that reinforces high level learning and problem solving strategies in which technology tools play a major role.
Infrared spectroscopy of methyl groups on silicon

Abstract Dissociative adsorption of methyl iodide at 300 K on Si(100) was followed by multiple-internal reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The absorption spectrum shows only two peaks in the CH stretching region (2890 and 2955 cm −1 ) which are assigned to the symmetric and antisymmetric CH stretching modes of methyl bonded to silicon. The intensities of the ν(CH 3 ) modes are very weak and exhibit a strongly nonlinear dependence on coverage. The results of isotope labeling studies suggest that methyl groups at minority sites dominate the spectral intensity. Thermal annealing studies indicate that the kinetics of methyl decomposition at temperatures above 600 K is affected by co-adsorbed halogen and hydrogen atoms.
When does the screening effect not hold

Abstract The screening effect is the phenomenon of nearby observations yielding a good approximation to the optimal linear predictor of a spatial process based on a large set of observations. In addition to its obvious relevance to computation with large spatial datasets, knowing when a screening effect occurs is key to understanding the behavior of spatial processes. This work provides the first general results showing when an asymptotic screening effect does not hold by considering the prediction of a weakly stationary, isotropic process on R d at a single location based on observing the process everywhere on R d with white noise and letting the variance of the white noise tend to 0. The main result shows that a screening effect does not hold if the isotropic spectral density fluctuates too much at high frequencies.
Chemical probes for analysis of carbonylated proteins: A review ☆

Protein carbonylation is a major form of protein oxidation and is widely used as an indicator of oxidative stress. Carbonyl groups do not have distinguishing UV or visible, spectrophotometric absorbance/fluorescence characteristics and thus their detection and quantification can only be achieved using specific chemical probes. In this paper, we review the advantages and disadvantages of several chemical probes that have been and are still being used for protein carbonyl analysis. These probes include 2,4-dinitrophenylhydazine (DNPH), tritiated sodium borohydride ([(3)H]NaBH(4)), biotin-containing probes, and fluorescence probes. As our discussions lean toward gel-based approaches, utilizations of these probes in 2D gel-based proteomic analysis of carbonylated proteins are illustrated where applicable. Analysis of carbonylated proteins by ELISA, immunofluorescent imaging, near infrared fluorescence detection, and gel-free proteomic approaches are also discussed where appropriate. Additionally, potential applications of blue native gel electrophoresis as a tool for first dimensional separation in 2D gel-based analysis of carbonylated proteins are discussed as well.
MOLECULAR CLONING OF HUMAN P48, A TRANSIENT COMPONENT OF PROGESTERONE RECEPTOR COMPLEXES AND AN HSP70-BINDING PROTEIN

A 48-kDa protein (p48) that transiently associates with progesterone receptor during cell-free assembly in rabbit reticulocyte lysate was isolated by two-dimensional gel separation. Tryptic peptide sequences were generated and used to develop an antipeptide antiserum recognizing p48 by Western immunostaining, and this antiserum was used to monitor purification of native p48 from reticulocyte lysate. Eight mouse monoclonal antibodies capable of immunoprecipitating vertebrate p48 were generated. These monoclonal antibodies served as probes to clone ten p48 cDNAs from a HeLa cDNA expression library. One of the cloned cDNAs was sequenced in its entirety and codes for a 369-amino acid protein (calculated Mr = 41,324). Northern blot analysis of RNA from multiple human tissues suggest that p48 may be ubiquitously expressed. Expression of human p48 cDNA in vitro yielded a product that comigrated with rabbit p48 by SDS-PAGE and associated with progesterone receptor in a similar manner. Immunoprecipitation of p48 c...
Globalization Of Entrepreneurship: Policy Considerations For SME Development In Indonesia

SMEs are of overwhelming importance to the young and growing economies of most Southeast Asian nations, including Indonesia. The country is a vast polyglot archipelago, struggling with poverty and unemployment, poor and inadequate infrastructure, rampant corruption, insufficient capital, and unequal distribution of resources. It has recently experienced fundamental changes in political governance, regional empowerment, and economic structures as a result of the Asian Financial Crisis, coupled with widespread social unrest which resulted in the ouster of the authoritarian regime of President Suharto. This paper evaluates the existing private sector development policy in Indonesia, which has been found to be both ambivalent and inconsistent. The Guided Democracy and Guided Economy policies of the post-independence era were socialist in nature. The subsequent New Order regime provided preferred treatment to selected segments of society. In order to succeed in promoting SME development to advance the welfare of the economically weak groups, the newly launched programs need to be fine-tuned to allow for the establishment of a favorable and non-discriminative investment climate. There is much that Indonesia can learn from the experience of India and Singapore in implementing meaningful policy that can effectively promote SME development, especially in the production, distribution and service sectors in a global context. Policies have to be market-oriented, demand-driven and not dominated by government agencies which, in the past, have failed to provide services relevant to the actual needs of SMEs.
General line integrals for gravity anomalies of irregular 2D masses with horizontally and vertically dependent density contrast

