cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Serum somatomedin-C concentrations in a rabbit model of diabetic pregnancy.

We have developed and validated a method for measuring immunoreactive somatomedin-C (Sm-C) in serum of rabbits, and have shown that during midgestation (11–26 days; gestation = 31 days) serum Sm-C concentrations are higher in normal pregnant animals than in pregnant diabetic animals. Sm-C concentrations in the serum of 28-day gestation fetuses of diabetic rabbits (3.14 ± 0.25 U/ml) were significantly higher than in the fetuses of nondiabetic rabbits (2.31 ± 0.23 U/ml; P 250 mg/dl) had higher serum Sm-C (3.66 ± 0.41 U/ml) than those of mothers who were mildly hyperglycemie (2.71 ± 0.2 U/ml). Although these differences were not statistically significant, fetuses from the former litters accounted in great part for the difference between the fetuses of diabetic and normal pregnancy. The diabetes-related increment in Sm-C does not appear to be due to insulin, since fetal insulin concentrations were not different between the normal and diabetic litters (normal, 50.0 ± 3.6 μU/ml versus diabetic, 49.6 ± 7.6 μU/ml). Despite their elevation in serum Sm-C, fetuses from litters of diabetic rabbits were growth retarded in weight (26.8 ± 6.9 g and 33.8 ± 6.9 g, diabetic versus normal pregnancy; P
Algorithms for discrete denoising under channel uncertainty

The goal of a denoising algorithm is to reconstruct a signal from its noise-corrupted observations. Perfect reconstruction is seldom possible and performance is measured under a given fidelity criterion. In a recent work, the authors addressed the problem of denoising unknown discrete signals corrupted by a discrete memoryless channel when the channel, rather than being completely known, is only known to lie in some uncertainty set of possible channels. A sequence of denoisers was derived for this case and shown to be asymptotically optimal with respect to a worst-case criterion argued most relevant to this setting. In the present paper, we address the implementation and complexity of this denoiser for channels parametrized by a scalar, establishing its practicality. We show that for symmetric channels, the problem can be mapped into a convex optimization problem, which can be solved efficiently. We also present empirical results suggesting the potential of these schemes to do well in practice. A key component of our schemes is an estimator of the subset of channels in the uncertainty set that are feasible in the sense of being able to give rise to the noise-corrupted signal statistics for some channel input distribution. We establish the efficiency of this estimator, both algorithmically and experimentally. We also present a modification of the recently developed discrete universal denoiser (DUDE) that assumes a channel based on the said estimator, and show that, in practice, the resulting scheme performs well. For concreteness, we focus on the binary alphabet case and binary symmetric channels, but also discuss the extensions of the algorithms to general finite alphabets and to general channels parameterized by a scalar.
Developing an Online Community for Women in Computer and Information Sciences: A Design Rationale Analysis

We describe the evolutionary development of an online community system designed to support a devel-opmental learning community of women - wConnect. The goal of this community is to engage, connect and support women at different developmental levels with respect to education and career goals in the computer and information sciences. We chronicle the system's development through design rationale motivated our decisions about how to support the online community activities. We present initial design goals, summarize the path we have followed thus far, and present a de-sign rationale account of the decisions influencing this path. We close with a brief summary of wConnect and our future plans for its online community system.
Penicillin-induced formation of osmotically stable spheroplasts in nongrowing Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus.

Bdellovibrio peptidoglycan is of typical gram-negative composition. The molar ratios of alanine:glutamic acid:diaminopimelic acid:muramic acid:glucosamine were about 2:1:1:1:1. Nascent, nongrowing Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus 109J were converted from highly motile vibrios to highly motile spheres when shaken in dilute buffer plus penicillin, cephalothin, bacitracin, or D-cycloserine. The spherical forms contained essentially no sedimentable peptidoglycan; i.e., they were spheroplasts. Spheroplasts induced by penicillin, D-cycloserine, and lysozyme were stable in dilute buffer and did not lyse when subjected to osmotic shock. Normal Bdellovibrio suspended in buffer turned over their peptidoglycan at a rate of approximately 30% h during the initial 120 min of starvation. Chloramphenicol and sodium azide strongly inhibited Bdellovibrio peptidoglycan turnover and the induction of spheroplasts by penicillin. The data indicate that nongrowing B. bacteriovorus are sensitive to penicillin and other antibiotics affecting cell walls because of their high rate of peptidoglycan turnover. It is also concluded that an intact peptidoglycan layer is required for maintaining cell shape, but is not required for osmotic stability of B. bacteriovorus.
Ornamental Grasses Show Minimal Response to Cultural Inputs