Line integrals LIs are an efficient tool in calculating the gravity anomaly caused by an irregular 2D mass body becausethe2Dsurfaceintegralisreducedtoa1DLI.Historically, LIs have been derived for 2D mass bodies of depth-dependent density contrast. I derive LIs for 2D mass bodies withdensitycontrastdependenton1horizontaland2horizontalandverticaldirections.Assumingthedensitycontrast dependsonlyonhorizontalposition,twotypesofrepresentativeLIsarederived:LIswithlogarithmickernelanddensityintegratedLIsforanyintegrabledensity-contrastfunction.A general density-contrast model that depends on horizontal and vertical directions is developed to include three components: a function of horizontal position, a function of vertical position, and a sum of crossterms of horizontal and vertical positions. Based on the general density-contrast model defined and proper selection of 2D vector gravity potentials, general LIs are derived to calculate the gravity anomaly.The newlydevelopedLImethodisthencomparedwithtwocases from the literature in calculating gravity anomaly, and agreement is obtained. However, the new LI method allows for more general 2D density-contrast variations and can be used to calculate the gravity anomaly of a 2D mass body. Such a mass body can have any cross-sectional profile that can be approximated by a polygonal cross section with any densitycontrast function that can be approximated by a rich set of basisfunctions.
On subspace decompositions of finite horizon DP problems with switched linear dynamics

We consider finite horizon dynamic programming problems for switched linear dynamics over a finite dimensional but otherwise arbitrary state-space, where the cost function depends only on the state. We start from a decomposition of the underlying state-space as the sum of invariant subspaces under all linear transformations induced by the input, and pose the following question: Assuming the cost function has an additive structure compatible with the state-space decomposition, under what conditions does the cost-to-go function also exhibit an additive structure? We begin by deriving a necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of this additive structure. We then propose a sufficient condition, expressed in terms of the cardinality of the input set: While not necessary, this condition has the advantage of being readily verifiable. Finally, we characterize the resulting reduction in complexity for the case of systems with finite state-spaces, and we conclude with a simple illustrative example.
Sandy Debrites and Tidalites of Pliocene Reservoir Sands in Upper-Slope Canyon Environments, Offshore Krishna–Godavari Basin (India): Implications

Abstract A depositional model is proposed for deep-water petroleum reservoir sands (Pliocene) in the Krishna–Godavari Basin, Bay of Bengal, India. Based on examination of 313 m of conventional cores from three wells, five depositional facies have been interpreted: (1) sandy debrite, sandy slump, sandy slide, and sandy cascading flow, (2) muddy slump and debrite, (3) sandy tidalite, (4) muddy tidalite, and (5) hemipelagite. Debrites and slumps constitute up to 99% in one well. Sand injectites are common. Pliocene environments are interpreted to be comparable to the modern upper continental slope with widespread mass-transport deposits and submarine canyons in the Krishna–Godavari Basin. Frequent tropical cyclones, tsunamis, earthquakes, shelf-edge canyons with steep-gradient walls of more than 30°, and seafloor fault scarps are considered to be favorable factors for triggering mass movements. Pliocene canyons are sinuous, exhibit 90° deflections, at least 22 km long, relatively narrow (500–1000 m wide), deeply incised (250 m), and asymmetrically walled. Sandy debrites occur as sinuous canyon-fill massive sands, intercanyon sheet sands (1750 m long or wide and 32 m thick), and canyon-mouth slope-confined lobate sands (3 km long, 2.5 km wide, and up to 28 m thick). Canyon-fill facies are characterized by the close association of sandy debrites and tidalites. Reservoir sands, composed mostly of amalgamated units of sandy debrites, are thick (up to 32 m), low in mud matrix (less than 1% by volume), and high in measured porosity (35–40%) and permeability (850–18,700 mD). Because upper-slope sandy debrites mimic base-of-slope turbidite channels and lobes in planform geometries, use of conventional submarine fan models as a template to predict the distribution of deep-water sand is tenuous.
Colonization with Staphylococcus aureus in HIV-infected children and adolescents in Brooklyn, NY