ADDITIONAL INDEX WORDS. Fertilizer, irrigation, Tripsacum dactyloides, Eragrostis elliottii, Muhlenbergia capillaris, Miscanthus sinensis, Schizachyrium scoparium, Panicum virgatum SUMMARY. Full sun trial gardens were established at two sites in northern Florida. Six U.S. native and three non-native warm season grass species were evaluated in a split-plot design. Only eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides), elliott’s lovegrass (Eragrostis elliottii), gulf hairawn muhly (Muhlenbergia capillaris), little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), and ‘Central Park’ maiden grass (Miscanthus sinensis) showed a significant response to supplemental irrigation or fertilization. Supplemental irrigation did not influence foliage height for any of the grasses, whereas supplemental fertilization influenced foliage height only for chinese fountain grass (Pennisetum alopecuroides). The response differences between locations were attributed in part to soil types. This study observed minimal or no response of shoot growth to supplemental irrigation or fertilization for the grass species tested, thereby affirming the broad adaptability and minimal need for inputs for these ornamental landscape plants.
P4 – 2306: Malignant hyperthermia like episodes in infants with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy

Objective To detail the cases of three infants with cerebral palsy presenting with severe spasticity leading to rhabdomyolysis and fever. Methods Spasticity in children with cerebral palsy may be exacerbated by many factors and a systematic approach in dealing with it helps identify the cause of the spasticity. Standard treatments for spasticity include medications such as Baclofen, Benzodiazepines and Dantrolene. Spasticity in the three infants was profound leading to rigidity and rhabdomyolysis mimicking malignant hyperthermia. Results Creatine kinase was found to be elevated up to twenty times normal. This resolved with the use of diazepam or dantrolene. Genetic testing for malignant hyperthermia in one infant revealed a mutation of uncertain significance in the RYR1 gene. Conclusion Severe spasticity may lead to rhabdomyolysis and fever mimicking malignant hyperthermia. Extensive investigations in these patients did not reveal an infective or other medical aetiology. Recurrence was prevented by the use of diazepam or dantrolene. Elevations of creatine kinase to these high levels is unusual even in children with spastic quadriplegia, therefore should genetic testing be undertaken looking for a predisposition to malignant hyperthermia?
A new approach to the study of textile properties with liquid chromatography. Comparison of void volume and surface area of cotton and ramie using a rolled fabric stationary phase

A novel rolled stationary phase using whole fabric has been developed for liquid chromatography. This paper describes the column and its properties and use in characterizing pore volumes of the whole fabric. The logistic model gives a good fit of the measured void volume data obtained by size exclusion chromatography. With the help of this function, both pore size and surface area distribution of cotton and ramie fabrics can be obtained. The relationship between pore shape and surface area is discussed. Cotton has 100 to 200% more void volume and surface area than ramie (for all sizes of pores). Increasing the temperature from 30 to 60°C does not significantly influence either the total void volume or surface area of cotton and ramie. The void volume and surface area of cotton as determined by this rolled fabric column method are comparable to previously reported data.
Plasma: An FPGA for Million Gate Systems

Prototypes are invaluable for studying special purpose parallel architectures and custom computing. This paper describes a new FPGA, called Plasma- the heart of a configurable custom computing engine (Teramac) that can execute synchronous logic designs up to one million gates at rates up to one megahertz. Plasma FPGA's using 0.8 micron CMOS are packaged in large multichip modules (MCMs). A large custom circuit may be mapped onto the hardware in approximately two hours, without user intervention. Plasma introduces some innovative architecture concepts including hardware support for large multiported register files.
Statistical dislocation activation from grain boundaries and its role in the plastic anisotropy of nanotwinned copper

Abstract In this work, we explore the microstructural properties that give rise to the plastic anisotropy observed in columnar-grained, nano-twinned Cu. A statistical model for randomly varying source lengths within the grain boundaries of the nanostructure is developed. The model is used to calculate a corresponding critical resolved shear stress for emitting dislocations within a twin lamella on slip systems lying either parallel or inclined from its twin boundary. By incorporating this model into a 3D crystal plasticity finite element model, we can link texture and slip patterns within the twin lamella to anisotropy in the plastic deformation behavior. The model achieves good agreement with flow stress strain evolution and yield data collected over many studies. We show that reducing twin thickness can increase plastic anisotropy as a result of the increase in mean stress to emit dislocations. It is also found that finer twins can lower strain hardening as a consequence of a lower statistical variation in the emission stress.
Creating New Opportunities for Lesson Study in an Online Reading Clinic

Multimedia expands the opportunity for graduate teachers to develop a community of learners in an online reading clinic as they reflect and collaborate on a variety of reading and writing experiences during an online lesson study of a comprehensive corrective reading lesson. This qualitative method study explores (a) the pedagogical shifts of teachers in an online reading clinic lesson study of their own self-selected literacy teaching. The findings reveal that the pedagogical shifts made by graduate teachers in an online lesson study resulted in changes in 1) knowledge of assessment and diagnosis as evident in metacognitive reflection and progressive of understandings; 2) teachers instructional differentiation and intervention skills refined by examination of practice as evident in their analytical reasoning; and 3) increased commitment to providing corrective reading instruction based on formal and informal data—driven decisions.
Towards the Development of a Novel DSMC/CFD Coupling Scheme for the Simulation of Rarified/Continuum Flows