Few studies have examined the epidemiology of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) colonization in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected children. The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors for S. aureus colonization in our pediatric HIV-infected patients. HIV-infected patients and age-matched controls of 2–24 years of age were recruited in the pediatric outpatient clinics at SUNY Downstate Medical Center and Kings County Hospital, in Brooklyn, NY. Nares and axillary swabs were collected from each patient and cultured. Confirmed S. aureus isolates were screened for sensitivity to antibiotics frequently used to treat staphylococcal infections. A total of 112 patients were screened; 63 HIV-infected and 49 controls. Eighteen of two hundred and twenty-four (8%) specimens grew S. aureus . Only two grew methicillin resistant S. aureus . Within the HIV-infected group, 3 of 63 (5%) patients were colonized. In contrast, 11 of 49 (22%) controls ( p = 0.008, Fisher exact test) were colonized. None of the colonized patients reported taking any antibiotics in the last year. We did not find higher rates of S. aureus colonization in HIV-infected children and adolescents compared to healthy controls. The prevalence of S. aureus colonization in the HIV-infected group was significantly lower than controls, which may be related to the use of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole for Pneumocystis prophylaxis. The prevalence of methicillin resistant S. aureus colonization was low in both groups and is likely reflective of the low rates of both colonization and invasive disease seen with this pathogen at our institution.
Retina-V1 model of detectability across the visual field

A practical model is proposed for predicting the detectability of targets at arbitrary locations in the visual field, in arbitrary gray scale backgrounds, and under photopic viewing conditions. The major factors incorporated into the model include (a) the optical point spread function of the eye, (b) local luminance gain control (Weber's law), (c) the sampling array of retinal ganglion cells, (d) orientation and spatial frequency-dependent contrast masking, (e) broadband contrast masking, and (f) efficient response pooling. The model is tested against previously reported threshold measurements on uniform backgrounds (the ModelFest data set and data from Foley, Varadharajan, Koh, & Farias, 2007) and against new measurements reported here for several ModelFest targets presented on uniform, 1/f noise, and natural backgrounds at retinal eccentricities ranging from 0° to 10°. Although the model has few free parameters, it is able to account quite well for all the threshold measurements.
Strengthening Hadfield steel welds by nitrogen alloying

Strengthening Hadfield steel weld repairs by introducing nitrogen into the weld region was proven to be feasible via two welding techniques. The first technique required a pure Hadfield steel filler material to be diffusion treated in a high pressure nitrogen gas environment, and subsequently used during tungsten inert gas welding with a pure argon shielding gas. The second technique used a Hadfield steel filler material, and a 10% nitrogen containing argon shielding gas during tungsten inert gas welding. Both techniques increased the yield strength, the hardening rate, and the ultimate strength of the weld region. Using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and Auger spectroscopy, we determined that the increased strength of the weld region resulted from a combination of nitrogen alloying and microstructural refinement.
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia testing is over-utilized in cirrhosis & correlates with poor clinical outcomes.

Introduction. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a serious complication seen in hospitalized, medically-ill patients. Evaluation for HIT using a commercially-available ELISA-based test has become increasingly common; however, it does have a high false positive rate. Implications of HIT testing in patients with cirrhosis have not yet been reported. Material and methods. We conducted a single-institution, retrospective review of all patients with cirrhosis admitted over a 29-month period. The student’s t-test and the χ 2 test were used for comparisons. We performed a stratified survival analysis using Kaplan-Meier and log rank testing. Results. A total of 1,305 patients had a HIT Ab sent during the study period. Of these patients, 106 had cirrhosis and were included in the study. Eighteen (17%) of the patients with cirrhosis were HIT Ab positive and four of the eighteen had a positive Serotonin Release Assay (SRA) confirmatory test. No difference was found in platelet nadir, thrombotic rate, length of stay, and patient survival between patients with positive HIT Ab and negative HIT Ab testing. No consistent treatment was used among patients who were HIT Ab positive, despite hematology service consultation. Patients who were HIT Ab negative were more likely to have undergone liver transplantation compared to those who were positive (27 vs. 5.5%, respectively; p = 0.048). Conclusion. Our data suggest that HIT Ab testing is over-used in patients with cirrhosis and is poorly predictive of outcomes. With a poor positive predictive value, HIT testing may add unnecessary complexity to an already complicated patient population.
β-Lactam/β-Lactamase Inhibitor Combinations From Then to Now

Objective: To review the available evidence regarding the utility of the currently available β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combinations (BLICs) as well as the emerging body of data for the novel agents in the pipeline. Data Sources: A MEDLINE literature search (1960-August 2014) was performed using the search terms β-lactamase, β-lactamase inhibitor, clavulanate, sulbactam, tazobactam, avibactam, NXL104, MK-7655, and RPX7009. Current studies focusing on new agents were obtained from clinicaltrials.gov. Additional references were identified from a review of literature citations and meeting abstracts. Study Selection and Data Extraction: All English-language studies pertaining to BLICs were evaluated. Data Synthesis: Historical clinical and in vitro data focusing on the characteristics of the conventional BLICs are reviewed. Avibactam, relebactam (formerly MK-7655), and RPX7009 are new β-lactamase inhibitors that are being studied in combination with β-lactams. Clinical and in vitro data that provide suppo...
On controlling systems with state-variable constraints