A DSMC/CFD coupling scheme is introduced to simulate gas flows in transitional regions between rarified and continuum domains for time-dependent cases. The present work seeks to validate the scheme by modeling low-density, supersonic flow over an airfoil for multiple angles of attack. A DSMC solver is used to impose a time-varying far-field inlet boundary on a CFD domain, resulting in one-way coupling from the DSMC domain to the CFD domain. The CFD solver then models the flow field with continually changing inlet conditions. The results are compared to pure DSMC and pure CFD solutions.
Boll Weevils: Chemosterilization of Both Sexes with Busulfan plus Thompson-Hayward TH-6040

Female Anthonomus grandis Boheman fed diets containing 0.1% busulfan are incompletely sterilized. Fertility is significantly decreased when insects fed busulfan are dipped in 0.1% TH-6040 in acetone. The combined treatment should be valuable for sterilization of boll weevils in control programs which utilize sterile males.
Achieving cholesterol goals with low-cost 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme-A (HMG Co-A) reductase inhibitors

Objective The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of widely available low-cost generic statins in achieving NCEP/ATP III cholesterol goals in diabetic patients seen in an indigent clinic. Methods Retrospective chart review of patients seen in the pharmacist managed diabetes clinic between January 1, 2005 and February 10, 2010. 154 patient charts were reviewed, with 12 included for analysis. Patients were age >40, diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, referred to the pharmacy clinic for diabetes management, and treated with a study statin for 6 weeks. Patients were excluded for baseline triglycerides >400 mg/dL, treatment with a non-study lipid lowering therapy ≤6 weeks prior to baseline, or pregnancy. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with an LDL <100 mg/dL at 6 weeks. Secondary endpoints included an LDL <70 mg/dL, other cholesterol goals, and a 30% reduction in LDL at 6 weeks. Results At the first follow-up, 33% ( n = 4) of patients achieved an LDL <100 mg/dL, and 66.7% ( n = 8) a 30% LDL reduction. Race was a significant predictor, with Caucasians having greater LDL reductions than non-Caucasians at 6 weeks (Pearson Correlation −0.595, p = 0.041). Higher doses were significant predictors of greater change in LDL (Pearson Correlation −0.708, p = 0.01). Conclusion Due to the small sample size, statistical power was not met. Both race and dose were significant predictors of LDL reduction. When controlled for race, dose remained a significant predictor of LDL reduction. Further studies with low-cost statins in a larger patient population are needed.
Male genitourinary abnormalities and maternal diethylstilbestrol.

AbstractIn view of the risk of vaginal cancer developing in young female subjects exposed in utero to maternally ingested diethylstilbestrol a pilot study was undertaken of male subjects similarly exposed. A health questionnaire was mailed to 306 male subjects whose mothers were known to have taken diethylstilbestrol in the early part of their pregnancies and to 231 age and sex-matched controls identified from the same record source. Although there was no increased history of cancer, heart disease or asthma when the groups were compared there was a higher incidence of reported urinary tract symptoms and genital abnormalities in the group exposed to diethylstilbestrol. The presence of these abnormalities was confirmed by physical examination of 15 respondents. Studies in experimental animals also have shown that in certain species maternally ingested stilbestrol may result in abnormalities of the genitalia and infertility in the male offspring. Itis recommended that more extensive clinical studies be under...
GaN High Electron Mobility Transistor Simulations With Full Wave and Hot Electron Effects

The Fermi kinetics transport model is combined with Maxwell’s full wave vector field equations to accurately simulate a GaN high electron mobility transistor’s measured behavior from dc up into the millimeter-wave frequency range. Explicitly including the GaN wurtzite crystal’s electronic band structure and phonon scattering processes as well as electromagnetic wave effects, the simulator can capture the essential physics of this hot electron device and compare favorably with experiment without using adjustable fitting parameters. The simulator is further used to demonstrate how propagating waves and hot electrons are manifest in the measured data.
Several Applications of Linear Algebra

This chapter discusses the theory of systems of linear differential equations with constant coefficients and explains Leontief's interindustry model of an economy. The notation, the techniques, and some theorems of linear algebra are extremely useful in the study of linear differential equations. The discovery of linear algebra has had a profound influence on the development of modern economics. The linear programming, the game theory, the analysis of systems of interrelated markets, and econometrics, for example, employ this branch of mathematics extensively. The chapter explains the significant applications of linear algebra to economics. A linear algebra is a useful tool to both the practicing chemist and the theoretical chemist. In a large number of instances, the quantum–theoretical connection between the property of interest and the spectrum of observed energy levels is facilitated by the use of linear algebra.
Intracranial Mass Lesions