State variable constraints may be regions into which the state is forbidden to penetrate or may be physical ("limit stops"). The state-dependent algebraic Riccati equation (SDARE) method can be used to design control systems with constraints of either type. In the former case, a severe penalty function is included in the performance criterion; in the latter case, the physical constraint is modeled by a severely nonlinear spring. Performance is illustrated by an inverted pendulum and the effectiveness of the modeling technique and the SDARE method is demonstrated.
Characteristics of three turbidites, Hispaniola-Caicos Basin

The absence of analyses of complete sedimentary units resulting from single turbidity currents has been a major shortcoming of turbidite studies. Previous studies have extrapolated single-flow characteristics by averaging attributes of groups of flows. Distinctive source areas surrounding the 9,500-km 2 , 4,100-m-deep Hispaniola-Caicos Basin allow long-distance correlation of beds and afford an unusual opportunity to study turbidites resulting from single-flow events. On the basis of data from closely spaced piston cores, three individual turbidites have been mapped in their entirety. Two of the flows contain abundant terrigenous material; they originated from Hispaniola or Cuba. The third flow is almost exclusively bioclastic; it originated from Great Inagua Carbonate Bank. All of the flows traveled about 100 km across the flat basin floor. They range in total volume from 8.9 × 10 8 m 3 to 30.8 ×10 8 m 3 . The flows cover areas ranging from 3,500 to 5,200 km 2 , indicating the importance of lateral spreading on the basin floor. Maximum thicknesses, including upper pelitic intervals, are well over 200 cm. The flow deposits generally thin away from their basin entry points but thicken by ponding in basin depressions. Marked horizontal sorting occurs on the basis of constituent particle density and size. In two flow deposits, Bouma interval structure units A through E are present everywhere. In the third turbidite, the complete Bouma sequence is present only near the basin entry point, and the upper flow regime units (A and B) disappear within 30 km of the basin edge.
Effects of bark beetle-caused tree mortality on wildfire

Millions of trees killed by bark beetles in western North America have raised concerns about subsequent wildfire, but studies have reported a range of conclusions, often seemingly contradictory, about effects on fuels and wildfire. In this study, we reviewed and synthesized the published literature on modifications to fuels and fire characteristics following beetle-caused tree mortality. We found 39 studies addressing this topic with a variety of methods including fuels measurements, fire behavior simulations, an experiment, and observations of fire occurrence, severity, or frequency. From these publications, we developed a conceptual framework describing expected changes of fuels and fire behavior. Some characteristics of fuels and fire are enhanced following outbreaks and others are unchanged or diminished, with time since outbreak a key factor influencing changes. We also quantified areas of higher and lower confidence in our framework based on the number of studies addressing a particular area as well as agreement among studies. The published literature agrees about responses in many conditions, including fuels measurements and changes in stands with longer times since outbreak, and so we assigned higher confidence to our conceptual framework for these conditions. Disagreement or gaps in knowledge exist in several conditions, particularly in early postoutbreak phases and crown fire behavior responses, leading to low confidence in our framework in these areas and highlighting the need for future research. Our findings resolved some of the controversy about effects of bark beetles on fire through more specificity about time since outbreak and fuels or fire characteristic. Recognition of the type of study question was also important in resolving controversy: some publications assessed whether beetle-caused tree mortality caused differences relative to unattacked locations, whereas other publications assessed differences relative to other drivers of wildfire such as climate. However, some disagreement among studies remained. Given the large areas of recent bark beetle and wildfire disturbances and expected effects of climate change, land and fire managers need more confidence in key areas when making decisions about treatments to reduce future fire hazard and when fighting fires.
Letter to the Editor---Comments on the Growth of Research and Development Expenditures

This is a portion of a longer paper presented at the Sixteenth National Meeting of the Operations Research Society of America, November 11--13, 1959, in Pasadena, California.
Bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of oral meloxicam in llamas

South American camelids in the United States have rapidly developed into an important agricultural industry in need of veterinary services. Pain management is challenging in camelids because there are no drugs currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in these species. Dosage regimens used for many therapeutic drugs have been extrapolated from other ruminants; however, the pharmacokinetics, in camelids, may differ from those of other species. Studies investigating the pharmacokinetics of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in camelids are deficient in the published literature. Six adult llamas (121- 168 kg) were administered either a 1 mg/kg dose of oral or a 0.5 mg/kg dose of IV meloxicam in a randomized cross-over design with an 11 day washout period between treatments. Plasma samples collected up to 96 hours post-administration were analyzed by high pressure liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry detection (HPLC-MS) followed by non-compartmental pharmacokinetic analysis. A mean peak plasma concentration (CMAX) of 1.314 μg/mL (Range: 0.826 – 1.776 μg/mL) was recorded at 21.4 hours (Range: 12.0 – 24.0 hours) with a half-life (T ½ λz) of 22.7 hours (Range: 18.0 – 30.8 hours) after oral meloxicam administration. In comparison, a half-life (T ½ λz) of 17.4 hours (Range: 16.2 – 20.7 hours) was demonstrated with IV meloxicam administration. The oral bioavailability (F) of meloxicam (dose normalized) was 76% (Range: 48 – 92%). No adverse effects associated with either treatment modality were observed in the llamas. The mean bioavailability (F) of oral meloxicam was 76% indicating a high degree of gastrointestinal absorption. Plasma meloxicam concentrations >0.2 μg/mL were maintained for up to 72 h after oral administration; >0.2 μg/mL is considered to be the concentration of meloxicam required for analgesic effects in other species such as the horse. These data suggest that a single dosage of oral meloxicam at 1 mg/kg could potentially maintain therapeutic concentrations in plasma for up to 3 days in adult llamas.
Picturing the beloved country: Margaret Bourke-White, Life Magazine, and South Africa, 1949-1950

In 1949 and 1950, the pioneering female photojournalist Margaret Bourke-White spent five months in southern Africa, producing four photo-essays for Life, one of America’s most widely read magazines. Two of the essays, which dealt with South Africa in particular, were Americans’ visual introduction to apartheid. The first essay depicted the dedication of the Voortrekker Monument and naively reproduced Afrikaner nationalist ideologies. Appearing several months later, the more substantial of the two essays was a surprisingly vigorous condemnation of racial oppression and labour exploitation at the beginning of the apartheid era. While it remains one of the most compelling photo-essays ever to appear in Life, the decision that Bourke-White and her editors made to avoid showing or mentioning black activism undermined its analysis. The close ties between labour unions, black political groups, and the Communist Party of South Africa made the subject taboo in the strongly anti-communist political climate of post-war America.1
Long term side effects of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with early breast cancer

Adjuvant systemic therapy along with screening has been key to the observed improvements in disease-free and overall survival (DFS/OS) in breast cancer. Improvements in overall survival already take into account therapy related toxicities that can result in death. However, this measure alone does not adequately capture the impact on health-related quality of life. Therefore, it is important to examine the prevalence, frequency and short/long-term impact of therapy-related toxicities, identify patients who might be at greatest risk. Ultimately decisions regarding expected therapy benefits (relative and absolute percentage improvements in DFS/OS) must be made against a background of known potential harms. For many patients with early breast cancer (EBC), their risk of recurrence is not zero but is small. At the same time, for many therapies for early stage breast cancer, the risk of serious side effects is small but is not zero. As we better understand the long-term side effects of adjuvant chemotherapy and targeted therapy, it becomes critical to integrate our growing understanding of breast cancer biology with standard high-quality histopathologic measures to better identify the patients most likely to benefit from the various options for combined multimodality therapy. Hence, we must strive against the notion of recommending adjuvant systemic chemotherapy "just in case." This article focuses on the long-term side effects of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with EBC.
Discrepancies between research advertisements and disclosure of study locations in trial registrations for USA-sponsored research in Russia

Background and Aim The full disclosure of all locations at which research is conducted is an important requirement of clinical trial registration. Yet, little is known about how well researchers and sponsors disclose this information in their registrations. The aim of this study is to examine the adequacy of study location disclosure on http://ClinicalTrials.gov/ for recent USA-sponsored research in the Russian Federation. Methods and Results Information from advertisements for clinical research participation opportunities in Russia was compared with that in the corresponding trial registration in http://ClinicalTrials.gov/. Of 218 USA-sponsored trials advertised to Russian patients and physicians, nearly one-third did not disclose Russia as a study location in the registration. Longer trials were more likely to specify Russia as a study location. Conclusion This study found that recent USA-sponsored clinical trials advertised to patients and physicians in the Russian Federation often do not specify Russia as a study location in their registrations on http://ClinicalTrials.gov/. The failure to fully disclose the locations at which research takes place undermines patients9 ability to access information about potentially beneficial research opportunities, limits access to information, which may be important for identifying or avoiding ethically questionable practices, and may frustrate the ability to interpret the results of research.
The N400 in beginning readers.

In an event-related potentials study of brain-behavior relations during learning-to-read, girls in first grade viewed known words, unknown words, difficult words, and nonwords presented in list form. Participants were divided into low-ability and high-ability reading groups based on standardized test scores. During the 300- to 600-ms epoch, low-ability readers lacked a substantial N400 while high-ability readers evidenced a large, widely distributed negativity to all word types. During the 600- to 1,000-ms epoch, high-ability readers showed effects of repetition while low-ability readers did not. The findings indicate a less selective neurocognitive word-processing system in children as compared to adults and suggest that the N400 may serve as an oblique index of the automaticity of lower level processing.
The Radiative Diffusivity Factor for the Random Malkmus Band.