Intracranial masses may be life-threatening lesions that are refractory to even the most aggressive treatment or benign and require only occasional observation. Metastatic tumors are the most common intracranial tumors in adults, and usually portend a poor prognosis. Glial tumors may be divided into glioblastoma multiforme and other high-grade tumors which progress despite multimodal treatment and low-grade tumors which may be relatively benign. Meningiomas are most often benign tumors that come to clinical attention by causing mass effect or are noticed incidentally on a neuroimaging study ordered for an unrelated reason. Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) may occur in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients. Important non-neoplastic supratentorial mass lesions include arteriovenous malformations, abscesses, and tumefactive multiple sclerosis. Sellar region tumors may produce headaches, visual field defects, and extraocular movement disorders. The most common lesions in the sellar region are adenomas, craniopharyngiomas, and meningiomas. Cerebellopontine angle lesions such as vestibular schwannomas may come to clinical attention by producing hearing loss or imbalance. Masses that occur with greater frequency in immunocompromised patients, particularly those with HIV include PCNSL and toxoplasmosis. Patients from the tropics and the developing world are at risk for several infections that may produce cerebral masses, most importantly neurocysticercosis and tuberculosis.
Historecognition and Immunocompetence in Selected Marine Invertebrates

All marine invertebrates must deal with pathogens, parasites and transformed cells. Sessile marine invertebrates must also meet the additional challenge of coming into contact with allogeneic and xenogeneic tissues. All invertebrate phyla examined demonstrate some degree of specific nonself reactions. Some sponges, scleractinian corals, gorgonians, echinoderms, and tunicates have demonstrated the existence of an alloimmune system by fulfilling the three functional criteria of: (1) cytotoxic reactions; (2) specificity; and (3) an inducible memory. Marine invertebrate immunologic memory is relatively short term, up to six months, but that could be significant, at least within the parameters of the animal’s life style. Tissue fusions require a positive recognition of self and the separate systems for allogeneic or xenogeneic tissue rejection require a positive recognition of nonself. Medawar’s concept of the “uniqueness of the individual” seems to be widely applicable but other systems/situations may occur. Hildemann’s proposal that cell mediated immunity arose early in metazoan evolution and Ig mediated responses appeared early in the vertebrates seems to be serving as a good working hypothesis. There are a number of other histoincompatibility systems in sessile marine invertebrates, e.g., sea anemone aggression, that share features with the alloimmune responses and could perhaps utilize related recognition molecules.
Meaningful Work and Affective Commitment: A Moderated Mediation Model of Positive Work Reflection and Work Centrality

Empirical research on both meaningful work and organizational commitment has been criticized because research in both fields is largely unsystematic. By integrating the cognitive appraisal theory and identity theory into the meaningful work and affective commitment literatures, we examined the mediating role of positive work reflection (study 1 and study 2) and the moderating role of work centrality (study 2) in the relation between meaningful work and affective commitment. We conducted two independent studies with two-wave data to examine our hypotheses through mediation and moderated mediation bootstrapping procedures. Both study 1 and study 2 found that positive work reflection mediated the relationship between meaningful work and affective commitment. In addition, study 2 revealed that the positive relationship between meaningful work and affective commitment was stronger for those who place less importance on work (i.e., low work centrality). The meaningful nature of one’s work may motivate those who view work as peripheral to recall positive moments of their work, which, in turn, impacts their affective commitment to the organization. Thus, in order to increase affective commitment, promoting meaningful work might be particularly important for those with low work centrality. This is one of the first studies to examine positive work reflection as a cognitive pathway linking meaningful work to affective commitment and identify a boundary condition where meaningful work may not be associated with affective commitment for those who are high in work centrality.
3D printed wearable flexible SIW and microfluidics sensors for Internet of Things and smart health applications

In this paper, a flexible SIW wearable sensing platform is proposed with a novel 3D printing process which enables fast-prototyping customized wearable devices. The fabrication utilizes state-of-the-art SLA 3D printing that features fast prototyping of easy-to-reconfigure flexible 3D objects. Two different flexible metallization approaches are explored in this paper, which are complementary to each other and provide an excellent 3D metallization solution together. Two 3D shape SIW transmission lines are shown with a great flexibility and great potential for wearable devices. Moreover, based on a SIW slot waveguide antenna, this paper presents a proof-of-concept microfluidics sensor with sensitivity of 1.7 MHz/Er, which can be used as a wearable sensing device for real-time monitoring of body fluids. The proposed SIW-based flexible wearable devices along with the microfluidics sensors can be used in various Internet-of-Things applications, such as smart health and food quality monitoring.
Guanidinium-Functionalized Interpolyelectrolyte Complexes Enabling RNAi in Resistant Insect Pests.

RNAi-based technologies are ideal for pest control as they can provide species specificity and spare nontarget organisms. However, in some pests biological barriers prevent use of RNAi, and therefore broad application. In this study we tested the ability of a synthetic cationic polymer, poly-[N-(3-guanidinopropyl)methacrylamide] (pGPMA), that mimics arginine-rich cell penetrating peptides to trigger RNAi in an insensitive animal—Spodoptera frugiperda. Polymer–dsRNA interpolyelectrolyte complexes (IPECs) were found to be efficiently taken up by cells, and to drive highly efficient gene knockdown. These IPECs could also trigger target gene knockdown and moderate larval mortality when fed to S. frugiperda larvae. This effect was sequence specific, which is consistent with the low toxicity we found to be associated with this polymer. A method for oral delivery of dsRNA is critical to development of RNAi-based insecticides. Thus, this technology has the potential to make RNAi-based pest control useful for targ...
OriSnake: Design, Fabrication, and Experimental Analysis of a 3-D Origami Snake Robot