Abstract The diffusivity factor r that converts an intensity transmission function to a flux transmission function is calculated for the Lorentz line shape as a function of the optical parameters for the new molecular hand model proposed by Malkmus. The results are compared with those for Goody's random exponential model. An estimate of the error in the transmission function due to the use of the usual r=1.66 value can be obtained from our results, and some typical errors are calculated.
Naltrexone and smoking cessation in an ethnically diverse cohort

CN03-03 African-American smokers experience numerous health disparities associated with cigarette smoking including lower quit rates and lack of access to participation in clinical trials compared with Caucasians. In our first study, we piloted a community-based smoking cessation program (group counseling and nicotine patch) in n=50 African Americans residing in South side Chicago neighborhoods. The results showed that the program was acceptable and feasible and biochemically-confirmed quit rates were similar to those often observed in predominantly Caucasian smoker samples (i.e., 34% quit at one month, 18% at six month follow-up). Factors related to better outcomes included lower depressive symptoms, better adherence to nicotine patch, and greater usage of program self-monitoring techniques. The second study was a smoking cessation clinical trial conducted in a diverse sample of n=110 male and female smokers with an ethnic/racial breakdown of 65% Caucasian, 28% African American, and 7% Other. The study examined the efficacy of the opioid antagonist naltrexone in smoking cessation. Participants received weekly behavioral counseling and open-label nicotine patch, with double-blinded random assignment to naltrexone or placebo. Medication began three days prior to the quit date and continued for eight weeks. Quit rates were directionally higher in the naltrexone compared with placebo group at end of treatment (48% quit on naltrexone vs. 41% on placebo). Women responded more favorably to naltrexone than men, with a 20% increase in quit rates for women but a 5% decrease in men. In terms of race/ethnicity, although non-significant, Caucasian smokers tended to have better treatment outcomes with naltrexone than African Americans, however results should not be over interpreted due to the small sample size. Potential mechanisms underlying naltrexone response may include reduction in weight gain, withdrawal symptoms, and cigarette craving, and these factors will be compared in the racial/ethnic groups. In conclusion, results from both studies suggest that the health disparities experienced by African American smokers can be addressed by providing state-of-the-art community-based interventions and by increasing participation in clinical trials to determine if there are racial group by treatment strategy interactions in smoking cessation outcome. These preliminary studies underscore the need for additional research in smoking cessation for ethnic/racial minorities.
The Modern Boy’s Rite of Passage and the Lacking Component of Transcendental Death Acknowledgement:

This article explores the historical tendencies of male rites of passage and the modern expression of rite of passage as lacking the central component of transcendental death acknowledgement (Memento Mori) as seen for years past in various cultures. This article examines the necessity of developing an attunement toward objective transcendentalism among youth upon which an understanding of death may be appropriately developed. Without such a foundation, Memento Mori formulates hopelessness and fear within the boy, stunting his rite of passage into manhood. After offering cultural examples of death acknowledgement, we shall enter an analysis of Memento Mori on today’s cultural relativistic subjectivism to underscore the importance of objective transcendentalism before the incorporation of death acknowledgement within the rite of passage of the boy. This article concludes by offering insight into modern incorporation of Memento Mori within local communities.
Support underway for coastal ecosystems

In his perspective “A global strategy for protecting vulnerable coastal populations” (12 September, p. [1250][1]), E. B. Barbier proposes the establishment of a global emergency task force, combined with international financial support to reduce vulnerability in the long-run, as a means to protect coastal populations from the threats posed by climate change. A disaster task force would be a valuable addition to existing international approaches to climate change adaptation; in fact, the proposed financing of a long-term strategy is already underway. Barbier lists three objectives for a long-term coastal adaptation strategy: managing risks of costal storms, investing in coastal ecosystems and key infrastructure, and enhancing institutional and community response capacities. These activities conform with the strategic objectives of the Global Environment Facility's (GEF) Adaptation Program ([ 1 ][2]), which serves as a financial mechanism to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The estimated need of $575 million to support coastal adaptation in the developing world overlooks existing bilateral financing. It also fails to take into account multilateral assistance that already amounts to $247 million: The GEF's Adaptation Program has allocated $139 million for climate-resilient coastal zone management; the World Bank's Pilot Program for Climate Resilience has approved $73 million; and the Adaptation Fund under the Kyoto Protocol, $35 million. Barbier notes that developing economies would benefit from assistance for institutional capacity-building. There already have been substantial efforts in that direction. Fifty least-developed countries have already completed their National Adaptation Programs of Action ([ 2 ][3]), a list of national priority adaptation needs, as a result of the UNFCCC process and financed by the GEF's Adaptation Program. Country parties to the UNFCCC further agreed that, as a next step, so-called National Adaptation Plans will be developed that will mainstream climate change adaptation into broader development frameworks in developing countries ([ 3 ][4]). 1. [↵][5]Global Environment Facility, GEF Programming Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change for the Least-Developed Countries Fund and the Special Climate Change Fund (Global Environment Facility, Washington, DC, 2014). 2. [↵][6]Global Environment Facility, Progress Report of the Least-Developed Countries Fund and the Special Climate Change Fund (Global Environment Facility, Washington, DC, 2014). 3. [↵][7]United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, The Cancun Agreements: Outcome of the Work of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action under the Convention (Decision 1/CP.16, 2010). [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.1254629 [2]: #ref-1 [3]: #ref-2 [4]: #ref-3 [5]: #xref-ref-1-1 "View reference 1 in text" [6]: #xref-ref-2-1 "View reference 2 in text" [7]: #xref-ref-3-1 "View reference 3 in text"
Numerical simulation of the best throat pipe diameter of jet pump based on PHOENICS

A physical model of jet pump is built by AutoCAD.In PHOENICS VR and cylindrical coordinate editing environment,turbulence is simulated by k-e turbulent flow model and wall function means.Distribution of velocity and pressure are obtained.The effect of the nozzle and throat pipe diameter(Ld)on the turbulent flow field of jet pump is investigated.The throat pipe diameter exerts a great effect on distribution of velocity and pressure,it is one of the most important effects of efficiency of jet pump.This influence is not monotone,it has a best range in 0.7~1.3.The results of this paper can direct the practical use.
Connexin 50 Regulates Surface Ball-and-Socket Structures and Fiber Cell Organization.

Purpose The roles of gap junction protein connexin 50 (Cx50) encoded by Gja8, during lens development are not fully understood. Connexin 50 knockout (KO) lenses have decreased proliferation of epithelial cells and altered fiber cell denucleation. We further investigated the mechanism for cellular defects in Cx50 KO (Gja8-/-) lenses. Methods Fiber cell morphology and subcellular distribution of various lens membrane/cytoskeleton proteins from wild-type and Cx50 KO mice were visualized by immunofluorescent staining and confocal microscopy. Results We observed multiple morphological defects in the cortical fibers of Cx50 KO lenses, including abnormal fiber cell packing geometry, decreased F-actin enrichment at tricellular vertices, and disrupted ball-and-socket (BS) structures on the long sides of hexagonal fibers. Moreover, only small gap junction plaques consisting of Cx46 (α3 connexin) were detected in cortical fibers and the distributions of the BS-associated beta-dystroglycan and ZO-1 proteins were altered. Conclusions Connexin 50 gap junctions are important for BS structure maturation and cortical fiber cell organization. Connexin 50-based gap junction plaques likely form structural domains with an array of membrane/cytoskeletal proteins to stabilize BS. Loss of Cx50-mediated coupling, BS disruption, and altered F-actin in Cx50 KO fibers, thereby contribute to the small lens and mild cataract phenotypes.
Ethical Issues in Conducting Research Involving Persons with Disability: A View from the Past and Some New Challenges

This paper traces the history of conducting research involving people with disabilities and raises serious questions about the ethics of conducting research. Ethical concerns include treatment of vulnerable populations, lack of informed consent, and benefit versus undue hardship when using people with disabilities as research participants. New technological advances, such as discussions on social media, present some new ethical concerns. Two case studies are presented that illustrate new ethical challenges. Guidelines are proposed that address the right to privacy, anonymity and confidentiality.
Satsuki Kawano, Glenda S. Roberts and Susan Orpett Long (eds), Capturing Contemporary Japan: Differentiation and Uncertainty

As a whole or in its parts, this volume is a welcome addition to a growing and important enterprise – that of confirming Japanese diversity and change. The volume’s chapter topics themselves exempl...
Introduction: Advocating for a Transdisciplinary Approach to the Management of Sexual Disorders

Two concepts were particularly important to me in developing this textbook: (1) a desire to cultivate a transdisciplinary sexual medicine perspective for the reader that emphasized integrating counseling with current and future medical/surgical approaches for the treatment of male and female sexual disorders and (2) emphasizing the need and benefit for the reader to use a biopsychosocial-behavioral and cultural lens when contemplating sexual response and sexual dysfunction.
Analysis of Gamma Camera Detector Stability and Its Effect on Uniformity Correction For SPECT

A critical analysis of regional changes of detector uniformity over time on uniformity correction and its effect on single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging was performed. Three tomographic imaging systems were tested using a sequential imaging technique and computer analysis of the change of regional uniformity in all images. Our study revealed a direct correlation between the accuracy of uniformity correction and the introduction of uniformity related artifacts after image reconstruction. Each gamma camera detector demonstrated a unique period of stability for accurate uniformity correction and artifact-free reconstructed images. Periods of acceptable uniformity stability ranged from 6 hr to 10 days.
Assessment of asthma in firefighter applicants