Snake robots offer a useful and unique mobility platform for search-and-rescue applications. However, existing prototypes made of rigid links and joints are hampered by a lack of flexibility that limits their utility in highly cluttered, maze-like environments, and their heavy weight limits their energy-efficiency and performance in three-dimensional (3-D) tasks. To address these challenges, this letter presents a new approach using cylindrical, origami continuum modules driven by internal cables and electric motors, as well as a local feedback control system on each module. Thus, we can distribute actuation, sensing, and control for highly scalable soft robotic continuum origami systems. Using this approach, we develop a 3-D origami robotic snake that is able to locomote using lateral undulation and sidewinding gaits similar to those used by biological snakes. The proposed snake robot is a continuously deformable, lightweight, modular, and low cost robotic system made of a folded thin plastic body. We detail the design, fabrication, and control of this first 3-D origami robotic snake prototype, focusing on the analysis of locomotion parameters for each gait. We experimentally search for the optimal parameters for both types of locomotion, with maximum speeds characterized as 40.5 mm/s (0.1 body-lengths per second) for lateral undulation and 35 mm/s (0.09 body-lengths per second) for sidewinding locomotion.
IMPACT OF SLEEP DEPRIVATION ON PERCUTANEOUS CORONARY INTERVENTION

Interventional cardiologists are prone to suffer from sleep deprivation as they often have to perform emergent procedures at night, but the effects of sleep deprivation have received limited study. We examined the frequency, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of daytime percutaneous coronary
Physician Wellness Is an Ethical and Public Health Issue

Attention to physician well-being has traditionally focused on substance abuse, usually with disciplinary implications. But, in recent years, greater notice has been granted toward physician burnout and overall wellness. Burnout and its sequelae not only affect physicians and physicians-in-training as individuals, but the impact then multiplies as it affects these physicians' patients, colleagues, and hospital systems. In addition, the American Medical Association Code of Medical Ethics charges physicians with a responsibility to maintain their own health and wellness as well as promote that of their colleagues. Therefore, the question of physician wellness has both public health and ethical implications. The causes of burnout are multifactorial, and the solutions to sustainable change are multitiered.
Affinity Tags for Protein Purification

Selective immobilization of proteins greatly facilitates their purification, as well as their biochemical and biophysical characterization. When genetically fused to a target protein, a protein affinity tag provides a powerful tool to selectively capture and immobilize that target, in some cases providing single-step purification. Affinity tags consist of proteins or peptides with distinct amino acid sequences that are capable of a reversible, high-affinity binding interaction with a specific partner molecule. The binding partner is linked to a large macroscopic particle or surface that renders it immobile, and thus it is readily amenable to manipulation. The highly specific interaction between the affinity tag and its cognate partner serves as the basis for selective capture of the target protein.
Exploiting the power of local search in a branch and bound algorithm for job shop scheduling

This paper presents three techniques for using an iterated local search algorithm to improve the performance of a state-of-the-art branch and bound algorithm for job shop scheduling. We use iterated local search to obtain (i) sharpened upper bounds, (ii) an improved branch-ordering heuristic, and (iii) and improved variable-selection heuristic. On randomly-generated instances, our hybrid of iterated local search and branch and bound outperforms either algorithm in isolation by more than an order of magnitude, where performance is measured by the median amount of time required to find a globally optimal schedule. We also demonstrate performance gains on benchmark instances from the OR library.
SMALL ADDITIONS RAISE STRENGTH OF ZIRCONIUM AT ELEVATED TEMPERATURES

Small additions of molybdenum and niobium (columbium) to induction melted zirconium resulted in increased strength at temperatures below 500°C. Aluminum, tantalum, and vanadium additions were most effective in maintaining strength over 60O°C. Titanium was the most effective addition to zirconium in the 300° to 700°C range.
Augmentation of Candida albicans Adhesion to Denture Materials Influenced By Surface Topography and Tobacco Components

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of tobacco components tobacco extract TE nicotine and Cotinine on fungal colonization and biofilm formation on two acrylic denture resins Surface topography of the denture materials and alteration of fungal susceptibility to an anti fungal agent Nystatin of both planktonic and biofilm fungal cells grown on the acrylic resins were investigated Ivocap and Lucitone polished and roughened acrylic resin discs were fabricated and randomly assigned to control tobacco extract nicotine and Cotinine treated groups Candida albicans biofilm was prepared on the resin discs in the presence or absence of tobacco components The relative number of viable fungal cells was determined by the MTT assay Quantization of biofilm growth was performed by dry weight analysis Nystatin susceptibility minimum inhibitory concentration MIC was determined by microdilution method Statistical significance was evaluated using ANOVA followed by Fisher rsquo s test p lt The study showed that the roughened discs had significantly greater numbers of C albicansthan the polished discs Lucitone acrylic discs promoted significantly more fungal biofilm growth than Ivocap discs and the presence of tobacco components significantly enhanced biofilm formation on both types of acrylic resin Dry weight analysis showed similar results The Nystatin susceptibility assay showed that cells treated with tobacco components were more resistant to this antifungal agent
The Synthesis of Spirituality and Sustainability for Success