Specialist referral of prospective firefighters declaring a history of asthma is commonplace in the UK,typically including measurement of airway reactivity using an indirect bronchial challenge, such as histamine provocation testing. We present the clinic experience of our specialist occupational lung disease service in the assessment of fitness to work of firefighter applicants from across the UK. Between March 1999 – Jan 2016, 112 firefighters were seen from 11 regional fire services, all referred for pre-employment evaluation because of a history of previous or current asthma. The majority were male (87.8%, n=79) and atopic on formal allergy testing (n=66, 77.7%). Mean FEV1 and FVC were 98.7% and 108.4% predicted, respectively. Ninety applicants underwent histamine testing; most (75.6%, n=68) had a normal response (PC20>16 mg/ml) and an even greater proportion had a “borderline normal” result (PC20>8 mg/ml; n=77, 85.6%). Clinical data on 80 individuals showed that 33.8% (n=27) of individuals experienced symptoms and a similar proportion (40%, n=32) used asthma medication in the last 12 months. At the time of review however, 65% were taking no asthma treatment; the majority of applicants taking medication required reliever therapy only (n=20/31; 64.5%). A history of asthma remains a relative contraindication to employment as a firefighter; the contemporary increase in the prevalence of childhood asthma is now having an impact on the adult workforce. Histamine provocation testing provides a convenient metric for assessing airway reactivity. Follow up data on this cohort in terms of performance at work has the potential to help further clarify the approach to firefighter recruits with asthma.
Developments on the Fringe: Article 2 Revisions, Computer Contracting, and Suretyship

Fifty years ago, when the Uniform Commercial Code was promulgated, it was "put forward as the grandest achievement of all time in the history of private statute law making." Today, that grand achievement is in the process of a substantial overhaul. The cracks that have appeared over time are being repaired, but more importantly the scope of the Code is being expanded as transactions not previously formally part of the Code are being brought within its coverage. Article 2A now governs leasing transactions, a species of contract which has existed on the fringes of Articles 2 and 9 for decades. Article 4A has been drafted to deal with electronic funds transfers, a species of payment mechanism which was in its infancy at the time of Code promulgation. Thus, the sponsors and guardians of the Code are confronting and addressing both the old and the new, and the extent to which the Code can and should apply to these transactions.
DIC in decompensated cirrhosis caused by prothrombin complex concentrate and recombinant activated factor VII: A word of caution.

We would like to respond to Scott et al. and the accompanying editorial.1,2 Concentrated factor products like recombinant activated factor VII (NovoSeven®, Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Inc.) and prothrombin complex concentrate (Kcentra®, CSL Behring GmbH) are agents that can rapidly reverse coagulopathy for invasive procedures. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Adams–Oliver Syndrome Type 2 in Association with Compound Heterozygous DOCK6 Mutations

Adams-Oliver syndrome (AOS) is a multiple congenital anomaly syndrome characterized by aplasia cutis congenita (ACC) and transverse terminal limb defects (TTLDs). We present a case of type 2 autosomal recessive AOS associated with heterozygous mutations in the dedicator of cytokinesis 6 (DOCK6) gene, with characteristic findings of ACC, TTLD, intracerebral periventricular calcifications, and polymicrogyria.
Abstract 19209: Wide Qrs and Rbbb Morphology Are Associated With Worse Prognosis in Aortic Stenosis

Background: The prevalence and prognostic importance of QRS morphology and duration have not been previously documented in a population comprising all grades of aortic stenosis (AS) patients. Purpo...
Precise implications for real-space pair distribution function modeling of effects intrinsic to modern time-of-flight neutron diffractometers.

Total scattering and pair distribution function (PDF) methods allow for detailed study of local atomic order and disorder, including materials for which Rietveld refinements are not traditionally possible (amorphous materials, liquids, glasses and nanoparticles). With the advent of modern neutron time-of-flight (TOF) instrumentation, total scattering studies are capable of producing PDFs with ranges upwards of 100–200 A, covering the correlation length scales of interest for many materials under study. Despite this, the refinement and subsequent analysis of data are often limited by confounding factors that are not rigorously accounted for in conventional analysis programs. While many of these artifacts are known and recognized by experts in the field, their effects and any associated mitigation strategies largely exist as passed-down `tribal' knowledge in the community, and have not been concisely demonstrated and compared in a unified presentation. This article aims to explicitly demonstrate, through reviews of previous literature, simulated analysis and real-world case studies, the effects of resolution, binning, bounds, peak shape, peak asymmetry, inconsistent conversion of TOF to d spacing and merging of multiple banks in neutron TOF data as they directly relate to real-space PDF analysis. Suggestions for best practice in analysis of data from modern neutron TOF total scattering instruments when using conventional analysis programs are made, as well as recommendations for improved analysis methods and future instrument design.