In this concluding chapter, I summarize the key principles of the preceding chapters, as well as identify future recommendations, trends, and applications relevant to the application of spirituality and sustainability for success at both the individual and organizational levels. The social, political, economic, and environmental challenges faced by mankind may benefit from contemporary alternatives to existing systems and models such as the circular economy and Spirituality 2.0. Future research suggestions are included to reinforce (or refute) the propositions that spirituality and sustainability, when combined, produce both individual and organizational success.
New Authorities, Works, and Disciplines

This chapter addresses “modernism” (as opposed to the modern in general) and positions it as the proximate stimulus for the rise of postmodern theory, especially in France. Nietzsche is the pivotal figure. His concept of history as genealogy undermined the evolutionist “master narratives” of the Hegels and the Spencers. In the name of a Darwinian nature—in which the agent of selection is chance—Nietzsche replaced all teleological schemes with a picture of nature-in-history as a field of forces in perpetual contention. The founding posture of modernity, the reliance on reason to discern nature’s plan and to guide humanity’s enterprises accordingly, was eroding: with World War I, it was shattered. “Modernism” names the way the modern subject adapted to this condition of abandonment and shows that in the arts and in the academic disciplines, the great creators responded as if in concert. They turned away from the senseless mess of history and the meaningless routines of mass society in the machine age and focused instead on their “works”—their art works and their disciplines, conceived and carried out by the only authors of meaning left: themselves.
Trade agreements and drug access: assessment of the impact of the 2009 Peruvian new drug policy on anti-infectives registration and availability

The United States-Peru Free Trade Agreement required changes in the Peruvian pharmaceutical legislation that resulted in the National Drug Policy (NDP) of 2009. This study evaluated the registration of brand and generic anti-infectives before and after the agreement and implementation of the NDP and assessed the availability of anti-infectives in community pharmacies located in Arequipa-Peru. Anti-infectives registration database, provided by DIGEMID (Peruvian Drug Regulatory Authority), was evaluated from January 2005 to August 2014. Registration status included: new registrations, re-registrations, awaiting registration; or expired, denied, suspended, canceled and disregarded registrations. In addition, ten retail pharmacies located in different socio-economic areas in Arequipa were sampled in August 2014. Descriptive statistics and chi-square test were used for the analysis. A total of 6112 anti-infectives registrations were categorized (5007 = antibacterials, 340 = antimycotics, 143 = antimycobacterials, and 622 = antiviral drugs). New registrations for brand and generic anti-infectives decreased from 2005 to 2013 (311 to 60 and 164 to 20 respectively). Re-registrations were from 121 (brand) and 115 (generics) in 2005 to 6 (brand) and 5 (generics) in 2013. Anti-infectives awaiting registration increased from 0 in 2005 to 351 (brand) and 137 (generics) in 2013. The retail pharmacy survey included 1105 anti-infectives. These pharmacies carried 647 (58.6%) products awaiting registration, 74 (6.7%) expired (mostly combination of sulfonamides and trimethoprim followed by penicillin with extended spectrum, and fluoroquinolones), 4 (0.4%) suspended, and 2 (0.2%) denied registrations. Pharmacies in the low socio-economic area of the city had the highest proportion of generics (59.0% vs. 16.1%) from foreign origin (mainly India), and brand anti-infectives from Peruvian manufacturers (68.8% vs. 48.1%). High socio-economic areas had highest proportion of branded anti-infectives (83.9% vs. 41.0%). The new NDP reduced the number of brand and generic registrations; generics had the largest decline in registrations. Anti-infectives found in pharmacies located in low-income areas were more likely to be generics, and less likely to be currently registered by DIGEMID. The potential reduction in generic registrations resulting from the implementation of the NDP as a consequence of the bilateral trade agreement could result in lower availability of low cost medicines, but may increase the safety, efficacy and quality of marketed medicines.
Impacts of cold weather on emergency hospital admission in Texas, 2004-2013.

Abstract Cold weather has been identified as a major cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S. Although the effects of cold weather on mortality has been investigated extensively, studies on how cold weather affects hospital admissions are limited particularly in the Southern United States. This study aimed to examine impacts of cold weather on emergency hospital admissions (EHA) in 12 major Texas metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) for the 10-year period, 2004–2013. A two-stage approach was employed to examine the associations between cold weather and EHA. First, the cold effects on each MSA were estimated using distributed lag non-linear models (DLNM). Then a random effects meta-analysis was applied to estimate pooled effects across all 12 MSAs. Percent increase in risk and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated as with a 1 °C (°C) decrease in temperature below a MSA-specific threshold for cold effects. Age-stratified and cause-specific EHA were modeled separately. The majority of the 12 Texas MSAs were associated with an increased risk in EHA ranging from 0.1% to 3.8% with a 1 ⁰C decrease below cold thresholds. The pooled effect estimate was 1.6% (95% CI: 0.9%, 2.2%) increase in all-cause EHA risk with 1 ⁰C decrease in temperature. Cold wave effects were also observed in most eastern and southern Texas MSAs. Effects of cold on all-cause EHA were highest in the very elderly (2.4%, 95% CI: 1.2%, 3.6%). Pooled estimates for cause-specific EHA association were strongest in pneumonia (3.3%, 95% CI: 2.8%, 3.9%), followed by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (3.3%, 95% CI: 2.1%, 4.5%) and respiratory diseases (2.8%, 95% CI: 1.9%, 3.7%). Cold weather generally increases EHA risk significantly in Texas, especially in respiratory diseases, and cold effects estimates increased by elderly population (aged over 75 years). Our findings provide insight into better intervention strategy to reduce adverse health effects of cold weather among targeted vulnerable populations.
Real-Time Monitoring of Asphalt Concrete Pavement Density during Construction using Ground Penetrating Radar: Theory to Practice

Accurate real-time density monitoring is crucial in quality control and quality assurance during the asphalt concrete (AC) pavement construction process. Ground penetrating radar (GPR) technology h...
Lupus and pregnancy: consensus and controversies.

Maternal and fetal outcomes complicated by SLE require that patient, rheumatologist, and ob/gyn work as a team.
RclA is a thermostable copper (II) reductase required for reactive chlorine resistance and host colonization in Escherichia coli

ABSTRACT Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are a growing health concern and have been linked to changes in gut microbiome composition. Enterobacteria, including Escherichia coli, bloom to high levels in the gut during inflammation and strongly contribute to the pathology of IBDs. To survive in the inflamed gut, E. coli must tolerate high levels of antimicrobial compounds produced by the immune system, including toxic metals like copper and reactive chlorine oxidants such as hypochlorous acid (HOCl). The mechanisms by which both copper and HOCl kill bacteria are complex and poorly characterized. In this work, we show that the widely-conserved bacterial HOCl resistance enzyme RclA catalyzes the reduction of copper (II) to copper (I), and that this activity specifically protects E. coli against toxicity resulting from the combination of HOCl and intracellular copper, probably by preventing Cu(III) accumulation. Mutant E. coli lacking RclA were highly sensitive to killing by HOCl and were defective in colonizing an animal host. Consistent with the need for RclA to maintain activity under proteotoxic stress conditions, we found that RclA is remarkably thermostable and resistant to inactivation by HOCl. Our results indicate new complexity in the interactions between antimicrobial toxins produced by innate immune cells, and highlight that understanding copper redox reactions both inside and outside of cells is critical to our understanding of how bacteria evade innate immune factors during inflammation. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT During infection and inflammation, the innate immune system uses antimicrobial compounds to control bacterial populations. These include toxic metals like copper and reactive oxidants, including reactive chlorine species like hypochlorous acid (HOCl). We have now found that RclA, an enzyme strongly induced by HOCl in pro-inflammatory Escherichia coli and found in many bacteria inhabiting epithelial surfaces, reduces copper (II) to copper (I), and that this activity is required to resist killing by HOCl and for host colonization. This finding indicates that copper redox chemistry plays a critical and previously unappreciated role in bacterial interactions with the innate immune system.
Identifying disaster related social media for rapid response: a visual-textual fused CNN architecture

In recent years, social media platforms have played a critical role in mitigation for a wide range of disasters. The highly up-to-date social responses and vast spatial coverage from millions of ci...
Naloxone Availability in Retail Pharmacies and Neighborhood Inequities in Access.

Introduction This study examines the implementation of North Carolina's statewide naloxone standing order and identifies community characteristics associated with pharmacy stocking and willingness to sell naloxone under the standing order. Methods In April–June 2019, a mystery caller protocol was completed to assess if (1) North Carolina pharmacies had naloxone available and were willing to dispense it without a prescription, (2) pharmacy characteristics associated with availability, and (3) there were neighborhood differences (e.g., Census tract population size, density, racial composition, SES, rates of opioid overdoses, and rates of opioid prescriptions dispensed) in availability. Using random sampling stratified by inclusion on North Carolina's public list of pharmacies participating in the standing order, chain, independent, and health department pharmacies in North Carolina were sampled (n=161 of 2,044). In June 2019, the data were analyzed. Survey weights were utilized to calculate the prevalence of availability, and regression models were conducted to examine associations. Results An estimated 61.7% (95% CI=54.3, 68.5) of North Carolina retail pharmacies have naloxone available without a prescription. The odds of naloxone availability were lower for independent pharmacies than chains (OR=0.12, 95% CI=0.06, 0.25). Inclusion on North Carolina's public list of pharmacies had greater odds of naloxone availability (OR=2.32, 95% CI=1.22, 4.43). Naloxone availability was lower in communities with higher percentages of residents with public health insurance (OR=0.97, 95% CI=0.95, 0.999). Conclusions Though more than half of the pharmacies in North Carolina participate in the standing order for naloxone, efforts to identify the best practices for ensuring widespread implementation of statewide standing orders for naloxone are warranted.
Identifying and evaluating conceptual representations for auditory-enhanced interactive physics simulations

Interactive simulations are tools that can help students understand and learn about complex relationships. While most simulations are primarily visual due to mostly historical reasons, sounds can be used to add to the experience. In this work, we evaluated sets of audio designs for two different, but contextually- and visually-similar simulations. We identified key aspects of the audio representations and the simulation content which needed to be evaluated, and compared designs across two simulations to understand which auditory designs could generalize to other simulations. To compare the designs and explore how audio affected a user’s experience, we measured preference (through usability, user experience, and open-ended questions) and interpretation accuracy for different aspects of the simulation (including the main relationships and control feedback). We suggest important characteristics to represent through audio for future simulations, provide sound design suggestions, and address how overlap between visual and audio representations can support learning opportunities.
Parents find community: youth sports as a mobile neighborhood

This article examines the impact travel sports have on adult participants. Parents of travel team players are expected to attend team meetings, be present at practices and training sessions year-ro...
Side Chain Effects and Design of Isoindigo-Based Polymers

More and more studies have demonstrated the substantial impact of flexible side chains on the device performance of organic semiconductors. In this chapter, we present our research on isoindigo-based polymer FETs through careful analysis of the influences of side chains. Besides, donor symmetry and backbone curvature effects are also investigated.
Tackling the growing armies of unhappy workers: where “laidback” ends and “lethargy” begins

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to encourage HR managers to enhance awareness among employees about some simple questions that can solve major problems.Design/methodology/approach – The paper takes the form of a literature review and reflection on longitudinal confrontation with a recurring pattern.Findings – Bad management, lack of motivation, too much stress or low wages are only part of the reasons why workforce members are so massively dissatisfied. There may be another underlying reason that is hardly ever addressed: lack of focus caused by insufficient critical thinking and self‐reflection on what people are really passionate about. As long as that is not addressed, people will continue to search for gratification, but never find it.Research limitations/implications – The is a need for more in‐depth probing into this topic and possibly formally structured surveys to employees on a massive scale to verify this assertion, and start working toward a solution.Practical implications – Readers of t...
Beyond open access: open discourse, the next great equalizer

The internet is expanding the realm of scientific publishing to include free and open public debate of published papers. Journals are beginning to support web posting of comments on their published articles and independent organizations are providing centralized web sites for posting comments about any published article. The trend promises to give one and all access to read and contribute to cutting edge scientific criticism and debate.
Magnetotransport of CeRhIn 5

We report measurements of the temperature-dependent anisotropic resistivity and in-plane magnetoresistance on single crystals of the tetragonal heavy-fermion antiferromagnet ${(T}_{N}=3.8\mathrm{K})$ ${\mathrm{CeRhIn}}_{5}.$ The measurements are reported in the temperature range 1.4--300 K and in magnetic fields to 18 T. The resistivity is moderately anisotropic, with a room-temperature c-axis to in-plane resistivity ratio ${\ensuremath{\rho}}_{c}/{\ensuremath{\rho}}_{a}(300\mathrm{K})=1.7.$ $\ensuremath{\rho}(T)$ measurements on the nonmagnetic analog ${\mathrm{LaRhIn}}_{5}$ indicate that the anisotropy in the ${\mathrm{CeRhIn}}_{5}$ resistivity stems predominantly from anisotropy in Kondo-derived magnetic scattering. In the magnetically ordered regime, an applied field H reduces ${T}_{N}$ only slightly due to the small ordered moment $(0.37{\ensuremath{\mu}}_{B})$ and magnetic anisotropy. The magnetoresistance (MR) below ${T}_{N}$ is positive and shows little sign of saturating in fields to 18 T. In the paramagnetic state, a positive MR is present below 7.5 K, while a high-field negative contribution is evident at higher temperatures. The positive contribution decreases in magnitude with increasing temperature. Above 40 K the positive contribution is no longer observable, and the MR is negative. The low-T positive MR results from interactions with the Kondo-coherent state, while the high-T negative MR stems from single-impurity effects. In general, these results indicate that ${\mathrm{CeRhIn}}_{5}$ exhibits a modest degree of transport anisotropy not atypical among heavy-fermion compounds.
The Interaction of Solvency with Liquidity and its Association with Bankruptcy Emergence

Prior research has shown that the accounting information available in the year just prior to filing bankruptcy is associated with the likelihood of filing for Chapter 11 protection. This information, however, is more predictive of bankruptcy for stressed firms than for non-stressed firms. We extend this line of research by showing that in addition to being associated with bankruptcy, the accounting information available in the year just prior to a firm filing for bankruptcy protection is also associated with whether or not a firm will emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. We classify stress as either long-term stress (solvency risk) and short-term stress (liquidity risk) and predict that firms that exhibit low solvency risk and high liquidity risk are most likely to emerge from bankruptcy. Firms that exhibit high solvency risk and high liquidity risk are predicted to be least likely to emerge from bankruptcy. Cross-sectionally, our results generally support these predictions, but our findings differ across large and small firms.